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Peng A, Bosco S, Simmons AE, Tuite AR, Fisman DN. Impact of community mask mandates on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Ontario after adjustment for differential testing by age and sex. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae065. [PMID: 38463611 PMCID: PMC10923507 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Mask use for prevention of respiratory infectious disease transmission is not new but has proven controversial during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. In Ontario, Canada, irregular regional introduction of community mask mandates in 2020 created a quasi-experiment useful for evaluating the impact of such mandates; however, Ontario SARS-CoV-2 case counts were likely biased by testing focused on long-term care facilities and healthcare workers. We developed a regression-based method that allowed us to adjust cases for under-testing by age and gender. We evaluated mask mandate effects using count-based regression models with either unadjusted cases, or testing-adjusted case counts, as dependent variables. Models were used to estimate mask mandate effectiveness, and the fraction of SARS-CoV-2 cases, severe outcomes, and costs, averted by mask mandates. Models using unadjusted cases as dependent variables identified modest protective effects of mask mandates (range 31-42%), with variable statistical significance. Mask mandate effectiveness in models predicting test-adjusted case counts was higher, ranging from 49% (95% CI 44-53%) to 76% (95% CI 57-86%). The prevented fraction associated with mask mandates was 46% (95% CI 41-51%), with 290,000 clinical cases, 3,008 deaths, and loss of 29,038 quality-adjusted life years averted from 2020 June to December, representing $CDN 610 million in economic wealth. Under-testing in younger individuals biases estimates of SARS-CoV-2 infection risk and obscures the impact of public health preventive measures. After adjustment for under-testing, mask mandates emerged as highly effective. Community masking saved substantial numbers of lives, and prevented economic costs, during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Ontario, Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Peng
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Savana Bosco
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Alison E Simmons
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Ashleigh R Tuite
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
- Centre for Immunization Programs, Public Health Agency of Canada, 130 Colonnade Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
| | - David N Fisman
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
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Kim HHR, Leschied JR, Noda SM, Sarma A, Pruthi S, Iyer RS. Planetary health: an imperative for pediatric radiology. Pediatr Radiol 2024; 54:20-26. [PMID: 37962606 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-023-05807-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The global temperature has been increasing resulting in climate change. This negatively impacts planetary health that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable among us, especially children. Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, flooding, and heatwaves, are becoming more frequent and severe, posing a significant threat to our patients' health, safety, and security. Concurrently, shifts in environmental exposures, including air pollution, allergens, pathogenic vectors, and microplastics, further exacerbate the risks faced by children. In this paper, we provide an overview of pediatric illnesses that are becoming more prevalent and severe because of extreme weather events, global temperature increases, and shifts in environmental exposures. As members of pediatric health care teams, it is crucial for pediatric radiologists to be knowledgeable about the impacts of climate change on our patients, and continue to advocate for safe, healthier environments for our patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen H R Kim
- Department of Radiology, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington School of Medicine, MA.7.220, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
| | - Jessica R Leschied
- Department of Radiology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sakura M Noda
- Department of Radiology, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington School of Medicine, MA.7.220, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Asha Sarma
- Department of Radiology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sumit Pruthi
- Department of Radiology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ramesh S Iyer
- Department of Radiology, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington School of Medicine, MA.7.220, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
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Linh Tran NQ, Cam Hong Le HT, Pham CT, Nguyen XH, Tran ND, Thi Tran TH, Nghiem S, Ly Luong TM, Bui V, Nguyen-Huy T, Doan VQ, Dang KA, Thuong Do TH, Thi Ngo HK, Nguyen TV, Nguyen NH, Do MC, Ton TN, Thu Dang TA, Nguyen K, Tran XB, Thai P, Phung D. Climate change and human health in Vietnam: a systematic review and additional analyses on current impacts, future risk, and adaptation. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2023; 40:100943. [PMID: 38116497 PMCID: PMC10730327 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate climate change's impact on health and adaptation in Vietnam through a systematic review and additional analyses of heat exposure, heat vulnerability, awareness and engagement, and projected health costs. Out of 127 reviewed studies, findings indicated the wider spread of infectious diseases, and increased mortality and hospitalisation risks associated with extreme heat, droughts, and floods. However, there are few studies addressing health cost, awareness, engagement, adaptation, and policy. Additional analyses showed rising heatwave exposure across Vietnam and global above-average vulnerability to heat. By 2050, climate change is projected to cost up to USD1-3B in healthcare costs, USD3-20B in premature deaths, and USD6-23B in work loss. Despite increased media focus on climate and health, a gap between public and government publications highlighted the need for more governmental engagement. Vietnam's climate policies have faced implementation challenges, including top-down approaches, lack of cooperation, low adaptive capacity, and limited resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nu Quy Linh Tran
- Centre for Environment and Population Health, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Australia
