scholarly journals Notifications of Public Health Events under the International Health Regulations - 5 Year U.S. Experience

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrin Kohl ◽  
Cody Thornton ◽  
Jose Fernandez ◽  
Nicki Pesik ◽  
Francisco Alvarado-Ramy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
International Health ◽  
International Health Regulations ◽  
Health Events ◽  
Health Regulations

scholarly journals The Maritime Declaration of Health (MDH) as a tool to detect maritime traffic-related health risks: analysis of MDH forms submitted to Spanish ports, October 2014 to March 2015

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (24) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosa M López-Gigosos ◽  
Marina Segura ◽  
Rosa M Díez-Díaz ◽  
Isabel Ureña ◽  
David Urzay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
International Health ◽  
P Value ◽  
International Health Regulations ◽  
Maritime Traffic ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Passenger Ships ◽  
Health Regulations

The international maritime traffic of people and goods has often contributed to the spread of pathogens affecting public health. The Maritime Declaration of Health (MDH), according to the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005), is a document containing data related to the state of health on board a ship during passage and on arrival at port. It is a useful tool for early detection of public health risks. The main objective of our study was to evaluate compliance with the model provided in the IHR, focusing on the format and degree of completion of MDH forms received at Spanish ports. We reviewed the content of 802 MDH forms submitted to nine Spanish ports between October 2014 and March 2015. Study results show that 22% of MDH forms presented did not comply with the recommended model and 39% were incomplete. The proportion of cargo ships with correct and complete MDH forms was lower than passenger ships; thus, the nine health questions were answered less frequently by cargo ships than passenger ships (63% vs 90%, p value < 0.001). The appropriate demand and usage of MDH forms by competent authorities should improve the quality of the document as a tool and improve risk assessment.

scholarly journals Strengthening public health laboratory capacity in Thailand for International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005)

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 266 ◽  
Author(s):  
AnneHarwood Peruski ◽  
Maureen Birmingham ◽  
Chawalit Tantinimitkul ◽  
Ladawan Chungsamanukool ◽  
Preecha Chungsamanukool ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
International Health ◽  
Public Health Laboratory ◽  
International Health Regulations ◽  
Laboratory Capacity ◽  
Health Regulations

Multinational Outbreak Investigations

2019 ◽  
pp. 295-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Mahoney ◽  
James W. Le Duc
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
International Health ◽  
World Health ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
Health Events ◽  
The World ◽  
Outbreak Investigations ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Health Regulations

Multinational collaborations on international outbreak investigations and response have a long history. Development of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 was closely linked to efforts by the global community to prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks of international concern. Through the International Health Regulations (IHR) of 2005, a legally binding instrument requiring countries to report certain outbreaks and public health events, WHO outlined a strategy for disease threat response. Efforts by global partners to strengthen cooperation have evolved over the years, including roles and responsibilities of WHO, its Member States, and other partners. Among the challenges faced by Member State and WHO in implementing the IHRs are limited funding to support staffing and operational support as well as sometimes conflicting multijurisdictional decision-making. The response to recent outbreaks provides evidence that much work remains to be done to strengthen IHR mechanisms.

scholarly journals An analysis of International Health Regulations Emergency Committees and Public Health Emergency of International Concern Designations

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. e002502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Mullen ◽  
Christina Potter ◽  
Lawrence O Gostin ◽  
Anita Cicero ◽  
Jennifer B Nuzzo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
International Health ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Director General ◽  
International Health Regulations ◽  
International Response ◽  
Health Regulations

IntroductionNine events have been assessed for potential declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). A PHEIC is defined as an extraordinary event that constitutes a public health risk to other states through international spread and requires a coordinated international response. The WHO Director-General convenes Emergency Committees (ECs) to provide their advice on whether an event constitutes a PHEIC. The EC rationales have been criticised for being non-transparent and contradictory to the International Health Regulations (IHR). This first comprehensive analysis of EC rationale provides recommendations to increase clarity of EC decisions which will strengthen the IHR and WHO’s legitimacy in future outbreaks.Methods66 EC statements were reviewed from nine public health outbreaks of influenza A, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, polio, Ebola virus disease, Zika, yellow fever and coronavirus disease-2019. Statements were analysed to determine which of the three IHR criteria were noted as contributing towards the EC’s justification on whether to declare a PHEIC and what language was used to explain the decision.ResultsInterpretation of the criteria were often vague and applied inconsistently. ECs often failed to describe and justify which criteria had been satisfied.DiscussionGuidelines must be developed for the standardised interpretation of IHR core criteria. The ECs must clearly identify and justify which criteria have contributed to their rationale for or against PHEIC declaration.ConclusionStriving for more consistency and transparency in EC justifications would benefit future deliberations and provide more understanding and support for the process.

scholarly journals The world health organization: The (un)attainable ideal?

2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (91) ◽  
pp. 271-286
Author(s):  
Jovana Blešić
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
International Health ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
World Health ◽  
Director General ◽  
International Health Regulations ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Health Regulations

The World Health Organization (WHO) is one of the UN specialized agencies. Its work and functions gained even more importance in 2020 with the emergence of the corona virus. The eyes of the entire international community focused on this organization and its Director General. Nowadays, its efficiency has been subject to various forms of criticism. In this paper, the author first provides a brief overview of this organization and its significance. The central part of the paper focuses on the activities of the WHO during the Covid-19 pandemic, through the clarification of the concept of public health emergency of international concern and the use of International Health Regulations. Finally, the author discusses the possible reform of this body. The aim of this paper is to familiarize the readers with the World Health Organization and put its activities in the context of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

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