scholarly journals Geographical surveillance of COVID-19: Diagnosed cases and death in the United States

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raid Amin ◽  
Terri Hall ◽  
Jacob Church ◽  
Daniela Schlierf ◽  
Martin Kulldorff
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
New England ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Multiple Testing ◽  
The United States ◽  
Space Time ◽  
Scan Statistics ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Incidence And Mortality

AbstractBackgroundCOVID-19 is a new coronavirus that has spread from person to person throughout the world. Geographical disease surveillance is a powerful tool to monitor the spread of epidemics and pandemic, providing important information on the location of new hot-spots, assisting public health agencies to implement targeted approaches to minimize mortality.MethodsCounty level data from January 22-April 28 was downloaded from USAfacts.org to create heat maps with ArcMap™ for diagnosed COVID-19 cases and mortality. The data was analyzed using spatial and space-time scan statistics and the SaTScan™ software, to detect geographical cluster with high incidence and mortality, adjusting for multiple testing. Analyses were adjusted for age. While the spatial clusters represent counties with unusually high counts of COVID-19 when averaged over the time period January 22-April 20, the space-time clusters allow us to identify groups of counties in which there exists a significant change over time.ResultsThere were several statistically significant COVID-19 clusters for both incidence and mortality. Top clusters with high rates included the areas in and around New York City, New Orleans and Chicago, but there were also several small rural clusters. Top clusters for a recent surge in incidence and mortality included large parts of the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic Region, and several smaller areas in and around New York and New England.ConclusionsSpatial and space-time surveillance of COVID-19 can be useful for public health departments in their efforts to minimize mortality from the disease. It can also be applied to smaller regions with more granular data.

scholarly journals Phylogenomic Pipeline Validation for Foodborne Pathogen Disease Surveillance

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth E. Timme ◽  
Errol Strain ◽  
Joseph D. Baugher ◽  
Steven Davis ◽  
Narjol Gonzalez-Escalona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Foodborne Pathogen ◽  
The United States ◽  
Strain Identification ◽  
Outbreak Response ◽  
Entire Genome ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Regulatory Decision ◽  
Health Agencies

ABSTRACT Foodborne pathogen surveillance in the United States is transitioning from strain identification using restriction digest technology (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis [PFGE]) to shotgun sequencing of the entire genome (whole-genome sequencing [WGS]). WGS requires a new suite of analysis tools, some of which have long histories in academia but are new to the field of public health and regulatory decision making. Although the general workflow is fairly standard for collecting and analyzing WGS data for disease surveillance, there are a number of differences in how the data are collected and analyzed across public health agencies, both nationally and internationally. This impedes collaborative public health efforts, so national and international efforts are underway to enable direct comparison of these different analysis methods. Ultimately, the harmonization efforts will allow the (mutually trusted and understood) production and analysis of WGS data by labs and agencies worldwide, thus improving outbreak response capabilities globally. This review provides a historical perspective on the use of WGS for pathogen tracking and summarizes the efforts underway to ensure the major steps in phylogenomic pipelines used for pathogen disease surveillance can be readily validated. The tools for doing this will ensure that the results produced are sound, reproducible, and comparable across different analytic approaches.

scholarly journals A Bayesian framework for estimating the risk ratio of hospitalization for people with comorbidity infected by SARS-CoV-2 virus

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Gao ◽  
Qunfeng Dong
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
General Population ◽  
Risk Ratio ◽  
Bayesian Approach ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
The United States ◽  
Chronic Respiratory Disease ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Public Health Agencies

Abstract Objective Estimating the hospitalization risk for people with comorbidities infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is important for developing public health policies and guidance. Traditional biostatistical methods for risk estimations require: (i) the number of infected people who were not hospitalized, which may be severely undercounted since many infected people were not tested; (ii) comorbidity information for people not hospitalized, which may not always be readily available. We aim to overcome these limitations by developing a Bayesian approach to estimate the risk ratio of hospitalization for COVID-19 patients with comorbidities. Materials and Methods We derived a Bayesian approach to estimate the posterior distribution of the risk ratio using the observed frequency of comorbidities in COVID-19 patients in hospitals and the prevalence of comorbidities in the general population. We applied our approach to 2 large-scale datasets in the United States: 2491 patients in the COVID-NET, and 5700 patients in New York hospitals. Results Our results consistently indicated that cardiovascular diseases carried the highest hospitalization risk for COVID-19 patients, followed by diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, hypertension, and obesity, respectively. Discussion Our approach only needs (i) the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and their comorbidity information, which can be reliably obtained using hospital records, and (ii) the prevalence of the comorbidity of interest in the general population, which is regularly documented by public health agencies for common medical conditions. Conclusion We developed a novel Bayesian approach to estimate the hospitalization risk for people with comorbidities infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Administrative Law and the Public's Health

