scholarly journals COVID-19 home remedies and myths becoming a hazardous health infodemic?

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Kunguma
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
False Information ◽  
Environmental Challenges ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Home Remedies ◽  
The Media ◽  
Pandemic Response

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) brought on several social, economic, political, and environmental challenges. What was mostly questioned was the efficacy of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 (As Amended 16 of 2015) (DMA), which was used to declare COVID-19 a disaster. The concern was whether the DMA is able to deal with pandemics when its focus is mostly on climate-related disasters. Most public health emergencies experience the spread of overwhelming information, some of which may be true and others may be false information. This article discusses the home remedies and myths related to COVID-19, that could impede pandemic response efforts. Subsequently, this study raises a question regarding the effectiveness of DMA to deal with such types of compounding risks. In doing so, this research is exploratory where the DMA and the media articles on COVID-19 home remedies and myths are systematically reviewed. Coronavirus disease 2019 home remedies and myths were found to be hazardous and the DMA was found unprepared to deal with such types of compounding risks. ‘Infodemic management’ needs to be considered in the DMA in order to prepare for effective disaster response.

scholarly journals (P1-21) Medical Disaster Relief after the 2009 American Samoan Tsunami: Lessons Learned

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s105-s106
Author(s):  
R. Partridge ◽  
D.B. Bouslough ◽  
L. Proano ◽  
S. Soliai-lemusu ◽  
F. Avegalio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
American Samoa ◽  
Flood Damage ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
American Samoan ◽  
Post Disaster

BackgroundTsunamis most commonly occur in the “Ring of fire” in the Pacific due to frequency of earthquakes and volcanic activity. Damaging tsunamis occur 1–2 times yearly. On September 29, 2009, an earthquake on the Pacific floor caused a tsunami that struck American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga, with only 20 minutes warning.ObjectiveTo evaluate the disaster response in American Samoa by emergency medical services (EMS), the territorial hospital, and the Department of Health.MethodsA retrospective review of EMS logs, public health records, hospital emergency department charts, and key-informant interviews over a 2-week period. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate data.ResultsThree 5-meter waves struck the American Samoan islands, with land inundation as far as 700 meters. Many low- lying villages, including the capital city Pago Pago were affected. A total of 33 people (8 male, 23 female, including 3 children) were killed by the water, with approximately 150 significantly injured. EMS runs increased 250% from normal daily averages, with island-wide responses significantly delayed by flood damage. The hospital in Pago Pago, situated near the shore and only 10 meters above sea level, utilized 75 staff to evacuate 68 in-patients to high ground as soon as tremors were felt. This process was completed in 20 minutes with no associated morbidity or mortality. Patient injury patterns for the event are similar to recent literature reports. Mobile clinics and alternate care sites established at outlying dispensaries were used to decentralize healthcare from the hospital. DMAT/DMORT teams from Oregon and Hawaii supported local healthcare initiatives. Post-disaster public health surveillance focused on identifying and limiting food/water-borne illnesses, dengue fever, and influenza-like-illness outbreaks, as well as disaster related PTSD.ConclusionThe disaster response to the tsunami in American Samoa was effective. Disaster planning was appropriate and rapidly implemented. Post-disaster public health emergencies were minimized.

scholarly journals Media framing of natural disasters in Kwazulu-Natal province: Impact of contingency plans

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 110-117
Author(s):  
Bethuel Sibongiseni Ngcamu ◽  
Shakespeare Mzikayise Binza
Keyword(s):  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Media Framing ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Online Newspaper ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Contingency Plans ◽  
Response And Recovery ◽  
The Media

This study explores how the media frame disaster contingency plans which include preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery of the KwaZulu-Natal province before, during and in the aftermath of natural disasters. The province has been stricken by natural disasters. Although newspapers report the disasters they fail to give details of disaster contingency plans that should be available to those who are susceptible to, and the victims of disasters. Based on a content analysis of 114 online newspaper articles between 2000 and 2013 to examine how the media framed the KZN government’s disaster contingency plans. This study concludes that the highest occurrence of disasters (71%) was from 2011 onwards as compared to previous years, and most of these were associated with areas that are susceptible to floods (34%). The findings of the study highlight that the media placed an emphasis on disaster response (41%) over preparedness (24%) and mitigation (7%). The outcomes suggest that newspaper organisations need to appoint a designated reporter responsible for disaster management issues. This is relevant because this study conveys findings that have the potential to persuade government and newspaper organisations to collaborate and to ensure that their officials are multi-skilled and able to cover all phases of disaster management in their articles, in order for these to be understood at all levels of society. This study further adds to the growing body of knowledge regarding quality journalism that meets its objectives.

