1
|
Vallin M, Tomson G, Kampmann B, Engebretsen E, Swartling Peterson S, Wanyenze RK, Ottersen OP. Life Science 2.0: reframing the life science sector for 'the benefit on mankind'. Glob Health Action 2024; 17:2330758. [PMID: 38577884 PMCID: PMC11000595 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2024.2330758] [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: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic put the life science sector to the test. Vaccines were developed at unprecedented speed, benefiting from decades of fundamental research and now honoured by a Nobel Prize. However, we saw that the fruits of science were inequitably distributed. Most low- and middle-income countries were left behind, deepening the inequalities that the Sustainable Development Goals were set to reduce. We argue that the life science sector must reinvent itself to be better and more equitably prepared for the next health crisis and to ensure fair access to health across current and future generations. Our recommendations include global governance, national strategies and the role of universities and corporations. Improved and more equitable health care should be centre stage for global health action and a core mission of a reframed Life Science sector - what we call Life Science 2.0.Paper ContextMain findings: During the COVID-19 pandemic the Life Science sector stepped up to the challenge, but vaccines and medicines were not equitably distributed.Added knowledge: Obstacles were identified that hindered global access to medical innovations.Global health impact for policy and action: Global and national governance, universities and the private sector should join forces to create a Life Science sector (Life Science 2.0) that affords equitable access to medical advances across geographical and generational boundaries and socio-economic strata.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Vallin
- Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden, SciLifeLab, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Göran Tomson
- Department of Learning, Informatics, Management, and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Beate Kampmann
- Charité Centre of Global Health, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Swartling Peterson
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rhoda K. Wanyenze
- College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ole Petter Ottersen
- Charité Centre of Global Health, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
- Sustainable Health Unit and Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Suarez-Herrera JC, Abeldaño Zúñiga RA, Díaz-Castro L. Strategic Alliances in Global Health: Innovative Perspectives in the Era of Sustainable Development. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1198. [PMID: 38921312 PMCID: PMC11204177 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12121198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
This article discusses current challenges in the field of global health and the World Health Organization's (WHO) strategies to address them. It highlights the importance of measuring the health impacts of global recession and globalization and the need for human-centered approaches to sustainable development. Emphasis is placed on commitment to health equity and the use of strategic partnerships for health at global, national, and local levels. Improving the health and well-being of populations, as well as public health equity, are core principles of the 2030 Agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These principles are expressed in SDG 3, which promotes universal access to health services and systems and recognizes global health as a basic human right. It highlights the importance of strategic partnerships to combat emerging health crises, improve public health indices, and address the burden of chronic disease. These partnerships are contemplated in SDG 17 and are manifested in different modalities, such as network governance, cross-sector collaboration, public-private partnership, and social participation. This diversity of alliances has played an important role in scaling up and strengthening universal health systems around the world, including in Latin America and the Caribbean. The text concludes by presenting the essential characteristics of these inter-organizational and inter-institutional alliances in the field of global health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José Carlos Suarez-Herrera
- Office of Research and Knowledge Transfer, Mid-Atlantic University, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain;
| | - Roberto Ariel Abeldaño Zúñiga
- Yhteiskuntadatatieteen Keskus, Valtiotieteellinen Tiedekunta, Helsingin Yliopisto, 00150 Helsinki, Finland
- Postgraduate Department, University of Sierra Sur, Oaxaca 70800, Mexico
| | - Lina Díaz-Castro
- Direction of Epidemiological and Psychosocial Research, National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, México City 14370, Mexico;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Constantin AM, Noertjojo K, Sommer I, Pizarro AB, Persad E, Durao S, Nussbaumer-Streit B, McElvenny DM, Rhodes S, Martin C, Sampson O, Jørgensen KJ, Bruschettini M. Workplace interventions to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection outside of healthcare settings. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2024; 4:CD015112. [PMID: 38597249 PMCID: PMC11005086 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd015112.pub3] [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] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although many people infected with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) experience no or mild symptoms, some individuals can develop severe illness and may die, particularly older people and those with underlying medical problems. Providing evidence-based interventions to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection has become more urgent with the potential psychological toll imposed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Controlling exposures to occupational hazards is the fundamental method of protecting workers. When it comes to the transmission of viruses, workplaces should first consider control measures that can potentially have the most significant impact. According to the hierarchy of controls, one should first consider elimination (and substitution), then engineering controls, administrative controls, and lastly, personal protective equipment. This is the first update of a Cochrane review published 6 May 2022, with one new study added. OBJECTIVES To assess the benefits and harms of interventions in non-healthcare-related workplaces aimed at reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to other interventions or no intervention. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collections, Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register, World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Global literature on coronavirus disease, ClinicalTrials.gov, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and medRxiv to 13 April 2023. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomised studies of interventions. We included adult workers, both those who come into close contact with clients or customers (e.g. public-facing employees, such as cashiers or taxi drivers), and those who do not, but who could be infected by coworkers. We excluded studies involving healthcare workers. We included any intervention to prevent or reduce workers' exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in the workplace, defining categories of intervention according to the hierarchy of hazard controls (i.e. elimination; engineering controls; administrative controls; personal protective equipment). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were incidence rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection (or other respiratory viruses), SARS-CoV-2-related mortality, adverse events, and absenteeism from work. Our secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality, quality of life, hospitalisation, and uptake, acceptability, or adherence to strategies. We used the Cochrane RoB 2 tool to assess risk of bias, and GRADE methods to evaluate the certainty of evidence for each outcome. MAIN RESULTS We identified 2 studies including a total of 16,014 participants. Elimination-of-exposure interventions We included one study examining an intervention that focused on elimination of hazards, which was an open-label, cluster-randomised, non-inferiority trial, conducted in England in 2021. The study compared standard 10-day self-isolation after contact with an infected person to a new strategy of daily rapid antigen testing and staying at work if the test is negative (test-based attendance). The trialists hypothesised that this would lead to a similar rate of infections, but lower COVID-related absence. Staff (N = 11,798) working at 76 schools were assigned to standard isolation, and staff (N = 12,229) working at 86 schools were assigned to the test-based attendance strategy. The results between test-based attendance and standard 10-day self-isolation were inconclusive for the rate of symptomatic polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive SARS-CoV-2 infection (rate ratio (RR) 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74 to 2.21; 1 study; very low-certainty evidence). The results between test-based attendance and standard 10-day self-isolation were inconclusive for the rate of any PCR-positive SARS-CoV-2 infection (RR 1.35, 95% CI 0.82 to 2.21; 1 study; very low-certainty evidence). COVID-related absenteeism rates were 3704 absence days in 566,502 days-at-risk (6.5 per 1000 working days) in the control group and 2932 per 539,805 days-at-risk (5.4 per 1000 working days) in the intervention group (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.25). We downgraded the certainty of the evidence to low due to imprecision. Uptake of the intervention was 71% in the intervention group, but not reported for the control intervention. The trial did not measure our other outcomes of SARS-CoV-2-related mortality, adverse events, all-cause mortality, quality of life, or hospitalisation. We found seven ongoing studies using elimination-of-hazard strategies, six RCTs and one non-randomised trial. Administrative control interventions We found one ongoing RCT that aims to evaluate the efficacy of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine in preventing COVID-19 infection and reducing disease severity. Combinations of eligible interventions We included one non-randomised study examining a combination of elimination of hazards, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. The study was conducted in two large retail companies in Italy in 2020. The study compared a safety operating protocol, measurement of body temperature and oxygen saturation upon entry, and a SARS-CoV-2 test strategy with a minimum activity protocol. Both groups received protective equipment. All employees working at the companies during the study period were included: 1987 in the intervention company and 1798 in the control company. The study did not report an outcome of interest for this systematic review. Other intervention categories We did not find any studies in this category. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We are uncertain whether a test-based attendance policy affects rates of PCR-positive SARS-CoV-2 infection (any infection; symptomatic infection) compared to standard 10-day self-isolation amongst school and college staff. A test-based attendance policy may result in little to no difference in absenteeism rates compared to standard 10-day self-isolation. The non-randomised study included in our updated search did not report any outcome of interest for this Cochrane review. As a large part of the population is exposed in the case of a pandemic, an apparently small relative effect that would not be worthwhile from the individual perspective may still affect many people, and thus become an important absolute effect from the enterprise or societal perspective. The included RCT did not report on any of our other primary outcomes (i.e. SARS-CoV-2-related mortality and adverse events). We identified no completed studies on any other interventions specified in this review; however, eight eligible studies are ongoing. More controlled studies are needed on testing and isolation strategies, and working from home, as these have important implications for work organisations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Marian Constantin
