1
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Wong BLH, Nordström A, Piot P, Clark H. From polycrisis to metacrisis: harnessing windows of opportunity for renewed political leadership in global health diplomacy. BMJ Glob Health 2024; 9:e015340. [PMID: 38637121 PMCID: PMC11029238 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2024-015340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brian Li Han Wong
- International Politics, Leadership & Diplomacy for Health Project, Stockholm School of Economics and Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Resilient Health, Stockholm School of Economics, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of International Health, Maastricht University Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands
| | - Anders Nordström
- International Politics, Leadership & Diplomacy for Health Project, Stockholm School of Economics and Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Resilient Health, Stockholm School of Economics, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Piot
- European Union, Brussels, Belgium
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Helen Clark
- Helen Clark Foundation, Auckland, New Zealand
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2
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Hrzic R, Cade MV, Wong BLH, McCreesh N, Simon J, Czabanowska K. A competency framework on simulation modelling-supported decision-making for Master of Public Health graduates. J Public Health (Oxf) 2024; 46:127-135. [PMID: 38061776 PMCID: PMC10901273 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdad248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Simulation models are increasingly important for supporting decision-making in public health. However, due to lack of training, many public health professionals remain unfamiliar with constructing simulation models and using their outputs for decision-making. This study contributes to filling this gap by developing a competency framework on simulation model-supported decision-making targeting Master of Public Health education. METHODS The study combined a literature review, a two-stage online Delphi survey and an online consensus workshop. A draft competency framework was developed based on 28 peer-reviewed publications. A two-stage online Delphi survey involving 15 experts was conducted to refine the framework. Finally, an online consensus workshop, including six experts, evaluated the competency framework and discussed its implementation. RESULTS The competency framework identified 20 competencies related to stakeholder engagement, problem definition, evidence identification, participatory system mapping, model creation and calibration and the interpretation and dissemination of model results. The expert evaluation recommended differentiating professional profiles and levels of expertise and synergizing with existing course contents to support its implementation. CONCLUSIONS The competency framework developed in this study is instrumental to including simulation model-supported decision-making in public health training. Future research is required to differentiate expertise levels and develop implementation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rok Hrzic
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute - CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD, Netherlands
| | - Maria Vitoria Cade
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute - CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD, Netherlands
| | - Brian Li Han Wong
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute - CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD, Netherlands
| | - Nicky McCreesh
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Dynamics, Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Judit Simon
- Department of Health Economics, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, 1090, Austria
| | - Katarzyna Czabanowska
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute - CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD, Netherlands
- Department of Health Policy Management, Institute of Public Health, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 31-066, Poland
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3
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O'Sullivan B, Zhong A, Yin LL, Dogra S, Chadop MT, Choonara S, Wong BLH. The future of global health: restructuring governance through inclusive youth leadership. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e013653. [PMID: 37935521 PMCID: PMC10632807 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brianne O'Sullivan
- Department of Health Information Science, Western University Faculty of Health Sciences, London, Ontario, Canada
- Office of International Affairs for the Health Portfolio, Multilateral Relations Division, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Shakira Choonara Development, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Lillian Li Yin
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Surabhi Dogra
- Youth Council, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- The Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing, London, UK
| | | | - Shakira Choonara
- Shakira Choonara Development, Johannesburg, South Africa
- The Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing, London, UK
- Youth Health Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Brian Li Han Wong
- Department of International Health, Maastricht University Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- The Lancet and Financial Times Commission on Governing Health Futures 2030, Geneva, Switzerland
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4
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Nguyen TPT, Do AL, Do HN, Vu TMT, van Kessel R, Wong BLH, Boyer L, Fond G, Auquier P, Nguyen TT, Latkin CA, Ho CSH, Ho RCM. Evidence of internal structure of the transactional eHealth literacy among Vietnamese youth: An instrument validation study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1036877. [PMID: 37033078 PMCID: PMC10079874 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1036877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The progression into the Digital Age has brought an array of novel skill requirements. Unlike traditional literacy, there are currently few measures that can reliably measure eHealth literacy. The Transactional Model of eHealth Literacy and subsequent Transactional eHealth Literacy Instrument may provide a feasible option for measuring eHealth literacy. Objective This instrument has yet to be validated, which is the aim of this study. In particular, this article was conducted to validate the TeHLI to see which components of the tool (how many and which components included) would be the best fit statistically and whether the tool applies to groups of different characteristics. Methods We conducted an online cross-sectional study among 236 Vietnamese young people. A exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the best fit model of the Transactional eHealth