The Long-Term Public Health Impact of Social Distancing on Brain Health: Topical Review

Social distancing has been a critical public health measure for the COVID-19 pandemic, yet a long history of research strongly suggests that loneliness and social isolation play a major role in several cognitive health issues. What is the true severity and extent of risks involved and what are potential approaches to balance these competing risks? This review aimed to summarize the neurological context of social isolation and loneliness in population health and the long-term effects of social distancing as it relates to neurocognitive aging, health, and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The full scope of the underlying causal mechanisms of social isolation and loneliness in humans remains unclear partly because its study is not amenable to randomized controlled trials; however, there are many detailed experimental and observational studies that may provide a hypothesis-generating theoretical framework to better understand the pathophysiology and underlying neurobiology. To address these challenges and inform future studies, we conducted a topical review of extant literature investigating associations of social isolation and loneliness with relevant biological, cognitive, and psychosocial outcomes, and provide recommendations on how to approach the need to fill key knowledge gaps in this important area of research.

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COVID-19: implications of self-isolation and social distancing for the emotional and behavioural health of cats

Companion Animal ◽

10.12968/coan.2020.0036 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (5) ◽

pp. 138-143

Author(s):

Claire Hargrave

Keyword(s):

Social Isolation ◽

Welfare Cost ◽

Control Measures ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Potential Cost ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Behavioural Health ◽

The Media ◽

Social Exposure

As the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic proves slow to respond to control measures, the ongoing advice for humans to maintain social isolation and social distancing continues. The media has paid considerable attention to the potential cost of such restrictions in terms of human mental and behavioural health but less attention has been paid to the potential welfare cost of ‘lock-down’ and ‘self-isolation’ to the pet population. This article considers the immediate consequences of reduced access to environmental and social stimulation outside the home and increased social exposure within the home to cats, as well as considering some of the potential long-term effects of such measures.

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The Long-Term Public Health Impact of a Community-Based Participatory Research Project for Health Promotion Among Socially Disadvantaged Women—A Case Study Protocol

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.628630 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Karim Abu-Omar ◽

Heiko Ziemainz ◽

Julika Loss ◽

Michael Laxy ◽

Rolf Holle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Promotion ◽

Community Based Participatory Research ◽

Health Impact ◽

Public Health Impact ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Socially Disadvantaged ◽

Disadvantaged Women

Introduction: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is considered to be of high potential for health promotion among socially disadvantaged groups. However, the long-term implementation and transfer of these approaches remain challenging, and the public health impact they achieve is difficult to study. This also pertains to the potential health effects and cost-effectiveness of CBPR. This study protocol describes the follow-up case study (NU-BIG) after 15 years of the BIG project (“movement as investment in health”), a project to promote physical activity among socially disadvantaged women. Through a participatory approach, BIG empowers the addressed women to plan and implement low-threshold physical activity offers. Since the project started in 2005, it was transferred to 17 communities in Germany.Materials and Analysis: NU-BIG intends to examine the long-term effects, including economic aspects, of the BIG project on individual and structural levels at all project sites, as well as its long-term implementation and transfer. NU-BIG is a cross-sectional and longitudinal study using a mixed method approach. For the longitudinal section, we re-analyze existing data from former BIG evaluations. For cross-sectional data collection, we use questionnaires and conduct qualitative interviews and focus groups. Women who take part in BIG program offers are part of the research team and will use the photo-voice approach to report on the effects of BIG. The study population consists of about 800 women who participate in BIG project offers and 50 persons involved in the implementation of the BIG project at local sites.Discussion: The expected results from NU-BIG are highly relevant for studying the long-term public health impact of CBPR. In particular, this project intends to answer questions on how the transfer of such projects can succeed and which factors determine if a CBPR project can be sustained at the community level. Eventually, these results can contribute to the further development of participatory approaches to provide effective health promotion among socially disadvantaged groups.Conclusion: Although CBPR is seen of having the potential to reduce health disparities, there is still a lack of research on its long-term effects and public health impact. NU-BIG aims at generating knowledge about the economic effects, reach, efficacy, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of a CBPR project. The expected results could be of high interest for BIG and other CBPR-projects.

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TB SEQUEL: Pathogenesis and risk factors of long-term pulmonary sequelae defining the individual outcome and public health impact of TB disease

10.26226/morressier.5991c409d462b80292388c7c ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Olena Ivanova

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Health Impact ◽

Public Health Impact ◽

Individual Outcome ◽

The Individual

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LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF OTITIS MEDIA A TEN-YEAR COHORT STUDY OF ALASKAN ESKIMO CHILDREN

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.52.4.577 ◽

1973 ◽

Vol 52 (4) ◽

pp. 577-585 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gary J. Kaplan ◽

J. Kenneth Fleshman ◽

Thomas R. Bender ◽

Carol Baum ◽

Paul S. Clark

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Otitis Media ◽

Verbal Ability ◽

Significant Loss ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Normal Range ◽

History Of ◽

Conductive Component ◽

Verbal Development

Histories of ear disease, otoscopic examinations, and audiologic, intelligence, and achievement tests were obtained from a cohort of 489 Alaskan Eskimo children who have been followed through the first ten years of life. Seventy-six per cent had experienced one or more episodes of otitis media since birth. Of these, 78% had their first attack during their first two years of life. Perforations and scars were present in 41%. A hearing loss of 26 decibels or greater was present in 16%, and an additional 25% were in the normal range but had a measurable air-bone gap. Children with a history of otitis media prior to 2 years of age and a hearing loss of 26 decibels or greater had a statistically significant loss of verbal ability and were behind in total reading, total math, and language. In addition, children who had an early onset of otitis media but now had normal hearing with a conductive component were also adversely affected in verbal areas. The number of otitis media episodes was related to tympanic membrane abnormalities, hearing loss, and low verbal and achievement scores. These findings indicate that otitis media has been a significant cause of morbidity in Alaskan Eskimo children, and its onset during the critical years of language development as well as the number of episodes play an important role in impairing verbal development.

