scholarly journals Science knowledge and trust in medicine affect individuals’ behavior in pandemic crises

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Sailer ◽  
Matthias Stadler ◽  
Elouise Botes ◽  
Frank Fischer ◽  
Samuel Greiff
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Fundamental Importance ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Science Knowledge ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
General Trust ◽  
Prevention Guidelines ◽  
Behavior Based ◽  
Health Messaging

AbstractIn pandemic crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals’ behavior has a strong impact on epidemiological processes. Compliance with prevention guidelines, such as social distancing, is critical to avoid further spreading an infectious disease or to slow down its spread. However, some individuals also or instead engage in panic behavior, such as hoarding. We investigate how education prepares individuals to respond adequately by modelling the path from seeking information about COVID-19 to eventual behavior. Based on a sample of N = 1182 adult Americans, gathered at the pandemic’s onset (March 2020), we conclude that science knowledge helps individuals convert information into coronavirus knowledge. This knowledge then helps individuals avoid panic behavior. Individuals lacking coronavirus knowledge and science knowledge still comply with prevention guidelines when they have a general trust in medicine. Individuals lacking knowledge still follow prevention guidelines when they trust in medicine. Facilitating science knowledge and trust in science through education and targeted public health messaging are likely to be of fundamental importance for bringing crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic under control.

scholarly journals Science knowledge and trust in medicine affect individuals’ behavior in pandemic crises

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Sailer ◽  
Matthias Stadler ◽  
Elouise Botes ◽  
Frank Fischer ◽  
Samuel Greiff
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Prophylactic Effect ◽  
Science Knowledge ◽  
Age And Gender ◽  
Types Of Knowledge ◽  
General Trust ◽  
Different Types ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Reasonable Behavior

In pandemic crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals’ behavior has a strong impact on epidemiological processes during critical stages of the outbreak. Engaging in reasonable behavior, such as social distancing, is critical to avoid further spreading an infectious disease or to slow down its spread. However, some individuals also or instead engage in unreasonable behavior, such as panic buying. We investigate why different behavior occurs and how different types of knowledge and trust in medicine can encourage individuals to engage in reasonable behavior and prevent them from engaging in unreasonable behavior. Based on a sample of N = 1,182 adult Americans stratified by age and gender, we conclude that science knowledge has a prophylactic effect: We show that science knowledge helps individuals convert information into knowledge about the coronavirus. This knowledge then helps individuals avoid unreasonable behavior. Individuals lacking coronavirus knowledge and science knowledge still act reasonably when they have a general trust in medicine. Both trust in medicine and knowledge are crucial factors for individuals to act reasonably and avoid unreasonable behavior. Individuals with low knowledge or trust tend to engage in unreasonable behavior. Facilitating science knowledge and reasonable trust in medicine through education and targeted public health messaging are likely to be of fundamental importance for bringing crises such as the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic under control.

scholarly journals The effect of social distancing on the reach of an epidemic in social networks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory Gutin ◽  
Tomohiro Hirano ◽  
Sung-Ha Hwang ◽  
Philip R. Neary ◽  
Alexis Akira Toda
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Monte Carlo Simulation ◽  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Global Level ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Public ◽  
Simulation Results

AbstractHow does social distancing affect the reach of an epidemic in social networks? We present Monte Carlo simulation results of a susceptible–infected–removed with social distancing model. The key feature of the model is that individuals are limited in the number of acquaintances that they can interact with, thereby constraining disease transmission to an infectious subnetwork of the original social network. While increased social distancing typically reduces the spread of an infectious disease, the magnitude varies greatly depending on the topology of the network, indicating the need for policies that are network dependent. Our results also reveal the importance of coordinating policies at the ‘global’ level. In particular, the public health benefits from social distancing to a group (e.g. a country) may be completely undone if that group maintains connections with outside groups that are not following suit.

scholarly journals The Fauci Effect: Public Health Messaging During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Abu-Akel ◽  
Andreas Spitz ◽  
Robert West
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Messages ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Public Figures ◽  
Public Health Messages ◽  
Health Messaging

It is urgent to understand how to most effectively communicate public health messages during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, the focus has been on how to formulate the message, rather than on who should send it, and particularly little is known about the latter during times of crisis. We report on the effectiveness of different public figures at promoting social distancing in 6 countries severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Across countries and demographic strata, immunology expert Dr. Anthony Fauci achieved the highest level of respondents’ willingness to reshare a call to social distancing, followed by a government spokesperson. Celebrity spokespersons were least effective. The likelihood of message resharing increased with age and when respondents expressed positive sentiments towards the spokesperson. Effective messaging during the COVID-19 pandemic can save lives, and the messenger matters.

scholarly journals A review of infectious disease surveillance to inform public health action against the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Larsen ◽  
Rachel E. Dinero ◽  
Elizabeth Asiago-Reddy ◽  
Hyatt Green ◽  
Sandra Lane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Public Health Action ◽  
Infectious Disease Surveillance ◽  
Genetic Sequencing ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Infected People

