5. Raising Awareness of Alcohol as a Risk Factor for Chronic Disease, Injury, and Death: Part of a Health Unit’s Alcohol Harm–Prevention Strategy Development Process

Author(s):  
Sam Stevenson ◽  
Amy Estill
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ikenna D Ebuenyi ◽  
Emma M. Smith ◽  
Alister Munthali ◽  
Steven W. Msowoya ◽  
Juba Kafumba ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Equity and inclusion are important principles in policy development and implementation. The aim of this study is to explore the extent to which equity and inclusion were considered in the development of Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan. Methods: We applied an analytical methodology to review the Malawi’s National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan using the EquIPP (Equity and Inclusion in Policy Processes) tool. The EquIPP tool assesses 17 Key Actions to explore the extent of equity and inclusion. Results: The development of the Malawi National Disability Mainstreaming Strategy and Implementation Plan was informed by a desire to promote the rights, opportunities and wellbeing of persons with disability in Malawi. The majority (58%) of the Key Actions received a rating of three, indicating evidence of clear, but incomplete or only partial engagement of persons with disabilities in the policy process. Three (18%) of the Key Actions received a rating of four indicating that all reasonable steps to engage in the policy development process were observed. Four (23%) of the Key Actions received a score five indicating a reference to Key Action in the core documents in the policy development process. Conclusion: The development of disability policies and associated implementation strategies requires equitable and inclusive processes that consider input from all stakeholders especially those whose wellbeing depend on such policies. It is pivotal for government and organisations in the process of policy or strategy development and implementation, to involve stakeholders in a virtuous process of co-production – co-implementation – co-evaluation, which may strengthen both the sense of inclusion and the effectiveness of the policy life-cycle.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Christiansen ◽  
S S Pedersen ◽  
C M Andersen ◽  
P Qualter ◽  
R Lund ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The present prospective cohort study investigated the association of loneliness and social isolation with healthcare utilisation in the general population over time. We also investigated the synergistic effect of loneliness and social isolation on healthcare utilisation. Methods Data from the 2013 Danish “How are you?' survey (n = 29,472) were combined with individual-level register data from the National Danish Patient Registry and the Danish National Health Service Registry in a 6-year follow-up period (2013-2018). Negative binomial regression analyses were performed while adjusting for baseline demographics, chronic disease, and healthcare utilisation during the follow-up period. Results Loneliness was significantly associated with number of GP visits (incident-rate ratio (IRR) = 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.01, 1.13]), emergency admissions (IRR = 1.19, 95% CI [1.03, 1.37]) and number of hospital admission days (IRR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.08, 1.62]). No significant associations were found between social isolation and healthcare utilisation with one minor exception, in which social isolation was associated with less planned admissions (IRR = .88, 95% CI [.78, .99]). Finally, loneliness and social isolation demonstrated a synergistic effect on number of visits to the GP (IRR = .87, 95% CI [.78, .98]) and number of hospital admission days (IRR = .67, 95% CI [.45, .98]). Conclusions Our findings suggest that loneliness is a risk factor for primary and secondary healthcare utilisation, independently of social isolation, baseline demographics, chronic disease, and healthcare utilisation during the follow-up period. Key messages Loneliness is an independent risk factor for healthcare utilisation in the general population. Social isolation is not associated with healthcare utilisation in the general population.


Author(s):  
Barbara Gryglewska ◽  
Karolina Piotrowicz ◽  
Tomasz Grodzicki

Multimorbidity is defined as any combination of a chronic disease with at least one other acute or chronic disease or biopsychosocial or somatic risk factor. Old age is a leading risk factor for multimorbidity. It has a negative impact on short- and long-term prognosis, patients’ cognitive and functional performance, self-care, independence, and quality of life. It substantially influences patients’ clinical management and increases healthcare-related costs. There is a great variety of clinical measures to assess multimorbidity; some are presented in this chapter. Despite its high prevalence in older adults, clinical guidelines for physicians managing patients with multimorbidity are underdeveloped and insufficient.


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