scholarly journals Significance of norovirus in occupational health: a review of published norovirus outbreaks in Central and Northern Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 93 (8) ◽  
pp. 911-923
Author(s):  
Felix Martin Hofmann ◽  
Edward Olawumi ◽  
Martina Michaelis ◽  
Ulrich Stößel ◽  
Friedrich Hofmann
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Health ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Northern Europe ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Globally, norovirus (NoV) is the leading cause of gastroenteritis infection among all ages. The development of prevention strategies in the field of occupational health requires a detailed knowledge about the impact of the disease on employees. This review article aims not only at evaluating the burden of NoV outbreaks on staff but also at discussing implications for future prevention strategies. Methods Published NoV outbreaks in Central and Northern Europe were identified via a systematic literature search. Additionally, published NoV outbreaks in Germany were detected via a manual literature search. Key epidemiological data, as the number of symptomatic staff, was then extracted. The proportion of affected employees was calculated for each dataset (single NoV outbreaks or aggregated data of multiple outbreaks). Results Overall, 116 datasets were extracted from 72 relevant articles. 144,852 persons were affected by NoV gastroenteritis, 25,408 out of them (17.5%) were employees. 23,874 (94.0%) of them fell sick during outbreaks in hospitals and related settings. NoV cases among personnel in food establishments were reported only sporadically (mean ratio: 0.01). Conclusions Employees in hospitals and community facilities seem quantitatively to be most vulnerable towards NoV epidemics. Therefore, high quality of prevention measures in these settings, respective compliance with prevention strategies should have the highest priority. The disease can be considered as an occupational disease, even regularly without long-term consequences. Following work safety rules, a vaccination for vulnerable groups should be recommended if the vaccine development turns out to be successful.

scholarly journals Potential impact of tuberculosis vaccines in China, South Africa, and India

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (564) ◽  
pp. eaax4607
Author(s):  
Rebecca C. Harris ◽  
Tom Sumner ◽  
Gwenan M. Knight ◽  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Richard G. White
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
World Health ◽  
Median Percentage ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Adolescent Vaccination ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

More effective tuberculosis vaccines are needed to help reach World Health Organization tuberculosis elimination goals. Insufficient evidence exists on the potential impact of future tuberculosis vaccines with varying characteristics and in different epidemiological settings. To inform vaccine development decision making, we modeled the impact of hypothetical tuberculosis vaccines in three high-burden countries. We calibrated Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) transmission models to age-stratified demographic and epidemiological data from China, South Africa, and India. We varied vaccine efficacy to prevent infection or disease, effective in persons M.tb uninfected or infected, and duration of protection. We modeled routine early-adolescent vaccination and 10-yearly mass campaigns from 2025. We estimated median percentage population-level tuberculosis incidence rate reduction (IRR) in 2050 compared to a no new vaccine scenario. In all settings, results suggested vaccines preventing disease in M.tb-infected populations would have greatest impact by 2050 (10-year, 70% efficacy against disease, IRR 51%, 52%, and 54% in China, South Africa, and India, respectively). Vaccines preventing reinfection delivered lower potential impact (IRR 1, 12, and 17%). Intermediate impact was predicted for vaccines effective only in uninfected populations, if preventing infection (IRR 21, 37, and 50%) or disease (IRR 19, 36, and 51%), with greater impact in higher-transmission settings. Tuberculosis vaccines have the potential to deliver substantial population-level impact. For prioritizing impact by 2050, vaccine development should focus on preventing disease in M.tb-infected populations. Preventing infection or disease in uninfected populations may be useful in higher transmission settings. As vaccine impact depended on epidemiology, different development strategies may be required.

Gadget Addiction: Opioid of the Era?

2019 ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Rozanizam Zakaria
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Health ◽  
Interpersonal Relationship ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Human Race ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Social Trend ◽  
Integral Role ◽  
Brain Reward ◽  
The Impact

Technology has certainly helped human race to advance forward and created the informa t ion revolution. Gadgets armed with internet have transformed our lives in many ways and shifted our paradigm regarding human relationship, works and life in general in this era of instant gratification. While technology has nurtured the human race, questions raise regarding the limit in which these two are interconnected. Does this advancement simplify life or actually make it more complex? As per suggested by the Hooked Theory, business model of internet, social medial and digital applications revolve around satisfying human needs, targeting our very own brain reward circuit. This has created concerns among sociologists, psychiatrists and psychologists regarding the potential rise of ‘new opioid’ for the era – the gadgets. We will discuss range of epidemiological data to visualize the severity of the situation and highlights different views on the concept of gadget addiction. This includes understanding the difficult y in coming to term regarding whether our over-attachment to gadget is a form behavioura l addiction or merely a transient social trend. From Hikikomori phenomenon to cyber-induced depression, the topic will also elaborate various impacts of gadget addiction, primarily on mental and psychological health, interpersonal relationship and human behavior. In particular, the focus will be on the impact of gadget addiction towards vulnerable groups, especially children and adolescents. The discussion will also integrate various practical holistic solutions to the problem without denying the integral role that technology has in our life.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Supplementary Issue: 2019 Page: 24

scholarly journals Can Studying Genetically Predisposed Individuals Inform Prevention Strategies for RA?

