scholarly journals Public health significance of atherosclerosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-166
Author(s):  
Vesna Lazić ◽  
Biljana Mijović ◽  
Miloš Maksimović
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Interventions ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Cholesterol Fraction

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide. Recently, mortality and morbidity from CVD have shown a trend in its occurrence in earlier years, while these diseases have been associated with older age until recently. In developed countries, mortality from diseases caused by atherosclerosis has decreased over the last 50 years. However, such a trend is not reflected in both underdeveloped and developing countries where mortality remains high. Risk factors have been identified and their control can influence the reduction in morbidity and mortality from CVD associated with atherosclerosis. Among these, the so-called variable risk factors are the following: increased concentration of LDL cholesterol fraction (LDL) and/or decreased concentration of HDL cholesterol fraction (HDL), hypertension, cigarette consumption, diabetes mellitus/metabolic syndrome, improper diet, while genetic predisposition is still considered to be an invariable risk factor. In order to reduce the incidence of atherosclerosis, the World Health Organization recommends a two-pronged approach that includes public health interventions to reduce population risk factors and medical interventions for individuals at high risk with stricter surveillance of risk factors. Examples of multisectoral public health interventions include increasing taxes on cigarettes and alcohol, followed by a massive campaign to promote physical activities and healthy diet, that is to promote healthy lifestyles.

“The Unequal Society”: Descriptive Evaluation of a Community Education Project

1986 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Labonte ◽  
William J. Shannon
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Social Inequality ◽  
Community Education ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Health Departments ◽  
Public Health Interventions ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Education Project ◽  
Specific Health

Poverty, unemployment, and other forms of social inequality are strongly associated with increased mortality and morbidity rates. Public health interventions into socioeconomic or structural causes of illness must be multidimensional, involving health promotion, health education, health advocacy and community development strategies. A specific health education project designed to increase professional and community awareness of social inequality as a public health risk factor is described as a model for similar undertakings by other health departments.

scholarly journals An Inconsistent Canadian Provincial and Territorial Response During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amelie Cyr ◽  
Prosanta Mondal ◽  
Gregory Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Early Response ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Interventions ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Governmental Agencies ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Time Of Intervention ◽  
National Approach

Objectives: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an early and consistent international and national response is needed to control a pandemic's spread. In this analysis, we evaluate the coordination of Canada's early response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in terms of public health interventions and policies implemented in each province and territory.Methods: Retrospective data was obtained from publicly accessible websites maintained by federal, provincial and territorial governmental agencies. Consistent with WHO's spreading of the disease pandemic action, individual and community-based public health interventions and policies were the focus. Time of intervention or policy, and COVID-19 cases per million at time of intervention was recorded for each province and territory.Results: Most public health interventions and policies demonstrated wide time ranges of implementation across individual provinces and territories. At time of implementation, there were also wide variations in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in these jurisdictions. Cases per million per implemented day were also not similar across interventions or policy, suggesting that other factors may have been preferentially considered.Conclusions: Whether an earlier and more structured national approach would have lessened the pandemic's burden is uncertain, calls for greater federal coordination and leadership should to examined.

scholarly journals Risk Factors for Asymptomatic Enteric Pathogen Detection Among Men Who Have Sex With Men

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah A Williamson ◽  
Eric P F Chow ◽  
Darren Lee ◽  
Kate Maddaford ◽  
Michelle Sait ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Pathogen Detection ◽  
Enteric Pathogen ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Enteric Pathogens ◽  
Public Health Interventions ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Group Sex

Abstract Improved knowledge of factors that promote outbreaks of enteric pathogens among men who have sex with men (MSM) could enable targeted public health interventions. We detected enteric pathogens in 57 of 519 (11%) asymptomatic MSM, and we found that enteric pathogen detection was associated with both oroanal sex (rimming) and group sex.

scholarly journals Public Health Interventions for Control of Malaria in the Population Living in the Terai Region of Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 202-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiran Raj Awasthi ◽  
Kazeem Adefemi ◽  
Mamata Sherpa Awasthi ◽  
Binaya Chalise
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Environmental Determinants ◽  
Public Health Interventions ◽  
Collective Effort ◽  
The Impact

Infectious diseases are a major problem for developing countries. Controlling and eradicating these diseases have remained a challenge because of the multitudes of social and environmental factors involved. However, a multi-sectoral and collective effort in dealing with these diseases has been shown to result in positive outcomes. This paper looks at the current situation of Malaria in Nepal and a population that is at high risk. It explains the impact that social and environmental determinants have on this target population. This review then critically examines the various possible public health interventions that could potentially help in the control of malaria in this high risk population, drawing from evidences and experiences reported from other countries with suggestions for adapting these interventions to the Nepali environment.

scholarly journals Mandating the Use of Proximity Tracking Apps During Coronavirus Disease 2019: Ethical Justifications

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riya Dave ◽  
Rashmi Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Large Degree ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
World Health ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Public Health Interventions ◽  
Societal Factors ◽  
Digital World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Mandatory Policy

