The health impacts of displacement due to conflict on adolescents

2019 ◽  
pp. 181-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anushka Ataullahjan ◽  
Michelle F. Gaffey ◽  
Paul B. Spiegel ◽  
Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Adolescent Health ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Nutritional Deficiencies ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Effective Interventions

Globally, it is estimated there are a minimum of 9.8 million forcibly displaced adolescents (10–19 years old). Forcibly displaced adolescents face difficulties obtaining health services with conflict disrupting care, aggravating existing health concerns, and introducing new health issues. Displaced adolescents experience increased injury, psychological trauma, nutritional deficiencies, and physical and sexual violence. This chapter describes the health impact of conflict, and several factors that exacerbate the health of adolescents. It then describes the evidence base on the most effective interventions to address the health of adolescents. Lastly, it points to gaps within the literature suggesting how adolescent health can be mainstreamed in refugee health services.

scholarly journals Do national funding organizations properly address the diseases with the highest burden? - Observations from China and the UK

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Zhang ◽  
Wenjing ZHAO ◽  
Jianhua Liu ◽  
Gunnar Sivertsen ◽  
Ying HUANG
Keyword(s):  
Medical Research ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Health Priorities ◽  
Academic Excellence ◽  
Societal Impact ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Funding Agencies ◽  
The Uk

Recent years have witnessed an incipient shift in science policy from a focus mainly on academic excellence to a focus that also takes into account “societal impact”. This shift raises the question as to whether medical research has given proper attention to the diseases imposing the greatest burden on society. Therefore, with the aim of identifying correlations between research funding priorities and public demand in health, we examine grants issued by the major medical research funding bodies of China and the UK during the decade 2006-2017 and compare the focus of their funded projects with the diseases that carry the highest burden of death, risk, or loss of health. The results indicate that the funding decisions of both nations do correspond to the illnesses with the highest health impact on their citizens. For both regions, the greatest health concerns surround non-communicable diseases, and neoplasms and cardiovascular disease in particular. In China, national health priorities have remained focused on these illnesses for the benefit of its own population, whereas the UK has funded a wider variety of research, extending to projects with impacts outside its borders to some developing countries. Additionally, despite an increased incidence of mental illness and HIV/AIDs in China, there is evidence that less priority has been given to these conditions. Both of these health areas seem to require more attention from China’s national funding agencies and the society in general. Methodologically, this study can serve as an example of how to conduct analyses related to public health issues by combining informetric methods and data with data and tools from other fields, thereby inspiring other scientometrics studies.

scholarly journals Forgone health care among secondary school students in New Zealand

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Denny ◽  
Bridget Farrant ◽  
John Cosgriff ◽  
Mo Harte ◽  
Toby Cameron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
School Students ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Access To Health

INTRODUCTION: Perceived lack of confidential health care is an important barrier for young people accessing health care services in New Zealand (NZ). AIM: To determine the prevalence of forgone health care among a nationally representative sample of NZ secondary school students and to describe the health concerns and specific health issues for which young people had difficulty accessing health care. METHODS: Random sample of 9107 NZ secondary school students participated in a 2007 health survey using internet tablets. Questions about access to health care included whether there had been a time when they had not accessed health care when needed, reasons for difficulty in accessing health care, current health concerns and health risk behaviours. RESULTS: One in six students (17%) had not seen a doctor or nurse when needed in the last 12 months. Female Maori and Pacific students and those living in neighbourhoods with high levels of deprivation were more likely to report forgone health care. Students with chronic health problems, those engaging in health risk behaviours or experiencing symptoms of depression were more likely to report being unable to access health care when needed. Students reporting privacy concerns were more likely to report difficulty accessing health care for sensitive health issues, such as sexual health, emotional problems, pregnancy-related issues, stopping cigarette smoking, or alcohol or drug use. DISCUSSION: NZ secondary school students who forgo health care are at increased risk of physical and mental health problems and in need of accessible and confidential health services. KEYWORDS: Access to health care; adolescent health services; general practice; preventive health services

scholarly journals 6.I. Workshop: Social Prescribing: what has been learned in developing evidence, what challenges and solutions?

