scholarly journals Rocks, Dandelions or Steel Springs: Understanding Resilience from a Public Health Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 8189
Author(s):  
Karl Gauffin ◽  
Josephine Jackisch ◽  
Ylva B. Almquist
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Health Development ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Complex Concept ◽  
External Pressures ◽  
Age Cohort ◽  
Temporal Dimensions

The multifaceted concept of resilience is widely used to describe individual or societal abilities to withstand and adjust to external pressures. In relation to health, resilience can help us to understand a positive health development despite adverse circumstances. The authors of this article aimed to disentangle this complex concept by elaborating on three metaphors commonly used to describe resilience. Similarities and differences between resilience as a rock, a dandelion, and a steel spring are discussed. The metaphors partly overlap but still provide slightly different perspectives on the development and manifestation of resilience. With reference to longitudinal studies of long-term health development, the article also elaborates on how resilience relates to temporal dimensions commonly used in epidemiological studies: age, cohort, and period. Moreover, the interaction between resilience at individual, organizational, and societal levels is discussed. In conclusion, it is argued that public health sciences have great potential to further a theoretical discussion that improves our understanding of resilience and promotes the integration of individual- and community-level perspectives on resilience.

scholarly journals Microplastics - an emerging silent menace to public health

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Yin Pang ◽  
Shola Sonagara ◽  
Oreoluwatomide Oduwole ◽  
Christopher Gibbins ◽  
Ting Kang Nee
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Circulatory System ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Important Pathway ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Respiratory Conditions

Over the past few decades, microplastics have become increasingly ubiquitous in the environment and now contaminate the bodies of many living organisms, including humans. Microplastics, as defined here, are plastics within the size range 0.1 μm and 5 mm and are a worrying form of pollution due to public health concerns. This mini-review aims to summarise the route of entry of microplastics into humans and explore the potential detrimental health effects of microplastics. Trophic transfer is an important pathway for microplastic to be transferred across different groups of organisms, with ingestion is regarded as one of the major routes of exposure for humans. Other pathways include inhalation and dermal contact. The health consequences of microplastics manifest because these materials can translocate into the circulatory system and accumulate in the lungs, liver, kidney, and even brain, regardless of the route of entry. Health effects include gastrointestinal disturbances such as inflammation and gut microbiota disruption, respiratory conditions, neurotoxicity and potential cancers. Overall, while it is apparent that microplastics are causing adverse effects on different biological groups and ecosystems, current research is largely focused on marine organisms and aquaculture. Therefore, more studies are needed to investigate specific effects in mammalian cells and tissues, with more long-term epidemiological studies needed on human population considered to be at high-risk due to socioeconomic or other circumstance. Knowledge of the toxicity and long-term health impacts of microplastics is currently limited and requires urgent attention.

Chapter 13: TBE as a matter of public health

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kunze ◽  
Wilhelm Erber ◽  
Martin Haditsch
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Payer Perspective ◽  
Vaccination Recommendation ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
Endemic Areas ◽  
Severity Of The Disease

The incidence of TBE ranges from ‘only single sporadic cases’ to >50/105 per year depending on the region and on the year of analysis; it is usually 1-10/105 in endemic regions in central Europe. This number may be considered as ‘low’ – not only as an individual risk but also from a public health perspective. If an individual does contract TBE, however, the disease may deeply change her/his life due to the need for acute hospital care and due to potentially severe and long-term sequelae. In 1–2% (-20%) of cases, TBE may even result in death. No specific treatments exist for TBE. The severity of the disease and high frequency of long-term sequelae result in high public awareness and concerns about tick bites in endemic areas. Public health officials in TBE-endemic areas need to address these concerns; moreover, they need to address the concerns of travelers at risk. The principal public health measures aim at reducing TBE cases by reduction of exposure and preventive vaccination. Recommendation/reimbursement of TBE vaccination still is under discussion from side of healthcare payer perspective as well as from the individuals perspective considering long term sequelae.

scholarly journals Microplastics - an emerging silent menace to public health

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Yin Pang ◽  
Shola Sonagara ◽  
Oreoluwatomide Oduwole ◽  
Christopher Gibbins ◽  
Ting Kang Nee
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Circulatory System ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Important Pathway ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Respiratory Conditions

