Aging With HIV: Health Policy and Advocacy Priorities

The aging of people with HIV (PWH) is a major public health accomplishment and a social and cultural phenomenon. It highlights the human capacity to overcome adversity, the effectiveness of public health strategies (e.g., prevention and treatment), and the new challenges as well. Our societies are not well prepared to address the needs of older PWH and the changes they are creating. Stigma toward HIV, older age, and homosexuality, along with racism, have kept PWH largely invisible, resulting in limited investment in prevention and medical and social services. It is imperative that we develop an effective policy response to address the unique needs of PWH. The purpose of this article is to highlight current knowledge and emerging issues in HIV and aging to serve as a foundation on which to develop policy and program recommendations that will meet the new challenge.

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Interpersonal violence and public health care: New directions, new challenges

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e548712010-003 ◽

1985 ◽

Author(s):

Marvin E. Wolfgang

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Interpersonal Violence ◽

Public Health Care ◽

New Directions ◽

New Challenges

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Inconsistent with the Intent of Public Health Strategies on Incidence Rates and Case-Fatality Ratio between States with Extra Stay-at-Home and Mandating Face Masks Orders and States Only Following CDC Recommendations During COVID-19 Pandemic in the US

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.3706055 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Samuel Xi Wu ◽

Xin Wu

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Case Fatality ◽

Incidence Rates ◽

Case Fatality Ratio ◽

The Us ◽

Public Health Strategies ◽

At Home

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“PHONE-CONNECT” - A Pilot Program Prescribing Phones to Address Digital Health Equity Needs in the COVID-19 Era (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.23914 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Gill Kazevman ◽

Marck Mercado ◽

Jennifer Hulme ◽

Andrea Somers

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Care ◽

Social Services ◽

Access To Health Care ◽

Health Care Services ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Digital Health ◽

Contact Tracing ◽

Health Care Intervention ◽

Care Intervention

UNSTRUCTURED Vulnerable populations have been identified as having higher infection rates and poorer COVID-19 related outcomes, likely due to their inability to readily access primary care, follow public health directives and adhere to self-isolation guidelines. As a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many health care services have adopted new digital solutions, relying on phone and internet connectivity. Yet, persons who are digitally inaccessible, such as those struggling with poverty or homelessness, are often unable to utilize these services. In response to this newly highlighted social disparity known as “digital health inequity”, emergency physicians at the University Health Network, Toronto, initiated a program called “PHONE CONNECT”. This novel approach attempts to improve patients’ access to health care, information and social services, as well as improve their ability to adhere to public health directives (social isolation and contact tracing). While similar programs addressing the same emerging issues have been recently described in the media, this is the first time phones are provided as a health care intervention in an emergency department. This innovative ED point-of-care intervention may have a significant impact on improving the health outcomes for vulnerable people during the COVID-19 pandemic, and even beyond it.

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Reconciling Epidemiology’s Aspirations and Capabilities

American Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/aje/kwaa271 ◽

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.

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Urbanization and greenness in HBSC survey: association with overweight and obesity in adolescents

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.712 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

V Bellisario ◽

R Bono ◽

G Squillacioti ◽

M Caputo ◽

I Gintoli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Population Density ◽

Weight Status ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Children Health ◽

Public Health Strategies

Abstract Background Childhood obesity is an important public health issue worldwide and includes different risk factors, such as environmental pollutants exposure or physical activity. Neighborhood composition and green spaces availability could contrast obesogenic lifestyles and promote healthy habits, whereas, urbanization and traffic volume exposure are inversely associated with physical activity and worsen effects on childhood health. Methods This project analyzed students involved in the HBSC survey from the Piedmont Region. Data were collected in 2018, following the protocol. All the subjects were georeferenced within buffers around schools. Green-spaces availability was measured by Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI-satellite images) while urbanization was calculated by population density, traffic intensity (satellite measurements) and air pollution concentration (sampling stations). Results Overall, the sample included 3022 subjects, with amount 50% male/female and 30% for each age group (11-13-15 years old). Concerning weight status, above 14% of the all sample is obese or overweight, with, respectively, 20% among boys and 11% among girls. Preliminary analyses showed an association between weight status and population density (rural vs urbanized areas). Currently, we are analyzing the association with greenness and the other measures of urbanization. Conclusions Our preliminary findings suggest that high urbanization levels impact health implementing weight in children. We are testing the hypothesis that greenness positively influences weight status and reduce negative effects of urbanization and air pollution. The managing of these risk factors must be deepened and corroborated by active preventive Public Health strategies for improving children health. Key messages Urbanization and greenness may influence weight status in children. Public Health strategies must be improved for children health.

