scholarly journals Key Factors Fuelling India's Second COVID Surge

The Physician ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Indranil Chakravorty
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Small Cities ◽  
Healthcare Workforce ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
Hospital Beds ◽  
National Capital ◽  
Health Care Infrastructure ◽  
The Impact

Having declared in autumn of 2020, that India had defeated Coronavirus, the steep rise of cases in April-May 2021, caught the authorities unawares. The health care infrastructure was rapidly overwhelmed at every level and equally in the national capital, large and small cities and the vast rural populace. The human catastrophe that was unfolding in front of the digitally connected world was heart-breaking. The natural ingredients of a battered economy (-23.9% GDP), a large populace (1.34 billion), poor public health, a chronic epidemic of diseases such as tuberculosis, diabetes, hypertension or kidney disease, chronic underfunding of healthcare infrastructure (1.8% of GDP), deficiency of healthcare workforce (estimated deficit of 600,000 doctors and 2 million nurses) and disjointed, disordered leadership combined with an incoherent, incohesive healthcare policy led to the disaster. After relative stabilisation from the first few weeks of the impact of colossal lack of hospital beds, oxygen, supported ventilation, life-saving drugs, safe and dignified disposal of the dead, and any form of coordinated disaster response, there is now the new epidemic of the black fungus. This editorial explores the emergence of this new health challenge for India and issues a call to rally.

scholarly journals The Challenge of Digital transformation in Public Health in Europe?

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Velez-Lapão
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Technology Use ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Public Health Workforce ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Workforce ◽  
Digital Services ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Healthcare systems are facing many challenges, from demographics to multi-morbidities that are associated with increasing the demand for more services. The new technologies are thought to be a solution to these problems. However, to address these problems with digitalization of healthcare it will imply the combination of proper use of technologies, aligned with integrated working-processes and skilled professionals. Methods This study provides a scoping review on existing public health digital services and aimed to identify the main digitalization challenges, from competencies to technology use. The databases of Pubmed and Ebsco were searched. Results 17 papers were selected, and the three main priorities were identified. First, it will highlight the challenges associated with the digitalization of healthcare, the second the implementation of digital services, considering a method to design online service, the third the impact of digitalization on healthcare workforce performance. An overview of the major effects of transformative technologies (e.g. eHealth services, Internet of Things solutions, Artificial Intelligence) on the healthcare workforce will be addressed. Moreover, to what extent is the digital transition affecting formal qualifications of public health professionals? What are the major implications of technological change for future skill needs and competences of the public health workforce? Finally, the discussion examines the challenges of digitalization for public health services in Europe. Conclusions Proper digitalization of healthcare will enable changes in the paradigm of healthcare delivery as well as in the mechanism for patients’ participation and engagement. The sustainability of healthcare will depend on how efficient we will make digital-services design. Key words Digital health, Public Health, Digital Transformation, Public Health professionals, Europe

Impact of Facility Damages on Hospital Capacities for Decision Support in Disaster Response Planning for an Earthquake

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jomon Aliyas Paul ◽  
Li Lin
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Response ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Parametric Models ◽  
Emergency Relief ◽  
Response Planning ◽  
Hospital Operations ◽  
Emergency Assistance ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
Inaccurate Estimation ◽  
The Impact

AbstractHospitals provide life-saving functions and emergency assistance to communities when disaster strikes. Any damage to hospitals from a disaster, either structural and non-structural, can impair these capabilities. In addition, an inaccurate estimation of the treatment capacities available at hospitals in a disaster-affected region can severely affect the success of emergency relief plans. In this paper, the impact of facility damage on hospital operations is estimated using a generic simulation model. From the simulation results, parametric models are developed for estimating hospitals' capacities and patient waiting times that could be used by emergency response teams in making casualty dispatching/routing decisions.

The impact of correctional institutions on public health during a pandemic or emerging infection disaster

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel D. Schwartz, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Correctional Facilities ◽  
Local Planning ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Planning Processes ◽  
State And Local ◽  
The Impact

With the growing threat of a naturally occurring or man-made global pandemic, many public, private, federal, state, and local institutions have begun to develop some form of preparedness and response plans. Among those in the front lines of preparedness are hospitals and medical professionals who will be among the first responders in the event of such a disaster. At the other end of the spectrum of preparedness is the Corrections community who have been working in a relative vacuum, in part because of lack of funding, but also because they have been largely left out of state, federal local planning processes. This isolation and lack of support is compounded by negative public perceptions of correctional facilities and their inmates, and a failure to understand the serious impact a jail or prison facility would have on public health in the event of a disaster. This article examines the unique issues faced by correctional facilities responding to disease disasters and emphasizes the importance of assisting them to develop workable and effective preparedness and response plans that will prevent them from becoming disease repositories spreading illness and infection throughout our communities. To succeed in such planning, it is crucial that the public health and medical community be involved in correctional disaster planning and that they should integrate correctional disaster response with their own. Failure to do so endangers the health of the entire nation.

