scholarly journals Precision medicine in public health in India: Nascent but poised in the right direction

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 414
Author(s):  
ArunKumar Yadav ◽  
Ram Sagar
Author(s):  
Lawrence O. Gostin ◽  
Benjamin Mason Meier

This chapter introduces the foundational importance of human rights for global health, providing a theoretical basis for the edited volume by laying out the role of human rights under international law as a normative basis for public health. By addressing public health harms as human rights violations, international law has offered global standards by which to frame government responsibilities and evaluate health practices, providing legal accountability in global health policy. The authors trace the historical foundations for understanding the development of human rights and the role of human rights in protecting and promoting health since the end of World War II and the birth of the United Nations. Examining the development of human rights under international law, the authors introduce the right to health as an encompassing right to health care and underlying determinants of health, exploring this right alongside other “health-related human rights.”


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan C. Roberts ◽  
Alison E. Fohner ◽  
Latrice Landry ◽  
Dana Lee Olstad ◽  
Amelia K. Smit ◽  
...  

AbstractPrecision public health is a relatively new field that integrates components of precision medicine, such as human genomics research, with public health concepts to help improve population health. Despite interest in advancing precision public health initiatives using human genomics research, current and future opportunities in this emerging field remain largely undescribed. To that end, we provide examples of promising opportunities and current applications of genomics research within precision public health and outline future directions within five major domains of public health: biostatistics, environmental health, epidemiology, health policy and health services, and social and behavioral science. To further extend applications of genomics within precision public health research, three key cross-cutting challenges will need to be addressed: developing policies that implement precision public health initiatives at multiple levels, improving data integration and developing more rigorous methodologies, and incorporating initiatives that address health equity. Realizing the potential to better integrate human genomics within precision public health will require transdisciplinary efforts that leverage the strengths of both precision medicine and public health.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Magnusson ◽  
I-Z Jama

Abstract The Right to health framework supports available, accessible and acceptable health care of high quality for all (AAAQ). Health of migrants often worsen in the new country. AAAQ may be hindered by poverty, discrimination, health cares' shortcomings and misunderstandings, respectively. Advocating for marginalised groups' Right to health include action. Interventions based on shared influence, participation and control need to be launched. Cultural mediators (CM), i.e. persons that are knowledgeable in both cultures and with networks in migrant groups help overcome lingual problems, lack of trust and uneven power relations. This resource needs to be further examined. How can a CM strengthen AAAQ in a public health setting? Women with Somalian origin living in an underserved neighborhood in Sweden contacted the Public Health Unit of a local hospital, asking for support for a health focused group-activity. Weight loss after delivery was a primary concern. Women gathered monthly 2018-19. The objective was to support healthy life style habits drawing on issues raised by the women. The intervention was conducted by group talks, led by the CM and a public health planner. Methods were based on Social Cognitive Theory focusing on self-efficacy. The CM recruited women, helped them to find the venue, encouraged them to trust the public health planner and broadened perspectives to include female genital mutilation, children's food, how to seek care and workforce issues. Trust developed over time. 70 women participated. Reported gains were raised awareness of ones' rights, increased self-efficacy in relation to food, physical activity and how to support children to a healthy life style. Support for a healthy lifestyle was made more available, accessible and acceptable by the cooperation with the CM, as was the quality of the support. A CM bridges distances regarding spoken language, trust and cultural understanding. S/he puts forward perspectives and needs from the group in question Key messages The Right to health framework highlights areas that need to be in focus when advocating for health equity. Health care workers in settings with many migrants should strive to include cultural mediators in planning, execution and evaluation of interventions.


2021 ◽  
pp. 56-65
Author(s):  
Iulian Rusanovschi ◽  

On 17.03.2020, the Parliament declared a state of emergency on the entire territory of the Republic of Moldova for the period March 17 - May 15, 2020. By the same Decision, the Parliament delegated the Commission for Exceptional Situations with the right to implement a series of measures to overcome the epidemiological situation in the country. However, in the conditions of a functioning Parliament and despite the clear and exhaustive texts of the Constitution, the Commission for Exceptional Situations amended during the state of emergency the Contravention Code, which is an organic law. The amendments specifically concerned the procedure and terms for examining infringement cases brought in connection with non-compliance with the measures adopted by the Commission for Exceptional Situations and the Extraordinary Commission for Public Health. In the conditions in which an organic law can be modified only by the Parliament, it is obvious the unconstitutionality, at least partial, of the Disposition no. 4 of 24.03.2020 of the Commission for Exceptional Situations, but unfortunately, the Constitutional Court is not mandated with the right to submit to constitutional review the normative acts adopted by the Commission for Exceptional Situations. Under these conditions, the state is obliged to identify solutions in order not to allow an authority to adopt unconstitutional normative acts that cannot be subject to constitutional review.


