scholarly journals The Interconnected Health Initiative: A Smithsonian Framework to Extend One Health Research and Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Comizzoli ◽  
Katrina M. Pagenkopp Lohan ◽  
Carly Muletz-Wolz ◽  
James Hassell ◽  
Brian Coyle

To better tackle diseases and sustain healthy ecosystems, One Health programs must efficiently bridge health in humans, domestic/livestock species, wild animals and plants, agriculture/aquaculture, and the environment. The Smithsonian Institution proposes to address this by considering ‘health' in a broad sense – the absence of undue pathogens and unnecessary stress for any organisms as well as access to good living conditions in functional environments. Considering the interconnectedness of all life forms, the Smithsonian plans to create a framework that will integrate cultural, social, and educational components into health research on humans, animals, plants, or ecosystems. The objectives of this perspective article are to (1) propose an innovative framework to support an interconnected/integrated approach to health and (2) provide examples fostering impactful collaborations on One Health research and education. Based on the core strengths of the Smithsonian (multidisciplinary research, outreach and education programs, libraries/archives, and collections) and central institutional support, this framework has the potential to extend existing health-related projects, address new needs and situations (e.g., response to pandemics), provide invaluable resources to inform policy and decision makers, and educate all audiences globally.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Poon ◽  
Mark Latt ◽  
Michelle A Morris ◽  
Owen Johnson ◽  
Nicholas Fuggle ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Digital health is an important part of the future of health care, prevention and management of disease and innovative monitoring solutions. With an aging population and rising health related costs, digital health is an essential part of the solution, alongside the emerging big data and associated analytics. To varying extents, digital health and big data are present worldwide. However, consistency in terminology, regulation and implementation differ. As an international network of interdisciplinary experts we review and discuss the digital health and big data landscape. OBJECTIVE We firstly identify current challenges and solutions in digital health development, research, deployment in the management of non-communicable disease and regulation and then go on to establish an ongoing and international collaboration of multidisciplinary researchers and educators; creating opportunities for research and education. METHODS The Digital Health Research Network was established using the Worldwide Universities Network as a platform and a funding resource. The newly formed network harnesses expertise from a wide array of academic disciplines within applications of digital health and big data for health. Meetings took place both electronically and face to face, with a Research Open Day in Sydney and the International Symposium for Digital Health in Hong Kong facilitating wider networking and discussion. RESULTS Many challenges working across disciplines in the digital health area have been identified. These include inconsistent definitions for digital health and big data, a diverse range of digital technologies available across the globe, differences in regulation of such technologies. There is not equity in resources and standards globally. He range of stakeholders involved in digital health and big data relating to health are extensive. It is important that these stakeholders can communicate effectively, with a common technical language. Continued development, education and widening engagement are integral components of developing digital health worldwide. CONCLUSIONS Digital Health is a necessary and sufficient factor in achieving health gains. However, in is critical that digital health is leveraged appropriately and that transformation of interdisciplinary practices can intelligently link digital health with care management processes to make a difference. The new interdisciplinary, International Society for Digital Health aims to provide a platform to facilitate this. CLINICALTRIAL n/a


2021 ◽  
pp. 004947552098277
Author(s):  
Madhu Kharel ◽  
Alpha Pokharel ◽  
Krishna P Sapkota ◽  
Prasant V Shahi ◽  
Pratisha Shakya ◽  
...  

Evidence-based decision-making is less common in low- and middle-income countries where the research capacity remains low. Nepal, a lower-middle-income country in Asia, is not an exception. We conducted a rapid review to identify the trend of health research in Nepal and found more than seven-fold increase in the number of published health-related articles between 2000 and 2018. The proportion of articles with Nepalese researchers as the first authors has also risen over the years, though they are still only in two-thirds of the articles in 2018.


Author(s):  
Gabrielle Samuel ◽  
Jenn Chubb ◽  
Gemma Derrick

The governance of ethically acceptable research in higher education institutions has been under scrutiny over the past half a century. Concomitantly, recently, decision makers have required researchers to acknowledge the societal impact of their research, as well as anticipate and respond to ethical dimensions of this societal impact through responsible research and innovation principles. Using artificial intelligence population health research in the United Kingdom and Canada as a case study, we combine a mapping study of journal publications with 18 interviews with researchers to explore how the ethical dimensions associated with this societal impact are incorporated into research agendas. Researchers separated the ethical responsibility of their research with its societal impact. We discuss the implications for both researchers and actors across the Ethics Ecosystem.