2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor D. Kinney
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Health System ◽  
Homeland Security ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Aids Pandemic ◽  
Major Outbreak ◽  
Public Health Regulation

Today, public health regulation at all levels faces unprecedented challenges both at home and abroad. The September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., by the Al Qaeda terrorist network and the anthrax bioterrorism that followed shortly thereafter have put public health regulation at the forefront of homeland security. The anthrax scare, in particular, has greatly tested the American public health system, calling into question whether the United States and its component states and localities are prepared to handle a major outbreak of infectious disease, such as smallpox, in a future bioterrorist action. While the response of public health agencies was commendable, especially in light of the magnitude of the assaults, it is manifestly clear that the American public health system will be hard pressed to meet similar challenges that may lie ahead.The events of fall 2001 follow a period of major challenges for public health. The AIDS pandemic has killed millions of people throughout the globe, especially in Africa and other parts of the developing world.

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CHILD HEALTH SERVICES

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1953 ◽  
Vol 12 (3S) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
New York ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
The United States ◽  
Child Health Services ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Health Agencies

THIS report covers only that segment of child health care provided through organized community agencies, official or voluntary. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics' Study, about 22 percent of all the health care children received during an average day in 1946 for the nation as a whole was under such administrative arrangements. Most of the 22 percent represented hospital care, which is discussed in Chapter II. Only about 1.5 percent of total care on an average day represented care in child health clinics sponsored by public health agencies. Origin of Public Services for Children At the turn of the 20th century, bacteriology and immunology began to place in the hands of health officials the weapons to control communicable diseases and to prevent many deaths among children. These weapons made possible the development of planned, community-wide programs to prevent infant mortality and to improve child health. The earliest efforts were made in cities, partly because high mortality and morbidity rates were obvious in urban areas and partly because health departments were first organized in major cities. Moreover, these localities usually had adequate numbers of philanthropic citizens interested in helping to create and support private as well as public health agencies. New York was one of the first cities in the United States to demonstrate how existing knowledge could be organized for widespread use to save the lives of babies in crowded sections. In 1893, Jacobi, one of the first American pediatricians, encouraged a New York philanthropist to establish milk stations for distributing pasteurized milk for New York infants to help prevent infantile diarrhea. By 1902, there were 14 such stations in New York.

scholarly journals International Perspectives on COVID-19 Communication Ecologies: Public Health Agencies’ Online Communication in Italy, Sweden, and the United States

2021 ◽  
pp. 000276422199283
Author(s):  
Serena Tagliacozzo ◽  
Frederike Albrecht ◽  
N. Emel Ganapati
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
The United States ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Communication Ecology ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
National Public Health

Communicating during a crisis can be challenging for public agencies as their communication ecology becomes increasingly complex while the need for fast and reliable public communication remains high. Using the lens of communication ecology, this study examines the online communication of national public health agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, Sweden, and the United States. Based on content analysis of Twitter data ( n = 856) and agency press releases ( n = 95), this article investigates two main questions: (1) How, and to what extent, did national public health agencies coordinate their online communication with other agencies and organizations? (2) How was online communication from the agencies diversified in terms of targeting specific organizations and social groups? Our findings indicate that public health agencies relied heavily on internal scientific expertise and predominately coordinated their communication efforts with national government agencies. Furthermore, our analysis reveals that agencies in each country differed in how they diversify information; however, all agencies provided tailored information to at least some organizations and social groups. Across the three countries, information tailored for several vulnerable groups (e.g., pregnant women, people with disabilities, immigrants, and homeless populations) was largely absent, which may contribute to negative consequences for these groups.

scholarly journals Epidemiology of Lyme Disease

1991 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 58-60
Author(s):  
Dennis J White
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Vector Species ◽  
Potential Vector ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Laboratory Services ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Surveillance Programs ◽  
Risk Of Exposure

Investigation of the epidemiology of Lyme disease depends upon information generated from several sources. Human disease surveillance can be conducted by both passive and active means involving physicians, public health agencies and laboratories. Passive and active tick surveillance programs can document the extent of tick-borne activity, identify the geographic range of potential vector species, and determine the relative risk of exposure to Lyme disease in specific areas. Standardized laboratory services can play an important role in providing data. Epidemiologists can gain a better understanding of Lyme disease through the collection of data from such programs. The interpretation of data and provision of information to the medical and general communities are important functions of public health agencies.