Quantifying Disaster Impacts on Local Public Health Agency’s Leadership, Staffing, and Provision of Essential Public Health Services

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Lauren A. Clay ◽  
Kahler W. Stone ◽  
Jennifer A. Horney
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Professional Staff ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Essential Public Health Services ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the impact that natural disaster response has on local health departments’ (LHD) ability to continue to provide essential public health services. Methods: A web-based survey was sent to all North Carolina Local Health Directors. The survey asked respondents to report on LHD functioning following Hurricanes Florence (2018) and Dorian (2019). Results: After Hurricane Florence, the positions who most frequently had regular duties postponed or interrupted were leadership (15 of 48; 31.3%), and professional staff (e.g., nursing and epidemiology: 11 of 48; 22.9%). Staffing shelters for all phases – from disaster response through long-term recovery – was identified as a burden by LHDs, particularly for nursing staff. Approximately 66.6% of LHD jurisdictions opened an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) or activated Incident Command System in response to both hurricanes. If an EOC was activated, the LHD was statistically, significantly more likely to report that normal duties had been interrupted across every domain assessed. Conclusions: The ability of LHDs to perform regular activities and provide essential public health services is impacted by their obligations to support disaster response. Better metrics are needed to measure the impacts to estimate indirect public health impacts of disasters.

scholarly journals Using Poison Center Data for Postdisaster Surveillance

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 521-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Wolkin ◽  
Amy H. Schnall ◽  
Royal Law ◽  
Joshua Schier
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Public Health Surveillance ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Data Sources ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Poison Center ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe role of public health surveillance in disaster response continues to expand as timely, accurate information is needed to mitigate the impact of disasters. Health surveillance after a disaster involves the rapid assessment of the distribution and determinants of disaster-related deaths, illnesses, and injuries in the affected population. Public health disaster surveillance is one mechanism that can provide information to identify health problems faced by the affected population, establish priorities for decision makers, and target interventions to meet specific needs. Public health surveillance traditionally relies on a wide variety of data sources and methods. Poison center (PC) data can serve as data sources of chemical exposures and poisonings during a disaster. In the US, a system of 57 regional PCs serves the entire population. Poison centers respond to poison-related questions from the public, health care professionals, and public health agencies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses PC data during disasters for surveillance of disaster-related toxic exposures and associated illnesses to enhance situational awareness during disaster response and recovery. Poison center data can also be leveraged during a disaster by local and state public health to supplement existing surveillance systems. Augmenting traditional surveillance data (ie, emergency room visits and death records) with other data sources, such as PCs, allows for better characterization of disaster-related morbidity and mortality. Poison center data can be used during a disaster to detect outbreaks, monitor trends, track particular exposures, and characterize the epidemiology of the event. This timely and accurate information can be used to inform public health decision making during a disaster and mitigate future disaster-related morbidity and mortality.WolkinA, SchnallAH, LawR, SchierJ. Using poison center data for postdisaster surveillance. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(5):1-4.

The Medical, Public Health, and Emergency Response to the Impact of 2017 Hurricane Irma in Cuba

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya L. Zakrison ◽  
Davel Milian Valdés ◽  
James M. Shultz
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Resilient Infrastructure ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hurricane Irma ◽  
Hurricane Response

ABSTRACTIn 2017, Cuba was pummeled by Hurricane Irma, one of the strongest and most devastating Atlantic basin hurricanes in history. Twelve of Cuba’s 15 provinces and 90 percent of the population were affected, and there was island-wide loss of electrical power. Despite the significant damage, ongoing economic hardships, and the political realities that required Cuba to handle the situation without response support from other nations, Cuba’s recovery was swift and effective. Cuba’s disaster self-sufficiency and timely response to Hurricane Irma was grounded on 5 decades of disaster planning coupled with ongoing evolution of disaster risk reduction and management strategies. While the central command center, with local dispatch response teams, and mandated citizen engagement are features unique to Cuba’s political structure, in this study, we highlight 5 defining attributes of Cuba’s hurricane response that can constructively inform the actions of other island and coastal nations vulnerable to Atlantic tropical cyclones. These attributes are: (1) actively learning and incorporating lessons from past disaster events, (2) integrating healthcare and public health professionals on the frontlines of disaster response, (3) proactively engaging the public in disaster preparedness, (4) incorporating technology into disaster risk reduction, and (5) infusing science into risk planning. In terms of hurricane response, as a geopolitically isolated nation, Cuba has experienced particular urgency when it comes to protecting the population and creating resilient infrastructure that can be rapidly reactivated after the onslaught of storms of ever-increasing intensity. This includes planning for worsening future disaster scenarios based on a clear-eyed appreciation of the realities of climate change.

