1
|
Abed Al Ahad M. The association of long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution with all-cause GP visits and hospital admissions by ethnicity and country of birth in the United Kingdom. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0275414. [PMID: 37819897 PMCID: PMC10566689 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Air pollution is associated with poor health. Yet, more research is needed to reveal the association of long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution with less studied health outcomes like hospital admissions and general-practitioner (GP) visits and whether this association is stronger for ethnic minorities compared to the rest of population. This study investigates the association between air pollution and all-cause GP visits and hospital admissions by ethnicity in the United-Kingdom (UK). METHODS We used individual-level longitudinal data from the "UK Household Longitudinal Study" including 46,442 adult individuals who provided 140,466 responses across five years (2015-2019). This data was linked to yearly concentrations of NO2, SO2, and particulate-matter (PM10, PM2.5) outdoor pollution using the Lower Super Output Area (LSOA) of residence for each individual. Multilevel mixed-effects ordered logistic models were used to assess the association between air pollution and all-cause GP visits and hospital admissions. RESULTS We found higher odds of hospital admissions per 1 μg/m3 increase in annual concentrations of NO2 (OR = 1.008; 95%CI = 1.004-1.012), SO2 (OR = 1.048; 95%CI = 1.014-1.083), PM10 (OR = 1.011; 95%CI = 1.003-1.018), and PM2.5 (OR = 1.018; 95%CI = 1.007-1.029) pollutants. Higher odds of GP visits were also observed with increased exposure to NO2 (OR = 1.010; 95%CI = 1.006-1.014) and SO2 (OR = 1.114; 95%CI = 1.077-1.152) pollutants. The observed associations did not differ across ethnic groups, but by country of birth, they were more pronounced in individuals born outside UK than those born in UK. CONCLUSION This study supports an association between higher exposure to outdoor air pollution and increased all-cause hospital admissions and GP visits. Further longitudinal studies with longer follow-up time periods may be able to reveal more definite conclusions on the influence of ethnicity on the association between long-term outdoor air pollution and both hospital admissions and GP visits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Abed Al Ahad
- School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Burns R, Zhang CX, Patel P, Eley I, Campos-Matos I, Aldridge RW. Migration health research in the United Kingdom: A scoping review. J Migr Health 2021; 4:100061. [PMID: 34405201 PMCID: PMC8352015 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2021.100061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One in seven people living in the United Kingdom (UK) is an international migrant, rendering migrants an important population group with diverse and dynamic health and healthcare needs. However, there has been no attempt to map contemporary trends within migration health research conducted in the UK. The aim of this scoping review was to describe trends within migration health research and identify gaps for future research agendas. METHODS PubMed and Embase were systematically searched for empirical research with a primary focus on the concepts "health" and "migrants" published between 2001 and 2019. Findings were analysed using the UCL-Lancet Commission on Migration and Health Conceptual Framework for Migration and Health. RESULTS In total, 399 studies were included, with almost half (41.1%; 164/399) published in the last five years of the study period between 2015 and 2019 and a third (34.1%; 136/399) conducted in London. Studies included asylum seekers (14.8%; 59/399), refugees (12.3%; 49/399), and undocumented migrants or migrants with insecure status (3.5%; 14/399), but most articles (74.9%; 299/399) did not specify a migrant sub-group. The most studied health topics were specific disease outcomes such as infectious diseases (24.1% of studies) and mental health (19.1%) compared to examining systems or structures that impact health (27.8%), access to healthcare (26.3%), or specific exposures or behaviours (35.3%). CONCLUSIONS There has been a growing interest in migration health. Ensuring a diverse geographic distribution of research conducted in the UK and disaggregation by migrant sub-group is required for a nuanced and region-specific understanding of specific health needs, interventions and appropriate service delivery for different migrant populations. More research is needed to understand how migration policy and legislation intersect with both the social determinants of health and access to healthcare to shape the health of migrants in the UK.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Burns
- Centre of Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Road, London NW1 2DA, United Kingdom
- Corresponding author at: Centre of Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Road, London NW1 2DA, United Kingdom.
