scholarly journals Improving the FAIRness of Health Studies in Germany: The German Central Health Study Hub COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Darms ◽  
Jörg Henke ◽  
Xioaming Hu ◽  
Carsten Oliver Schmidt ◽  
Martin Golebiewski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Data Access ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Data Repository ◽  
Clinical Trial Registries ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Study Characteristics ◽  
Health Studies ◽  
Single Data

The German Central Health Study Hub COVID-19 is an online service that offers bundled access to COVID-19 related studies conducted in Germany. It combines metadata and other information of epidemiologic, public health and clinical studies into a single data repository for FAIR data access. In addition to study characteristics the system also allows easy access to study documents, as well as instruments for data collection. Study metadata and survey instruments are decomposed into individual data items and semantically enriched to ease the findability. Data from existing clinical trial registries (DRKS, clinicaltrails.gov and WHO ICTRP) are merged with epidemiological and public health studies manually collected and entered. More than 850 studies are listed as of September 2021.

Vision for a Global Registry of Anticipated Public Health Studies (GRAPHS)

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Choi ◽  
John Frank ◽  
Jennifer Mindell ◽  
Anna Orlova ◽  
Vivian Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Studies ◽  
Global Registry

scholarly journals Development of a web-platform for dynamic monitoring of population health in Geneva: Specchio project

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Baysson ◽  
S Joost ◽  
H Attar Cohen ◽  
I Guessous ◽  
S Stringhini
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Dynamic Monitoring ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Medical File ◽  
Directorate General ◽  
Web Platform

Abstract Background In order to provide efficient public health decisions making, it is crucial to obtain reliable and recent data on the state of health of the population. For that purpose, a web-platform for the dynamic monitoring of the health status and well-being of the population is being developed in the Geneva canton. Methods Using a dedicated website, recruitment will be carried out over 5 years so as to enroll up to 20 000 volunteers, resident in Geneva and aged ≥ 18 years, followed-up for at least 10 years. Once connected to the website, participants will fill a general self-administered questionnaire on their socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics, anthropometry, health status, physical activity and diet. Environmental, behavioral and occupational exposures will also be evaluated via more specific questionnaires. Current addresses of residence will be geocoded and linked to geographical databases to passively gather information on noise, air pollution, green areas, and other exposures. Surveillance of health events will be implemented via yearly self-administered on line questionnaires and potentially via passive linkage to medical databases (medical file) and health registries with the participants' consent. For a subsample of volunteers, biochemical samples and biomarkers will be collected. Results The pilot study shows that the project is feasible, potentially cost-effective but requires innovative methodologies for ensuring long term follow-up. Different communication strategies used for recruitment and long-term participation need to be implemented ensuring trust from participants, different levels of health literacy and the need of justice. Conclusions Specchio is a new project aimed at setting up a digital longitudinal health study in Geneva. Challenges concerns the determinants of participation, recruitment and attrition, quality of data and ethics. Long-term funding by the Directorate General of Health Geneva is currently under evaluation. Key messages This digital longitudinal health study will enable dynamic monitoring of the health status and well-being of Geneva residents and will enable efficient public health decision making. Specchio is a new project funded by the Directorate General of Health Geneva.

scholarly journals Snus and snus-like nicotine products moving across Nordic borders: Can laws protect young people?

2021 ◽  
pp. 145507252199570
Author(s):  
Marjut Salokannel ◽  
Eeva Ollila
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
The Public ◽  
European Court ◽  
Wide Availability ◽  
Personal Use ◽  
Health Studies ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Eu

Background: Use of snus and snus-like nicotine products is increasing, in particular among young people, in several Nordic countries and Estonia, while snus is legally on the market only in Sweden and Norway. Snus is available in a great variety of tastes and packaging particularly catering for young users. Recently, strong snus-resembling nicotine pouches have emerged on the market. This research investigates the regulatory means to counteract this development. Methods: European Union (EU) and national tobacco control legislation, case law of the European Court of Justice (CJEU) and relevant public health studies are analysed. Results: The research finds that the judgement of the CJEU relating to the sale of snus on Finnish ferries has not been enforced. Permitted large traveller imports for personal use have contributed to wide availability of snus in Finland. Even if the legislation in Sweden is in conformity with the exemption it obtained in the Accession Treaty, the public health impact of snus use for young people in its neighbouring countries has become considerable. Nicotine pouches, -which are not regarded as medical products in terms of medicine legislation, lack harmonised EU-wide regulation. Controlling smuggling across open borders is challenging. Conclusions: The legislation at the EU and national levels should be able to protect young people from new tobacco and nicotine products. It is urgent to harmonise regulation relating to new tobacco and nicotine products taking as a base a high level of protection of health as required in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.

