Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns: how physicians contributed to policy change

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 499-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua S Ng-Kamstra ◽  
Jason Lajoie
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Policy Change ◽  
Political Change ◽  
Gun Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Political Advocacy ◽  
Bearing Witness ◽  
The Public ◽  
Assault Weapons

Physicians played a key role in advancing Canada's recent assault weapons ban. Indeed, after announcing the ban in May 2020, the Trudeau government thanked Dr. Najma Ahmed and the group Canadian Doctors for Protection from Guns (CDPG) for their support of responsible gun control measures. In this piece, we explore the context in which CDPG was formed, the strategies used by the group in building nationwide support for gun control measures, and the public health framing of their messaging that proved critical in engendering political change. The work of CDPG holds valuable lessons for physicians seeking to engage in political advocacy by bearing witness to the harms experienced by their patients.

scholarly journals Abordagem conceitual sobre a sífilis na gestação e o tratamento de parceiros sexuais

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dayanne Rakelly De Oliveira ◽  
Mayanne Santana Nóbrega De Figueiredo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health It ◽  
The Public ◽  
And Control ◽  
In Pregnancy

Este texto tem como objetivo trazer considerações epidemiológicas e conceituais sobre a sífilis, o tratamento de parceiros sexuais e a inserção do enfermeiro em ações de prevenção e controle desse importante agravo à saúde pública. Enfatiza os aspectos relacionados às medidas de controle dos casos, à terapêutica da doença e à magnitude das complicações visando a contribuir para o aprofundamento da temática e reflexão da prática profissional.Descritores: Sífilis, Parceiros Sexuais, Enfermagem, Saúde Pública.Conceptual approach on syphilis in pregnancy and the treatment of sexual partnersThis text aims to bring epidemiological and conceptual considerations on syphilis, the treatment of sexual partners and the insertion of the nurse in prevention actions and control of this relevant grievance to the public health. It emphasizes the aspects related to control measures of the cases, to the therapeutics of disease and the magnitude of the complications seeking to contribute to the deepening of the theme and the reflection of professional practice.Descriptors: Syphilis, Sexual Partners, Nursing, Public Health.Abordaje conceptual sobre la sífilis en la gestación y lo tratamiento de las parejas sexualesEnfoque conceptual de la sífilis en el embarazo y el tratamiento de las parejas sexuales. Este texto tiene como objetivo integrar consideraciones conceptuales y epidemiológicas sobre la sífilis, el tratamiento de las parejas sexuales y la inclusión de los enfermeros en la prevención y control de este importante agravio de salud pública. Destaca los aspectos relacionados con los casos, con la terapéutica de la enfermedad y con la magnitud de las complicaciones con el objetivo de contribuir a la profundización de la temática y la reflexión de la práctica profesional.Descriptores: Sífilis, Las Parejas Sexuales, Enfermería, Salud Pública.

scholarly journals The Evolution Model of Public Risk Perception Based on Pandemic Spreading Theory under Perspective of COVID-19

Complexity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Yi-Cheng Zhang ◽  
Zhi Li ◽  
Guo-Bing Zhou ◽  
Nai-Ru Xu ◽  
Jia-Bao Liu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Perception ◽  
Social Order ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Public Risk ◽  
And Control

After the occurrence of public health emergencies, due to the uncertainty of the evolution of events and the asymmetry of pandemic information, the public’s risk perception will fluctuate dramatically. Excessive risk perception often causes the public to overreact to emergencies, resulting in irrational behaviors, which have a negative impact on economic development and social order. However, low-risk perception will reduce individual awareness of prevention and control, which is not conducive to the implementation of government pandemic prevention and control measures. Therefore, it is of great significance to accurately evaluate public risk perception for improving government risk management. This paper took the evolution of public risk perception based on the COVID-19 region as the research object. First, we analyze the characteristics of infectious diseases in the evolution of public risk perception of public health emergencies. Second, we analyze the characteristics of risk perception transmission in social networks. Third, we establish the dynamic model of public risk perception evolution based on SEIR, and the evolution mechanism of the public risk perception network is revealed through simulation experiments. Finally, we provide policy suggestions for government departments to deal with public health emergencies based on the conclusions of this study.

scholarly journals The public’s health and the social meaning of guns

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandro Galea ◽  
Salma M. Abdalla
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Gun Control ◽  
Social Meaning ◽  
American Population ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social

Abstract Guns have long affected the health of the American population. The preponderance of evidence showing that guns harm the public’s health suggests that regulating civilian access to guns should be universally embraced. Yet, action on guns has been vanishingly small. Why? At core, the inaction reflects a clash between our knowledge and our values. Despite the compelling public health argument for better gun control, we have not been able to grapple with the social meaning of guns, which informs the values that shape the public conversation. Doing so will require public health to engage in transdisciplinary work that pushes the field’s boundaries.

