scholarly journals Public Health Perspective on Magnesium

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-212
Author(s):  
Lidija Šoher ◽  
Ines Banjari
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Magnesium Deficiency ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Recreational Physical Activity ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Wide Range

Magnesium is a cofactor in more than 300 enzymes, it plays a vital role in energy metabolism, homeostasis of electrolites, and bone metabolism, and regulates a number of fundamental functions such as muscle contraction, neuromuscular conduction, glycemic control, and blood pressure. Magnesium deficiency has been associated with a wide range of diseases, from cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, diabetes, to anxiety and other mental disorders, migraine and osteoporosis, and especially worrying is subclinical form which is estimated to affect up to 30% of the population. Recommended dietary intake of magnesium is 300 mg and 350 mg per day for adult males and females, respectively. While highly abundant in a variety of foods, especially green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds, water is the main contributor to magnesium daily intake. Water has been the focus of a number of public health interventions aiming to improve magnesium status of populations, especially in Israel and Australia. Supplements are becoming a more important contributor to the total magnesium intake, especially among physically active individuals. Public awareness of the health benefits gained from physical activity is improving, and more individuals decide to engage in (recreational) physical activity. Even though physical activity increases the risk of magnesium deficiency, misuse of supplements due to lack of knowledge and misinformation shared on social networks can have a detrimental effect on individual’s health and physical performance.

ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION: INITIATIVES & PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE

2016 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
H.M. Snyder ◽  
M.C. Carrillo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Reduce Risk ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Do So

An estimated 47 million people worldwide are living with dementia in 2015 and this number is expected to triple by 2050. There is a clear urgency for therapies and / or interventions to slow, stop or prevent dementia. Amounting evidence suggests strategies to reduce risk of development dementia may be of growing import for reducing the number of individuals affected. The Alzheimer’s Association believes, from a population based perspective that: (1) Regular physical activity and management of cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. diabetes, obesity, smoking and hypertension) have been shown to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and may reduce the risk of dementia; (2) A healthy diet and lifelong learning/cognitive training may also reduce the risk of cognitive decline. The current evidence underscores the need to communicate to the broader population what the science indicates and to do so with diverse stakeholders and consistent messaging. There has never been a better time to define and distribute global messaging on public health for dementia.

scholarly journals A Review of Cases of Marijuana and Violence

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 1578
Author(s):  
Norman S. Miller ◽  
Redon Ipeku ◽  
Thersilla Oberbarnscheidt
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
The United States ◽  
Personality Change ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
Loss Of Contact

Marijuana is the most consumed illicit drug in the world, with over 192 million users. Due to the current legalization push of marijuana in the United States, there has been a lack of oversight regarding its public health policies, as marijuana advocates downplay the drug’s negative effects. This paper’s approach is from a public health perspective, focusing specifically on the cases of violence amongst some marijuana users. Here, we present 14 cases of violence with chronic marijuana users that highlight reoccurring consequences of: marijuana induced paranoia (exaggerated, unfounded distrust) and marijuana induced psychosis (radical personality change, loss of contact with reality). When individuals suffering from pre-existing medical conditions use marijuana in an attempt to alleviate their symptoms, ultimately this worsens their conditions over time. Although marijuana effects depend on the individual’s endocannabinoid receptors (which control behavioral functions, like aggression) and the potency level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the drug, scientifically documented links between certain marijuana users and violence do exist. Wider public awareness of the risks and side effects of marijuana, as well as a more prudent health policy, and government agency monitoring of the drug’s composition, creation, and distribution, are needed and recommended.

Youth get a D+ grade in physical activity: How can we change public health messages to help reverse this trend?

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 567-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela S. Alberga ◽  
Michelle Fortier ◽  
Corliss Bean ◽  
Yoni Freedhoff
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Appearance ◽  
Sport Performance ◽  
Health Messages ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Public Health Messages ◽  
Promotion Of Physical Activity ◽  
Policies And Programs

The purpose of this paper is to critique how the promotion of physical activity (PA) is communicated and offer evidence-based alternative framings to encourage PA in youth. We argue that PA promotion messaging should not be tied to outcomes that focus on changing physical appearance, preventing or treating diseases, or sport performance or competition. From a public health perspective, we suggest that PA should instead focus on campaigns, policies, and programs that tie PA to enjoyment, wellbeing, and play.