- Department of Internal Medicine Clinical Hospital Colentina, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila", Bucharest, Romania
- Cochrane Austria, Department for Evidence-based Medicine and Evaluation, Danube University Krems, Krems, Austria
| | | | - Isolde Sommer
- Cochrane Austria, Department for Evidence-based Medicine and Evaluation, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, Austria
| | | | - Emma Persad
- Cochrane Austria, Department for Evidence-based Medicine and Evaluation, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, Austria
- Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Solange Durao
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Barbara Nussbaumer-Streit
- Cochrane Austria, Department for Evidence-based Medicine and Evaluation, University for Continuing Education Krems, Krems, Austria
| | - Damien M McElvenny
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sarah Rhodes
- Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | | | - Karsten Juhl Jørgensen
- Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Odense (CEBMO) and Cochrane Denmark, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Matteo Bruschettini
- Cochrane Sweden, Department of Research and Education, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
- Paediatrics, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Medina-Hernández EJ. Challenges of health and well-being in the world according to SDG indicators. CIENCIA & SAUDE COLETIVA 2024; 29:e15782022. [PMID: 38324832 DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232024292.15782022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
This study reviews the current state of the good health and well-being indicators included in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), identifying the most significant challenges faced by countries in the world and in the Americas region. The HJ-Biplot multivariate technique is used to represent variances and covariances between 16 SDG 3 indicators, reported as of 2022, based on data from 176 countries, including 31 countries of the American continent. The findings show that indicators such as life expectancy at birth, universal health coverage and satisfied demand for family planning are key characteristics of developed countries. In contrast, developing countries still face significant challenges in terms of promoting maternal health, the well-being of children and the control of communicable and chronic diseases. For this reason, in the framework of the 2030 Agenda, it is necessary to continue working on public policy actions that enable making progress in the implementation of programs to improve the health and well-being of the population, especially in lower-income countries.
Collapse
|
5
|
Bakhsh LS, AlHazmi A, BaMohammed A, Binishaq E, Abdullah G, Bajal R, Al Ramamneh I. Emotions, Perceived Stressors, and Coping Strategies Among Nursing Staff in Saudi Arabia During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Cureus 2023; 15:e48284. [PMID: 38058321 PMCID: PMC10696279 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in heightened stress for nurses and other healthcare workers, particularly during the initial phase of the crisis. Despite the adoption of various coping strategies, psychological distress persisted, affecting nurses' well-being and jeopardizing the overall resilience of the healthcare system. This study assessed the emotional response, perceived stressors, and coping strategies among nurses' staff who worked during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Method A cross-sectional study was carried out among nurses who worked during the initial phase of the COVID-19 crisis (June - August 2020), at a tertiary care center in Western Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire explored five main sections. The first section (15 items) assessed emotions experienced during the initial wave of COVID-19, capturing both positive and negative sentiments, such as "joy" or "fear." The second section (20 items) examined the presence of stressors, like "lack of protective equipment" or "fear of infection." The third section (14 items) evaluated the perceived effectiveness of certain stress-reducing factors, including "peer support" or "training." In the fourth section (13 items), participants rated their usage frequency of various coping strategies, such as "meditation" or "seeking advice." Lastly, the fifth section assessed the hypothetical impact of 10 incentives, like "financial bonuses" or "additional training," in motivating nurses' involvement in future epidemic responses. The questionnaire was completed with demographic and professional data. A convenience sampling method was employed, and 315 nurses participated in the study. Descriptive statistics were carried out using SPSS version 24 for Windows (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Result The most commonly experienced emotion was a feeling of responsibility and ethical duty, reported by 97.5% of the participants, followed by nervousness and fear (83.8%), anger (73.3%), and stigma (70.2%). On the other hand, 86.7% were expecting a financial compensation. The most common stressors were related to the nurses' own safety, or the safety of their families and colleagues, reported by 92.4-95.2% of the participants. The perceived uncontrollability of COVID-19 was also a significant stressor. The improvement of the health status of infected colleagues (98.1%) or patients (97.5%) were the most common factors associated with the reduction in nurses' stress. Among the coping strategies, five were almost systematically deployed by the nurses (>95%), all consisting of cognitive and behavioral mechanisms to enhance own knowledge and safety and avoid being infected. The most crucial determinants for commitment in future pandemics are the availability of a cure or vaccine (93.3%), family support (91.4%), adequate personal protective equipment from the hospital (90.8%), and exemption from overtime (90.2%). Conclusion The first wave of COVID-19 exerted a tremendous psychological stress on nurses, due to concerns about safety, disease uncertainties, and social isolation. Analyzing these impacts offers insights for enhancing institutional and national crisis strategies, emphasizing staff safety and psychological well-being, especially for first responders like nurses. Policy implications include prioritizing mental health support and preparedness in future crisis plans. Additionally, ensuring continuous training and strategic workload management is crucial for maintaining frontline commitment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lamees S Bakhsh
- Department of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Abeer AlHazmi
- Department of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Alla BaMohammed
- Department of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Eiman Binishaq
- Department of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Ghadah Abdullah
- Department of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Razaz Bajal
- Department of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Ibrahim Al Ramamneh
- Department of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Medicine, Jeddah, SAU
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Miller P, Laverde R, Thompson A, Park P, Ozgediz D, Boeck MA. COVID-19, Racial Injustice, and Medical Student Engagement With Global Health: A Single-Institution Survey. J Surg Res 2023; 283:833-838. [PMID: 36915010 PMCID: PMC9663756 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.11.020] [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: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION United States medical schools continue to respond to student interest in global health (GH) and the evolution of the field through strengthening related curricula. The COVID-19 pandemic and superimposed racial justice movements exposed chasms in the US healthcare system. We sought to explore the possible relationship between the pandemic, US racial justice movements, and medical student interest in GH to inform future academic offerings that best meet student needs. METHODS A novel, mixed-methods 30-question Qualtrics survey was disseminated twice (May-August 2021) through email and social media to all current students. Data underwent descriptive and thematic analysis. RESULTS Twenty students who self-identified as interested in GH responded to the survey. Most (N = 13, 65%) were in preclinical training, and half were women (N = 10, 50%). Five (25%) selected GH definitions with paternalistic undertones, 11 (55%) defined GH as noncontingent on geography, and 12 (60%) said the pandemic and US racial justice movement altered their definitions to include themes of equity and racial justice. Eighteen (90%) became interested in GH before medical school through primarily volunteering (N = 8, 40%). Twelve (60%) students plan to incorporate GH into their careers. CONCLUSIONS Our survey showed most respondents entered medical school with GH interest. Nearly all endorsed a changed perspective since enrollment, with a paradigm shift toward equity and racial justice. Shifts were potentially accelerated by the global pandemic, which uncovered disparities at home and abroad. These results highlight the importance of faculty and curricula that address global needs and how this might critically impact medical students.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe Miller
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Ruth Laverde
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Avery Thompson
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Paul Park
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Doruk Ozgediz
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Marissa A Boeck
