scholarly journals The COVID-19 Pandemic and Diet Change

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Chuan Loh ◽  
Yin Kar Seah ◽  
Irene Looi
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Zoonotic Disease ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Healthy Plant ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Diet Change ◽  
Simultaneous Reduction ◽  
Price Increases ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Food Sales

COVID-19 is now considered one of the world’s greatest challenges. The sale of wild animals at the seafood market in Wuhan, China appears to be the source of this zoonotic disease. During the COVID-19 pandemic, plant-based diets became a preferred diet choice for many people. In this paper, we discuss that trend toward a plant-based diet across the globe and some of the reasons for the shift. We note that there was a rise in plant-based food sales and a simultaneous decline in animal-based meat sales. Sales of meat and seafood plummeted for many reasons, including distrust in meat due to fear of virus contamination, price increases, and also for ethical reasons. Marketing strategies used by meat-alternative companies may have also played a role. While there has been an ongoing trend toward plant-based diets in recent years, that trend seemed to accelerate during the pandemic with more available vegan venues and places with vegan options. Another reason that some people may have started exploring plant-based eating during the pandemic is because of the belief that such healthy eating will boost immunity or provide some other health-related benefit. Plant-based diets are also more cost-effective than diets containing meat, fish, and dairy. We conclude that significant changes need to be made regarding the use of wild animals and livestock in order to prevent future pandemics of zoonotic origin. As the world’s population grows, zoonoses may occur with greater frequency. Encouraging the adoption of healthy plant-based diets around the world with a simultaneous reduction in the use of animals as a food source are necessary and vital steps to prevent future pandemics due to zoonotic disease.

scholarly journals Conversion of sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) bands into high-throughput DNA markers based on RAPD technique for detection of the stem nematode Ditylenchus dipsaci in crucial plant hosts

2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 97-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Zouhar ◽  
M. Marek ◽  
O. Douda ◽  
J. Mazáková ◽  
P. Ryšánek
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Healthy Plant ◽  
Host Preferences ◽  
Sequence Characterized Amplified Region ◽  
Detection And Identification ◽  
Plant Hosts ◽  
Cost Effective Technique ◽  
Ditylenchus Dipsaci ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Template Dna

<i>Ditylenchus dipsaci</i>, the stem nematode, is a migratory endoparasite of over 500 species of angiosperms. The main method of <i>D. dipsaci</i> control is crop rotation, but the presence of morphologically indistinguishable host races with different host preferences makes rotation generally ineffective. Therefore, a sensitive, rapid, reliable, as well as cost effective technique is needed for identification of <i>D. dipsaci</i> in biological samples. This study describes the development of species-specific pairs of PCR oligonucleotides for detection and identification of the <i>D. dipsaci</i> stem nematode in various plant hosts. Designed DIT-2 primer pair specifically amplified a fragment of 325 bp, while DIT-5 primer pair always produced a fragment of 245 bp in all <i>D. dipsaci</i> isolates. Two developed SCAR primer pairs were further tested using template DNA extracted from a collection of twelve healthy plant hosts; no amplification was however observed. The developed PCR protocol has proved to be quite sensitive and able to specifically detect <i>D. dipsaci</i> in artificially infested plant tissues.

scholarly journals Fostering the practice of rooming-in in newborn care

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-178
Author(s):  
Saurabh R. Shrivastava ◽  
Prateek S. Shrivastava ◽  
Jegadeesh Ramasamy
Keyword(s):  
Institutional Delivery ◽  
Newborn Care ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Timely Initiation ◽  
Cost Effective Approach ◽  
Health Related ◽  
And Child Health ◽  
Timely Initiation Of Breastfeeding ◽  
Initiation Of Breastfeeding ◽  
Universal Application