FDA-iRISK—A Comparative Risk Assessment System for Evaluating and Ranking Food-Hazard Pairs: Case Studies on Microbial Hazards

2013 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
YUHUAN CHEN ◽  
SHERRI B. DENNIS ◽  
EMMA HARTNETT ◽  
GREG PAOLI ◽  
RÉGIS POUILLOT ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Process Models ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Quantitative Risk Assessment ◽  
The Public ◽  
Life Years ◽  
The Impact

Stakeholders in the system of food safety, in particular federal agencies, need evidence-based, transparent, and rigorous approaches to estimate and compare the risk of foodborne illness from microbial and chemical hazards and the public health impact of interventions. FDA-iRISK (referred to here as iRISK), a Web-based quantitative risk assessment system, was developed to meet this need. The modeling tool enables users to assess, compare, and rank the risks posed by multiple food-hazard pairs at all stages of the food supply system, from primary production, through manufacturing and processing, to retail distribution and, ultimately, to the consumer. Using standard data entry templates, built-in mathematical functions, and Monte Carlo simulation techniques, iRISK integrates data and assumptions from seven components: the food, the hazard, the population of consumers, process models describing the introduction and fate of the hazard up to the point of consumption, consumption patterns, dose-response curves, and health effects. Beyond risk ranking, iRISK enables users to estimate and compare the impact of interventions and control measures on public health risk. iRISK provides estimates of the impact of proposed interventions in various ways, including changes in the mean risk of illness and burden of disease metrics, such as losses in disability-adjusted life years. Case studies for Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella were developed to demonstrate the application of iRISK for the estimation of risks and the impact of interventions for microbial hazards. iRISK was made available to the public at http://irisk.foodrisk.org in October 2012.

Disaster Public Health Considerations

2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 32-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Abbott
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Hazardous Materials ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Control ◽  
Public Health Information ◽  
Response And Recovery ◽  
Human Wastes

AbstractThis paper provides an overview of disaster public health preparedness, response, and recovery activities with particular reference to examples that have occurred in California. It discusses the public health considerations from two aspects: 1) general public health effects; and 2) public and environmental health control measures. The latter discussion is divided into: 1) drinking water; 2) human wastes; 3) food; 4) personal hygiene; 5) mass care and shelter; 6) solid waste and debris; 7) hazardous materials; 8) injury prevention programs and public health information; 9) vector control; and 10) disease control and surveillance. Two tables summarize the disaster medical and health functions as they relate to public health.

scholarly journals Food Control System in Sri Lanka and Perception of Public Health Inspectors on Implementation of Control Measures

2021 ◽  
Vol 04 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
R.P.P. Karunapema ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Control System ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Safety Management ◽  
Medical Officer ◽  
Food Contamination ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Food Control ◽  
The Public

Background: Many health problems encountered today arising from consumption of unsafe food. Contamination of food and feeds arising from naturally occurring toxicants, microbiological contaminants, chemical contaminants such as additives used above the permitted levels, pesticide and veterinary residues in food or as toxic components from food processing could have deleterious effects in humans and animals. Food control measures are critical in fostering food safety management of a nation. Methods: In depth review of the existing legislation on food safety and hygiene and the food control system was done. International literature and reports were reviewed to compare the current global situation and the Sri Lankan situation. In depth interviews were conducted among the Public Health Inspectors who comprise the majority of authorized officers Results: The food control legislation which was enacted in 1980 has been amended only twice in 1991 and 2011. There are over 50 Regulations brough in time to time under the Food Act of 1980. The food control system is mainly centralized and the implementation is done mainly at the level of the Medical Officer of Health (MOH). Many provisions of the legislation are outdated and needs revisions. The perception of the Public Health Inspectors reveled that a vast majority are not satisfied with the current food control system and are the opinion that the improvements should be made in all areas related to the food control system. Conclusion: The food control system in Sri Lanka should be revisited and be improved and updated to be in line with the current global trends. The capacities of the analytical system as well as the authorized officers should be improved in order to ensure effective implementation of the food control system.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Salient Morphological Features of Myiasis Causing Dipteran Flies in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masroor Alikhan ◽  
K. Al Ghamdi ◽  
Fahad S Al Zahrani ◽  
Emad I Khater ◽  
Ahmad M Allam
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Musca Domestica ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Seasonal Abundance ◽  
Preventive Control ◽  
The Public ◽  
Yellow Traps ◽  
Veterinary Importance ◽  
Number Species

