scholarly journals Association Between Preparedness and Response Measures and COVID-19 Incidence and Mortality

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher T. Lee ◽  
Marine Buissonnière ◽  
Amanda McClelland ◽  
Thomas R. Frieden
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Policy Action ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Government Leadership ◽  
Response Measures ◽  
Pandemic Response ◽  
Leadership Policy ◽  
Independent Association ◽  
Pandemic Severity

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic is the most disruptive global health threat in a century. We analyzed publicly available data on preparedness capacity, COVID-19 incidence and mortality, governance, and testing. Although other analyses have suggested that preparedness assessments do not correlate with effective pandemic response, we found that testing rates correlate with both COVID-19 incidence and mortality and strongly correlated with country preparedness capacity as measured by the Joint External Evaluation (JEE). There is a statistically significant association between preparedness capacities and COVID-19 case incidence and an independent association between governance and COVID-19 case and mortality rates. Legislation, surveillance, and risk communication capacities were associated with lower COVID-19 case incidence and mortality. Preparedness and governance are independently associated with COVID-19 pandemic severity. Preparedness capacities are not sufficient — capacity and governance are both critical to pandemic control. Countries must improve public health systems and implement strong government leadership.Article SummaryCountry preparedness capacities and country leadership policy response (governance) are both critically important to control pandemics. Without appropriate policy action, public health preparedness is insufficient for effective pandemic response.

scholarly journals Learning From COVID-19: A Systems Approach for Public Health Governance

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jieling Liu ◽  
Yurong Wu ◽  
Cunrui Huang
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Urban Health ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Health Governance ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
New Thinking ◽  
Response Measures ◽  
Pandemic Response ◽  
Economic Goods ◽  
Public Health Governance

Abstract The COVID-19 spread very quickly worldwide, which has resulted in a global pandemic. All countries in the world have taken measures for the purpose of preventing and controlling the epidemic. China for example, has control the spread effectively, while the Unite States, Brazil and India are still striving to cope with the increasing COVID-19 confirmed cases. The epidemic has impacted the whole world, also revealing quite a lot problems of urban health governance in different countries. This commentary reviews the pandemic response measures in selected countries such as China, Italy, America, Brail and India. On the basis of critical reflection on the problems incurred in each country's pandemic response, we further provide a theoretical framework to reconceptualise public health as multiple types of economic goods. We couple this reconceptualisation with the systems approach to urban health and wellbeing to offer new thinking on the governance of public health. Finally, we propose suggestions for better, preventative and comprehensive epidemic prevention and public health governance.

Trends in the incidence and mortality of oral cancer in Nevada (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Foote ◽  
Karl Kingsley
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Oral Cancer ◽  
Cancer Incidence ◽  
Cancer Control ◽  
Cancer Registries ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
The Us ◽  
Chi Square Analysis

BACKGROUND Reviews of national and state-specific cancer registries have revealed differences in rates of oral cancer incidence and mortality that have implications for public health research and policy. Many significant associations between head and neck (oral) cancers and major risk factors, such as cigarette usage, may be influenced by public health policy such as smoking restrictions and bans – including the Nevada Clean Indoor Act of 2006 (and subsequent modification in 2011). OBJECTIVE Although evaluation of general and regional advances in public policy have been previously evaluated, no recent studies have focused specifically on the changes to the epidemiology of oral cancer incidence and mortality in Nevada. METHODS Cancer incidence and mortality rate data were obtained from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program. Most recently available rate changes in cancer incidence and mortality for Nevada included the years 2012 – 2016 and are age-adjusted to the year 2000 standard US population. Comparisons of any differences between Nevada and the overall US population were evaluated using Chi square analysis. RESULTS This analysis revealed that the overall rates of incidence and mortality from oral cancer in Nevada differs from that observed in the overall US population. For example, although the incidence of oral cancer among Caucasians is increasing in Nevada and the US overall, it is increasing at nearly twice that rate in Nevada, P=0.0002. In addition, although oral cancer incidence among Minorities in the US is declining, it is increasing in Nevada , P=0.0001. Analysis of reported mortality causes revealed that mortality from oral cancer increased in the US overall but declined in Nevada during the same period (2012-2016). More specifically, mortality among both Males and Females in the US is increasing, but is declining in Nevada, P=0.0027. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of the epidemiologic data from Nevada compared with the overall US revealed significant differences in rates of oral cancer incidence and mortality. More specifically, oral cancer incidence increased in Nevada between 2012-2016 among all groups analyzed (Males, Females, White, Minority), while decreases were observed nationally among Females and Minorities. Although mortality in Nevada decreased over this same time period (in contrast to the national trends), the lag time between diagnosis (incidence) and mortality suggests that these trends will change in the near future. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable

scholarly journals Fatal SARS-CoV-2 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis coinfection in an infant: insights from Botswana