Practice of rooming-in meant that baby and mother stayed together in the same room day and night in the hospital, right from the time of delivery till the time of discharge. Adoption of rooming-in offers multiple benefits to the newborn, mother, and mother-child as a unit. It is a cost-effective approach wherefewer instruments are required and spares additional manpower. Rooming-in endeavors the opportunity to contribute signifi cantly in the child’s growth, development and survival by assisting in timely initiation of breastfeeding. To ensure universal application of rooming-in in hospitals, a comprehensive and technically sound strategy should be formulated and implemented with active participation of healthcare professionals. Measures such as advocating institutional delivery through outreach awareness activities; adoption of baby-friendly hospital initiative; inculcating a sense of ownership among health professionals, can be strategically enforced for better maternal and child health related outcomes.

Respecifying the Social Marketing Model for Unique Populations

1996 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Meyer ◽  
James W. Dearing
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Communication ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
Formative Evaluation ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Environmental Mapping ◽  
Marketing Model ◽  
Large Audience

Social marketing strategies are deployed in social change campaigns around the world. Yet the usefulness of social marketing strategies to affect behavior change among unique population members is not well known. Social marketing is efficient and cost-effective when a campaign targets a sufficiently large audience so as to achieve economies of scale. Unique population groups, however, typically consist of few members. How can efficiency be achieved with small target audiences? To solve this conundrum we suggest that certain social marketing strategies (environmental mapping, formative evaluation, interpersonal communication channels, and the nonmonetary costs of adoption) should be emphasized, and others (program management and target audience segmentation) deemphasized, in program design. We use examples drawn from a recent study of HIV prevention programs in San Francisco to illustrate this point.

Smoking Cessation Therapy is a Cost-Effective Intervention to Avoid Tooth Loss in Subjects With Periodontitis – An Economic Evaluation 

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Luisa Silveira Souto ◽  
Fernanda Campos Almeida Carrer ◽  
Mariana Minatel Braga ◽  
Cláudio Mendes Pannuti
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Incremental Cost ◽  
Tooth Loss ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cost Utility ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Per Oral ◽  
Smoking Cessation Therapy

Abstract Background: Smokers present a higher prevalence and severity of periodontitis and, consequently, higher prevalence of tooth loss. Smoking cessation improves the response to periodontal treatment and reduces tooth loss. So, the aim of this study was evaluated the efficiency in resources allocation when implementing smoking cessation therapy vs. its non-implementation in smokers with periodontitis. Methods: We adopted the Brazilian public system perspective to determine the incremental cost-effectiveness (cost per tooth loss avoided) and cost-utility (cost per oral-related quality-adjusted life-year ([QALY] gained) of implementing smoking cessation therapy. Base-case was defined as a 48 years-old male subject and horizon of 30 years. Effects and costs were combined in a decision analytic modeling framework to permit a quantitative approach aiming to estimate the value of the consequences of smoking cessation therapy adjusted for their probability of occurrence. Markov models were carried over annual cycles. Sensitivity analysis tested methodological assumptions. Results: Implementation of smoking cessation therapy had an average incremental cost of U$60.58 per tooth loss avoided and U$4.55 per oral related-QALY gained. Considering uncertainties, the therapy could be cost-effective in the most part of simulated cases, even being cheaper and more effective in 53% of cases in which the oral-health related outcome is used as effect. Considering a willingness-to-pay of US$100 per health effect, smoking cessation therapy was cost-effective, respectively, in 81% and 100% of cases in cost-utility and cost-effectiveness analyses. Conclusions: Implementation of smoking cessation therapy may be cost-effective, considering the avoidance of tooth loss and oral health-related consequences to patients.