Over the past few decades, microplastics have become increasingly ubiquitous in the environment and now contaminate the bodies of many living organisms, including humans. Microplastics, as defined here, are plastics within the size range 0.1 μm and 5 mm and are a worrying form of pollution due to public health concerns. This mini-review aims to summarise the route of entry of microplastics into humans and explore the potential detrimental health effects of microplastics. Trophic transfer is an important pathway for microplastic to be transferred across different groups of organisms, with ingestion is regarded as one of the major routes of exposure for humans. Other pathways include inhalation and dermal contact. The health consequences of microplastics manifest because these materials can translocate into the circulatory system and accumulate in the lungs, liver, kidney, and even brain, regardless of the route of entry. Health effects include gastrointestinal disturbances such as inflammation and gut microbiota disruption, respiratory conditions, neurotoxicity and potential cancers. Overall, while it is apparent that microplastics are causing adverse effects on different biological groups and ecosystems, current research is largely focused on marine organisms and aquaculture. Therefore, more studies are needed to investigate specific effects in mammalian cells and tissues, with more long-term epidemiological studies needed on human population considered to be at high-risk due to socioeconomic or other circumstance. Knowledge of the toxicity and long-term health impacts of microplastics is currently limited and requires urgent attention.

Children and E-Cigarettes: A New Threat to Health

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin Binns ◽  
Mi Kyung Lee ◽  
Wah Yun Low
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Accidental Ingestion ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Pulmonary Endothelium ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Widespread Availability ◽  
Long Term Studies

The widespread availability and use of E-Cigarettes in many countries has established the need for an assessment of their effect on children. By the end of 2017 the number published annually on E-Cigarettes had increased to 2976 and included 171 papers on E-Cigarettes and children. The objective of this commentary is to provide a review and public health perspective on the effects of E-cigarettes on children. There are four public health questions to be answered: 1. Are E-Cigarettes and replenishing fluids toxic on accidental ingestion? 2. If children smoke E-Cigarettes is this harmful? 3. Does exposure to second hand vapour from E-Cigarettes cause harm to children? 4. Are children (adolescents) who use E Cigarettes more likely to begin smoking conventional cigarettes? There were 2229 reported exposures to e-cigarette fluids and liquid nicotine in the USA in 2017 causing cardiovascular symptoms of varying severity. No deaths were reported although the potential is always there. Exposure to E-Cigarette vapor is less dangerous than cigarette smoke. However it does damage pulmonary endothelium in experimental models. No long term studies are yet available on chronic diseases although vapor does contain carcinogens. Adolescents who use E-Cigarettes are more likely to become tobacco smokers. Because of the accumulating evidence of harm to children great caution should be exercised in widening the public promotion and usage of E-Cigarettes. Children should avoid any contact with E-cigarettes or their vapour.

Chapter 13: TBE as a matter of public health

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kunze ◽  
Martin Haditsch
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
Preventive Vaccination ◽  
Sporadic Cases ◽  
Endemic Areas ◽  
Severity Of The Disease

• The incidence of TBE ranges from ‘only single sporadic cases’ to >10/105 per year depending on the region and on the year of analysis. • This number may be considered as ‘low’ – not only for individual risk but also from a public health perspective. • If an individual does contract TBE, the disease may deeply change her/his life due to the need for acute hospital care and due to potentially severe and long-term sequelae. In 1–2% (-20%) of cases, TBE may even result in death. • No specific treatments exist for TBE. The severity of the disease and high frequency of long-term sequelae result in high public awareness and concerns about tick bites in endemic areas. Public health officials in TBE-endemic areas need to address these concerns; moreover, they need to address the concerns of potential travelers to their region. • The principal public health measures aim at reducing TBE cases and at reduction of exposure and preventive vaccination.

scholarly journals Bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting in coronary surgery: 10-year outcomes

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
P D'Errigo ◽  
F Barili ◽  
S Rosato ◽  
F Biancari ◽  
F Cerza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Internal Thoracic Artery ◽  
Artery Bypass ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Bilateral Internal Thoracic Artery ◽  
Priority Project