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. e239701
Author(s):  
Unami Koolebogile Mulale ◽  
Thanolo Kashamba ◽  
Jonathan Strysko ◽  
Lynnette Tumwine Kyokunda
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Immune Reconstitution ◽  
Fatal Case ◽  
Failure To Thrive ◽  
Supplemental Oxygen ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Public Health Threat ◽  
Pandemic Response ◽  
Sub Saharan

We report a fatal case of SARS-CoV-2 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis coinfection in an infant, Botswana’s first paediatric COVID-19-associated fatality. The patient, a 3-month-old HIV-unexposed boy, presented with fever and respiratory distress in the setting of failure to thrive. Both the patient and his mother tested positive for rifampin-sensitive M. tuberculosis (Xpert MTB/Rif) and SARS-CoV-2 (real time-PCR). Initially stable on supplemental oxygen and antitubercular therapy, the patient experienced precipitous clinical decline 5 days after presentation and subsequently died. Autopsy identified evidence of disseminated tuberculosis (TB) as well as histopathological findings similar to those described in recent reports of SARS-CoV-2 infections, including diffuse microthrombosis. TB remains a serious public health threat in hyperendemic regions like sub-Saharan Africa, and is often diagnosed late in infants. In addition to raising the question of additive/synergistic pathophysiology and/or immune reconstitution, this case of coinfection also highlights the importance of leveraging the COVID-19 pandemic response to strengthen efforts for TB prevention, screening and detection.

Dying To Be Men: Masculinity and Early Cancer Detection Among Nigerian Men

2021 ◽  
pp. 0272684X2110049
Author(s):  
Darlingtina Esiaka ◽  
Candidus Nwakasi ◽  
Kelsey Brodie ◽  
Aaron Philip ◽  
Kalu Ogba
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cancer Detection ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Early Cancer ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Early Cancer Detection ◽  
Anxious Attachment ◽  
Incidence And Mortality ◽  
Nigerian Men ◽  
Sub Saharan

Cancer incidence and mortality in Nigeria are increasing at an alarming rate, especially among Nigerian men. Despite the numerous public health campaigns and education on the importance of early cancer detection in Nigeria, there exist high rate of fatal/advanced stage cancer diagnoses among Nigerian men, even among affluent Nigerian men. However, there is limited information on patterns of cancer screening and psychosocial predictors of early cancer detection behaviors among Nigerian men. In this cross-sectional study, we examined demographic and psychosocial factors influencing early cancer detection behaviors among Nigerian men. Participants (N = 143; Mage = 44.73) responded to survey assessing: masculinity, attachment styles, current and future cancer detection behaviors, and sociodemographic characteristics. We found that among the participants studied, education, masculinity and anxious attachment were significantly associated with current cancer detection behaviors. Additionally, education and anxious attachment were significantly associated with future cancer detection behaviors. Our finding is best served for clinicians and public health professionals, especially those in the field of oncology in Sub-Saharan Africa. Also, the study may be used as a groundwork for future research and health intervention programs targeting men in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Preemption in Public Health: The Dynamics of Clean Indoor Air Laws

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (S4) ◽  
pp. 84-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elva Yañez ◽  
Gary Cox ◽  
Mike Cooney ◽  
Robert Eadie
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Tobacco Industry ◽  
Political Influence ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Special Interest Groups ◽  
Policy Action ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
The Public ◽  
City Councils

Preemption is a powerful strategy used by special interest groups to undermine strong, local public health standards. Currently, 20 states in the U.S. have preemption ordinances in place related to clean indoor air initiatives. These preemption laws are the direct result of an ongoing and aggressive campaign of tobacco companies to thwart clean indoor air initiatives, which ultimately, according to tobacco industry internal documents, cause significant reductions in their annual revenues. Clean indoor air policies have arisen from a greater understanding of the documented health risks associated with exposure to secondhand smoke and action by local government (city councils, county commissions, and boards of health) to protect the public from these hazards. The efforts of the tobacco industry undermine local authority and seek to shift policy action to the state and federal levels, where the industry has greater political influence.

