scholarly journals Education for Sustainable Development as Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation: A Literature Review

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna Lou E. Neri

The World Health Organization (2003) stated that there is growing evidence that changes in the global climate will have profound effects on the well-being of citizens in countries throughout the world. The “business as usual” frame of mind in dealing with this phenomenon is no longer feasible. Rather, there is a great need for a “sense of urgency” to empower and actively involve every individual to adapt and to mitigate the worsening of climate change. A great number of studies show that the leadership of the educational system in developed countries for more than 2 decades has been successful in promoting environmental sustainability. Some of these studies are reviewed and documented in this paper so that vulnerable countries may learn and benchmark from their experiences. Keywords - Education, sustainable development, climate change

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  

Abstract The strategic priority of promoting healthier populations with 1 billion more people enjoying better health and well-being as expressed in the General Programme of Work (GPW) 13 by the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the need of multisectoral action to address the social and environmental determinants of health including climate change. WHO data from 2016 show that approximately one quarter of the global burden of disease are caused by known avoidable environmental risks to health, with at least 12.6 million premature deaths every year. Out of this total, 7 million deaths a year are attributable to both ambient and household air pollution, placing it among the top global preventable health risks. As human influence on the environment continues to grow, global environmental challenges will escalate, including climate change and rapid urbanization. Many of the resulting risks exacerbate disease and injuries, while impacting our quality of life, reducing our productivity, and weighing on our health systems. The global endorsement of the sustainable development agenda with its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provides a clear signal that the world expects greater cohesion between people and the planet, with benefits for health and health equity. More sustainable ways of functioning go hand in hand with creating healthier and more sustainable environments, with enhanced focus on prevention through action on the root causes of disease. The SDGs set a broad agenda to advance health and equity by 2030. Health is centrally positioned within the SDGs, with SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages. However, achieving this goal means more than just improving health care. It involves action in key economic development sectors, like housing and transport, as well as in the settings where people live and work in cities and rural areas. These areas are covered by SDGs such as: Achieving Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and Climate action (SDG 13). Progress on these SDGs will not only significantly reduce but also support primary prevention of some of the world's most serious disease threats - including heart and lung diseases, cancers, stroke, injuries, and more. At the workshop different topics and tools that support the achievement of WHOs one billion goal of achieving healthier populations and through this the SDGs will be discussed. Key messages By addressing environmental health risks through progress on SDGs supports also the 1 billion goal to achieve healthier populations. Multisectoral action and turning this action into everyday practice is needed to support achieving the SDGs and the 1 billion goal of WHO.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Peta

In 2016, the World Health Organization, through the Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology Initiative, issued the Priority Assistive Products List which is meant to be a guide to member states of the 50 assistive products needed for a basic health care and/or social welfare system; it is also a model from which nations can develop their national priority assistive products lists. The aim of this opinion paper is to share my views about the Priority Assistive Products List on the grounds that it makes no distinct mention of sexual assistive devices, yet research has indicated that sexuality is an area of great concern for persons with disabilities. In any case, sexuality forms a core part of being human, and it impacts on both the physical and mental well-being of all human beings. I conclude in part that, in its present format, the list perpetuates the myth that persons with disabilities are asexual beings who are innocent of sexual thoughts, feelings and experiences. The list also propagates the stereotype that sexuality is a sacred, private, bedroom matter that should be kept out of the public domain, to the detriment of the health and well-being of persons with disabilities.


2020 ◽  
pp. 07-19
Author(s):  
Hiba Takieddine ◽  
Samaa AL Tabbah

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease that has rapidly swept across the world, inducing a considerable degree of fear, worry and concern in the population at large and among certain groups in particular, such as older adults, healthcare providers and people with underlying health conditions. Authorities around the world tried to prevent the virus spread by imposing social distancing measures, quarantining citizens and isolating infected persons. Apart from its physical impact, COVID-19 pandemic has brought numerous changes to people’s lives. It changed daily routines, caused worldwide economic crisis, increased unemployment, and placed people under emotional and financial pressures. It affected people psychologically and mentally especially in terms of emotions and cognition. During the acute crisis, everyone to varying degrees experienced fear of infection, somatic concerns, worries about the pandemic’s consequences, loneliness, depression, stress, as well as increased alcohol and drug use. As part of its public health response, the World Health Organization (WHO) has worked with partners to develop a set of new guidelines and messages that can be used to prevent, manage, and support mental and psychological well-being in different vulnerable target groups during the outbreak. Whether people like it or not, the psychological sequela of this pandemic will emerge and persist for months and years to come leading to long-term consequences. New lifestyles and “New Normals” will surely emerge. The main purpose of this review is to summarize the impact of coronavirus pandemic on the psychological and mental health of people around the world especially vulnerable groups. It also presents the relevant intervention actions and recommendations to cope efficiently and effectively with the psychological short-term and long-term outcomes, mental changes, and the “New Normal” during and after COVID-19. Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus, Psychological; Mental; New Normal


