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Background: Studies have highlighted lacunae in the effective implementation of Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committees (VHSNC) in India. The present study aimed to evaluate the routine functioning of VHSNC in two districts of Odisha. Methods: Our study included mixed-method research. The members of 467 VHSNCs were interviewed in two districts. The quantitative data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Besides, we did 18 focus group discussions and 3 in-depth interviews to obtain the perceptions of the members of VHNSCs on the needs of the communities and the challenges. Conclusions: VHSNC is an effective mechanism of health governance, but there are challenges, such as a lack of knowledge about the functioning of its members, irregular meetings, delayed funds or improper documentation, and ineffective supervision. A comprehensive model of VHSNC implementation needs to be developed and delivered with continuous monitoring to make them function effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funded 67 health departments to implement community health worker (CHW) programs to enhance COVID-19 response. The CDC also funded a unique CHW-led Technical Assistance and Training (TTA) Center called Envision, which supported health departments to implement CHW programs and promote CHWworkforce sustainability. After 1 year, Envision evaluators interviewed Envision staff to assess barriers and facilitators in developing the Center and the degree towhich CHWleadership was operationalized. Thematic analysis revealed 3 themes regarding relationships, CHW values in practice, and operational challenges. Findings informed program updates. CHWs, funders, and policymakersmay learn fromthese experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public Health Consortiums (PHC) in Brazil represent a strategy to enhance regionalization in the Public Health Care System (SUS in Portuguese) and State/interstate/intermunicipal cooperation. The establishment of regional polyclinics aims to improve access to services with greater technological concentration and closer to users’ homes. This study specifically aims to analyze the process of creating PHC and regional polyclinics in Bahia State, based on documental analysis, identifying aspects related to entering the political agenda that facilitate and hinder, the role of state administration, specificities of the composition of these PHC and regional polyclinics. A documental analysis was carried out of the minutes of the Comissão Intergestores Bipartite (CIB-BA) [Bipartite Administrative Commission] from 2015 to 2018 and of constitutive documents of the consortiums established in this state. The Ceará State experience inspired the creation of consortiums in Bahia, especially the structuring of polyclinics. Municipal administrators demonstrated a favorable position regarding the potential of consortiums with cooperation among municipalities. The role of the state government proved to be a facilitating condition, whereas the maintenance of the municipal counterpart in finance constituted a hindering element. The consortiums contributed to the regionalization of health in the state as well as expansion of access to specialized care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Different Council of Europe organs have been attentive and reactive to specific human rights issues in the COVID-19 context, quickly alerting on the risks of inequitable access to quality health care, vaccines, or medicines for vulnerable groups. Yet these reactions have mainly taken the form of nonbinding instruments such as declarations, statements, and recommendations. Although these reactions derive from the interpretation of binding Council of Europe conventions, the observance or implementation of these conventions is not always monitored. Strasbourg judges have on several occasions confirmed that European Convention on Human Rights case law must consider other international instruments, especially those of other Council of Europe organs, in order to interpret the guarantees of the convention. As a consequence, soft law rules can sometimes indirectly acquire binding force when used as an interpretation and implementation tool for binding treaties. In this paper, I examine how Council of Europe organs interpret the principle of equitable access to health care of appropriate quality in the context of a pandemic and whether and how this interpretation is being implemented within the Council of Europe's interpretation of binding treaties such as the Medicrime Convention, the European Social Charter, and the European Convention on Human Rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Public Health Forum is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• Indians develop ASCVD about a decade earlier than Western populations. • Subclinical ASCVD reflects the susceptibility to develop adverse CV events. • LAI recommends coronary artery calcium scoring to stratify ASCVD risk in selected patients. • LDL-C goals recommended by the LAI are more aggressive than other guidelines. • Extreme risk category C patients require the most intensive LDL-C lowering. In 2016, the Lipid Association of India (LAI) developed a cardiovascular risk assessment algorithm and defined low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals for prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in Indians. The recent refinements in the role of various risk factors and subclinical atherosclerosis in prediction of ASCVD risk necessitated updating the risk algorithm and treatment goals. The LAI core committee held twenty-one meetings and webinars from June 2022 to July 2023 with experts across India and critically reviewed the latest evidence regarding the strategies for ASCVD risk prediction and the benefits and modalities for intensive lipid lowering. Based on the expert consensus and extensive review of published data, consensus