Literacy Instrument. A confirmatory factor analysis tested measurement invariance at four levels: configural, metric, scalar, and strict invariance. Only metric invariance was partially invariant, while the rest tested fully invariant. Even with partial metric invariance, there is reason to assume that functional, communicative, critical, and translational eHealth literacy (the four levels according to the transactional model) are consistently measured when deploying the Transactional eHealth Literacy Instrument across groups. Results The study findings substantiate that the most optimal composition of the TeHLI consists of four factors: functional, communicative, critical, and translational eHealth literacy, with RMSEA = 0.116; CFI = 0.907, and the highest internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.91, 0.92, 0.88, and 0.92 for each factor respectively). After using measurement invariance, that gender, education, marital status, age, location, and household economy do not influence the way participants to respond to the TeHLI to the point that would introduce measurement bias. In other word, using TeHLI across population groups should not produce error margins that substantially differ from each other. Conclusions This study suggests the instrument can be used for comparisons across groups and has the potential to generate high-quality data usable for informing change agents as to whether a particular population is proficient enough to adopt novel eHealth innovations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thao Phuong Thi Nguyen
- Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam
- Faculty of Nursing, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam
| | - Anh Linh Do
- Institute of Health Economics and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Ha Ngoc Do
- Youth Research Institute, Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | - Robin van Kessel
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Research Committee, Global Health Workforce Network (GHWN) Youth Hub, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Brian Li Han Wong
- Research Committee, Global Health Workforce Network (GHWN) Youth Hub, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- Medical Research Council Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, Department of Population Science and Experimental Medicine, UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laurent Boyer
- EA 3279, CEReSS, Research Centre on Health Services and Quality of Life, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Guillaume Fond
- EA 3279, CEReSS, Research Centre on Health Services and Quality of Life, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Pascal Auquier
- EA 3279, CEReSS, Research Centre on Health Services and Quality of Life, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Tham Thi Nguyen
- Institute for Global Health Innovations, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam
- Faculty of Nursing, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam
| | - Carl A. Latkin
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Cyrus S. H. Ho
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Roger C. M. Ho
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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5
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Holly L, Wong BLH, van Kessel R, Awah I, Agrawal A, Ndili N. Optimising adolescent wellbeing in a digital age. BMJ 2023; 380:e068279. [PMID: 36940933 PMCID: PMC10019455 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2021-068279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2023]
Abstract
Empowering adolescents and strengthening governance of digital media are among the urgent actions required to tackle the digital determinants of adolescent wellbeing, argue Louise Holly and colleagues
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Holly
- Governing Health Futures 2030 Commission, Global Health Centre, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Brian Li Han Wong
- Governing Health Futures 2030 Commission, Global Health Centre, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, Switzerland
- International Digital Health and AI Research Collaborative, Geneva
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Robin van Kessel
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | - Isang Awah
- Global Parenting Initiative, Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anurag Agrawal
- Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana, India
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6
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Mavragani A, Kyriopoulos I, Wong BLH, Mossialos E. The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Digital Health-Seeking Behavior: Big Data Interrupted Time-Series Analysis of Google Trends. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e42401. [PMID: 36603152 PMCID: PMC9848442 DOI: 10.2196/42401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Due to the emergency responses early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of digital health in health care increased abruptly. However, it remains unclear whether this introduction was sustained in the long term, especially with patients being able to decide between digital and traditional health services once the latter regained their functionality throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE We aim to understand how the public interest in digital health changed as proxy for digital health-seeking behavior and to what extent this change was sustainable over time. METHODS We used an interrupted time-series analysis of Google Trends data with break points on March 11, 2020 (declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization), and December 20, 2020 (the announcement of the first COVID-19 vaccines). Nationally representative time-series data from February 2019 to August 2021 were extracted from Google Trends for 6 countries with English as their dominant language: Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland. We measured the changes in relative search volumes of the keywords online doctor, telehealth, online health, telemedicine, and health app. In doing so, we capture the prepandemic trend, the immediate change due to the announcement of COVID-19 being a pandemic, and the gradual change after the announcement. RESULTS Digital health search volumes immediately increased in all countries under study after the announcement of COVID-19 being a pandemic. There was some variation in what keywords were used per country. However, searches declined after this immediate spike, sometimes reverting to prepandemic levels. The announcement of COVID-19 vaccines did not consistently impact digital health search volumes in the countries under study. The exception is the search volume of health app, which was observed as either being stable or gradually increasing during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the increased public interest in digital health associated with the pandemic did not sustain, alluding to remaining structural barriers. Further building of digital health capacity and developing robust digital health governance frameworks remain crucial to facilitating sustainable digital health transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ilias Kyriopoulos