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Radhuber IM, Fiske A, Galasso I, Gessl N, Hill MD, Morales ER, Olarte-Sánchez LE, Pelfini A, Saxinger G, Spahl W. Toward global citizenship? People (de)bordering their lives during COVID-19 in Latin America and Europe. Glob Public Health 2023; 18:2285880. [PMID: 38010427 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2023.2285880] [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: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted global interdependencies, accompanied by widespread calls for worldwide cooperation against a virus that knows no borders, but responses were led largely separately by national governments. In this tension between aspiration and reality, people began to grapple with how their own lives were affected by the global nature of the pandemic. In this article, based on 493 qualitative interviews conducted between 2020 and 2021, we explore how people in Argentina, Austria, Bolivia, Ecuador, Ireland, Italy and Mexico experienced, coped with and navigated the global nature of the pandemic. In dialogue with debates about the parameters of the 'global' in global health, we focus on what we call people's everyday (de)bordering practices to examine how they negotiated (dis)connections between 'us' and 'them' during the pandemic. Our interviewees' reactions moved from national containment to an increasing focus on people's unequal socio-spatial situatedness. Eventually, they began to (de)border their lives beyond national lines of division and to describe a new normal: a growing awareness of global connectedness and a desire for global citizenship. This newfound sense of global interrelatedness could signal support for and encourage transnational political action in times of crises.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Amelia Fiske
- Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munchen, Germany
| | - Ilaria Galasso
- Department of Clinical Medicine, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munchen, Germany
- University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nicolai Gessl
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Michael D Hill
- Department of Anthropology, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Emma R Morales
- Department of Habitat and Urban Development, ITESO, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara, Tlaquepaque, Mexico
| | | | - Alejandro Pelfini
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Universidad del Salvador, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Global Studies Programme, Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales FLACSO-Argentina, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gertrude Saxinger
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
| | - Wanda Spahl
- Department of Political Science, University of Vienna, Wien, Austria
- Division Biomedical and Public Health Ethics, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems an der Donau, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Riley AC, Murphy K, Carico R, Spencer SA, Barbieri M. Global pen pal education intervention among student pharmacists: A pilot project. CURRENTS IN PHARMACY TEACHING & LEARNING 2022; 14:1373-1380. [PMID: 36153244 DOI: 10.1016/j.cptl.2022.09.020] [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: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Global health, a practice that prioritizes improving health and achieving health equity for all people worldwide, is a priority for pharmacists, schools, and pharmacy colleges. Several initiatives aim to enhance faculty and student exchanges while promoting projects and initiatives among thriving universities and under-resourced countries and institutions. While many organizations recognize the benefit of global collaboration, as demonstrated by the adoption of the 2012 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Strategic Plan, which calls for increased global experiences for faculty and students, the COVID-19 pandemic created a demand for international engagement within pharmacy practice. The objective of this study was to evaluate students' perceptions and attitudes toward incorporating a global pharmacy pen pal (PPP) exchange within the pharmacy curricula at two schools/colleges of pharmacy. METHODS This mixed-method study included assigned engagement within a required or elective didactic course, followed by a post-experience survey. Each student was pre-assigned a pen pal from a cohort of pharmacy students residing in 11 countries for the assignment. RESULTS In total, 184 students completed the learning experience, and across both sites, 63 students completed the post-experience survey. The students' impressions of the PPP varied by site, yet most participants reported an improved awareness of pharmacy practice in other countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela C Riley
- American Academy of HIV Medicine, 1600 K St NW Suite 350, Washington, DC 20006, United States.
| | - Karrie Murphy
- Pharmacy Practice Department, University of Charleston School of Pharmacy, 2300 MacCorkle Ave., SE, Charleston, WV 25304, United States.
| | - Ron Carico
- Marshall Health, 1115 20(th) Street Ste 205, Huntington, WV 25703, United States.
| | - Sara A Spencer
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binghamton University, 96 Corliss Ave, Johnson City, NY 13790, United States.
| | - Marissa Barbieri
- Binghamton University, PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Coronavirus Host Genomics Study: South Africa (COVIGen-SA). GLOBAL HEALTH 2022; 2022:7405349. [PMID: 36263375 PMCID: PMC9560830 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7405349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Host genetic factors are known to modify the susceptibility, severity, and outcomes of COVID-19 and vary across populations. However, continental Africans are yet to be adequately represented in such studies despite the importance of genetic factors in understanding Africa's response to the pandemic. We describe the development of a research resource for coronavirus host genomics studies in South Africa known as COVIGen-SA-a multicollaborator strategic partnership designed to provide harmonised demographic, clinical, and genetic information specific to Black South Africans with COVID-19. Over 2,000 participants have been recruited to date. Preliminary results on 1,354 SARS-CoV-2 positive participants from four participating studies showed that 64.7% were female, 333 had severe disease, and 329 were people living with HIV. Through this resource, we aim to provide insights into host genetic factors relevant to African-ancestry populations, using both genome-wide association testing and targeted sequencing of important genomic loci. This project will promote and enhance partnerships, build skills, and develop resources needed to address the COVID-19 burden and associated risk factors in South African communities.
Collapse
|
10
|
Wheat S, Gaughen S, Skeet J, Campbell L, Donatuto J, Schaeffer J, Sorensen C. Climate change and COVID-19: Assessing the vulnerability and resilience of U.S. Indigenous communities to syndemic crises. THE JOURNAL OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND HEALTH 2022; 8:100148. [PMID: 35722027 PMCID: PMC9197810 DOI: 10.1016/j.joclim.2022.100148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The rapid emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the insidiously evolving climate crisis represent two of the most pressing public health threats to Indigenous Peoples in the United States. Understanding the ways in which these syndemics uniquely impact Indigenous Peoples, given the existing health disparities for such communities, is essential if we are to address modifiable root causes of health vulnerability and devise effective and equitable strategies to protect and improve health in the evolving climate landscape. We explore the compounding burden of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change on Indigenous Peoples' health, and present several case studies which outline novel Indigenous approaches and perspectives that address climate change, COVID-19 and future health threats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Wheat
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Shasta Gaughen
- Pala Environmental Department, Director and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Pala Band of Mission Indians, Pala, CA, USA
| | - James Skeet
- Covenant Pathways, Navajo Nation, Vanderwagen, NM, USA
| | - Larry Campbell
- Swinomish Community Environmental Health Program, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, WA, USA
| | - Jamie Donatuto
- Swinomish Community Environmental Health Program, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, WA, USA
| | - Jacqualine Schaeffer
- Community Environment and Health, Division of Environmental Health and Engineering, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Cecilia Sorensen
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Behavioural Risk for HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C Infections among a Population of Drug Users and Injectors across Four Regions in Ghana. Interdiscip Perspect Infect Dis 2022; 2022:2544481. [PMID: 36092389 PMCID: PMC9458387 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2544481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Blood borne infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B (HBV), and Hepatitis C (HCV) are of great importance to governments and their implementing partners, especially among people who use drugs (PWUD) and people who inject drugs (PWID). Prevalence and determinants of HIV, HBV, and HCV among PWUD and PWID in Ghana are not well established, the significance of this study. Method This assessment was a cross-sectional study implemented via the respondent driven sampling approach. A team of community advisory boards that comprised former users, current users, and civil society organizations were constituted to help in the implementation of the study. The study was conducted in four regions in Ghana. The assessment was based on a representation of populations of PWID and PWUD from the four regions. Efforts were made by the team to ensure adequate representation of women where feasible. A quantitative questionnaire was developed and used to obtain information on the respondents' sociodemographics, sexual behavior, substance use, and biological characteristics. The prevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV among PWID and PWUD was determined using blood samples. First response and oral quick test for confirmation of HIV positivity were carried out, while SD bioline was used to test for the presence of HBV and HBC. Data were analyzed using the Bayesian generalized linear model via the binomial family of distributions under the logit link function with weak Cauchy and Normal distribution as prior. Results A total of 323 PWUD and PWID participants were interviewed across four regions of Ghana. The overall median age of the respondents was 36 (28, 43) years. The prevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV infection in the study was 2.5%, 4.6%, and 5.9%, respectively. The prevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV among drug users was 2.5% (95% CI: 0.7%–4.2%), 4.1% (95% CI: 1.8%–6.2%), and 6.7% (95% CI: 3.9%–9.4%), respectively. Most drug injectors and users started using and injecting drugs at ages less than 20 years and between 20 and 29 years, respectively. Drug users who identified themselves as part of the general population were 66% less likely to be tested HIV positive (POR = 0.34, CrI: 0.12–0.81) compared to sex workers. Part time employment respondents had fivefold odds (POR = 5.50, CrI: 1.20–16.16) of being HBV positive as against full-time employment. Conclusion Most of the injectors and users started drugs at an early age. Drug users and injectors are at higher risk of these infections because of associated risky sexual behaviors and risky injection practices. Harm reduction programs to help addicts who are willing to quit the practice are recommended.
