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AlergiaPT: A Portuguese media campaign to inspire people with allergies to make a positive change in their life. Porto Biomed J 2022; 7:e169. [PMID: 35146176 PMCID: PMC8824408 DOI: 10.1097/j.pbj.0000000000000169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergic diseases comprise a significant cause of morbidity worldwide and a substantial burden on the health and medical systems of both developed and emerging economies. Although highly prevalent, relatively severe, and largely impactful on the quality of life of patients, allergic diseases are commonly trivialized. Increasing awareness of the relevance of allergic diseases as a major public health problem might lead to an improved acknowledgment by governments and health authorities. Based on the positive impact that media campaigns might have on health-related behaviors, as well as the large use of social media by different types of users, social media might be used as a powerful tool for spreading awareness and education even more effective than traditional face-to-face communication. Therefore, we aimed to develop a social media-based communication program, the AlergiaPT, reaching all stakeholders, to increase the awareness of allergic diseases tackling the causes, prevention, control, and economic impact. The AlergiaPT will provide user-generated and interactive content toward engagement, include both long-form and short-form video productions toward education, as well as stories and time-sensitive content toward empowerment. It will be targeted to all populations, engaging different stakeholders. Contents will address the 5 campaign goals: i) allergy health is promoted; ii) tolerance is actively reinforced, and avoidance reduced; iii) treatment control and guided self-management of patients of asthma, rhinitis, food allergy, and atopic eczema are strengthened; iv) recognition and treatment of severe allergy and anaphylaxis are improved, and v) indoor air quality is promoted. Engagement on the campaign will be promoted through stepwise educational takeaways meetings using different social media, and targeting all audience groups, by promoting the organization of resources for common goals and the involvement of social media to improve public awareness. The impact of AlergiaPT will be assessed through google analytics.
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Nynäs P, Vilpas S, Kankare E, Karjalainen J, Lehtimäki L, Numminen J, Tikkakoski A, Kleemola L, Uitti J. Clinical Findings among Patients with Respiratory Symptoms Related to Moisture Damage Exposure at the Workplace-The SAMDAW Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:1112. [PMID: 34574886 PMCID: PMC8466522 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9091112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Respiratory tract symptoms are associated with workplace moisture damage (MD). The focus of this observational clinical study was patients with workplace MD-associated symptoms, to evaluate the usefulness of different clinical tests in diagnostics in secondary healthcare with a special interest in improving the differential diagnostics between asthma and laryngeal dysfunction. METHODS In patients referred because of workplace MD-associated respiratory tract symptoms, we sought to systematically assess a wide variety of clinical findings. RESULTS New-onset asthma was diagnosed in 30% of the study patients. Laryngeal dysfunction was found in 28% and organic laryngeal changes in 22% of the patients, and these were common among patients both with and without asthma. Most of the patients (85%) reported a runny or stuffy nose, and 11% of them had chronic rhinosinusitis. Atopy was equally as common as in the general population. CONCLUSIONS As laryngeal changes were rather common, we recommend proper differential diagnostics with lung function testing and investigations of the larynx and its functioning, when necessary, in cases of prolonged workplace MD-associated symptoms. Chronic rhinosinusitis among these patients was not uncommon. Based on this study, allergy testing should not play a major role in the examination of these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia Nynäs
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33520 Tampere, Finland; (L.L.); (L.K.); (J.U.)
| | - Sarkku Vilpas
- Department of Phoniatrics, Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland; (S.V.); (E.K.)
| | - Elina Kankare
- Department of Phoniatrics, Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland; (S.V.); (E.K.)
| | - Jussi Karjalainen
- Allergy Centre, Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland; (J.K.); (J.N.)
| | - Lauri Lehtimäki
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33520 Tampere, Finland; (L.L.); (L.K.); (J.U.)
- Allergy Centre, Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland; (J.K.); (J.N.)
| | - Jura Numminen
- Allergy Centre, Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland; (J.K.); (J.N.)
| | - Antti Tikkakoski
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland;
| | - Leenamaija Kleemola
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33520 Tampere, Finland; (L.L.); (L.K.); (J.U.)
| | - Jukka Uitti
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33520 Tampere, Finland; (L.L.); (L.K.); (J.U.)
