scholarly journals Some Shocking Stories: The Behavioral Response Of Cancer Mortality To Spikes In Alcohol And Tobacco Consumption

2021 ◽  
Vol 03 (02) ◽  
pp. 6-14
Author(s):  
Zahra N. Masih ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cancer Mortality ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Tobacco Consumption ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Time Dimension ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Determining Factors ◽  
Public Health Strategies ◽  
Effective Public Health

Tobacco and alcohol have long been acknowledged as carcinogens holding a critical role in the progression of a various cancers. Identifying the degree to which tobacco and alcohol can impact cancer mortality is necessary to developing effective public health strategies and mitigating risks with preventative measures. The goal of this study is to characterize the behavior of cancer mortality in response to shocks in alcohol and tobacco consumption utilizing aggregate U.S. data. This is the first study of its kind to examine the intertemporal relationship between cancer mortality and its determining factors within a dynamic system. Our results indicate cancer mortality displays persistence and its path dependency varies considerably between the shock factors. An unexpected shock to alcohol consumption results in cancer mortality taking about 17 years to return to its pre-shock level, whereas tobacco consumption shocks recover the original cancer mortality level in about 10 years. Alcohol has a more dominant effect on cancer mortality regardless of time dimension. As a result, policies that have been previously emphasized toward mitigating tobacco consumption may prove prudent in addressing alcohol as a public health concern with respect to cancer mortality.

Benzodiazepines Today and Tomorrow

2020 ◽  
pp. 193-215
Author(s):  
John J. Coleman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Drug Abuse ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
The Public ◽  
Drug Substances ◽  
The Government ◽  
Public Health Strategies ◽  
Effective Public Health

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) and related drugs are widely used for treating a variety of conditions (with varying degrees of evidence-base), but their long-term use (more than 2–4 weeks) can be problematic. They were originally thought (or claimed) to be nonproblematic substitutes for barbiturates, but it is now clear that they have their own set of problems. In addition, they are commonly, albeit ill-advisedly, co-prescribed or used nonmedically in combination with other drug substances. The result of such combinations, particularly with the opioids, can be lethal. Administrative and statutory actions notwithstanding, it appears that reducing problems with BZDs will depend on a comprehensive approach that includes improved education for patients, prescribers, regulators, insurers, and the public. First and foremost, however, there is a pressing need for the government to improve its drug-abuse data collection, specifically how it monitors drug-related morbidity and mortality. This chapter reviews the information that demonstrates how an understanding of all of the dynamics is essential for designing effective public-health strategies to reduce BZD-associated problems.

scholarly journals Epidemics of two Victoria and Yamagata influenza B lineages in Yamagata, Japan

2004 ◽  
Vol 132 (4) ◽  
pp. 721-726 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. MIZUTA ◽  
T. ITAGAKI ◽  
C. ABIKO ◽  
T. MURATA ◽  
T. TAKAHASHI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Virus Isolation ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Haemagglutination Inhibition ◽  
Inhibition Test ◽  
Antigenic Drift ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Previous Season ◽  
Public Health Strategies ◽  
Effective Public Health

We attempted to predict epidemics of influenza B, focusing on B/Victoria/2/87-like (V) and B/Yamagata/16/88-like (Y) lineages, in Yamagata, Japan. We collected 9624 nasopharyngeal swabs for virus isolation from patients with respiratory infections between 1996 and 2003 and 237 sera for seroepidemiological analysis by haemagglutination–inhibition test in 2001. We isolated 424 V-lineage and 246 Y-lineage viruses during the study period. Three herald viruses in the 2000–2001 season enabled us to predict a V-lineage epidemic in the following season. However, another V-lineage epidemic occurred in the 2002–2003 season, although we caught four herald Y-lineage viruses, whose antigenic drift was suggested by seroepidemiological study, at the end of the previous season. Since the epidemiology of the two influenza B lineages remains unclear, a careful watch should be kept on these lineages in order to provide effective public-health strategies against future epidemics.

scholarly journals Can public health policies on alcohol and tobacco reduce a cancer epidemic? Australia's experience

BMC Medicine ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heng Jiang ◽  
Michael Livingston ◽  
Robin Room ◽  
Yong Gan ◽  
Dallas English ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Time Series ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Cancer Mortality ◽  
Tobacco Consumption ◽  
Health Policies ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Public Health Policies ◽  
The 1950S ◽  
The 1960S

