Health promotion by International Olympic Sport Federations: priorities and barriers

2019 ◽  
Vol 53 (17) ◽  
pp. 1117-1125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margo Mountjoy ◽  
Astrid Junge ◽  
Richard Budgett ◽  
Dominik Doerr ◽  
Michel Leglise ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Global Health ◽  
International Federation ◽  
Injury Surveillance ◽  
Political Support ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Barriers To Implementation ◽  
Main Barrier ◽  
Olympic Sport

ObjectiveTo identify changes in International Federations’ priorities and the barriers to implementing athlete and global health initiatives. Results should influence the work of the International Federation medical committees, the IOC and the Association of Summer Olympic International Federation.MethodsThe 28 Summer and 7 Winter International Federations participating in the most recent Olympic Games (2016; 2018) were surveyed to (i) identify the importance of 27 health topics, (ii) assess their progress on implementation health-related programmes and (iii) the barriers to implementation of these programmes. We compared International Federations’ activities in 2016 and 2017.ResultsThe response rate was 83%. Health topics which most International Federations regarded as important and in which the International Federations felt insufficiently active were ‘team physician certification’, ‘prevention of harassment and abuse’, ‘eating disorders/disordered eating’, ‘mental health’ and ‘injury surveillance’. Compared with 2016, there was a decrease in International Federations’ activities in ‘injury surveillance’, ‘nutritional supplements’ and ‘hyperandrogenism’. The main barrier to implementing health-related programmes was ‘International Federation political support/willingness’, followed by ‘knowledge’. ‘Time’ and ‘coach support’ were more often reported than ‘finances’, or ‘IOC or Association of Summer Olympic International Federations partnership’.ConclusionIf International Federations are going to promote health of athletes and global health promotion through physical activity (sport), International Federation leadership must change their focus and provide greater political support for related initiatives. Improving coach and athlete knowledge of the health issues could also facilitate health programme delivery. Time constraints could be mitigated by sharing experiences among the International Federations, Association of Summer Olympic International Federations and the IOC. International Federations should focus on those health-related topics that they identified as being important, yet rate as having insufficient activity.

scholarly journals Engaging African American Pastors in COVID-19 Research During a Pandemic: Lessons Learned

2021 ◽  
pp. 154230502110625
Author(s):  
Traci Hayes ◽  
LaWanda Baskin ◽  
Tanya Funchess ◽  
Samaria Lowe ◽  
Susan Mayfield-Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
African American ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
African American Pastors ◽  
Study Implementation ◽  
Health Related

African American pastors are recognized as trusted information sources for their communities. The pastors willing to address health-related concerns such as preventing the spread of the coronavirus are invaluable for leading their congregation through relevant health programs. Underlining the importance of religion, spirituality, and faith-based leaders in addressing and furthering health promotion research, the article discusses lessons learned during the study implementation and the recommendations for engaging minority pastors in research during a global health pandemic.

scholarly journals Community health workers at the dawn of a new era: 11. CHWs leading the way to “Health for All”

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (S3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry B. Perry ◽  
Mushtaque Chowdhury ◽  
Miriam Were ◽  
Karen LeBan ◽  
Lauren Crigler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Global Health ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Political Support ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
New Era ◽  
Health Goals ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Background This is the concluding paper of our 11-paper supplement, “Community health workers at the dawn of a new era”. Methods We relied on our collective experience, an extensive body of literature about community health workers (CHWs), and the other papers in this supplement to identify the most pressing challenges facing CHW programmes and approaches for strengthening CHW programmes. Results CHWs are increasingly being recognized as a critical resource for achieving national and global health goals. These goals include achieving the health-related Sustainable Development Goals of Universal Health Coverage, ending preventable child and maternal deaths, and making a major contribution to the control of HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and noncommunicable diseases. CHWs can also play a critical role in responding to current and future pandemics. For these reasons, we argue that CHWs are now at the dawn of a new era. While CHW programmes have long been an underfunded afterthought, they are now front and centre as the emerging foundation of health systems. Despite this increased attention, CHW programmes continue to face the same pressing challenges: inadequate financing, lack of supplies and commodities, low compensation of CHWs, and inadequate supervision. We outline approaches for strengthening CHW programmes, arguing that their enormous potential will only be realized when investment and health system support matches rhetoric. Rigorous monitoring, evaluation, and implementation research are also needed to enable CHW programmes to continuously improve their quality and effectiveness. Conclusion A marked increase in sustainable funding for CHW programmes is needed, and this will require increased domestic political support for prioritizing CHW programmes as economies grow and additional health-related funding becomes available. The paradigm shift called for here will be an important step in accelerating progress in achieving current global health goals and in reaching the goal of Health for All.