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1301
Author(s):  
Amanda Fowler-Woods ◽  
Irene Smolik ◽  
Vidyanand Anaparti ◽  
Liam O’Neil ◽  
Hani El-Gabalawy
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Autoimmune Disorder ◽  
Joint Inflammation ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Irreversible Damage ◽  
Considerable Uncertainty ◽  
Prevention Interventions ◽  
The Impact

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a prevalent autoimmune disorder in which complex genetic predisposition interacts with multiple environmental factors to precipitate chronic and progressive immune-mediated joint inflammation. Currently, in most affected individuals, ongoing suppression of the inflammation is required to prevent irreversible damage and functional loss. The delineation of a protracted preclinical period in which autoimmunity is initially established and then evolves to become pathogenic provides unprecedented opportunities for interventions that have the potential to prevent the onset of this lifelong disease. Clinical trials aimed at assessing the impact of specific prevention strategies require the identification of individuals who are at high risk of future RA development. Currently, these risk factors include a strong family history of RA, and the detection of circulating RA-associated autoantibodies, particularly anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA). Yet, even in such individuals, there remains considerable uncertainty about the likelihood and the timeframe for future disease development. Thus, individuals who are approached to participate in such clinical trials are left weighing the risks and benefits of the prevention measures, while having large gaps in our current understanding. To address this challenge, we have undertaken longitudinal studies of the family members of Indigenous North American RA patients, this population being known to have a high prevalence of RA, early age of onset, and familial clustering of cases. Our studies have indicated that the concepts of “risk” and “prevention” need to be communicated in a culturally relevant manner, and proposed prevention interventions need to have an appropriate balance of effectiveness, safety, convenience, and cultural acceptability. We have focused our proposed prevention studies on immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory nutritional supplements that appear to strike such a complex balance.

scholarly journals Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health (CCREOH) Cohort Study: influences of complex environmental exposures on maternal and child health in Suriname

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e034702
Author(s):  
Wilco Zijlmans ◽  
Jeffrey Wickliffe ◽  
Ashna Hindori-Mohangoo ◽  
Sigrid MacDonald-Ottevanger ◽  
Paul Ouboter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Fish Consumption ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Environmental Exposures ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Environmental And Occupational Health

PurposeThe Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health prospective environmental epidemiologic cohort study addresses the impact of chemical and non-chemical environmental exposures on mother/child dyads in Suriname. The study determines associations between levels of environmental elements and toxicants in pregnant women, and birth outcomes and neurodevelopment in their children.ParticipantsPregnant women (N=1143) were enrolled from December 2016 to July 2019 from three regions of Suriname: Paramaribo (N=738), Nickerie (N=204) and the tropical rainforest interior (N=201). Infants (N=992) were enrolled at birth. Follow-up will take place until children are 48 months old.Findings to dateBiospecimens and questionnaire data on physiological and psychosocial health in pregnant women have been analysed. 39.1% had hair mercury (Hg) levels exceeding values considered safe by international standards. Median hair Hg concentrations in women from Paramaribo (N=522) were 0.64 µg/g hair (IQRs 0.36–1.09; range 0.00–7.12), from Nickerie (N=176) 0.73 µg/g (IQR 0.45–1.05; range 0.00–5.79) and the interior (N=178) 3.48 µg/g (IQR 1.92–7.39; range 0.38–18.20). 96.1% of women ate fish, respective consumption of the three most consumed carnivorous species, Hoplias aimara, Serrasalmus rhombeus and Cichla ocellaris, known to have high Hg levels, was 44.4%, 19.3% and 26.3%, respectively, and was greater among the interior subcohort. 89% frequently consumed the vegetable tannia, samples of which showed presence of worldwide banned pesticides. 24.9% of pregnant women had Edinburgh Depression Scale scores indicative of probable depression.Future plansFish consumption advisories are in development, especially relevant to interior women for whom fish consumption is likely to be the primary source of Hg exposure. Effects of potentially beneficial neuroprotective factors in fish that may counter neurotoxic effects of Hg are being examined. A pesticide literacy assessment in pregnant women is in progress. Neurodevelopmental assessments and telomere length measurements of the children to evaluate long-term effects of prenatal exposures to toxicant mixtures are ongoing.