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Brian Li Han Wong
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Steering Committee, Digital Health Section, European Public Health Association, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Elias Mossialos
- LSE Health, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom.,Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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7
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Middleton J, Davidovitch N, Barros H, Lopes H, Moreno JMM, Mason-Jones AJ, McCallum A, Reid J, Reintjes R, Sheek-Hussein M, Simon J, Wong BLH, Leighton L, Otok R. ASPHER Statement: Planning for Winter 2022-23. Public Health Rev 2022; 43:1605394. [PMID: 36267592 PMCID: PMC9578316 DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2022.1605394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- John Middleton
- Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER), Brussels, Belgium
- *Correspondence: John Middleton,
| | - Nadav Davidovitch
- School of Public Health, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Henrique Barros
- Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Henrique Lopes
- Unit of Public Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Catolica University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jose M. Martin Moreno
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Medical School and INCLIVA, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Alison McCallum
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - John Reid
- Department of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Chester, Chester, United Kingdom
| | - Ralf Reintjes
- Department of Public Health, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mohamud Sheek-Hussein
- Institute of Public Health— College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Judit Simon
- Department of Health Economics, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Brian Li Han Wong
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute – CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- The International Digital Health & AI Research Collaborative (I-DAIR), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lore Leighton
- Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Robert Otok
- Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER), Brussels, Belgium
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8
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Hrzic R, Davidovitch N, Barros H, Lopes H, Moreno JMM, Mason-Jones AJ, McCallum A, Reid J, Reintjes R, Sheek-Hussein M, Simon J, Wong BLH, Leighton L, Otok R, Middleton J. ASPHER Statement: Facing the Fourth Winter of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Public Health Rev 2022; 43:1605395. [PMID: 36267593 PMCID: PMC9578432 DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2022.1605395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rok Hrzic
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute – CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Nadav Davidovitch
- School of Public Health, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
- *Correspondence: Nadav Davidovitch,
| | - Henrique Barros
- Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Henrique Lopes
- Unit of Public Health, Institute of Health Sciences, Catolica University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jose M. Martin Moreno
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Medical School and INCLIVA, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Alison McCallum
- Centre for Population Health Sciences, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland
| | - John Reid
- Department of Public Health and Wellbeing, University of Chester, Chester, United Kingdom
| | - Ralf Reintjes
- Department of Public Health, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mohamud Sheek-Hussein
- Institute of Public Health — College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Judit Simon
- Department of Health Economics, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Brian Li Han Wong
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute – CAPHRI, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- The International Digital Health and AI Research Collaborative (I-DAIR), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lore Leighton
- Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Robert Otok
- Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER), Brussels, Belgium
| | - John Middleton
- Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER), Brussels, Belgium
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9
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Bandara S, Baral P, Joshi A, Muhia J, Rahman-Shepherd A, Adhikari P, Bayingana A, Bookholane H, Changyit-Levin Y, Dada S, Dutta R, Essar MY, Evaborhene NA, Krugman D, Kumar R, Manoj M, Mathewos K, Olson N, Osborne R, Romero-Alvarez D, Tun ZM, Wong BLH. Open Letter to G7 and G20 leaders: resolve global crises to secure our future. Nat Med 2022; 28:1974-1975. [PMID: 35970922 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-01944-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shashika Bandara
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Prativa Baral
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anshumi Joshi
- Trent/Fleming School of Nursing, Trent University, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joy Muhia
- Centre for Global Mental Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Afifah Rahman-Shepherd
- Faculty of Health Systems and Behavioural Sciences, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Praju Adhikari
- Public and Global Health Program, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | | | - Hloni Bookholane
- Division of Global Surgery, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Yara Changyit-Levin
- Global Health Direct Matriculation Program, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sara Dada
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rohini Dutta
- Programme for Global Surgery and Social Change, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Daniel Krugman
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ramya Kumar
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Malvikha Manoj
- International Working Group for Health Systems Strengthening, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Nehemiah Olson
- University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Rhiannon Osborne
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Daniel Romero-Alvarez
- One Health Research Group, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de las Américas, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Zaw Myo Tun
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Brian Li Han Wong