| | - Claire X. Zhang
- Centre of Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Road, London NW1 2DA, United Kingdom
- Public Health England, Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Rd, South Bank, London SE1 8UG, United Kingdom
| | - Parth Patel
- Centre of Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Road, London NW1 2DA, United Kingdom
| | - Ida Eley
- Centre of Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Road, London NW1 2DA, United Kingdom
| | - Ines Campos-Matos
- Public Health England, Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Rd, South Bank, London SE1 8UG, United Kingdom
- Collaborative Centre for Inclusion Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E 7HB, United Kingdom
| | - Robert W. Aldridge
- Centre of Public Health Data Science, Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Road, London NW1 2DA, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Travel-Related Typhoid Fever: Narrative Review of the Scientific Literature. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17020615. [PMID: 31963643 PMCID: PMC7013505 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17020615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Enteric fever is a foodborne infectious disease caused by Salmonella enterica serotypes Typhi and Paratyphi A, B and C. The high incidence in low income countries can increase the risk of disease in travelers coming from high income countries. Pre-travel health advice on hygiene and sanitation practices and vaccines can significantly reduce the risk of acquiring infections. Although the majority of the cases are self-limiting, life-threatening complications can occur. Delayed diagnosis and cases of infections caused by multi-drug resistant strains can complicate the clinical management and affect the prognosis. More international efforts are needed to reduce the burden of disease in low income countries, indirectly reducing the risk of travelers in endemic settings. Surveillance activities can help monitor the epidemiology of cases caused by drug-susceptible and resistant strains.
Collapse
|
4
|
Heywood AE, López-Vélez R. Reducing infectious disease inequities among migrants. J Travel Med 2019; 26:5198602. [PMID: 30476162 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/tay131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND migration has reached unprecedented levels, with 3.6% of the world's population living outside their country of birth. Migrants comprise a substantial proportion of high-income country populations, are at increased risk of a range of infectious diseases, compared to native-born populations and may experience worse health outcomes due to barriers accessing timely diagnoses and treatment. Poor access to essential healthcare services can be attributed to several factors, including language and cultural barriers and lack of specific inclusive health policies. METHODS This review draws on evidence from the immigrant health and travel medicine literature, with a focus on infectious disease risks. It presents strategies to reduce barriers to healthcare access through health promotion and screening programs both at the community and clinic level and the delivery of linguistically and culturally competent care. The Methods: Salud Entre Culturas (SEC) 'Health Between Cultures' project from the Tropical Medicine Unit at the Hospital Ramon y Cajal in Madrid is described as an effective model of care. RESULTS For those providing healthcare to migrant populations, the use of community-consulted approaches are considered best practice in the development of health education, health promotion and the delivery of targeted health services. At the clinic-level, strategies optimizing care for migrants include the use of bilingual healthcare professionals or community-based healthcare workers, cultural competence training of all clinic staff, the appropriate use of trained interpreters and the use of culturally appropriate health promotion materials. CONCLUSIONS Multifaceted strategies are needed to improve access, community knowledge, community engagement and healthcare provider training to provide appropriate care to migrant populations to reduce infectious disease disparities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anita E Heywood
- Level 3, Samuels Building, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rogelio López-Vélez
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sweileh WM, Wickramage K, Pottie K, Hui C, Roberts B, Sawalha AF, Zyoud SH. Bibliometric analysis of global migration health research in peer-reviewed literature (2000-2016). BMC Public Health 2018; 18:777. [PMID: 29925353 PMCID: PMC6011263 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-5689-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The health of migrants has become an important issue in global health and foreign policy. Assessing the current status of research activity and identifying gaps in global migration health (GMH) is an important step in mapping the evidence-base and on advocating health needs of migrants and mobile populations. The aim of this study was to analyze globally published peer-reviewed literature in GMH. METHODS A bibliometric analysis methodology was used. The Scopus database was used to retrieve documents in peer-reviewed