scholarly journals In fear of a reversal back to the spirits-drinking era — the 2004 decrease of Finnish alcohol taxes in public discourse

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matilda Hellman ◽  
Thomas Karlsson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Policy Debate ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Total Consumption

Aims The study investigates how the dissimilar tax reductions for different alcoholic beverages (spirits, wine and beer) were debated during the large tax decrease on alcoholic beverages in Finland in 2004. Design and Data The material comprises parliamentary proceedings and discussions, as well as daily press items (=105) from 2003–2004. Content analyses, both quantitative and qualitative, were performed. Results The parliament's discussion on the unequal treatment of different beverage types concerned mostly the overall framing of a public health perspective, differencing between consumption of “spirits” and “non-spirits”. The mass media framed the question mostly from the industry's point of view. Neither a clear support of the total consumption model (excluding specification of beverage sort), nor a strong liberalisation model for alcohol policy were expressed in the materials. Varying stances were merely motivated within a paradigm of “changing drinking patterns”. Conclusions The differing treatment of different beverage types, especially the large reductions in spirits taxes, was crystallised as the fundamental public health concern surrounding the decision to lower alcohol taxes. In the end of the article the authors ask whether the lack of clear stances other than the drinking pattern framing could imply that the Finnish alcohol policy debate has become more heterogeneous, neutralised or resigned in its basic nature.

scholarly journals Local Alcohol Policy Implementation in Scotland: Understanding the Role of Accountability within Licensing

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Wright
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Policy Implementation ◽  
National Level ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Health Goals ◽  
Documentary Analysis ◽  
Guidance Documents ◽  
Specific Implementation

Scotland has been ambitious in its policy and legislative efforts to tackle alcohol-related harm, efforts which include the innovative feature of a ‘public health objective’ within local alcohol licensing. However, the persistence of alcohol-related harms and inequalities requires further examination of both the overarching Scottish alcohol strategy and its specific implementation. A qualitative case study was undertaken to explore how alcohol policy is implemented locally in Scotland, with data generated from (i) documentary analysis of 12 relevant policies, legislation, and guidance documents; and (ii) a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 54 alcohol policy implementers in three Scottish localities and nine national-level stakeholders. The data suggest there is a tension between the intentions of licensing legislation and the way it is enacted in practice, and that accountability emerges as an important factor for understanding why this occurs. In particular, there are a lack of accountability mechanisms acting upon Scottish Licensing Boards to ensure they contribute to the public health goals of the Scottish alcohol strategy. From a public health perspective, this has perpetuated a system in which Licensing Boards continue to act with autonomy from the rest of the alcohol policy implementation system, creating a challenge to the achievement of public health goals. Alcohol policy in Scotland is likely to fall short of intended goals as long as the tension between licensing legislation and enacted licensing practices remains.

Current status of Plasmodium knowlesi vectors: a public health concern?

Parasitology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 145 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. VYTHILINGAM ◽  
M. L. WONG ◽  
W. S. WAN-YUSSOF
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Plasmodium Knowlesi ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Malaria Vectors ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Simian Malaria ◽  
And Control

SUMMARYPlasmodium knowlesi a simian malaria parasite is currently affecting humans in Southeast Asia. Malaysia has reported the most number of cases and P. knowlesi is the predominant species occurring in humans. The vectors of P. knowlesi belong to the Leucosphyrus group of Anopheles mosquitoes. These are generally described as forest-dwelling mosquitoes. With deforestation and changes in land-use, some species have become predominant in farms and villages. However, knowledge on the distribution of these vectors in the country is sparse. From a public health point of view it is important to know the vectors, so that risk factors towards knowlesi malaria can be identified and control measures instituted where possible. Here, we review what is known about the knowlesi malaria vectors and ascertain the gaps in knowledge, so that future studies could concentrate on this paucity of data in-order to address this zoonotic problem.

scholarly journals The Finnish Drinking Habits Survey: Implications for alcohol policy and prevention

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 619-631
Author(s):  
Katariina Warpenius ◽  
Pia Mäkelä
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
Alcohol Prevention ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Policy Debate ◽  
Drinking Habits ◽  
Alcohol Related Harm ◽  
Related Harm

