scholarly journals Challenges encountered in comparing international policy responses to COVID-19 and their effects

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Riley ◽  
Bo Xie ◽  
Anjum Khurshid
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Policy Responses ◽  
Informatics Infrastructure ◽  
Report Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Source Of Information ◽  
Different Sources

Abstract Background A variety of policies have been implemented around the world in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study originally aimed to identify and compare policy responses of different countries and their effects on the pandemic. It quickly evolved into an identification of the heterogeneity among existing policies and the challenges in making meaningful comparisons of the impact of these policies. Methods The process of collecting and comparing data from different sources was analysed through inductive thematic analysis to understand the obstacles that impede research designed to compare COVID-19 data and related policies. Results We identified the following obstacles: (1) no single reputable source of information and too much noise; (2) a lack of standards for how to measure and report data across countries; (3) variations in the content, implementation and enforcement of policies; and (4) politics, instead of science, leading the efforts in pandemic management. Conclusion Heterogeneity in existing policies makes it challenging to compare the effects of various policies worldwide on the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings call for an automatically updated informatics infrastructure across the globe for collecting and maintaining standardized data from multiple sources. There is a strong need for steadfast utilization of scientific and technical experts to inform and influence health policy. Increased investment in public health and emergency planning is essential to overcome the current pandemic, as well as future public health emergencies. Focused leadership and collaboration from world leaders in a unified mission to decrease the mortality and morbidity of the COVID-19 pandemic is imperative.

scholarly journals The challenge of bringing evidence in decision-making for public health emergencies: can preparedness reach out to HTA?

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
C E Chronaki ◽  
A Miglietta
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Resource Planning ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Evidence Based Decision Making

Abstract Evidence-based decision-making is central to public health. Implementing evidence-informed actions is most challenging during a public health emergency as in an epidemic, when time is limited, scientific uncertainties and political pressures tend to be high, and reliable data is typically lacking. The process of including data for preparedness and training for evidence-based decision making in public health emergencies is not systematic and is complicated by many barriers as the absence of common digital tools and approaches for resource planning and update of response plans. Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is used with the aim to improve the quality and efficiency of public health interventions and to make healthcare systems more sustainable. Many of today's public health crises are also cross-border, and countries need to collaborate in a systematic and standardized way in order to enhance interoperability to share data and to plan coordinated response. Digital health tools have an important role to play in this setting, facilitating use of knowledge about the population that can potentially affected by the crisis within and across regional and national borders. To strengthen the impact of scientific evidence on decision-making for public health emergency preparedness and response, it is necessary to better define and align mechanisms through which interdisciplinary evidence feeds into decision-making processes during public health emergencies and the context in which these mechanisms operate. Activities and policy development in the HTA network could inform this process. The objective of this presentation is to identify barriers for evidence-based decision making during public health emergencies and discuss how standardization in digital health and HTA processes may help overcome these barriers leading to more effective coordinated and evidence-based public health emergency response.

scholarly journals COVID-19 as an “Infodemic” in Public Health: Critical Role of the Social Media

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debanjan Banerjee ◽  
K. S. Meena
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
The Impact

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has emerged as a significant and global public health crisis. Besides the rising number of cases and fatalities, the outbreak has also affected economies, employment and policies alike. As billions are being isolated at their homes to contain the infection, the uncertainty gives rise to mass hysteria and panic. Amidst this, there has been a hidden epidemic of “information” that makes COVID-19 stand out as a “digital infodemic” from the earlier outbreaks. Repeated and detailed content about the virus, geographical statistics, and multiple sources of information can all lead to chronic stress and confusion at times of crisis. Added to this is the plethora of misinformation, rumor and conspiracy theories circulating every day. With increased digitalization, media penetration has increased with a more significant number of people aiding in the “information pollution.” In this article, we glance at the unique evolution of COVID-19 as an “infodemic” in the hands of social media and the impact it had on its spread and public reaction. We then look at the ways forward in which the role of social media (as well as other digital platforms) can be integrated into social and public health, for a better symbiosis, “digital balance” and pandemic preparedness for the ongoing crisis and the future.