statement IV was commissioned. The young age of onset and a more aggressive nature of ASCVD in Indians necessitates emphasis on lifetime ASCVD risk instead of the conventional 10-year risk. It also demands early institution of aggressive preventive measures to protect the young population prior to development of ASCVD events. Wide availability and low cost of statins in India enable implementation of effective LDL-C-lowering therapy in individuals at high risk of ASCVD. Subjects with any evidence of subclinical atherosclerosis are likely to benefit the most from early aggressive interventions. This document presents the updated risk stratification and treatment algorithm and describes the rationale for each modification. The intent of these updated recommendations is to modernize management of dyslipidemia in Indian patients with the goal of reducing the epidemic of ASCVD among Indians in Asia and worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hearing loss is common in childhood. The most common causes of hearing loss varies by age. In childhood this is most frequently due to Otitis Media with Effusion (OME, also known as 'glue ear') or Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM)). In adolescence hearing loss can result from exposure to loud noise from environmental causes or personal listening devices. Hearing loss has a significant impact upon the ability to learn, socialize and work. Effective early interventions exist and make a difference to speech, access to education, socialization and employment opportunities. The World Health Organization is prioritizing hearing health globally via the World Hearing Forum (WHF) and child health organizations are invited to join. This short review, aimed at healthcare professionals working with children and young people highlights the scale of the problem, provides a global perspective and outlines some of the possible solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health services research is underpinned by partnerships between researchers and health services. Partnership-based research is increasingly needed to deal with the uncertainty of global pandemics, climate change induced severe weather events, and other disruptions. To date there is very little data on what has happened to health services research during the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper describes the establishment of an Australian multistate Decolonising Practice research project and charts its adaptation in the face of disruptions. The project used cooperative inquiry method, where partner health services contribute as coresearchers. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, data collection needed to be immediately paused, and when restrictions started to lift, all research plans had to be renegotiated with services. Adapting the research surfaced health service, university, and staffing considerations. Our experience suggests that cooperative inquiry was invaluable in successfully navigating this uncertainty and negotiating the continuance of the research. Flexible, participatory methods such as cooperative inquiry will continue to be vital for successful health services research predicated on partnerships between researchers and health services into the future. They are also crucial for understanding local context and health services priorities and ways of working, and for decolonising Indigenous health research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Clinical Assistant (CA) program implemented by Western Health in Victoria, Australia, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program recruited final year medical students to work as Level 4 Casual Support Service employees, assisting with administrative and low-risk clinical tasks in hospitals. The program has been successful in relieving the workload of junior doctors and providing valuable experience for medical students. The article suggests that the CA program could be a sustainable solution to ongoing workforce shortages in the healthcare system and could be applied in other industries facing similar challenges. [Extracted from the article]

Influenza, surpassing all other respiratory diseases in both morbidity and mortality, annually triggers seasonal epidemics responsible for approximately 500,000 global deaths. Mathematical epidemic models serve as valuable tools for forecasting potential outbreaks and predicting the trajectory of the disease. This paper represents a comprehensive SEIRVS model tailored to the context of Influenza transmission dynamics in North Macedonia. In this paper the classical Susceptible- Exposed- InfectiousRecovered (SEIR) model is enhanced by incorporating vaccination and a death compartment while examining their impact on the spread of Influenza through the population. Simulations are conducted using data from the 2022/2023 season, focusing on a case study of North Macedonia. The simulations were conducted utilizing both the actual vaccination rate in N. Macedonia for that season and an increased vaccination rate to observe the influence of vaccination. The simulation results emphasize the need to increase the vaccination rate. The findings contribute valuable insights for public health planning and policy making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify barriers and mechanisms in the development of palliative care in the province of Aceh, North West Indonesia. Several factors, including an ageing population, have increased palliative care needs in the region; however, as with many low to middle income countries (LMICs), palliative care is not well established or integrated into mainstream health care services. Consequently, many people may experience serious health-related suffering (SHRS) at the end-of-life. Qualitative semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with key stakeholders in Aceh, Indonesia and a semi-structured interview guide prompted an exploration of palliative care provision, including barriers and enablers. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and analysed using the principles of thematic analysis. Eight interviews and two focus groups were conducted with medics (n = 6), nurses (n = 7), hospital management (n = 1) and religious/cultural leaders (n = 2). The findings indicate that all participants recognise a need to reduce SHRS and a growing impetus to embed a culturally salient and sustainable model of palliative care within the Aceh healthcare system. The following four themes indicate key areas for further focus: (1) Local vision and leadership, (2) Prioritisation of palliative care policy and funding, (3) Access to palliative care in community and public services, and (4) supporting palliative care in the cultural context of Sharia law, family, and faith. Future expansion requires the identification of a culturally and socioeconomically salient package of palliative care which operates across rural community and acute care settings and is informed by further evaluation and evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Pharmacotherapeutic Follow-up is the Professional Pharmaceutical Care Service aimed at detecting Drug-Related Problems for the prevention and resolution of negative medicine outcomes. The Dader Method is considered a clear and simple tool to develop Pharmacotherapeutic Follow-up. This research aims to analyze the evolution of the international scientific production related to Pharmacotherapeutic Follow-up and the Dader Method to show the current situation of this Professional Pharmacy Assistance Service. In addition, from the data obtained, we give a critical perspective on the implementation of the Dader Method in Community Pharmacy, considering its advantages and disadvantages based on the published scientific literature. Methods: Using bibliometrics tools, indicators were obtained to analyze the international production of scientific articles on Pharmacotherapeutic Follow-up and the Dader Method during the period (1999-2022) through the Scopus database. Results: The results showed a growth in the international scientific production of publications on Pharmacotherapeutic Follow-up, obtaining 30,287 papers, placing the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Spain as the five most productive countries. The publication of 83 papers on the Dader Method places Spain with the highest number of publications, followed by other Spanish or Portuguese speaking countries, among which Brazil and Colombia have the most prominent number of published papers in Latin America. The most frequent international journal covering the topic of Pharmacotherapeutic Follow-up was the American Journal of Health-Pharmacy (12.4%), while on the Dader Method, the journal Pharmaceutical Care Spain (21.7%) is in the first position, followed by Farmacia Hospitalaria (8.4%). Conclusion: The publications on the Dader method highlighs the greater productivity of the University of Granada and the author María José Faus Dáder. The inclusion of patients in the PTF service using the Dader Method, is more frequent in the hospital context, and is based on the presence of defined chronic pathologies (mainly diabetes), polymedication or specialized care follow-up, with elderly population being the most represented in all cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Public Health Forum is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article examines the evaluation of Australia's mental health commissions, which were established as part of a mental health reform experiment. The investigation found no evidence of fraud or maladministration, but identified issues such as organizational distress and a lack of key skills. The article explores different models and budgets of mental health commissions, emphasizing the need for evaluations of their performance. It concludes that Australia's experiment with mental health commissions remains largely unevaluated, except for one concerning evaluation in Western Australia. The article discusses the limited impact of these commissions in driving accountability in the mental health system and suggests that they should focus on systemic quality improvement and addressing leadership, quality, and efficiency to achieve better outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses Australia's first national cancer control plan, which aims to improve cancer outcomes and experiences for all Australians. The plan was developed through extensive stakeholder engagement, with input from over 400 groups and 300 individuals. The plan focuses on achieving equity in cancer outcomes, particularly for priority population groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It identifies six strategic objectives and includes actions to address issues such as health literacy and emergency preparedness. The plan will be reviewed periodically to ensure progress towards its goals, and successful implementation will require collaboration and partnership across the cancer control sector. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: Prompt identification of patients susceptible to falls is required by occupational therapists to initiate early falls prevention and management strategies. This study identified the intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors of patients who experience early inpatient falls (within 48 hours of admission). Method: A retrospective case-control study was completed at a tertiary hospital. Data were extracted from medical records. Adults aged 18 years and older, admitted with any diagnosis, to any ward within the hospital between July 2019 and June 2020 were included. Cases were identified as those who fell within 48 hours of admission and controls did not experience a fall. Results: The study sample included 218 patients (109 cases and 109 control patients). Most falls occurred in the patient's room (n = 54) or bathroom (n = 47), as a result of slipping (n = 50) or while patients were toileting (n = 32). Multivariate