| | - Huynh Thi Cam Hong Le
- Child Health Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Xuan Huong Nguyen
- Centre for Scientific Research and International Collaboration, Phan Chau Trinh University, Quang Nam, Vietnam
| | - Ngoc Dang Tran
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | - Son Nghiem
- Department of Health Economics, Wellbeing and Society, Australian National University, Australia
| | - Thi Mai Ly Luong
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Vietnam University of Science, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Vinh Bui
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Australia
| | - Thong Nguyen-Huy
- Centre for Applied Climate Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Australia
| | - Van Quang Doan
- Centre for Computational Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Kim Anh Dang
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Thi Hoai Thuong Do
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Hieu Kim Thi Ngo
- University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | - Ngoc Huy Nguyen
- Vietnam National University - Vietnam Japan University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Manh Cuong Do
- Health Environment Management Agency, Ministry of Health, Vietnam
| | | | - Thi Anh Thu Dang
- Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue City, Vietnam
| | - Kien Nguyen
- Hue University of Economics, Hue University, Hue City, Vietnam
| | | | - Phong Thai
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Dung Phung
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Australia
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He Y, Liu WJ, Jia N, Richardson S, Huang C. Viral respiratory infections in a rapidly changing climate: the need to prepare for the next pandemic. EBioMedicine 2023:104593. [PMID: 37169688 PMCID: PMC10363434 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral respiratory infections (VRIs) cause seasonal epidemics and pandemics, with their transmission influenced by climate conditions. Despite the risks posed by novel VRIs, the relationships between climate change and VRIs remain poorly understood. In this review, we synthesized existing literature to explore the connections between changes in meteorological conditions, extreme weather events, long-term climate warming, and seasonal outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics of VRIs from an interdisciplinary perspective. We proposed a comprehensive conceptual framework highlighting the potential biological, socioeconomic, and ecological mechanisms underlying the impact of climate change on VRIs. Our findings suggested that climate change increases the risk of VRI emergence and transmission by affecting the biology of viruses, host susceptibility, human behavior, and environmental conditions of both society and ecosystems. Further interdisciplinary research is needed to address the dual challenge of climate change and pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yucong He
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Institute of Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - William J Liu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Biosafety, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Na Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, PR China
| | - Sol Richardson
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Cunrui Huang
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Institute of Healthy China, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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Burbank AJ. Risk Factors for Respiratory Viral Infections: A Spotlight on Climate Change and Air Pollution. J Asthma Allergy 2023; 16:183-194. [PMID: 36721739 PMCID: PMC9884560 DOI: 10.2147/jaa.s364845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change has both direct and indirect effects on human health, and some populations are more vulnerable to these effects than others. Viral respiratory infections are most common illnesses in humans, with estimated 17 billion incident infections globally in 2019. Anthropogenic drivers of climate change, chiefly the emission of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants from burning of fossil fuels, and the consequential changes in temperature, precipitation, and frequency of extreme weather events have been linked with increased susceptibility to viral respiratory infections. Air pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, diesel exhaust particles, and ozone have been shown to impact susceptibility and immune responses to viral infections through various mechanisms, including exaggerated or impaired innate and adaptive immune responses, disruption of the airway epithelial barrier, altered cell surface receptor expression, and impaired cytotoxic function. An estimated 90% of the world's population is exposed to air pollution, making this a topic with high relevance to human health. This review summarizes the available epidemiologic and experimental evidence for an association between climate change, air pollution, and viral respiratory infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison J Burbank
- Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA,Correspondence: Allison J Burbank, 5008B Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Dr, CB#7231, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA, Tel +1 919 962 5136, Fax +1 919 962 4421, Email
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Ma Y, Wen T, Xing D, Zhang Y. Associations between floods and bacillary dysentery cases in main urban areas of Chongqing, China, 2005-2016: a retrospective study. Environ Health Prev Med 2021; 26:49. [PMID: 33874880 PMCID: PMC8056597 DOI: 10.1186/s12199-021-00971-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding the association between floods and bacillary dysentery (BD) incidence is necessary for us to assess the health risk of extreme weather events. This study aims at exploring the association between floods and daily bacillary dysentery cases in main urban areas of Chongqing between 2005 and 2016 as well as evaluating the attributable risk from floods. Methods The association between floods and daily bacillary dysentery cases was evaluated by using distributed lag non-linear model, controlling for meteorological factors, long-term trend, seasonality, and day of week. The fraction and number of bacillary dysentery cases attributable to floods was calculated. