Evaluation of the first pharmacy-led weight management programme in Greece

Abstract Introduction Obesity is one of the main cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.(1) In primary care, pharmacists are in a unique position to offer weight management (WM) interventions. Greece is the European country with the highest number of pharmacies (84.06 pharmacies per 100,000 citizens).(2) The UK was chosen as a reference country, because of the structured public health services offered, the local knowledge and because it was considered to be the closest country to Greece geographically, unlike Australia and Canada, where there is also evidence confirming the potential role of pharmacists in WM. Aim To design and evaluate a 10-week WM programme offered by trained pharmacists in Patras. Methods This WM programme was a step ahead of other interventions worldwide as apart from the usual measuring parameters (weight, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure (BP)) it also offered an AUDIT-C and Mediterranean diet score tests. Results In total,117 individuals participated. Of those, 97.4% (n=114), achieved the programme’s aim, losing at least 5% of their initial weight. The mean % of total weight loss (10th week) was 8.97% (SD2.65), and the t-test showed statistically significant results (P<0.001; 95% CI [8.48, 9.45]). The programme also helped participants to reduce their waist-to-height ratio, an early indicator of the CVD risk in both male (P=0.004) and female (P<0.001) participants. Additionally, it improved participants’ BP, AUDIT-C score and physical activity levels significantly (P<0.001). Conclusion The research is the first systematic effort in Greece to initiate and explore the potential role of pharmacists in public health. The successful results of this WM programme constitute a first step towards the structured incorporation of pharmacists in public’s health promotion. It proposed a model for effectively delivering public health services in Greece. This study adds to the evidence in relation to pharmacists’ CVD role in public health with outcomes that superseded other pharmacy-led WM programmes. It also provides the first evidence that Greek pharmacists have the potential to play an important role within primary healthcare and that after training they are able to provide public health services for both the public’s benefit and their clinical role enhancement. This primary evidence should support the Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association, to “fight” for their rights for an active role in primary care. In terms of limitations, it must be noted that the participants’ collected data were recorded by pharmacists, and the analysis therefore depended on the accuracy of the recorded data, in particular on the measurements or calculations obtained. Although the sample size was achieved, it can be argued that it is small for the generalisation of findings across Greece. Therefore, the WM programme should be offered in other Greek cities to identify if similar results can be replicated, so as to consolidate the contribution of pharmacists in promoting public health. Additionally, the study was limited as it did not include a control group. Despite the limitations, our findings provide a model for a pharmacy-led public health programme revolving around WM that can be used as a model for services in the future. References 1. Mendis S, Puska P, Norrving B, World Health Organization., World Heart Federation., World Stroke Organization. Global atlas on cardiovascular disease prevention and control [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization in collaboration with the World Heart Federation and the World Stroke Organization; 2011 [cited 2018 Jun 26]. 155 p. Available from: http://www.who.int/cardiovascular_diseases/publications/atlas_cvd/en/ 2. Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union. Pharmacy with you throughout life:PGEU Annual Report [Internet]. 2015. Available from: https://www.pgeu.eu/en/library/530:annual-report-2015.html

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World Health Organization

International Organization ◽

10.1017/s0020818300024115 ◽

1957 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 539-540

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Services ◽

World Health Organization ◽

National Health ◽

Annual Report ◽

Atomic Energy ◽

World Health ◽

Director General ◽

The World ◽

Health Organization

The annual report of the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the year 1956 was a comprehensive account of the year's accomplishments, in which particular emphasis was laid on the eradication of certain communicable diseases, especially malaria, on WHO's role in the development of national health services and on the effect of the research stimulated, promoted or coordinated by WHO on the national health administrations. The report also referred to the responsibility of WHO in a new field of public health—the peaceful uses of atomic energy.

