Pharmacist-Led Programs to Increase Statin Prescribing: A Narrative Review of the Literature

Statins are lipid-lowing medications shown to reduce cardiovascular events and are recommended for specific patient populations at elevated risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Despite the demonstrated efficacy of statins for reducing ASCVD risk, and guidance on which populations should receive statin therapy, a substantial portion of eligible patients are not prescribed statin therapy. Pharmacists have attempted to increase the number of eligible patients receiving appropriate statin therapy through a variety of interventions and across several clinical settings. In this article, we highlight multiple studies evaluating the effectiveness of pharmacist-led interventions to improve statin use. A total of seven studies were selected for this narrative review, demonstrating the effectiveness and barriers of different statin-initiation programs delivered by pharmacists to increase statin use in eligible patients. Among the interventions assessed, a combination of provider communicating and statin prescribing through collaborative drug therapy management (CDTM) appear to the be the most useful at increasing statin use. Pharmacists can significantly improve statin use rates among eligible patients through multiple intervention types and across different clinical settings. Further studies should evaluate continued statin adherence and clinical outcomes among patients served by pharmacists.

Effects of Counter-Stereotypes Cognitive Training on Aging Stereotypes in 12– to 13-Year Olds

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of counter-stereotypes cognitive training on adolescents’ aging stereotypes and to further investigate the best training method to intervene in aging stereotypes by comparing the effect of single and multiple intervention training methods on aging stereotypes and their retention effects. Three experiments examined the different intervention outcomes of different counter-stereotypes cognitive training on adolescent aging stereotypes. The study used a randomized block group experimental design and recruited a total of 183 middle school students for testing. Experiment 1 verified the effect of counter-stereotypes cognitive training by taking a single training task (evaluative conditioning technique), randomly assigning subjects to different conditions (training task or unrelated drawing task), and administering a follow-up test 24h after the posttest. Experiment 2a compared the effects of multiple versus single cognitive training, where we took multiple (adding the counter-stereotypes situational storytelling method) versus single training tasks and administered a follow-up test 72h after the posttest. Experiment 2b increased the number of training sessions based on Experiment 2a, with a second intervention training 72h after the end of the posttest and a follow-up test 72h after the second training. Experimental results suggest that evaluative conditioning techniques are effective in weakening subjects’ aging stereotypes, but are less effective in maintaining them. Compared to a single training task, multi-tasking is more effective and the effects of the intervention are maintained for up to a week by increasing the number of training sessions.

The Case for Combining Well Intervention Solutions to Optimize Production and Reduce Risk Exposure

While optimizing hydrocarbon production, combining well intervention solutions can enable significant benefits due to reductions in risk exposure: fewer rig-ups and downs, less in-the-hole operating time and the carbon production and costs associated with rig time, especially when working from sub-sea intervention vessels. Operators in general, prefer to achieve multiple intervention objectives in a single descent in the well, if the operations complexity does not increase the risk exposure to an unacceptable level. Often, the risk of a mis-run, causing a second run, meets the cost vs value criteria for acceptable risk, when the large operating time savings of a successful combined run is considered. In collaboration with a mechanical e-line provider, North Sea operators developed three reliable combination solutions which increased their operational efficiency. Combining these most run services under more standard, common scope of work procedures, saved the operator time in planning, execution, risk exposure and money, while enabling them to produce hydrocarbons in the saved time. This paper will present the technology involved with these combined services, use a typical example of each and the cost savings achieved.

CITIZEN PROFILES OF RESIDUAL WASTE SEPARATION BEHAVIOUR

The impact of human behaviour on climate change is getting more apparent every day. Citizens are encouraged and sometimes forced to change their waste separation behaviour to reduce their effect on this global challenge. One way to achieve this is to reduce the amount of fine and bulky residual waste that ends in landfill or is incinerated. Studies show that this can be achieved by active, efficient, and correct household participation. Multiple intervention strategies are being tried out, while the European Union statistics show that the numbers are not at the desired level yet. To improve the waste separation practices, understanding the motivation and drivers of (correct) waste separation behaviour is of high importance for the current strategies' success. In this paper, based on the Self-Determination Theory, we propose "citizen-profiling" framework, which consists of six citizen profiles, that illustrates citizens' motivations and drivers of residual waste separation behaviour. We end this paper, with discussions on motivating the citizens to contribute to waste separation actively.

