Health Information and Its Crucial Role in Policy Formulation and Implementation

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-62
Author(s):  
Himanshu Chauhan ◽  
Saurabha U. S. ◽  
Sujeet Kumar Singh
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Timely Manner ◽  
Public Health Action ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Health Action ◽  
Information Providers

In an era where every public health action is expected to be backed by credible evidence, health policy-making has also been increasingly seen to follow the same. The general consensus across the globe is to strengthen health information systems and the decisions of the policy makers are increasingly relying on the information provided to them through such systems. COVID-19 has clearly brought out the need for accurate, timely and relevant information in planning for and responding to public health emergencies that can be equally devastating, if not more. It is crucial for information providers to understand the importance of communicating and disseminating it in a timely manner so that it leads to public health action for the larger good of the population.

scholarly journals Outbreak of Neisseria meningitidis capsular group W among scouts returning from the World Scout Jamboree, Japan, 2015

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (45) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Smith-Palmer ◽  
Ken Oates ◽  
Diana Webster ◽  
Sarah Taylor ◽  
Kevin J Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Meningococcal Disease ◽  
Molecular Testing ◽  
Timely Manner ◽  
Public Health Action ◽  
The Public ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Action ◽  
Collaboration And Communication ◽  
Close Contacts

The 23rd World Scout Jamboree was held in Japan from 28 July to 8 August 2015 and was attended by over 33,000 scouts from 162 countries. An outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease capsular group W was investigated among participants, with four confirmed cases identified in Scotland, who were all associated with one particular scout unit, and two confirmed cases in Sweden; molecular testing showed the same strain to be responsible for illness in both countries. The report describes the public health action taken to prevent further cases and the different decisions reached with respect to how wide to extend the offer of chemoprophylaxis in the two countries; in Scotland, chemoprophylaxis was offered to the unit of 40 participants to which the four cases belonged and to other close contacts of cases, while in Sweden chemoprophylaxis was offered to all those returning from the Jamboree. The report also describes the international collaboration and communication required to investigate and manage such multinational outbreaks in a timely manner.

Estimating the number of cases during COVID-19 pandemics using a web-based tool: first week results of “COVID-19 TRENDS” social media project in the Araba-Alava province in Basque country, Spain. (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio Garitano ◽  
Manuel Linares ◽  
Laura Santos ◽  
Ruth Gil ◽  
Elena Lapuente ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Basque Country ◽  
Case Definition ◽  
Public Health Action ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Health Action ◽  
Estimate Number ◽  
Media Project

UNSTRUCTURED On 28th February a case of COVID-19 was declared in Araba-Álava province, Spain. In Spain, a confinement and movement restrictions were established by Spanish Government at 14th March 2020. We implemented a web-based tool to estimate number of cases during the pandemic. We present the results in Áraba-Álava province. We reached a response rate of 10,3% out a 331.549 population. We found that 22,4 % fulfilled the case definition. This tool rendered useful to inform public health action.

scholarly journals Reconciling Epidemiology’s Aspirations and Capabilities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A Savitz
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Public Health Action ◽  
Action Current ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
The Face ◽  
Health Action ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
Health Applications

Abstract Interpreting the results of epidemiologic studies calls for objectivity and rigorous scrutiny, acknowledging the limitations that temper the applicability of the findings to public health action. Current trends have posed new challenges to balancing goal of scientific objectivity and validity with public health applications. The ongoing tension between epidemiology’s aspirations and capability has several sources: the need to overpromise in research proposals, compromising methodologic rigor because of public health importance, defending findings in the face of hostile critics, and appealing to core constituencies who have specific expectations from the research.

scholarly journals Risk factors, symptom reporting, healthcare-seeking behaviour and adherence to public health guidance: protocol for Virus Watch, a prospective community cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e048042
Author(s):  
Andrew Hayward ◽  
Ellen Fragaszy ◽  
Jana Kovar ◽  
Vincent Nguyen ◽  
Sarah Beale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Public Health Action ◽  
Nasal Swabs ◽  
Health Action ◽  
Minority Ethnic

IntroductionThe coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused significant global mortality and impacted lives around the world. Virus Watch aims to provide evidence on which public health approaches are most likely to be effective in reducing transmission and impact of the virus, and will investigate community incidence, symptom profiles and transmission of COVID-19 in relation to population movement and behaviours.Methods and analysisVirus Watch is a household community cohort study of acute respiratory infections in England and Wales and will run from June 2020 to August 2021. The study aims to recruit 50 000 people, including 12 500 from minority ethnic backgrounds, for an online survey cohort and monthly antibody testing using home fingerprick test kits. Nested within this larger study will be a subcohort of 10 000 individuals, including 3000 people from minority ethnic backgrounds. This cohort of 10 000 people will have full blood serology taken between October 2020 and January 2021 and repeat serology between May 2021 and August 2021. Participants will also post self-administered nasal swabs for PCR assays of SARS-CoV-2 and will follow one of three different PCR testing schedules based on symptoms.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the Hampstead National Health Service (NHS) Health Research Authority Ethics Committee (ethics approval number 20/HRA/2320). We are monitoring participant queries and using these to refine methodology where necessary, and are providing summaries and policy briefings of our preliminary findings to inform public health action by working through our partnerships with our study advisory group, Public Health England, NHS and government scientific advisory panels.