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The Role of a Medicalized Discourse in the Global Activities of the World Health Organization

Teoria Polityki ◽

10.4467/25440845tp.21.012.13792 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 173-191

Author(s):

Marta Hoffmann

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

European Union ◽

Health Policies ◽

World Health ◽

Tobacco Policy ◽

The European Union ◽

Public Health Policies ◽

The World ◽

Health Organization

This article presents selected results of a research project entitled Medicalization strategies of the World Health Organization1 in which the author analyzed and described three WHO policies characterized by a medicalizing approach. These three policies were compared with each other in terms of their conceptual (narrative) and institutional (practical) levels of medicalization and their effects. In order to better understand the role of a medicalized discourse in the global activities of the WHO, these three cases were also compared to one non-medicalizing policy. The aim of this article is twofold: firstly, to present two cases analyzed as part of the project, namely, the tobacco policy (a ‘medicalized’ one) and the ageing policy (a ‘non-medicalized’ one) and secondly, to consider the possible influence of WHO discourse on tobacco and ageing on public health policies in the European Union.

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The role of the world health organization in solving international public health problems: history, modernity and development prospects

Actual problems of modern medicine ◽

10.26565/2617-409x-2021-7-10 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Infectious Diseases ◽

World Health Organization ◽

Health Problems ◽

Scientific Data ◽

Health Protection ◽

World Health ◽

The World ◽

Health Organization

Epidemics of smallpox, cholera, plague and other infectious diseases in the world in the past were accompanied by the deaths of millions of people and often threatened humanity with destruction as a biological species. Therefore, society was forced to join forces to create an organization that would provide health protection on a global scale. On April 7, 1948, 26 UN member states created the World Health Organization, the main goal of which was to help provide the protection of health of the population of all countries of the world. Purpose of the study - analysis of the historical data of the process of creating the World Health Organization, achievements for all the years of its existence, financing in last years and formation of the opinions of authors on the role of this organization in solving health problems of all humanity. Results. The article presents data on stages of the formation of the World Health Organization. Information about positive results for more than 70 years in solving reproductive health problems, maternal and child mortality, eradicating many infectious diseases in different parts of the world and other problems is detailed. Joint resolutions of the World Health Organization with the United Nations were adopted about general and complete disarmament, protection of humanity from atomic radiation, ban on the use of chemical and bacteriological weapons, defining of the role of doctors and other health workers in the preservation and strengthening of the world. Information on the World Health Organization funding is provided. The prospects for the development of the organization are described. Conclusions. The World Health Organization actively continues its work – maintains contact with international experts, governments and partners for quick collection of scientific data on a new virus, tracks its distribution and assesses its virulence, provides to countries and population recommendations on health protection measures and preventing the spread of infection. The global climatic crisis and the coronavirus infection pandemic showed that the role of the World Health Organization should increase to prevent cataclysms in some countries and globally. It is the World Health Organization that has a huge positive international experience in fighting various public health problems and it remains the only effective organization that consolidates the efforts of most countries of the world to overcome the problems of all humanity.

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The role of the World Bank and WHO Model Disability Survey in public health

Public Health Forum ◽

10.1515/pubhef-2017-0039 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 262-264

Author(s):

Carla Sabariego

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

World Bank ◽

Population Level ◽

Health Interventions ◽

World Health ◽

Public Health Interventions ◽

The World Bank ◽

The World ◽

Health Organization

Abstract: The Model Disability Survey (MDS) is the tool recommended by the world health organization (WHO) to collect data on disability at the population level. It consciously promotes a narrative of inclusion, as disability is understood as a continuum, ranging from low to high levels. Public health currently faces the challenge of responding to demographic and health shifts leading to an increase in disability in the population. The MDS provides the information needed to meet these challenges and develop targeted public health interventions.

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Promoting Public Health in the Twenty-First Century: The Role of the World Health Organization

Globalization and Health ◽

10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195172997.003.0016 ◽

2006 ◽

pp. 268-283 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ruth Bonita ◽

Alec Irwin ◽

Robert Beaglehole

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

World Health Organization ◽

First Century ◽

World Health ◽

The World ◽

Twenty First Century ◽

Health Organization

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Public health awareness

Oxford Handbook of Musculoskeletal Nursing ◽

10.1093/med/9780198831426.003.0024 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 639-646

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Well Being ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

World Health ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

The World ◽

Common Goals ◽

Health Organization

This chapter includes a brief overview of musculoskeletal conditions which are described in health terms as non-communicable diseases. Health systems internationally share common goals of improving the health and well-being of their populations and the management of non-communicable diseases is key in every country. This chapter describes how across the world governments share significant challenges for the future, with the growing elderly and chronic disease populations and increasing healthcare costs. Agreed international goals have been set by the World Health Organization and some of the key targets are outlined. The consequences of either trauma or disease can result in a musculoskeletal condition that may impact the individual’s quality of life, health, and functional ability. The role of the nurse and how individual nurses in all care sectors should consider public health factors when caring for patients are discussed.