- The International Digital Health & AI Research Collaborative (I-DAIR), Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute, Geneva, Switzerland
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10
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin van Kessel
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Gravitate Health User Advisory Group, European Patients' Forum, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Brian Li Han Wong
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- The International Digital Health and AI Research Collaborative (I-DAIR), Global Health Centre, The Graduate Institute, Geneva, Switzerland
- Steering Committee, Digital Health Section, European Public Health Association (EUPHA), Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Rebecca Forman
- Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
| | - Jonila Gabrani
- Gravitate Health User Advisory Group, European Patients' Forum, Brussels, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Elias Mossialos
- Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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11
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Wong BLH, Maaß L, Vodden A, van Kessel R, Sorbello S, Buttigieg S, Odone A. The dawn of digital public health in Europe: Implications for public health policy and practice. Lancet Reg Health Eur 2022; 14:100316. [PMID: 35132399 PMCID: PMC8811486 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2022.100316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of digital health technologies and the role of effective surveillance systems. While recent events have accelerated progress towards the expansion of digital public health (DPH), there remains significant untapped potential in harnessing, leveraging, and repurposing digital technologies for public health. There is a particularly growing need for comprehensive action to prepare citizens for DPH, to regulate and effectively evaluate DPH, and adopt DPH strategies as part of health policy and services to optimise health systems improvement. As representatives of the European Public Health Association's (EUPHA) Digital Health Section, we reflect on the current state of DPH, share our understanding at the European level, and determine how the application of DPH has developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also discuss the opportunities, challenges, and implications of the increasing digitalisation of public health in Europe.
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12
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van Kessel R, Hrzic R, O'Nuallain E, Weir E, Wong BLH, Anderson M, Baron-Cohen S, Mossialos E. Digital Health Paradox: International Policy Perspectives to Address Increased Health Inequalities for People Living With Disabilities. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e33819. [PMID: 35191848 PMCID: PMC8905475 DOI: 10.2196/33819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the uptake of digital health worldwide and highlighted many benefits of these innovations. However, it also stressed the magnitude of inequalities regarding accessing digital health. Using a scoping review, this article explores the potential benefits of digital technologies for the global population, with particular reference to people living with disabilities, using the autism community as a case study. We ultimately explore policies in Sweden, Australia, Canada, Estonia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to learn how policies can lay an inclusive foundation for digital health systems. We conclude that digital health ecosystems should be designed with health equity at the forefront to avoid deepening existing health inequalities. We call for a more sophisticated understanding of digital health literacy to better assess the readiness to adopt digital health innovations. Finally, people living with disabilities should be positioned at the center of digital health policy and innovations to ensure they are not left behind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin van Kessel
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Studio Europa, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Global Health Workforce Network Youth Hub, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rok Hrzic
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ella O'Nuallain
- Public Sector Strategy Team, Deloitte Consulting Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Weir
- Autism Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Brian Li Han Wong
- Global Health Workforce Network Youth Hub, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.,The Lancet and Financial Times Commission on Governing Health Futures 2030: Growing up in a digital world, Global Health Centre, The Graduate Institute, Geneva, Switzerland.,Steering Committee, European Public Health Association Digital Health Section, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Michael Anderson
- Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Autism Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Elias Mossialos
- Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom.,Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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13
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van Kessel R, Wong BLH, Rubinić I, O’Nuallain E, Czabanowska K. Is Europe prepared to go digital? making the case for developing digital capacity: An exploratory analysis of Eurostat survey data. PLOS Digit Health 2022; 1:e0000013. [PMID: 36812527 PMCID: PMC9931321 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Digital divides are globally recognised as a wicked problem that threatens to become the new face of inequality. They are formed by discrepancies in Internet access, digital skills, and tangible outcomes (e.g. health, economic) between populations. Previous studies indicate that Europe has an average Internet access rate of 90%, yet rarely specify for different demographics and do not report on the presence of digital skills. This exploratory analysis used the 2019 community survey on ICT usage in households and by individuals from Eurostat, which is a sample of 147,531 households and 197,631 individuals aged 16-74. The cross-country comparative analysis includes EEA and Switzerland. Data were collected between January and August 2019 and analysed between April and May 2021. Large differences in Internet access were observed (75-98%), especially between North-Western (94-98%) and South-Eastern Europe (75-87%). Young populations, high education levels, employment, and living in an urban environment appear to positively influence the development of higher digital skills. The cross-country analysis exhibits a positive correlation between high capital stock and income/earnings, and the digital skills development while showing that the internet-access price bears marginal influence over digital literacy levels. The findings suggest Europe is currently unable to host a sustainable digital society without exacerbating cross-country inequalities due to substantial differences in internet access and digital literacy. Investment in building digital capacity in the general population should be the primary objective of European countries to ensure they can benefit optimally, equitably, and sustainably from the advancements of the Digital Era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin van Kessel
