“cool and clean”: does prevention of substance abuse work in sport?

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
General Population ◽  
Prevention Programme ◽  
High Expectations ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Umbrella Organisation ◽  
International Attention ◽  
National Prevention ◽  
Preventive Effects

There is a strong belief among the general population that sport has positive effects. However, only some preventive effects of sport meet these high expectations. Numerous studies have specifically shown that sport does not protect people from the consumption of legal and illegal drugs such as alcohol, tobacco and cannabis. For this reason, the umbrella organisation of Swiss sports associations (Swiss Olympic), the Federal Office of Sport (FOSPO) and the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) teamed up as early as 2003 and launched the “cool and clean” prevention programme. Over the last 14 years, it has developed into Switzerland’s largest national prevention programme and has also attracted international attention. This article summarizes how “cool and clean” works and what the programme achieved so far.

Substance Abuse and Drug-Related Death, Suicidal Ideation, and Suicide: A Review

Crisis ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Mino ◽  
Arnaud Bousquet ◽  
Barbara Broers
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Family Support ◽  
Drug Users ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Hiv Epidemic

The high mortality rate among drug users, which is partly due to the HIV epidemic and partly due to drug-related accidental deaths and suicides, presents a major public health problem. Knowing more about prevalence, incidence, and risk factors is important for the development of rational preventive and therapeutic programs. This article attempts to give an overview of studies of the relations between substance abuse, suicidal ideation, suicide, and drug-related death. Research in this field is hampered by the absence of clear definitions, and results of studies are rarely comparable. There is, however, consensus about suicidal ideation being a risk factor for suicide attempts and suicide. Suicidal ideation is also a predictor of suicide, especially among drug users. It is correlated with an absence of family support, with the severity of the psychosocial dysfunctioning, and with multi-drug abuse, but also with requests for treatment. Every clinical examination of a drug user, not only of those who are depressed, should address the possible presence of suicidal ideation, as well as its intensity and duration.

Exploring the Nexus between Online Alcohol Posters and Alcohol Drinking among Kenya’s Higher Vocational College students

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Malechwanzi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
College Students ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Substance Abuse ◽  
Alcohol Drinking ◽  
Alcoholic Beverage ◽  
Vocational College ◽  
Drinking Habits ◽  
Higher Vocational College ◽  
Unrestricted Access

Alcohol drinking among young people is a major global public health concern. The situation has been aggravated further by the advent of the internet and subsequent development of social media as a tool for online alcohol marketing. Measures that aim at reducing substance abuse is a stride towards “2030 Agenda” for sustainable development goal number 3 set by the United Nation General Assembly. In this goal, attention is not only drawn to health and wellbeing but also to prevention and treatment of substance abuse. This descriptive study sought to find out the prevalence of alcohol advertisements on social media and its possible influence on alcohol drinking among Kenya’s higher vocational college students. Based on a field survey conducted in Nairobi (n=209), this study established that there was heavy presence of alcohol advertisements on social media scene in Kenya. Although statistically, there was huge gender disparity, the final results showed that there was significant association between alcohol ads on social media and college student’s possible alcohol drinking habits. This study concludes that there was heavy presence of alcohol ads on social media, and the likelihood of youth having unrestricted access to the alcoholic beverage products. This could have a far-reaching implication on their alcohol drinking habits. Therefore, the study recommends the stakeholders in public health promotions to formulate policies aimed at mitigating against the challenges posed by unrestricted access to online alcohol ads by the youth in order to prevent them from being lured into early alcohol drinking by the alcoholic beverage makers.　 Keywords: Alcohol abuse; Influence; Online ads; Youth; Kenya

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence among Healthcare Workers in General Hospitals and Clinics in Japan

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3786
Author(s):  
Tatsuya Yoshihara ◽  
Kazuya Ito ◽  
Masayoshi Zaitsu ◽  
Eunhee Chung ◽  
Izumi Aoyagi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
General Population ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Immunoglobulin G ◽  
Health Problem ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
General Hospitals ◽  
Second Wave

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a serious public health problem worldwide. In general, healthcare workers are considered to be at higher risk of COVID-19 infection. However, the prevalence of COVID-19 among healthcare workers in Japan is not well characterized. In this study, we aimed to examine the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies among 2160 healthcare workers in hospitals and clinics that are not designated to treat COVID-19 patients in Japan. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G was 1.2% in August and October 2020 (during and after the second wave of the pandemic in Japan), which is relatively higher than that in the general population in Japan (0.03–0.91%). Because of the higher risk of COVID-19 infection, healthcare workers should be the top priority for further social support and vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.

Non-stigmatising alternatives to anti-obesity public health messages: Consequences for health behaviour and well-being

2021 ◽  
pp. 135910532199970
Author(s):  
Joanne A Rathbone ◽  
Tegan Cruwys ◽  
Jolanda Jetten
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Messages ◽  
Total N ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Public Health Messages ◽  
Size Acceptance

This project investigated how alternative non-stigmatising public health messages influence people’s health behaviours and well-being, relative to traditional stigmatising weight-loss messages. We conducted three experimental studies (total N = 1281) that compared traditional weight-loss messages to weight-neutral messages (Study 1), weight-inclusive messages (Study 2) and size acceptance messages (Study 3). Results revealed that public health messages have differential effects on health behaviours and well-being, depending on the audience’s BMI or perceived weight. However, campaigns that challenge weight stigma and promote body positivity have positive effects on some psychological indicators of health and well-being for people of all body sizes.