Abstract Background Although long-term alcohol and tobacco use have widely been recognised as important risk factors for cancer, the impacts of alcohol and tobacco health policies on cancer mortality have not been examined in previous studies. This study aims to estimate the association of key alcohol and tobacco policy or events in Australia with changes in overall and five specific types of cancer mortality between the 1950s and 2013. Methods Annual population-based time-series data between 1911 and 2013 on per capita alcohol and tobacco consumption and head and neck (lip, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and oesophagus), lung, breast, colorectum and anus, liver and total cancer mortality data from the 1950s to 2013 were collected from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Cancer Council Victoria, the WHO Cancer Mortality Database and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The policies with significant relations to changes in alcohol and tobacco consumption were identified in an initial model. Intervention dummies with estimated lags were then developed based on these key alcohol and tobacco policies and events and inserted into time-series models to estimate the relation of the particular policy changes with cancer mortality. Results Liquor licence liberalisation in the 1960s was significantly associated with increases in the level of population drinking and thereafter of male cancer mortality. The introduction of random breath testing programs in Australia after 1976 was associated with a reduction in population drinking and thereafter in cancer mortality for both men and women. Meanwhile, the release of UK and US public health reports on tobacco in 1962 and 1964 and the ban on cigarette ads on TV and radio in 1976 were found to have been associated with a reduction in Australian tobacco consumption and thereafter a reduction in mortality from all cancer types except liver cancer. Policy changes on alcohol and tobacco during the 1960s–1980s were associated with greater changes for men than for women, particularly for head and neck, lung and colorectum cancer sites. Conclusion This study provides evidence that some changes to public health policies in Australia in the twentieth century were related to the changes in the population consumption of alcohol and tobacco, and in subsequent mortality from various cancers over the following 20 years.

A study to assess smoking habits and smoking exposure in sportspeople

QJM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
B O’Sullivan ◽  
P Scully ◽  
R J Curtin ◽  
B J Plant
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Tobacco Consumption ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Second Hand Smoke ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Injury Occurrence ◽  
Smoking Exposure ◽  
Sporting Performance

Summary Background Tobacco smoking is a leading public health concern and is the most preventable cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Sportspeople are no exception and those who smoke are predisposed to the same hazardous health effects as the general public, in addition to the potential effects it may have on their sporting performance. Aim We aimed to ascertain the prevalence of tobacco consumption in a sporting population. We also endeavoured to quantify the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and assess exposure to passive smoking. Design Observational study. Methods A web-based e-questionnaire was distributed to participants from various sports across Ireland between November 2017 and January 2018, and data were analysed using SPSS. Results A total of 546 sportspeople completed the survey with more than twice as many male respondents. Of whom, 16% of participants were current smokers, with males significantly more likely to smoke (P < 0.001), 26% of rugby players were current smokers which was significantly higher when compared with other sports (P < 0.01), 10% of all participants were exposed to second-hand smoke for more than 1 h per day and 2% of all participants were current users of e-cigarettes. Conclusion The prevalence of smoking in our study population was higher than other literature reports. Further studies are essential to evaluate the potential negative effects this may be having on sporting performance, career progression and indeed injury occurrence/rehabilitation. It is imperative to address the matter of smoking in athletes, not only for public health concerns but also considering they are important role models in our society.

scholarly journals Association between Knowledge of Zika Transmission and Preventative Measures among Latinas of Childbearing Age in Farm-Working Communities in South Florida

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naiya Patel ◽  
Moneba Anees ◽  
Reema Kola ◽  
Juan Acuña ◽  
Pura Rodriguez de la Vega ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
P Value ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Preventative Measures

Zika infection, an otherwise usually mild disease, is of serious public health concern due to the potential teratogenic effects of the virus. The incidence of Zika infection is difficult to document since it is mostly asymptomatic and detection of those carrying Zika is usually not possible. Currently, there is no vaccine for Zika; therefore, use of personal preventative measures is the only method of avoiding transmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between knowledge of Zika transmission and the use of preventive measures among Latinas of childbearing age who lived in or near farm-working communities in South Florida. A secondary data analysis was performed on a cross-sectional study, sampling 100 Latina women aged 18–50 years. Sixty-nine percent demonstrated a high degree of knowledge of Zika transmission, and 68% were categorized as taking good preventative measures. Women with high knowledge were 5.86 times more likely to take good preventative measures than those with no knowledge (p-value = 0.05). Knowledge was associated with more preventative measures. Therefore, it is essential to further investigate this relationship in order to develop effective public health interventions for this population.