scholarly journals Economic or Public Health? Southeast Asia’s Tackling of COVID-19 a Year Later

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imas Arumsari ◽  
Ridhwan Fauzi ◽  
Mohammad Ainul Maruf ◽  
Mouhamad Bigwanto
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Southeast Asian ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
The World ◽  
Country Rankings ◽  
Pandemic Response ◽  
Government Websites ◽  
One Year ◽  
Southeast Asian Countries

The world has been challenged by rapidly spreading COVID-19 outbreaks for a year now. Southeast Asian countries have had different strategies to deal with the pandemic. This review aimed to elaborate on Southeast Asian countries’ strategies in managing the trade-off between economic and public health, with further consideration of how such approaches were associated with the dynamics of the number of cases and the speed of economic recovery. This review evaluated the COVID-19 mitigation efforts spanning one year in the Southeast Asian (SEA) countries listed based on the Bloomberg COVID Resilience Ranking. As of May 24, 2021, three SEA countries (Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia) were chosen from the better (27th), moderate (35th), and worst (42nd) SEA country rankings. Peer-reviewed articles were obtained from Google Scholar and PubMed databases, and news articles were retrieved from GoogleNews. The data from government websites were also included. Sources were limited to those in the English and Indonesian languages that could be accessed between January 2020 and May 2021. Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia were found to have significantly prioritized consideration of the economy in handling the pandemic. Malaysia and Thailand had more stringent policies of imposing national lockdowns, while Indonesia had a partial lockdown. It was found that a weak pandemic response may result in substantial economic loss.

scholarly journals Provision of health care for prisoners during the COVID-19 pandemic: an ethical analysis of challenges and summary of select best practices

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Berkemeier Brelje ◽  
Debra A. Pinals
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Legal Principles ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Health Care Policies ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Pandemic Response

Purpose This paper aims to analyze the COVID-19 pandemic response in prisons, focusing on the USA, which imprisons a higher percentage of its population than any other country in the world. Design/methodology/approach This paper evaluates the current pandemic response in prisons based on legal and ethical imperatives for providing health care to prisoners. Findings Themes of best practices identified include increasing rapid detection of new cases, reducing transmission and advocating for both short- and long-term ethical health care policies. Halting progress now could risk dire consequences and is unacceptable on legal, ethical and public health grounds. Research limitations/implications This paper does not involve primary research with prisoners; rather it focuses on reviewing the pandemic response in prisons. Although it may be possible to translate findings in this study to similar environments (e.g. jails and detainment centers), there are unique characteristics pertaining to each that deserve separate, focused analyses. Originality/value Outbreaks that occur within prisons are likely to spread to the community and vice versa. Analyses based on ethics, law and public health point to the same conclusion: preventing significant outbreaks within prisons will benefit not only prisoners but also the general public. Furthermore, even though the scientific understanding of the pandemic may change with future research, the ethical and legal principles highlighted in this paper will continue to be foundational when considering just care for prisoners.

Influencing international policy

2020 ◽  
pp. 348-357
Author(s):  
Tim Lang ◽  
Martin Caraher
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Policy Action ◽  
Double Burden ◽  
International Policy ◽  
International Policies ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
The World ◽  
Public Health Practitioners

This chapter will help you understand: the relationships between international policy and policy action at multiple levels; why public health practitioners should build an international dimension into their work; how to influence and advance public health internationally, even through local action. The chapter uses examples from the world of food and health policy (on which the authors work) to illustrate the structures and processes of engagement you may encounter. In the policy worlds of both global public health and food, there is a mix of improvement and threats, inequalities alongside progress, fragmentation, and coherence. Similar trends in the global South and developed countries may have underlying drivers at work, resulting in the double burden of disease. It is preferable to ensure that international policies tackle rather than ignore those determinants.

scholarly journals Public health, pandemic response, and the 2020 US election

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. e515-e516
Author(s):  
Esther K Choo ◽  
Aaron E Carroll
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Pandemic Response
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