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore the association across age, gender, and occupation. Results After controlling the impact of temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, long-term trend, and seasonality, a significant lag effect of floods on bacillary dysentery cases was found at 0-day, 3-day, and 4-day lag, and the cumulative relative risk (CRR) over a 7-lag day period was 1.393 (95%CI 1.216–1.596). Male had higher risk than female. People under 5 years old and people aged 15–64 years old had significantly higher risk. Students, workers, and children had significantly higher risk. During the study period, based on 7-lag days, the attributable fraction of bacillary dysentery cases due to floods was 1.10% and the attributable number was 497 persons. Conclusions This study confirms that floods can increase the risk of bacillary dysentery incidence in main urban areas of Chongqing within an accurate time scale, the risk of bacillary dysentery caused by floods is still serious. The key population includes male, people under 5 years old, students, workers, and children. Considering the lag effect of floods on bacillary dysentery, the government and public health emergency departments should advance to the emergency health response in order to minimize the potential risk of floods on public. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12199-021-00971-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Ma
- School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Yixueyuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Tong Wen
- School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Yixueyuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Dianguo Xing
- Office of Health Emergency, Chongqing Municipal Health Commission, No.6, Qilong Road, Yubei District, Chongqing, 401147, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University, Yixueyuan Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China.
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Helldén D, Andersson C, Nilsson M, Ebi KL, Friberg P, Alfvén T. Climate change and child health: a scoping review and an expanded conceptual framework. Lancet Planet Health 2021; 5:e164-e175. [PMID: 33713617 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(20)30274-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Climate change can have detrimental effects on child health and wellbeing. Despite the imperative for a fuller understanding of how climate change affects child health and wellbeing, a systematic approach and focus solely on children (aged <18 years) has been lacking. In this Scoping Review, we did a literature search on the impacts of climate change on child health from January, 2000, to June, 2019. The included studies explicitly linked an alteration of an exposure to a risk factor for child health to climate change or climate variability. In total, 2970 original articles, reviews, and other documents were identified, of which 371 were analysed. Employing an expanded framework, our analysis showed that the effects of climate change on child health act through direct and indirect pathways, with implications for determinants of child health as well as morbidity and mortality from a range of diseases. This understanding can be further enhanced by using a broader range of research methods, studying overlooked populations and geographical regions, investigating the costs and benefits of mitigation and adaptation for child health, and considering the position of climate change and child health within the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Present and future generations of children bear and will continue to bear an unacceptably high disease burden from climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Helldén
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Camilla Andersson
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Maria Nilsson
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Kristie L Ebi
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Peter Friberg
- Swedish Institute for Global Health Transformation, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tobias Alfvén
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Di Cicco ME, Ferrante G, Amato D, Capizzi A, De Pieri C, Ferraro VA, Furno M, Tranchino V, La Grutta S. Climate Change and Childhood Respiratory Health: A Call to Action for Paediatricians. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E5344. [PMID: 32722291 PMCID: PMC7432234 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17155344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Climate change (CC) is one of the main contributors to health emergencies worldwide. CC appears to be closely interrelated with air pollution, as some pollutants like carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and black carbon are naturally occurring greenhouse gases. Air pollution may enhance the allergenicity of some plants and, also, has an adverse effect on respiratory health. Children are a uniquely vulnerable group that suffers disproportionately from CC burden. The increasing global warming related to CC has a big impact on plants' lifecycles, with earlier and longer pollen seasons, as well as higher pollen production, putting children affected by asthma and allergic rhinitis at risk for exacerbations. Extreme weather events may play a role too, not only in the exacerbations of allergic respiratory diseases but, also, in favouring respiratory infections. Even though paediatricians are already seeing the impacts of CC on their patients, their knowledge about CC-related health outcomes with specific regards to children's respiratory health is incomplete. This advocates for paediatricians' increased awareness and a better understanding of the CC impact on children's respiratory health. Having a special responsibility for children, paediatricians should actively be involved in policies aimed to protect the next generation from CC-related adverse health effects. Hence, there is an urgent need for them to take action and successfully educate families about CC issues. This paper aims at reviewing the evidence of CC-related environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, rainfall and extreme events on respiratory allergic diseases and respiratory infections in children and proposing specific actionable items for paediatricians to deal with CC-related health issues in their clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elisa Di Cicco
- Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital of Pisa, via Roma 67, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Giuliana Ferrante
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Piazza delle Cliniche 2, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Doriana Amato
- Pediatric Medicine Unit and Pediatric Emergency Department, Pediatric Hospital Giovanni XXIII, via Giovanni Amendola 207, 70123 Bari, Italy; (D.A.); (V.T.)
