scholarly journals 8.A. Round table: Governing digital transformations in health: Shaping the digital future of Europe

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
News Article ◽  
Left Behind ◽  
Governance Challenges ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract   Digital and data tools are fundamentally changing approaches to health and the design of health systems and health services deliver, but governance models have neither followed nor kept up with the pace of innovation. In response to this challenge, The Lancet & Financial Times Commission Governing health futures 2030: Growing up in a digital world is exploring the convergence of digital health (DH), AI, and other frontier technologies with UHC to support attainment of SDG 3. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges, with serious implications for public health and healthcare systems worldwide. With online work and education having become the new norm, the COVID-19 pandemic has exponentially heightened the need to develop digital skills and literacy, while simultaneously revealing and exacerbating existing disparities in digital access and skills, thus widening existing digital divides. That being said, COVID-19 has accelerated the radical implementation and widespread adoption of digital technologies, providing opportunities for improved overall health and well-being outcomes, which may extend well into the future if appropriately and sustainably implemented, evaluated, and most importantly, governed. The findings and recommendations arising from the Commission's report, which will be presented and discussed, are fully aligned with this year's conference theme, “Public health futures in a changing world.” From the outset, the Commission framed its work through the notion that digital transformations, and the technologies that drive them, must be led by public value and governed to benefit population health and well-being. With growing investment in DH technologies in Europe, and increased recognition of governance challenges related to this field, this workshop offers an important and timely opportunity to present the Commission's work and discuss the implications of its findings and recommendations for European countries. The discussion in this workshop will centre around a set of critical questions, drawing from the experiences of experts involved in governance in the European context: Is the European DH ecosystem fit for purpose? To what extent is Europe's current legislative ecosystem and technical infrastructure capable of hosting digital transformations in health? Will the EHDS succeed in promoting citizens' control over their health data across Europe? How can national/regional approaches to governance of digital technologies and data better support public health outcomes and ensure that all Europeans can benefit from digital transformations in health and that no one is left behind? Workshop format: Opening remarks from each speaker to contextualise their work on DH governance in Europe and respond to the Commission's work (5 mins. each) Moderated roundtable discussion between panellists (15 mins.) Hearing & addressing audience questions/concerns (20 mins.) After the workshop, a policy brief and accompanying news article will be shared on the Commission's website. Speakers/Panelists Ilona Kickbusch Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, Switzerland Andrew Wyckoff Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation, OECD, Paris, France Andrzej Rys European Commission, DG SANTE, Brussels, Belgium Anna Odone University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy Ioana-Maria Gligor Digital Health, European Reference Networks Unit, DG Health and Food Safety, European Commission, Brussels, Belgium Key messages The Lancet & Financial Times Governing health futures 2030 Commission report provides key recommendations for health governance and harnessing digital development for improving health outcomes. With growing investment in digital technologies in Europe, there remain governance challenges in ensuring all Europeans benefit from digital transformations in health and that no one is left behind.

scholarly journals Biodiversity and Health in the Urban Environment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa R. Marselle ◽  
Sarah J. Lindley ◽  
Penny A. Cook ◽  
Aletta Bonn
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Urban Policy ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Causal Pathways ◽  
Health And Well Being

Abstract Purpose of review Biodiversity underpins urban ecosystem functions that are essential for human health and well-being. Understanding how biodiversity relates to human health is a developing frontier for science, policy and practice. This article describes the beneficial, as well as harmful, aspects of biodiversity to human health in urban environments. Recent findings Recent research shows that contact with biodiversity of natural environments within towns and cities can be both positive and negative to human physical, mental and social health and well-being. For example, while viruses or pollen can be seriously harmful to human health, biodiverse ecosystems can promote positive health and well-being. On balance, these influences are positive. As biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, research suggests that its loss could threaten the quality of life of all humans. Summary A key research gap is to understand—and evidence—the specific causal pathways through which biodiversity affects human health. A mechanistic understanding of pathways linking biodiversity to human health can facilitate the application of nature-based solutions in public health and influence policy. Research integration as well as cross-sector urban policy and planning development should harness opportunities to better identify linkages between biodiversity, climate and human health. Given its importance for human health, urban biodiversity conservation should be considered as public health investment.

scholarly journals The Value of Urban Nature in Terms of Providing Ecosystem Services Related to Health and Well-Being: An Empirical Comparative Pilot Study of Cities in Germany and the Czech Republic

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 341
Author(s):  
Ralf-Uwe Syrbe ◽  
Ina Neumann ◽  
Karsten Grunewald ◽  
Patrycia Brzoska ◽  
Jiři Louda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Urban Green Space ◽  
Urban Nature ◽  
Urban Green ◽  
Green Areas ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

The quality of life in our cities critically depends on the intelligent planning and shaping of urban living space, in particular urban nature. By providing a wide range of ecosystem services (ES), urban nature essentially contributes to the well-being of city dwellers and plays a major role in avoiding common diseases through its positive impact on physical and mental health. Health is one of the most important factors underlying human welfare and is, thus, vital to sustainable development. The ES of urban green space provide other social-cultural functions alongside public health, for example by fostering environmental justice and citizenship participation. Thus, they should always be considered when searching for solutions to urban problems. The aim of this research was to determine the impact of green areas in three selected cities on the health and well-being of people by self-reporting of green areas’ visitors. To this end, we posed the research question: which types and characteristics of urban green space are most appreciated by city dwellers? Based on our findings, we have drawn up recommendations for practices to promote better living conditions. We have also pinpointed obstacles to and opportunities for leisure time activities as well as ways of supporting the public health of citizens.