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VACCINE HESITANCY TO VACCINE DESPERATION! EXPERIENCES FROM 2 VACCINATION CENTERS IN MUMBAI.

10.36106/gjra/4604101 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 43-45

Author(s):

Reena J. Wani ◽

Sanjay Panchal ◽

Kinjal Chauhan ◽

Varun J. Wani ◽

Priya H. Manihar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Adverse Events ◽

Hand Hygiene ◽

Special Reference ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Roll Out ◽

Available Resources

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdown on March 2020 till date, measures like hand hygiene, social distancing and testing have worked only partially to contain the cases and deaths. Cooper and Nair Hospitals were amongst the nodal centres identied in January 2021 to launch the Nationwide Vaccination drive in Mumbai. Aim: To highlight the pattern of vaccination roll-out, procedures in various phases and discuss concerns, challenges and effect on our workforce and workplan. Methodology: We reviewed the patterns, uptake of vaccine, procedures and problems faced by our vaccination centres from January 15 till April 30 (4 months). We also looked into adverse events following immunization (AEFI) reported. th th Results: Over 68,000 vaccine doses have been administrated in Cooper alone by April end, and issues were analysed in detail with special reference to logistics & challenges. AEFI were very few. We found that initially anxiety about side effects, concerns about choice of vaccine and long-term effects were the major impediments to vaccination. Later on, the demand exceeded the supply. Conclusion: Although vaccination is not the nal answer, it is an important tool to improve our response to the pandemic. Reviewing, restructuring available resources is essential in pandemic situations. Proper planning, counselling and choice in the way forward in this crisis.

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SANITARY GUARDIANS IN PRE-REVOLUTIONARY RUSSIA

Ural Historical Journal ◽

10.30759/1728-9718-2021-1(70)-30-38 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 70 (1) ◽

pp. 30-38

Author(s):

Anna B. Agafonova ◽

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Social Participation ◽

Russian Empire ◽

Local Authorities ◽

City Community ◽

History Of ◽

The Russian Empire ◽

The City ◽

Public Oversight

The article describes the history of creation and activities of sanitary guardians in the cities of the Russian Empire. The study aims to identify organizational and social contradictions in guardianships’ activities, which hindered citizens from involvement in solving local sanitary problems. Boards of sanitary guardians were established by order of local authorities to involve the population in the fight against epidemics and conducting sanitary measures. The sanitary guardians’ activities consisted of timely notification of local authorities about the emergence of epidemics, participation in sanitary inspections of households, and conducting preventive conversations with homeowners about their compliance with public health and urban improvement regulations. The practice of citizens social participation in monitoring the urban area’s cleanliness was intended to level out the contradictions between homeowners and temporary doctors and sanitary executive commissions “alien” to the city community. Still, it often provoked conflicts between sanitary guardians and homeowners who defended the rights to inviolability of their property. In general, public oversight conducted by sanitary guardians has proven ineffective in the long term.

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Long-term social distancing during COVID-19: A social isolation crisis among seniors?

Canadian Medical Association Journal ◽

10.1503/cmaj.75428 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 192 (21) ◽

pp. E588-E588 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Heidi Oi-Yee Li ◽

David Huynh

Keyword(s):

Social Isolation ◽

Social Distancing

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The Fragile State

Cambridge Archaeological Journal ◽

10.1017/s0959774319000398 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 704-706 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Susan Pollock

Keyword(s):

Unintended Consequences ◽

Recent Book ◽

Ecological State ◽

Substantial Portion ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Contemporary World ◽

Early States ◽

History Of ◽

Human Use

In his most recent book, James Scott presents us with a ‘deep history’ of the alluvial lowlands of Mesopotamia, from early domestications in the Neolithic to the emergence and consolidation of early states. Although the focus lies on Mesopotamia in these periods, Scott delves into the beginnings of the human use of fire in the Palaeolithic and draws on comparative developments in Southeast Asia, Egypt, Greece, Rome and elsewhere. He poses large questions: Why did people move into densely packed villages—‘Neolithic multispecies resettlement camps’—accompanied by the plants and animals they domesticated, but also by an exponentially increased disease load and a substantial portion of drudgery? Why did states emerge when they did, despite the fact that the main ecological and demographic conditions were present millennia earlier? What accounts for the fragility of these early states, and why do our standard histories obscure that fact? Guiding themes are ecological and demographic, but also draw explicit attention to the unintended consequences of human actions. Indeed, reflections on the Anthropocene underpin the book's arguments, and, like many others who write on this topic, Scott is motivated by deep-seated concerns about the sorry ecological state of our contemporary world and connections to long-term effects of human activity.

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