scholarly journals Is Cancer Immune from Partisan Polarization? How Partisan Identity Motivates Opposition to Preventative Cancer Vaccination in the U.S.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt Motta
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Political Communication ◽  
Cancer Vaccines ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
The United States ◽  
Partisan Polarization ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
Personalized Cancer ◽  
Taking Action ◽  
To Receive

As one of the leading causes of death in the United States, cancer impacts the lives of Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike. Correspondingly, we might expect experimental cancer preventatives to be more-or-less “immune” to partisan polarization. Experiences with the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, however, suggest that even amid an unprecedented public health threat, some Americans were nevertheless motivated by political partisanship – particularly on the ideological right – to reject life-saving preventatives. In this study, I investigate whether tying partisan accomplishments in funding cancer prevention research to vaccine development might influence public acceptance of “personalized cancer vaccines,” which prevent the onset of cancer using tumor detection and mitigation mechanisms informed by one’s DNA. In a pre-registered analysis plan and survey experiment, I find that Republicans are less likely (in the absence of elite cues) to intend to receive personalized cancer vaccines and/or recommend that others do the same. Experimentally, I find that when respondents are exposed to information wherein Democrats claim credit for taking action to fund cancer research, polarization tends to increase; such that Republicans become even less likely to intend to receive a vaccine. I conclude by discussing how these findings can motivate effective political communication aimed at resolving one of the greatest public health crises of our time.

The Emergence of COVID-19 in the US: A Public Health and Political Communication Crisis

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 967-981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Gollust ◽  
Rebekah H. Nagler ◽  
Erika Franklin Fowler
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Political Communication ◽  
Initial Response ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Us

Abstract The coronavirus public health crisis is also a political-communication and health-communication crisis. In this article, the authors describe the key communication-related phenomena and evidence of concerning effects manifested in the United States during the initial response to the pandemic. The authors outline the conditions of communication about coronavirus that contribute to deleterious outcomes, including partisan cueing, conflicting science, downplayed threats, emotional arousal, fragmented media, and Trump's messaging. The authors suggest these have contributed to divergent responses by media sources, partisan leaders, and the public alike, leading to different attitudes and beliefs as well as varying protective actions taken by members of the public to reduce their risk. In turn, these divergent communication phenomena will likely amplify geographic variation in and inequities with COVID-19 disease outcomes. The authors conclude with some suggestions for future research, particularly surrounding communication about health inequity and strategies for reducing partisan divergence in views of public health issues in the future.

scholarly journals Understanding and Addressing Latinx COVID-19 Disparities in Washington State

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 845-849
Author(s):  
Barbara Baquero ◽  
Carmen Gonzalez ◽  
Magaly Ramirez ◽  
Erica Chavez Santos ◽  
India J. Ornelas
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Public Health Surveillance ◽  
Health Inequities ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Washington State ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Taking Action

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed, and intensified, health inequities faced by Latinx in the United States. Washington was one of the first U.S. states to report cases of COVID-19. Public health surveillance shows that 31% of Washington cases are Latinx, despite being only 13% of the state population. Unjust policies related to immigration, labor, housing, transportation, and education have contributed to both past and existing inequities. Approximately 20% of Latinx are uninsured, leading to delays in testing and medical care for COVID-19, and early reports indicated critical shortages in professional interpreters and multilingual telehealth options. Washington State is taking action to address some of these inequities. Applying a health equity framework, we describe key factors contributing to COVID-19–related health inequities among Latinx populations, and how Washington State has aimed to address these inequities. We draw on these experiences to make recommendations for other Latinx communities experiencing COVID-19 disparities.

scholarly journals Mass Casualty Triage: An Evaluation of the Data and Development of a Proposed National Guideline

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (S1) ◽  
pp. S25-S34 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Brooke Lerner ◽  
Richard B. Schwartz ◽  
Phillip L. Coule ◽  
Eric S. Weinstein ◽  
David C. Cone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
National Guideline ◽  
Public Health Preparedness ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
Review Reports ◽  
Triage Decisions