The Role of the Business Sector in Global Health Politics

2018 ◽  
pp. 385-408
Author(s):  
Kelley Lee ◽  
Julia Smith
Keyword(s):  
Collective Action ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Business Sector ◽  
Policy Debate ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Health Politics ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Private Interests ◽  
Health Related

The influence of for-profit businesses in collective action across countries to protect and promote population health dates from the first International Sanitary Conferences of the nineteenth century. The restructuring of the world economy since the late twentieth century and the growth of large transnational corporations have led the business sector to become a key feature of global health politics. The business sector has subsequently moved from being a commercial producer of health-related goods and services, contractor, and charitable donor, to being a major shaper of, and even participant in, global health policymaking bodies. This chapter discusses three sites where this has occurred: collective action to regulate health-harming industries, activities to provide for public interest needs, and participation in decision-making within global health institutions. These changing forms of engagement by the business sector have elicited scholarly and policy debate regarding the appropriate relationship between public and private interests in global health.

scholarly journals The power-trust cycle in global health: Trust as belonging in relations of dependency

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Emma-Louise Anderson ◽  
Laura Considine ◽  
Amy S. Patterson
Keyword(s):  
Global Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Global Health Initiatives ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
Power Trust ◽  
Trust And Power ◽  
Positive Health Outcomes ◽  
Exercise Of Discretion ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Trust between actors is vital to delivering positive health outcomes, while relationships of power determine health agendas, whose voices are heard and who benefits from global health initiatives. However, the relationship between trust and power has been neglected in the literatures on both international politics and global health. We examine this relationship through a study of relations between faith based organisations (FBO) and donors in Malawi and Zambia, drawing on 66 key informant interviews with actors central to delivering health care. From these two cases we develop an understanding of ‘trust as belonging’, which we define as the exercise of discretion accompanied by the expression of shared identities. Trust as belonging interacts with power in what we term the ‘power-trust cycle’, in which various forms of power undergird trust, and trust augments these forms of power. The power-trust cycle has a critical bearing on global health outcomes, affecting the space within which both local and international actors jockey to influence the ideologies that underpin global health, and the distribution of crucial resources. We illustrate how the power-trust cycle can work in both positive and negative ways to affect possible cooperation, with significant implications for collective responses to global health challenges.

scholarly journals Acceptability of a Mobile Application in Children’s Oral Health Promotion—A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3256
Author(s):  
Kirsi Rasmus ◽  
Antti Toratti ◽  
Saujanya Karki ◽  
Paula Pesonen ◽  
Marja-Liisa Laitala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Mobile Applications ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Oral Health Promotion ◽  
Oral Health Behaviors ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Children’S Oral Health

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the acceptability of an oral health-related mobile application developed for young children based on the feedback given by the children and their parents. Another aim was to evaluate the self-reported change in children’s oral health behaviors during a short test period. The application—a virtual pet integrated into a child’s daily routines—aimed to promote oral hygiene and dietary behaviors in children. A total of 36 4–12-year-old voluntary children were given a mobile phone with the installed application. After the 5-week testing period, the feasibility of the application and possible changes in the children’s oral health behaviors were asked using an electronic questionnaire. Most of the children considered the application clear (n = 34), amusing (n = 31), and useful (n = 29). The children’s tooth brushing manners improved both qualitatively and quantitatively: the time used for tooth brushing increased and the children learned how to brush different tooth surfaces. Mobile applications can be fun and useful in oral health promotion; while playing, children can learn good oral health-related behaviors. Mobile applications integrate oral health promotion into children’s daily environment and routines.

