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The article presents an addendum to the position paper on the use of meningococcal conjugate vaccines (MMCV) in the African meningitis belt issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization at its meeting in September 2023. Topics include the WHO off-label recommendations for meningococcal vaccines and vaccination that apply to countries in the African meningitis belt and research priorities on the impact of Men5CV vaccine.

The Latino population in the United States faces significant health disparities compared to their White counterparts. Community-based processes in Gallatin County, Montana, through academic-community partnerships have identified strategies to overcome these barriers. One such strategy includes the utilization of community health workers (CHWs) in the Latino population—in Spanish, "Promotores de Salud." CHWs are often selected to target community health problems because they share the cultural, social, and demographic features of the population they serve. This paper explores the inherent ties between Catholic Social Teaching and the CHW health care model while focusing on a community-academic partnership in Montana that is implementing a CHW program. Catholic health care providers are called to apply CST principles to their health care systems and communities in order to achieve health equity for their patients. This paper proposes that community organizing and advocacy should be taught in medical school curricula across the country in order to promote physician involvement in solving public health disparities. Additionally, the authors suggest that practicing Catholic health care providers immediately incorporate community organizing through the use of CHWs to attain health equity for their patient panels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that a history forum titled ``Addressing Disparities in Access to Care'' was organized in celebration of the teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. co-sponsored by the Bjoring Center, the Women's Center and the Darden School's Office of Diversity.

The article offers information on papers related to influenza disease which were presented at the European Association for the History of Medicine in Lisbon, Portugal in September 2013. It highlights that paper traces the risks of influenza in Alaska. The paper further highlights the effort of government in mitigating the risks of disease.

The article discusses the benefits and challenges of physical therapy (PT) group sessions. Topics covered include the differences between group sessions or classes and group therapy during a PT practitioner visit, the situations where each of them can be most effective, and the availability of free virtual classes and patient outreach. Also noted are the conduct of group exercises run by fitness instructors who lack PT training.

The article discusses advances in physical therapy (PT) rehabilitation (rehab) technology in 2024. Topics covered include sensors and devices, delivery platforms, and artificial intelligence (AI) that have strong potential to identify relevant factors to help guide patient management, diagnose dysfunction and classify patients, and predict patient outcomes based on movement. Also noted are home-based exercise platforms, wearable devices, and the use of hybrid telehealth care for low back pain.

The article examines the White Paper "Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Our Strategy for Public Health in England" released by the Department of Health in November 2010, which cites changes in responsibilities related to public health and makes only limited reference to occupational health. Proposals cited within the report include devolving responsibility for leading many local public health activities to local government. It also discusses the launch of a new public health service to be called Public Health England.

The article provides information on direct-to-employer (D2E) physical therapy (PT) services. Topics discussed include the distinction of the PT services being offered by Broadway Ergonomics to employers, the promotion of D2E PT services by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), and the client list and workforce of McCallum Physical Therapy owner Christine McCallum in Denver, Colorado.

The article discusses about transformative impact of AI technology on information access, particularly in libraries and other information fields, highlighting innovations like customer service chatbots and text-to-speech algorithms. Topic include While AI tools promise increased accessibility and efficiency, there are concerns about potential unintended consequences, prompting a careful consideration of their deployment.

The article discusses about the growing trend of healthcare organizations using mobile clinics, such as recreational vehicles (RVs), vans and buses, to deliver care to underserved communities, along with interview with Mollie Williams, executive director of The Family Van & the Mobile Health Map. Topics include the various types of mobile health clinics; services, primary and specialty care & wellness resources; and challenges & strategies involved in reaching and serving diverse populations.

