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Ross K. Locally acquired strongyloidiasis in remote Australia: why are there still cases? Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220435. [PMID: 38008121 PMCID: PMC10676813 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In Australia, strongyloidiasis primarily affects returned travellers, Vietnam veterans and refugees or asylum seekers, and First Nations people. Non-overseas acquired cases are seen almost exclusively in Australian First Nations remote communities. Australian First Nations communities have one of the highest rates of strongyloidiasis in the world. Our work has shown that strongyloidiasis is a disease of poverty. Acknowledging this is important-we need to shift the lens to socioeconomic factors, particularly environmental health hardware such as working toilets and sewerage systems, showers and laundries, and effective wastewater and rubbish removal. The rates of strongyloidiasis in First Nations communities is a result of decades of inadequate, poorly constructed and/or poorly maintained housing, and poor environmental health hardware (hereafter hardware). The solution lies in adequate funding, resulting in well designed and maintained housing and appropriate hardware. Governments need to allow First Nations communities themselves to take the lead role in funding allocation, and design, construction and maintenance of their housing and hardware. This will ensure housing and hardware fulfils cultural and physical needs and desires, and protects health. Improving housing and hardware will also improve other health outcomes. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Strongyloides: omics to worm-free populations'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirstin Ross
- Environmental Health, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
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Ahmed KY, Allan J, Dalton H, Sleigh A, Seubsman SA, Ross AG. Reviewing Publicly Available Reports on Child Health Disparities in Indigenous and Remote Communities of Australia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5959. [PMID: 37297562 PMCID: PMC10253029 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20115959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Developing programs that ensure a safe start to life for Indigenous children can lead to better health outcomes. To create effective strategies, governments must have accurate and up-to-date information. Accordingly, we reviewed the health disparities of Australian children in Indigenous and remote communities using publicly available reports. A thorough search was performed on Australian government and other organisational websites (including the Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS] and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW]), electronic databases [MEDLINE] and grey literature sites for articles, documents and project reports related to Indigenous child health outcomes. The study showed Indigenous dwellings had higher rates of crowding when compared to non-Indigenous dwellings. Smoking during pregnancy, teenage motherhood, low birth weight and infant and child mortality were higher among Indigenous and remote communities. Childhood obesity (including central obesity) and inadequate fruit consumption rates were also higher in Indigenous children, but Indigenous children from remote and very remote areas had a lower rate of obesity. Indigenous children performed better in physical activity compared to non-Indigenous children. No difference was observed in vegetable consumption rates, substance-use disorders or mental health conditions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children. Future interventions for Indigenous children should focus on modifiable risk factors, including unhealthy housing, perinatal adverse health outcomes, childhood obesity, poor dietary intake, physical inactivity and sedentary behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kedir Y. Ahmed
- Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia
| | - Julaine Allan
- Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia
| | - Hazel Dalton
- Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia
| | - Adrian Sleigh
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Sam-ang Seubsman
- School of Human Ecology, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Nonthaburi 11120, Thailand
| | - Allen G. Ross
- Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia
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Lorentzen JC, Johanson G, Björk F, Stensson S. Overcrowding and Hazardous Dwelling Condition Characteristics: A Systematic Search and Scoping Review of Relevance for Health. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15542. [PMID: 36497612 PMCID: PMC9736286 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Crowding in dwellings is an important public health issue. We hypothesize that overcrowding may cause indirect health effects by adversely affecting the dwelling itself, for example, by increasing dampness leading to mold. We therefore performed a systematic search and a scoping review on overcrowding leading to dwelling condition characteristics of relevance for health. A literature search was performed using the PubMed and Scopus databases up to 5 March 2021. The search yielded 100 records with relevant information. We found that overcrowding is defined in numerous ways and often address "socially deprived" populations. Six studies report associations of overcrowding with at least one dwelling condition characteristic, namely lead, cadmium, microorganism distribution, dust mite and cockroach allergens in dust, cockroach infestation, peeling paint, and mold. One of the studies reports associations between several characteristics, e.g., association of mold with cleanliness and rodent infestation, and points out the common use of pesticides. Additional characteristics were extracted from the remaining 94 records, without data on statistical associations with overcrowding. Our review suggests that multiple potentially hazardous dwelling condition characteristics often coincide in overcrowded dwellings. The epidemiological attribution of health effects to any characteristic is therefore difficult. Causal relationships are even more difficult to establish, as overcrowding is also associated with a range of social and other circumstances that may affect health. The complexity should be considered by scientists and practitioners dealing with overcrowding in dwellings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnny C. Lorentzen
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Integrative Toxicology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, SE-113 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Johanson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Integrative Toxicology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Folke Björk
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sofia Stensson
- RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, SE-501 15 Borås, Sweden
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Brinkworth JF, Shaw JG. On race, human variation, and who gets and dies of sepsis. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2022. [PMCID: PMC9544695 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica F. Brinkworth
- Department of Anthropology University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign Urbana Illinois USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana Illinois USA
- Department of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign Urbana Illinois USA
| | - J. Grace Shaw
- Department of Anthropology University of Illinois Urbana‐Champaign Urbana Illinois USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana Illinois USA
