scholarly journals Workshop: Behaviour change and knowledge translation: The unlocked potential to improve people’s health

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  

Abstract Background Despite the complexities of modern healthcare it remains the case that human behaviour plays a critical role in health outcomes and in the efficacy of most treatments. We know that people get sick because of unhealthy behaviours. We know that the success of most healthcare interventions is highly dependent on patients’ willingness to adhere to self-care activities such as taking medications or performing self-examinations. Over the last decades well-validated, cost-effective behavioural medicine interventions have been developed. The field has contributed to strategies in health education, with techniques for modifying behaviour, and enhancing motivation and learning for health. More recently, multilevel intervention models, including environmental and policy variables, are being increasingly proposed and tested. Yet, for several reasons, only few such interventions have been translated into policy recommendations or implemented successfully in clinical practice. Through highlighting critical gaps in knowledge translation that can be addressed by integrating modern theoretical and methodological approaches across disciplines we hope to contribute to the development of effective and implementable behaviour change interventions for optimal population and individual health and well-being. Aim The aim of this workshop is to broaden our understanding of measures that have originated from behavioural sciences and have a lot to offer to public health. This workshop also seeks to contribute to capacity building in knowledge translation and evidence-informed decision-making in public health. Workshop structure The workshop will consist of five presentations providing an overview of topical issues in the field of behaviour change and knowledge translation, followed by an interactive audience discussion. The first presentations will introduce the most recent challenges in knowledge translation from the WHO/Europe perspective. The second presentation will discuss the possibilities of using behaviour change principles in the development and adoption of health policies showcasing the Canada’s newly adopted Food Guide. The third presentation will highlight the challenges in tackling physician’s ability to effectively conduct behaviour change counselling with their patients in the context of chronic disease prevention. The fourth presentation will make the link between the knowledge translation theory and practice, using the Behaviour Change Wheel theory. The fifth presentation will introduce the free academic meta-search engine - Motrial, which has a great potential in evaluating the randomized controlled trials and fuelling meta-analyses and systematic reviews in return of better quality. Further to the reflexion on the current knowledge base, an audience discussion will give attendees the opportunity to share their opinions regarding challenges and opportunities in knowledge translation to improve people’s health and well-being. Key messages Policy development and adoption can be considered as a behaviour change process. The application of behaviour change principles to the policy process may lead to greater stakeholder engagement and faster policy implementation.

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  

Abstract Many of today's most pressing public health challenges have a strong behavioural component. Behavioural, psychosocial, and environmental factors play a major role in the development and progression of chronic diseases. Eliminating those risks would make it possible to prevent at least 80% of cardiovascular diseases, 75% of diabetes, and 40% of cancers. Behavioural insights provide an empirically informed perspective on how individuals make decisions, including the important recognition that even subtle changes in the environment can have meaningful impacts on behaviour. This workshop will provide examples from the literature and recent government initiatives that incorporate concepts from behavioural sciences in order to improve health, decision-making, and government efficiency. The examples highlight the potential for behavioural sciences to improve the effectiveness of public health policy at low cost. Although incorporating insights from behavioural sciences into public health policy has the potential to improve population health, its integration into government public health programs and policies requires careful design and continual evaluation of such interventions. Limitations and drawbacks of the approach will be discussed. The aim of this workshop is to broaden our understanding of measures that have originated from behavioural sciences and have a lot to offer to public health. This workshop also seeks to contribute to capacity building in knowledge translation and evidence-informed decision-making in public health. The workshop will consist of five presentations providing an overview of topical issues in the field of behaviour change and knowledge translation, followed by an interactive audience discussion. The first presentations will provide insights into current behaviour change theories. The second presentation will discuss the possibilities of using behaviour change principles in the development and adoption of health policies showcasing the recently adopted Canadian Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Guide and the Food Guide. The third presentation will highlight the challenges in tackling physician's ability to effectively conduct behaviour change counselling with their patients in the context of chronic disease prevention. The fourth presentation will introduce the free academic meta-search engine - Motrial, which has a great potential in evaluating the randomized controlled trials and fuelling meta-analyses and systematic reviews in return of better quality. The fifth presentation will introduce a novel WHO/Europe guide on brief interventions for NCDs risk factors. Further to the reflection on the current knowledge base, an audience discussion will give attendees the opportunity to share their opinions regarding challenges and opportunities in behaviour change and knowledge translation to improve people's health and well-being. Key messages The application of behavioural insights into public health has its opportunities and challenges. Because behavioural insights is a very promising, yet a relatively new field, the research literature remains thin, and policy can sometimes get ahead of science.


