scholarly journals Public health emergencies of international concern: a historic overview

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annelies Wilder-Smith ◽  
Sarah Osman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Influenza Pandemic ◽  
International Health ◽  
H1n1 Influenza ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Trade Restrictions ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Emergencies

Abstract Rationale The International Health Regulations (IHR) have been the governing framework for global health security since 2007. Declaring public health emergencies of international concern (PHEIC) is a cornerstone of the IHR. Here we review how PHEIC are formally declared, the diseases for which such declarations have been made from 2007 to 2020 and justifications for such declarations. Key findings Six events were declared PHEIC between 2007 and 2020: the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, Ebola (West African outbreak 2013–2015, outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo 2018–2020), poliomyelitis (2014 to present), Zika (2016) and COVID-19 (2020 to present). Poliomyelitis is the longest PHEIC. Zika was the first PHEIC for an arboviral disease. For several other emerging diseases a PHEIC was not declared despite the fact that the public health impact of the event was considered serious and associated with potential for international spread. Recommendations The binary nature of a PHEIC declaration is often not helpful for events where a tiered or graded approach is needed. The strength of PHEIC declarations is the ability to rapidly mobilize international coordination, streamline funding and accelerate the advancement of the development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics under emergency use authorization. The ultimate purpose of such declaration is to catalyse timely evidence-based action, to limit the public health and societal impacts of emerging and re-emerging disease risks while preventing unwarranted travel and trade restrictions.

scholarly journals Strengthening Virology Research in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations: Preparing for Future Pandemics

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Viola Miranda ◽  
Lowilius Wiyono ◽  
Ian Christopher N. Rocha ◽  
Trisha Denise D. Cedeño ◽  
Don Eliseo III Lucero-Prisno
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Southeast Asian ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Regional Center ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Regional Public Health

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region is known to be a global hotspot to viral outbreaks because of many factors. To limit the impact of future outbreaks, it is crucial for the ASEAN governments to strengthen regional virology research capacity. The ASEAN governments have collaborated in several virology initiatives, with the most recent being the establishment of the ASEAN Regional Center for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases. However, several challenges, including technology disparities, nationalistic tendencies, and the lack of public acceptance toward virus sharing, need to be addressed to maximize the region’s collaboration potential in virology research. We recommend the governments to 1) prioritize the strengthening of research capacities; 2) develop stronger cooperation and possible centralization of efforts on top of national capacities; 3) develop an equitable and secure research framework; and 4) improve the public awareness regarding the importance of regional public health responses.

Public Health Legal Preparedness: A Framework for Action

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (S1) ◽  
pp. 13-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georges C. Benjamin ◽  
Anthony D. Moulton
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Influenza Pandemic ◽  
Smallpox Vaccination ◽  
Court Ruling ◽  
Executive Order ◽  
Industrial Accidents ◽  
Supreme Court Ruling ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Do So

Public health emergencies have occurred throughout history, encompassing such events as plagues and famines arising from natural causes, disease pandemics interrelated with wars (such as the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919), and industrial accidents such as the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, among others. Law and legal tools have played an important role in addressing such emergencies. Three prime U.S. examples are Congressional authorization of quarantine as early as 1796, legally mandated smallpox vaccination upheld in a landmark 1905 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, and the President's 2003 executive order adding SARS to the federal government's list of “quarantinable communicable diseases.”The public health emergencies of the present — both actual and potential — pose equally serious threats but do so in the context of greatly magnified expectations that stem directly from the attacks of September 11, 2001, and the immediately following anthrax attacks.

Insight View on Pandemic COVID-19: Worldwide Perspective with Homoeopathic Management through Repertorial Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanuman Ram ◽  
Rashmi Sharma ◽  
Deepti Dewan ◽  
Anuradha Singh
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Influenza Pandemic ◽  
H1n1 Influenza ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
The Public ◽  
Alternative Medicines ◽  
Current Scenario ◽  
Current Outbreak