Public health expenditures and mortality in England and Wales, 1870–1914

1998 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
FRANCES BELL ◽  
ROBERT MILLWARD
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Health Expenditure ◽  
Mortality Decline ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Public Health Expenditure ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Sanitary Reform ◽  
The Impact

Attempts to account for the pattern and progress of mortality decline in England and Wales in the nineteenth century have produced a literature in which something of a general accord exists over key factors involved. Historians acknowledge the influence of two broad trends of change: environmental improvements as a result of sanitary reform initiatives and nutritional improvements as a consequence of a rise in the general standard of living. Where discord has arisen is in the degree of attachment of individual historians to one or other of these trends as primary contributor. The study of mortality decline, which was the product of a complex amalgam of factors, has proved a complicated task. It is one whose outcome ultimately depends upon efforts to disaggregate and measure the influences of different factors involved. To date, attempts at the systematic measurement of certain key factors associated with mortality decline have lagged considerably behind acceptance of the importance of their measurement. An important omission has been a measure of the timing and dimensions of sanitary reform programmes which, via infrastructure development and environmental controls, had the potential to decrease the rate at which infectious diseases were transmitted. This article examines the trends which emerge from a quantification of local government expenditures on sanitary infrastructure and from attention to its phasing over time. We are concerned with two main issues: to what extent do public health expenditure data describe the public health effort, and how do trends in public health expenditure relate to the decline of mortality? Our subject is local authority sanitary reform as a factor in mortality decline and our focus is on the impact of the timing of public health expenditure rather than the reasons for that timing. We do not examine inter-relationships between sanitary reform and other factors contributing to mortality decline such as income levels and density factors. A call for a more comprehensive study of the sanitary undertakings of local government has been common amongst historians of nineteenth-century mortality decline. It has been acknowledged on both sides of the ‘nutrition versus sanitation’ debate that a probable causal relationship exists between sanitary reforms and declining mortality levels. What has been lacking is a study of sufficient scale and detail to enable comprehensive evaluation.

scholarly journals (A158) Preventing Disasters: Public Health Vulnerability Reduction as a Sustainable Adaptation to Climate Change

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s45-s45
Author(s):  
M. Keim
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
Population Exposure ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Human Vulnerability ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundGlobal warming is predicted to increase the number and severity of extreme weather events. (IPCC 2007) But we can lessen the effects of these disasters. “Critically important will be factors that directly shape the health of populations such as education, health care, public health prevention and infrastructure.” (IPCC 2007) A comprehensive approach to disaster risk reduction (DRR) has been proposed for climate change adaptation. (Thomalla 2006) DRR is cost-effective. One dollar invested in DRR can save $2-10 in disaster response and recovery costs. (Mechler 2005) Disasters occur as a result of the combination of population exposure to a hazard; the conditions of vulnerability that are present; and insufficient capacity to reduce or cope with the potential negative consequences.DiscussionBy reducing human vulnerability to disasters, we can lessen—and at times even prevent—their impact. Vulnerability may be lessened by: 1) reducing human exposures to the hazard by a reduction of human vulnerability, 2) lessening human susceptibility to the hazard, and 3) building resilience to the impact of the hazard. (Keim 2008) Public health disasters are prevented when populations are protected from exposure to the hazard. Public awareness and education can be used to promote a “culture of prevention” and to encourage local prevention activities. Public health disasters may also be mitigated through both structural and social measures undertaken to limit a health hazard's adverse impact. (IPCC 2007) Community-level public health can play an important part in lessening human vulnerability to climate-related disasters through promotion of “healthy people, healthy homes and healthy, disaster resilience communities.” (Srinivasan 2003)

scholarly journals “Are you safe to talk?”: Perspectives of Service Providers on Experiences of Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny K. Leigh ◽  
Lita Danielle Peña ◽  
Ashri Anurudran ◽  
Anant Pai
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Additional Tool ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractThis study aimed to better understand the factors driving reported trends in domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the effect of the pandemic on survivors’ experiences of violence and ability to seek support. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 32 DV service providers operating in organizations across 24 U.S. cities. The majority of providers described a decrease in contact volume when shelter-in-place orders were first established, which they attributed to safety concerns, competing survival priorities, and miscommunication about what resources were available. For most organizations, this decrease was followed by an increase in contacts after the lifting of shelter-in-place orders, often surpassing typical contact counts from the pre-pandemic period. Providers identified survivors’ ability to return to some aspects of their pre-pandemic lives, increased stress levels, and increased lethality of cases as key factors driving this increase. In addition, providers described several unique challenges faced by DV survivors during the pandemic, such as the use of the virus as an additional tool for control by abusers and an exacerbated lack of social support. These findings provide insight into the lived experiences driving observed trends in DV rates during COVID-19. Understanding the impact of the pandemic on survivors can help to shape public health and policy interventions to better support this vulnerable population during future crises.

scholarly journals A Short Note on Dietary Components and Noncommunicable Diseases

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashed N
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Short Note ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Health Maintenance ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Mass Public ◽  
The Impact

Human nutrition and associated metabolism together with the development of non-communicable diseases are the key factors for the mass public health maintenance around the world. The dietary habits; i.e., the optimal consumption of the dietary factors, evaluation of the etiologic effects of the nutrients on the metabolic aftermaths, and assessment of the risk factors ofdifferent diets on the disease progression are hence major health legislative attributes. Current review shortly explained the impact of diets on public health sustainability.

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