Exploring the Role of Enforcement in Promoting Adherence with Protective Behaviours During COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Freya Mills ◽  
Charles Symons ◽  
Holly Carter
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Specific Barriers ◽  
Protective Behaviours

Purpose: To explore the conditions under which enforcement likely is, or is not, an effective strategy to increase adherence to recommended protective behaviours during COVID-19. Design/Methodology/Approach: Relevant search terms were entered into three key databases (Google Scholar, medXriv, psyArXiv) to identify both peer-reviewed and pre-publication articles that reported empirical data relating to the impact of enforcement on adherence with recommended public health behaviours. Findings: Enforcement is less effective when: it is applied inconsistently; rules are ambiguous; behaviours are unobservable. Providing food and financial support, creating social norms and increasing trust are more effective in addressing specific barriers and fostering voluntary adherence. Where enforcement forms part of the strategy for policing COVID-19 regulations, rules must be clear and local responders must be given time and opportunity to plan their response as new rules are implemented. Research limitations/implications: This narrative review was limited to papers published in English and available either via the databases searched, or via reference searching; some relevant studies may therefore not have been identified. Practical implications: Findings inform an understanding of the impact of enforcement on adherence and facilitate the development of recommendations for increasing adherence to protective behaviours during COVID-19. Given the importance of public adherence, these recommendations are not only useful in the context of COVID-19 but also for future public health emergencies. Originality/value: This narrative review is the first to explore the circumstances under which enforcement can increase or reduce adherence with COVID-19 guidelines, generating recommendations for improved public adherence.

scholarly journals Can Major Public Health Emergencies Affect Changes in International Oil Prices?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (24) ◽  
pp. 12955
Author(s):  
An Cheng ◽  
Tonghui Chen ◽  
Guogang Jiang ◽  
Xinru Han
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Oil Prices ◽  
Monthly Data ◽  
Wild Poliovirus ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Influenza A H1n1 ◽  
Abrupt Changes ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
The Impact

In order to deepen the understanding of the impact of major public health emergencies on the oil market and to enhance the risk response capability, this study analyzed the logical relationship between major public health emergencies and international oil price changes, identified the change points, and calculated the probability of abrupt changes to international oil prices. Based on monthly data during six major public health emergencies from 2009 to 2020, this study built a product partition model. The results show that only the influenza A (H1N1) and COVID-19 pandemics were significant reasons for abrupt changes in international oil prices. Furthermore, the wild poliovirus epidemic, the Ebola epidemic, the Zika epidemic, and the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had limited effects. Overall, the outbreak of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in major global economies has a more pronounced impact on international oil prices.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 on local government stakeholders' perspectives on local food production

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Catherine Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Local Food ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Adoption And Implementation ◽  
Local Food Production ◽  
The Impact

Local food production (LFP) can play an impor­tant role in ensuring access to food during supply chain disruptions. Because the drafting, adoption, and implementation of policies regulating LFP is under the purview of local governments in many U.S. states, researchers at University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Exten­sion conducted a study to assess whether COVID-19 affected local government stakeholders’ (LGS) (N=92) perspectives on LFP and the role that LFP can play in responding to public health emergen­cies. LGS who oversee the drafting, adoption, and implementation of LFP policies include staff responsible for code enforcement, sustainability initiatives, and planning, as well as elected and ap­pointed leaders, such as mayors, city and county managers, and city and county commissioners. The survey assessed LGS’ attitudes and knowledge about LFP. The survey also asked LGS about their perceptions and awareness of LFP in their commu­nities, including their perceptions of the benefits of and barriers to LFP and the ways in which LFP producers were using the food they produced. Sur­vey questions also focused specifically on COVID-19 and the role of LFP in public health emergen­cies. In particular, survey questions asked whether LGS perceived a change in their own attitudes, knowledge, and perspectives; whether there had been a change in the LFP activi­ties in their communities following COVID-19; and what they thought the role of LFP was in responding to public health emergencies. Direct comparisons of LGS who responded to a 2019 survey (N=43) were assessed for statistically sig­nificant changes in overall attitudes, knowledge, or perceived benefits of LFP following COVID-19. This study found that LGS have generally positive attitudes and perceptions of benefits of LFP, including its role in public health emergencies, but have limited knowledge about LFP or awareness of barriers to its implementation. The results of this study indicate that LGS understand the potential benefits of LFP in public health emergencies but would benefit from information and training to support the development of policies and programs in their communities.

Framing the issues

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas F. Babor ◽  
Jonathan Caulkins ◽  
Benedikt Fischer ◽  
David Foxcroft ◽  
Keith Humphreys ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Harm Minimization ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Policy Responses ◽  
Demand Reduction ◽  
Control Programmes ◽  
The Impact

The use of psychoactive substances is commonplace in many parts of the world, despite the efforts of policymakers, government officials, public health advocates, and concerned citizens to prevent, eliminate, or control it. If previous experience can serve as a guide, in the future many countries will face periodic drug-use epidemics, followed by aggressive policy responses to suppress them. Continued endemic drug use generates a patchwork of policy responses that never quite keep up with the problem. The scientific evidence on the impact of policy constitutes the core interest of this book and consists of three broad approaches: programmes to prevent drug use, treatment and harm-minimization services that help heavy drug users change their behaviour, and supply control programmes to restrict access to illicit substances. This book suggests that public health concepts provide an important vehicle to coordinate supply control and demand reduction.