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Evaluation Studies ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Medical Interventions ◽  
Social Prescribing ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
The Social

Abstract   Social prescribing is seen as a mechanism for addressing the social determinants of health, preventing exacerbation of pre-existing diseases, reducing attendance in primary and emergency care and improving general population health and well-being. Social prescribing involves individuals being referred/self-referring to non-medical interventions run by a third-party organisation. Social prescribing has received widespread attention internationally; however, the evidence base to support social prescribing lacks rigour, and gaps remain. The complexity of social prescribing, in that it involves multiple referral routes, partners, pathways and outcomes, poses challenges for its evaluation and research. Researchers across Europe have developed different projects of research to address the challenges associated with evaluating social prescribing. Development of the evidence base for social prescribing is crucial in informing policy and public health systems to deliver effective interventions that contribute to individual, community and systemic outcomes. This workshop aims to share different approaches that have been taken across Europe to address issues in producing evidence base and share learning about the challenges and solutions that researchers have developed, specifically regarding research about implementation and evaluation of social prescribing. The workshop will be structured in a first part of presentations and the second part of open discussion with presenters and the audience. This workshop will present five papers which will address two key questions: 1. What have we learned about developing the evidence in social prescribing?; 2. What challenges have we experienced, and what solutions have we come up with? The short presentations will cover examples of social prescribing initiatives based on implementation and evaluation studies conducted in diverse European countries. Learning shared with the audience through the presentations will stimulate discussions around challenges with implementing and evaluating social prescribing. This workshop will inform the development of an overarching guidance on implementing social prescribing interventions, as well as identify parallel challenges in other areas of public health. Key messages Interactive session to discuss strategies for successful social prescribing projects addressing complex health issues that are relevant to stakeholders and for research to inform practice and policy. Collaboration with interdisciplinary stakeholders is crucial in developing the evidence base for social prescribing.

Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Evidence Base ◽  
Dissemination And Implementation ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Collaborative Partnerships ◽  
Social Service Agencies ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Health Related Research ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Dissemination And Implementation Research ◽  
Policies And Programs

Fifteen to twenty years is how long it takes for the billions of dollars of health-related research to translate into evidence-based policies and programs suitable for public use. Over the past 15 years, an exciting science has emerged that seeks to narrow the gap between the discovery of new knowledge and its application in public health, mental health, and health care settings. Dissemination and implementation (D&I) research seeks to understand how to best apply scientific advances in the real world, by focusing on pushing the evidence-based knowledge base out into routine use. To help propel this crucial field forward, leading D&I scholars and researchers have collaborated to put together this volume to address a number of key issues, including: how to evaluate the evidence base on effective interventions; which strategies will produce the greatest impact; how to design an appropriate study; and how to track a set of essential outcomes. D&I studies must also take into account the barriers to uptake of evidence-based interventions in the communities where people live their lives and the social service agencies, hospitals, and clinics where they receive care. The challenges of moving research to practice and policy are universal, and future progress calls for collaborative partnerships and cross-country research. The fundamental tenet of D&I research—taking what we know about improving health and putting it into practice—must be the highest priority. This book is nothing less than a roadmap that will have broad appeal to researchers and practitioners across many disciplines.

scholarly journals The availability of global guidance for the promotion of women’s, newborns’, children’s and adolescents’ health and nutrition in conflicts

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. e002060
Author(s):  
Samira Aboubaker ◽  
Egmond Samir Evers ◽  
Loulou Kobeissi ◽  
Lauren Francis ◽  
Robinah Najjemba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adolescent Health ◽  
English Language ◽  
Guideline Development ◽  
Newborn Care ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
Humanitarian Settings ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Guidance Documents

