scholarly journals The Role of Social Determinants in Mental Health and Resilience After Disasters: Implications for Public Health Policy and Practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wanying Mao ◽  
Vincent I. O. Agyapong
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Social Determinant ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Health Policy And Practice

In this general literature review, we will explore the impacts and contribution of social determinants to mental health and resiliency following both natural and man-made disasters. Natural disasters, such as wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes, as well as man-made disasters, such as civil wars, have been known to inflict significant damage to the mental health of the victims. In this paper, we mainly explore some most studied vulnerability and protective social determinant factors such as gender, age, ethnicity, socials support and socioeconomic status for the mental health and resiliency in survivors of such disasters. Several other possible factors such as previous trauma, childhood abuse, family psychiatric history, and subsequent life stress that were explored by some studies were also discussed. We conducted a literature search in major scientific databases, using keywords such as: mental health, social determinants, disasters, wildfires, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, and resilience. We discuss the implications for public health policy and practice.

scholarly journals The association between screen time and psychological distress in Norwegian adolescents

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A L Kleppang ◽  
A M Steigen ◽  
H S Finbråten
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Health Policy And Practice ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The use of screens, especially mobile devices like tablets and smartphones have increased over the last years, and have become an integrated part of modern life. Adolescents today spend a lot of their time using screens both at school and outside school. The concerns about the impact of screens on adolescents are growing, and some expert groups have suggested controlling screen time for children and young adults. Because research is limited and screen-based utilization technologies and their patterns are changing rapidly, it is important to examine their impacts on mental health. This can help to guide public health policy on consequences of, and potential limits on screen time. The purpose of this study is to study the association between screen time and psychological distress among adolescents. Methods This study is based on self-reported cross-sectional data from the Ungdata survey conducted in 2018. The target group comprised 6777 adolescents from secondary schools in Norway. Ten items on depression and anxiety symptoms were used to create a composite measure of psychological distress. Binomial logistic regression was used to analyse the association between screen time and psychological distress. Results Preliminary results showed that the odds for psychological distress were higher for those who used screens more than 2 hours per day after school (OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.60-2.09), compared to those who used screens 2 hours and less per day. Further, the odds of having psychological distress were higher in girls compared to boys (OR: 3.49, 95% CI: 3.14-3.87), and in upper secondary school compared to lower secondary school (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.25-1.58). Conclusions Two hours or more used on screens per day was associated with significantly higher odds for psychological distress. Hence, public health policy and practice should pay attention to consequences of screen time use in adolescence. Additional research is needed to further explore these associations. Key messages Public health policy and practice should pay attention to screen time in adolescence and its association with psychological distress. This knowledge is important to enhance mental health in adolescence.

Persons with Disabilities and Public Health Ethics

2019 ◽  
pp. 218-231
Author(s):  
Monika Mitra ◽  
Linda Long-Bellil ◽  
Robyn Powell
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
The United States ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Public Health Decision ◽  
Health Decision ◽  
Health Policy And Practice

This chapter draws on medical, social, and legal perspectives to identify and highlight ethical issues pertaining to the treatment, representation, and inclusion of persons with disabilities in public health policy and practice. A brief history of disability in the United States is provided as a context for examining the key ethical issues related to public health policy and practice. Conceptual frameworks and approaches to disability are then described and applied. The chapter then discusses the imperativeness of expanding access to public health programs by persons with disabilities, the need to address implicit and structural biases, and the importance of including persons with disabilities in public health decision-making.

scholarly journals Television News Coverage of Public Health Issues and Implications for Public Health Policy and Practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Gollust ◽  
Erika Franklin Fowler ◽  
Jeff Niederdeppe
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Public Health Policy ◽  
Television News ◽  
News Coverage ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Public Attention ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Tv News ◽  
Health Policy And Practice

Television (TV) news, and especially local TV news, remains an important vehicle through which Americans obtain information about health-related topics. In this review, we synthesize theory and evidence on four main functions of TV news in shaping public health policy and practice: reporting events and information to the public (surveillance); providing the context for and meaning surrounding health issues (interpretation); cultivating community values, beliefs, and norms (socialization); and attracting and maintaining public attention for advertisers (attention merchant). We also identify challenges for TV news as a vehicle for improving public health, including declining audiences, industry changes such as station consolidation, increasingly politicized content, potential spread of misinformation, and lack of attention to inequity. We offer recommendations for public health practitioners and researchers to leverage TV news to improve public health and advance health equity.

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