scholarly journals Planetary Health: A New Reality

Challenges ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Salk
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Planetary Health ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Disease Rates ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Non Communicable Disease

The grand challenges of our time—climate change, biodiversity losses, and global non-communicable disease rates—underscore that humanity and the planet are in crisis. Planetary health provides a unifying concept wherein efforts toward remediation and survival can be concentrated. Evidence derived from the animal kingdom and from human demography suggest that there is cause for optimism in planetary health. With proper navigation, a transition toward a new epoch—one of symbiotic flourishing—is possible. Responses to the current challenges can usher in a new reality, one in which the core value is the well-being of all. This paper presents the philosophies and perspectives of renown biophilosopher, Jonas Salk, who—after developing the first effective vaccine to prevent polio, one of the great achievements in public health—expanded his vision beyond the prevention of individual diseases to that of addressing the basic problems of humankind. This vision is very much in line with our current understanding of and approach to planetary health. In response to changing conditions, planetary limits, and evolutionary pressure, new values, new communities, and new modes of interacting will likely emerge and be integrated with developments in science, technology, economics, the arts, and international relations, resulting in our survival and enhanced health and well-being.

Ageing and health in the Arab region: Challenges, opportunities and the way forward

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abla Mehio Sibai ◽  
Aline Semaan ◽  
Jiana Tabbara ◽  
Anthony Rizk
Keyword(s):  
Social Services ◽  
Family Cohesion ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Holistic Model ◽  
Arab Region ◽  
Social Instability ◽  
Services Delivery ◽  
Political Turmoil ◽  
Non Communicable Disease

Abstract In many countries of the Arab region, the demographic transition is already underway with a decrease in fertility and mortality and a rise in the proportion of older adults. Longer life expectancies and higher burden of non-communicable disease co-morbidities bring new health and social concerns to families, societies and governments. In a number of countries in the Arab region, this is compounded with political turmoil, forced displacement, dynamic migration flows and economic and social instability that deplete family cohesion and exhaust societal resources. Such challenges require systematic changes to healthcare and social services delivery. Amidst a number of strategies for interventions that aim at maximizing health and well-being in old age, we focus in this paper on three fundamental approaches that are largely lacking in the Arab region: an integrated and holistic model of healthcare, policies and programmes that incentivize ageing in place and homecare, and knowledge production addressing local concerns and priorities.

scholarly journals VR Health Experience: A Virtual Space for Arts and Psychomotor Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Haeyen ◽  
Nathalie Jans ◽  
Marleen Glas ◽  
Joep Kolijn
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Action Research ◽  
Online Training ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Virtual Space ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Great Attraction ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Lean Startup

Introduction: Mental health and well-being are under pressure because of the corona pandemic. Arts and psychomotor therapists said that they had almost no experience with working online, but despite the fact that they felt incapable, they were positive towards it.Method: This qualitative action research was aimed at how arts and psychomotor therapists can become more skilled in offering online arts and psychomotor therapy and how they can methodically enlist the VR Health Experience (a virtual arts and psychomotor therapy space) in therapy. It is envisaged that the arts and psychomotor therapist could be telepresent in order to offer arts and psychomotor therapy remotely. In online training that made use of the Lean Startup Method, participants (n = 5) integrated their working knowledge with the VR Health Experience. The interventions were immediately tested by the participants and in practice. Participants were interviewed retrospectively and their experiences were thematically analysed.Results: The VR Health Experience came forward as an innovative addition to the usual arts and psychomotor therapy. Often, clients were encouraged to play and experiment, and the VR world offered several options. The VR Health Experience lowered the threshold, expanded the training areas and held a great attraction for play.Discussion: This project offered an innovative quality boost for arts and psychomotor therapy. Arts and psychomotor therapy have proven to be possible remotely via telepresence of the therapist. The therapist is present together with the client in the VR Health Experience, the virtual arts and psychomotor therapy space, where connectedness can be felt and new experiences can be gained. VR also offers further possibilities in arts and psychomotor therapy.

scholarly journals Caring for the Earth for Better Health and Well-being of All: Addressing Climate Change as a Planetary Health Emergency

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-7
Author(s):  
James Hospedales
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Planetary Health ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Health And Well Being

Most of the major public health problems with which I have wrestled in my life – epidemics and pandemics, natural disasters, chronic noncommunicable diseases, are all symptomatic of, or related to, climate change and/or destruction of the environment. As a Christian, the roots lie in lack of respect for our Creator, and lack of reverence for the goodness and inter-dependence of all of creation.

scholarly journals Impact of Age on Cognitive and Psychological Functioning in Patients with Diabetes

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
Susmita Halder ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Psychological Functioning ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
Patients With Diabetes ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Health Deterioration ◽  
Normal Controls ◽  
Non Communicable Disease

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic and non-communicable disease which is also termed as “sugar” emerged as one of the leading causes of global health deterioration. It is associated with decreased physiological and psychological functioning. Age is a significant predictor to evolve diabetes mellitus. Cognitive changes due to diabetes and psychosocial distress are prominent among the population and the risk is high with increasing age range. The aim of the present study is to find out any association between age and cognitive and psychological functioning of patients with diabetes. In the present study, age range of the sample was selected as 40–60 years. A total of 60 individuals of both genders were selected; 30 individuals with diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and equal number of normal controls were included. The cognitive functioning was measured by neuropsychological tools and the psychological functioning was measured by Psychological General Well-being Index. The results indicate that in case of diabetes patients, age was found to be mostly significant and negatively correlated with cognitive and psychological functioning in comparison to normal controls. Findings from the present study suggest that age could be a predictor in changed cognitive and psychological functioning of patients with diabetes and increased age showed poorer cognitive and psychological functioning.

scholarly journals Molecular Decolonization: An Indigenous Microcosm Perspective of Planetary Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 4586 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Redvers ◽  
Michael Yellow Bird ◽  
Diana Quinn ◽  
Tyson Yunkaporta ◽  
Kerry Arabena
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Indigenous Populations ◽  
Planetary Health ◽  
Planetary Scale ◽  
Global Discourse ◽  
Scientific Worldview ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Formal Recognition

Indigenous peoples are resilient peoples with deep traditional knowledge and scientific thought spanning millennia. Global discourse on climate change however has identified Indigenous populations as being a highly vulnerable group due to the habitation in regions undergoing rapid change, and the disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality already faced by this population. Therefore, the need for Indigenous self-determination and the formal recognition of Indigenous knowledges, including micro-level molecular and microbial knowledges, as a critical foundation for planetary health is in urgent need. Through the process of Indigenous decolonization, even at the smallest molecular scale, we define a method back to our original selves and therefore to our planetary origin story. Our health and well-being is directly reflected at the planetary scale, and we suggest, can be rooted through the concept of molecular decolonization, which through the English language emerged from the ‘First 1000 Days Australia’ and otherwise collectively synthesized globally. It is through our evolving understanding of decolonization at a molecular level, which many of our Indigenous cultural and healing practices subtly embody, that we are better able to translate the intricacies within the current Indigenous scientific worldview through Western forms of discourse.

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