journals in GMH for the study period from 2000 to 2016. A group of experts in GMH developed the needed keywords and validated the final search strategy. RESULTS The number of retrieved documents was 21,457. Approximately one third (6878; 32.1%) of the retrieved documents were published in the last three years of the study period. In total, 5451 (25.4%) documents were about refugees and asylum seekers, while 1328 (6.2%) were about migrant workers, 440 (2.1%) were about international students, 679 (3.2%) were about victims of human trafficking/smuggling, 26 (0.1%) were about patients' mobility across international borders, and the remaining documents were about unspecified categories of migrants. The majority of the retrieved documents (10,086; 47.0%) were in psychosocial and mental health domain, while 2945 (13.7%) documents were in infectious diseases, 6819 (31.8%) documents were in health policy and systems, 2759 (12.8%) documents were in maternal and reproductive health, and 1918 (8.9%) were in non-communicable diseases. The contribution of authors and institutions in Asian countries, Latin America, Africa, Middle East, and Eastern European countries was low. Literature in GMH represents the perspectives of high-income migrant destination countries. CONCLUSION Our heat map of research output shows that despite the ever-growing prominence of human mobility across the globe, and Sustainable Development Goals of leaving no one behind, research output on migrants' health is not consistent with the global migration pattern. A stronger evidence base is needed to enable authorities to make evidence-informed decisions on migration health policy and practice. Research collaboration and networks should be encouraged to prioritize research in GMH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Waleed M. Sweileh
- College of Medicine and Health Science, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Kolitha Wickramage
- International Organization for Migration, UN Migration Agency, Migration Health Division, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kevin Pottie
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, CA Canada
| | - Charles Hui
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, CA Canada
| | - Bayard Roberts
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ansam F. Sawalha
- College of Medicine and Health Science, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Saed H. Zyoud
- College of Medicine and Health Science, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hayward S, Harding RM, McShane H, Tanner R. Factors influencing the higher incidence of tuberculosis among migrants and ethnic minorities in the UK. F1000Res 2018; 7:461. [PMID: 30210785 PMCID: PMC6107974 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.14476.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Migrants and ethnic minorities in the UK have higher rates of tuberculosis (TB) compared with the general population. Historically, much of the disparity in incidence between UK-born and migrant populations has been attributed to differential pathogen exposure, due to migration from high-incidence regions and the transnational connections maintained with TB endemic countries of birth or ethnic origin. However, focusing solely on exposure fails to address the relatively high rates of progression to active disease observed in some populations of latently infected individuals. A range of factors that disproportionately affect migrants and ethnic minorities, including genetic susceptibility, vitamin D deficiency and co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus and HIV, also increase vulnerability to infection with
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) or reactivation of latent infection. Furthermore, ethnic socio-economic disparities and the experience of migration itself may contribute to differences in TB incidence, as well as cultural and structural barriers to accessing healthcare. In this review, we discuss both biological and anthropological influences relating to risk of pathogen exposure, vulnerability to infection or development of active disease, and access to treatment for migrant and ethnic minorities in the UK.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sally Hayward
- St John's College, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3JP, UK
| | | | - Helen McShane
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - Rachel Tanner
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hayward S, Harding RM, McShane H, Tanner R. Factors influencing the higher incidence of tuberculosis among migrants and ethnic minorities in the UK. F1000Res 2018; 7:461. [PMID: 30210785 PMCID: PMC6107974 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.14476.