Human epigenetics prematurely born(e)?

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Wastell ◽  
Sue White
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Social Deprivation ◽  
Early Infancy ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Thought Style ◽  
A Site ◽  
The Impact

This chapterr shifts the focus from animals to humans, and examines the extant literature on the human epigenome. It reviews seminal work on the impact of natural disasters (such as the Dutch Hunger Winter) on the epigenetic profile of those subject to these calamities. It describes how gestation and early infancy are reconfigured as a site of risk. It interrogates the nature of the claims made within the literature and also examines the thought style and presuppositions, particularly in those studies which seek to translate findings from laboratory to the clinic and public health policy. The small size of the effects on human populations is also highlighted, compared to other influences such as social deprivation.

scholarly journals The relationship of urbanization with the formation and implementation of public health policy in Ukraine

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 59-69
Author(s):  
О. І. Деміхов
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
World Health ◽  
Motor Vehicles ◽  
Industrial Emissions ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of the research is to study and find out the modern foreign technologies of public health policy in the context of the impact of urbanization processes, to explore the possibilities of implementation of best practices in Ukraine.Materials. Peculiarities of public health policy implementation in developed countries in the context of population density increase and agglomeration expansion are described in the article. The study is based on the analysis of statistics, publications in the media and scientific articles. The comparative statistical analysis of the countries of the world on the incidence of the incidence of different species and the correlation of these processes with the urbanization dynamics is made in the article. Expert assessments of UN and World Health Organization experts on processes of concentration of population around the world, deterioration of living conditions, quality of health, morbidity and appropriate prevention, promotion of healthy lifestyle and quality control of goods, works and services for the population are given in the article. Particular emphasis is placed on the environmental problems of densely populated areas, including through the proliferation of motor vehicles, substandard housing and uncontrolled industrial emissions. The connection of the dynamics of urbanization with the increase of the sedentary lifestyle of the citizens is also described. The urban way of life is assessed as requiring immediate influence by public health policy makers. The current experience of foreign public administration and public policy entities on a proactive approach to shaping the concept of public health in the context of urban transformation in society can be used in Ukraine. Practical results of the work of state institutions in developed countries should be implemented in Ukraine. Conclusions. On the example of the positive experience of the capitalist countries of the world, the further directions of the development of public health policy in Ukraine in the conditions of deepening urbanization processes are clearly defined.

scholarly journals Diabetes in India: Measuring the dynamics of a public health catastrophe

2016 ◽  
Vol 04 (02) ◽  
pp. 077-084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pranav Patnaik ◽  
Kamlesh Jain ◽  
P. Chandra ◽  
Jaya Pathak ◽  
K. Raman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Urban Migration ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact

AbstractDiabetes has emerged as a major concern in the Indian health-care setting but has been underrecognized as a significant challenge in the context of public health policy due to the necessity to handle acute health conditions. Trends obtained from national and regional surveys over time strongly point to the increasing diabetes burden. In addition, people with undiagnosed and prediabetes can aggravate the burden in the near future. Long-term concerns arise from the rapid transformations such as urbanization, rural–urban migration, and lifestyle changes happening across different populations of India. Attempts at creating a rational diabetes prevention and management policy are severely hindered by a lack of comprehensive, standardized data on diabetes prevalence, and trends in the evolution of the epidemic. The impact of diabetes is multifaceted, ranging from the clinical impact of higher secondary complications to personal, psychosocial, and financial effects on the individual which create a cycle of negative outcomes. Given the chronic nature of diabetes, the impact is likely to remain as a self-perpetuating burden on the health-care system. The magnitude, spread, and impact of the diabetes epidemic are substantial, and it has transitioned to being a pandemic with potentially catastrophic implications for the Indian Public Health System. It is therefore essential to create public health policy specific to diabetes care that is effective in reducing the multidimensional impact of diabetes catastrophe and prevent further multiplication of this pandemic.

scholarly journals The association between screen time and psychological distress in Norwegian adolescents

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A L Kleppang ◽  
A M Steigen ◽  
H S Finbråten
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Health Policy And Practice ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The use of screens, especially mobile devices like tablets and smartphones have increased over the last years, and have become an integrated part of modern life. Adolescents today spend a lot of their time using screens both at school and outside school. The concerns about the impact of screens on adolescents are growing, and some expert groups have suggested controlling screen time for children and young adults. Because research is limited and screen-based utilization technologies and their patterns are changing rapidly, it is important to examine their impacts on mental health. This can help to guide public health policy on consequences of, and potential limits on screen time. The purpose of this study is to study the association between screen time and psychological distress among adolescents. Methods This study is based on self-reported cross-sectional data from the Ungdata survey conducted in 2018. The target group comprised 6777 adolescents from secondary schools in Norway. Ten items on depression and anxiety symptoms were used to create a composite measure of psychological distress. Binomial logistic regression was used to analyse the association between screen time and psychological distress. Results Preliminary results showed that the odds for psychological distress were higher for those who used screens more than 2 hours per day after school (OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.60-2.09), compared to those who used screens 2 hours and less per day. Further, the odds of having psychological distress were higher in girls compared to boys (OR: 3.49, 95% CI: 3.14-3.87), and in upper secondary school compared to lower secondary school (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.25-1.58). Conclusions Two hours or more used on screens per day was associated with significantly higher odds for psychological distress. Hence, public health policy and practice should pay attention to consequences of screen time use in adolescence. Additional research is needed to further explore these associations. Key messages Public health policy and practice should pay attention to screen time in adolescence and its association with psychological distress. This knowledge is important to enhance mental health in adolescence.

scholarly journals Determining the impact of smoking point of sale legislation among youth (Display) study: a protocol for an evaluation of public health policy

