Did point-of-use drinking water strategies for children change in the Dominican Republic during a cholera epidemic?

Anticipatory decision-making for cholera in Malawi

Climate change raises an old disease to a new level of public health threat. The causative agent, Vibrio cholerae, native to aquatic ecosystems, is influenced by climate and weather processes. The risk of cholera is elevated in vulnerable populations lacking access to safe water and sanitation infrastructure. Predictive intelligence, employing mathematical algorithms that integrate earth observations and heuristics derived from microbiological, sociological, and weather data, can provide anticipatory decision-making capabilities to reduce the burden of cholera and save human lives. An example offered here is the recent outbreak of cholera in Malawi, predicted in advance by such algorithms.

Predictive Intelligence for Cholera in Ukraine?

Cholera, an ancient waterborne diarrheal disease, remains a threat to public health, especially when climate/weather processes, microbiological parameters, and sociological determinants intersect with population vulnerabilities of loss of access to safe drinking water and sanitation infrastructure. The ongoing war in Ukraine has either damaged or severely crippled civil infrastructure, following which the human population is at risk of health disasters. This editorial highlights a perspective on using predictive intelligence to combat potential (and perhaps impending) cholera outbreaks in various regions of Ukraine. Reliable and judicious use of existing earth observations inspired mathematical algorithms integrating heuristic understanding of microbiological, sociological, and weather parameters have the potential to save or reduce the disease burden.

Watch Me Grow: A Well-Child Examination Protocol to Improve Preventive Care in Dominican Children

INTRODUCTION

Morbidity and mortality rates among Dominican children are a serious health concern worsened by a lack of preventive care that hinders early identification and avoidance of illnesses. The purpose of this study was to improve health outcomes in Dominican children by implementing a well-child examination (WCE) protocol entitled "Watch Me Grow."

METHODS

A quantitative, descriptive methodology was used. Twelve adults involved in pediatric care with the Foundation for Peace organization in the Dominican Republic were designated to receive WCE protocol education, and 159 children received WCEs and health promotion teaching.

RESULTS

No statistically significant improvement in WCE knowledge was noted. The most common abnormal findings were unhealthy weight (47.8%), dental caries (46.5%), low vision (17.0%), and elevated blood pressure (15.7%).

DISCUSSION

The WCE protocol facilitated early identification of many pediatric health concerns and may help diminish the potential future impact of illnesses on Dominican children.