Abstract Background The advantages to use the bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting (BITA) technique for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have been recently questioned, but data on long-term follow-up is limited. Using data from the PRIORITY project, this study aims to assess the outcome with the use of BITA grafting and its implications for public health. Methods The PRIORITY project was planned to evaluate the long-term outcomes of two prospective multicenter studies on CABG conducted between 2002-2004 and 2007-2008. Data on isolated CABG were linked to administrative data in order to retrieve patients' late outcome. Time-to-event distributions were analyzed accordingly to primary event-type (death, major adverse cardiac events (MACEs)) using the Kaplan-Meier and the Cox proportional hazards methods. Results The study population consisted of 11021 patients who underwent isolated CABG. BITA grafting was employed in 24.6% of patients. The median follow-up time was 8.0 years (interquartile range 7.6-10.0 years). After adjustment for potential confounding factors, BITA grafting was significantly associated with better survival (HR 0.85, 95%CI 0.76-0.95, p = 0.003). Moreover, using BITA grafting reduced the incidence of MACE (HR 0.87, 95%CI 0.80-0.94, p = 0.001), showing to be a protective factor for recurrent acute myocardial infarction (HR 0.84, 95%CI 0.71-0.99, p = 0.05) and for rehospitalization for percutaneous cardiac intervention (HR 0.82, 95%CI 0.70-0.96, p = 0.013). Conclusions BITA grafting during isolated CABG is associated with survival advantage at 10-year with a significantly reduced incidence of MACE. Being the choice to perform isolated CABG with or without BITA based mainly on operator personal preferences, these findings may have important implications from a public health perspective. Key messages The choice to perform CABG with or without BITA grafting is associated to different outcomes. The choice to perform CABG with or without BITA grafting is mainly based on operator preferences and may have important implications in terms of healthcare expenditures.

scholarly journals Recovery From Alcohol and Other Drug Problems in the U.S. Population: Prevalence, Pathways, and Predictors

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
John Kelly ◽  
Brandon Bergman ◽  
Bettina Hoeppner ◽  
David Eddie ◽  
Corrie Vilsaint ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Population Prevalence ◽  
Recovery Study ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Drug Problems ◽  
The U.S

The concept of "recovery" has become the organizing paradigm in many middle and high income countries globally with a goal of orienting services in cost effective ways to help sufferers achieve and maintain long term remission. Despite this focus, little is known from an epidemiological and public health perspective about the prevalence, pathways, and predictors of recovery, and the changes that ensue in quality of life and functioning with time in recovery. Using data from the recent National Recovery Study, this talk reviewed a variety of findings on all of these aspects of recovery from significant alcohol and other drug problems.

Research Activities and Responding to Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda): Tohoku-RITM Collaborating Research Center in the Philippines

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 823-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariko Saito ◽  
◽  
Mayuko Saito ◽  
Tadatsugu Imamura ◽  
Taro Kamigaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Research Center ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Emerging Infections ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Research Activities

In the six years since the Tohoku-RITM Collaborating Research Center was established, the center has been working on major infectious diseases in the Philippines and conducting molecular and epidemiological studies from a public health perspective. Its target diseases include pneumonia, diarrhea, and rabies, which are a major public health problem in the Philippines. Some studies have also been conducted on emerging and re-emerging infections significantly impacting both on the Philippines and on other countries. In November 2013, typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) hit the Visayas, where one of our research areas is located. The center responded immediately and helped assess and diagnose infectious diseases, based on our experience of Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011.

Chapter 13: TBE as a matter of public health

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Public Health Perspective ◽  
Payer Perspective ◽  
Vaccination Recommendation ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
Endemic Areas ◽  
Severity Of The Disease

The incidence of TBE ranges from ‘only single sporadic cases’ to >50/105 per year depending on the region and on the year of analysis; it is usually 1-10/105 in endemic regions in central Europe. This number may be considered as ‘low’ – not only as an individual risk but also from a public health perspective. If an individual does contract TBE, however, the disease may deeply change her/his life due to the need for acute hospital care and due to potentially severe and long-term sequelae. In 1–2% (-20%) of cases, TBE may even result in death. No specific treatments exist for TBE. The severity of the disease and high frequency of long-term sequelae result in high public awareness and concerns about tick bites in endemic areas. Public health officials in TBE-endemic areas need to address these concerns; moreover, they need to address the concerns of travelers at risk. The principal public health measures aim at reducing TBE cases by reduction of exposure and preventive vaccination. Recommendation/reimbursement of TBE vaccination still is under discussion from side of healthcare payer perspective as well as from the individuals perspective considering long term sequelae.

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