| | - Antonino Capizzi
- Pediatrics Unit, S. Paolo and S. Corona Hospital, via Genova 30, 17100 Savona, Italy; (A.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Carlo De Pieri
- Pediatrics Clinic, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Udine, Piazzale S.M. della Misericordia 15, 33100 Udine, Italy;
| | - Valentina Agnese Ferraro
- Unit of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, via Nicolò Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Maria Furno
- Pediatrics Unit, S. Paolo and S. Corona Hospital, via Genova 30, 17100 Savona, Italy; (A.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Valentina Tranchino
- Pediatric Medicine Unit and Pediatric Emergency Department, Pediatric Hospital Giovanni XXIII, via Giovanni Amendola 207, 70123 Bari, Italy; (D.A.); (V.T.)
| | - Stefania La Grutta
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Research and Biomedical Innovation, IRIB, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy;
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Health Implications of Drinking Water Salinity in Coastal Areas of Bangladesh. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16193746. [PMID: 31590283 PMCID: PMC6801928 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16193746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Coastal areas in South Asian countries are particularly vulnerable to elevated water salinity. Drinking water salinity has been found to be associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Our study aimed to find if excess drinking water salinity was associated with increased hospital visits with an array of health effects in coastal sub-districts of Bangladesh. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 157 participants from three coastal sub-districts. A face-to-face interview was conducted to collect salinity exposure and hospital visit data. Water samples were collected from both drinking and other household water sources for the measurement of salinity and total dissolved solids (TDS). CVD, diarrhea, and abdominal pain related hospital visits were found to be significantly associated with high water salinity and TDS. Households exposed to high salinity demonstrated a higher frequency of hospital visits than the low salinity-exposed households. People exposed to high salinity seemed to lack awareness regarding salinity-inducing health effects. Water salinity is a public health concern that will continue to rise due to climate change. Therefore, raising awareness about the health risks of water salinity is essential for the government to frame policies and mitigation strategies to control this emerging threat.
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Phung D, Nguyen HX, Nguyen HLT, Luong AM, Do CM, Tran QD, Chu C. The effects of socioecological factors on variation of communicable diseases: A multiple-disease study at the national scale of Vietnam. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0193246. [PMID: 29494623 PMCID: PMC5832231 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of socioecological factors on multiple communicable diseases across Vietnam. METHODS We used the Moran's I tests to evaluate spatial clusters of diseases and applied multilevel negative binomial regression models using the Bayesian framework to analyse the association between socioecological factors and the diseases queried by oral, airborne, vector-borne, and animal transmission diseases. RESULTS AND SIGNIFICANCE The study found that oral-transmission diseases were spatially distributed across the country; whereas, the airborne-transmission diseases were more clustered in the Northwest and vector-borne transmission diseases were more clustered in the South. Most of diseases were sensitive with climatic factors. For instance, a 1°C increase in average temperature is significantly associated with 0.4% (95CI, 0.3-0.5), 2.5% (95%CI, 1.4-3.6), 0.9% (95%CI, 0.6-1.4), 1.1% (95%CI), 5% (95%CI, 3-.7.4), 0.4% (95%CI, 0.2-0.7), and 2% (95%CI, 1.5-2.8) increase in risk of diarrhoea, shigellosis, mumps, influenza, dengue, malaria, and rabies respectively. The influences of socio-economic factors on risk of communicable diseases are varied by factors with the biggest influence of population density. The research findings reflect an important implication for the climate change adaptation strategies of health sectors. A development of weather-based early warning systems should be considered to strengthen communicable disease prevention in Vietnam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dung Phung
- Centre for Environment and Population Health, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Huong Xuan Nguyen
- Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy, Da Nang, Vietnam
| | | | - Anh Mai Luong
- Health Environment Management Agency, Ministry of Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Cuong Manh Do
- Health Environment Management Agency, Ministry of Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Quang Dai Tran
- General Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Cordia Chu
- Centre for Environment and Population Health, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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11