Closing the Gap

2010 ◽  
pp. 38-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malina Jordanova
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
World Health ◽  
World Health Assembly Resolution ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Cost

Brought to life by contemporary changes of our world, e-health offers enormous possibilities. In the World Health Organization’s World Health Assembly resolution on e-health, WHO has defined e-health as the cost-effective and secure use of information and communication technologies in support of health and health-related fields, including healthcare services, health surveillance, health literature, and health education (WHO, 2005). It is impossible to have a detailed view of its potential as e-health affects the entire health sector and is a viable tool to provide routine, as well as specialized, health services. It is able to improve both the access to, and the standard of, health care. The aim of the chapter is to focus on how e-health can help in closing one gap - optimizing patient care. The examples included and references provided are ready to be introduced in practice immediately. Special attention is dedicated to cost effectiveness of e-health applications.

Extensive reclamation technologies, assets for the development of water reuse in the Mediterranean

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 209-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Brissaud ◽  
P. Xu ◽  
M. Auset
Keyword(s):  
Water Reuse ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Golf Courses ◽  
Public Parks ◽  
Reclaimed Wastewater ◽  
Treatment Techniques ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Market Gardening ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Microbial Removal

In the Mediterranean, the main water reuse application is and will long remain irrigation. Irrigation of public parks, landscape, golf courses, market gardening and orchards is expected to develop rapidly. Such uses require the microbial decontamination of reclaimed wastewater. Extensive reclamation technologies are well adapted to the Mediterranean context for their easy and cost effective O&M; however their ability to reliably meet health related standards have been questioned. The paper reviews the main factors of variations in the bacterial abatement provided by extensive treatment techniques - stabilisation reservoirs, ponds and infiltration percolation. Thanks to advances in the knowledge and modelling of disinfection mechanisms, the predictability of microbial decontamination by extensive technologies is being significantly improved; the development of better design tools leading to reliable treatments is foreseen. However, due to limitations in the microbial removal, extensive techniques cannot meet highly conservative requirements. Extensive techniques will play an important part in the development of water reuse and fresh water savings in the Mediterranean as far as water quality standards only aim at limiting health risks to an acceptable level.

scholarly journals Marketing Energy Conservation to Homeowners: An Action Program from Public Policy Research

1984 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Rudelius ◽  
Richard Weijo ◽  
Gary Dodge
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conservation ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Public Expenditures ◽  
Fixed Amount ◽  
Public Policy Research ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
The Individual

Energy conservation appeals to homeowners stressing patriotism and social responsibility have not worked. The authors believe that more precise information for the homeowner showing the specific dollar costs and savings for various energy actions will stimulate meaningful, beneficial trade-offs for the individual. They further believe that broadly conceived, publicly sponsored marketing strategies can help individual consumers make more informed energy-conservation choices from among the continuous, seasonal, and one-time actions available to them. If public policymakers focus efforts on the most cost-effective, energy-saving actions for households, the community will receive the greatest energy savings for a fixed amount of public expenditures.

Effects of determinants of dried fruit purchase intention and the related consumer segmentation on e-commerce in China

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuting Sun ◽  
Chaoyun Liang
Keyword(s):  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dried Fruits ◽  
Dried Fruit ◽  
The Cost

PurposeIn this study, a comprehensive theoretical framework was developed to investigate the influence of the determinants of online dried fruit purchase intention in China.Design/methodology/approachThe dried fruit eating experiences of 1,160 participants from China were collected using an online survey.FindingsSignificant differences were noted in the sociodemographic distributions among three age-based consumer segments. Furthermore, the cost of the marketing strategy had the strongest effect on online dried fruit purchase intention. Finally, different patterns of online dried fruit purchase intention were observed among the three consumer segments: consumers aged below 24 years regarded dried fruits as a new and healthy snack choice and favoured companies with high-quality communication with consumers; consumers aged 25–29 years viewed dried fruits as a healthy eating habit, reflecting their strong self-control over their lifestyle; and consumers aged over 30 years valued the convenience marketing strategies applied by dried fruit manufacturers.Originality/valueOverall, the results indicate that dried fruits are considered a niche market of snacks that provides added value for core products in the Chinese e-commerce (EC) market; therefore, developing cost-effective strategies to raise consumer awareness of dried fruits is crucial. Furthermore, marketing strategies should target different consumer segments.