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic exposed the inadequacy of infectious disease surveillance throughout the US and other countries. Isolation and contact tracing to identify all infected people are key public health interventions necessary to control infectious disease outbreaks. However, these activities are dependent upon the surveillance platform to identify infections quickly. A robust surveillance platform can also reinforce community adherence to behavioral interventions such as social distancing. In situations where contact tracing is feasible, all suspected cases and contacts of confirmed cases must be tested for a SARS-CoV-2 infection and effectively isolated. At the community level wastewater surveillance can identify areas where transmission is or is not occurring, and genetic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 can help to elucidate the intensity of transmission independent of the number of known cases and hospitalizations. State and county public health departments should improve the infectious disease surveillance platform whilst the public is practicing social distancing. These enhanced surveillance activities are necessary to contain the epidemic once the curve has been sufficiently flattened in highly burdened areas, and to prevent escalation in areas where transmission is minimal.

Polarization and Public Health: Partisan Differences in Social Distancing during COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hunt Allcott ◽  
Levi Boxell ◽  
Jacob Conway ◽  
Matthew Gentzkow ◽  
Michael Thaler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Distancing

A brief review of diagnosis of small ruminants brucellosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingjing Ren ◽  
Qisheng Peng
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Economic Impact ◽  
False Positive ◽  
Brucella Melitensis ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Immunological Tests

: Brucellosis caused by bacteria of the genus of Brucella remains a major zoonosis in the widely world, which is an infectious disease with a severe economic impact on animal husbandry and public health. The genus of Brucella includes ten species and the most prevalent is Brucella melitensis. The diagnosis of Brucella melitensis ruminant brucellosis is based on bacteriological and immunological tests. The use of vaccines and the false-positive serological reactions (FPSR) caused by other cross-reacting bacteria represent the immunological contexts. This complex context results in the development of the large number of diagnosis of Brucella melitensis brucellosis. The aim of this article is to briefly review the detection methods and compare the superiorities of different tests.

scholarly journals The Effects of Social Distancing Policies on non-SARS-CoV-2 Respiratory Pathogens

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff Nawrocki ◽  
Katherine Olin ◽  
Martin C Holdrege ◽  
Joel Hartsell ◽  
Lindsay Meyers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Detection Rate ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Respiratory Pathogens ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The initial focus of the US public health response to COVID-19 was the implementation of numerous social distancing policies. While COVID-19 was the impetus for imposing these policies, it is not the only respiratory disease affected by their implementation. This study aimed to assess the impact of social distancing policies on non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory pathogens typically circulating across multiple US states. Methods Linear mixed-effect models were implemented to explore the effects of five social distancing policies on non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory pathogens across nine states from January 1 through May 1, 2020. The observed 2020 pathogen detection rates were compared week-by-week to historical rates to determine when the detection rates were different. Results Model results indicate that several social distancing policies were associated with a reduction in total detection rate, by nearly 15%. Policies were associated with decreases in pathogen circulation of human rhinovirus/enterovirus and human metapneumovirus, as well as influenza A, which typically decrease after winter. Parainfluenza viruses failed to circulate at historical levels during the spring. Total detection rate in April 2020 was 35% less than historical average. Many of the pathogens driving this difference fell below historical detection rate ranges within two weeks of initial policy implementation. Conclusion This analysis investigated the effect of multiple social distancing policies implemented to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 on non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory pathogens. These findings suggest that social distancing policies may be used as an impactful public health tool to reduce communicable respiratory illness.

scholarly journals After Action Review of the 2019 measles outbreak in Clark County, Washington, U.S.A

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Stoto ◽  
R Piltch-Loeb ◽  
R Wolfe ◽  
R Albrandt ◽  
A Melnick
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Religious Community ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Clark County ◽  
After Action Review ◽  
Measles Outbreak ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Public Health Practitioners

Abstract Issue Clark County experienced a measles outbreak that challenged public health authorities. Description of the practice: We conducted a formal After Action Review with state and local health officials, school officials, and others to identify lessons for public health practitioners facing future outbreaks. Results Following the early identification of measles in a child who had recently arrived from Ukraine, active surveillance identified 71 confirmed cases, most in unvaccinated persons under 18 years of age. 4,138 contacts were traced and public health personnel made daily monitoring calls to 816. 53 potential exposure sites in healthcare facilities, schools and other public places were identified and communicated to the public. As a social distancing measure, unvaccinated students, teachers, and staff were excluded from schools in which exposure had occurred. Ascertaining susceptibility status was challenging. The national anti-vaccination sentiment and a parallel outbreak in a New York religious community created challenges in representing community risk while avoiding stigmatization of a community in which the first reported case was identified. Rather than respond to every false claim on social media, the health department developed talking points about emerging issues and engaged the community in dialogue. Lessons Responding to the measles outbreak required innovative approaches to surveillance and contact tracing, social distancing (school exclusions), and emergency risk communication. The response required extensive coordinated efforts of the county and state health departments, school systems, and many other organizations. Mutual aid enabled an influx of resources but managing the surge of responders proved challenging. Key messages Public health emergencies require effective emergency management practices. Carefully conducted After Action Reviews of health emergencies can help public health practitioners identify challenges and innovative practices.

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