Aims/materials: This reflection piece reviews some of the key results and conclusions from the book Näin Suomi juo ( This is how Finns drink, 2018), based on the Finnish Drinking Habits Survey. Our aim was to go through the results taking the perspective of prevention workers and policymakers: how could they benefit from the scientific findings when tackling alcohol-related harm? Results/reflections: The reflections displayed in this article provide some useful arguments and justifications for population-level alcohol policy in the controversial alcohol policy debate. Harms do not only arise among the heaviest drinkers, and efficient methods to prevent harm may be found among the prevention efforts that apply to populations rather than only to the heaviest drinkers. The article also illustrates how the results from a population survey can be used in order to identify specific challenges and solutions for alcohol prevention in a given population. The results help in identifying the population groups and situations with an elevated risk of alcohol-related harm and in characterising the drinking patterns and social situations in which drinking takes place in these vulnerable parts of the population. Conclusions: The review illustrates that a many-sided understanding of alcohol consumption and the related harm, based on survey results, is more far-reaching in terms of prevention and policy than a knowledge base built solely on register data on the development of alcohol consumption and harm. For example, the respondents’ drinking patterns are linked not only to their attitudes and risk perceptions but also to what people consider to be appropriate means to reduce alcohol use and the related harm in terms of alcohol policy, informal social control and people’s life management.

Starting anew after the COVID-19 Emergency

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 11-22
Author(s):  
Gaël Giraud
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Significant Part ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Public Resources ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Developed World

At the cost of unprecedented suffering to a significant part of our populations, we now realize in many developed world countries, from a health point of view, we do not have adequate infrastructure and public resources for this era and this crisis. How can we address these challenges in the 21st century from a public health perspective? This is what many countries have had to accept and implement in a few weeks in the face of a pandemic that, as we write, promises to rage across the planet in recurring waves of contamination and mutations of the virus. Let us see how and why.

scholarly journals Shiga toxin-producingEscherichia coliin swine: the public health perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Tseng ◽  
Pina M. Fratamico ◽  
Shannon D. Manning ◽  
Julie A. Funk
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Biological Studies ◽  
Human Illness ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractShiga toxin-producingEscherichia coli(STEC) strains are food-borne pathogens that are an important public health concern. STEC infection is associated with severe clinical diseases in human beings, including hemorrhagic colitis (HC) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can lead to kidney failure and death. Cattle are the most important STEC reservoir. However, a number of STEC outbreaks and HUS cases have been attributed to pork products. In swine, STEC strains are known to be associated with edema disease. Nevertheless, the relationship between STEC of swine origin and human illness has yet to be determined. This review critically summarizes epidemiologic and biological studies of swine STEC. Several epidemiologic studies conducted in multiple regions of the world have demonstrated that domestic swine can carry and shed STEC. Moreover, animal studies have demonstrated that swine are susceptible to STEC O157:H7 infection and can shed the bacterium for 2 months. A limited number of molecular epidemiologic studies, however, have provided conflicting evidence regarding the relationship between swine STEC and human illness. The role that swine play in STEC transmission to people and the contribution to human disease frequency requires further evaluation.

scholarly journals The internet trade of counterfeit spirits in Russia – an emerging problem undermining alcohol, public health and youth protection policies?

F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Neufeld ◽  
Dirk W. Lachenmeier ◽  
Stephan G. Walch ◽  
Jürgen Rehm
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Total Consumption ◽  
Potential Harm ◽  
The Public ◽  
Alcohol Policies ◽  
Youth Protection ◽  
The Russian Federation

Counterfeit alcohol belongs to the category of unrecorded alcohol not reflected in official statistics. The internet trade of alcoholic beverages has been prohibited by the Russian Federation since 2007, but various sellers still offer counterfeit spirits (i.e., forged brand spirits) over the internet to Russian consumers, mostly in a non-deceptive fashion at prices up to 15 times lower than in regular sale. The public health issues arising from this unregulated trade include potential harm to underage drinkers, hazards due to toxic ingredients such as methanol, but most importantly alcohol harms due to potentially increased drinking volumes due to low prices and high availability on the internet. The internet sale also undermines existing alcohol policies such as restrictions of sale locations, sale times and minimum pricing. The need to enforce measures against counterfeiting of spirits, but specifically their internet trade should be implemented as key elements of alcohol policies to reduce unrecorded alcohol consumption, which is currently about 33 % of total consumption in Russia.

scholarly journals Nitrogen Dioxide, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Transportation in Urban Areas: Lessons From the Covid-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos E. Restrepo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Nitrogen Dioxide ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Public Space ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Gas Emissions

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a pollutant of concern in urban areas around the world. The main sources in urban environments are related to the burning of fuel and include transportation, electricity generation, and industrial and residential activities. From a public health perspective NO2 has also been widely associated with respiratory disease, including asthma exacerbation. NO2 also plays a key role in ground-level concentrations of ozone (O3), which is also a public health concern. This policy brief explores the relationships between transportation, climate change mitigation and ambient levels of air pollutants such as NO2. The Covid-19 pandemic has offered a glimpse of how rapid changes in transportation use can result in significant decreases in NO2 concentrations. Data from New York City supports this relationship. Transportation policies aimed at reducing traffic offer an opportunity to both mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. The implementation of measures to rethink public space and the use of streets in response to Covid-19 also provides insights into an additional policy alternative to achieve these goals.