scholarly journals The Magnetics Information Consortium (MagIC) Data Repository: Interoperability withGeoCodes, EPOS, and Other Information Systems

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Jarboe ◽  
Rupert Minnett ◽  
Catherine Constable ◽  
Anthony Koppers ◽  
Lisa Tauxe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Data Repository ◽  
Other Information

scholarly journals Emerging cross-disciplinary profiles: The Geomatic Epidemiologist

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Recchioni ◽  
V Castello ◽  
S Del Vecchio ◽  
V Ciaccio ◽  
A M Donia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Information System ◽  
Geographic Information System ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Geographic Information ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Gis And Remote Sensing ◽  
Public Health Epidemiology ◽  
And Training

Abstract Issue Geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies are increasingly used in Public Health epidemiology, showing a great potential in anticipating and responding to actual and future challenges for the public health system and in improving health services' excellence. According to the evidences collected within a wide meta-research carried on of relevant literature (”GIS geographic information system” and “GIS geographic information system and training” on Pubmed; “epidemiologist use of GIS and training” and “epidemiologist use of gis” on Google Scholar),GIS and new sensing technologies are mostly used to: map air and water pollution, map diseases prevalence, predict infection diseases and vector-spread diseases in big areas, study health service coverage and preparedness in emergencies, map cities and study urban health, study climate changes for decision making. Description of the Problem Specific skills and training are required to address the use of GIS and new sensing technologies.The specific aim of our study is to identify the professional profile of a new figure, called 'Geomatic Epidemiologist' and to define its professional and educational standards, as well as the relevant training programs. Results Data collection and analysis of INAPP and ESCO databases about existing professional profiles (starting from 2016) has allowed drafting a first qualification schema and profile. The profile has been defined according to the 4C model (elaborated by Univaq) distinguishing between Hard Skills (technical knowledge and skills),Soft Skills (cognitive, individual and social) and interpersonal behaviors. Conclusions Profile will be validated with relevant stakeholders and Public Health professionals in order to deepen the understanding of the main competences required to study health issues with GIS and related technologies; to this extent, a questionnaire has been elaborated to evaluate relevance, frequency and complexity of each component of the profile Key messages Developing cross-disciplinary profiles, (i.e. the Geomatic Epidemiologist) integrating clusters of competences (holistic approach). Public health research challenges and excellence.

scholarly journals Googling for Ticks and Borreliosis in Germany: Nationwide Google Search Analysis From 2015 to 2018 (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cora Scheerer ◽  
Melvin Rüth ◽  
Linda Tizek ◽  
Martin Köberle ◽  
Tilo Biedermann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Tick Bite ◽  
German Population ◽  
Internet Search ◽  
Tick Bites ◽  
Federal States ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Health Studies ◽  
Very High

BACKGROUND Borreliosis is the most frequently transmitted tick-borne disease in Europe. It is difficult to estimate the incidence of tick bites and associated diseases in the German population due to the lack of an obligation to register across all 16 federal states of Germany. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to show that Google data can be used to generate general trends of infectious diseases on the basis of borreliosis and tick bites. In addition, the possibility of using Google AdWord data to estimate incidences of infectious diseases, where there is inconsistency in the obligation to notify authorities, is investigated with the perspective to facilitate public health studies. METHODS Google AdWords Keyword Planner was used to identify search terms related to ticks and borreliosis in Germany from January 2015 to December 2018. The search volume data from the identified search terms was assessed using Excel version 15.23. In addition, SPSS version 24.0 was used to calculate the correlation between search volumes, registered cases, and temperature. RESULTS A total of 1999 tick-related and 542 borreliosis-related search terms were identified, with a total of 209,679,640 Google searches in all 16 German federal states in the period under review. The analysis showed a high correlation between temperature and borreliosis (<i>r</i>=0.88), and temperature and tick bite (<i>r</i>=0.83), and a very high correlation between borreliosis and tick bite (<i>r</i>=0.94). Furthermore, a high to very high correlation between Google searches and registered cases in each federal state was observed (Brandenburg <i>r</i>=0.80, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania <i>r</i>= 0.77, Saxony <i>r</i>= 0.74, and Saxony-Anhalt <i>r</i>=0.90; all <i>P</i>&lt;.001). CONCLUSIONS Our study provides insight into annual trends concerning interest in ticks and borreliosis that are relevant to the German population exemplary in the data of a large internet search engine. Public health studies collecting incidence data may benefit from the results indicating a significant correlation between internet search data and incidences of infectious diseases.

scholarly journals Smart health cards or health smart cards?