Author(s):  
Tais M. Wilson ◽  
Jana M. Ritter ◽  
Roosecelis B. Martines ◽  
Alexandra A. B. Gonçalves ◽  
Pamela Fair ◽  
...  

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic neglected disease of worldwide public health concern. Leptospira species can infect a wide range of wild and domestic mammals and can lead to a spectrum of disease, including severe and fatal forms. Herein, we report for the first time a fatal Leptospira interrogans infection in a free-ranging nonhuman primate (NHP), a black-tufted marmoset. Icterus, pulmonary hemorrhage, interstitial nephritis and hepatocellular dissociation were the main findings raising the suspicion of leptospirosis. Diagnostic confirmation was based on specific immunohistochemical and PCR assays for Leptospira species. Immunolocalization of leptospiral antigens and identification of pathogenic species ( L. interrogans species) were important for better understanding the pathogenesis of disease. One Health related implications of free-ranging NHPs in anthropized areas and transmission dynamics of human and animal leptospirosis are discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 373 (1742) ◽  
pp. 20170022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy L. Milton ◽  
Emily A. Holmes

The science of mental life is critical for understanding both how we function, and impairments in our functioning. However, understanding the causal mechanisms underlying mental health disorders and developing new treatments are challenges too great to be solved by any individual approach. There is a growing awareness that translational research—from laboratory to patient and back again to animal models—will be critical for the improved understanding and treatment of mental health disorders. The motivation and intention to pursue translational approaches is therefore strong in mental health research, but critically, opportunities for interaction between basic scientists and clinicians are relatively limited, and vary depending on the institution in which researchers are working. This has promoted the development of a ‘culture gap’ between basic and clinical scientists that limits interaction and sharing of knowledge. Here, we provide 14 examples of contemporary translational research and call for an increased collaborative approach to mental health research that spans clinical diagnoses, levels of analysis and bridges between basic to clinical mental health sciences, including, but not limited to, psychology and neuroscience. What is needed is an inclusive and integrated approach, bringing together scientists working at all levels of enquiry with clinicians providing insights on what works (and what does not). To stimulate the much-needed innovation in therapeutic techniques, an analysis of component parts is critical. Our approach suggests simplifying complex behaviours into distinct psychological components. Asking collaboratively driven scientific questions about dysfunction will also benefit our fundamental understanding of mental life. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Of mice and mental health: facilitating dialogue between basic and clinical neuroscientists'.


Author(s):  
Angelina Kouroubali ◽  
Lefteris Koumakis ◽  
Haridimos Kondylakis ◽  
Dimitrios G. Katehakis

The ever-growing demand for acquiring, managing, and exploiting patient health-related information has led to the development of several mobile health apps to support cancer patients. This chapter analyzes the clinical and technological characteristics of mobile apps enabling cancer patients to securely record, manage, and share their information online. It discusses issues relevant to increasing patient experience and acceptance, improving adherence to treatment, and effective support of coordinated care. Outcomes of recent research projects relevant to end user digital engagement, trust, interoperability, and usability/adaptability lead to an integrated approach towards developing quality mobile health apps. Improving quality of life and wellbeing in a secure and safe manner that respects the patients' privacy seems to be the key challenge. Regulation, standardization, and interoperability together with the existence of useful, accurate, and reliable tools for active patient engagement are imperative for efficient cancer disease management.


Author(s):  
Christina Marouli ◽  
Paraskevi Papadopoulou ◽  
Anastasia Misseyanni

This is part two of two overview chapters of the most important contemporary environmental health challenges. This second chapter discusses environmental health as a socio-political and ethical issue. It argues that effectively moving towards healthier and sustainable societies requires not only sound scientific knowledge but also policies, medical practices, healthcare systems, and health-related attitudes and behaviors that are informed by a deep socio-political understanding and that reflect a new integrated approach to environment and health. The need for contemporary technological societies to develop mechanisms like education, environmental and health governance, and public accountability for environmental health equity and justice is highlighted. The chapter concludes by proposing a multidimensional framework, based on both natural and social sciences, for the transition to healthy and sustainable societies and for improving the welfare of all people, as well as future research directions for environmental health sciences.


Author(s):  
Christopher Oura ◽  
Kathryn C. Conlon ◽  
Woutrina Smith ◽  
Craig Stephen ◽  
Barry Blakley ◽  
...  

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