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Examining public knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards palliative care: a mixed method sequential study

BMC Palliative Care ◽

10.1186/s12904-021-00730-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sonja McIlfatrick ◽

Paul Slater ◽

Esther Beck ◽

Olufikayo Bamidele ◽

Sharon McCloskey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Palliative Care ◽

End Of Life ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Public Understanding ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Public Health Approach ◽

Cross Sectional Survey

Abstract Background Palliative care is recognised as a public health issue with the need for earlier integration in the wider healthcare system. However, research indicates that it continues to be accessed late in the course of an illness, public understanding of palliative care is limited, and common misconceptions prevail. Strategies to address this are needed in order to reduce barriers to palliative care delivery and improve access. Methods An explanatory sequential mixed methods study, comprising a cross-sectional survey and interviews was undertaken. Sociodemographic characteristics, public awareness, knowledge and perceptions of palliative care were examined and strategies to raise awareness and overcome barriers within a public health framework were identified. Survey data were analysed using SPSS v25 with factor analysis and non-parametric statistics and qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results A total of 1201 participants completed the survey (58.3% female, mean age 61 years) and 25 took part in interviews. A fifth of participants (20.1%) had previously heard about palliative care and had an accurate understanding of the term. Being female, higher educated, married, and older, increased respondents’ levels of awareness. The three most commonly held misconceptions included: Palliative care is exclusively for people who are in the last 6 months of life (55.4% answered incorrectly); A goal of palliative care is to address any psychological issues brought up by serious illness (42.2% answered incorrectly); and a goal of palliative care is to improve a person’s ability to participate in daily activities (39.6% answered incorrectly). Talking about palliative and end of life care was advocated but societal taboos restricted this occurring with exposure limited to personal experience. Conclusions Current knowledge gaps and misconceptions derived from limited ad hoc personal experiences and fear of engaging in taboo conversations may deter people from accessing integrated palliative care services early in a disease trajectory. The results indicate the need for public education programmes that move beyond merely raising awareness but provide key messages within a public health approach, which may change attitudes to palliative care thus ultimately improving end of life outcomes.

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Regulation of GH and GH Signaling by Nutrients

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells10061376 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1376

Author(s):

Marina Caputo ◽

Stella Pigni ◽

Emanuela Agosti ◽

Tommaso Daffara ◽

Alice Ferrero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Hormone ◽

Insulin Signaling ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Nutrient Sensing ◽

Feedback Mechanisms ◽

Nutrition Management ◽

Prevention And Treatment ◽

Igf I ◽

Macro And Micronutrients ◽

Energy Deprivation

Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I) are pleiotropic hormones with important roles in lifespan. They promote growth, anabolic actions, and body maintenance, and in conditions of energy deprivation, favor catabolic feedback mechanisms switching from carbohydrate oxidation to lipolysis, with the aim to preserve protein storages and survival. IGF-I/insulin signaling was also the first one identified in the regulation of lifespan in relation to the nutrient-sensing. Indeed, nutrients are crucial modifiers of the GH/IGF-I axis, and these hormones also regulate the complex orchestration of utilization of nutrients in cell and tissues. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge on the reciprocal feedback among the GH/IGF-I axis, macro and micronutrients, and dietary regimens, including caloric restriction. Expanding the depth of information on this topic could open perspectives in nutrition management, prevention, and treatment of GH/IGF-I deficiency or excess during life.

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Examining Australian’s beliefs, misconceptions and sources of information for COVID-19: a national online survey

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043421 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e043421

Author(s):

Rae Thomas ◽

Hannah Greenwood ◽

Zoe A Michaleff ◽

Eman Abukmail ◽

Tammy C Hoffmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

National Sample ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Commercial Television ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

And Gender ◽

Public Health Strategies

ObjectivePublic cooperation to practise preventive health behaviours is essential to manage the transmission of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. We aimed to investigate beliefs about COVID-19 diagnosis, transmission and prevention that have the potential to impact the uptake of recommended public health strategies.DesignAn online cross-sectional survey.ParticipantsA national sample of 1500 Australian adults with representative quotas for age and gender provided by an online panel provider.Main outcome measureProportion of participants with correct/incorrect knowledge of COVID-19 preventive behaviours and reasons for misconceptions.ResultsOf the 1802 potential participants contacted, 289 did not qualify, 13 declined and 1500 participated in the survey (response rate 83%). Most participants correctly identified ‘washing your hands regularly with soap and water’ (92%) and ‘staying at least 1.5 m away from others’ (90%) could help prevent COVID-19. Over 40% (incorrectly) considered wearing gloves outside of the home would prevent them from contracting COVID-19. Views about face masks were divided. Only 66% of participants correctly identified that ‘regular use of antibiotics’ would not prevent COVID-19.Most participants (90%) identified ‘fever, fatigue and cough’ as indicators of COVID-19. However, 42% of participants thought that being unable to ‘hold your breath for 10 s without coughing’ was an indicator of having the virus. The most frequently reported sources of COVID-19 information were commercial television channels (56%), the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (43%) and the Australian Government COVID-19 information app (31%).ConclusionsPublic messaging about hand hygiene and physical distancing to prevent transmission appears to have been effective. However, there are clear, identified barriers for many individuals that have the potential to impede uptake or maintenance of these behaviours in the long term. We need to develop public health messages that harness these barriers to improve future cooperation. Ensuring adherence to these interventions is critical.

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