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 09/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Migrants and ethnic minorities in the UK have higher rates of tuberculosis (TB) compared with the general population. Historically, much of the disparity in incidence between UK-born and migrant populations has been attributed to differential pathogen exposure, due to migration from high-incidence regions and the transnational connections maintained with TB endemic countries of birth or ethnic origin. However, focusing solely on exposure fails to address the relatively high rates of progression to active disease observed in some populations of latently infected individuals. A range of factors that disproportionately affect migrants and ethnic minorities, including genetic susceptibility, vitamin D deficiency and co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus and HIV, also increase vulnerability to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) or reactivation of latent infection. Furthermore, ethnic socio-economic disparities and the experience of migration itself may contribute to differences in TB incidence, as well as cultural and structural barriers to accessing healthcare. In this review, we discuss both biological and anthropological influences relating to risk of pathogen exposure, vulnerability to infection or development of active disease, and access to treatment for migrant and ethnic minorities in the UK.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sally Hayward
- St John’s College, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3JP, UK
| | | | - Helen McShane
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| | - Rachel Tanner
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PS, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Paudel P, Raina C, Zwar N, Seale H, Worth H, Sheikh M, Heywood AE. Risk activities and pre-travel health seeking practices of notified cases of imported infectious diseases in Australia. J Travel Med 2017; 24:3954790. [PMID: 28931134 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/tax044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Travellers are at risk of acquiring infectious diseases during travel, with risks differing by destination, travel and traveller characteristics. A pre-travel health consultation may minimize this risk. However, uptake of pre-travel health advice remains low. We investigated pre-travel health preparations and disease-specific risk behaviours among notified cases of selected travel-associated infectious diseases imported into Australia. METHODS Prospective enhanced surveillance of notified cases of typhoid, paratyphoid, measles, hepatitis A, hepatitis E, malaria and chikungunya was conducted in two Australian states between February 2013 and January 2014. Details of pre-travel health preparation and disease-specific risk behaviours were collected. RESULTS Among 180 cases associated with international travel, 28% were <18 years, 65% were VFR travellers and 22% were frequent travellers, having travelled ≥5 times in the past 5 years. 25% had sought pre-travel advice from a healthcare provider, and 16% reported a pre-travel vaccine. Seeking pre-travel health advice did not differ by immigrant status ( P = 0.22) or by reason for travel ( P = 0.13) but was more commonly sought by first time travellers ( P = 0.03). Travellers visiting friends and relatives were more likely to report at-risk activities of brushing teeth with tap water ( P < 0.001) and eating uncooked food ( P = 0.03) during travel compared to other travellers. CONCLUSIONS Pre-travel health advice seeking practices and vaccine uptake was suboptimal among cases of notified disease. The results of this study highlight the need for a better understanding of barriers to pre-travel health seeking, particularly among high risk travellers, to reduce the importation of infectious diseases into Australia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Paudel
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - C Raina
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Nicholas Zwar
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Holly Seale
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Heather Worth
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Mohamud Sheikh
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Anita E Heywood
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Luyten J, Beutels P. The Social Value Of Vaccination Programs: Beyond Cost-Effectiveness. Health Aff (Millwood) 2017; 35:212-8. [PMID: 26858372 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2015.1088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
In the current global environment of increased strain on health care budgets, all medical interventions have to compete for funding. Cost-effectiveness analysis has become a standard method to use in estimating how much value an intervention offers relative to its costs, and it has become an influential element in decision making. However, the application of cost-effectiveness analysis to vaccination programs fails to capture the full contribution such a program offers to the community. Recent literature has highlighted how cost-effectiveness analysis can neglect the broader economic impact of vaccines. In this article we also argue that socioethical contributions such as effects on health equity, sustaining the public good of herd immunity, and social integration of minority groups are neglected in cost-effectiveness analysis. Evaluations of vaccination programs require broad and multidimensional perspectives that can account for their social, ethical, and economic impact as well as their cost-effectiveness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Luyten
- Jeroen Luyten is a fellow in the Department of Social Policy at the London School of Economics, in the United Kingdom