scholarly journals Autism Tsunami: the Impact of Rising Prevalence on the Societal Cost of Autism in the United States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Blaxill ◽  
Toby Rogers ◽  
Cynthia Nevison
Keyword(s):  
Forecast Model ◽  
The United States ◽  
Population Projections ◽  
Base Case ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Total Base ◽  
Cost Categories ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time

AbstractThe cost of ASD in the U.S. is estimated using a forecast model that for the first time accounts for the true historical increase in ASD. Model inputs include ASD prevalence, census population projections, six cost categories, ten age brackets, inflation projections, and three future prevalence scenarios. Future ASD costs increase dramatically: total base-case costs of $223 (175–271) billion/year are estimated in 2020; $589 billion/year in 2030, $1.36 trillion/year in 2040, and $5.54 (4.29–6.78) trillion/year by 2060, with substantial potential savings through ASD prevention. Rising prevalence, the shift from child to adult-dominated costs, the transfer of costs from parents onto government, and the soaring total costs raise pressing policy questions and demand an urgent focus on prevention strategies.

scholarly journals Psychological and Behavioral Predictors of Vaccine Efficacy: Considerations for COVID-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 174569162198924
Author(s):  
Annelise A. Madison ◽  
M. Rosie Shrout ◽  
Megan E. Renna ◽  
Janice K. Kiecolt-Glaser
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Vaccine Efficacy ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Behavioral Risk Factors ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Vaccine Response ◽  
The Impact

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine candidates are being evaluated, with the goal of conferring immunity on the highest percentage of people who receive the vaccine as possible. It is noteworthy that vaccine efficacy depends not only on the vaccine but also on characteristics of the vaccinated. Over the past 30 years, a series of studies has documented the impact of psychological factors on the immune system’s vaccine response. Robust evidence has demonstrated that stress, depression, loneliness, and poor health behaviors can impair the immune system’s response to vaccines, and this effect may be greatest in vulnerable groups such as the elderly. Psychological factors are also implicated in the prevalence and severity of vaccine-related side effects. These findings have generalized across many vaccine types and therefore may be relevant to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. In this review, we discuss these psychological and behavioral risk factors for poor vaccine responses, their relevance to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as targeted psychological and behavioral interventions to boost vaccine efficacy and reduce side effects. Recent data suggest these psychological and behavioral risk factors are highly prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic, but intervention research suggests that psychological and behavioral interventions can increase vaccine efficacy.

scholarly journals Addressing inequities in maternal health among women living in communities of social disadvantage and ethnic diversity

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Fernandez Turienzo ◽  
◽  
Mary Newburn ◽  
Agnes Agyepong ◽  
Rachael Buabeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Social Disadvantage ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Socioeconomically Disadvantaged ◽  
Structural Racism ◽  
Community Stakeholders ◽  
Public Health Strategies ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe response to the coronavirus outbreak and how the disease and its societal consequences pose risks to already vulnerable groups such those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged and ethnic minority groups. Researchers and community groups analysed how the COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated persisting vulnerabilities, socio-economic and structural disadvantage and discrimination faced by many communities of social disadvantage and ethnic diversity, and discussed future strategies on how best to engage and involve local groups in research to improve outcomes for childbearing women experiencing mental illness and those living in areas of social disadvantage and ethnic diversity. Discussions centred around: access, engagement and quality of care; racism, discrimination and trust; the need for engagement with community stakeholders; and the impact of wider social and economic inequalities. Addressing biomedical factors alone is not sufficient, and integrative and holistic long-term public health strategies that address societal and structural racism and overall disadvantage in society are urgently needed to improve health disparities and can only be implemented in partnership with local communities.

scholarly journals The malaria burden of Amerindian groups of three Venezuelan states: a descriptive study based on programmatic data