scholarly journals Addressing lead exposure in children in Georgia: challenges and successes of a multi-agency response

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Ruadze ◽  
I Khonelidze ◽  
L Sturua ◽  
P Lauriola ◽  
H Crabbe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Blood Concentration ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Blood Lead ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
State Intervention ◽  
Intervention Programme ◽  
Public Health Action ◽  
Pb Exposure

Abstract The national response for reducing lead (Pb) exposure in Georgia is coordinated by the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC&PH) and implemented as a multi-agency (CDC, UNICEF, WHO, University of Emory) response. Given concerns about the extent of Pb exposure, in 2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) of representative samples of children have been conducted to study several demographic and health aspects, including a study of the prevalence of blood Pb levels among 2 to 7 years old children (n = 1578). This survey was conducted in collaboration with the Italian Instituto Superiore di Sanita' (ISS), UNICEF and NCDC. The laboratory analyses were conducted at ISS in Italy. Initial results showed that in 41% of all children, blood Pb concentration was ≥ 5 µg/dl, a challenge which motivated public agencies to establish an initial public health action plan to assess environmental samples (paint, dust, water, soil, selected food items such as spices and imported sweets) in families where Pb concentrations were ≥ 10 µg/dL. A State intervention programme, monitoring Pb blood concentration among MICS children and their family members, provided relevant information on exposed households and led to a reduction of Pb blood concentration across the most exposed households. In collaboration with Public Health England, NCDC has conducted a small Pb isotope ratio study aimed at identifying the most relevant sources of Pb exposure contributing to elevated blood Pb in MICS children. It is expected that these data will support the design of more detailed public health interventions to reduce exposure to key sources of Pb, thus leading to further reduction of Pb-induced health effects in Georgia. In addition, this experience will clarify elements of an ongoing monitoring of environmental factors such as an Environmental Public Health Tracking system, to support national capacity to manage the risks to public health. Key messages Environmental health response requires extensive research and multi-agency approach. If State implements adequate intervention it is possible to reduce blood lead (Pb) level.

scholarly journals Time to dismiss the idea of a structural fix within government? An analysis of intersectoral action for health in Danish municipalities

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (22_suppl) ◽  
pp. 48-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ditte H. Holt ◽  
Gemma Carey ◽  
Morten H. Rod
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Boundary Spanning ◽  
Governance Structures ◽  
Intersectoral Action ◽  
Structural Reorganization ◽  
Organizational Boundaries ◽  
Public Health Action ◽  
Process Consulting ◽  
Health Action

Aims: This paper examines the role of organizational structure within government(s) in attempts to implement intersectoral action for health in Danish municipalities. We discuss the implications of structural reorganization and the governance structures that are established in order to ensure coordination and integration between policy sectors. Methods: The paper is based on 49 interviews with civil servants from health and non-health sectors of 10 municipalities. Based on participants’ experiences, cases have been described and analyzed in an iterative process consulting the literature on Health in All Policies and joined-up government. Results: Continuous and frequent processes of reorganizing were widespread in the municipalities. However, they appeared to have little effect on policy change. The two most common governance structures established to transcend organizational boundaries were the central unit and the intersectoral committee. According to the experiences of participants, paradoxically both of these organizational solutions tend to reproduce the organizational problems they are intended to overcome. Even if structural reorganization may succeed in dissolving some sector boundaries, it will inevitably create new ones. Conclusions: It is time to dismiss the idea that intersectoral action for health can be achieved by means of a structural fix. Rather than rearranging organizational boundaries it may be more useful to seek to manage the silos which exist in any organization, e.g. by promoting awareness of their implications for public health action and by enhancing the boundary spanning skills of public health officers.

Compelling Evidence for Public Health Action to Reduce Salt Intake

2010 ◽  
Vol 362 (7) ◽  
pp. 650-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence J. Appel ◽  
Cheryl A.M. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Salt Intake ◽  
Compelling Evidence ◽  
Public Health Action ◽  
Health Action

Health inequalities: still making policy in a fog?

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 427-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARTIN POWELL
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Policy Perspective ◽  
What Works ◽  
Health Action ◽  
Policy Analysts ◽  
Unrealistic Expectations

What Works in Tackling Health Inequalities? Pathways, Policies and Practice through the Lifecourse S. Asthana and J. Halliday Bristol: Policy, Press, 2006Health Action Zones: Partnerships for Health Equity M. Barnes, L. Bauld, M. Benzeval, K. Judge, M. Mackenzie, H. Sullivan Abingdon: Routledge, 2005Health Inequality: An Introduction to Theories, Concepts and Methods M. Bartley Cambridge: Polity, 2004Status Syndrome: How your Social Standing Directly Affects your Health and Life Expectancy M. Marmot London: Bloomsbury, 2004These four texts on health inequalities are all very different books written by leading commentators with different academic backgrounds. This review will concentrate on the policy perspective that may be of most interest to many readers of this journal. It is also arguably the Achilles heel of the health inequalities literature. According to policy makers, much current research on health inequalities was of little use to policy making, and public health researchers have been criticized for political naivety, for lacking understanding of how policy is made, and for having unrealistic expectations (Petticrew et al., 2004: 815–816). Similarly, Klein (2003) points to the problems of ‘making policy in a fog’. The first two texts under review focus on policy and are written by policy analysts.

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