regression analysis identified significant predictors of inpatient falls, including unassisted mobilisation (odds ratio (OR) 5.25), impaired balance (OR 7.25), reduced muscle strength (OR 5.25) and impulsivity (OR 19.57). Receiving occupational therapy reduced risk of falling by 81%. Conclusion: Falls risk factors that are predictive of early inpatient falls should be identified at admission and used to prioritise patients for occupational therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the initial COVID-19 vaccine rollout, supplies were scarce, necessitating rationing. Gulf countries, hosting millions of migrant workers, prioritized nationals over migrants for vaccination. As it turned out, many migrant workers found themselves waiting behind nationals to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Here, we discuss the public health ethical concerns surrounding this approach and call for fair and inclusive vaccine allocation policies. First, we examine global justice through the lens of statism, where distributive justice applies only to sovereign state members, and cosmopolitanism, advocating equal justice distribution for all humans. We propose a cooperativist perspective, suggesting that new justice obligations can arise between people beyond national ties. In cases of mutually beneficial cooperation, such as migrant workers contributing to a nation's economy, equal concern for all parties is required. Second, the principle of reciprocity further supports this stance, as migrants significantly contribute to host countries' societies and economies. Additional ethical principles—equity, utilitarianism, solidarity, and nondiscrimination—are essentially violated when excluding non-nationals in vaccine distribution. Finally, we argue that prioritizing nationals over migrants is not only ethically indefensible, but it also fails to ensure full protection for nationals and hampers efforts to curb COVID-19 community spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with a complex problem set involving multiple levels of altered structure challenge the clinician to develop an individualized, appropriate treatment plan. Dentofacial deficiency, occlusal problems, and loss of tooth structure require intervention to establish stability and regain function, speech, esthetics, and masticatory muscle comfort. The comprehensive examination must quantify each problem to specify the diagnosis for realistic treatment planning. The clinical case of a patient with Costello syndrome is presented to illustrate essential concepts in diagnosis and treatment of complex cases, including (1) Global Diagnosis of anterior esthetic relationships, (2) occlusal analysis with diagnostic casts verified in centric relation, (3) comprehensive restoration previewed with a diagnostic wax-up and removable acrylic resin overlay, (4) adhesive monobody composite resin onlays that preserve tooth structure, and (5) programmed occlusion, quantified with digital occlusal analysis, to ensure stability and comfort. Costello syndrome is a neurodevelopmental syndrome causing multisystem effects, including a distinctive craniofacial phenotype, cardiovascular disease, intellectual disability, growth hormone deficiency, and dental abnormalities such as delayed dental development, bruxism, and demineralized enamel lesions. In the present case, quantification of the patient's problem set allowed precise treatment planning that resulted in predictable restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advance Care Planning (ACP) relates to the process of thinking about, discussing, and potentially documenting future wishes and preferences relating to personal and health matters. Existing literature has explored ACP from the perspective of health care professionals and older people. However, data exploring the broader process of Advance Personal Planning (APP), which also accounts for plans relating to legal and financial matters, are limited. This article reports on an interview study that explored barriers to APP engagement, factors influencing the quality and future use of instruments, and opportunities for improving APP processes for older adults from the perspectives of key informants working in the fields of law, health, and aged care. Data were coded in NVivo and analysed thematically. Opportunities for improvement include education, normalising conversations, integration into usual practice, and reform. Recommendations are made at professional, community, and structural levels, with the aim of improving APP outcomes for all involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need to guarantee public health spending sustainability remains on the governments' agenda, despite constant efforts to improve health sector efficiency and to contain health spending growth. In this paper, we analyse citizens', managers' and health professionals' views concerning the choice of alternative National Health Service (NHS)' financing sources and the selection of priority areas to be financed from public funds. The main novelty of this study is the auscultation and the evaluation of different stakeholders' perspectives concerning health spending decisions, namely, health professionals, managers and the general public. An online questionnaire was used to collect data. Methods include descriptive and inferential statistics, a Pareto graph and a factorial analysis. Our results reveal the preferable additional NHS funding sources are lottery and games of chance and the increase in alcohol and tobacco taxes. The respondents defend that priorities should consider the improvement of the population's health status, namely, considering the universality of access, equity, effectiveness and efficiency, in line with the NHS' mission. Health professionals are also concerned about disease prevention and health promotion. This paper contributes empirical evidence to support health manager decisions, focusing on rationing decisions and alternative financing sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Public Health Forum is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: To assess Australian hospital utilisation, 1993–2020, with a focus on use by people aged 75 years or more. Design: Review of Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) hospital utilisation data. Setting, participants: Tertiary data from all Australian public and private hospitals for the financial years 1993–94 to 2019–20. Main outcome measures: Numbers and population‐based rates of hospital separations and bed utilisation (bed‐days) (all and multiple day admissions) and mean hospital length of day (multiple day admissions), overall and by age group (under 65 years, 65–74 years, 75 years or more). Results: Between 1993–94 and 2019–20, the Australian population grew by 44%; the number of people aged 75 years or more increased from 4.6% to 6.9% of the population. The annual number of hospital separations increased from 4.61 million to 11.33 million (146% increase); the annual hospital separation rate increased from 261 to 435 per 1000 people (66% increase), most markedly for people aged 75 years or more (from 745 to 1441 per 1000 people; 94% increase). Total bed utilisation increased from 21.0 million to 29.9 million bed‐days (42% increase), but the bed utilisation rate did not change markedly (1993–94, 1192 bed‐days per 1000 people; 2019–20, 1179 bed‐days per 1000 people), primarily because the mean hospital length of stay for multiple day admissions declined from 6.6 days to 5.4 days; for people aged 75 years or more it declined from 12.2 to 7.1 days. However, declines in stay length have slowed markedly since 2017–18. Total bed utilisation was 16.8% lower than projected from 1993–94 rates, and was 37.3% lower for people aged 75 years or more. Conclusion: Hospital bed utilisation rates declined although admission rates increased during 1993–94 to 2019–20; the proportion of beds occupied by people aged 75 years or more increased slightly during this period. Containing hospital costs by limiting bed availability and reducing length of stay may no longer be a viable strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Chest pain is the second most common reason for adult emergency department presentations.Most patients have low or intermediate risk chest pain, which historically has led to inpatient admission for further evaluation.Rapid access chest pain clinics represent an innovative outpatient pathway for these low and intermediate risk patients, and have been shown to be safe and reduce hospital costs.Despite variations in rapid access chest pain clinic models, there are limited data to determine the most effective approach. Developing a national framework could be beneficial to provide sites with evidence, possible models, and business cases. Multicentre data analysis could enhance understanding and monitoring of the service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relatively little is known about readiness of urban health systems to address health needs of the poor. This study explored stakeholders' perception of health needs and strategies for improving health of the urban poor using qualitative analysis. Focus group discussions (n = 5) were held with 26 stakeholders drawn from two Nigerian states during a workshop. Urban areas are characterised by double burden of diseases. Poor housing, lack of basic amenities, poverty, and poor access to information are determinants of health of the urban poor. Shortage of health workers, stock-out of medicines, high cost of care, lack of clinical practice guidelines, and dual practice constrain access to primary health services. An overarching strategy, that prioritises community-driven urban planning, health-in-all policies, structured linkages between informal and formal providers, financial protection schemes, and strengthening of primary health care system, is required to address health needs of the urban poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total hip arthroplasties (THAs) are usually performed in older patients. Despite a growing number of THAs in younger adults, it is unclear whether they have similar priorities in recovery compared with their older counterparts. The purpose of this systematic review was to explore younger patients' priorities when undergoing a THA. Multiple databases were searched in September 2021 prioritizing qualitative data. This review was reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Of 14,495 articles screened, nine remained for analysis. Four common themes were discovered: improving function and mobility; pain; relationships; and patient expectations and education. However, there was insufficient information to clarify whether these themes could be attributed directly to younger adults undergoing a THA. The absence of research on THA patients younger than 50 years results in the loss of the voices of these patients. Further research is essential to ensure their needs are identified, addressed, and met. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Saúde e Sociedade is the property of Universidade de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Saude Publica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Reproductive Health is the property of Women's Health & Action Research Centre and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of African Journal of Reproductive Health is the property of Women's Health & Action Research Centre and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: to assess permanent health education actions regarding the national and state contingency plans to face the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Method: documentary research, using 54 plans in the initial and final versions, published between January 2020 and May 2021. The content analysis included the identification and systematization of proposals aimed at training and reorganizing the work process, as well as physical and mental health care of health