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Haw ◽  
Amanda Amos ◽  
Douglas Eadie ◽  
John Frank ◽  
Laura MacDonald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Point Of Sale ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Ethics of vaccination: measures used to inform SARS-CoV-2 vaccination priorities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mike Millar ◽  
Yannis Gourtsoyannis ◽  
Angelina jayakumar
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
International Development ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Limited Range ◽  
Public Confidence ◽  
Epidemiological Models ◽  
Freedom Of Movement ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Proposals for SARS-CoV-2 virus vaccination priorities in the UK and in many other countries are heavily influenced by epidemiological models, which use outcome measures such as deaths or hospitalisation. Limiting the values under consideration to those attributable to the direct effects of infection has the advantage of simplifying the models and the process of decision-making. However, the consequences of the pandemic extend beyond outcomes directly attributable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The alternative to vaccination (in addition the threat of illness and death) is restrictions on educational and work opportunities, access to services, recreational activities, affiliations and relationships with others, freedom of movement (including escaping abusive relationships), and other determinants of human experience. Capability theory gives emphasis to the freedoms that individuals have to express themselves (in doings and beings). Restrictions on freedoms restrict our capabilities. Capability theory has been used to provide a framework for the evaluation and comparison of international development approaches and in the evaluation of public health policy. There is a clustering of disadvantages associated with this pandemic that adds to pre-existing inequalities. Much of the disadvantage engendered in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is left out when public health policy is based on a limited range of metrics. Acknowledging the impact of policy across the range of human freedoms at both a national and international level has the potential to improve policy, facilitate the mitigation of direct and indirect adverse consequences, and improve public confidence in vaccine deployment strategies.

scholarly journals Roma child participation in public health policy and practice across Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Larkins ◽  
M Jovanovic ◽  
R Milkova
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Service Design ◽  
International Exchange ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Roma teenagers are often excluded from participation opportunities, when they could be informing a wide range of law, policy and practice. CoE and EU recommendations make it clear that improvements in living conditions can only be achieved through active participation of Roma people. The 2018 Roma Civil Society Monitoring report reinforces that 'it is essential for Roma to be involved not only in narrowly defined 'Roma issues', but also in a wider range of topics and policies'. We address the question of what methods enable Roma children to become involved in influencing health policy and service design, focusing on the case of Bulgaria. A qualitative European survey (Feb - June 2020) in English, French, Spanish and Bulgarian identified professional perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 on children, with a focus on Roma families. Case studies of Roma children's experiences, and examples of their participation, were analysed of these case studies was conducted by the authors (combining sociological, public health and community perspectives). Accuracy of emergent findings were assessed through dialogue with survey participants. Preliminary results indicate that participatory practices that enable Roma children's participation in designing public health policy, services and responses are limited and pre-existing inequalities are deepening. However relevant isolated examples of inclusive participation were identified: information design, peer-administered questionnaires, arts-based activities, dialogue events, and campaigning in Bulgaria and beyond. Inclusive methods that enable Roma teenagers' engagement in health policy and service design are closely tied to methods used with other communities facing discrimination. However, significant structural barriers, related to economic inequalities and anti-gypsyism are additional barriers faced by some Roma children. International exchange of examples of such practices could inform future health promotion practice.

scholarly journals Patterns of smallpox mortality in London, England, over three centuries

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Krylova ◽  
David J.D. Earn
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Time Series ◽  
Spectral Analysis ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
History Of ◽  
History Of Control

AbstractSmallpox is unique among infectious diseases in the degree to which it devasted human populations, its long history of control interventions, and the fact that it has been successfully eradicated. Mortality from smallpox in London, England, was carefully documented, weekly, for nearly 300 years, providing a rare and valuable source for the study of ecology and evolution of infectious disease. We describe and analyze smallpox mortality in London from 1664 to 1930. We digitized the weekly records published in the London Bills of Mortality and the Registrar General’s Weekly Returns. We annotated the resulting time series with a sequence of historical events that appear to have influenced smallpox dynamics in London. We present a spectral analysis that reveals how periodicities in smallpox dynamics changed over decades and centuries, and how these changes were related to control interventions and public health policy changes. We also examine how the seasonality of smallpox epidemics changed from the 17th to 20th centuries in London.

scholarly journals Analysis of sponsor hearings on health technology assessment decision making

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 258
Author(s):  
Melinda Flowers ◽  
Sean Lybrand ◽  
Michael Wonder
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Advisory Committee ◽  
Technology Assessment ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
Public Subsidy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

Objective The aim of this study was to get a better understanding of the frequency of Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) hearings, the factors that influence a sponsor’s decision to proceed with a hearing and to assess the impact hearings may have had on PBAC decision making. Methods All public summary documents (PSDs) from March 2014 to November 2016 PBAC meetings, obtained from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) website, were examined to identify major submissions for which sponsor hearings were conducted. Each PSD was analysed to determine the topics discussed at the sponsor hearing and the ‘usefulness’ of a sponsor hearing from the PBAC’s perspective. Results During the study period there were 472 PSDs. 74 sponsor hearings (28% of major submissions) were conducted during the study period. A clinician external to the sponsor presented at the majority of the hearings (78%) and accordingly, the main topics presented related to clinical positioning/use and clinical benefit/use. Conclusion The PBAC considered approximately 45% of sponsor hearings to be informative or moderately informative whereas 18% were classed as uninformative. What is known about the topic? Although the sponsors of medicines being considered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) for public subsidy have been able to give a 10 min presentation to the Committee at the time of decision making for several years, it is unknown whether these hearings are beneficial. What does this paper add? We present what is believed to be the results of the first analysis of PBAC sponsor hearings. What are the implications for practitioners? All stakeholders should consider the findings of our research and associated recommendations to ensure that future sponsor hearings enhance PBAC decision making and promote good public health policy.

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