Objective. In 2014, the Pan American Health Organization member countries signed the Strategy for Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage. In it, they committed to increasing public health expenditure until reaching the benchmark of 6% of gross domestic product (GDP). The objective of this paper is to determine, for each country in the Region, if they can reach this goal by economic growth alone and, if so, how long it would take. Methods. Using World Bank and World Health Organization data, elasticity of public health expenditure with regard to GDP was estimated for each country. Real economic growth and International Monetary Fund projections for 2016-2021 were used to project the expenditure series and determine the year each country would reach 6% of GDP. Results. Six countries have already reached the 6% goal. The Latin American and Caribbean countries that have achieved it are those that have single health systems, based on universal access and coverage. If current prioritization of public health expenditure is maintained, three countries could reach the goal in the next decade. Four more countries would reach it before mid-century, ten in the second half of the century, and one would have to wait until the next century. Finally, 13 countries would never reach the proposed goal. Conclusions. This analysis demonstrates the limitations of economic growth as a source of fiscal space. Other sources will need to be tapped, such as increased tax collection, specific health taxes, and greater efficiency in public spending, which will require social and political dialogue in the countries regarding their commitment to universal health principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socioeconomic inequality, or the socioeconomic status (SES) gradient, is arguably one of the most-studied phenomena in health. The gradient in health is apparent in objective and subjective measures, across virtually all countries, and is evident at individual and population levels. There is no longer much debate over the relationship between SES and health. However, exact causal pathways remain elusive. Advocating for strong policy to reduce or eliminate the SES-health gradient necessitates understanding the causal pathways, from intervention to outcome. While economists are not convinced that there is a clear enough understanding of the causal pathways of the SEShealth gradient, they have produced a substantial body of work from which to move forward. The article briefly discusses the theoretical underpinnings used by economists as a basis for the study of the causal pathways for the health gradient. That presentation is followed by a concise overview of some of the evidence that economists have produced. The paper concludes with a discussion of how current economic evidence may be used to help policymakers advocate for interventions to limit the SES gradient in noncommunicable diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents, in the context of the universal health strategy, some general considerations and economic actions on financing, efficiency and other economic challenges of public health in Cuba. Official bibliographic sources of the Cuban state were revised up to 2015. The analyses of time series were adjusted to constant prices of 1997 and the official exchange rate of 1 Cuban peso = 1 US dollar. The Cuban National Health System has a solid infrastructure, consisting of a wide network of health facilities that guarantee full coverage, access and equity in the services provided to the population through qualified human resources. An economic analysis was carried out under the conceptual framework of the universal health strategy, with an emphasis in financing, efficiency and challenges of the Cuban public health system to maintain the right to health of its citizens, equity, coverage and access to the services provided, including the elimination of economic, sociocultural and gender barriers, as well as solidarity with the Cuban population and the world. It was concluded that in Cuba, universal health is considered one of its most valuable achievements, although it is needed a most efficient analysis of reliable and available sources, research and application of results to practice on the strengths and weaknesses of the system regarding health economics, updating and a better use of resources and technologies, as well as deepening the lessons learned and facing remaining challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report covers the background and evolution of Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA), an initiative that started as a coordinated response to a 2002 measles outbreak in Colombia and Venezuela, and evolved into the model for other regions and World Immunization Week (WIW). VWA focuses on the work of national immunization programs, with special efforts to reach the unreached. This paper offers examples of how countries have leveraged VWA to implement a diverse array of vaccination activities, strengthening overall health services by integrating with other preventive health interventions, and bolstering "Pan-Americanism" and health diplomacy. The opportunities offered by this global initiative were clearly demonstrated in April 2016 when the successful global switch from the trivalent oral polio vaccine to the bivalent vaccine was synchronized with WIW. Going forward, VWA and WIW can help close the gaps in access to immunization and other health services, contributing to achieve universal health coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article informs that British government intends to hold a public consultation in 2019 to find out how access to occupational health can be improved and how employers can do more to support workplace health, as outlined by health secretary Matt Hancock.

The article discusses the best practices for health of undocumented patients. Featured individual is public health registered nurse (RN) Laarni San Juan who provided care for a certain Marta, an immigrant without papers. According to San Juan, what she learned in a nursing school is to see the people as a whole and not to see the legal status or how much money they have. San Juan stresses that she provides compassionate care for all especially for those like Marta.

An interview with Tracy M. Downs, chief diversity and community engagement officer and senior associate dean of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at the University of Virginia, is presented. Downs talks about the DEI initiatives that he wants to implement at the university and the efforts of the American Urological Association (AUA) to advance DEI. He discusses the role of R. Frank Jones Urological Society and Urology Unbound in the education and recruitment of urologists.