A number of dipteran fly species are found in Jeddah with public health and veterinary importance due to their association with myiasis of livestock and humans. Although several reports are available on the myiasis causing flies from different parts of Saudi Arabia very little is known available on prevalence and characterization of these flies from Jeddah Province, which include the major harbour on the Red Sea, western Saudi Arabia and acts the gateway for millions of live animals in the kingdom. Therefore to fill this knowledge gap, the objective of this work is to fill up this gap. For fly survey, the adult flies were collected by the means of Malaise & Bait traps, Yellow traps and sweeping nets from different marked locations including slaughter houses and live animals farms ( Fig.1). The total number of flies from each locality was counted and were sorted for taxonomic species identification using specific pictorial keys.In this study, ten dipteran fly species belonging to six families were identified as causing myiasis on the basis of reported cases in Saudi Arabia. The flies collected during the survey were Megaselia scelaris, Musca domestica, Fanniia canicularis, Sarcophaga haemorrhidalis (Bercaea cruentata); Parasarcophaga ruficarnis, Wohlfahrtia nuba , Chrysomya marginalis C. albicep, C. megacephala, and Oesteris ovis. Among collected flies the highest number were of Musca domestica (67.6%) and the rest were other species. Most of the species were collected from slaughter houses (50%) followed by animal farms (39%). The present study identified a number species of myiasis-causing flies of the public health and veterinary significance, which should inform wider studies on their seasonal abundance, significance and consequent implementation of preventive control measures.

scholarly journals Chinese Public Attention to COVID-19 Epidemic: Based on Social Media

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxin Zhao ◽  
Huilan Xu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Public Concern ◽  
Public Attention ◽  
Mining System ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Government ◽  
And Control

AbstractBackgroundSince the new coronavirus epidemic in China in December 2019, information and discussions about COVID-19 have spread rapidly on the Internet and have quickly become the focus of worldwide attention, especially on social media.ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate and analyze the public’s attention to COVID-19-related events in China at the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic in China (December 31, 2019, to February 20, 2020) through the Sina Microblog hot search list.MethodsWe collected topics related to the COVID-19 epidemic on the Sina Microblog hot search list from December 31, 2019, to February 20, 2020 and described the trend of public attention on COVID-19 epidemic-related topics. ROST CM6.0 (ROST Content Mining System Version 6.0) was used to analyze the collected text for word segmentation, word frequency, and sentiment analysis. We further described the hot topic keywords and sentiment trends of public attention. We used VOSviewer to implement a visual cluster analysis of hot keywords and build a social network of public opinion content.ResultsThe study has four main findings. First, we analyzed the changing trend of the public’s attention to the COVID-19 epidemic, which can be divided into three stages. Second, the hot topic keywords of public attention at each stage are slightly different. In addition, the emotional tendency of the public toward the COVID-19 epidemic-related hot topics has changed from negative to neutral, with negative emotions weakening and positive emotions increasing as a whole. Finally, we divided the COVID-19 topics with the most public concern into five categories: new COVID-19 epidemics and their impact; (2) frontline reporting of the epidemic and prevention and control measures; (3) expert interpretation and discussion on the source of infection; (4) medical services on the frontline of the epidemic; and (5) focus on the global epidemic and the search for suspected cases.ConclusionsThis is the first study of public attention on the COVID-19 epidemic using a Chinese social media platform (i.e., Sina Microblog). Our study found that social media (e.g., Sina Microblog) can be used to measure public attention to public health emergencies. During the epidemic of the novel coronavirus, a large amount of information about the COVID-19 epidemic was disseminated on Sina Microblog and received widespread public attention. We have learned about the hotspots of public concern regarding the COVID-19 epidemic. These findings can help the government and health departments better communicate with the public on health and translate public health needs into practice to create targeted measures to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19.

scholarly journals COVID-19 outbreak in Mauritius: Logistic growth and SEIR modelling with quarantine and an effective reproduction number

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoine Gehin ◽  
Smita Goorah ◽  
Khemanand Moheeput ◽  
Satish Ramchurn
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Growth Model ◽  
Reproduction Number ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Logistic Growth ◽  
Cumulative Number ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
The Public ◽  
Logistic Growth Model ◽  
Outbreak Size

