scholarly journals Taking leadership over psychopathogenic environments

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S244-S244
Author(s):  
Alastair Cockburn ◽  
Jane Morris
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Medical Professionals ◽  
Growing Up ◽  
Health It ◽  
Discrete Events ◽  
Meaningful Change ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Leisure Facilities

AimsDo psychiatrists believe children are growing up in psychopathogenic environments that significantly contribute to mental ill- health? If so, do they feel empowered to change those environments? If not, how can psychiatrists be given a role where they can create meaningful change? Finally, how much responsibility can psychiatry usefully take for changing psychopathogenic environments?BackgroundWe define psychopathogenic environments as environments that predispose to mental ill-health. It is the psychological environment we live in - including income, the way we interact with others (e.g. social media, bullying), what we do with our free time, pressures at school and expectations of our peers. It is not discrete events (e.g. trauma) and stretches beyond life at home (where many ACE's occur).Self-harm presentations to medical professionals amongst teenagers are on the rise, Universities report a fivefold increase in disclosure of mental health conditions in the last decade. Here we consider if psychopathogenic environments are part of the cause of these changes.MethodA 10-item questionnaire distributed to Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists in NHS Lothian, NHS Grampian and Manchester University NHS Trust via a consultant in each Trust.ResultAll 14 respondents said psychopathogenic environments are “very important” contributors to mental ill-health. 13/14 say the environments have got worse in the last 10 years. 13/14 responded negatively about whether psychiatrists could change them. When given white space to tackle the problem they suggested changes were needed from Government including against poverty / inequality, education, public health nudges, more resources, MDT working and better access to leisure facilities. Given specific choices, 11/14 identified influencing Government as a major way forward.ConclusionThis group of psychiatrists believe psychopathogenic environments are; 1) a very important contributor to mental ill-health 2) getting worse but 3) feel largely powerless to tackle it. It is a problem they think is important and want to engage in, but lack time, resources and struggle with the complexity of the problem. How therefore, can psychiatrist show leadership in this area? The two perspectives to consider how to empower psychiatrists to help create change are 1) how they can influence the environment for individual patients, 2) how they can influence public policy and government to make wider changes.Is this the job of psychiatrists? Not alone, but as agents they have a unique insight and authority as both a lens for and director of these environments.

Constitutional Limitations

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Burris ◽  
Micah L. Berman ◽  
Matthew Penn, and ◽  
Tara Ramanathan Holiday
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Supreme Court ◽  
Due Process ◽  
Reproductive Rights ◽  
Court Cases ◽  
Health It ◽  
State Action ◽  
Substantive Due Process ◽  
State Action Doctrine ◽  
Due Process Rights

This chapter describes “due process,” a Constitutional restriction on governmental actions that impact individuals, in the context of public health. It outlines the doctrines of procedural and substantive due process, including the legal tests that courts apply to decide whether individuals’ due process rights have been violated. It uses examples from Supreme Court cases that have defined due process in the context of public health, including those that struggle to define the scope of reproductive rights. It also examines two cases where public health principles were raised as a justification for governmental action: one about involuntary sterilization and one about Ebola. The chapter concludes with a brief discussion of the “state action doctrine” that defines which public health actors may be challenged on due process grounds.

scholarly journals To stop or not to stop ‘culture’: determining the essential behavior of the government, church and public in fighting against COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalmacito A Cordero
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Contributory Factor ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Health It ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
The World ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Church

Abstract Culture is a way of life. A recent correspondence emphasizes that it is a contributory factor in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, and this must be considered by each government around the world. However, I argue that various elements in culture do not need to stop or else it will create public outrage. I therefore propose a win–win solution for both parties with the inclusion of the church that can serve as a framework for the sake of public health. It is primarily based on a kind of behavior that is needed to be embodied by the involved groups—‘supportive’ government, ‘creative’ church and an ‘adaptive’ public. These essential behaviors of all groups are possible to embody for a successful implementation of public health.

scholarly journals Targeting Viral Surface Proteins through Structure-Based Design

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1320
Author(s):  
Yogesh B Narkhede ◽  
Karen J Gonzalez ◽  
Eva-Maria Strauch
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Respiratory Viruses ◽  
Surface Proteins ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Viral Fusion ◽  
Health It ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Pathogenic Viruses ◽  
Viral Surface

The emergence of novel viral infections of zoonotic origin and mutations of existing human pathogenic viruses represent a serious concern for public health. It warrants the establishment of better interventions and protective therapies to combat the virus and prevent its spread. Surface glycoproteins catalyzing the fusion of viral particles and host cells have proven to be an excellent target for antivirals as well as vaccines. This review focuses on recent advances for computational structure-based design of antivirals and vaccines targeting viral fusion machinery to control seasonal and emerging respiratory viruses.

scholarly journals A Risk Assessment for Ozone Regulation Based on Statistical Rollback

