Gender and the overdose crisis in North America: Moving past gender-neutral approaches in the public health response

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 ◽  
pp. 43-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra B. Collins ◽  
Geoff Bardwell ◽  
Ryan McNeil ◽  
Jade Boyd
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
North America ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Gender Neutral

Evaluation of a Diagnostic Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for Neisseria meningitidis in North America and Field Experience During an Outbreak

2002 ◽  
Vol 126 (10) ◽  
pp. 1209-1215
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Pollard ◽  
Gary Probe ◽  
Colleen Trombley ◽  
Annette Castell ◽  
Sue Whitehead ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
North America ◽  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Laboratory Confirmation ◽  
Health Response

Abstract Context.—Meningococcal infection has a high public profile because of its dramatic presentation, high fatality rate, and propensity to occur in outbreaks and clusters of cases. Use of a diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay could enhance laboratory confirmation of cases and guide the public health response in North America. Objective.—To assess the performance of a PCR assay for the diagnosis of meningococcal disease after its implementation in a North American setting and to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of the assay for the detection of prevalent bacterial isolates. Design.—Laboratory evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of a PCR assay for Neisseria meningitidis and observational study of a series of cases comparing molecular diagnosis against the criterion standard of conventional laboratory diagnostic tests. Setting.—A Canadian province with a population of 4 million people. Patients.—Children and adults presenting with suspected meningococcal disease in British Columbia. Main Outcome Measures.—The sensitivity and specificity of the PCR assay when compared against standard laboratory methods. Results.—The PCR assay correctly identified all of 38 Canadian isolates of Neisseria meningitidis and correctly assigned the serogroup to each isolate. None of 57 other gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria or yeasts were detected by the PCR assay. In a clinical evaluation, for diagnosis of meningococcal disease, the PCR assay had a sensitivity and specificity of 91% and 76%, respectively, against conventional methods of diagnosis. Use of the PCR assay increased the laboratory confirmation of clinically suspected cases by 36%. During an outbreak, the PCR assay allowed serogroup determination in 3 of 7 cases, aiding in the public health decision to launch an immunization campaign. Conclusions.—The PCR assay is more sensitive than conventional methods for the diagnosis of meningococcal disease, and enhanced surveillance may help direct the public health response to the changing epidemiology of disease in North America.

scholarly journals Effect of COVID-19 on childhood Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in Chengdu, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Yijie Huang ◽  
Tao Ai ◽  
Jun Luo ◽  
Hanmin Liu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Serum Antibody ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
Western China ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Response ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a change in the incidence and transmission of respiratory pathogens was observed. Here, we retrospectively analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on the epidemiologic characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection among children in Chengdu, one of the largest cities of western China. Method M. pneumoniae infection was diagnosed in 33,345 pediatric patients with respiratory symptoms at the Chengdu Women’s & Children’s Central Hospital between January 2017 and December 2020, based on a serum antibody titer of ≥1:160 measured by the passive agglutination assay. Differences in infection rates were examined by sex, age, and temporal distribution. Results Two epidemic outbreaks occurred between October-December 2017 and April-December 2019, and two infection peaks were detected in the second and fourth quarters of 2017, 2018, and 2019. Due to the public health response to COVID-19, the number of positive M. pneumoniae cases significantly decreased in the second quarter of 2020. The number of M. pneumoniae infection among children aged 3–6 years was higher than that in other age groups. Conclusions Preschool children are more susceptible to M. pneumoniae infection and close contact appears to be the predominant factor favoring pathogen transmission. The public health response to COVID-19 can effectively control the transmission of M. pneumoniae.

Survey on the Populationʼs Needs and the Public Health Response During Floods in Germany 2002

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 461-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Schnitzler ◽  
Justus Benzler ◽  
Doris Altmann ◽  
Inge Mücke ◽  
Gérard Krause
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Response

scholarly journals Practical implications of naloxone knowledge among suburban people who use opioids

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin E. Schneider ◽  
Glenna J. Urquhart ◽  
Saba Rouhani ◽  
Ju Nyeong Park ◽  
Miles Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Washington Dc ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Baltimore City ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Response ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Practical Implications

Abstract Background Naloxone distribution programs have been a cornerstone of the public health response to the overdose crisis in the USA. Yet people who use opioids (PWUO) continue to face a number of barriers accessing naloxone, including not knowing where it is available. Methods We used data from 173 PWUO from Anne Arundel County, Maryland, which is located between Baltimore City and Washington, DC. We assessed the prevalence of recently (past 6 months) receiving naloxone and currently having naloxone, the type(s) of the naloxone kits received, and the perceived ease/difficultly of accessing naloxone. We also assessed participants knowledge of where naloxone was available in the community. Results One third (35.7%) of participants had recently received naloxone. Most who had received naloxone received two doses (72.1%), nasal naloxone (86.9%), and education about naloxone use (72.1%). Most currently had naloxone in their possession (either on their person or at home; 78.7%). One third (34.4%) believed naloxone was difficult to obtain in their community. Only half (56.7%) knew of multiple locations where they could get naloxone. The health department was the most commonly identified naloxone source (58.0%). Identifying multiple sources of naloxone was associated with being more likely to perceive that naloxone is easy to access. Discussion Our results suggest that additional public health efforts are needed to make PWUO aware of the range of sources of naloxone in their communities in order to ensure easy and continued naloxone access to PWUO.

The public health response to the World Trade Center disaster

2007 ◽  
pp. 19-48
Author(s):  
Timothy H. Holtz ◽  
Leighton Jessica ◽  
Sharon Balter ◽  
Don Weiss ◽  
Susan Blank ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
World Trade ◽  
World Trade Center ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
World Trade Center Disaster ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Response ◽  
The World ◽  
Trade Center
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