SUMMARY Background and Objectives The island of Mauritius experienced a COVID-19 outbreak from mid-March to end April 2020. The first three cases were reported on March 18 (Day 1) and the last locally transmitted case occurred on April 26 (Day 40). An island confinement was imposed on March 20 followed by a sanitary curfew on March 23. Supermarkets were closed as from March 25 (Day 8). There were a total of 332 cases including 10 deaths from Day 1 to Day 41. Control of the outbreak depended heavily on contact tracing, testing, quarantine measures and the adoption of personal protective measures (PPMs) such as social distancing, the wearing of face masks and personal hygiene by Mauritius inhabitants. Our objectives were to model and understand the evolution of the Mauritius outbreak using mathematical analysis, a logistic growth model and an SEIR compartmental model with quarantine and a reverse sigmoid effective reproduction number and to relate the results to the public health control measures in Mauritius. Methods The daily reported cumulative number of cases in Mauritius were retrieved from the Worldometer website at https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/mauritius/. A susceptible-exposed-infectious-quarantined-removed (SEIQR) model was introduced and analytically integrated under the assumption that the daily incidence of infectious cases evolved as the derivative of the logistic growth function. The cumulative incidence data was fitted using a logistic growth model. The SEIQR model was integrated computationally with an effective reproduction number (R_e) varying in time according to a three-parameter reverse sigmoid model. Results were compared with the retrieved data and the parameters were optimised using the normalised root mean square error (NRMSE) as a comparative statistic. Findings A closed-form analytical solution was obtained for the time-dependence of the cumulative number of cases. For a small final outbreak size, the solution tends to a logistic growth. The cumulative number of cases was well described by the logistic growth model (NRMSE = 0.0276, R^2=0.9945) and by the SEIQR model (NRMSE = 0.0270, R^2=0.9952) with the optimal parameter values. The value of R_e on the day of the reopening of supermarkets (Day 16) was found to be approximately 1.6. Interpretation A mathematical basis has been obtained for using the logistic growth model to describe the time evolution of outbreaks with a small final outbreak size. The evolution of the outbreak in Mauritius was consistent with one modulated by a time-varying effective reproduction number resulting from the epidemic control measures implemented by Mauritius authorities and the PPMs adopted by Mauritius inhabitants. The value of R_e≈1.6 on the reopening of supermarkets on Day 16 was sufficient for the outbreak to grow to large-scale proportions in case the Mauritius population did not comply with the PPMs. However, the number of cases remained contained to a small number which is indicative of a significant contribution of the PPMs in the public health response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Mauritius.

scholarly journals Integrated vaccination and non-pharmaceutical interventions based strategies in Ontario, Canada, as a case study: a mathematical modelling study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (180) ◽  
pp. 20210009
Author(s):  
Matthew Betti ◽  
Nicola Luigi Bragazzi ◽  
Jane M. Heffernan ◽  
Jude Kong ◽  
Angie Raad
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Public Health Decision ◽  
The Public ◽  
Epidemiological Trend ◽  
Health Decision ◽  
Pharmaceutical Interventions

Recently, two coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine products have been authorized in Canada. It is of crucial importance to model an integrated/combined package of non-pharmaceutical (physical/social distancing) and pharmaceutical (immunization) public health control measures. A modified epidemiological, compartmental SIR model was used and fit to the cumulative COVID-19 case data for the province of Ontario, Canada, from 8 September 2020 to 8 December 2020. Different vaccine roll-out strategies were simulated until 75% of the population was vaccinated, including a no-vaccination scenario. We compete these vaccination strategies with relaxation of non-pharmaceutical interventions. Non-pharmaceutical interventions were supposed to remain enforced and began to be relaxed on 31 January, 31 March or 1 May 2021. Based on projections from the data and long-term extrapolation of scenarios, relaxing the public health measures implemented by re-opening too early would cause any benefits of vaccination to be lost by increasing case numbers, increasing the effective reproduction number above 1 and thus increasing the risk of localized outbreaks. If relaxation is, instead, delayed and 75% of the Ontarian population gets vaccinated by the end of the year, re-opening can occur with very little risk. Relaxing non-pharmaceutical interventions by re-opening and vaccine deployment is a careful balancing act. Our combination of model projections from data and simulation of different strategies and scenarios, can equip local public health decision- and policy-makers with projections concerning the COVID-19 epidemiological trend, helping them in the decision-making process.

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