Collapse
|
12
|
Sokunbi TO, Omojuyigbe JO. Need for sustainable health policies toward curbing future pandemics in Africa. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2022; 82:104506. [PMID: 36059597 PMCID: PMC9423875 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
|
13
|
Conway FN, Samora J, Brinkley K, Jeong H, Clinton N, Claborn KR. Impact of COVID-19 among people who use drugs: A qualitative study with harm reduction workers and people who use drugs. Harm Reduct J 2022; 19:72. [PMID: 35780109 PMCID: PMC9250267 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-022-00653-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fatal drug overdoses in the USA hit historical records during the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the pandemic, people who used drugs had greater odds of contracting COVID-19, increased drug use due to COVID-related stress, and heightened levels of anxiety and depression. This qualitative study examined the specific ways the pandemic negatively impacted people who use drugs. Methods Qualitative interviews with 24 people who use drugs and 20 substance use harm reduction workers were conducted. Data from the qualitative interviews were analyzed using applied thematic analysis to identify emergent themes based on the a priori research goals. Results Thematic analysis identified several common experiences during the pandemic among people who use drugs. These included mental distress due to financial strain and social isolation; increased drug use; increased risky drug-seeking and use behaviors due to changes in the drug markets; and reduced access to harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support services. Conclusions Our study highlighted critical systemic failures that contributed to the rise in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing these challenges through policy reform and improved funding models will ensure the sustainability of harm reduction services and increase access to substance use treatment among highly vulnerable people who use drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fiona N Conway
- The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work, 1925 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
| | - Jake Samora
- The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work, 1925 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Katlyn Brinkley
- The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work, 1925 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Haelim Jeong
- School of Social Work, The University of Alabama, 670 Judy Bonner Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35401, USA
| | - Nina Clinton
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, 2700 18th St, Lubbock, TX, 79410, USA
| | - Kasey R Claborn
- The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work, 1925 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, 1601 Trinity Street, Bldg B, Austin, TX, 78701, USA.,Addiction Research Institute, The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work, 3001 Lake Austin Boulevard, Suite 1.204, Austin, TX, 78703, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Almeida F, Wasim J. The Role of Data-Driven Solutions for SMEs in Responding to COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1142/s0219877023500013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
15
|
Pizarro AB, Persad E, Durao S, Nussbaumer-Streit B, Engela-Volker JS, McElvenny D, Rhodes S, Stocking K, Fletcher T, Martin C, Noertjojo K, Sampson O, Verbeek JH, Jørgensen KJ, Bruschettini M. Workplace interventions to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection outside of healthcare settings. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2022; 5:CD015112. [PMID: 35514111 PMCID: PMC9073086 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd015112.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although many people infected with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2) experience no or mild symptoms, some individuals can develop severe illness and may die, particularly older people and those with underlying medical problems. Providing evidence-based interventions to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection has become more urgent with the spread of more infectious SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VoC), and the potential psychological toll imposed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Controlling exposures to occupational hazards is the fundamental method of protecting workers. When it comes to the transmission of viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, workplaces should first consider control measures that can potentially have the most significant impact. According to the hierarchy of controls, one should first consider elimination (and substitution), then engineering controls, administrative controls, and lastly, personal protective equipment (PPE). OBJECTIVES To assess the benefits and harms of interventions in non-healthcare-related workplaces to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection relative to other interventions, or no intervention. SEARCH METHODS We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), Clinicaltrials.gov, and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform to 14 September 2021. We will conduct an update of this review in six months. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised control trials (RCT) and planned to include non-randomised studies of interventions. We included adult workers, both those who come into close contact with clients or customers (e.g. public-facing employees, such as cashiers or taxi drivers), and those who do not, but who could be infected by co-workers. We excluded studies involving healthcare workers. We included any intervention to prevent or reduce workers' exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in the workplace, defining categories of intervention according to the hierarchy of hazard controls, i.e. elimination; engineering controls; administrative controls; personal protective equipment. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard Cochrane methods. Our primary outcomes were incidence rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection (or other respiratory viruses), SARS-CoV-2-related mortality, adverse events, and absenteeism from work. Our secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality, quality of life, hospitalisation, and uptake, acceptability, or adherence to strategies. We used the Cochrane RoB 2 tool to assess the risk of bias, and GRADE methods to assess the certainty of evidence for each outcome. MAIN RESULTS Elimination of exposure interventions We included one study examining an intervention that focused on elimination of hazards. This study is an open-label, cluster-randomised, non-inferiority trial, conducted in England in 2021. The study compared standard 10-day self-isolation after contact with an infected person to a new strategy of daily rapid antigen testing and staying at work if the test is negative (test-based attendance). The trialists hypothesised that this would lead to a similar rate of infections, but lower COVID-related absence. Staff (N = 11,798) working at 76 schools were assigned to standard isolation, and staff (N = 12,229) at 86 schools to the test-based attendance strategy. The results between test-based attendance and standard 10-day self-isolation were inconclusive for the rate of symptomatic PCR-positive SARS-COV-2 infection rate ratio ((RR) 1.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74 to 2.21; 1 study, very low-certainty evidence)). The results between test-based attendance and standard 10-day self-isolation were inconclusive for the rate of any PCR-positive SARS-COV-2 infection (RR 1.35, 95% CI 0.82 to 2.21; 1 study, very low-certainty evidence). COVID-related absenteeism rates were 3704 absence days in 566,502 days-at-risk (6.5 per 1000 days at risk) in the control group and 2932 per 539,805 days-at-risk (5.4 per 1000 days at risk) in the intervention group (RR 0.83; 95% CI 0.55 to 1.25). The certainty of the evidence was downgraded to low, due to imprecision. Uptake of the intervention was 71 % in the intervention group, but not reported for the control intervention. The trial did not measure other outcomes, SARS-CoV-2-related mortality, adverse events, all-cause mortality, quality of life, and hospitalisation. We found one ongoing RCT about screening in schools, using elimination of hazard strategies. Personal protective equipment We found one ongoing non-randomised study on the effects of closed face shields to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Other intervention categories We did not find studies in the other intervention categories. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We are uncertain whether a test-based attendance policy affects rates of PCR-postive SARS-CoV-2 infection (any infection; symptomatic infection) compared to standard 10-day self-isolation amongst school and college staff. Test-based attendance policy may result in little to no difference in absence rates compared to standard 10-day self-isolation. As a large part of the population is exposed in the case of a pandemic, an apparently small relative effect that would not be worthwhile from the individual perspective may still affect many people, and thus, become an important absolute effect from the enterprise or societal perspective. The included study did not report on any other primary outcomes of our review, i.e. SARS-CoV-2-related mortality and adverse events. No completed studies were identified on any other interventions specified in this review, but two eligible studies are ongoing. More controlled studies are needed on testing and isolation strategies, and working from home, as these have important implications for work organisations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma Persad