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Haahtela T, Valovirta E, Saarinen K, Jantunen J, Lindström I, Kauppi P, Laatikainen T, Pelkonen A, Salava A, Tommila E, Bousquet J, Vasankari T, Mäkelä MJ. The Finnish Allergy Program 2008-2018: Society-wide proactive program for change of management to mitigate allergy burden. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2021; 148:319-326.e4. [PMID: 33965232 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A 10-year national program to improve prevention and management of allergic diseases and asthma was implemented in Finland (population 5.5. million) in 2008-2018. The main aim was to reduce the long-term burden of these conditions. The strategy was changed from traditional avoidance to tolerance and resilience of the population. Health was endorsed instead of medicalization of mild symptoms. Disease severity was reevaluated, and disabling clinical manifestations were given high priority. For health care, 5 quantitative goals and 1 qualitative goal were set. For each of the goals, specific tasks, tools, and outcome evaluation were stipulated. During the program, 376 educational sessions gathered 24,000 health care participants. An information campaign targeted the lay public, and social media was used to contact people. In the 10 years of the program, the prevalence of allergic diseases and asthma leveled off. Asthma caused fewer symptoms and less disability, and 50% fewer hospital days. Food allergy diets in day care and schools decreased by half. Occupational allergies were reduced by 45%. In 2018, the direct and indirect costs of allergic diseases and asthma ranged from €1.5 billion to €1.8 billion, with the 2018 figures being 30% less than in the respective figures in 2007. The Finnish proactive and real-world intervention markedly reduced the public health burden of allergic disorders. The allergy paradigm was revisited to improve management with systematic education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tari Haahtela
- Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Erkka Valovirta
- Department of Lung Diseases and Clinical Allergology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Allergy Clinic, Suomen Terveystalo Oy, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Juha Jantunen
- Allergy, Skin, and Asthma Federation, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Paula Kauppi
- Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Anna Pelkonen
- Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Alexander Salava
- Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Erja Tommila
- Finnish Lung Health Association, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jean Bousquet
- Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Comprehensive Allergy Center, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Berlin, Germany; University Hospital, Montpellier, France; MACVIA France, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Mika J Mäkelä
- Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Rosário Filho NA, Urrutia-Pereira M, D'Amato G, Cecchi L, Ansotegui IJ, Galán C, Pomés A, Murrieta-Aguttes M, Caraballo L, Rouadi P, Chong-Neto HJ, Peden DB. Air pollution and indoor settings. World Allergy Organ J 2021; 14:100499. [PMID: 33510831 PMCID: PMC7806792 DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2020.100499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Indoor environments contribute significantly to total human exposure to air pollutants, as people spend most of their time indoors. Household air pollution (HAP) resulting from cooking with polluting ("dirty") fuels, which include coal, kerosene, and biomass (wood, charcoal, crop residues, and animal manure) is a global environmental health problem. Indoor pollutants are gases, particulates, toxins, and microorganisms among others, that can have an impact especially on the health of children and adults through a combination of different mechanisms on oxidative stress and gene activation, epigenetic, cellular, and immunological systems. Air pollution is a major risk factor and contributor to morbidity and mortality from major chronic diseases. Children are significantly affected by the impact of the environment due to biological immaturity, prenatal and postnatal lung development. Poor air quality has been related to an increased prevalence of clinical manifestations of allergic asthma and rhinitis. Health professionals should increase their role in managing the exposure of children and adults to air pollution with better methods of care, prevention, and collective action. Interventions to reduce household pollutants may promote health and can be achieved with education, community, and health professional involvement.
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Key Words
- AR, allergic rhinitis
- Air pollutants
- BAL, bronchoalveolar lavage
- CO, carbon monoxide
- CO2, carbon dioxide
- COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- DEPs, diesel exhaust particles
- Environmental pollution
- FEV1, forced expiratory volume
- FeNO, fractional exhaled nitric oxide
- GM-CSF, granulocyte and macrophage growth stimulating factor
- GST, glutathione S-transferase
- HAP, household air pollution
- HEPA, High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance
- ILC2, innate lymphoid cells
- Indoor air pollution
- NCD, non-communicable disease
- NO, nitric oxide
- NO2, nitrogen dioxide
- O3, ozone
- PAH, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
- PM, particulate matter
- PMNs, polymorphonuclear leukocytes
- Pollution
- SO2, sulfur dioxide
- TRAP, Traffic-related air pollution
- TSLP, thymic stromal lymphopoietin
- VOCs, volatile organic compounds
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gennaro D'Amato
- Division of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases, High Specialty Hospital A. Cardarelli, School of Specialization in Respiratory Diseases, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Cecchi
- Centre of Bioclimatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; SOS Allergy and Clinical Immunology, USL Toscana Centro Prato, Italy
| | | | - Carmen Galán
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, International Campus of Excellence on Agrifood (ceiA3), University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Anna Pomés
- Basic Research, Indoor Biotechnologies, Inc, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | | | - Luis Caraballo
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
| | - Philip Rouadi
- Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Eye and Ear University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Herberto J. Chong-Neto
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - David B. Peden
- UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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