scholarly journals Analyzing efforts to synergize the global health agenda of universal health coverage, health security and health promotion: a case-study from Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amare Worku Tadesse ◽  
Kassu Ketema Gurmu ◽  
Selamawit Tesfaye Kebede ◽  
Mahlet Kifle Habtemariam
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Health System ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Health Security ◽  
Universal Health ◽  
Health Agenda

Abstract Background Evidence exists about synergies among universal health coverage, health security and health promotion. Uniting these three global agendas has brought success to the country’s health sector. This study aimed to document the efforts Ethiopia has made to apply nationally synergistic approaches uniting these three global health agendas. Our study is part of the Lancet Commission on synergies between these global agendas. Methods We employed a case study design to describe the synergistic process in the Ethiopian health system based on a review of national strategies and policy documents, and key informant interviews with current and former policymakers, and academics. We analyzed the “hardware” (using the World Health Organization’s building blocks) and the “software” (ideas, interests, and power relations) of the Ethiopian health system according to the aforementioned three global agendas. Results Fragmentation of health system primarily manifested as inequities in access to health services, low health workforce and limited capacity to implementation guidelines. Donor driven vertical programs, multiple modalities of health financing, and inadequate multisectoral collaborations were also found to be key features of fragmentation. Several approaches were found to be instrumental in fostering synergies within the global health agenda. These included strong political and technical leadership within the government, transparent coordination, and engagement of stakeholders in the process of priority setting and annual resource mapping. Furthermore, harmonization and alignment of the national strategic plan with international commitments, joint financial arrangements with stakeholders and standing partnership platforms facilitated efforts for synergy. Conclusions Ethiopia has implemented multiple approaches to overcome fragmentation. Such synergistic efforts of the primary global health agendas have made significant contributions to the improvement of the country’s health indicators and may promote sustained functionality of the health system.

Medics as a Channel for Worksite Health Promotion in Remote Global Locations

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 352-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piroska A. Bisits Bullen
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Monthly Basis ◽  
Remote Environment ◽  
Worksite Health ◽  
Barriers To Implementation ◽  
Language And Education

Purpose. In the energy and mining sectors, it is common for employees to work in geographically remote locations, often with a medic for emergency response. This study evaluated an intervention to increase the number of medics conducting health promotion in remote worksites. Design. Interviews were conducted to gather data for informing intervention and survey development. The intervention was evaluated in a quasiexperimental posttest-only comparison group design using survey data collected at baseline and again after 12 months. Setting. The intervention was implemented in remote worksites (N = 201). There were 96 worksites in the intervention condition and 105 sites in the control condition. Subjects. The target population was medics, including nurses, doctors, and paramedics, operating in remote worksites in 44 countries. Intervention. The intervention was a series of campaign tool kits. The tool kits were adapted to the remote environment and could be customized for culture, language, and education level. Measures. The survey assessed frequency of health promotion activities, satisfaction with the intervention, and barriers to implementation. Analysis. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and χ2 tests. Interview results were coded to identify themes. Results. Most medics (88%) in the intervention group reported running “tool box talks” (short education sessions) on at least a monthly basis, compared with 78% in the comparison group (p = .056). The trend was similar for displaying posters (71% vs. 55%; p = .021) and advocating for policy changes (84% vs. 71%; p = .027). Medic satisfaction was high. Difficulty distributing tool kits was the main barrier to implementation. Conclusions. When provided with appropriate tools, medics may be an ideal channel for health promotion in remote worksites.

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