| | - Philippe Beutels
- Philippe Beutels is a professor at the Centre for Health Economics Research and Modeling Infectious Diseases at the University of Antwerp, in Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Chandrasekar E, Song S, Johnson M, Harris AM, Kaufman GI, Freedman D, Quinn MT, Kim KE. A Novel Strategy to Increase Identification of African-Born People With Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the Chicago Metropolitan Area, 2012-2014. Prev Chronic Dis 2016; 13:E118. [PMID: 27584874 PMCID: PMC5008862 DOI: 10.5888/pcd13.160162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Most research on hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the United States is limited to Asian populations, despite an equally high prevalence among African immigrants. The purpose of this study was to determine testing and detection rates of HBV infection among African-born people residing in the Chicago metropolitan area. METHODS A hepatitis education and prevention program was developed in collaboration with academic, clinical, and community partners for immigrant and refugee populations at risk for HBV infection. Community health workers implemented chain referral sampling, a novel strategy for recruiting hard-to-reach participants, targeting African-born participants. Participants were tested in both clinical and nonclinical settings. To assess infection status, blood samples were obtained for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), core antibody, and surface antibody testing. Demographic information was collected on age, sex, health insurance status, country of origin, and years residing in the United States. Participants were notified of testing results, and HBsAg-positive participants were referred for follow-up medical care. RESULTS Of 1,000 African-born people who received education, 445 (45%) agreed to participate in HBV screening. There were 386 (87%) participants tested in clinical and 59 (13%) tested in nonclinical sites. Compared with participants who were tested in clinical settings, participants tested in nonclinical settings were older, were less likely to have health insurance, and had lived in the United States longer (P < .005 for each). Of these, most were from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (14%), Nigeria (13%), Ghana (11%), Somalia (11%), or Ethiopia (10%). There were 35 (8%) HBsAg-positive people, 37% had evidence of past infection, and 29% were immune. CONCLUSIONS Chain referral sampling identified many at-risk African-born people with chronic HBV infection. The large proportion of HBsAg-positive people in this sample reinforces the need for health promotion programs that are culturally appropriate and community-driven.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edwin Chandrasekar
- Asian Health Coalition, 180 West Washington St, Office 1000, Chicago, IL 60602.
| | | | | | - Aaron M Harris
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Gary I Kaufman
- Sinai Health System, Mount Sinai Hospital Touhy Health Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Michael T Quinn
- University of Chicago, Division of the Biological Sciences and Office of Community Engagement and Cancer Disparities, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Karen E Kim
- University of Chicago, Division of the Biological Sciences and Office of Community Engagement and Cancer Disparities, Chicago, Illinois
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
The contribution of travellers visiting friends and relatives to notified infectious diseases in Australia: state-based enhanced surveillance. Epidemiol Infect 2016; 144:3554-3563. [PMID: 27574034 PMCID: PMC5111124 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268816001734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Immigrants and their children who return to their country of origin to visit friends and relatives (VFR) are at increased risk of acquiring infectious diseases compared to other travellers. VFR travel is an important disease control issue, as one quarter of Australia's population are foreign-born and one quarter of departing Australian international travellers are visiting friends and relatives. We conducted a 1-year prospective enhanced surveillance study in New South Wales and Victoria, Australia to determine the contribution of VFR travel to notifiable diseases associated with travel, including typhoid, paratyphoid, measles, hepatitis A, hepatitis E, malaria and chikungunya. Additional data on characteristics of international travel were collected. Recent international travel was reported by 180/222 (81%) enhanced surveillance cases, including all malaria, chikungunya and paratyphoid cases. The majority of cases who acquired infections during travel were immigrant Australians (96, 53%) or their Australian-born children (43, 24%). VFR travel was reported by 117 (65%) travel-associated cases, highest for typhoid (31/32, 97%). Cases of children (aged <18 years) (86%) were more frequently VFR travellers compared to adult travellers (57%, P < 0·001). VFR travel is an important contributor to imported disease in Australia. Communicable disease control strategies targeting these travellers, such as targeted health promotion, are likely to impact importation of these travel-related infections.