BackgroundSignificant global gains in sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and nutrition (SRMNCAH&N) will be difficult unless conflict settings are adequately addressed. We aimed to determine the amount, scope and quality of publically available guidance documents, to characterise the process by which agencies develop their guidance and to identify gaps in guidance on SRMNCAH&N promotion in conflicts.MethodsWe identified guidance documents published between 2008 and 2018 through English-language Internet sites of humanitarian response organisations, reviewed them for their scope and assessed their quality with the AGREE II (Appraisal of Guidelines for REsearch and Evaluation II) tool. Additionally, we interviewed 22 key informants on guidance development, dissemination processes, perceived guidance gaps and applicability.FindingsWe identified 105 conflict-relevant guidance documents from 75 organisations. Of these, nine were specific to conflicts, others were applicable also to other humanitarian settings. Fifteen documents were technical normative guidelines, others were operational guides (67), descriptive documents (21) or advice on legal, human rights or ethics questions (2). Nutrition was the most addressed health topic, followed by communicable diseases and violence. The documents rated high quality in their ‘scope and purpose’ and ‘clarity of presentation’ and low for ‘rigour of development’ and ‘editorial independence’. Key informants reported end user need as the primary driver for guideline development and WHO technical guidelines as their main evidence base. Insufficient local contextualisation, lack of inter-agency coordination and lack of systematic implementation were considered problems in guideline development. Several guidance gaps were noted, including abortion care, newborn care, early child development, mental health, adolescent health beyond sexual and reproductive health and non-communicable diseases.InterpretationOrganisations are motivated and actively producing guidance for SRMNCAH&N promotion in humanitarian settings, but few documents address conflicts specifically and there are important guidance gaps. Improved inter-organisation collaboration for guidance on SRMNCAH&N promotion in conflicts and other humanitarian settings is needed.

scholarly journals Effect of the COVID-19 on perceptions of health, anticipated need for health services, and cost of healthcare

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Natalia Rekhter ◽  
Natalia Ermasova
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Financial Barriers ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Anova Test ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Care Seeking Behavior ◽  
Related Stress

Abstract Objective: This article investigates how perceived vulnerability to the COVID-19 pandemic at its early stages is associated with people’s perception of their health, the need for healthcare services, and expenses related to addressing the COVID-19 impact on their health. Methods: The results are based on the analysis of surveys that were distributed among members of 26 random Facebook groups in April-May, 2020. Perceived COVID-19 pandemic related stress and health concerns were examined by using the ANOVA test. Results: Among 315 respondents, 64% have experienced COVID-19 related stress and identified anxiety, headache, insomnia, and weight gain as their primary health concerns. The ANOVA test revealed that females are more impacted by the COVID-19 stress than males. Around 40% of respondents believed that the COVID-19 would lead to an increase in the cost of health services, and 20% of respondents anticipated that the COVID-19 pandemic would increase their need for health services. Conclusions: Learning about how people perceive the COVID-19 pandemic impact on their health, particularly in the pandemic’s early stages can allow health professionals to develop targeted interventions that can influence pandemic preventative behaviors among different population groups. This study can help understand utilization patterns and mitigate financial barriers that could interfere with patients’ care-seeking behavior.

scholarly journals A qualitative evaluation of Southwark Council’s public health response to mitigating the mental health impact of the 2017 London bridge and borough market terror attack

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Jumbe ◽  
Adrienne Milner ◽  
Megan Clinch ◽  
Jonathan Kennedy ◽  
Richard J. Pinder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Terror Attack ◽  
Terror Attacks ◽  
Physical Injuries ◽  
Community Stakeholders ◽  
Health Response

Abstract Background Over recent years there have been several major terror attacks in cities across Europe. These attacks result in deaths, physical injuries, and pose long-term threats to mental health and wellbeing of large populations. Although psychologists have completed important work on mental health responses to disaster exposure including terrorist attacks, the mental health impacts of such attacks have been comparatively less examined in academic literature than the acute health response to physical injuries. This paper reflects on Southwark Council’s pioneering public mental health response to the June 2017 terror attack at London Bridge and Borough Market. It aims to explore perceptions of the mental health impact of the incident by those living and working in the borough. Methods A rapid qualitative evaluation informed by the logic underpinning Southwark Council’s response was conducted. Seven formative interviews were undertaken with individuals involved in the response planning and/or delivery, enabling the evaluation team to establish the response’s theoretical basis. Subsequently, nineteen semi-structured interviews with consenting Council employees, residents, business owners, and workers from the Borough were conducted to understand perceived mental health impacts of the attack and the success of the Council response. Thematic analysis of transcribed interviews was undertaken to evaluate the extent to which the response was implemented successfully. Results Participants reported feeling the attack had a wide-reaching negative impact on the mental health of residents, those working in the borough and visitors who witnessed the attack. Delivering the response was a challenge and response visibility within the community was limited. Participants suggested a comprehensive systematic approach to health needs assessment informed by knowledge and relationships of key Council workers and community stakeholders is imperative when responding to terrorist incidents. Improved communication and working relationships between statutory organisations and community stakeholders would ensure community groups are better supported. Prioritising mental health needs of terror attack responders to mitigate persisting negative impacts was highlighted. Conclusions This article highlights a potential public health approach and need for developing robust practical guidance in the aftermath of terror attacks. This approach has already influenced the response to the Christchurch mosque shooting in 2019.