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The Anticipated Future of Public Health Services Post COVID-19: Viewpoint (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.26267 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Haitham Bashier ◽

Aamer Ikram ◽

Mumtaz Ali Khan ◽

Mirza Baig ◽

Magid Al Gunaid ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Services ◽

Health Systems ◽

World Health ◽

Health Priorities ◽

Public Health Services ◽

The Public ◽

The Future ◽

Health Organization ◽

The Impact

UNSTRUCTURED In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected various public health functions and essential services in different ways and magnitudes. Although all countries have witnessed the effect of COVID-19, the impact differed based on many factors including the integrity and resiliency of the countries’ health systems. This paper presents opinions and expectations of the authors about the anticipated changes in the future of public health at the global, regional, and national levels. The viewpoint is based on the current efforts and challenges that various stakeholders have carried out to control COVID-19 and the contribution from the literature on the future of public health. Numerous agencies and actors are involved in the fight against COVID-19 with variations in their effectiveness. The public health services showed weaknesses in most of the countries, in addition to the lack of adequate curative medicine settings. The pandemic highlighted the need for better governance and stronger and more resilient health systems and capacities. The COVID-19 experience has also emphasized the importance of coordination and collaboration among the countries and stakeholders. The COVID-19 pandemic might lead to a wide discussion to improve international and national approaches to prepare for and respond to similar events in terms of preparedness and response mechanisms and tools. Public health will not be the same as before COVID-19. New health priorities, approaches, and new agendas will be on the table of the global platforms and initiatives. More investment in research and technology to meet the demand for new vaccines and medicines, innovative methods like distance learning and working, more respect and remuneration to health professionals, and normalization of the public health and social measures that were induced during the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to be seen in future.

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The role of the World Health Organization country programs in the development of virology in Spain, 1951-1975

História Ciências Saúde-Manguinhos ◽

10.1590/s0104-59702020000300010 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (suppl 1) ◽

pp. 187-210

Author(s):

María Isabel Porras ◽

María José Báguena

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

World Health Organization ◽

Health Knowledge ◽

World Health ◽

Historical Archives ◽

The World ◽

Health Organization ◽

The Impact ◽

Selection Of

Abstract Within the framework of recent historiography about the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in modernizing public health and the multifaceted concept of global health, this study addresses the impact of the WHO’s “country programs” in Spain from the time it was admitted to this organization in 1951 to 1975. This research adopts a transnational historical perspective and emphasizes attention to the circulation of health knowledge, practices, and people, and focuses on the Spain-0001 and Spain-0025programs, their role in the development of virology in Spain, and the transformation of public health. Sources include historical archives (WHO, the Spanish National Health School), various WHO publications, the contemporary medical press, and a selection of the Spanish general press.

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The Role of the World Health Organization in Health Related Aspects of Family Planning

International Journal of Health Services ◽

10.2190/jled-7eqd-4j3f-9wlf ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 701-707

Author(s):

Albert Zahra ◽

Richard Strudwick

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Family Planning ◽

Health Services ◽

World Health Organization ◽

Human Reproduction ◽

World Health ◽

The World ◽

Health Related ◽

Health Organization

As part of its mandate and in answer to requests from governments, the World Health Organization works in three main areas relating to human reproduction, family planning, and population dynamics: the introduction of family planning into health services, provision of appropriate education and training for health personnel at all levels, and research in human reproduction, both biomedical and operational. The underlying strategy of the organization is to assist the strengthening of national health services, family planning being included as an integral part of health care. To help administrations to meet the demands posed by the increased scope and multidisciplinary nature of family planning, WHO pays particular attention to the planning, administration, and evaluation of projects, emphasizing the use of modern managerial techniques and the importance of operational research. WHO sponsors scientific and technical meetings in human reproduction, family planning, and population dynamics, to provide an international forum for collaborative efforts and to emphasize the importance of national and international coordination of efforts and resources.

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