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Quilty S, Frank Jupurrurla N, Bailie RS, Gruen RL. Climate, housing, energy and Indigenous health: a call to action. Med J Aust 2022; 217:9-12. [PMID: 35708259 PMCID: PMC9545280 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Chen J, Hao S, Wu Y. Housing and health in vulnerable social groups: an overview and bibliometric analysis. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2022; 37:267-279. [PMID: 34049423 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2020-0167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have confirmed that poor living conditions can lead to a wide range of health problems. However, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerable groups in unstable housing are more susceptible to disease. This study aims to systematically examine the housing and health problems of vulnerable groups using a bibliometric approach to explore how housing causes health problems, types of health illnesses, and coping strategies. It is found that the poor housing mechanism, persistent inequalities, and poor housing environments have a significant impact on the health of vulnerable groups. Therefore, the government must make concerted efforts across all sectors to ensure that the housing and health care needs of vulnerable groups are improved, and that housing security standards and related policies are improved; targeted safety plans are formulated with community as the carrier, taking into account the characteristics of vulnerable groups; and new information technology is widely used to provide medical convenience for vulnerable groups. It is hoped that the research in this paper can arouse social attention to the health of vulnerable groups and improve their health from the perspective of housing, so as to point out the direction for solving the housing health problems of vulnerable groups in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhua Chen
- Department of Urban and Real Estate Management, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Shuya Hao
- Department of Urban and Real Estate Management, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Wu
- National Institute of Social Development, Central University of Finance and Economics, No. 5 Jiangguomennei Street, 100732, Beijing, Beijing, China
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Chakraborty A, Howard NJ, Daniel M, Chong A, Slavin N, Brown A, Cargo M. Prioritizing Built Environmental Factors to Tackle Chronic and Infectious Diseases in Remote Northern Territory (NT) Communities of Australia: A Concept Mapping Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:5178. [PMID: 34068201 PMCID: PMC8152969 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
High prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases in Indigenous populations is a major public health concern both in global and Australian contexts. Limited research has examined the role of built environments in relation to Indigenous health in remote Australia. This study engaged stakeholders to understand their perceptions of the influence of built environmental factors on chronic and infectious diseases in remote Northern Territory (NT) communities. A preliminary set of 1120 built environmental indicators were systematically identified and classified using an Indigenous Indicator Classification System. The public and environmental health workforce was engaged to consolidate the classified indicators (n = 84), and then sort and rate the consolidated indicators based on their experience with living and working in remote NT communities. Sorting of the indicators resulted in a concept map with nine built environmental domains. Essential services and Facilities for health/safety were the highest ranked domains for both chronic and infectious diseases. Within these domains, adequate housing infrastructure, water supply, drainage system, reliable sewerage and power infrastructure, and access to health services were identified as the most important contributors to the development of these diseases. The findings highlight the features of community environments amenable to public health and social policy actions that could be targeted to help reduce prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal Chakraborty
- School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; (N.J.H.); (M.D.); (A.B.); (M.C.)
- Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Natasha J. Howard
- School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; (N.J.H.); (M.D.); (A.B.); (M.C.)
- Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Mark Daniel
- School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; (N.J.H.); (M.D.); (A.B.); (M.C.)
- Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2601, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Alwin Chong
- Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia;
| | - Nicola Slavin
- Environmental Health Branch, Department of Health, Northern Territory Government, Casuarina, NT 0810, Australia;
| | - Alex Brown
- School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; (N.J.H.); (M.D.); (A.B.); (M.C.)
- Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Margaret Cargo
- School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; (N.J.H.); (M.D.); (A.B.); (M.C.)
- Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2601, Australia
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Guglielmino CJD, Kakkanat A, Forde BM, Rubenach S, Merone L, Stafford R, Graham RMA, Beatson SA, Jennison AV. Outbreak of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Shigella flexneri in northern Australia due to an endemic regional clone acquiring an IncFII plasmid. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 40:279-286. [PMID: 32888117 PMCID: PMC7473701 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-020-04029-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological surveillance of Shigella spp. in Australia is conducted to inform public health response. Multi-drug resistance has recently emerged as a contributing factor to sustained local transmission of Shigella spp. All data were collected as part of routine public health surveillance, and strains were whole-genome sequenced for further molecular characterisation. 108 patients with an endemic regional Shigella flexneri strain were identified between 2016 and 2019. The S. flexneri phylogroup 3 strain endemic to northern Australia acquired a multi-drug resistance conferring blaDHA plasmid, which has an IncFII plasmid backbone with virulence and resistance elements typically found in IncR plasmids. This is the first report of multi-drug resistance in Shigella sp. in Australia that is not associated with men who have sex with men. This strain caused an outbreak of multi-drug-resistant S. flexneri in northern Australia that disproportionality affects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Community controlled public health action is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine J D Guglielmino
- Public Health Microbiology, Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Asha Kakkanat
- Public Health Microbiology, Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Brian M Forde
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sally Rubenach
- Tropical Public Health Services, Queensland Health, Cairns, Australia
| | - Lea Merone
- Rural and Remote Clinical Support Unit, Apunipima Cape York Health Council, Cairns, Australia
| | - Russell Stafford
- Communicable Diseases Unit, Queensland Health, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Rikki M A Graham
- Public Health Microbiology, Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Scott A Beatson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Amy V Jennison
- Public Health Microbiology, Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, Brisbane, Australia
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