PUBLIC HEALTH, NURSING AND MEDICAL SOCIAL WORK

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1949 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 865-865
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
New England ◽  
Central Area ◽  
General Distribution ◽  
North Central ◽  
Medical Social Work ◽  
South Central ◽  
Health Nursing ◽  
West North Central

A "Measles Year" ACCORDING to the reports of the U.S. Public Health Service, this is a measles year. For example, a total of 15,266 cases were reported for the week of January 29, 1949, compared to a five year median of 6,712. Increases were reported in all geographic divisions except New England and the West North Central area. The largest increases were in the East South Central and South Atlantic areas. Of the total that week, an aggregate of 10,522 cases occurred in the following 12 states: Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, Alabama, Texas, Oregon, and California. In contrast to measles, the influenza incidence picture shows an unusually low number of cases. For example, in the week of January 29, 1949, a total of 4,534 cases was reported, compared to a five year median of 14,253. List of Publications Under date of March 1948 the Children's Bureau has published a list of its publications. The list includes all publications of the Children's Bureau issued since 1945 that are available for general distribution; earlier publications of the Bureau that are still available and of current value; some reprints of material published elsewhere but reproduced by or for the Bureau. Pediatricians will find some of these reprints of particular interest. Single copies of the list and of most of the publications can be obtained free from the Children's Bureau, Washington 25, D.C.

scholarly journals Injury-related falls from bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, and non-motorized scooters in the United States: 2005 - 2014

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
William Milczarski ◽  
Peter Tuckel ◽  
Richard Maisel
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Negative Binomial Regression ◽  
The United States ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
National Databases

Purpose: To provide an updated and comparative analysis of injury-related falls from bicycles, skateboards, roller skates and non-motorized scooters.Methods: The study uses two national databases – the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample and the Nationwide Inpatient Sample  – and subnational databases for New York, California, and Maryland.  Univariate and multivariate analyses (negative binomial regression) are performed to identify effects of age, gender, racial-ethnic background, and region on the incidence of injury-related falls from each of the four devices.Results: The rate of injuries due to falls from bicycles far surpasses the rates due to falls from the other devices.  When a measure of “exposure” is taken into consideration, however, the rate of injuries from skateboards outstrips the rates from bicycles or roller skates.  The profile of patients who are injured from falls from each of the four devices is distinctive.  Asian-Americans are greatly underrepresented among those who suffer a fall-related injury from any of the four devices.  The incidence of injuries attributable to falls varies considerably by geographic region.Conclusions: Public health officials need to be mindful that while certain activities such as scootering might be gaining in popularity, the number of injuries sustained from bicycles still dwarfs the number attributable to falls from skateboards, roller skates, and scooters combined.  Thus special attention needs to be paid to both prevent falls from bicycles and specific treatment modalities.  It is important for public health officials to gather injury data at the local level to allocate prevention and treatment resources more efficiently.

scholarly journals Early introductions and community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 in the United States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara Alpert ◽  
Erica Lasek-Nesselquist ◽  
Anderson F. Brito ◽  
Andrew L. Valesano ◽  
Jessica Rothman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
New York ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
The United States ◽  
International Travel ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Community Transmission ◽  
The Uk

SummaryThe emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7, first detected in the United Kingdom, has become a national public health concern in the United States because of its increased transmissibility. Over 500 COVID-19 cases associated with this variant have been detected since December 2020, but its local establishment and pathways of spread are relatively unknown. Using travel, genomic, and diagnostic testing data, we highlight the primary ports of entry for B.1.1.7 in the US and locations of possible underreporting of B.1.1.7 cases. New York, which receives the most international travel from the UK, is likely one of the key hubs for introductions and domestic spread. Finally, we provide evidence for increased community transmission in several states. Thus, genomic surveillance for B.1.1.7 and other variants urgently needs to be enhanced to better inform the public health response.

Improving the Fate of Nursing Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Need for Policy

2021 ◽  
pp. e1-e3
Author(s):  
R. Tamara Konetzka
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
New York ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Long Term Care ◽  
New York Times ◽  
The United States ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities

Approximately 40% of all COVID-19 deaths in the United States have been linked to long-term care facilities.1 Early in the pandemic, as the scope of the problem became apparent, the nursing home sector generated significant media attention and public alarm. A New York Times article in mid-April referred to nursing homes as “death pits”2 because of the seemingly uncontrollable spread of the virus through these facilities. This devastation continued during subsequent surges,3 but there is a role for policy to change this trajectory. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print January 28, 2021: e1–e3. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.306107 )

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