scholarly journals Implementing Public Health Regulations in Developing Countries: Lessons from the OECD Countries

2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 508-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily A. Mok ◽  
Lawrence O. Gostin ◽  
Monica Das Gupta ◽  
Max Levin
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Effective Implementation ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Sanitary Conditions ◽  
Health Regulations

Public health agencies undertake a broad range of health promotion and injury and disease prevention activities in collaboration with an array of actors, such as the community, businesses, and non-profit organizations. These activities are “multisectoral” in nature and centered on public health agencies that oversee and engage with the other actors. Public health agencies can influence the hazardous activities in the private sector in a variety of ways, “ranging from prohibition and regulation to volunteerism, and from cooperation to cooption.” Hence, a public health agency that possesses the necessary administrative resources and authority is vital to the effective implementation of health policies and regulations.In the developing world, however, many state health agencies lack these basic capacities in dealing with critical health threats, including their ability to avert epidemics of communicable diseases arising from poor sanitary conditions. A serious constraint is the shortage of public health funding for health agencies in the developing world for typical agency functions (e.g., surveillance, monitoring, assessment, and intervention). This is often aggravated by the transaction-intensive demands entailed in enforcing regulations among an array of private and public sector actors including individuals, businesses, and local bodies responsible for providing civic services.

A System-Level Intervention to Encourage Collaboration Between Juvenile Justice and Public Health Agencies to Promote HIV/STI Testing

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 337-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine S. Elkington ◽  
Anne Spaulding ◽  
Sheena Gardner ◽  
Danica Knight ◽  
Steven Belenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Juvenile Justice ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
The United States ◽  
Practice Change ◽  
System Level ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Treatment Services ◽  
Sti Testing ◽  
Health Agencies

Justice-involved youth are at high risk for HIV and STIs, and justice agencies are uniquely poised to offer HIV/STI testing. However, testing in these settings is not routine and represents a missed opportunity. This study describes a system-level implementation intervention designed to increase access to HIV/STI testing through juvenile justice (JJ) and public health agency collaboration across six counties in six states in the United States. Local change teams, active facilitation, and training were utilized to facilitate agency partnerships and development of HIV/STI practice change protocols. Five counties established health and JJ partnerships and four counties successfully implemented their protocols. Sites with HIV/STI education and testing protocols behaviorally screened 98.5% of youth and tested 41.2% of those youth; 0% were HIV+ and 43.2% had an STI. The intervention provides a feasible, scalable solution, through promoting partnerships between JJ and health agencies, to link youth to testing and treatment services.

scholarly journals Intent to Vaccinate Children against COVID-19: Low levels of trust in public health agencies trust across rural communities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enbal Shacham ◽  
Germysha Little ◽  
Steve Scroggins ◽  
Avery Fredman ◽  
Ricardo Wray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
State And Local

Background: A COVID-19 vaccination for children is positioned to be a critical resource in the pandemic-prevention effort. However, studies have shown hesitation towards COVID-19 vaccination uptake and a lack of trust in government agencies; putting children at risk for not receiving preventative medical care. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between trust in public health agencies and parental intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Methods: Residents of a Midwestern state who reported being parent/guardian of one or more child, aged <18 living at home, were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional online survey conducted during September-October 2020 (n=238). Participants were asked their level of trust in both state and local public health departments and if they planned on vaccinating their children against COVID-19. Resident geography, rural, suburban, and urban, was categorized using definitions from the Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA) and matched to participant county of residence. Descriptive and binomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to predict probability of vaccine intent for children.Results:. Among participants, 132 (55.5%) reported intention to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Factors that were found to significantly decrease probability of vaccinating child were being a rural resident and lower level of trust in both state and local public health agencies. Discussion: Results from this study highlight the importance of addressing public health agency mistrust among individuals, regardless of geography, to assure more equitable vaccine delivery. Further, special focus may be needed for those living in more isolated, less populated areas, where a higher level of trust may be needed before parents vaccinate their children.

scholarly journals Initial epidemiological findings in the European Union following the declaration of pandemic alert level 5 due to influenza A (H1N1)

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
ECDC Technical Emergency Team
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
International Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Influenza A H1n1 ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Health Event ◽  
Health Regulations

The recent detection of a novel influenza A(H1N1) virus has led to the first WHO declaration of a Public Health Event of International Concern under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). Here we review the early epidemiological findings of confirmed cases in Mexico, the United States, Canada and EU/EFTA countries. Strengthened surveillance and continued, transparent communication across public health agencies globally will be necessary in coming months.

scholarly journals The Economic, Institutional, and Political Determinants of Public Health Delivery System Structures

2012 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard C. Ingram ◽  
F. Douglas Scutchfield ◽  
Glen P. Mays ◽  
Michelyn W. Bhandari
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Delivery System ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Health Delivery ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Health Delivery System ◽  
Over Time

Objectives. A typology of local public health systems was recently introduced, and a large degree of structural transformation over time was discovered in the systems analyzed. We present a qualitative exploration of the factors that determine variation and change in the seven structural configurations that comprise the local public health delivery system typology. Methods. We applied a 10-item semistructured telephone interview protocol to representatives from the local health agency in two randomly selected systems from each configuration—one that had maintained configuration over time and one that had changed configuration over time. We assessed the interviews for patterns of variation between the configurations. Results. Four key determinants of structural change emerged: availability of financial resources, interorganizational relationships, public health agency organization, and political relationships. Systems that had changed were more likely to experience strengthened partnerships between public health agencies and other community organizations and enjoy support from policy makers, while stable systems were more likely to be characterized by strong partnerships between public health agencies and other governmental bodies and less supportive relationships with policy makers. Conclusions. This research provides information regarding the determinants of system change, and may help public health leaders to better prepare for the impacts of change in the areas discussed. It may also help those who are seeking to implement change to determine the contextual factors that need to be in place before change can happen, or how best to implement change in the face of contextual factors that are beyond their control.