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Studio Europa, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Research Committee, Global Health Workforce Network (GHWN) Youth Hub, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Brian Li Han Wong
- Research Committee, Global Health Workforce Network (GHWN) Youth Hub, World Health Organization (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland
- Medical Research Council Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, Department of Population Science and Experimental Medicine, UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Steering Committee, Digital Health Section, European Public Health Association (EUPHA), Utrecht, Netherlands
- COVID-19 Task Force, Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ivan Rubinić
- Studio Europa, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ella O’Nuallain
- Consulting team APAC Region, Global Hub, Impact Consulting, London, United Kingdom
- Public Sector Strategy team, Consulting, Deloitte Consulting Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia
| | - Katarzyna Czabanowska
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- Department of Health Policy Management, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Care, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Li Han Wong
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, Public Health England, Colindale, London, UK
| | - Mary Elizabeth Ramsay
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, Public Health England, Colindale, London, UK
| | - Shamez N Ladhani
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, Public Health England, Colindale, London, UK
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15
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Wong BLH, Gray W, Holly L. The future of health governance needs youth voices at the forefront. Lancet 2021; 398:1669-1670. [PMID: 34706261 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(21)02212-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brian Li Han Wong
- Secretariat, the Lancet and Financial Times Commission on Governing Health Futures 2030, Global Health Centre, The Graduate Institute, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Whitney Gray
- Secretariat, the Lancet and Financial Times Commission on Governing Health Futures 2030, Global Health Centre, The Graduate Institute, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Louise Holly
- Secretariat, the Lancet and Financial Times Commission on Governing Health Futures 2030, Global Health Centre, The Graduate Institute, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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16
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de Albuquerque Veloso Machado M, Roberts B, Wong BLH, van Kessel R, Mossialos E. The Relationship Between the COVID-19 Pandemic and Vaccine Hesitancy: A Scoping Review of Literature Until August 2021. Front Public Health 2021; 9:747787. [PMID: 34650953 PMCID: PMC8505886 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.747787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Vaccines have been contributing to eradicate or drastically reduce the incidence of common diseases. Simultaneously, vaccine hesitancy is considered among the top ten global health threats. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a tremendous impact on health, economics, and society worldwide, while also reinforcing faulty beliefs about the necessity of vaccine programs as a whole. This study aims to synthesise evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on vaccine hesitancy. Methods: A scoping review of literature between 1 January 2020 and 1 August 2021 was performed. Results: COVID-19 vaccine acceptance decreased from more than 70 to <50% in 8 months starting from January 2020. Healthcare professionals demonstrate higher rates of vaccine receptivity than the public, which was more influenced by (social) media. The circulation of misinformation was associated with increased fear of side effects related to COVID-19 vaccines. Regarding other vaccines coverage, parents' intentions to vaccinate their children against influenza increased 15.8% during the COVID-19 pandemic so far. Nonetheless, the number of vaccines administered decreased, influenced by factors like fear of being exposed to the virus at healthcare facilities and restrictions. Conclusions: Several efforts should be undertaken to improve vaccine acceptance and coverage now and beyond the pandemic to optimal population protection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Brian Li Han Wong
- Medical Research Council Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing (MRC), London, United Kingdom.,Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Robin van Kessel
- Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Studio Europa, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.,Research Committee, Global Health Workforce Network (GHWN) Youth Hub, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elias Mossialos
- Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom.,Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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17
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Wong BLH, Siepmann I, Chen TT, Fisher S, Weitzel TS, Nathan NL, Saminarsih DS. Rebuilding to shape a better future: the role of young professionals in the public health workforce. Hum Resour Health 2021; 19:82. [PMID: 34256785 PMCID: PMC8276547 DOI: 10.1186/s12960-021-00627-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear the extreme needs of the public health workforce. As societies discuss how to build up the capacity and infrastructure of their systems, it is crucial that young professionals are involved. Previous attempts to incorporate young professionals into the public health workforce have wrestled with inaccessibility, tokenisation, and a lack of mentorship, leading to a loss of potential workforce members and a non-representative workforce that reinforces systemic societal exclusion of diverse young people. These barriers must be addressed through robust mentorship structures, intentional recruitment and continuous support, as well as genuine recognition of the contributions of young professionals to build the sustainable, interdisciplinary, unified public health that is necessary for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Li Han Wong
- Department of Population Science and Experimental Medicine, UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science, Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at University College London (UCL), 5th Floor, 1-19 Torrington Place, Fitzrovia, London, WC1E 7HB, UK.