- Cochrane Austria, Department for Evidence-based Medicine and Evaluation, Danube University Krems, Krems, Austria
| | - Solange Durao
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Barbara Nussbaumer-Streit
- Cochrane Austria, Department for Evidence-based Medicine and Evaluation, Danube University Krems, Krems, Austria
| | - Jean S Engela-Volker
- Division of Population Medicine, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK
| | - Damien McElvenny
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sarah Rhodes
- Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Katie Stocking
- Centre for Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Tony Fletcher
- Epidemiology Department, Public Health England Centre for Radiation Chemical and Environmental Hazards (CRCE), London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Karsten Juhl Jørgensen
- Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Odense (CEBMO) and Cochrane Denmark, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Matteo Bruschettini
- Cochrane Sweden, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Paediatrics, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Koban K, Neureiter A, Stevic A, Matthes J. The COVID-19 infodemic at your fingertips. Reciprocal relationships between COVID-19 information FOMO, bedtime smartphone news engagement, and daytime tiredness over time. COMPUTERS IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR 2022; 130:107175. [PMID: 35035063 PMCID: PMC8752113 DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2021.107175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Considering that insufficient sleep has long been regarded as a significant public health challenge, the COVID-19 pandemic and its co-evolving infodemic have further aggravated many people's sleep health. People's engagement with pandemic-related news, particularly given that many people are now permanently online via smartphones, has been identified as a critical factor for sleep health, such that public health authorities have recommended limited news exposure. This two-wave panel survey, conducted with a representative sample in Austria during its first COVID-19 lockdown, examines (a) how fear of missing out on pandemic-related news (i.e., COVID-19 information FOMO) is reciprocally related to smartphone-based bedtime news engagement, as well as (b) how both bedtime news engagement and COVID-19 information FOMO predict daytime tiredness. Partial metric measurement invariant structural equation modeling revealed that COVID-19 information FOMO and bedtime news engagement are reciprocally associated over time, indicating a potentially harmful reinforcing loop. However, results further suggested that COVID-19 information FOMO may be the primary driver of daytime tiredness, not smartphone-based bedtime news engagement. These findings suggest that a perceived loss of (informational) control over the pandemic outbreak more strongly than poor sleep habits accounts for depleted energy resources during lockdown. However, given the initial evidence for a reinforcing loop, this effect pattern may change in the long term.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Koban
- University of Vienna, Department of Communication, Austria
| | | | - Anja Stevic
- University of Vienna, Department of Communication, Austria
| | - Jörg Matthes
- University of Vienna, Department of Communication, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Suk JE, Pharris A, Beauté J, Colzani E, Needham H, Kinsman J, Niehus R, Grah R, Omokanye A, Plachouras D, Baka A, Prasse B, Sandmann F, Severi E, Alm E, Wiltshire E, Ciancio B. Public health considerations for transitioning beyond the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the EU/EEA. EURO SURVEILLANCE : BULLETIN EUROPEEN SUR LES MALADIES TRANSMISSIBLES = EUROPEAN COMMUNICABLE DISEASE BULLETIN 2022; 27. [PMID: 35485272 PMCID: PMC9052765 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.17.2200155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Many countries, including some within the EU/EEA, are in the process of transitioning from the acute pandemic phase. During this transition, it is crucial that countries’ strategies and activities remain guided by clear COVID-19 control objectives, which increasingly will focus on preventing and managing severe outcomes. Therefore, attention must be given to the groups that are particularly vulnerable to severe outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including individuals in congregate and healthcare settings. In this phase of pandemic management, a strong focus must remain on transitioning testing approaches and systems for targeted surveillance of COVID-19, capitalising on and strengthening existing systems for respiratory virus surveillance. Furthermore, it will be crucial to focus on lessons learned from the pandemic to enhance preparedness and to enact robust systems for the preparedness, detection, rapid investigation and assessment of new and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Filling existing knowledge gaps, including behavioural insights, can help guide the response to future resurgences of SARS-CoV-2 and/or the emergence of other pandemics. Finally, ‘vaccine agility’ will be needed to respond to changes in people’s behaviours, changes in the virus, and changes in population immunity, all the while addressing issues of global health equity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan E Suk
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anastasia Pharris
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Julien Beauté
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Edoardo Colzani
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Howard Needham
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - John Kinsman
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rene Niehus
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rok Grah
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ajibola Omokanye
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Agoritsa Baka
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bastian Prasse
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Frank Sandmann
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ettore Severi
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erik Alm
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emma Wiltshire
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bruno Ciancio
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Association between the fatty liver index and the risk of severe complications in COVID-19 patients: a nationwide retrospective cohort study. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:384. [PMID: 35430797 PMCID: PMC9013424 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07370-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Research on the association of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with prognosis in COVID-19 has been limited. We investigated the association between the fatty liver index (FLI), a non-invasive and simple marker of NAFLD, and the severe complications of COVID-19 patients in South Korea.
Methods
We included 3122 COVID-19-positive patients from the nationwide COVID-19 cohort dataset in South Korea between January and June 2020. The FLI was calculated using triglyceride, body mass index, glutamyl transpeptidase, and waist circumference, which were obtained from the national health screening program data. Severe complications related to COVID-19 were defined as the composite of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit treatment, high-oxygen flow therapy, and death within 2 months after a COVID-19 infection. We performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis for the development of severe complications in COVID-19 patients.
Results
The mean ± standard deviation of FLI were 25.01 ± 22.64. Severe complications from COVID-19 occurred in 223 (7.14%) patients, including mechanical ventilation in 82 (2.63%) patients, ICU admission in 126 (4.04%), high-flow oxygen therapy in 75 (2.40%), and death in 94 (3.01%) patients, respectively. The multivariate analysis indicated that the highest tertile (T3) of FLI was positively associated with severe complications from COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.11–2.82), P = 0.017) compared with the lowest tertile (T1).
Conclusions
Our study demonstrated that FLI, which represents NAFLD, was positively associated with an increased risk of severe complications from COVID-19. FLI might be used as a prognostic marker for the severity of COVID-19.
