scholarly journals The potential long-term impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on patients with non-communicable diseases in Europe: consequences for healthy ageing

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 1189-1194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Palmer ◽  
Alessandro Monaco ◽  
Miia Kivipelto ◽  
Graziano Onder ◽  
Stefania Maggi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Healthy Ageing ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Long Term Impact

scholarly journals Effects of the COVID-19 Epidemic on Hospital Admissions for Non-Communicable Diseases in a Large Italian University-Hospital: A Descriptive Case-Series Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 880
Author(s):  
Caterina Caminiti ◽  
Giuseppe Maglietta ◽  
Tiziana Meschi ◽  
Andrea Ticinesi ◽  
Mario Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Case Series Study ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
Series Study

Background: Concern is growing about the negative consequences that response measures to the COVID-19 epidemic may have on the management of other medical conditions. Methods: A retrospective descriptive case-series study conducted at a large University-hospital in northern Italy, an area severely hit by the epidemic. Results: Between 23 February and 14 May 2020, 4160 (52%) COVID-19 and 3778 (48%) non-COVID-19 patients were hospitalized. COVID-19 admissions peaked in the second half of March, a period characterized by an extremely high mortality rate (27.4%). The number of admissions in 2020 was similar to 2019, but COVID-19 patients gradually occupied all available beds. Comparison between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 admissions in 2020 revealed significant differences concerning all age classes and gender. Specifically, COVID-19 patients were older, predominantly male, and exhibited more comorbidities. Overall, admissions for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in 2020 vs. 2019 dropped by approximately one third. Statistically significant reductions were observed for acute myocardial infarction (−78, −33.9%), cerebrovascular disease (−235, −41.5%), and cancer (−368, −31.9%). While the first two appeared equally distributed between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients, chronic NCDs were statistically significantly more frequent in the former, except cancer, which was less frequent in COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: Prevention of collateral damage to patients with other diseases should be an integral part of epidemic response plans. Prospective cohort studies are needed to understand the long-term impact.

Health Literacy in Non-Communicable Diseases

2021 ◽  
pp. 257-297
Author(s):  
Christina Zarcadoolas ◽  
Barbara K. Kondilis
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Behavior Changes ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Education Material ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Patient Outreach

The chapter highlights some of the methods used to embed health literacy principles into patient outreach and education materials about non-communicable diseases: chronic conditions including mental health conditions. A person's or population's understanding and engagement with health represents its health literacy. Health literacy is a form social capital. The authors use an ecological, socially contextualized model of health literacy and demonstrate how it guides the structure and content of health education material in case examples from New York City, United States, and Greece in Europe. While the specific methods used in these cases vary, the essential principal is that it is critical to identify and build on information about an individual's health literacy contextualized in the individual's or group's socio-cultural and lived experiences. Only this way can an individual's or group's health literacy be advanced so that they can engage in behavior changes for both short- and long-term health outcomes.

scholarly journals Long Term Risks to Neonatal Health from Exposure to War—9 Years Long Survey of Reproductive Health and Contamination by Weapon-Delivered Heavy Metals in Gaza, Palestine

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Manduca ◽  
Nabil Al Baraquni ◽  
Stefano Parodi
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Birth Defects ◽  
Progressive Increase ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases

Introduction: High levels of environmental contaminants with long term effects and teratogenic and carcinogenic potential, such as heavy metals, were introduced by weaponry in war areas in the last decades. Poorer reproductive health and increases in non-communicable diseases were reported after wars and are the suspected long term effects of contamination by stable war remnants. Although potentially affecting millions of people, this is still an understudied issue of public health. Background: Gaza, Palestine since 2006 has been an object of repeated severe military attacks that left heavy metals remnants in the environment, in wound tissues and that were assumed by the population. Retrospective studies showed a progressive increase in birth defects since the 2006 attacks. In 2011 we started surveillance at birth alongside analysis of the heavy metals load carried by pregnant women and their babies. Methods: We used protocols for birth registration which also document the extent of exposures to attacks, war remnants and to other environmental risks that allow comparison of 3 data sets—2011, 2016 and 2018–2019 (4000–6000 women in each set). By ICP/MS analysis we determined the content of 23 metals in mothers’ hair. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed. Results: Comparison of data in birth registers showed a major increase in the prevalence in birth defects and preterm babies between 2011 and 2016, respectively from 1.1 to 1.8% and from 1.1 to 7.9%, values remaining stable in 2019. Negative outcomes at birth in 2016 up to 2019 were associated with exposure of the mothers to the attacks in 2014 and/or to hot spots of heavy metals contamination. Metal loads since the attacks in 2014 were consistently high until 2018–2019 for barium, arsenic, cobalt, cadmium, chrome, vanadium and uranium, pointing to these metals as potential inducers for the increased prevalence of negative health outcomes at birth since 2016. Conclusions: Bodily accumulation of metals following exposure whilst residing in attacked buildings predispose women to negative birth outcomes. We do not know if the metals act in synergy. Trial for mitigation of the documented negative effects of high metal load on reproductive health, and ensuing perinatal deaths, could now be done in Gaza, based on this documentary record. High load of heavy metals may explain recent increases in non-communicable diseases and cancers at all ages in Gaza. Modern war’s legacy of diseases and deaths extends in time to populations and demands monitoring.

scholarly journals The need for an integrated approach for chronic disease research and care in Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Barr ◽  
E. H. Young ◽  
L. Smeeth ◽  
R. Newton ◽  
J. Seeley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Epidemiological Transitions

With the changing distribution of infectious diseases, and an increase in the burden of non-communicable diseases, low- and middle-income countries, including those in Africa, will need to expand their health care capacities to effectively respond to these epidemiological transitions. The interrelated risk factors for chronic infectious and non-communicable diseases and the need for long-term disease management, argue for combined strategies to understand their underlying causes and to design strategies for effective prevention and long-term care. Through multidisciplinary research and implementation partnerships, we advocate an integrated approach for research and healthcare for chronic diseases in Africa.