Factors Contributing to the Occurrence of Leptospirosis, and the Impact on Public Health in Saint Lucia 2008-2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 69-78
Author(s):  
Edward L. Emmanuel
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Educational Programme ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Bacterial Disease ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Saint Lucia ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. The causative agent is a spirochete of the genus Leptospira. In humans, it causes a wide range of symptoms, however, asymptomatic presentation is not uncommon. Without proper treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, and respiratory distress. Death may occur in some patients. The aim of the study is to identify the factors contributing to the occurrence of leptospirosis, and the impact on public health in Saint Lucia 2008-2019. The study design is a mixed – method, comprising quantitative and qualitative data. A stratified sampling design using probability proportionate to size sampling at the settlement level was used. Secondary data on the incidence of leptospirosis were obtained from the Ministry of Health, and rainfall data were obtained from the Meteorology Office. Analysis of the data reveals several factors contributing to the occurrence of leptospirosis in Saint Lucia: poor garbage disposal; a large rodent population with easy access to garbage; and a lack of knowledge of leptospirosis. The impact on public health is manifested in the mortality and morbidity of individuals primarily men, and the health, social, and economic impact on the country. Reducing the impact of leptospirosis on the individual and country necessitates an island wide multi - sectoral control and prevention educational programme; an evaluation of the collection, storage, and disposal of household garbage; and the enforcement of legislation governing the proper collection, storage and disposal of garbage.

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Socio-economic Indicators of the Selected Asian Countries

2021 ◽  
pp. 097492842110681
Author(s):  
Vaijanath Babshetti ◽  
Jyothi E. Singh ◽  
Prakash B. Yaragol
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
World Health ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Macroeconomic Factors ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Travel Restrictions ◽  
Human Cost ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic originated in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The virus has spread across the globe over the last 20 months. In the interest of public health, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency to harmonise international responses to the virus. In a strongly interconnected world, the effect of the pandemic goes beyond mortality and morbidity. The unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19 has also resulted in a global economic crisis. Almost every sector of the economy has been gravely affected by the pandemic to various degrees. In an attempt to curb the spread of the virus many countries have initiated measures such as lockdowns, travel restrictions, ban on public and private transportation, closure of schools and colleges and restrictions on public and social gatherings. These initiatives have led to the decline in GDP, foreign trade and foreign exchange reserves, the rise of unemployment, the crash of stock markets and the depreciation of national currencies among other things. This study assesses the impact of COVID-19 on selected macroeconomic parameters of various Asian countries to present insights on the economic and health crisis caused due to COVID-19. The study analyses the effect of the pandemic on the macroeconomic factors listed above as well as the human cost of the pandemic during the last 20 months. The research finds that the outbreak adversely affected the economy and lives of people in India when compared to selected Asian nations.

scholarly journals Break or Bend in Case of Emergency?: Rule of Law and State of Emergency in European Public Health Administration

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 610-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filipe Brito BASTOS ◽  
Anniek DE RUIJTER
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Rule Of Law ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Fundamental Rights ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
The Rule Of Law ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
European Public ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

In this article, we ask what the impact is of the role of the EU administration in responding to emergencies in terms of (changes to) the rule of law. A response to an emergency in some cases creates exceptions to rule of law guarantees that bind the authorities to procedural rules and fundamental rights. These exceptions can become more permanent and even change the constitutional order of the EU. We articulate the legal framework for health emergencies, and discuss how the EU court has interpreted and developed this framework in two key decisions. We then ask whether this framework offers adequate safeguards for upholding the rule of law in cases of major health emergencies. We conclude that public health emergencies can bend and even break rule of law requirements for the EU administration, and advocate for more legal guidance on proportionality, which may offer better safeguards suited for protecting the rights of affected parties.

scholarly journals Measuring Social Movement Organization Populations: A Comprehensive Census of U.S. Environmental Movement Organizations

2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Brulle ◽  
Liesel Turner ◽  
Jason Carmichael ◽  
J. Jenkins
Keyword(s):  
Population Level ◽  
Environmental Movement ◽  
Organizational Studies ◽  
Population Parameters ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Movement Organization ◽  
Movement Organizations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Different Sources

Population-level analyses of SMOs typically have relied on a single source for data, most commonly the Encyclopedia of Associations (EoA). However, the validity of this procedure has been drawn into question by recent organizational studies. To examine the impact of using different sources to estimate SMO populations, we compile a comprehensive population dataset of national and regional U.S. environmental movement organizations (or EMOs) over a 100-year time period using 155 different sources. We use this data to evaluate the accuracy and selection biases in five major compilations of U.S. EMOs. The analysis shows that all single sources are selective, tapping specific sections of the environmental movement. Multiple sources are needed to capture a comprehensive population of EMOs. Researchers should be aware of the limitations of specific sources before drawing conclusions about population parameters.

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