scholarly journals Are rhetorical commitments to adolescents reflected in planning documents? An exploratory content analysis of adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Global Financing Facility country plans

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asha S. George ◽  
Tanya Jacobs ◽  
Mary V. Kinney ◽  
Annie Haakenstad ◽  
Neha S. Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Adolescent Health ◽  
Teenage Pregnancy ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Social Determinant ◽  
Project Appraisal ◽  
School Based

Abstract Background The Global Financing Facility (GFF) offers an opportunity to close the financing gap that holds back gains in women, children’s and adolescent health. However, very little work exists examining GFF practice, particularly for adolescent health. As momentum builds for the GFF, we examine initial GFF planning documents to inform future national and multi-lateral efforts to advance adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Methods We undertook a content analysis of the first 11 GFF Investment Cases and Project Appraisal Documents available on the GFF website. The countries involved include Bangladesh, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda. Results While several country documents signal understanding and investment in adolescents as a strategic area, this is not consistent across all countries, nor between Investment Cases and Project Appraisal Documents. In both types of documents commitments weaken as one moves from programming content to indicators to investment. Important contributions include how teenage pregnancy is a universal concern, how adolescent and youth friendly health services and school-based programs are supported in several country documents, how gender is noted as a key social determinant critical for mainstreaming across the health system, alongside the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration, and the acknowledgement of adolescent rights. Weaknesses include the lack of comprehensive analysis of adolescent health needs, inconsistent investments in adolescent friendly health services and school based programs, missed opportunities in not supporting multi-component and multi-level initiatives to change gender norms involving adolescent boys in addition to adolescent girls, and neglect of governance approaches to broker effective multi-sectoral collaboration, community engagement and adolescent involvement. Conclusion There are important examples of how the GFF supports adolescents and their sexual and reproductive health. However, more can be done. While building on service delivery approaches more consistently, it must also fund initiatives that address the main social and systems drivers of adolescent health. This requires capacity building for the technical aspects of adolescent health, but also engaging politically to ensure that the right actors are convened to prioritize adolescent health in country plans and to ensure accountability in the GFF process itself.

scholarly journals “Having more women humanitarian leaders will help transform the humanitarian system”: challenges and opportunities for women leaders in conflict and humanitarian health

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Preeti Patel ◽  
Kristen Meagher ◽  
Nassim El Achi ◽  
Abdulkarim Ekzayez ◽  
Richard Sullivan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Women Leaders ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Women's Leadership ◽  
Women In Leadership ◽  
Humanitarian Emergencies ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Barriers And Opportunities

Abstract Background It is estimated that over 40% of the half a million humanitarian workers who provide frontline care during emergencies, wars and disasters, are women. Women are at the forefront of improving health for conflict-affected populations through service delivery, education and capacity strengthening, advocacy and research. Women are also disproportionately affected by conflict and humanitarian emergencies. The growing evidence base demonstrating excess female morbidity and mortality reflects the necessity of evaluating the role of women in leadership driving health research, policy and programmatic interventions in conflict-related humanitarian contexts. Despite global commitments to improving gender equality, the issue of women leaders in conflict and humanitarian health has been given little or no attention. The aim of this paper focuses on three domains: importance, barriers and opportunities for women leaders in conflict and humanitarian health. Following thematic analysis of the material collected, we discuss the following themes: barriers of women’s leadership domain at societal level, and organisational level, which is subcategorized into culture and strategy. Building on the available opportunities and initiatives and on inspirational experiences of the limited number of women leaders in this field, recommendations for empowering and supporting women’s leadership in conflict health are presented. Methods A desk-based literature review of academic and grey sources was conducted followed by thematic analysis. Results There is very limited evidence on women leaders in conflict and humanitarian health. Some data shows that women have leadership skills that help to support more inclusive solutions which are incredibly important in this sector. However, deeply imbedded discrimination against women at the organisational, cultural, social, financial and political levels is exacerbated in conflict which makes it more challenging for women to progress in such settings. Conclusion Advocating for women leaders in conflict and health in the humanitarian sector, governmental bodies, academia and the global health community is crucial to increasing effective interventions that adequately address the complexity and diversity of humanitarian crises.

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