Deploying and using volunteer health practitioners in response to emergencies: Proposed uniform state legislation provides liability protections and workers’ compensation coverage

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michealle Carpenter, JD ◽  
James G. Hodge, Jr, JD, LLM ◽  
Raymond P. Pepe, AB, JD
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Health Practitioner ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Uniform State ◽  
Essential Public Health Services ◽  
Health Practitioners

To respond effectively to natural disasters and other public health emergencies, government resources must be augmented with the resources of volunteer organizations. Governmental actors are prepared to utilize volunteer health practitioners (VHPs) to meet patient surge capacity and provide essential public health services. However, difficult legal challenges arise regarding licensure, the scope of practice of volunteers, the relationship of volunteers to local healthcare delivery systems, disciplinary enforcement, the extent of exposure to civil liability, and how to provide compensation for volunteers injured or killed during disaster response activities. The Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioner Act (UEVHPA) seeks to address these problems and provide a better legal environment that facilitates VHPs efforts.This article discusses two important provisions of the UEVHPA, Section 11 which provides immunity against claims for negligence, under certain circumstances, for volunteers and organizations engaged in the deployment and use of volunteers, and Section 12 which provides workers’ compensation benefits to VHPs when other sources of coverage are not available. Disaster relief organizations and healthcare provider organizations have consistently identified uncertainty and a lack of uniformity with respect to these issues as a major source of concern to volunteer practitioners and as a potential deterrent to their effective recruitment and utilization. Uniform state enactment of the UEVHPA would resolve many inconsistencies and gaps in the regulation and protection of VHPs across states.

scholarly journals A Brief Analysis of News Collecting and Editing Strategies of Public Health Emergencies from the Perspective of New Media——Comparison of the SARS Epidemic and the COVID-19 Outbreak

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Bingjie Shi
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New Media ◽  
News Coverage ◽  
Response Speed ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Media Comparison ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Government

<p>Public health emergency, especially contagion such as the SARS epidemic in 2003 and the COVID-19 outbreak recently happened, has been one of greatest challenges in human beings' history. How the government handles the epidemic situation will deeply reflect its political system and executive ability, as well as the capacity of all sectors of society to deal with public emergencies. The emergence and continuous development of new media technologies have promoted the transformation of news gathering and editing methods. Because of the experience gathered in the news coverage during SARS, the response speed of new media was greatly accelerated with the media literacy and professional level improved, which matters a great deal to the balance between the opening of information and public opinion control. Thus, government is capable of carrying out controls in a more effective way. Based on the research in the two cases, this paper aims to discuss the changes in efficiency, content transparency and form diversification of news collection and edit, with the discovery of some imperfections exposed in new media, in order to propose targeted improving measures.</p>

Effects of the 2002 Sniper Attacks on the Homeless Population in Washington, DC

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol S. Fullerton ◽  
Robert K. Gifford ◽  
Brian W. Flynn ◽  
Karen M. Peterson ◽  
Frederick L. Ahearn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Terrorist Attack ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Homeless Population ◽  
Washington Dc ◽  
Local Law Enforcement ◽  
The Media ◽  
Terrorist Event ◽  
Effective Public Health

ABSTRACTObjective: Despite the prevalence of homelessness, this population has rarely been included in disaster and terrorism planning. To better understand the mental health needs of the homeless during a terrorist event and to highlight the need to address methodological limitations in research in this area, we examined responses to the October 2002 Washington, DC, sniper attacks.Methods: We interviewed 151 homeless individuals 1 year after the Washington, DC, sniper attacks.Results: The majority (92.7%) was aware of the sniper events; 84.1% stayed informed through the media and 72.7% had someone to turn to for emotional support. Almost half (44%) reported identification with victims and 41% increased substance use during the attacks. More than half (61.7%) felt extremely frightened or terrified and 57.6% reported high perceived threat. Females, nonwhites, and participants with less than a high school education experienced greater threat. Women, nonwhites, and younger (<43 years old) participants were more likely to have decreased more activities and 32.7% increased confidence in local law enforcement; however, 32.7% became less confident.Conclusions: During a terrorist attack the homeless population may be difficult to reach or reluctant to comply with public health programs. Addressing barriers to health care in vulnerable groups is critical to effective public health disaster response. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2009;3:163–167)

Society for the Advancement of Disaster Nursing: Exploring the Path to Excellence

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 641-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Proffitt Lavin ◽  
Deborah S. Adelman ◽  
Tener Goodwin Veenema
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Mass Casualty ◽  
Professional Organization ◽  
Scope Of Practice ◽  
Service Needs ◽  
Health Security ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Mass Casualty Events ◽  
Professional Credibility