Collapse
|
19
|
Yoo J, Kim JH, Jeon J, Kim J, Song TJ. Risk of COVID-19 Infection and of Severe Complications Among People With Epilepsy: A Nationwide Cohort Study. Neurology 2022; 98:e1886-e1892. [PMID: 35338078 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000200195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether patients with epilepsy were more susceptible to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and at greater risk of severe complications when infected with COVID-19 when compared with patients without epilepsy. METHODS We included participants who underwent at least one SARS-CoV-2 real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test between Jan 1 and June 4, 2020 from the Korean nationwide COVID-19 dataset. Epilepsy was defined according to the presence of diagnostic code in health claims data prior to the COVID-19 diagnosis. To investigate the association between epilepsy and the susceptibility or severe complications of COVID-19, a 1:6 ratio propensity score matching (PSM) and logistic regression analysis were performed. Severe complications with COVID-19 infection were defined as a composite of the incidence of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit admission, and death within two months after COVID-19 diagnosis. RESULTS Among 212,678 study participants who underwent COVID-19 test, 3,919 (1.8%) had a history of epilepsy. After PSM, there was no significant difference in COVID-19 PCR positivity according to epilepsy history [odds ratio (OR): 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67-1.11]. Of the 7,713 individuals with confirmed COVID-19 infection, 72 (0.9%) had a history of epilepsy. Among the COVID-19 patients, the severe complications occurred in 444 (5.8%) individuals. After PSM, the presence of epilepsy was associated with occurrence of severe complications after COVID-19 infection [OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.04-4.04]. Mortality following COVID-19 infection did not differ according to the presence of epilepsy history [OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 0.65-3.70]. CONCLUSIONS The presence of epilepsy was not associated with increased susceptibility to COVID-19 infection or mortality related to the infection. However, there was an increased risk of severe complications with COVID-19 in patients with epilepsy; therefore, careful management and monitoring may be necessary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joonsang Yoo
- Department of Neurology, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Jee Hyun Kim
- Department of Neurology, Seoul Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jimin Jeon
- Department of Neurology, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinkwon Kim
- Department of Neurology, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Jin Song
- Department of Neurology, Seoul Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Kiruba-Sankar R, Saravanan K, Haridas H, Praveenraj J, Biswas U, Sarkar R. Policy framework and development strategy for freshwater aquaculture sector in the light of COVID-19 impact in Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, India. AQUACULTURE (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 548:737596. [PMID: 34720238 PMCID: PMC8536500 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.737596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The present study was aimed at understanding the impact of COVID-19 pandemic related restrictions on the freshwater aquaculture sector of Andaman and Nicobar archipelago (ANI). We interviewed the freshwater fish farmers (N = 211) covering all the three districts (North and Middle, South Andaman, Nicobar district) of the archipelago. The results revealed the critical issues faced by the stakeholders such as fish seed unavailability, limitations in feeding, insufficient logistical support, movement related restrictions, lack of inputs, manpower shortages, etc. as the important constraints during lockdown. Our surveys also revealed that there was a significant reduction in the income of the farmers post COVID-19 outbreak (p < 0.001). Possible reform strategies that could promote the sector development and resilience were outlined to recover from the COVID-19 impacts. The study also highlights the significance of effective networking among the stakeholders and necessary preparedness measures to be undertaken by the fish farmers to deal with the exigencies. The study also recommends a policy framework to strengthen the planning and management of freshwater aquaculture sector towards the path of sustainability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Kiruba-Sankar
- ICAR- Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair 744105, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
| | - K Saravanan
- ICAR- Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair 744105, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
| | - Harsha Haridas
- ICAR- Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair 744105, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
| | - J Praveenraj
- ICAR- Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair 744105, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
| | - Utpal Biswas
- ICAR- Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair 744105, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
| | - Ritika Sarkar
- ICAR- Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair 744105, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Rodi P, Obermeyer W, Pablos-Mendez A, Gori A, Raviglione MC. Political rationale, aims, and outcomes of health-related high-level meetings and special sessions at the UN General Assembly: A policy research observational study. PLoS Med 2022; 19:e1003873. [PMID: 35025880 PMCID: PMC8757909 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recognising the substantial political weight of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), a UN General Assembly special session (UNGASS) and high-level meetings (HLMs) have been pursued and held for 5 health-related topics thus far. They have focused on human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS, 2001), non-communicable diseases (NCDs, 2011), antimicrobial resistance (AMR, 2016), tuberculosis (TB, 2018), and universal health coverage (UHC, 2019). This observational study presents a comprehensive analysis of the political and policy background that prompted the events, as well as an assessment of aims, approaches, and ultimate outcomes. METHODS AND FINDINGS We investigated relevant agencies' official documents, performed a literature search, and accessed international institutions' websites for the period 1990-2020. Knowledgeable diplomatic staff and experts provided additional information. Outcomes were evaluated from a United Nations perspective based on national and international commitments, and funding trends. Eliciting an effective governmental response through UNGASSs/HLMs is a challenge. However, increased international commitment was evident after the HIV/AIDS (2001), NCDs (2011), and AMR (2016) meetings. The more recent TB (2018) and UHC (2019) HLMs have received general endorsements internationally, although concrete commitments are not yet documented. Although attribution can only be hypothesized, financial investments for HIV/AIDS following the UNGASS were remarkable, whereas following HLMs for NCDs, AMR, and TB, the financial investments remained insufficient to face the burden of these threats. Thus far, the HIV/AIDS UNGASS was the only one followed by a level of commitment that has likely contributed to the reversal of the previous burden trend. Limitations of this study include its global perspective and aerial view that cannot discern the effects at the country level. Additionally, possible peculiarities that modified the response to the meetings were not looked at in detail. Finally, we assessed a small sample of events; thus, the list of strategic characteristics for success is not exhaustive. CONCLUSIONS Overall, UNGASSs and HLMs have the potential to lay better foundations and boldly address key health challenges. However, to succeed, they need to (i) be backed by large consensus; (ii) engage UN authorities and high-level bodies; (iii) emphasise implications for international security and the world economy; (iv) be supported by the civil society, activists, and champions; and (v) produce a political declaration containing specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) targets. Therefore, to ensure impact on health challenges, in addition to working with the World Health Assembly and health ministries, engaging the higher political level represented by the UNGA and heads of state and government is critical.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Rodi
- Centre for Multidisciplinary Research in Health Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Surgery, Campus Virchow-Klinikum and Campus Charité Mitte, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Werner Obermeyer
- World Health Organization, United Nations, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ariel Pablos-Mendez
- Division of General Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Andrea Gori
- Centre for Multidisciplinary Research in Health Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario C. Raviglione
- Centre for Multidisciplinary Research in Health Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Fernández-Marín H, Bruner-Montero G, Portugal-Loayza A, Miranda V, Villarreal Dominguez AE, Ortega-Barría E, Núñez-Samudio V, Landires I, Mejía LC, López-Vergès S, Wcislo WT, Kosagisharaf JR. Dynamics of Mask Use as a Prevention Strategy against SARS-CoV-2 in Panama. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182412982. [PMID: 34948592 PMCID: PMC8701989 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182412982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Early in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, many national public health authorities implemented non-pharmaceutical interventions to mitigate disease outbreaks. Panamá established mandatory mask use two months after its first documented case. Initial compliance was high, but diverse masks were used in public areas. We studied behavioral dynamics of mask use through the first two COVID-19 waves in Panama, to improve the implementation of effective, low-cost public health containment measures when populations are exposed to novel air-borne pathogens. Mask use behavior was recorded from pedestrians in four Panamanian populations (August to December 2020). We recorded facial coverings and if used, the type of mask, and gender and estimated age of the wearer. Our results showed that people were highly compliant (>95%) with mask mandates and demonstrated important population-level behaviors: (1) decreasing use of cloth masks over time, and increasing use of surgical masks; (2) mask use was 3-fold lower in suburban neighborhoods than other public areas and (3) young people were least likely to wear masks. Results help focus on highly effective, low-cost, public health interventions for managing and controlling a pandemic. Considerations of behavioral preferences for different masks, relative to pricing and availability, are essential for optimizing public health policies. Policies to increase the availability of effective masks, and behavioral nudges to increase acceptance, and to facilitate mask usage, during the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and for future pandemics of respiratory pathogens, are key tools, especially for nations lagging in access to expensive vaccines and pharmacological approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hermógenes Fernández-Marín
- Centro de Biodiversidad y Descubrimiento de Drogas, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Clayton 0843-01103, Panama; (A.E.V.D.); (L.C.M.); (J.R.K.)
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación, Panamá 0816-02582, Panama; (V.N.-S.); (I.L.); (S.L.-V.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | | | - Virginia Miranda
- Complejo Hospitalario Arnulfo Arias Madrid, Caja de Seguro Social, Panamá 1393, Panama;
| | - Alcibiades Elias Villarreal Dominguez
- Centro de Biodiversidad y Descubrimiento de Drogas, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Clayton 0843-01103, Panama; (A.E.V.D.); (L.C.M.); (J.R.K.)
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación, Panamá 0816-02582, Panama; (V.N.-S.); (I.L.); (S.L.-V.)
| | - Eduardo Ortega-Barría
- Secretaria Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (SENACYT), Panamá 0816-02582, Panama;
| | - Virginia Núñez-Samudio
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación, Panamá 0816-02582, Panama; (V.N.-S.); (I.L.); (S.L.-V.)
- Instituto de Ciencias Médicas, Las Tablas 06001, Panama
| | - Iván Landires
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación, Panamá 0816-02582, Panama; (V.N.-S.); (I.L.); (S.L.-V.)
- Instituto de Ciencias Médicas, Las Tablas 06001, Panama
| | - Luis C. Mejía
- Centro de Biodiversidad y Descubrimiento de Drogas, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Clayton 0843-01103, Panama; (A.E.V.D.); (L.C.M.); (J.R.K.)
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación, Panamá 0816-02582, Panama; (V.N.-S.); (I.L.); (S.L.-V.)
| | - Sandra López-Vergès
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación, Panamá 0816-02582, Panama; (V.N.-S.); (I.L.); (S.L.-V.)