scholarly journals A strategic tool to improve long-term health outcomes in clinical practice: SHOR driver and association diagram

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-27
Author(s):  
Helena Ogink ◽  
Anna-Karin Ringqvist ◽  
Liselotte Bergqvist ◽  
Tobias Nordin ◽  
Anita Nordenson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Initial Assessment ◽  
Specific Patient ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Available Resources

Abstract Quality problem or issue An over-arching principle of healthcare governance in Sweden is to achieve as much health for as many patients as possible given the available resources. With high life expectancy and increased years lived with non-communicable diseases, more effective interventions in prevention and control of non-communicable diseases are needed in order to ensure high-quality healthcare. Initial assessment Few publications have described a generic and resource-effective method of implementing the perspective of health outcomes in relation to costs in a clinical Swedish university hospital context. To fill this gap, a generic method was developed at Sahlgrenska University hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden. Choice of solution A System-based driver and association diagram of Health Outcomes in relation to available Resources (SHOR) was developed. The SHOR driver and association diagram comprised different perspectives: health, patient, process, research and cost perspectives. It enabled the translation from long-term health outcomes to applications in clinical practice. Implementation Three patient groups exemplify the use and implementation of the method of SHOR association and driver diagram; bipolar disorder (psychiatry), primiparous women with spontaneous onset of labour, (obstetric care) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (somatic care). Evaluation The SHOR driver and association diagram enabled a structure to monitor and support quality development towards maximised health outcomes in relation to available resources and associated total costs for a specific patient group. Lessons learned This method has connected clinical practice, management and research and has been used for both strategic and operational purposes.

Health Literacy in Non-Communicable Diseases

2018 ◽  
pp. 32-72
Author(s):  
Christina Zarcadoolas ◽  
Barbara K. Kondilis
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Behavior Changes ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Education Material ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Patient Outreach

The chapter highlights some of the methods used to embed health literacy principles into patient outreach and education materials about non-communicable diseases: chronic conditions including mental health conditions. A person's or population's understanding and engagement with health represents its health literacy. Health literacy is a form social capital. The authors use an ecological, socially contextualized model of health literacy and demonstrate how it guides the structure and content of health education material in case examples from New York City, United States, and Greece in Europe. While the specific methods used in these cases vary, the essential principal is that it is critical to identify and build on information about an individual's health literacy contextualized in the individual's or group's socio-cultural and lived experiences. Only this way can an individual's or group's health literacy be advanced so that they can engage in behavior changes for both short- and long-term health outcomes.

scholarly journals Sustainability of a school-based health intervention for prevention of non-communicable diseases in marginalised communities: protocol for a mixed-methods cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. e047296
Author(s):  
Patricia Arnaiz ◽  
Larissa Adams ◽  
Ivan Müller ◽  
Markus Gerber ◽  
Cheryl Walter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
School Based ◽  
Increased Risk

IntroductionThe prevalence of chronic, lifestyle-related diseases is increasing among adults and children from low-income and middle-income countries. Despite the effectiveness of community-based interventions to address this situation, the benefits thereof may disappear in the long term, due to a lack of maintenance, especially among disadvantaged and high-risk populations. The KaziBantu randomised controlled trial conducted in 2019 consisted of two school-based health interventions, KaziKidz and KaziHealth. This study will evaluate the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of these interventions in promoting positive lifestyle changes among children and educators in disadvantaged schools in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods and analysisThis study has an observational, longitudinal, mixed-methods design. It will follow up educators and children from the KaziBantu study. All 160 educators enrolled in KaziHealth will be invited to participate, while the study will focus on 361 KaziKidz children (aged 10–16 years) identified as having an increased risk for non-communicable diseases. Data collection will take place 1.5 and 2 years postintervention and includes quantitative and qualitative methods, such as anthropometric measurements, clinical assessments, questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions. Analyses will encompass: prevalence of health parameters; descriptive frequencies of self-reported health behaviours and quality of life; the longitudinal association of these; extent of implementation; personal experiences with the programmes and an impact analysis based on the Reach, Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance framework.DiscussionIn settings where resources are scarce, sustainable and effective prevention programmes are needed. The purpose of this protocol is to outline the design of a study to evaluate KaziKidz and KaziHealth under real-world conditions in terms of effectiveness, being long-lasting and becoming institutionalised. We hypothesise that a mixed-methods approach will increase understanding of the interventions’ capacity to lead to sustainable favourable health outcomes amid challenging environments, thereby generating evidence for policy.Trial registration numberISRCTN15648510

scholarly journals DASH Dietary Pattern: A Treatment for Non-communicable Diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheenam Suri ◽  
Vikas Kumar ◽  
Satish Kumar ◽  
Ankit Goyal ◽  
Beenu Tanwar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Western World ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Dash Diet ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Dairy Foods ◽  
Sustained Effect ◽  
Long Term Studies

Non-communicable diseases are the major inducer of mortality and morbidity in the Western world. In terms of nutrition, a diet high in fat (particularly saturated fat), salt and sugars have shown to be associated with innumerable incidence of diet- associated health diseases. Dietary modification is a central part of any treatment strategy. The Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is one among such healthy dietary patterns, which emphasizes on the consumption of fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy foods, including whole grains, poultry, fish, and small quantities of red meat, sweets and drinks containing sugar. This study provides certain practical evidence that prolonged adoption of DASH diet which can be a useful treatment for numerous non-communicable diseases with a sustained effect on the health that involves both accessibility and proximity to healthy eating choices. Long-term studies are required to assess whether these effects are maintained over time.

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