workers. Results: the actions were focused on training workers with an emphasis on flu syndrome, infection risk control measures and knowledge about biosafety. Few plans addressed the teams’ working hours and work process, promotion and assistance to the workers’ mental health, mainly in the hospital environment. Conclusion: the superficiality regarding the approach to permanent education actions in contingency plans need to include actions in the strategic agenda of the Ministry of Health and State and Municipal Health Secretariats, with the qualification of workers to face this and other epidemics. They propose the adoption of health protection and promotion measures in daily health work management within the scope of the SUS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public health infrastructure plays a crucial role in the health of a population. The delivery of population health capabilities, such as allocating resources based on a community health plan, analyzing data on preventive services use, and engaging community stakeholders in health improvement planning, is associated with increased public health system strength. Population health approaches, which aim to enhance the health of whole populations, have been successful in improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities. An effective public health infrastructure is developed through several important factors. Strong institutional capacity, including public health laws that are responsive to contemporary public health issues, a skilled and empowered workforce, and an infrastructure capable of continuous monitoring, are among these important factors. A strong public health infrastructure and the implementation of population health strategies are essential for improving the health of a population. The main objective of this study is to analyze the health infrastructure in Romania's public health systems using a spatial distribution of the number of doctors, hospitals, and hospital beds. The data were collected at the county level using the National Institute of Statistics - Tempo online database for the period 2014-2021. The results reveal disparities in the availability and quality of health infrastructure in different regions. These challenges highlight the need for integrated systems to improve the management strategies or plans for healthcare service allocation, they must ensure fair access and overcome spatial inequities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The symptoms of dementia, progressive cognitive and functional impairment and behavioral problems often burden caregivers of patients with dementia. A variety of interventions, such as counseling, educational intervention and psychoeducation, have been implemented to reduce the burden on caregivers of patients with dementia but with conflicting results. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of psychoeducational intervention on reducing the burden on caregivers of patients with dementia. Methodology: A systematic review of the international literature was conducted. in the "National Documentation Center", PubMed and Scopus databases and was based on the preferred set of items for reporting in systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA). Randomized controlled and/or quasi-experimental studies were selected which investigated the effect of any educational intervention on reducing the burden on caregivers of patients with dementia. The studies were published in English or Greek between 2005 to 2019. The key words used in the search were a combination of the terms: "Dementia", "Caregivers", "Pshychoeducation" OR Pshychoeducational interventions", "Burden". Studies that did not describe in detail the educational intervention or the intervention included the use of medication or care assistance by a professional with or without pay, were excluded. The extracted data were reviewed by independent reviewer pairs. Results: Ten studies were included. Six studies that implemented a psychoeducational intervention managed to reduce the burden of caregivers, while no study showed an increase in the burden. A reduction in the burden was observed mainly in the studies that the psychoeducation included techniques of strengthening the caregiver's health, self-care and mainly tried to encourage the caregivers to participate in leisure activities and to create positive emotions. The provision of psychoeducational intervention was mainly interdisciplinary while nurses had an active role in the design and implementation of the research. Conclusions. Individualized and tailored to caregivers' needs psychoeducational interventions can reduce the burden on caregivers of patients with dementia. Nurses play an important role in the planning and implementation of these interventions and therefore can help reduce the burden on caregivers of dementia patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Saúde Coletiva is the property of MPM Comunicacao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper aims at presenting a proposal for grouping cases for the organization of health services and care pathways. This is an exploratory study in the field of health services planning and management, which used, as its methodology, documentary and bibliographic research as well as interviews with specialists by using nominal group technique. From the strategic analysis, four groups were identified: smaller CM; CM with late surgical approach; CM with immediate surgical approach; and CM incompatible with life. The proposition started from the articulation of clinical, epidemiological and health planning knowledge to assist in the management and organization of congenital malformations care. The strategic analysis proved to be adequate and allowed us to identify case groups that demand a homogeneous set of care strategies and care in health services with a similar profile. This proposal can also contribute to regional planning and management of care for other complex