Chapter 13: TBE as a matter of public health

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kunze ◽  
Wilhelm Erber ◽  
Martin Haditsch
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Payer Perspective ◽  
Vaccination Recommendation ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
Endemic Areas ◽  
Severity Of The Disease

The incidence of TBE ranges from ‘only single sporadic cases’ to >50/105 per year depending on the region and on the year of analysis; it is usually 1-10/105 in endemic regions in central Europe. This number may be considered as ‘low’ – not only as an individual risk but also from a public health perspective. If an individual does contract TBE, however, the disease may deeply change her/his life due to the need for acute hospital care and due to potentially severe and long-term sequelae. In 1–2% (-20%) of cases, TBE may even result in death. No specific treatments exist for TBE. The severity of the disease and high frequency of long-term sequelae result in high public awareness and concerns about tick bites in endemic areas. Public health officials in TBE-endemic areas need to address these concerns; moreover, they need to address the concerns of travelers at risk. The principal public health measures aim at reducing TBE cases by reduction of exposure and preventive vaccination. Recommendation/reimbursement of TBE vaccination still is under discussion from side of healthcare payer perspective as well as from the individuals perspective considering long term sequelae.

scholarly journals A scorecard for local body election candidates in New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Stone
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Voter Turnout ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Local Elections ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
District Health ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
The Public

Abstract Local elections are held every 3 years in NZ for District Health Boards (DHB). The public has low capability to scrutinise candidates for their knowledge/experience in public health governance. As a result, there is low voting turn-out for elections. So, 3 PHA branches developed scorecards for 2019 candidates. Our aims addressed 3 problems: 1. How to raise public awareness about local DHB elections 2. How to engage voters and provide them with information about candidates from a public health perspective 3.Can we encourage candidates to discuss public health issues/ preventative measures publicly. We hoped to promote democracy by increasing informed voter turnout. Scorecards were based on candidates' responses to a survey with 3 dimensions: alignment with public health values; health sector governance experience; views on a specific public health issue (water fluoridation). Survey responses were scored by panels of branch members. Southern branch sent the survey to 28 DHB candidates across 2 DHBs, and 24 replied in time. Wellington branch sent it to 23 CCDHB candidates and 16 replied in time. Canterbury's response rate was just over 50%, 11 of 21 surveys were returned. We produced scorecards for results in formats for printing and sharing online. We shared them on PHA's website, social media and featured them in the e-newsletter. Each branch launched them at local Meet the DHB Candidate events where hundreds of paper copies were distributed. There was good online interest in the scorecards: 3453 previews, 287 downloads for further printing/distribution. Many candidates committed, if elected, to policy solutions presented them at our events. There was significant increase (684 in Southern, 698 in Wellington, 2006 in Canterbury) in DHB voter turnout in 2019, compared to last election with no scorecards. Not all top-scoring candidates were subsequently elected onto respective DHBs, but for Wellington and Southland all elected had high scores. Key messages PHANZ plays a role in supporting NZ democracy by filling a gap in public information about election candidates, whether they are fit for purpose when scrutinised through the public health lens. Election Scorecard are effective for raising public awareness, providing scrutiny of the candidates from a public health perspective, encouraging candidates to consider public health issues.

scholarly journals Why are children sedentary: an examination using the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (7) ◽  
pp. 790-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allana LeBlanc
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Sedentary Behaviour ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Sedentary Time ◽  
International Study ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The World

Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour have been independently associated with a wide range of negative health indicators including obesity, poor cardio-metabolic health, and poor psychosocial health. The overarching objective of this research was to gain a better understanding as to why children are sedentary and where we need to focus public health messages and interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour. Specifically, I aimed to provide insight on current awareness of sedentary behaviour guidelines, determine important correlates of total sedentary time (SED) and screen time (ST) in Canadian children, and understand correlates of SED and ST in a global context. The primary dataset used for this project was the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE). Background work was completed to review current literature on knowledge and awareness of Canadian physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines (in all age groups) and to understand the representativeness of the ISCOLE dataset. In addition to the 2 background papers, this dissertation includes 3 manuscripts, all prepared for submission in scientific, peer-reviewed journals: Canadian physical activity and screen time guidelines: do children know?, Correlates of objectively measured sedentary time and self-reported screen time in Canadian children, and Correlates of total sedentary time and screen time in 9–11 year-old children around the world: The International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment. Overall, this work showed the majority of children around the world are accumulating large amounts of sedentary time, and exceeded current screen time guidelines. We found that the large majority of Canadian children are not aware of screen time guidelines; however, a greater proportion of children could identify physical activity guidelines. We also identified a number of correlates of SED and ST in Canadian children and in children around the world. The most common correlates included weight status and access to electronics in the house. Taken together, this work suggests that public health messaging should focus on increasing awareness of screen time guidelines. While increasing awareness of the guidelines, messaging can be tailored to promoting healthy weight status and reducing (or removing) children’s access to electronic devices in hopes of reducing overall time spent sedentary.

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