Author(s):  
Melissa R. Marselle ◽  
Sarah J. Lindley ◽  
Penny A. Cook ◽  
Aletta Bonn

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.


Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 341
Author(s):  
Ralf-Uwe Syrbe ◽  
Ina Neumann ◽  
Karsten Grunewald ◽  
Patrycia Brzoska ◽  
Jiři Louda ◽  
...  

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.


2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claude-Hélène Mayer ◽  
Rian Viviers ◽  
Louise Tonelli

Orientation: Shame has been internationally researched in various cultural and societal contexts as well as across cultures in the workplace, schools and institutions of higher education. It is an emotional signal that refers to experienced incongruence of identity goals and the judgement of others.Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to focus on experiences of shame in the South African (SA) workplace, to provide emic, in-depth insights into the experiences of shame of employees.Motivation for the study: Shame in the workplace often occurs and might impact negatively on mental health and well-being, capability, freedom and human rights. This article aims at gaining some in-depth understanding of shame experiences in SA workplaces. Building on this understanding the aim is to develop awareness in Industrial and Organisational Psychologists (IOPs), employees and organisations to cope with shame constructively in addition to add to the apparent void in the body of knowledge on shame in SA workplaces.Research design, approach and method: An interpretative hermeneutical research paradigm, based on Dilthey’s modern hermeneutics was applied. Data were collected through semistructured interviews of 11 employees narrating their experiences from various workplaces, including the military, consulting organisations and higher education institutions. Content analysis was used for data analysis and interpretation.Main findings: The major themes around which shameful experiences evolved included loss of face, mistreatment by others, low work quality, exclusion, lifestyle and internalised shame on failure in the workplace. Shame is experienced as a disturbing emotion that impacts negatively on the self within the work context. It is also experienced as reducing mental health and well-being at work.Practical/managerial implications: SA organisations need to be more aware of shame in the workplace, to address the potential negative effects of shame on employees, particularly if they are not prepared to reframe shame into a constructively and positively used emotion. Safe spaces should be made available to talk about shame. Strategies should be applied to deal with shame constructively.Contribution/value-add: This article expands an in-depth understanding of shame from emic and culture-specific perspectives within SA workplaces. The findings are beneficial to IOPs and organisations to understand what shame is from the perspective of SA employees across cultural groups. The article thereby adds value to theory and practice, offering IOPs a deeper understanding of shame in the work context.


2021 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Marcelo Korc ◽  
Fred Hauchman

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Ferreira D’agostini Marin

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.


Author(s):  
Meier Benjamin Mason ◽  
Murphy Thérèse ◽  
Gostin Lawrence O

This chapter examines the historical origins of human rights as a basis for public health. Tracing the idea of rights from philosophical notions of natural rights to human rights under international law, the normative foundations underlying rights have long been seen as central to health and well-being—from the political engagement with underlying determinants of health in 1848 to the international codification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. The modern human rights system that frames public health arose in response to the deprivations and atrocities of World War II. Giving rise to the notion of human rights under international law, the postwar creation of the United Nations (UN) provided the structure for a new legal regime under which individuals were seen as having certain rights by virtue of their humanity, ensuring a foundation for the evolution of rights to advance health.


Introduction 140 Health inequalities 142 Principles of health promotion 144 Promoting public health 146 Promoting physical well-being of individuals 148 Physical health assessment of people with intellectual disability 150 Blood pressure, temperature, pulse 152 Respiration and oxygen saturation levels 154 Epilepsy 156 Supporting people with epilepsy ...


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