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Veenema TG, Thornton CP, Lavin RP, Bender AK, Seal S, Corley A. Climate Change-Related Water Disasters' Impact on Population Health. J Nurs Scholarsh 2017; 49:625-634. [PMID: 28834176 DOI: 10.1111/jnu.12328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Rising global temperatures have resulted in an increased frequency and severity of cyclones, hurricanes, and flooding in many parts of the world. These climate change-related water disasters (CCRWDs) have a devastating impact on communities and the health of residents. Clinicians and policymakers require a substantive body of evidence on which to base planning, prevention, and disaster response to these events. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature concerning the impact of CCRWDs on public health in order to identify factors in these events that are amenable to preparedness and mitigation. Ultimately, this evidence could be used by nurses to advocate for greater preparedness initiatives and inform national and international disaster policy. DESIGN AND METHODS A systematic literature review of publications identified through a comprehensive search of five relevant databases (PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature [CINAHL], Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science) was conducted using a modified Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach in January 2017 to describe major themes and associated factors of the impact of CCRWDs on population health. FINDINGS Three major themes emerged: environmental disruption resulting in exposure to toxins, population susceptibility, and health systems infrastructure (failure to plan-prepare-mitigate, inadequate response, and lack of infrastructure). Direct health impact was characterized by four major categories: weather-related morbidity and mortality, waterborne diseases/water-related illness, vector-borne and zoonotic diseases, and psychiatric/mental health effects. Scope and duration of the event are factors that exacerbate the impact of CCRWDs. Discussion of specific factors amenable to mitigation was limited. Flooding as an event was overrepresented in this analysis (60%), and the majority of the research reviewed was conducted in high-income or upper middle-/high-income countries (62%), despite the fact that low-income countries bear a disproportionate share of the burden on morbidity and mortality from CCRWDs. CONCLUSIONS Empirical evidence related to CCRWDs is predominately descriptive in nature, characterizing the cascade of climatic shifts leading to major environmental disruption and exposure to toxins, and their resultant morbidity and mortality. There is inadequate representation of research exploring potentially modifiable factors associated with CCRWDs and their impact on population health. This review lays the foundation for a wide array of further areas of analysis to explore the negative health impacts of CCRWDs and for nurses to take a leadership role in identifying and advocating for evidence-based policies to plan, prevent, or mitigate these effects. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Nurses comprise the largest global healthcare workforce and are in a position to advocate for disaster preparedness for CCRWDs, develop more robust environmental health policies, and work towards mitigating exposure to environmental toxins that may threaten human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tener Goodwin Veenema
- Beta Nu, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Department Acute and Chronic Care, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Center for Humanitarian Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Clifton P Thornton
- Beta Nu, Clinical Nurse Practitioner, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Charlotte Bloomberg Children's Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Roberta Proffitt Lavin
- Associate Dean for Academic Programs, University of Missouri-St. Louis, College of Nursing, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Annah K Bender
- Research Associate, University of Missouri-St. Louis, College of Nursing, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Stella Seal
- Associate Director, Hospital, Health System and Community Services, Welch Medical Library, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew Corley
- Beta Nu, Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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12
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Abstract
This study examined the temporal and spatial patterns of diarrhoea in relation to hydro-meteorological factors in the Mekong Delta area in Vietnam. A time-series design was applied to examine the temporal pattern of the climate-diarrhoea relationship using Poisson regression models. Spatial analysis was applied to examine the spatial clusters of diarrhoea using Global Moran's I and local indicators of spatial autocorrelation (LISA). The temporal pattern showed that the highest peak of diarrhoea was from weeks 30-42 corresponding to August-October annually. A 1 cm increase in river water level at a lag of 1 week was associated with a small [0·07%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·01-0·1] increase in the diarrhoeal rate. A 1 °C increase in temperature at lag of 2 and 4 weeks was associated with a 1·5% (95% CI 0·3-2·7) and 1·1% (95% CI 0·1-2·3) increase in diarrhoeal risk, respectively. Relative humidity and diarrhoeal risk were in nonlinear relationship. The spatial analysis showed significant clustering of diarrhoea, and the LISA map shows three multi-centred diarrhoeal clusters and three single-centred clusters in the research location. The findings suggest that climatic conditions projected to be associated with climate change have important implication for human health impact in the Mekong Delta region.
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