The Contribution of Residents Who Cooperate With Ring-Vaccination Measures Against Smallpox Epidemic

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 270-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroki Sato ◽  
Yutaka Sakurai
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
The Public ◽  
Level Of Activity ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Ring Vaccination ◽  
Containment Measures ◽  
Voluntary Cooperation

ABSTRACTObjectives: Establishing containment measures against the potential spread of the smallpox virus has become a major issue in the public health field since the 2001 anthrax attacks in the United States. The primary objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between the level of activity of public health agencies and the voluntary cooperation of residents with ring-vaccination measures against a smallpox epidemic.Methods: A discrete-time, stochastic, individual-based model was used to simulate the spread of a smallpox epidemic that has become a more pressing topic due to 9/11 and to assess the effectiveness of and required resources for ring-vaccination measures in a closed community. In the simulation, we related sensitive tracing to the level of activity of the public health agency and strict isolation to the level of voluntary cooperation from residents.Results: Our results suggest that early and intensive case detection and contact tracing by public health agencies can reduce the scale of an epidemic and use fewer total resources. In contrast, voluntary reporting by the traced contacts of symptom onset after vaccination had little impact on the scale of epidemic in our model. However, it reduced the total required resources, indicating that citizens' voluntary cooperation would contribute to reducing the burden on public health agencies.Conclusions: We conclude that a combined effort on the part of public health agencies and residents in performing containment measures is essential to quickly ending a smallpox epidemic.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:270–276)

THE SANITARIAN'S RESPONSIBILITY IN MEAT AND POULTRY PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING

1968 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. Powers
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Poultry Production ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
The Public ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
General Welfare ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Large Animals ◽  
Health Regulations

In the meat and poultry industries, efforts should be made to improve the environment of large animals just prior to slaughter. Part of the apparent problem of cross-contamination among animals is a matter of stress, not clear-cut cross infection between animals. The organisms are there all the time. Because of physiological and psychological stress caused by crowding, the animals begin to shed normal intestinal organisms more readily than before. If sanitation is to be improved, real effort should be put into steps beyond the slaughter stage such as improving equipment design and materials, sanitizing methods, control of rodents and insects, and studying the worker's role in the transmission of contamination. Particularly important is the control of temperature at all stages subsequent to slaughter. This includes loading rates, stacking arrangements, and other factors which may impede heat transfer and enable some portions of the food to be in a range where microbial growth can get started. Once they are already multiplying, organisms are capable of continuing for some time though the environment is then apparently unfavorable. This also applies to heating. Above the growth range of organisms, efforts should be made to be sure all portions are heated thoroughly and kept above the growth range. Equipment and procedures should be such that food moves through transitional heating-cooling operations quickly. Essentially, the sanitarian as a professional has a responsibility to the public for general welfare. If in industry, he should use his knowledge to educate management, if that is needed, as to the importance of sanitation. This includes demonstrating the economic benefits of sanitation as well as avoidance of public health problems. Finally, whether in public health agencies, in industry, or elsewhere, the sanitarian has a duty to teach others why sanitation is essential and how it can be attained. By enlisting all who handle food to handle it properly out of knowledge–rather than mere feet-dragging compliance with public health regulations–considerable improvement could be made even with present methods and equipment.

Responsibility and Blame

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua M. Sharfstein
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Difficult Situation ◽  
Health Training ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Public Health Training ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Sincere Apology

Issues of responsibility and blame are very rarely discussed in public health training, but are seldom forgotten in practice. Blame often follows a crisis, and leaders of health agencies should be able to think strategically about how to handle such accusations before being faced with the pain of dealing with them. When the health agency is not at all at fault, officials can make the case for a strong public health response without reservation. When the agency is entirely to blame, a quick and sincere apology can allow the agency to retain credibility. The most difficult situation is when the agency is partly to blame. The goal in this situation is to accept the appropriate amount of blame while working quickly to resolve the crisis.

The Perils of Partnership

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan H. Marks
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Separation Of Powers ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Public Health Agencies ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Public Bodies

Collaboration with industry has become the paradigm in public health. Governments commonly develop close relationships with companies that are creating or exacerbating the very problems public health agencies are trying to solve. Nowhere is this more evident than in partnerships with food and soda companies to address obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases. The author argues that public-private partnerships and multistakeholder initiatives create webs of influence that undermine the integrity of public health agencies; distort public health research and policy; and reinforce the framing of public health problems and their solutions in ways that are least threatening to the commercial interests of corporate “partners.” We should expect multinational corporations to develop strategies of influence. But public bodies need to develop counter-strategies to insulate themselves from corporate influence in all its forms. The author reviews the ways in which we regulate public-public interactions (separation of powers) and private-private interactions (antitrust and competition laws), and argues for an analogous set of norms to govern public-private interactions. The book also offers a novel framework that is designed to help public bodies identify the systemic ethical implications of their existing or proposed relationships with industry actors. The book makes a compelling case that, in public health, the paradigm public-private interaction should be at arm’s length: separation, not collaboration. The author calls for a new paradigm to protect and promote public health while avoiding the ethical perils of partnership with industry.

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.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document