scholarly journals Social egg freezing under public health perspective: Just a medical reality or a women’s right? An ethical case analysis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Borovecki ◽  
Pamela Tozzo ◽  
Nicoletta Cerri ◽  
Luciana Caenazzo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Proper Solution ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Egg Freezing ◽  
Social Egg Freezing

In recent years, a social trend toward delaying childbearing has been observed in women of reproductive age. A novel technomedical innovation was commercialized for non-medical reasons to healthy, ostensibly fertile women, who wished to postpone motherhood for various reasons such as educational or career demands, or because they had not yet found a partner. As a consequence, these women may be affected by age-related infertility when they decide to conceive, and fertility preservation techniques can be obtained through the so-called social egg freezing. This paper examines, from an ethical point of view, the impact of social egg freezing under some aspects that can involve policy making and resources allocation in public health. Due to the increasing demand for this procedure, some debated issues regard if it is reasonable to include social egg freezing in Public Healthcare System and consequently how to manage the storage of cryopreserved oocytes also from individual donors, how to support these egg banks and how to face, in the future, with the possibility that egg freezing will play a role in enabling childbearing for gays, lesbians, and unmarried persons. Social freezing may be advertised to harmonise gender differences, but we wonder if it is the proper solution to the problem or if it could also create further challenges. An ethical argumentation on these topics should address some questions that will be discussed.

scholarly journals The controversial discourse on beer in Iceland

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hildigunnur Ólafsdóttir
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
The State ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Total Consumption ◽  
Consumption Model ◽  
Total Consumption Model ◽  
Newspaper Articles

Aims This study investigates the motives and discourses around the decision taken by the Icelandic parliament in 1989 to legalise beer sales after a prohibition of 74 years. A bill was passed in 1988 that allowed the selling of beer in licensed restaurants and the state alcohol monopoly stores. Design The sources used for this study are mainly newspaper articles and other materials and reports published in the period 1980 to 1989. Results The passing of the bill was preceded by many controversial discourses in Iceland. Lobbying groups with commercial interests campaigned for the legalisation of beer, while representatives of the alcoholism movement took no formal stance on the issue, parliamentarians broke from party lines and medical doctors were split into two factions. Common questions included the plausibility of the total consumption model, various understandings of WHO recommendations, diverging interpretations of other countries’ experiences of beer, and different views on how beer would affect individuals suffering from alcoholism. Conclusions The changes in Icelandic alcohol policy to legalise beer were in keeping with contemporary societal processes of globalisation and modernisation, but public health arguments were given less priority. While the decision to legalise beer increased the commercial functions of the state alcohol monopoly, it also strengthened the monopoly's role as an actor in alcohol policy.

scholarly journals Is More Better? Insights on Consumers’ Preferences for Nutritional Information on Wine Labelling

Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riccardo Vecchio ◽  
Azzurra Annunziata ◽  
Angela Mariani
Keyword(s):  
Critical Issue ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Nutritional Information ◽  
Incentive Compatible ◽  
European Consumer ◽  
Sample Representativeness ◽  
Label Method ◽  
Italian Wine

Background: Nowadays there is a strong debate on the need to introduce mandatory nutritional information on alcoholic beverages labels, and particularly on wine, as a tool to promote more health-conscious drinking patterns in society. In 2018, the European alcoholic beverages industry presented a self-regulatory proposal, now under assessment by the European Commission. The most critical issue is how to convey nutritional information to consumers, as producers should decide to apply information on label or off-label. Method: The current study measured, through a non-hypothetical, incentive compatible artefactual field experiment, Italian wine consumers (N = 103) preferences for four different formats of wine nutritional labelling, namely: back label with the indication of kcal for glass of wine, with the nutritional panel referred to 100 mL, without nutritional information (but with a link to an external website) and with the indication of key nutrients for glass of wine. Results: Findings reveal that respondents preferred the nutritional panel on the back label, assigning the lowest preference to the less informative wine label (only with a website recall). Furthermore, results show a low level of respondents’ knowledge of wine nutritional properties. Conclusion: Findings, while limited in terms of sample representativeness, seem to support the European Consumer Organisation and the European Alcohol Policy Alliance objection to an off-line label and the advocacy for a traditional and complete on label nutritional information on wine.

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