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan C. Gabaldón-Figueira ◽  
Carlos Chaccour ◽  
Jorge Moreno ◽  
Maria Villegas ◽  
Leopoldo Villegas
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Plasmodium Falciparum ◽  
Malaria Incidence ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Malaria Burden ◽  
Indigenous Groups ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Fifty-three percent of all cases of malaria in the Americas in 2019 came from Venezuela, where the epidemic is heavily focused south of the Orinoco river, and where most of the country’s Amerindian groups live. Although the disease is known to represent a significant public health problem among these populations, little epidemiological data exists on the subject. This study aims to provide information on malaria incidence, geospatial clustering, and risk factors associated to Plasmodium falciparum infection among these groups. Methods This is a descriptive study based on the analysis of published and unpublished programmatic data collected by Venezuelan health authorities and non-government organizations between 2014 and 2018. The Annual Parasite Index among indigenous groups (API-i) in municipalities of three states (Amazonas, Bolivar, and Sucre) were calculated and compared using the Kruskal Wallis test, risk factors for Plasmodium falciparum infection were identified via binomial logistic regression and maps were constructed to identify clusters of malaria cases among indigenous patients via Moran’s I and Getis-Ord’s hot spot analysis. Results 116,097 cases of malaria in Amerindian groups were registered during the study period. An increasing trend was observed between 2014 and 2016 but reverted in 2018. Malaria incidence remains higher than in 2014 and hot spots were identified in the three states, although more importantly in the south of Bolivar. Most cases (73.3%) were caused by Plasmodium vivax, but the Hoti, Yanomami, and Eñepa indigenous groups presented higher odds for infection with Plasmodium falciparum. Conclusion Malaria cases among Amerindian populations increased between 2014 and 2018 and seem to have a different geographic distribution than those among the general population. These findings suggest that tailored interventions will be necessary to curb the impact of malaria transmission in these groups.

scholarly journals Updated overview on the interplay between obesity and COVID-19

Diagnosis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diletta Onorato ◽  
Giovanni Carpenè ◽  
Giuseppe Lippi ◽  
Mairi Pucci
Keyword(s):  
Disease Severity ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Obese Patients ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Keywords Obesity ◽  
Negative Prognostic Factor ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe worldwide spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has generated a global health crisis and more than a million deaths so far. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 are increasingly reported, along with its potential relationship with overweight and/or obesity. Therefore, we aim here to review the current scientific literature on the impact of overweight and/or obesity among hospitalized patients who have developed severe or critical forms of COVID-19. Following PRISMA guidelines, our literature search identified over 300 scientific articles using the keywords “obesity” and “COVID-19”, 22 of which were finally selected for reporting useful information on the association between overweight/obesity and disease severity. In particular, in 11 out of the 14 studies (79%) which evaluated the association between obesity and disease severity providing also a risk estimate (i.e., the odd ratio; OR), the OR value was constantly >2. Although the studies were found to be heterogeneous in terms of design, population, sample size and endpoints, in most cases a significant association was found between obesity and the risk of progressing to severe COVID-19 illness, intensive care unit admission and/or death. We can hence conclude that an increased body mass index shall be considered a negative prognostic factor in patients with COVID-19, and more aggressive prevention or treatment shall hence be reserved to overweight and/or obese patients.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2/DENV co-infection: a series of cases from the Federal District, Midwestern Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Luise Schulte ◽  
José Diego Brito-Sousa ◽  
Marcus Vinicius Guimarães Lacerda ◽  
Luciana Ansaneli Naves ◽  
Eliana Teles de Gois ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Federal District ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Since the novel coronavirus disease outbreak, over 179.7 million people have been infected by SARS-CoV-2 worldwide, including the population living in dengue-endemic regions, particularly Latin America and Southeast Asia, raising concern about the impact of possible co-infections. Methods Thirteen SARS-CoV-2/DENV co-infection cases reported in Midwestern Brazil between April and September of 2020 are described. Information was gathered from hospital medical records regarding the most relevant clinical and laboratory findings, diagnostic process, therapeutic interventions, together with clinician-assessed outcomes and follow-up. Results Of the 13 cases, seven patients presented Acute Undifferentiated Febrile Syndrome and six had pre-existing co-morbidities, such as diabetes, hypertension and hypopituitarism. Two patients were pregnant. The most common symptoms and clinical signs reported at first evaluation were myalgia, fever and dyspnea. In six cases, the initial diagnosis was dengue fever, which delayed the diagnosis of concomitant infections. The most frequently applied therapeutic interventions were antibiotics and analgesics. In total, four patients were hospitalized. None of them were transferred to the intensive care unit or died. Clinical improvement was verified in all patients after a maximum of 21 days. Conclusions The cases reported here highlight the challenges in differential diagnosis and the importance of considering concomitant infections, especially to improve clinical management and possible prevention measures. Failure to consider a SARS-CoV-2/DENV co-infection may impact both individual and community levels, especially in endemic areas.

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