Exploring intervention components in association with changes in preschool children’s vegetable intake: the BRA-study

Objective The present study aimed to explore kindergarten staffs’ perceived usefulness of intervention components in association with changes in children’s vegetable intake and vegetables served in the kindergarten. Assessment of the perceived usefulness of intervention components consisted of a paper-based questionnaire for the kindergarten staff assessing usefulness of posters, supplementary material and 1-day inspirational course. Children’s vegetable intake in the kindergarten was assessed by direct observation, while vegetables served was assessed by a 5-day weighted vegetable diary. Results Seventy-three kindergartens in two counties in Norway participated (response rate 15%) and parental consent was obtained for 633 children 3–5 years of age at baseline (response rate 39%). Mixed effect models indicated a tendency that posters were associated with increased child vegetable intake (P = 0.062). Surprisingly, a low degree of perceived usefulness of supplementary material was associated with the largest increase in child vegetable intake (P = 0.020). No significant associations between perceived usefulness of intervention components and vegetables served in the kindergarten were found. This study indicated a tendency that posters were associated with increased child vegetable intake; however, this may also be due to synergies between multiple intervention components. Trial registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trials ISRCTN51962956 (http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN51962956). Registered 21 June 2016 (retrospectively registered).

A scenario modeling pipeline for COVID-19 emergency planning

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused strain on health systems worldwide due to its high mortality rate and the large portion of cases requiring critical care and mechanical ventilation. During these uncertain times, public health decision makers, from city health departments to federal agencies, sought the use of epidemiological models for decision support in allocating resources, developing non-pharmaceutical interventions, and characterizing the dynamics of COVID-19 in their jurisdictions. In response, we developed a flexible scenario modeling pipeline that could quickly tailor models for decision makers seeking to compare projections of epidemic trajectories and healthcare impacts from multiple intervention scenarios in different locations. Here, we present the components and configurable features of the COVID Scenario Pipeline, with a vignette detailing its current use. We also present model limitations and active areas of development to meet ever-changing decision maker needs.

Exploring Intervention Components in Association with Changes in Preschool Children’s Vegetable Intake: The BRA-study

Objective: The present study aimed to explore kindergarten staffs’ perceived usefulness of intervention components in association with changes in children’s vegetable intake and vegetables served in the kindergarten. Assessment of the perceived usefulness of intervention components consisted of a paper-based questionnaire for the kindergarten staff assessing usefulness of “posters”, “supplementary material” and “one-day inspirational course”. Children’s vegetable intake in the kindergarten was assessed by direct observation, while vegetables served was assessed by a 5-day weighted vegetable diary. Results: Seventy three kindergartens in two counties in Norway participated (response rate 15 %) and parental consent was obtained for 633 children 3-5 years of age at baseline (response rate 39 %). Mixed effect models indicated a tendency that “posters” were associated with increased child vegetable intake (P = 0.062). Surprisingly, a low degree of perceived usefulness of “supplementary material” was associated with the largest increase in child vegetable intake (P = 0.020). No significant associations between perceived usefulness of intervention components and vegetables served in the kindergarten were found. This study indicated a tendency that “posters” were associated with increased child vegetable intake, however this may also be due to synergies between multiple intervention components.Trial registration: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trials ISRCTN51962956 (http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN51962956). Registered 21 June 2016 (retrospectively registered).

Polio in Afghanistan: a systemic review on eradication interventions and challenges

After the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was established, the global incidence of polio decreased by 99 percent. However, from a global perspective, the number of polio cases in Afghanistan is still increasing, therefore more attention should be brought to the issue of polio eradication in Afghanistan. This article is set out to revisit and analyze the interventions and challenges of polio eradication in Afghanistan. Data in the article are obtained from various academic journals and official public health websites. After reviewing the research results of public health experts throughout the years, it is evident that despite using multiple intervention measures in the eradication process, more effort is needed to address the challenges that are specific to different areas of Afghanistan. In the recent future, more cases of polio are expected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, public health workers must increase the intensity of polio surveillance in Afghanistan and ensure that there are sufficient vaccines in stock when house-to-house vaccination begins again.