AbstractObjectiveMajor disasters occurring within the Unites States require nursing participation as a component of a successful response. Disaster nursing includes the care of populations affected by disasters, public health emergencies, and mass casualty events, both natural and man-made. A unique knowledge base, abilities, and skills are needed to respond appropriately to health care and human service needs resulting from these events.MethodsDespite prior efforts to advance disaster nursing as a specialty, none were sustainable and a professional framework for establishing standards and guidelines remains lacking.ResultsDisaster nursing is a complex arena where the intersection of competence, scope of practice, regulation, and clinical guidelines continues to evolve. Professional credibility and our contribution to disaster response lie in our ability to articulate and advance professionalism. Disaster nursing as a specialty practice requires a similar foundational framework to nursing specialties recognized by the American Nurses Association within a model of professional practice in order to ensure population outcomes that are reflective of safe, quality, evidence-based practice.ConclusionsIt is time to define a disaster nursing scope of practice, establish standards for care, identify best practices, and pursue the establishment of an independent professional organization within the field of disaster nursing. This will establish the necessary foundation for optimizing nursing’s contribution to and support of the National Health Security Strategy. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:641–646)

Public health law and disaster medicine: Understanding the legal environment

2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Gionis, MD, JD, LLM, MBA, MHA, FCLM ◽  
Cyril Wecht, MD, JD, FCLM ◽  
Lewis W. Marshall, Jr., MS, MD, JD, FAAEP
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Federal Government ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Separation Of Powers ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Disaster Medicine ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Public Health Governance

Disaster medicine specialists, policy makers, and the public often feel frustrated when they encounter the complex legal framework that surrounds public health emergencies and disasters. Such a framework is particularly difficult to understand when one considers that the federal government has no express powers over public health or disaster management. In fact, under the US Constitution, the states, rather than the federal government, possess public health governance. Although public health sovereignty formally resides within the states, and notwithstanding the federal government’s lack of express constitutional powers over public health crises and disaster management, the federal government has gradually taken on a greater leadership role in managing public health emergencies. In order to clarify the state and federal responsibilities surrounding public health emergencies and disasters, this article explores necessary and pertinent legal topics. These topics include public health duties, public health disasters, state sovereignty, governmental coercion, de facto constitutional empowerment, separation of powers, limited powers, federalism, state police powers, general and federal declarations of emergencies, the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act (MSEHPA), and public health and national security.

The Effects of COVID-19 on External Political Efficacy

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-107
Author(s):  
Markie Rae McBrayer ◽  
Bert Baumgaertner ◽  
Florian Justwan
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Management ◽  
Political Behavior ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Political Efficacy ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Pandemic Response

Significant scholarship examines the effects of disasters and disaster management on political behavior and attitudes. Yet, no research has assessed how health crises might shape people’s levels of external efficacy, nor how disaster response affects external efficacy beyond localized extreme-weather events. Using the United States as a case study, we seek to fill these gaps in the literature by exploring how individuals’ external political efficacy is affected by assessments of the federal COVID response. With an original collection of survey data from April 2020, we find that respondents who view the government’s handling of COVID more positively report higher levels of external efficacy. In a secondary analysis, we performed an experiment in February 2021 where people were given different narratives about government management of the pandemic response. The experimental results strongly suggest that disaster management—in this case the handling of the pandemic—shapes individuals’ efficacy.

scholarly journals Immunoprevention: a course of decades and the challenge to tackle false information

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-303
Author(s):  
Cristina Ribeiro Macedo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Social Changes ◽  
False Information ◽  
Research Methodologies ◽  
National Immunization ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Media ◽  
False News

Despite the growing structure of the National Immunization Program, it was possible to witness the resurgence of immunopreventable diseases that were supposed to be controlled. Such phenomenon motivates unrest and discussion in the field of public health, encouraging the academic and scientific community to seek answers, because clearly factors are interfering with the quality of the intended end product, which is the immunogenic protection of populations. In this way, it was evidenced that the media has favored the circulation of dubious and falsely articulated information, causing a fear in the populationthat makes it difficult to adhere to receiving vaccines. Frequently, those attitudes are based on concepts,values, philosophical and religious beliefs that hinder the effective communication of health professionals and the population eligible to receive the immunobiological. In this scenario , false news can cause health problems, hence, it is important to stands out the significance of scientific information. False publications were determinants in the worldwide expansion of the anti-vaccine movement. Indicators of morbidity and mortality are important in the delineation of coping priority in healthcare, but understanding the phenomena that permeate the decision making of populations is of paramount importance for the design of strategies. Research methodologies with different perspective on the same topic complement each other. It is not enough to quantify the problem, but it is also necessary to look for the social changes that occur inthe group and to determine the diversification of behavior in society, mixed research methodologies often propose results that broaden understanding. It is emphasized that providing false information implies the deconstruction of science, considering that scientific information supports decisions that involve the health of the population in different contexts and support the development of public health policies.

Learning from Disaster Response and Public Health Emergencies

10.1596/35061 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rianna Mohammed-Roberts ◽  
Oluwayemisi Busola Ajumobi ◽  
Armando Guzman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Public Health Emergencies
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