health problems and conditions, which demand the articulation of specialized services and high technological density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cadernos de Saude Publica is the property of Escola Nacional de Saude Publica Sergio Arouca and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper addresses the gap in studies which use democratic policy making frameworks to analyze health policy development in Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs). The study describes and analyzes three streams of the tobacco free living policy cycle in a Community Health Improvement Plan implemented in a Mid-Western Region of the United States from 2016 to 2020. The roles of public health interest, economic interests, and democratic participatory rights in Tobacco free health policy making are assessed. The policy making process is assessed within an integrated framework of analysis that weaves pluralist, power elite, critical democratic theories, and participatory governance paradigms into Kingdon's (2003), streams framework which includes problems, policy, and political streams. The results of the analysis are as follows:1. There was a deficit in democratic participation, and a preeminence of state institutions and economic interest in tobacco free living policy development to the disadvantage of public health interests; 2. Both the policy making process and policy outcomes are anticipated and explained by the governance-driven democratization paradigm and elite dominance theories 3. Democracy driven governance paradigm, democratic theories, and critical theories, illuminate the shortcomings of the policy making process and design. These frameworks also provide a pathway for improving the policy practice components of Community Health Improvement Plans. Specific recommendations are provided for future designs and implementations of policy development components of Community Health Improvement plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature has already consolidated the importance of health regions for Brazilian public health. Complexity properties strongly mark such regions. In this context, there are abundant indications that health regions should be analyzed with approaches linked to the sciences of complexity. One of these approaches, the estimation of scaling laws, can describe important properties of socio-spatial elements. However, no studies estimate the scaling laws of Brazilian health regions. This research protocol can remedy this limitation, proposing the estimation of scaling laws of the previously mentioned regions, mainly considering variables relevant to Brazilian public health. Still, this paper can substantially mitigate other relevant limitations of usual research that estimate scaling laws of socio-spatial elements. These mitigations, which provide advances in the literature on estimating scaling laws, are given by the proposal of modeling (if necessary) spatial effects and estimating scaling laws for the entire population of the socio-spatial elements. According to the theory, the expected results are non-linear scaling laws, which will likely vary with space and time and coexist with relevant spatial effects. From such laws and effects, it will be possible to accurately characterize the performance of each health region through Spatial and Scale Adjusted Metropolitan Indicators and unravel spatio-temporal properties, stabilities, and instabilities of sets composed of health regions. The expected findings of this paper can help rearrange health regions and improve the quality of information used in Brazilian public health planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Saúde Coletiva is the property of MPM Comunicacao and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Saúde e Sociedade is the property of Universidade de Sao Paulo, Faculdade de Saude Publica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Human resources are an essential component of every healthcare system. The experience, competence, and devotion of the workers responsible for providing these services are critical to the efficiency of healthcare systems. Despite recognizing the importance of workers, several countries perform ambiguous and ineffective health workforce policies and initiatives. Health workers play a critical role in promoting people-centered health systems, supporting resilient economies, and fostering sustainable development. Success in achieving these global goals depends on the efficient deployment of competent and motivated health workers where they are needed to provide a full range of quality health services in a respectful and accountable manner. The aim of this study is a spatial analysis of the number of doctors in relationship to the needs of the Romanian population. Data were collected from 42 counties and several spatial analysis tools were applied to measure the optimal distribution of medical human resources in relation to the Romanian population, for the period 2000-2021. As a result, spatial inequalities can be observed which need to be taken into account in public policy and management system optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a case demonstrating the treatment of a patient using multiple restorative modalities, including endodontics, indirect restorations and prosthetics. The patient's oral condition resulted from a high cariogenic diet, particularly a destructive carbonated drink habit. This case discusses the treatment options for each diagnosis and the rationale behind the final treatment plan. There was a considerable focus on prevention and restoration of teeth in order to achieve optimal oral health and function, as this was the patient's expressed priority. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Patients with high cariogenic diets present with varying restorative needs within general practice, and this report demonstrates the treatment of a simple case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]