- Immunisation and Countermeasures Division, Public Health England, Colindale, London, UK.
- Global Health Workforce Network (GHWN) Youth Hub, World Health Organization, Genève, Switzerland.
| | - Ines Siepmann
- Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Tara T Chen
- Department of Social Work, Tzu-Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Shelby Fisher
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, École des Hautes Études en Santé Publique, Paris, France
| | - Tobias S Weitzel
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Naomi L Nathan
- Institute of Public Health, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Diah S Saminarsih
- Office of the Director-General, World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, 1202, Genève, Switzerland
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18
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Wong BLH, Chaturvedi N, Tillin T, Richards M, Hughes A, Stewart R, Shibata D, Park C. 6070Association of blood pressure measures with brain structure and function: the Southall and Brent REvisited (SABRE) study. Eur Heart J 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz746.0119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
In our rapidly ageing society, dementia and neurocognitive decline are significant global public health problems. Blood pressure (BP), an established cardiovascular risk factor, has been extensively studied with respect to brain structure and function; however, findings across the literature differ depending on the BP component in consideration, and the use of brachial rather than central BP.
Purpose
We set out to assess associations between detailed measures of brain structure and function with comprehensive measures of central and peripheral BP. Furthermore, we performed comprehensive mediation analyses on the associations to investigate potential micro and macro vascular mediatory pathways.
Methods
A community-based sample of 1438 individuals (69.7±6.2 years) from a tri-ethnic cohort. underwent vascular, cognitive and MRI based structural brain measures. BP measures included central (cSBP (Pulsecor)) and peripheral systolic BP (pSBP), diastolic BP (DBP), brachial (bPP) and central pulse pressure (cPP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Cognitive assessments comprised tests which explored global/overall function (CSID), executive function and memory. For brain structure, hippocampal brain volume was our key measure. Potential macro- and microvascular mediators included: arterial stiffness (cfPWV), carotid intima-media thickness, retinopathy, white matter hyperintensities and infarcts. Multivariable regression analyses were used to assess associations of BP components with cognitive function scores and brain volumes, adjusted for age, sex and ethnicity as well as macro- and microvascular risk factors. Multiple imputation was performed to account for missing data.
Results
After adjusting for age, sex and ethnicity, both cSBP and pSBP were negatively associated with memory (data are β±SE (z-score) −0.014±0.006, p=0.04), while DBP was positively associated with hippocampal volume (0.006±0.003, p=0.03). cPP was negatively associated with memory (−0.020±0.009, p=0.03), executive function (−0.018±0.006, p=0.002) and hippocampal volume (−0.007±0.003, p=0.005), while bPP was negatively associated with CSID (−0.008±0.004, p=0.04), memory (−0.020±0.008, p=0.02), executive function (−0.016±0.005, p=0.002) and hippocampal volume (−0.006±0.002, p=0.007). There was a stronger association between both PP measures and brain structure and function than with the other BP components, especially MAP. There was little difference in association between cPP and bPP measures with brain structure and function. Furthermore, these associations do not appear to be mediated by either macro- or microvascular disease.
Conclusion
These results suggest that there is a direct association between increased PP and a decline in brain structure and function. This implies that older patients with suboptimal PP control may be at increased risk of developing cognitive impairment and that measuring PP offers mechanistic information above and beyond conventional BP measures.
Acknowledgement/Funding
Wellcome Trust, British Heart Foundation
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Affiliation(s)
- B L H Wong
- University College London, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - N Chaturvedi
- University College London, MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing; Institute of Cardiovascular Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - T Tillin
- University College London, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - M Richards
- University College London, MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, London, United Kingdom
| | - A Hughes
- University College London, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - R Stewart
- Kings College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
| | - D Shibata
- University of Washington, Department of Radiology, Seattle, United States of America
| | - C Park
- University College London, Institute of Cardiovascular Science, London, United Kingdom
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