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Smart Card ◽  
Credit Card ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Smart Cards ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Health And Social Services ◽  
Other Information ◽  
The Government

THERE IS PLENTY OF ACTIVITY throughout the world focusing on encrypting personal health (and other) information on credit card-sized plastic ?smart? cards. These cards are embedded with a computer chip and could provide easy access to essential health information. As with many new technologies, there is debate about smart cards in health. In July 2004 the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing at that time, the Hon Tony Abbott, announced that ?Australians will have access to a new Medicare smart card as part of the government?s electronic health agenda to improve the quality and accessibility of patient information across the health system?.1 This led to the introduction of the Health and Social Services smart card initiative. The business case for this initiative suggested that this card could replace around 17 government issued ?health? cards, while improving proof of identify arrangements.2 While in opposition, the Labor Party opposed the notion of the smart card, claiming it was an identity card by stealth,3 and at the time of writing, it appears that the health smart card has been put on the backburner while the Government sorts out the priorities. In this issue, Mohd Rosli and his Melbourne colleagues report on a study of patient and staff perceptions about health smart cards (page 136). In this study, 270 emergency department patients and 92 staff completed self-administered questionnaires. The findings among patients and staff generally supported the introduction of smart cards with the majority reporting that the advantages outweighed the disadvantages. The majority of the respondents indicated that the cards should be brought into use, and that they would use one if offered. However, the study did find that a large proportion of staff and patients were not aware of health smart cards at all. A fundamental change in the structure of our relationship with the government had been proposed through the Health and Social Services smart card initiative, and yet the findings of this study suggest that the Australian public was ill prepared to discuss the implications. Where is the information sharing, the discussion and the debate that can help shape our health care system for the future? In our last issue of 2008 we included a call for student papers. I would like to remind all readers of this important initiative, reproduced overleaf, as I believe this is an effective way to begin to encourage the necessary discussion and debate.

scholarly journals Bio-Docklets: Virtualization Containers for Single-Step Execution of NGS Pipelines

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baekdoo Kim ◽  
Thahmina Ali ◽  
Carlos Lijeron ◽  
Enis Afgan ◽  
Konstantinos Krampis
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Cloud Service ◽  
Application Programming Interface ◽  
Single Step ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Complex Data ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Ngs Data Analysis ◽  
Single Data ◽  
Ngs Data

ABSTRACTBackgroundProcessing of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) data requires significant technical skills, involving installation, configuration, and execution of bioinformatics data pipelines, in addition to specialized post-analysis visualization and data mining software. In order to address some of these challenges, developers have leveraged virtualization containers, towards seamless deployment of preconfigured bioinformatics software and pipelines on any computational platform.FindingsWe present an approach for abstracting the complex data operations of multi-step, bioinformatics pipelines for NGS data analysis. As examples, we have deployed two pipelines for RNAseq and CHIPseq, pre-configured within Docker virtualization containers we call Bio-Docklets. Each Bio-Docklet exposes a single data input and output endpoint and from a user perspective, running the pipelines is as simple as running a single bioinformatics tool. This is achieved through a “meta-script” that automatically starts the Bio-Docklets, and controls the pipeline execution through the BioBlend software library and the Galaxy Application Programming Interface (API). The pipelne output is post-processed using the Visual Omics Explorer (VOE) framework, providing interactive data visualizations that users can access through a web browser.ConclusionsThe goal of our approach is to enable easy access to NGS data analysis pipelines for nonbioinformatics experts, on any computing environment whether a laboratory workstation, university computer cluster, or a cloud service provider,. Besides end-users, the Bio-Docklets also enables developers to programmatically deploy and run a large number of pipeline instances for concurrent analysis of multiple datasets.

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