The rise of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a digital world has expectedly called upon technologies, such as wearables and mobile devices, to work in conjunction with public health interventions to tackle the pandemic. One significant example of this integration is the deployment of proximity tracking apps on smartphones to enhance traditional contact tracing methods. Many countries have adopted proximity tracking apps; however, there is a large degree of global differentiation in the voluntariness of the apps. Further, the concept of a mandatory policy—forcing individuals to use the apps—has been met with ethical concerns (e.g., privacy and liberty). While ethical considerations surrounding deployment have been put forth, such as by the World Health Organization, ethical justifications for a mandatory policy are lacking. Here, we use the Faden–Shebaya framework, which was formed to justify public health interventions, to determine if the compulsory use of proximity tracking apps is ethically appropriate. We show that while theoretically justified, due to the current state of proximity tracking applications and societal factors, it is difficult to defend a mandatory policy in practice.

scholarly journals Reducing stigma and discrimination associated with COVID-19: early stage pandemic rapid review and practical recommendations

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. C. Gronholm ◽  
M. Nosé ◽  
W. H. van Brakel ◽  
J. Eaton ◽  
B. Ebenso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
World Health ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Public Health Interventions ◽  
Stigma And Discrimination ◽  
Evidence Summary ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Aims To develop recommendations for strategies and interventions to reduce stigma and discrimination related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), through reviewing and synthesising evidence in relation to COVID-19 and other disease outbreaks and infectious/stigmatised conditions from systematic reviews and primary studies and recommendations from additional materials. Methods Rapid review, drawing on the World Health Organization's (WHO) methodology for developing interim guidelines during health emergencies. PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central and Campbell Collaboration searched up to mid-April 2020. Searches were supplemented by reference-searching and expert recommendations. Searches were designed to identify: (1) systematic reviews (<10 years), or (2) primary intervention studies (no date limit) reporting evidence on anti-stigma interventions (in relation to COVID-19 or other infectious/stigmatised conditions) or (3) additional relevant materials. Data were extracted on population, intervention, outcome and results. These data were compiled into evidence summary tables and narrative overviews. Recommendations on strategies for COVID-19 stigma-reduction were developed using the WHO ‘Evidence to Decision’ framework approach. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (registration ID: CRD42020177677). Results The searches identified a total of 4150 potentially relevant records, from which 12 systematic reviews and 29 additional articles were included. Overarching considerations and specific recommendations focus on: (1) language/words used in relation to COVID-19 and affected people; (2) media/journalistic practices; (3) public health interventions; (4) targeted public health interventions for key groups and (5) involving communities and key stakeholders. Conclusions These recommendations represent the first consolidated evidence-based guidance on stigma and discrimination reduction in relation to COVID-19. Mitigating the impact of stigma is critical in reducing distress and negative experiences, and strengthening communities' resolve to work together during exceptional circumstances. Ultimately, reducing stigma helps addressing structural inequalities that drive marginalisation and exacerbate both health risks and the impact of stigma. Administrations and decision makers are urged to consider integrating these recommendations into the ongoing COVID-19 response.

scholarly journals A Net Benefit Approach for the Optimal Allocation of a COVID-19 Vaccine

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Kirwin ◽  
Ellen Rafferty ◽  
Kate Harback ◽  
Jeff Round ◽  
Christopher McCabe
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Public Health Interventions ◽  
School Closures ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
Monetary Benefit ◽  
Net Monetary Benefit ◽  
The Impact

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe, novel virus that has spread globally. The implementation of a combination of public health interventions is required to reduce viral spread and avoid overwhelming acute care systems. Once available, an effective vaccination will further mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, decision makers will initially need to prioritise access to limited vaccine stockpiles as these will be insufficient to vaccine the whole population.The aim of this study is to identify optimal vaccine allocation strategies defined by age and risk target groups, coverage, effectiveness, and cost of vaccine, within a dynamic context where other public health responses and population behaviour change. In this study we use an epidemiological model of COVID-19 that has been enhanced to produce expected costs and Quality Adjusted Life Year results as well as total cases, hospitalisations, deaths, and net monetary benefit. We use the model to simulate hypothetical scenarios where vaccine is allocated beginning on October 15, 2020 with vaccine assumptions ranging from moderately optimistic to ‘worst-case scenario’. Net monetary benefit is used as the objective for optimisation.In a scenario with a sterilizing vaccine that is 80% effective, a stockpile sufficient for 40% population coverage, and prioritisation of those over the age of 60 at high risk of poor outcomes, active cases are reduced by 29.2% and net monetary benefit increased by $297 million dollars, relative to an identical scenario with no vaccine. The relative impact of prioritisation strategies varies greatly depending on concurrent public health interventions, for example, polices such as school closures and senior contact reductions have similar impacts on incremental net monetary benefit when there is no prioritisation given to any age or risk group (147 vs. 120 million, respectively), but when older and high risk groups are given priority, the benefit of school closures is much larger than reducing contacts for seniors (iNB 122 vs. 79 million, respectively). Results demonstrated that rank ordering of different prioritisation options varied greatly by prioritisation criteria, with different vaccine effectiveness and coverage, and by concurrently implemented policies.The results of this paper have three key policy implications: (i) that optimal vaccine allocation will depend on the public health policies, and human behaviours in place at the time of allocation; (ii) the outcomes of vaccine allocation policies can be greatly supported with interventions targeting contact reduction in critical sub-populations; and (iii) the identification of the optimal strategy depends on which outcomes are prioritised.