AbstractThe current outbreak of novel corona virus that began in China, created massive disaster worldwide resulting in thousands of deaths and enormous impact on health system & economic. This viral infection facilitates damage of alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells of lung caused by cytokine storm and deregulated immune responses and transmitted rapidly through the droplet infection via cough, sneeze and through contact reporting spectrum from asymptomatic cases to symptomatic manifestations which include. The fever, cough and ranges shortness of breath with high-risk potential in systemic associated diseases of cardiovascular, diabetes and hypertension. The global impact of COVID-19 has been profound and the public health threat, it represents, is the most serious picture seen in a respiratory virus since the 1918 H1N1 influenza pandemic. As of now there are no vaccines or medicines approved for the SARS-CoV-2 infection; it is the time to look for other possible measures which can be possibly undertaken to combat the crisis. Keeping in mind this current scenario, there is a need to adopt an integrative approach in public health-care system and include complementary and alternative medicines in designing roadmap in battle against this malady. One of peculiar aspect of homoeopathy is individualisation. There is an inter-individual variation in reaction to a stimulus. Clinical presentation in a disease is significantly determined by the host immunogenetic mechanisms. Homoeopathy treatment is done on the basis of symptoms of the patient; this concept is relevant when we deal with the new diseases. As homoeopathic medicines stimulate the body's own defence mechanism rather than directly attacking specific pathogens, they have much to offer in the treatment of viral diseases. In this review, authors have collected symptoms from previous studies done in conventional medicine and homoeopathy. These symptoms are repertorised from two general and two clinical repertories. Frequent appearing medicines are examined with their symptoms in context of influenza-like illnessly. The review concludes with the key learning points about epidemiology, clinical features, prevention and homoeopathic management of COVID-19.

Law, Liability, and Public Health Emergencies

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharona Hoffman ◽  
Richard A. Goodman ◽  
Daniel D. Stier
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Influenza Pandemic ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Medical Response

ABSTRACTAccording to many experts, a public health emergency arising from an influenza pandemic, bioterrorism attack, or natural disaster is likely to develop in the next few years. Meeting the public health and medical response needs created by such an emergency will likely involve volunteers, health care professionals, public and private hospitals and clinics, vaccine manufacturers, governmental authorities, and many others. Conducting response activities in emergency circumstances may give rise to numerous issues of liability, and medical professionals and other potential responders have expressed concern about liability exposure. Providers may face inadequate resources, an insufficient number of qualified personnel, overwhelming demand for services, and other barriers to providing optimal treatment, which could lead to injury or even death in some cases. This article describes the different theories of liability that may be used by plaintiffs and the sources of immunity that are available to public health emergency responders in the public sector, private sector, and as volunteers. It synthesizes the existing immunity landscape and analyzes its gaps. Finally, the authors suggest consideration of the option of a comprehensive immunity provision that addresses liability protection for all health care providers during public health emergencies and that, consequently, assists in improving community emergency response efforts. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2009;3:117–125)

Legal Responses to Communal Rejection in Emergencies

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 529-534
Author(s):  
James G. Hodge ◽  
Daniel G. Orenstein ◽  
Kim Weidenaar ◽  
Nick Meza ◽  
Laura Van Buren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Influenza Pandemic ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
H1n1 Influenza ◽  
Hurricane Sandy ◽  
Infectious Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Legal Responses

Major disasters and public health emergencies constantly test the nation's resolve to rally and recover from tragedy. Public health crises stemming from prolonged threats like the 2009/2010 H1N1 influenza pandemic require sustained preparedness and response over many months. Even shorter-duration events, like tornados, earthquakes, or hurricanes, leave lasting impacts for which full recovery may take years. Telling examples include the displacement of thousands of persons across the Gulf Coast states following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and difficulties obtaining basic housing and services that persisted in the Northeast months after Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Whether the result of natural disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, bioterrorism, or other causes, these events can change the societal landscape in affected regions.Despite the challenges of recovery across populations stemming from national or regional emergencies, Americans have consistently supported those directly affected.

scholarly journals The influence and enlightenment of five public health emergencies on public psychology since new century: A systematic review

2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402110022
Author(s):  
Zhifeng Wang ◽  
Dongmei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Psychological Intervention ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
H1n1 Influenza ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
The People

