scholarly journals Monitoring Interest in Herpes Zoster Vaccination: Analysis of Google Search Data (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elyse J Berlinberg ◽  
Michael S Deiner ◽  
Travis C Porco ◽  
Nisha R Acharya
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Herpes Zoster ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Application Programming Interface ◽  
The United States ◽  
Live Attenuated Vaccine ◽  
Attenuated Vaccine ◽  
Search Volume ◽  
Search Data ◽  
Google Search

BACKGROUND A new recombinant subunit vaccine for herpes zoster (HZ or shingles) was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration on October 20, 2017 and is expected to replace the previous live attenuated vaccine. There have been low coverage rates with the live attenuated vaccine (Zostavax), ranging from 12-32% of eligible patients receiving the HZ vaccine. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to provide insight into trends and potential reasons for interest in HZ vaccination. METHODS Internet search data were queried from the Google Health application programming interface from 2004-2017. Seasonality of normalized search volume was analyzed using wavelets and Fisher’s g test. RESULTS The search terms “shingles vaccine,” “zoster vaccine,” and “zostavax” all exhibited significant periodicity in the fall months (P<.001), with sharp increases after recommendations for vaccination by public health-related organizations. Although the terms “shingles blisters,” “shingles itch,” “shingles rash,” “skin rash,” and “shingles medicine” exhibited statistically significant periodicities with a seasonal peak in the summer (P<.001), the terms “shingles contagious,” “shingles pain,” “shingles treatment,” and “shingles symptoms” did not reveal an annual trend. CONCLUSIONS There may be increased interest in HZ vaccination during the fall and after public health organization recommendations are broadcast. This finding points to the possibility that increased awareness of the vaccine through public health announcements could be evaluated as a potential intervention for increasing vaccine coverage.

scholarly journals Tracking U.S. Pertussis Incidence: Correlation of Public Health Surveillance and Google Search Data Varies by State

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher H. Arehart ◽  
Michael Z. David ◽  
Vanja Dukic
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
State Level ◽  
Individual State ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Search Data ◽  
State Models ◽  
Uniform Manner ◽  
Google Search ◽  
The U.S

AbstractThe Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention document a raw proxy for counts of pertussis cases in the U.S., and the Project Tycho (PT) database provides an improved source of these weekly data. These data are limited because of reporting delays, variation in state-level surveillance practices, and changes over time in diagnosis methods. We aim to assess whether Google Trends (GT) search data track pertussis incidence relative to PT data and if sociodemographic characteristics explain some variation in the accuracy of state-level models. GT and PT data were used to construct auto-correlation corrected linear models for pertussis incidence in 2004–2011 for the entire U.S. and each individual state. The national model resulted in a moderate correlation (adjusted R2 = 0.2369, p < 0.05), and state models tracked PT data for some but not all states. Sociodemographic variables explained approximately 30% of the variation in performance of individual state-level models. The significant correlation between GT models and public health data suggests that GT is a potentially useful pertussis surveillance tool. However, the variable accuracy of this tool by state suggests GT surveillance cannot be applied in a uniform manner across geographic sub-regions.

scholarly journals Population-Level Interest and Telehealth Capacity of US Hospitals in Response to COVID-19: Cross-Sectional Analysis of Google Search and National Hospital Survey Data (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young-Rock Hong ◽  
John Lawrence ◽  
Dunc Williams Jr ◽  
Arch Mainous III
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Population Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Internet Search ◽  
American Hospital ◽  
Search Volume ◽  
Google Search

BACKGROUND As the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is widely spreading across the United States, there is a concern about the overloading of the nation’s health care capacity. The expansion of telehealth services is expected to deliver timely care for the initial screening of symptomatic patients while minimizing exposure in health care facilities, to protect health care providers and other patients. However, it is currently unknown whether US hospitals have the telehealth capacity to meet the increasing demand and needs of patients during this pandemic. OBJECTIVE We investigated the population-level internet search volume for telehealth (as a proxy of population interest and demand) with the number of new COVID-19 cases and the proportion of hospitals that adopted a telehealth system in all US states. METHODS We used internet search volume data from Google Trends to measure population-level interest in telehealth and telemedicine between January 21, 2020 (when the first COVID-19 case was reported), and March 18, 2020. Data on COVID-19 cases in the United States were obtained from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resources Center. We also used data from the 2018 American Hospital Association Annual Survey to estimate the proportion of hospitals that adopted telehealth (including telemedicine and electronic visits) and those with the capability of telemedicine intensive care unit (tele-ICU). Pearson correlation was used to examine the relations of population search volume for telehealth and telemedicine (composite score) with the cumulative numbers of COVID-19 cases in the United States during the study period and the proportion of hospitals with telehealth and tele-ICU capabilities. RESULTS We found that US population–level interest in telehealth increased as the number of COVID-19 cases increased, with a strong correlation (<i>r</i>=0.948, <i>P</i>&lt;.001). We observed a higher population-level interest in telehealth in the Northeast and West census region, whereas the proportion of hospitals that adopted telehealth was higher in the Midwest region. There was no significant association between population interest and the proportion of hospitals that adopted telehealth (<i>r</i>=0.055, <i>P</i>=.70) nor hospitals having tele-ICU capability (<i>r</i>=–0.073, <i>P</i>=.61). CONCLUSIONS As the number of COVID-19 cases increases, so does the US population’s interest in telehealth. However, the level of population interest did not correlate with the proportion of hospitals providing telehealth services in the United States, suggesting that increased population demand may not be met with the current telehealth capacity. Telecommunication infrastructures in US hospitals may lack the capability to address the ongoing health care needs of patients with other health conditions. More practical investment is needed to deploy the telehealth system rapidly against the impending patient surge.