- Gorgas Memorial Institute of Health Studies, Panamá 0816-02593, Panama
| | | | - Jagannatha Rao Kosagisharaf
- Centro de Biodiversidad y Descubrimiento de Drogas, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT AIP), Clayton 0843-01103, Panama; (A.E.V.D.); (L.C.M.); (J.R.K.)
- Sistema Nacional de Investigación, Panamá 0816-02582, Panama; (V.N.-S.); (I.L.); (S.L.-V.)
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Lynch HF, Caplan A, Furlong P, Bateman-House A. Helpful Lessons and Cautionary Tales: How Should COVID-19 Drug Development and Access Inform Approaches to Non-Pandemic Diseases? THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS : AJOB 2021; 21:4-19. [PMID: 34665689 DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2021.1974975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
After witnessing extraordinary scientific and regulatory efforts to speed development of and access to new COVID-19 interventions, patients facing other serious diseases have begun to ask "where's our Operation Warp Speed?" and "why isn't Emergency Use Authorization an option for our health crises?" Although this pandemic bears a number of unique features, the response to COVID-19 offers translatable lessons, in both its successes and failures, for non-pandemic diseases. These include the importance of collaborating across sectors, supporting the highest-priority research efforts, adopting rigorous and innovative trial designs, and sharing reliable information quickly. In addition, the regulatory response to the pandemic demonstrates that lowering standards for marketing authorization can result in increased safety concerns, missed opportunities for research and treatment, and delays in determining what works. Accordingly, policymakers and patient advocates seeking to build on the COVID-19 experience for non-pandemic diseases with unmet treatment needs should focus their efforts on promoting robust and efficient research designs, improving access to clinical trials, and facilitating use of the Food and Drug Administration's existing Expanded Access pathway.
Collapse
|
24
|
Akaishi T, Kushimoto S, Katori Y, Sugawara N, Igarashi K, Fujita M, Kure S, Takayama S, Abe M, Tanaka J, Kikuchi A, Abe Y, Imai H, Inaba Y, Iwamatsu-Kobayashi Y, Nishioka T, Onodera K, Ishii T. COVID-19 Transmission at Schools in Japan. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2021; 255:239-246. [PMID: 34803121 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.255.239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), remains a global public health concern in 2021. However, the risk of attending schools during the pandemic remains unevaluated. This study estimated the secondary transmission rate at schools using the results of a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) screening test performed between July 2020 and April 2021, before starting the nationwide mass vaccination. A total of 1,924 students (20 RT-PCR-positive; 1.0%) from 52 schools or preschools were evaluated, together with 1,379 non-adults (95 RT-PCR-positive; 6.9%) exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in non-school environments. Assuming that the infectious index cases were asymptomatic and the transmission at schools followed a Bernoulli process, we estimated the probability of transmission after each contact at school as approximately 0.005 (0.5% per contact) with the current infection prevention measures at schools in Japan (i.e., hand hygiene, physical distancing, wearing masks, and effective ventilation). Furthermore, assuming that all children are capable of carrying the infection, then contact between an index case and 20-30 students per day at schools would yield the expected value for secondary cases of ≥ 1.0, during the 10 days of the infectious period. In conclusion, with the current infection prevention measures at schools in Japan, secondary transmission at schools would occur in approximately every 200 contacts. When considering this rate, compliance with the current infection prevention measures at schools and early detection and quarantine of the index cases would be effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 at schools.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Akaishi
- Department of Education and Support for Regional Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital
| | - Shigeki Kushimoto
- Division of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Yukio Katori
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Noriko Sugawara
- Department of Pediatrics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Kaoru Igarashi
- Division of Craniofacial Anomalies, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry
| | - Motoo Fujita
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital
| | - Shigeo Kure
- Department of Pediatrics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Shin Takayama
- Department of Education and Support for Regional Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital
| | - Michiaki Abe
- Department of Education and Support for Regional Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital
| | - Junichi Tanaka
- Department of Education and Support for Regional Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital
| | - Akiko Kikuchi
- Department of Education and Support for Regional Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital
| | - Yoshiko Abe
- Department of Education and Support for Regional Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital
| | - Hiroyuki Imai
- Clinical Skills Laboratory, Tohoku University School of Medicine
| | - Yohei Inaba
- Department of Radiation Disaster Medicine, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University
| | | | - Takashi Nishioka
- Liaison Center for Innovative Dentistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry
| | - Ko Onodera
- Department of General Practitioner Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Tadashi Ishii
- Department of Education and Support for Regional Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Kim HJ, Park MS, Shin JI, Park J, Kim DH, Jeon J, Kim J, Song TJ. Associations of heart failure with susceptibility and severe complications of COVID-19: A nationwide cohort study. J Med Virol 2021; 94:1138-1145. [PMID: 34738248 PMCID: PMC8661586 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Infection is associated with occurrence and worsening of heart failure (HF). However, studies on the association of susceptibility and severe complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with HF history are limited. From the Korean nationwide COVID-19 data set, 212,678 participants with at least one severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test were included between January 1 and June 4, 2020. To investigate the association of HF with susceptibility and severe complications of COVID-19, 1:4 ratio propensity score matching (PSM) and logistic regression analysis were performed. The primary outcome was a composite outcome of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death. After PSM, COVID-19 PCR positivity did not show a significant difference according to HF history in multivariable analysis (odds ratio [OR]: 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.79-1.04), p = 0.146). Of 7630 individuals with confirmed COVID-19 infection, 310 (4.1%) had HF history. The overall primary outcome occurred in 426 (5.6%) individuals, including 159 (2.1%) cases of mechanical ventilation, 254 (3.3%) cases of ICU admission, and 215 (2.8%) cases of death. In multivariate logistic analysis, presence of HF history was associated independently with primary outcome (OR: 1.99, 95% CI: 1.42-2.79, p < 0.001), particularly mortality (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.36-3.00, p < 0.001). Our study demonstrated that HF history is associated poor prognosis, particularly mortality, in COVID-19. Patients with HF can have severe complication if infected with COVID-19; therefore, careful management are necessary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyung Jun Kim
- Department of Neurology, Seoul Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Moo-Suk Park
- Department of Neurology, Seoul Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Il Shin
- Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Park
- Department of Neurology, Seoul Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hyeok Kim
- Department of Cardiology, Seoul Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jimin Jeon
- Department of Neurology, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinkwon Kim
- Department of Neurology, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Jin Song
- Department of Neurology, Seoul Hospital, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Lorusso V. Parasitology and One Health-Perspectives on Africa and Beyond. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10111437. [PMID: 34832594 PMCID: PMC8620987 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10111437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This concept paper reviews issues pertaining to parasitic and vector-borne infections, of humans, animals, or both, of topical relevance to the African continent as well as to neighbouring and interconnected geographies. This analysis is carried out through the "One Health" lens, being mindful of the central role of agriculture and livestock keeping in Africa's sustainable development. The possible agricultural transformation that the continent may undergo to fulfil the rising demand for animal protein of its growing population, coupled with the ongoing climate changes, may lead to potentially enhanced interactions among humans, domesticated and wild animals, in a fast-changing environment. In this view, tackling parasitic conditions of livestock can prove being multidimensionally beneficial by improving animal health as well as communities' food security, livelihood and public health. Accordingly, the value of applying the One Health approach to drug discovery and development in the fight against parasitic neglected tropical diseases and zoonoses, is also underscored. Overall, this article upholds the adoption of a holistic, global, interdisciplinary, multisectoral, harmonised and forward-looking outlook, encompassing both life and social sciences, when dealing with parasitic conditions of humans and animals, in Africa and beyond, in COVID-19 times and further.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Lorusso
- Global Research & Intellectual Property, Vetoquinol, 37 Rue de la Victoire, 75009 Paris, France; or
- University of Salford Tick Infections (USALTI)-Afrique, School of Science, Engineering & Environment, University of Salford, Greater Manchester, Salford M5 4WT, UK
- African Institute of One Health Research and Diagnostics (AIOHRD), University of Abuja, km 23 Airport Road, Abuja 900110, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Geng EH, Reid MJA, Goosby E, Abdool-Karim Q. COVID-19 and global equity for health: The good, the bad, and the wicked. PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003797. [PMID: 34597296 PMCID: PMC8519457 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Elvin Geng and co-authors discuss monitoring and achieving equity in provision of vaccines for COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elvin H. Geng