Background: Since the 21st century, humans have experienced five public health emergencies: the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), type A H1N1 influenza (H1N1), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Ebola virus disease (EVD), and the new coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19). They caused a large number of casualties and a wider psychological crisis, which might cause severe consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide. Aims: To reveal the law of formation of public psychological crisis in public health emergencies, and draw lessons from it. To provide ideas for effectively deal with these psychological crisis problems and fundamentally curbing the occurrence of public health emergencies. Method: Through the method of literature research, ‘public health incidents’, ‘psychological crisis’, ‘mental health’, ‘psychological intervention’, ‘SARS’, ‘H1N1’, ‘MERS’, ‘EVD’, and ‘COVID-19’ were used to search literatures in the databases such as PubMed, Springer, and Sciencedirect, and the literatures were summarized, sorted, and studied. Results: (1) The public health emergencies caused a universal psychological crisis. The main manifestations were depression, compulsion, despair, etc. The people involved mainly include patients, suspected isolated patients, medical staff, and the general public in the epidemic situation. (2) People’s psychological state often experienced stress stage, shock stage, acceptance, and reorganization. Only some susceptible individuals couldn’t complete effective psychological reconstruction, resulting in serious psychological disorders. Individual susceptibility is related to genetic factors, adversity, and traumatic stimuli experienced in early life. Conclusion: To reduce these psychological crisis problems, we should establish and improve the psychological crisis intervention or rescue system of public health emergencies, it was still necessary to live in harmony with nature, get rid of the inappropriate habit of preying on wild animals, in order to prevent the cross-species transmission of the virus between wild animals and humans, and to fundamentally avoid the occurrence of major infectious diseases.

scholarly journals Snus and snus-like nicotine products moving across Nordic borders: Can laws protect young people?

2021 ◽  
pp. 145507252199570
Author(s):  
Marjut Salokannel ◽  
Eeva Ollila
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
The Public ◽  
European Court ◽  
Wide Availability ◽  
Personal Use ◽  
Health Studies ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Eu

Background: Use of snus and snus-like nicotine products is increasing, in particular among young people, in several Nordic countries and Estonia, while snus is legally on the market only in Sweden and Norway. Snus is available in a great variety of tastes and packaging particularly catering for young users. Recently, strong snus-resembling nicotine pouches have emerged on the market. This research investigates the regulatory means to counteract this development. Methods: European Union (EU) and national tobacco control legislation, case law of the European Court of Justice (CJEU) and relevant public health studies are analysed. Results: The research finds that the judgement of the CJEU relating to the sale of snus on Finnish ferries has not been enforced. Permitted large traveller imports for personal use have contributed to wide availability of snus in Finland. Even if the legislation in Sweden is in conformity with the exemption it obtained in the Accession Treaty, the public health impact of snus use for young people in its neighbouring countries has become considerable. Nicotine pouches, -which are not regarded as medical products in terms of medicine legislation, lack harmonised EU-wide regulation. Controlling smuggling across open borders is challenging. Conclusions: The legislation at the EU and national levels should be able to protect young people from new tobacco and nicotine products. It is urgent to harmonise regulation relating to new tobacco and nicotine products taking as a base a high level of protection of health as required in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.

Triage Management, Survival, and the Law in the Age of Ebola

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick M Burkle ◽  
Christopher M Burkle
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
International Health ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Population Based ◽  
World Health ◽  
Economic Stability ◽  
Budget Cuts ◽  
The Public ◽  
Level 3 ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractLiberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea lack the public health infrastructure, economic stability, and overall governance to stem the spread of Ebola. Even with robust outside assistance, the epidemiological data have not improved. Vital resource management is haphazard and left to the discretion of individual Ebola treatment units. Only recently has the International Health Regulations (IHR) and World Health Organization (WHO) declared Ebola a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, making this crisis their fifth ongoing level 3 emergency. In particular, the WHO has been severely compromised by post-2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) staffing, budget cuts, a weakened IHR treaty, and no unambiguous legal mandate. Population-based triage management under a central authority is indicated to control the transmission and ensure fair and decisive resource allocation across all triage categories. The shared responsibilities critical to global health solutions must be realized and the rightful attention, sustained resources, and properly placed legal authority be assured within the WHO, the IHR, and the vulnerable nations. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1-6)

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