scholarly journals Monitoring Interest in Herpes Zoster Vaccination: Analysis of Google Search Data

10.2196/10180 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e10180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elyse J Berlinberg ◽  
Michael S Deiner ◽  
Travis C Porco ◽  
Nisha R Acharya
Keyword(s):  
Herpes Zoster ◽  
Search Data ◽  
Google Search

Pertussis

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disease Ecology ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Expert Knowledge ◽  
Whooping Cough ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vaccine Preventable Diseases ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Evolutionary Epidemiology

Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a respiratory disease caused primarily by infection with the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It remains one of the leading causes of death among vaccine-preventable diseases worldwide and recent years have seen its alarming re-emergence in many regions (including the United States and much of Europe), despite sustained high levels of vaccine coverage. The causes of the resurgence remain contentious, in part due to inherent complexities of the pathogen’s biology, in part due to pronounced variation in the treatment and prevention strategies between different countries and regions, and in part due to long-standing disagreement among scientific researchers studying pertussis. This edited volume brings together expert knowledge from disparate fields with the overall aim of synthesizing the current understanding of this critically important, global pathogen. Pertussis: Epidemiology, Immunology, and Evolution is an advanced text suitable for graduate-level students taking courses in evolutionary epidemiology, disease ecology, and evolutionary biology, as well as academics, public health officials, and researchers in these fields. It also offers a very useful introduction to a wider audience of public health practitioners, microbiologists, epidemiologists, medical professionals, and vaccine biologists

scholarly journals Cost of Public Health Response and Outbreak Control With a Third Dose of Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine During a University Mumps Outbreak—Iowa, 2015–2016

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Marin ◽  
Tricia L Kitzmann ◽  
Lisa James ◽  
Patricia Quinlisk ◽  
Wade K Aldous ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mmr Vaccine ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
University Of Iowa ◽  
Outbreak Control ◽  
Response Planning ◽  
Health Response ◽  
The University

Abstract Background The United States is experiencing mumps outbreaks in settings with high 2-dose measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine coverage, mainly universities. The economic impact of mumps outbreaks on public health systems is largely unknown. During a 2015–2016 mumps outbreak at the University of Iowa, we estimated the cost of public health response that included a third dose of MMR vaccine. Methods Data on activities performed, personnel hours spent, MMR vaccine doses administered, miles traveled, hourly earnings, and unitary costs were collected using a customized data tool. These data were then used to calculate associated costs. Results Approximately 6300 hours of personnel time were required from state and local public health institutions and the university, including for vaccination and laboratory work. Among activities demanding time were case/contact investigation (36%), response planning/coordination (20%), and specimen testing and report preparation (13% each). A total of 4736 MMR doses were administered and 1920 miles traveled. The total cost was &gt;$649 000, roughly equally distributed between standard outbreak control activities and third-dose MMR vaccination (55% and 45%, respectively). Conclusions Public health response to the mumps outbreak at the University of Iowa required important amounts of personnel time and other resources. Associated costs were sizable enough to affect other public health activities.

Research shows that highly potent vaccine reduces the burden of herpes zoster and the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia in older adults

2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (23) ◽  
Author(s):  
B C Ciancio
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Herpes Zoster ◽  
Postherpetic Neuralgia ◽  
Double Blind Trial ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Live Attenuated Vaccine ◽  
Blind Trial ◽  
Attenuated Vaccine

A live attenuated vaccine reduces the burden of herpes zoster (shingles) in older adults, according to the recently published results of a randomised, double-blind trial

scholarly journals Assessment of Health Information About COVID-19 Prevention on the Internet: Infodemiological Study

10.2196/18717 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. e18717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio Hernández-García ◽  
Teresa Giménez-Júlvez
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Health Information ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Health ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Health Organizations ◽  
Public Health Organizations ◽  
Google Search

Background The internet is a large source of health information and has the capacity to influence its users. However, the information found on the internet often lacks scientific rigor, as anyone may upload content. This factor is a cause of great concern to scientific societies, governments, and users. Objective The objective of our study was to investigate the information about the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the internet. Methods On February 29, 2020, we performed a Google search with the terms “Prevention coronavirus,” “Prevention COVID-19,” “Prevención coronavirus,” and “Prevención COVID-19”. A univariate analysis was performed to study the association between the type of authorship, country of publication, and recommendations to avoid COVID-19 according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Results In total, 80 weblinks were reviewed. Most of them were produced in the United States and Spain (n=58, 73%) by digital media sources and official public health organizations (n=60, 75%). The most mentioned WHO preventive measure was “wash your hands frequently” (n=65, 81%). A less frequent recommendation was to “stay home if you feel unwell” (n=26, 33%). The analysis by type of author (official public health organizations versus digital media) revealed significant differences regarding the recommendation to wear a mask when you are healthy only if caring for a person with suspected COVID-19 (odds ratio [OR] 4.39). According to the country of publication (Spain versus the United States), significant differences were detected regarding some recommendations such as “wash your hands frequently” (OR 9.82), “cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze” (OR 4.59), or “stay home if you feel unwell” (OR 0.31). Conclusions It is necessary to urge and promote the use of the websites of official public health organizations when seeking information on COVID-19 preventive measures on the internet. In this way, users will be able to obtain high-quality information more frequently, and such websites may improve their accessibility and positioning, given that search engines justify the positioning of links obtained in a search based on the frequency of access to them.

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