ABSTRACTMass casualty triage is a critical skill. Although many systems exist to guide providers in making triage decisions, there is little scientific evidence available to demonstrate that any of the available systems have been validated. Furthermore, in the United States there is little consistency from one jurisdiction to the next in the application of mass casualty triage methodology. There are no nationally agreed upon categories or color designations. This review reports on a consensus committee process used to evaluate and compare commonly used triage systems, and to develop a proposed national mass casualty triage guideline. The proposed guideline, entitled SALT (sort, assess, life-saving interventions, treatment and/or transport) triage, was developed based on the best available science and consensus opinion. It incorporates aspects from all of the existing triage systems to create a single overarching guide for unifying the mass casualty triage process across the United States. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2008;2(Suppl 1):S25–S34)

scholarly journals Combining Cancer Vaccines with Immunotherapy: Establishing a New Immunological Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 8035
Author(s):  
Chang Gon Kim ◽  
Yun Beom Sang ◽  
Ji Hyun Lee ◽  
Hong Jae Chon
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Vaccines ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Tumor Regression ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Antigen Delivery ◽  
Vaccine Platform ◽  
Personalized Cancer ◽  
Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines ◽  
Antigen Repertoire

Therapeutic cancer vaccines have become increasingly qualified for use in personalized cancer immunotherapy. A deeper understanding of tumor immunology and novel antigen delivery technologies has assisted in optimizing vaccine design. Therapeutic cancer vaccines aim to establish long-lasting immunological memory against tumor cells, thereby leading to effective tumor regression and minimizing non-specific or adverse events. However, due to several resistance mechanisms, significant challenges remain to be solved in order to achieve these goals. In this review, we describe our current understanding with respect to the use of the antigen repertoire in vaccine platform development. We also summarize various intrinsic and extrinsic resistance mechanisms behind the failure of cancer vaccine development in the past. Finally, we suggest a strategy that combines immune checkpoint inhibitors to enhance the efficacy of cancer vaccines.

scholarly journals Vaccine Regulation, Licensing and Approval in USA

2021 ◽  
pp. 664-673
Author(s):  
S. Shashank ◽  
M. P. Venkatesh
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
System A ◽  
The Us ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Community Protection ◽  
Us Fda

Vaccines are the foremost effective public and personal preventive health interventions, leading to vital reductions in vaccine-preventable diseases and in substantial price savings to the United States health care system. A vaccine is a biological preparation that will increase the immunity to a particular illness. Vaccine development is commonly found to be difficult and needs sharp understanding and information of recent developments by physicians and experts to confirm that safe and effective vaccines are manufactured with minimum risk. A strict regulative method to see the safety, efficacy, and quality should be achieved throughout the event of vaccine development for its authorization. The Office of Vaccines Research and Review at the CBER of the US-FDA is the federal administrative body charged with guaranteeing the safety, purity, and efficacy of vaccines within US. The licensing rules are published in the Title 21 CFR Part 60. Current authority for the regulation of vaccines is in Section 351(a) of the Public Health Service Act (PHS). Vaccine licensure, development of recommendations to be used, and implementation of these recommendations resulting in uptake, community protection, and result on illness burden represent a posh system that needs collaboration within the areas of basic science, public health, vaccine delivery and outcome observance, and public perception.

SYMPOSIUM ON PUBLIC HEALTH

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1948 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 531-548
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Death Rate ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Medical Science ◽  
Previous History ◽  
The United States ◽  
Average Life Span ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
The Many

Public Health and the Pediatrician, Knox E. Miller, M.D., District Director, U. S. Public Health Service, Federal Security Agency, Dallas, Tex. The era in which we live is one characterized by superlatives. Within less than an average life span have been crowded into human experience more epoch making developments wrought by human instrumentalities than in any dozen life spans in previous history. Though too familiar to you all to require recounting, they may be classified in general as measures and devices for labor saving and mechanical perfection, speedy communication and transportation, life conservation and life destruction. The recent war brought forth unparalleled refinement in methods for destroying human life, while medical science has been equally industrious in devising ways and means for health protection and life saving. The former enterprise we hope to see held in abeyance but the latter can and must continue on in its triumphs over the yet unresolved mysteries and obstacles. Of all the colossal human achievements within our era there is none so impressive as the downward trend of morbidity and mortality. From a general death rate in the registration area of 17.2 per 1,000 people in 1900 it has sunk to approximately 10 at the present time. Coincident with this there has been an increase in the life span from 49.25 years to about 65. Translated into more familiar terms, these figures mean that, if the death rate of 1900 had prevailed in 1946, in a population of 143,000,000, there would have been 1,029,600 more deaths than actually occurred during the latter year, or an annual saving of more than 1,000,000. Also the lengthened life span means that every group of 100,000 persons can look forward to 1,575,000 more years of life than a similar group in 1900. Of the many other thought provoking achievements, a few more will be mentioned. Since 1900 tuberculosis has dropped from second to seventh in the causes of death in the United States. As late as 1935 its mortality rate was 55.1 per 100,000 population. In 1945 it was 40.1. Up to 1940 only 10% to 15% of admissions to tuberculosis hospitals were minimal cases. Today, with modern case finding techniques, 65% to 70% of all cases found are minimal. Typhoid fever, diphtheria and smallpox are approaching the vanishing point.