Collapse
|
12
|
Neave PE, Heywood AE, Gibney KB, Leder K. Imported infections: What information should be collected by surveillance systems to inform public health policy? Travel Med Infect Dis 2016; 14:350-9. [PMID: 27235839 PMCID: PMC7110684 DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2016.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2015] [Revised: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background International travel carries the risk of imported diseases, which are an increasingly significant public health problem. There is little guidance about which variables should be collected by surveillance systems for strategy-based surveillance. Methods Surveillance forms for dengue, malaria, hepatitis A, typhoid and measles were collected from Australia and New Zealand and information on these compared with national surveillance forms from the UK and Canada by travel health experts. Variables were categorised by information relating to recent travel, demographics and disease severity. Results Travel-related information most commonly requested included country of travel, vaccination status and travel dates. In Australia, ethnicity information requested related to indigenous status, whilst in New Zealand it could be linked to census categories. Severity of disease information most frequently collected were hospitalisation and death. Conclusions Reviewing the usefulness of variables collected resulted in the recommendation that those included should be: overseas travel, reason for travel, entry and departure dates during the incubation period, vaccination details, traveller's and/or parents' country of birth, country of usual residence, time resident in current country, postcode, hospitalisation and death details. There was no agreement about whether ethnicity details should be collected. The inclusion of these variables on surveillance forms could enable imported infection-related policy to be formulated nationally and internationally.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Penny E Neave
- School of Public Health and Psychosocial Studies, Auckland University of Technology, 90, Akoranga Drive, Northcote, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Anita E Heywood
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Katherine B Gibney
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Karin Leder
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Gawde NC, Sivakami M, Babu BV. Building Partnership to Improve Migrants' Access to Healthcare in Mumbai. Front Public Health 2015; 3:255. [PMID: 26636056 PMCID: PMC4644792 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2015.00255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives An intervention to improve migrants’ access to healthcare was piloted in Mumbai with purpose of informing health policy and planning. This paper aims to describe the process of building partnership for improving migrants’ access to healthcare of the pilot intervention, including the role played by different stakeholders and the contextual factors affecting the intervention. Methods The process evaluation was based on Baranowski and Stables’ framework. Observations in community and conversations with stakeholders as recorded in daily diaries, minutes of pre-intervention workshops, and stakeholder meetings served as data sources. Data were coded using the framework and descriptive summaries of evaluation components were prepared. Results Recruitment of stakeholders was easier than sustaining their interest. Community representatives led the intervention assisted by government officials. They planned community-level interventions to improve access to healthcare that involved predominantly information, education, and communication activities for which pre-existing formal and informal social networks and community events were used. Although the intervention reached migrants living with families, single male migrants neither participated nor did the intervention reach them consistently. Contextual factors such as culture differences between migrants and native population and illegality in the nature of the settlement, resulting in the exclusion from services, were the barriers. Conclusion Inclusive multi-stakeholder partnership, including migrants themselves and using both formal and informal networks in community is a feasible strategy for health education and has potential to improve the migrants’ access to healthcare. However, there are challenges to the partnership process and new strategies to overcome these challenges need to be tested such as peer-led models for involvement of single male migrants. For sustaining such efforts and mainstreaming migrants, addressing contextual factors and having formal mechanisms for their inclusion are equally important.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Muthusamy Sivakami
- School of Health Systems Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences , Mumbai , India
| | - Bontha V Babu
- Division of Health Systems Research, Indian Council of Medical Research , New Delhi , India
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Riccardo F, Dente MG, Kärki T, Fabiani M, Napoli C, Chiarenza A, Giorgi Rossi P, Munoz CV, Noori T, Declich S. Towards a European Framework to Monitor Infectious Diseases among Migrant Populations: Design and Applicability. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:11640-61. [PMID: 26393623 PMCID: PMC4586696 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120911640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 09/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
There are limitations in our capacity to interpret point estimates and trends of infectious diseases occurring among diverse migrant populations living in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA). The aim of this study was to design a data collection framework that could capture information on factors associated with increased risk to infectious diseases in migrant populations in the EU/EEA. The authors defined factors associated with increased risk according to a multi-dimensional framework and performed a systematic literature review in order to identify whether those factors well reflected the reported risk factors for infectious disease in these populations. Following this, the feasibility of applying this framework to relevant available EU/EEA data sources was assessed. The proposed multidimensional framework is well suited to capture the complexity and concurrence of these risk factors and in principle applicable in the EU/EEA. The authors conclude that adopting a multi-dimensional framework to monitor infectious diseases could favor the disaggregated collection and analysis of migrant health data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Riccardo
- National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy.
- European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Tomtebodavägen 11a, 171 83 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Maria Grazia Dente
- National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Tommi Kärki
- National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy.