scholarly journals Institutionalising an evidence-informed approach to guideline development: progress and challenges at the World Health Organization

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. e000716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Unni Gopinathan ◽  
Steven J Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Guideline Development ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Interventions ◽  
Independent Evaluation ◽  
Development Processes ◽  
Health Organization

This study explored experiences, perceptions and views among World Health Organization (WHO) staff about the changes, progress and challenges brought by the guideline development reforms initiated in 2007. Thirty-five semistructured interviews were conducted with senior WHO staff. Sixteen of the interviewees had in-depth experience with WHO’s formal guideline development process. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify key themes in the qualitative data, and these were interpreted in the context of the existing literature on WHO’s guideline development processes. First, the reforms were seen to have transformed and improved the quality of WHO’s guidelines. Second, independent evaluation and feedback by the Guidelines Review Committee (GRC) was described to have strengthened the legitimacy of WHO’s recommendations. Third, WHO guideline development processes are not yet designed to systematically make use of all types of research evidence needed to inform decisions about health systems and public health interventions. For example, several interviewees expressed dissatisfaction with the insufficient attention paid to qualitative evidence and evidence from programme experience, and how the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) process evaluates the quality of evidence from non-randomised study designs, while others believed that GRADE was just not properly understood or applied. Fourth, some staff advocated for a more centralised quality assurance process covering all outputs from WHO’s departments and scientific advisory committees, especially to eliminate strategic efforts aimed at bypassing the GRC’s requirements. Overall, the ‘culture change’ senior WHO staff called for over 10 years ago appears to have gradually spread throughout the organisation. However, at least two major challenges remain: (1) ensuring that all issued advice benefits from independent evaluation, monitoring and feedback for quality and (2) designing guideline development processes to better acquire, assess, adapt and apply the full range of evidence that can inform recommendations on health systems and public health interventions.

scholarly journals Forecasting the Worldwide Spread of COVID-19 based on Logistic Model and SEIR Model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Zhou ◽  
Xudong Ma ◽  
Na Hong ◽  
Longxiang Su ◽  
Yingying Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Logistic Growth ◽  
Peak Time ◽  
Public Health Interventions ◽  
Seir Model ◽  
Epidemic Size ◽  
Logistic Growth Model ◽  
Epidemic Development

ABSTRACTBackgroundWith the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a sudden case increase in late February 2020 led to deep concern globally. Italy, South Korea, Iran, France, Germany, Spain, the US and Japan are probably the countries with the most severe outbreaks. Collecting epidemiological data and predicting epidemic trends are important for the development and measurement of public intervention strategies. Epidemic prediction results yielded by different mathematical models are inconsistent; therefore, we sought to compare different models and their prediction results to generate objective conclusions.MethodsWe used the number of cases reported from January 23 to March 20, 2020, to estimate the possible spread size and peak time of COVID-19, especially in 8 high-risk countries. The logistic growth model, basic SEIR model and adjusted SEIR model were adopted for prediction. Given that different model inputs may infer different model outputs, we implemented three model predictions with three scenarios of epidemic development.ResultsWhen comparing all 8 countries’ short-term prediction results and peak predictions, the differences among the models were relatively large. The logistic growth model estimated a smaller epidemic size than the basic SERI model did; however, once we added parameters that considered the effects of public health interventions and control measures, the adjusted SERI model results demonstrated a considerably rapid deceleration of epidemic development. Our results demonstrated that contact rate, quarantine scale, and the initial quarantine time and length are important factors in controlling epidemic size and length.ConclusionsWe demonstrated a comparative assessment of the predictions of the COVID-19 outbreak in eight high-risk countries using multiple methods. By forecasting epidemic size and peak time as well as simulating the effects of public health interventions, the intent of this paper is to help clarify the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 and recommend operation suggestions to slow down the epidemic. It is suggested that the quick detection of cases, sufficient implementation of quarantine and public self-protection behaviors are critical to slow down the epidemic.

The role of the World Bank and WHO Model Disability Survey in public health

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 262-264
Author(s):  
Carla Sabariego
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
World Bank ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Interventions ◽  
The World Bank ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract: The Model Disability Survey (MDS) is the tool recommended by the world health organization (WHO) to collect data on disability at the population level. It consciously promotes a narrative of inclusion, as disability is understood as a continuum, ranging from low to high levels. Public health currently faces the challenge of responding to demographic and health shifts leading to an increase in disability in the population. The MDS provides the information needed to meet these challenges and develop targeted public health interventions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document