2021 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2021-056628
Author(s):  
Mônica Nunes-Rubinstein ◽  
Teresa Leão

ObjectivesTo identify proponents and opponents of the commercialisation and marketing of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs), identify the arguments used on both sides and compare how the arguments have changed over time, we analysed three policy discussions occurring in 2009, 2018 and 2019.MethodsWe conducted a content analysis of one document and six videos from these discussions, provided on the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency website, or upon request.ResultsThe arguments most used by tobacco companies were related to claims that the use of e-cigarettes and HTPs is less harmful than conventional tobacco. Unions that support its commercialisation also argued that lifting the ban would prevent smuggling and guarantee their quality. On the other side, universities, medical and anti-tobacco institutions argued that such devices may have health risks, including the risk of inducing cigarette smoking. In 2009, most arguments belonged to the ‘health’ theme, while in 2018 and 2019 economic arguments and those related to morals and ethics were frequently used.ConclusionsThose that supported the commercialisation and marketing of e-cigarettes and HTPs first focused on arguments of harm reduction, while 10 years later the right to access and potential economic consequences also became common. Public health agents and academics must gather evidence to effectively respond to these arguments and discuss these policies, and must prepare themselves to use and respond to arguments related to moral and economic themes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 142 (3) ◽  
pp. 369-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoya Volynskaya ◽  
Hung Chow ◽  
Andrew Evans ◽  
Alan Wolff ◽  
Cecilia Lagmay-Traya; ◽  
...  

Context.— The critical role of pathology in diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction demands high-quality subspecialty diagnostics that integrates information from multiple laboratories. Objective.— To identify key requirements and to establish a systematic approach to providing high-quality pathology in a health care system that is responsible for services across a large geographic area. Design.— This report focuses on the development of a multisite pathology informatics platform to support high-quality surgical pathology and hematopathology using a sophisticated laboratory information system and whole slide imaging for histology and immunohistochemistry, integrated with ancillary tools, including electron microscopy, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, and molecular diagnostics. Results.— These tools enable patients in numerous geographic locations access to a model of subspecialty pathology that allows reporting of every specimen by the right pathologist at the right time. The use of whole slide imaging for multidisciplinary case conferences enables better communication among members of patient care teams. The system encourages data collection using a discrete data synoptic reporting module, has implemented documentation of quality assurance activities, and allows workload measurement, providing examples of additional benefits that can be gained by this electronic approach to pathology. Conclusion.— This approach builds the foundation for accurate big data collection and high-quality personalized and precision medicine.


2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asa Ebba Cristina Laurell

Objectives: This article analyzes the content and outcome of ongoing health reforms in Latin America: Universal Health Coverage with Health Insurance, and the Universal and Public Health Systems. It aims to compare and contrast the conceptual framework and practice of each and verify their concrete results regarding the guarantee of the right to health and access to required services. It identifies a direct relationship between the development model and the type of reform. The neoclassical-neoliberal model has succeeded in converting health into a field of privatized profits, but has failed to guarantee the right to health and access to services, which has discredited the governments. The reform of the progressive governments has succeeded in expanding access to services and ensuring the right to health, but faces difficulties and tensions related to the permanence of a powerful, private, industrial-insurance medical complex and persistence of the ideologies about medicalized 'good medicine'. Based on these findings, some strategies to strengthen unique and supportive public health systems are proposed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ireine S. Waworuntu ◽  
John . Porotu'o ◽  
Olivia A. Waworuntu

Abstract: Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). In Indonesia, there are about 430.000 new cases, of which 61.000 cases ended in death. This disease has many clinical varieties, therefore, a gold standard for the right and exact diagnosis is needed. The examination of sputum by using Ziehl-Neelsen staining must be more improved for public health service. This study aimed to determine the profile of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (acid-fast bacteria) among patients with coughing ≥2 weeks at Ranotana, Wenang and Sario Primary Health Cares (PHCs) by using Ziehl-Neelsen staining. This was a descriptive study with a cross sectional design. Samples were obtained by using total sampling method during the period of September 2015 - December 2015. The results showed that there were 38 cases of coughing ≥2 weeks as follows: 15 cases at Wenang PHC, 13 cases at Ranotana PHC, and 10 cases at Sario PHC. The examination of acid-fast bacteria from the 38 cases of three PHCs showed that 1 case (2.7%) had acid-fast bacteria (++). Conclusion: In this study, there was only one case (2,7%) with positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Keywords: cough more than two weeks, tuberculosis, BTA Abstrak: Tuberkulosis adalah suatu penyakit infeksi yang disebabkan oleh Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). Indonesia memiliki sekitar 430.000 kasus baru dimana 61.000 kasus berakhir dengan kematian. Penyakit ini memiliki gejala klinis yang bervariasi sehingga perlu ditetapkan standar baku untuk menegakkan diagnosis lebih cepat dan akurat. Pemeriksaan sputum dengan pewarnaan Ziehl-Neelsen harus lebih ditingkatkan pada pelayanan kesehatan masyarakat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan gambaran Mycobacterium tuberculosis (basil tahan asam, BTA) dengan pewarnaan Ziehl-Neelsen pada pasien batuk ≥2 minggu di Puskesmas Wenang, Puskesmas Ranotana, dan Puskesmas Sario Kota Manado. Jenis penelitian ini deskriptif dengan desain potong lintang. Pengambilan sampel menggunakan cara total sampling pada kurun waktu September 2015 - Desember 2015. Hasil penelitian mendapatkan 38 kasus batuk ≥2 minggu yaitu 15 kasus di Puskesmas Wenang, 13 kasus di Puskesmas Ranotana dan 10 kasus di Puskesmas Sario. Pada pemeriksaan (BTA) di Puskesmas Wenang, Puskesmas Ranotana dan Puskesmas Sario didapatkan BTA (++) 2,7% sedangkan BTA (-) 97,3%.Simpulan: Pada penelitian ini didapatkan 1 kasus (2,7%) Mycobacterium tuberculosis positif


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