scholarly journals Updated systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining the relationship between reported racism and health and well-being for children and youth: a protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e043722
Author(s):  
Naomi Priest ◽  
Kate Doery ◽  
Mandy Truong ◽  
Shuaijun Guo ◽  
Ryan Perry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Children And Youth ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Critical Determinant ◽  
Health And Well Being

IntroductionRacism is a critical determinant of health and health inequities for children and youth. This protocol aims to update the first systematic review conducted by Priest et al (2013), including a meta-analysis of findings. Based on previous empirical data, it is anticipated that child and youth health will be negatively impacted by racism. Findings from this review will provide updated evidence of effect sizes across outcomes and identify moderators and mediators of relationships between racism and health.Methods and analysisThis systematic review and meta-analysis will include studies that examine associations between experiences of racism and racial discrimination with health outcomes of children and youth aged 0–24 years. Exposure measures include self-reported or proxy reported systemic, interpersonal and intrapersonal racism. Outcome measures include general health and well-being, physical health, mental health, biological markers, healthcare utilisation and health behaviours. A comprehensive search of studies from the earliest time available to October 2020 will be conducted. A random effects meta-analysis will examine the average effect of racism on a range of health outcomes. Study-level moderation will test the difference in effect sizes with regard to various sample and exposure characteristics. This review has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews.Ethics and disseminationThis review will provide evidence for future research within the field and help to support policy and practice development. Results will be widely disseminated to both academic and non-academic audiences through peer-review publications, community summaries and presentations to research, policy, practice and community audiences.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020184055.

scholarly journals Advancing environmental public health in Latin America and the Caribbean

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Marcelo Korc ◽  
Fred Hauchman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
The Public ◽  
Environmental Public Health ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Health And Well Being

This paper highlights the important leadership role of the public health sector, working with other governmental sectors and nongovernmental entities, to advance environmental public health in Latin America and the Caribbean toward the achievement of 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 3: Health and Well-Being. The most pressing current and future environmental public health threats are discussed, followed by a brief review of major historical and current international and regional efforts to address these concerns. The paper concludes with a discussion of three major components of a regional environmental public health agenda that responsible parties can undertake to make significant progress toward ensuring the health and well-being of all people throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

scholarly journals Cesarean Section Epidemic: Coping Strategies Adopted in Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Ferreira D’agostini Marin
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cesarean Section ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Cesarean Sections ◽  
Brazilian Society ◽  
Strategic Measures ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
And Child Health

In this article, we discuss the strategic measures adopted in Brazil to reduce the high rates of cesarean sections. We present specific programs for both public health and supplementary health and for improving maternal and child health. We hope that these governmental initiatives, coupled with a paradigm shift in the Brazilian society regarding childbirth and women's health, will reduce cesarean section rates in the short and medium run, leading to positive outcomes for maternal and children's health and well-being.

Defining digital public health and the role of digitization, digitalization and digital transformation: A scoping review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ihoghosa Iyamu ◽  
Alice X.T. Xu ◽  
Oralia Gómez-Ramírez ◽  
Aidan Ablona ◽  
Hsiu-Ju Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Digital Information ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Health Goals ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Definition Of

BACKGROUND Despite increasing interest in digital public health, there appears to be a lack of clarity and consensus on its definition. OBJECTIVE In this scoping review, we assessed formal and informal definitions of digital public health in the literature. METHODS We conducted a scoping literature search in OVID Medline, Embase, Google Scholar and on 14 government and intergovernmental agency websites encompassing six geographical regions. Among a total of 409 full articles identified, we reviewed 12 publications that formally defined digital public health and/or informally described the integration of digital technologies in public health in relation to digitization, digitalization, and digital transformation, and conducted a thematic analysis of the identified definitions. RESULTS We identified two explicit definitions of digital public health with divergent meanings. While one definition is predicated on digitalization, and involves the integration of digital technologies to achieve existing public health goals, the other implies transformation of public health services and goals, leveraging digital technology to improve health outcomes. Further, we found that when described in relation to public health, digitization refers to the conversion of analog records to digital information, digitalization involves the integration of digital technologies into public health operations, and digital transformation involves a cultural shift that pervasively integrates digital technologies and reorganizes service based on the health needs of the public. CONCLUSIONS The definition of digital public health remains contested in the literature. Public health researchers and practitioners need to clarify these conceptual definitions to harness opportunities to integrate digital technologies in public health in a way that maximizes their potential to improve public health outcomes. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.2196/preprints.27686

Discovering User Preferences for Digital Health in Well-being Apps (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neta Kela ◽  
Eleanor Eytam ◽  
Adi Katz
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Major Product ◽  
User Preferences ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Range Of Functions ◽  
Mhealth Apps

UNSTRUCTURED The desire for healthcare organizations to reduce the cost of chronic care and to prevent disease from occurring to begin with, has coincided with the development of new technology that is revolutionizing digital health. Numerous health-oriented mobile phone applications (referred to as mHealth apps) have been developed and are available for download into smartphones. These mHealth apps serve a wide range of functions. There are apps that monitor data to treat or avoid chronic illness; apps for managing daily activities and diet; apps promoting healthy choices for people who want to maintain and improve their overall health, and many others. While it is generally recognized that mHealth apps have a significant potential for promoting public health, little research has been done to determine user preferences for such apps. Understanding what users want in their mHealth apps can help increase their acceptability and encourage healthy lifestyles. The research in this article tests the major product qualities of such apps, asking two key questions: Do users seek interaction with a live physician, or are they willing to rely on artificial intelligence to analyze data from their app? Which aspects of their app do they consider as having a positive instrumental, aesthetic, or symbolic value? Next, the research presented here tests how these judgments influence product preference. The contribution of this paper is its focus on user preferences which may help in the design of mHealth apps to better address peoples’ needs—thus encouraging a wide, frequent, and effective use of such tools which promote public health.

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