Cost-effectiveness of zoledronic acid in the prevention of skeletal-related events in patients with bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma: Comparison between France, Germany, and the United Kingdom

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 5106-5106
Author(s):  
M. F. Botteman ◽  
S. Kaura
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Zoledronic Acid ◽  
Bone Metastases ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Skeletal Related Events ◽  
The Uk

5106 Background: Zoledronic acid (ZOL) significantly reduces the risk of new skeletal-related events (SREs) in patients (pts) with bone metastases from RCC. This study assessed and compared the cost-effectiveness of ZOL in pts with RCC from French, German, and United Kingdom (UK) societal perspectives. Methods: This analysis was based on a retrospective analysis of RCC pts with bone metastases who were enrolled in a 9-mo trial of ZOL or placebo (PBO) plus concomitant antineoplastic therapy. A model was developed to simulate costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) experienced by study pts. The model included data and assumptions regarding SRE incidence, mortality, drug and administration costs, SRE costs, reduced quality of life (QOL) because of SREs and bone pain, and therapy duration. SRE costs were estimated using diagnosis-related group tariff information and published literature. Consistent with similar economic analyses, it was assumed that QOL decreased 20% to 80% (depending on SRE type) for 1 mo after each SRE experienced. Sensitivity analyses were performed to test the effects of alternate assumptions, with < 30,000/QALY considered cost-effective. Results: Compared with PBO-treated pts (n = 19), ZOL-treated pts (n = 27) experienced 1.07 fewer SREs/pt and gained discounted QALYs of approximately 0.1563 in France and Germany and 0.1575 in the UK. Discounted SRE-related costs were substantially lower among pts treated with ZOL vs PBO (-4,196 in France, -3,880 in Germany, and -3,355 in the UK). After including drug therapy costs, ZOL saved 1,358, 1,223, and 719 per pt in France, Germany, and the UK, respectively. In multivariate sensitivity analyses, ZOL saved costs in 67% to 77% of cases, depending on the country. ZOL resulted in a cost per QALY gained < 30,000 in approximately 93% of cases. Conclusions: Treatment with ZOL reduces SREs, improves QOL, and lowers health-related costs compared with PBO in French, German, and UK pts with bone metastases from RCC. Use of ZOL in these populations therefore provides health-related cost savings and is a cost-effective use of healthcare resources. [Table: see text]

QUALITY-ADJUSTED LIFE-YEARS FOR THE ESTIMATION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF SCREENING PROGRAMS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suvi Mäklin ◽  
Pirjo Räsänen ◽  
Riikka Laitinen ◽  
Niina Kovanen ◽  
Ilona Autti-Rämö ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Full Text ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life Years ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Hrqol Data ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Quality Adjusted Life

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify and characterize studies that have used quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) based on measurements of patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as an indicator of effectiveness of screening programs.Methods: Systematic search of the literature until March 2010, using several electronic databases. Initial screening of articles based on abstracts, and evaluation of full-text articles were done by at least two of the authors.Results: The search identified 1,610 articles. Based on review of abstracts, 431 full-text articles were obtained for closer inspection and, of these, 81 reported QALYs based on patient-derived data using a valid HRQoL assessment. The most frequently used method to assess HRQoL was Time Trade-Off (55 percent) followed by EQ-5D (26 percent). The most frequently studied medical conditions were malignant diseases (23 percent) followed by cardiovascular diseases (19 percent). All studies employed some kind of modeling with the Markov model being the most prevalent type (65 percent). Majority of the articles (59 percent) concluded that the screening program studied was cost-effective.Conclusions: The use of QALYs in the evaluation of screening programs has expanded during the last few years. However, only a minority of studies have used HRQoL data derived from patients, using direct or indirect valuation. Further investigation and harmonization of the methodology in evaluation of screening programs is needed to ensure better comparability across different screening programs.

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