- European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), European Centre for disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Tomtebodavägen 11a, 171 83 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Massimo Fabiani
- National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Christian Napoli
- National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Antonio Chiarenza
- Research and Innovation Unit AUSL (Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale) Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia 42122, Italy.
| | - Paolo Giorgi Rossi
- Interinstitutional Epidemiology Unit, AUSL (Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale) Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia 42122, Italy.
| | - Cesar Velasco Munoz
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Tomtebodavägen 11a, 171 83 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Teymur Noori
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Tomtebodavägen 11a, 171 83 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Silvia Declich
- National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS), viale Regina Elena, 299-00161 Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wangdi K, Gatton ML, Kelly GC, Clements ACA. Cross-border malaria: a major obstacle for malaria elimination. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2015; 89:79-107. [PMID: 26003036 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Movement of malaria across international borders poses a major obstacle to achieving malaria elimination in the 34 countries that have committed to this goal. In border areas, malaria prevalence is often higher than in other areas due to lower access to health services, treatment-seeking behaviour of marginalized populations that typically inhabit border areas, difficulties in deploying prevention programmes to hard-to-reach communities, often in difficult terrain, and constant movement of people across porous national boundaries. Malaria elimination in border areas will be challenging and key to addressing the challenges is strengthening of surveillance activities for rapid identification of any importation or reintroduction of malaria. This could involve taking advantage of technological advances, such as spatial decision support systems, which can be deployed to assist programme managers to carry out preventive and reactive measures, and mobile phone technology, which can be used to capture the movement of people in the border areas and likely sources of malaria importation. Additionally, joint collaboration in the prevention and control of cross-border malaria by neighbouring countries, and reinforcement of early diagnosis and prompt treatment are ways forward in addressing the problem of cross-border malaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kinley Wangdi
- The Australian National University, Research School of Population Health, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, Canberra, ACT, Australia; Phuentsholing General Hospital, Phuentsholing, Bhutan
| | - Michelle L Gatton
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Public Health & Social Work, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Gerard C Kelly
- The Australian National University, Research School of Population Health, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Archie C A Clements
- The Australian National University, Research School of Population Health, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Nikolaidis C, Nena E, Agorastakis M, Constantinidis TC. Differences in survival and cause-specific mortality in a culturally diverse Greek population, 1999-2008. J Public Health (Oxf) 2015; 38:71-5. [PMID: 25740904 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdv018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Modern urban populations exhibit considerable internal heterogeneity. Several social groups, such as ethnic minorities or immigrants, constitute individual clusters with different demographic and epidemiological characteristics. METHODS Death records were collected from the Municipality Registry between 1999 and 2008. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted for (i) natively born Greeks, (ii) former USSR-repatriated Greeks and (iii) Roma. Further evaluation was conducted by log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test. Relative mortality rates were assessed by means of cross-tabulation (Pearson's χ(2)). RESULTS Statistically significant differences in median survival were observed among the three social groups (P < 0.001). The relative mortality from infectious diseases was higher in the Roma population compared with natively born Greeks, odds ratio (OR) = 8.31 [confidence interval (CI) 95% 3.19-21.61]. More than 70% of these deaths were attributed to respiratory tract infections and were associated with children under the age of 5. Excess mortality due to external causes, injuries and substance abuse was observed in repatriated males compared with their natively born counterparts, OR = 2.27 (CI 95% 1.35-3.81). CONCLUSIONS Specific public health interventions are required, to improve the survival of different cultural groups. For example, improvement of immunization status and increase in overall hygiene awareness can ameliorate high infant/childhood mortality in Roma population, while social integration can help reduce acculturation-related mortality among repatriated Greeks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christos Nikolaidis
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis 68100, Greece
| | - Evangelia Nena
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis 68100, Greece
| | - Michalis Agorastakis
- Laboratory of Demographic Analysis, Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly, Volos 38334, Greece
| | - Theodore C Constantinidis
- Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical Department, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis 68100, Greece
| |
Collapse
|