scholarly journals Gambling as a public health issue: The critical role of the local environment

2009 ◽  
pp. 66 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Gambling Activity ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Contextual Environment

This paper discusses gambling as a public health concern and outlines why local circumstances are central to such concerns. Using the framework of compositional and contextual factors to frame discussions, it is argued that the local circumstances of individuals and communities are critical to whether gambling activity is problematic. Unlike other similar public health issues for which there are clear parameters defining what is a problem and how severe the problem is, it is argued here that gambling-related problems are determined almost entirely by the circumstances in which the activity is occurring. As such, strategies designed to prevent or minimise gambling-related problems should target the local contextual environment and not just focus on the gamblers themselves, as has tended to occur to date.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in the Development of Virus-Like Particle-Based Flavivirus Vaccines

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 481
Author(s):  
Naru Zhang ◽  
Chaoqun Li ◽  
Shibo Jiang ◽  
Lanying Du
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Dengue Virus ◽  
Drug Screening ◽  
Zika Virus ◽  
Antiviral Drug ◽  
Virus Like Particle ◽  
International Attention ◽  
Public Health Strategies ◽  
Effective Public Health

Flaviviruses include several medically important viruses, such as Zika virus (ZIKV), Dengue virus (DENV), West Nile virus (WNV) and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). They have expanded in geographic distribution and refocused international attention in recent years. Vaccination is one of the most effective public health strategies for combating flavivirus infections. In this review, we summarized virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccines against the above four mentioned flaviviruses. Potential strategies to improve the efficacy of VLP-based flavivirus vaccines were also illustrated. The applications of flavivirus VLPs as tools for viral detection and antiviral drug screening were finally proposed.

scholarly journals Workshop: Alcohol policy reforms in European countries – challenges and solutions

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
The Public ◽  
Harmful Use ◽  
Effective Public Health ◽  
Alcohol Related Harm ◽  
Harmful Use Of Alcohol ◽  
Related Harm

Abstract Alcohol-related harm is a major public health concern in Europe, with levels of alcohol consumption and associated health harm among the highest worldwide. According to the European Commission, premature deaths linked to alcohol account for over 7% of all European morbidity, and alcohol is a major avoidable risk factor for neuropsychiatric disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cirrhosis of the liver, cancer and unintentional and intentional injuries. Even moderate use of alcohol raises long-term risks of certain heart conditions, liver disease and cancers, and frequent use can lead to dependence. There is extensive research on efficient strategies to reduce alcohol-related harm, alongside high-level policy recommendations. Examples are the WHO’s global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol and the WHO European office’s European action plan to reduce the harmful use of alcohol 2012-2020. The European Union (EU) strategy to support member states in reducing alcohol-related harm expired in 2012. Since then, the Committee on National Alcohol Policy and Action (CNAPA) has drawn up a non-binding Action Plan in relation to alcohol and EU countries have the main responsibility for their national alcohol policy. Despite strong evidence bases supporting alcohol policy, the implementation of potentially effective alcohol policy is often challenged by companies with commercial interests seeking to undermine evidence and advocate for less effective alternatives. These alternatives, such as education or voluntary industry action, are often favoured by politicians and the public. This opposition to evidence-based alcohol policy represents a challenge to public health. In this session, we will discuss recent developments in alcohol policy reform in Estonia, Finland and Scotland; reflecting on the outcomes of policies and the challenges faced in implementation. We invite commentaries from national experts and from the DG Sante and WHO Euro. Among these the French commentary will address the influence of the alcohol industry in circumventing effective public health policies, with discussions concerning the new strict French low-risk guidelines on alcohol use as one example. The objective of this workshop is to share experiences of the challenges faced in applying effective alcohol policies, to discuss ways to tackle those challenges, and to invite the EU and the WHO to share their views on ways to overcome these barriers in future policy advocacy. Key messages Commercial determinants of health are a powerful force in preventing effective public health policy on alcohol-related harm. The public health community need to work in a persistent and coordinated manner to bring in a suite of effective alcohol policy interventions across Europe.

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