Author(s):  
V. O. Belash ◽  
Yu. O. Novikov

According to experts of the World Health Organization the lower back pain (LBP) prevalence in developed countries reaches the pandemic size, and it is a serious medical and socio-economic problem. Acute back pain is transformed into chronic in 10–20 % of working age patients′ cases; this causes serious psychological disorders appearing, forms painful behavior and persists even when the initial pain trigger is eliminated. Data from metaanalyses of randomized controlled trials indicate the effectiveness of the osteopathic approach in the treatment of LBP patients. At the same time the osteopathic correction is effective not only for acute pain, but also for chronic pain. A case from clinical practice is described demonstrating the possibility of osteopathic correction of a LBP patient.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-123
Author(s):  
N. G. Zumbulidze ◽  
V. M. Khokkanen ◽  
I. B. Litvin

According to statistical studies in recent decades, there has been an increase of allergic diseases in most countries of the world. Predisposing factors are the deterioration of the environmental situation, the total “chemicalization” of life and the forced use of drugs. Twenty years ago, the World Health Organization called the new century “the century of allergies” and the disease itself as an “epidemic”. As time has shown, these forecasts have come true: from 2001 to 2010, the number of allergic people in the world increased by 20 % and many of these patients suffer from ophthalmic manifestations of the pathology: the eyes are involved in the process in almost every second case. This is due to the fact that the eyes are directly exposed to the environment and a variety of external allergens. The most common disease of an eye-allergic nature is allergic conjunctivitis: approximately 15 % of the total population of economically developed countries suffer from it. Allergic blepharitis, eyelid dermatitis, keratitis, iritis, uveitis, retinitis and optic neuritis are much less common. The following manifestations are typical for allergic conjunctivitis: burning, lacrimation, pruritus, hyperemia of the eyelids and conjunctiva, photophobia. In the case of a transition to a chronic form, pronounced tissue changes are observed. Therefore, timely diagnosis and effective treatment certainly have a positive effect on the quality of life of the patient and the course of the disease. The treatment of patients with allergic conjunctivitis, first of all, consists in the maximum possible restriction of contact with the allergen. During desensitizing therapy, local and general drugs are used. Numerous studies have proven the advantage of targeted and effective antiallergic local therapy compared with systemic exposure. Currently used local ophthalmic antiallergic drugs belonging to various groups. The tactics of their use is determined by the acuity, severity and etiology of the process. When choosing a drug, in some cases, you should focus on the presence of substances that provide a double mechanism of action: a pronounced antihistamine activity in combination with the stabilization properties of mast cells, which has a quick and long therapeutic effect. This study evaluated efficacy of Vizallergol (olopatadin 0.2 %) application in cases of allergic conjunctivitis in 239 patients was evaluated. The medication arrested the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis in 89 % of patients, at that the mean period of treatment made 10.7 ± 0.3 days. In the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis, the therapeutic efficacy of Vizallergol 0.2 % was comparable to opatanol 0.1 % and was found to be more comfortable for most patients due to the convenience of a single use.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-317
Author(s):  
Shi Yin Chee

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused untold fear and suffering for older adults across the world. According to the World Health Organization, older adults in aged care homes are at a higher risk of the infection living in an enclosed environment with others. This article adopts a qualitative approach using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method to explore the lived experiences of older adults during COVID-19. Between December 2019 and June 2020, 10 in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants aged 60 years and above in two aged care homes. The lived tension that has penetrated all participants’ stories in five themes of the meanings described as ‘disconnected in a shrinking world’ filled with uncertainties. COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges and disproportionate threat onto older adults’ lives, relationships and well-being. The overarching message was that older adults believe that ‘this too shall pass’ and regain their freedom that was lost during the pandemic.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-83
Author(s):  
Jesmin Sultana ◽  
Muhammad Rabiul Hossain ◽  
Nurun Nahar Fatema Begum ◽  
Nure Ishrat Nazme

 Breastfeeding has been accepted as the most vital intervention for reducing infant mortality and ensuring optimal growth and development of children. Breastfeeding is also considered as the most economical and easily accessible complete nutrition for every new born child1. Poor breastfeeding practices are widespread. It is estimated that sub-optimal breastfeeding, especially non-exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life, results in 1.4 million deaths and 10% of the disease burden in children younger than 5 years of age2. Reviews of studies from developing countries showed that infants who were not breast fed were 6 to 10 times more likely to die in the first months of life than infants who are breast fed3. The World Health Organization has stated that in 2000, only 16% of mothers in Pakistan exclusively breast feed for a period of three months, as compared to other developing countries where the ratio is higher like Bangladesh (46%), India (37%), and Sri Lanka (84%)4. More than 15% of 24 lakh child deaths could be averted in India by optimal breastfeeding practices5. The key to successful breastfeeding is Information, Education and Communication (IEC) strategies aimed at behavior change6. The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) strongly recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of life7. Variables that may influence breastfeeding include race, maternal age, maternal employment, level of education of parents, socio-economic status, insufficient milk supply, infant health problems, method of delivery, maternal interest and other related related factors8,9. Over the last decade, overwhelming scientific evidence supporting the integral role of breastfeeding in the survival, growth and development of a child, as well as the health and well-being of a mother has come to light10. Different studies were designed at national and international level to explore the knowledge, attitude and practices (kap) towards breastfeeding among postnatal mothers and factors that determine them1. Journal of Armed Forces Medical College Bangladesh Vol.11(2) 2015: 76-83


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