scholarly journals Profiling COVID-19 Genetic Research: A Data-Driven Study Utilizing Intelligent Bibliometrics

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengjia Wu ◽  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Mark Grosser ◽  
Steven Tipper ◽  
Deon Venter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Gene Expression ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
The United States ◽  
Human Society ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Disease Spectrum ◽  
Human Coronaviruses

The COVID-19 pandemic constitutes an ongoing worldwide threat to human society and has caused massive impacts on global public health, the economy and the political landscape. The key to gaining control of the disease lies in understanding the genetics of SARS-CoV-2 and the disease spectrum that follows infection. This study leverages traditional and intelligent bibliometric methods to conduct a multi-dimensional analysis on 5,632 COVID-19 genetic research papers, revealing that 1) the key players include research institutions from the United States, China, Britain and Canada; 2) research topics predominantly focus on virus infection mechanisms, virus testing, gene expression related to the immune reactions and patient clinical manifestation; 3) studies originated from the comparison of SARS-CoV-2 to previous human coronaviruses, following which research directions diverge into the analysis of virus molecular structure and genetics, the human immune response, vaccine development and gene expression related to immune responses; and 4) genes that are frequently highlighted include ACE2, IL6, TMPRSS2, and TNF. Emerging genes to the COVID-19 consist of FURIN, CXCL10, OAS1, OAS2, OAS3, and ISG15. This study demonstrates that our suite of novel bibliometric tools could help biomedical researchers follow this rapidly growing field and provide substantial evidence for policymakers’ decision-making on science policy and public health administration.

A review of policy, practices, and players governing and involved in the United States vaccine and immunization enterprise

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 138-151
Author(s):  
Angela K. Shen ◽  
Alice Y. Tsai ◽  
Guthrie S. Birkhead
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
The United States ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Usa ◽  
State And Local

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to outline the organization and governance of the US vaccine and immunization enterprise. It describes the major components of the US system including the various relationships between major federal government entities, stakeholders, and advisory committees that inform government policymaking at various points in the system. Design/methodology/approach The authors describe the complex interdependent network of partners that engage in a wide range of activities such as disease surveillance, research, vaccine development, regulatory licensure, practice recommendations, financing, service delivery, communications, and post-licensure monitoring. Findings The US system of governance is highly participatory and focuses on a transparent and open engagement, with input from a wide range of partners to inform decision-making. This collaborative framework allows many inputs to be heard and helps support the US vaccine and immunization system as it evolves to meet the continued public health needs in the USA through the optimal use of safe and effective vaccines. Originality/value This is an invited article on the US vaccine and immunization enterprise. The development and availability of vaccines in the USA has had profound impact on mortality and morbidity and public health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). The success of this enterprise is a result of a blended public and private sector system with partnerships at the federal, state, and local levels of government to optimize the use of safe and effective vaccines. Governance structures have been established to support the interaction and decision-making among the federal and non-federal actors toward the common goal of controlling and preventing infectious diseases.

The Rise of Anchor Institutions and the Threat to Community Health: Protecting Community Wealth, Building Community Power

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence T. Brown ◽  
Ashley Bachelder ◽  
Marisela B. Gomez ◽  
Alicia Sherrell ◽  
Imani Bryan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Health Research ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Anchor Institutions ◽  
Health Related Research ◽  
Research Parks ◽  
Wealth Building

Academic institutions are increasingly playing pivotal roles in economic development and community redevelopment in cities around the United States. Many are functioning in the role of anchor institutions and building technology, biotechnology, or research parks to facilitate biomedical research. In the process, universities often partner with local governments, implementing policies that displace entire communities and families, thereby inducing a type of trauma that researcher Mindy Thompson Fullilove has termed “root shock.” We argue that displacement is a threat to public health and explore the ethical implications of university-led displacement on public health research, especially the inclusion of vulnerable populations into health-related research. We further explicate how the legal system has sanctioned the exercise of eminent domain by private entities such as universities and developers.Strategies that communities have employed in order to counter such threats are highlighted and recommended for communities that may be under the threat of university-led displacement. We also offer a critical look at the three dominant assumptions underlying university-sponsored development: that research parks are engines of economic development, that deconcentrating poverty via displacement is effective, and that poverty is simply the lack of economic or financial means. Understanding these fallacies will help communities under the threat of university-sponsored displacement to protect community wealth, build power, and improve health.

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