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2388
Author(s):  
Yongku Kim ◽  
Jeongjin Lee
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Air Pollutants ◽  
Hierarchical Bayesian Models ◽  
Health It ◽  
Matching Method ◽  
Regulatory Standards ◽  
Ozone Regulation ◽  
Ozone Levels

In environmental studies, it is important to assess how regulatory standards for air pollutants affect public health. High ozone levels contribute to harmful air pollutants. The EPA regulates ozone levels by setting ozone standards to protect public health. It is thus crucial to assess how various regulatory ozone standards affect non-accidental mortality related to respiratory deaths during the ozone season. The original rollback approach provides an adjusted ozone process under a new regulation scenario in a deterministic fashion. Herein, we consider a statistical rollback approach to allow for uncertainty in the rollback procedure by adopting the quantile matching method so that it provides flexible rollback sets. Hierarchical Bayesian models are used to predict the potential effects of different ozone standards on human health. We apply the method to epidemiologic data.

scholarly journals Communicating With Residents About Risks Following the Fukushima Nuclear Accident

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 74S-89S ◽  
Author(s):  
Michio Murakami ◽  
Akiko Sato ◽  
Shiro Matsui ◽  
Aya Goto ◽  
Atsushi Kumagai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Communication ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Nuclear Accident ◽  
Fukushima Nuclear Accident ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
Medical Professionals

The Fukushima nuclear accident in March 2011 posed major threats to public health. In response, medical professionals have tried to communicate the risks to residents. To investigate forms of risk communication and to share lessons learned, we reviewed medical professionals’ activities in Fukushima Prefecture from the prefectural level to the individual level: public communication through Fukushima Health Management Surveys, a Yorozu (“general”) health consultation project, communications of radiological conditions and health promotion in Iitate and Kawauchi villages, dialogues based on whole-body counter, and science communications through online media. The activities generally started with radiation risks, mainly through group-based discussions, but gradually shifted to face-to-face communications to address comprehensive health risks to individuals and well-being. The activities were intended to support residents’ decisions and to promote public health in a participatory manner. This article highlights the need for a systematic evaluation of ongoing risk communication practices, and a wider application of successful approaches for Fukushima recovery and for better preparedness for future disasters.

Public Health and the State: Changing Views in Massachusetts, 1842-1936, by Barbara Gutmann Rosenkrantz. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1972, 259 pp., $9.00

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-324
Author(s):  
William M. Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Authority ◽  
100Th Anniversary ◽  
Harvard University ◽  
The State ◽  
Health It ◽  
State Health ◽  
History Of ◽  
Structure And Functions ◽  
State Board

This book was written in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Massachusetts State Board of Health. It is a record of events in mid-l9th century Massachusetts which led to the establishment of the Board of Health and of the changes in structure and functions of the State health authority from 1869 to 1936. It is, however, much more than this. As the subtitle indicates, this is a history of views and opinions about public health, particularly conflicting views as to the nature and extent of the Commonwealth's public health responsibilities.

scholarly journals Abordagem conceitual sobre a sífilis na gestação e o tratamento de parceiros sexuais

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dayanne Rakelly De Oliveira ◽  
Mayanne Santana Nóbrega De Figueiredo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health It ◽  
The Public ◽  
And Control ◽  
In Pregnancy

Este texto tem como objetivo trazer considerações epidemiológicas e conceituais sobre a sífilis, o tratamento de parceiros sexuais e a inserção do enfermeiro em ações de prevenção e controle desse importante agravo à saúde pública. Enfatiza os aspectos relacionados às medidas de controle dos casos, à terapêutica da doença e à magnitude das complicações visando a contribuir para o aprofundamento da temática e reflexão da prática profissional.Descritores: Sífilis, Parceiros Sexuais, Enfermagem, Saúde Pública.Conceptual approach on syphilis in pregnancy and the treatment of sexual partnersThis text aims to bring epidemiological and conceptual considerations on syphilis, the treatment of sexual partners and the insertion of the nurse in prevention actions and control of this relevant grievance to the public health. It emphasizes the aspects related to control measures of the cases, to the therapeutics of disease and the magnitude of the complications seeking to contribute to the deepening of the theme and the reflection of professional practice.Descriptors: Syphilis, Sexual Partners, Nursing, Public Health.Abordaje conceptual sobre la sífilis en la gestación y lo tratamiento de las parejas sexualesEnfoque conceptual de la sífilis en el embarazo y el tratamiento de las parejas sexuales. Este texto tiene como objetivo integrar consideraciones conceptuales y epidemiológicas sobre la sífilis, el tratamiento de las parejas sexuales y la inclusión de los enfermeros en la prevención y control de este importante agravio de salud pública. Destaca los aspectos relacionados con los casos, con la terapéutica de la enfermedad y con la magnitud de las complicaciones con el objetivo de contribuir a la profundización de la temática y la reflexión de la práctica profesional.Descriptores: Sífilis, Las Parejas Sexuales, Enfermería, Salud Pública.