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine and Center for Dissemination and Implementation in the Institute for Public Health, Washington University in St. Louis, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Michael J. A. Reid
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Eric Goosby
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Quarraisha Abdool-Karim
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Pizarro AB, Persad E, Durao S, Nussbaumer-Streit B, Garritty C, Engela-Volker JS, McElvenny D, Rhodes S, Stocking K, Fletcher T, Van Tongeren M, Martin C, Noertjojo K, Sampson O, Jørgensen KJ, Bruschettini M. Workplace interventions to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection outside of healthcare settings. Hippokratia 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd015112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Emma Persad
- Cochrane Austria, Department for Evidence-based Medicine and Evaluation; Danube University Krems; Krems Austria
| | - Solange Durao
- Cochrane South Africa; South African Medical Research Council; Cape Town South Africa
| | - Barbara Nussbaumer-Streit
- Cochrane Austria, Department for Evidence-based Medicine and Evaluation; Danube University Krems; Krems Austria
| | - Chantelle Garritty
- Global Health and Guidelines Division; Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC); Ottawa Canada
| | - Jean S Engela-Volker
- Division of Population Medicine; Cardiff University School of Medicine; Cardiff UK
| | - Damien McElvenny
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health; University of Manchester; Manchester UK
| | - Sarah Rhodes
- Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care; University of Manchester; Manchester UK
| | - Katie Stocking
- Centre for Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health; University of Manchester; Manchester UK
| | - Tony Fletcher
- Epidemiology Department; Public Health England Centre for Radiation Chemical and Environmental Hazards (CRCE); London UK
| | - Martie Van Tongeren
- Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care; University of Manchester; Manchester UK
| | | | | | | | - Karsten Juhl Jørgensen
- Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Odense (CEBMO) and Cochrane Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark; Odense Denmark
| | - Matteo Bruschettini
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Paediatrics; Lund University, Skåne University Hospital; Lund Sweden
- Cochrane Sweden; Lund University, Skåne University Hospital; Lund Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Wyatt D, Faulkner-Gurstein R, Cowan H, Wolfe CDA. Impacts of COVID-19 on clinical research in the UK: A multi-method qualitative case study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256871. [PMID: 34464430 PMCID: PMC8407556 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clinical research has been central to the global response to COVID-19, and the United Kingdom (UK), with its research system embedded within the National Health Service (NHS), has been singled out globally for the scale and speed of its COVID-19 research response. This paper explores the impacts of COVID-19 on clinical research in an NHS Trust and how the embedded research system was adapted and repurposed to support the COVID-19 response. Methods and findings Using a multi-method qualitative case study of a research-intensive NHS Trust in London UK, we collected data through a questionnaire (n = 170) and semi-structured interviews (n = 24) with research staff working in four areas: research governance; research leadership; research delivery; and patient and public involvement. We also observed key NHS Trust research prioritisation meetings (40 hours) and PPI activity (4.5 hours) and analysed documents produced by the Trust and national organisation relating to COVID-19 research. Data were analysed for a descriptive account of the Trust’s COVID-19 research response and research staff’s experiences. Data were then analysed thematically. Our analysis identifies three core themes: centralisation; pace of work; and new (temporary) work practices. By centralising research prioritisation at both national and Trust levels, halting non-COVID-19 research and redeploying research staff, an increased pace in the setup and delivery of COVID-19-related research was possible. National and Trust-level responses also led to widescale changes in working practices by adapting protocols and developing local processes to maintain and deliver research. These were effective practical solutions borne out of necessity and point to how the research system was able to adapt to the requirements of the pandemic. Conclusion The Trust and national COVID-19 response entailed a rapid large-scale reorganisation of research staff, research infrastructures and research priorities. The Trust’s local processes that enabled them to enact national policy prioritising COVID-19 research worked well, especially in managing finite resources, and also demonstrate the importance and adaptability of the research workforce. Such findings are useful as we consider how to adapt our healthcare delivery and research practices both at the national and global level for the future. However, as the pandemic continues, research leaders and policymakers must also take into account the short and long term impact of COVID-19 prioritisation on non-COVID-19 health research and the toll of the emergency response on research staff.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Wyatt
- School of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Faulkner-Gurstein
- School of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Hannah Cowan
- School of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Charles D A Wolfe
- School of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, King's College London, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Building global health research capacity to address research imperatives following the COVID-19 pandemic. PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003753. [PMID: 34464383 PMCID: PMC8443052 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Peter Kilmarx and Roger Glass discuss strengthening health research capabilities as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collapse
|
31
|
Ishii T, Kushimoto S, Katori Y, Kure S, Igarashi K, Fujita M, Sugawara N, Takayama S, Abe M, Tanaka J, Kikuchi A, Abe Y, Imai H, Inaba Y, Iwamatsu-Kobayashi Y, Nishioka T, Onodera K, Akaishi T. Impacts of Natural Environmental Factors and Prevalence of Airway Symptoms on the Local Spread of COVID-19: A Time-Series Analysis in Regional COVID-19 Epidemics. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2021; 254:89-100. [PMID: 34162780 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.254.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is the world's largest public health concern in 2021. This study evaluated the associations of the prevalence of airway symptoms among the tested individuals and data regarding the natural environmental factors with the weekly number of newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients in Sendai City (Nt). For the derivatives of the screening test results, data from individuals with a contact history who underwent nasopharyngeal swab reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing between July 2020 and April 2021 (6,156 participants, including 550 test-positive patients) were used. The value of Nt correlated with the weekly RT-PCR test-positive rate after close contact, prevalence of cough symptoms in test-positive individuals or in test-negative individuals, lower air temperature, lower air humidity, and higher wind speed. The weekly test-positive rate correlated with lower air humidity and higher wind speed. In cross-correlation analyses, natural environmental factors correlated with the regional epidemic status on a scale of months, whereas the airway symptoms among non-COVID-19 population affected on a scale of weeks. When applying an autoregression model to the serial data of Nt, large-scale movements of people were suggested to be another factor to influence the local epidemics on a scale of days. In conclusion, the prevalence of cough symptoms in the local population, lower air humidity or higher wind speed, and large-scale movements of people in the locality would jointly influence the local epidemic status of COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tadashi Ishii
- Department of Education and Support for Regional Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital
| | - Shigeki Kushimoto
- Division of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Yukio Katori
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Shigeo Kure
- Department of Pediatrics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Kaoru Igarashi
- Division of Craniofacial Anomalies, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry
| | - Motoo Fujita
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital
| | - Noriko Sugawara
- Department of Pediatrics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Shin Takayama
- Department of Education and Support for Regional Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital
| | - Michiaki Abe
- Department of Education and Support for Regional Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital
| | - Junichi Tanaka
- Department of Education and Support for Regional Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital
| | - Akiko Kikuchi
- Department of Education and Support for Regional Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital
| | - Yoshiko Abe
- Department of Education and Support for Regional Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital
| | - Hiroyuki Imai
- Clinical Skills Laboratory, Tohoku University School of Medicine
| | - Yohei Inaba
- Department of Radiation Disaster Medicine, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University
| | | | - Takashi Nishioka
- Liaison Center for Innovative Dentistry, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry
| | - Ko Onodera
- Department of General Practitioner Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Tetsuya Akaishi
- Department of Education and Support for Regional Medicine, Tohoku University Hospital
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Odeny B. A call for diversity, equity, and inclusion: Highlights from the Consortium of Universities for Global Health 2021 conference. PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003607. [PMID: 33857154 PMCID: PMC8084182 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Beryne Odeny reports from the CUGH 2021 virtual conference.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beryne Odeny
- Public Library of Science, San Francisco, California, United States of America and Cambridge, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|