scholarly journals Dutch Public health Foresight study 2018/20

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Hilderink
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Expenditures ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Societal Challenges ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
National Prevention ◽  
Business As Usual ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract The four-year Public Health Foresight Study (VTV) provides insight into the most important societal challenges for public health and health care in the Netherlands. The seventh edition of the Dutch Public Health Foresight study was published in 2018, with an update in 2020. In this update a business-as-usual or Trend Scenario was developed using 2018 as a base year. In the trend scenario demographic and epidemiological projections have been used to depict the future trends regarding ageing, health, disease, health behaviors, health expenditures and health inequalities. Next, these trends are used to identify the most important future challenges and opportunities for public health. In the 2020 update, special attentions is given to climate change and the local living environment and their impacts and interaction with public health outcomes. Trends in lifestyle-related lifestyle show both positive (smoking prevalence) and negative (overweight prevalence) future developments. Dementia will be the leading cause of mortality and disease burden in 2040 by far. Health care expenditures will double by 2040, with cancers showing the most rapid growth of all disease groups. The insights of this study are directly used as input for the National Health Policy Memorandum and for the National Prevention Accord.

scholarly journals Engaging general population: Vaccine confidence, communication and mandatory law

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
P L Lopalco
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
General Population ◽  
Core Competencies ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Effective Communication ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Public Health Decision ◽  
Novel Technologies ◽  
Vaccine Confidence

Abstract Hesitancy is defined as the reluctance or refusal to be vaccinated even in case of vaccine availability and is included by the WHO among the top ten threats to global health. Vaccine confidence is an essential component of the hesitancy. Fear of adverse events and lack of trust in vaccine efficacy discourage the public and drive them toward the choice of refusal. Misinformation and lack of effective communication strategies may seriously jeopardize vaccination programmes. Providing effective communication requires specific competencies that often are not part of the common core competencies of those involved in vaccination programmes. In particular, the rapid evolution of the communication environment due to novel technologies makes the task even more difficult. The general population in order to comply with the official vaccine recommendation throughout the life course is therefore a complex task. In the presence of worrying signals of lack of vaccine confidence, public health decision can be driven by emergency decisions rather than investing in mid-terms communication programmes. Vaccination mandates are public health measures that are proven to be effective in increasing vaccine uptake. Increasing anti-vaccine sentiment may be a potential negative trade-off. For this reason, the introduction of vaccination mandates should be combined with a structured communication strategy. In addition, vaccine sentiment should be actively monitored when any change in vaccine offer policy is implemented.

scholarly journals Willingness of Greek general population to get a COVID-19 vaccine

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia Kourlaba ◽  
Eleni Kourkouni ◽  
Stefania Maistreli ◽  
Christina-Grammatiki Tsopela ◽  
Nafsika-Maria Molocha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
General Population ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
To Receive

Abstract Background Epidemiological data indicate that a large part of population needs to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. Hence, it is of high importance for public health officials to know whether people are going to get vaccinated for COVID-19. The objective of the present study was to examine the willingness of adult residents in Greece to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Methods A cross-sectional was survey conducted among the adult general population of Greece between April 28, 2020 to May 03, 2020 (last week of lockdown), using a mixed methodology for data collection: Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) and Computer Assisted web Interviewing (CAWI). Using a sample size calculator, the target sample size was found to be around 1000 respondents. To ensure a nationally representative sample of the urban/rural population according to the Greek census 2011, a proportionate stratified by region systematic sampling procedure was used to recruit particpants. Data collection was guided through a structured questionnaire. Regarding willingness to COVID-19 vaccination, participants were asked to answer the following question: “If there was a vaccine available for the novel coronavirus, would you do it?” Results Of 1004 respondents only 57.7% stated that they are going to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Respondents aged > 65 years old, those who either themselves or a member of their household belonged to a vulnerable group, those believing that the COVID-19 virus was not developed in laboratories by humans, those believing that coronavirus is far more contagious and lethal compared to the H1N1 virus, and those believing that next waves are coming were statistically significantly more likely to be willing to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Higher knowledge score regarding symptoms, transmission routes and prevention and control measures against COVID-19 was significantly associated with higher willingness of respondents to get vaccinated. Conclusion A significant proportion of individuals in the general population are unwilling to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, stressing the need for public health officials to take immediate awareness-raising measures.

Where Is the Fairness in Canadian Cannabis Legalization? Lessons to be Learned from the American Experience

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 395-418
Author(s):  
Akwasi Owusu-Bempah
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
The United States ◽  
Systemic Racism ◽  
American Experience ◽  
Drug Law ◽  
Drug Law Enforcement ◽  
The Us ◽  
International Attention ◽  
Drug Prohibition

Canada has received praise and international attention for its departure from strict cannabis prohibition and the introduction of a legal regulatory framework for adult use. In addition to the perceived public health and public safety benefits associated with legalization, reducing the burden placed on the individuals criminalized for cannabis use served as an impetus for change. In comparison to many jurisdictions in the United States, however, Canadian legalization efforts have done less to address the harms that drug law enforcement has inflicted on individuals and communities. This article documents the racialized nature of drug prohibition in Canada and the US and compares the stated aims of legalization in in both jurisdictions. The article outlines the various reparative measures being proposed and implemented in America and contrasts those with the situation in Canada, arguing, furthermore that the absence of social justice measures in Canadian legalization is an extension of the systemic racism perpetuated under prohibition.

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