scholarly journals Changing Approaches to Mental Healthcare in the Caribbean Conferences on Mental Health, 1957-1969

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Toner ◽  
Clare Anderson ◽  
Shammane Joseph Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Late Nineteenth Century ◽  
Religious Leaders ◽  
Public Health Officials ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Late Nineteenth

This paper examines discussions among physicians, psychologists, public health officials, religious leaders and others who participated in the Caribbean Conferences on Mental Health between 1957 and 1969. Their discussions demonstrate major changes in the understanding of causes, definitions and appropriate treatments of mental health conditions, compared to the late nineteenth century, which saw a wave of major reforms to the management of mental illness in public asylums. Although major shifts in professional understandings of mental health were evident in the mid-twentieth century, the Caribbean Conferences on Mental Health reveal that the problems hindering the implementation of these new approaches were largely similar to those that Guyana and other Caribbean countries continue to face today.

scholarly journals A Comparison of Burden of Disease from Toxic Waste Sites with other Recognized Public Health Threats in India, Indonesia and the Philippines

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (7) ◽  
pp. 2-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Caravanos ◽  
Lina Hernandez Gutierrez ◽  
Bret Ericson ◽  
Richard Fuller
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Burden Of Disease ◽  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Toxic Waste ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Chromium Vi ◽  
Life Years ◽  
Health Threats

Background. Although toxic waste sites have been well investigated in many developed countries, their prevalence and health impact have not been well documented in low and middle income countries where risks attributable to environmental pollution are generally higher than in developed nations. Methods. We compared the burden of disease from toxic waste sites expressed in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) with the same measurement for other threats in India, Indonesia and the Philippines. We used Blacksmith Institute for a Pure Earth's DALY estimates for chemical exposure at 373 toxic waste sites in the 3 countries and World Health Organization (WHO) DALY estimates for different health conditions in the same countries. Results. Chromium VI causes the majority of DALYs among chemicals in India, while lead does so in the Philippines and Indonesia. In India, exposure to chromium VI showed higher DALY estimates than health conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and various cancers. In Indonesia, exposure to chromium VI and lead presented higher DALYs than conditions such as upper respiratory infections. In the Philippines, lead had higher DALYs than most of the examined conditions, including malaria and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS. Conclusions. This study highlights that the burden of disease expressed in DALYs from toxic waste sites may be greater than previously recognized and greater than other well addressed public health threats. We call attention to the need for surveillance of toxic waste sites, epidemiological analysis of the associations between exposure to toxic chemicals and outcomes, and remediation of chemical contamination in India, Indonesia and the Philippines.

scholarly journals YouTube as a source of public health information regarding COVID-19 vaccination: an assessment of reliability and quality of video content (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Calvin Chan ◽  
Viknesh Sounderajah ◽  
Elisabeth Daniels ◽  
Amish Acharya ◽  
Jonathan Clarke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Public Health Intervention ◽  
Medical Professionals ◽  
Video Content ◽  
Public Health Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Quality And Reliability

BACKGROUND Recent emergency authorisation and rollout of COVID-19 vaccines by regulatory bodies has generated global attention. As the most popular video-sharing platform globally, YouTube is a potent medium for dissemination of key public health information. Understanding the nature of available content regarding COVID-19 vaccination on this widely used platform is of substantial public health interest. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the reliability and quality of information of YouTube videos regarding COVID-19 vaccination. METHODS For this cross-sectional study, the phrases ‘coronavirus vaccine’ and ‘COVID-19 vaccine’ were searched on the UK version of YouTube on December 10, 2020. The 200 most-viewed videos of each search were extracted and screened for relevance and English language. Video content and characteristics were extracted and independently rated against Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HONCode) and DISCERN quality criteria for consumer health information by two authors. RESULTS Forty-eight videos, with a combined total view count of 30,100,561, were included in the analysis. Topics addressed comprised: vaccine science (58%), vaccine trials (58%), side effects (48%), efficacy (35%) and manufacturing (17%). Twenty-one percent of videos encouraged continued public health measures. Only 4.2% of videos made non-factual claims. Ninety-eight percent of video content was scored to have low (60%) or medium (38%) adherence to HONCode principles. Educational channels produced by both medical and non-medical professionals achieved significantly higher DISCERN scores than other categories. The highest DISCERN scores were achieved by educational videos produced by medical professionals (64.3 (58.5-66.3)) and the lowest scores by independent users (18 (18-20)). CONCLUSIONS Overall quality and reliability of information on YouTube regarding COVID-19 vaccines remains poor. Videos produced by educational channels, especially by medical professionals, were higher in quality and reliability than those produced by other sources, including health-related organisations. Collaboration between health-related organisations and established medical and educational YouTube content producers provide an opportunity for dissemination of high-quality information regarding COVID-19 vaccination. Such collaboration holds potential as a rapidly implementable public health intervention aiming to engage a wide audience and increase public awareness and knowledge.

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