The article discusses that according to the 2010 U.S. census, 36% of Americans belong to a minority group. Topics discussed include minorities expected to increase to more than 50% of the population by 2045, addressing these inequities is urgent if we are to avoid a collapse of the healthcare system; and the CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index "uses 15 U.S. census variables to help local officials identify communities that may need support before, during, or after disasters".

For the month of March 2021, APBN takes a look at these aspects in our features section. We explore the potential use of loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay (LAMP) in molecular diagnostics in an article written by Mark Carascal, a scientist, science illustrator, and science communicator advocate. Also, in the Features section, we look at the rising prevalence of genetic disorders as well as gene editing technologies across the world in an article contribution by Saloni Walimbe. In our Columns section, we evaluate the sufficiency and feasibility of current policies in protecting patient health data and how there is room for improvement. Gain insight to how to improve healthcare access in a sustainable way in Thailand through closer collaboration between organizations. The Spotlights section for this month sheds light on a variety of topics, first we look at liquid biopsies as a cancer diagnostic tool in ensuring proper treatment in an interview with Dr Steven Olsen, CMO at Guardant Health AMEA. In another interview with Dr Agnes Siew Ling Tey, Senior Clinical Scientist, Nutrition R&D Centre for Asia Pacific, Abbott on the recent Phase Two findings from the SHIELD study on nutrition in the elderly. Finally, we share highlights from the ISPE Singapore Conference and Exhibition held in November 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the request by members of urology community who participated in the 2019 Annual Urology Advocacy Summit for lawmakers to support initiatives to improve patient care. Topics include advocacy topics at the summit, support obtained by the summit attendees to direct funding to research how prostate cancer affects people of color, and their urge for Congress to support increased funding for the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.

The article deals with the application of a wide array of strategies by physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in order to improve the health of the people. It identifies the social determinants of health (SDOH), including access to health services, quality education and economic stability. The health concerns of women and girls around the world are discussed, including the effects of gender-based and sexualized violence on their health.

The article shares the moral and ethical issues that concern pediatricians and pediatric healthcare providers. Dr. Gary L. Freed mentions racial, ethnic, and economic health outcome differences among U.S. children. Dr. Bernard A. Cohen relates his concern on drug pricing for commonly prescribed medications. Dr. Geoffrey Miller explains the ethical point of death by neurological criteria.

The article reports on the proposal of the British Health Department to increase public access to health care. The benefit of the agency's healthcare proposal is cited. The purposes for lifestyle checks suggested by the agency are mentioned. The concern of health service unions regarding such scheme is also cited.

The article looks at several physical therapists (PTs) in the U.S. who are stepping into primary care roles and discusses the challenges that they encounter. PT Rebecca Byerley opened her own private clinic, Elite Rehabilitation, in Alaska in 2007. It is said that PTs have been practicing in primary care at Kaiser Permanente Northern California since the mid-1990s. The Kaiser Permanente Northern California model reduces the number of follow-up visits and closes care episodes faster.

The article focuses on San Diego startup Turquoise Health, which is using generative AI to simplify access to healthcare price transparency data. The company aims to eliminate financial complexity in healthcare by providing providers and payers with relevant data for benchmarking during contract negotiations and using AI to process large amounts of healthcare documents more efficiently.

An interview with Vanderbilt University Medical Center associate urology professor Dr. Kelvin A. Moses in 2020 is presented. When asked on the African-American-white man disparity in prostrate cancer survival, he cites the disparity in screening and treatment for Black men, and insurance, socioeconomic status, and cultural factors. He confirms that there is an experimentation perception among African-American men. He states that educating patients on urology health care is important.

The article discusses the "Roadmap for Action" recommendations to address the U.S. opioid crisis from the Healthcare Leadership Council (HLC) in September 2018. Topics covered include the 5 priorities on improving system approaches to pain management, opioid misuse prevention, and care coordination via data access and analytics, expanding access to treatment and health services, and developing sustainable payment systems. Also noted is the call to engage physical therapists in the roadmap.

In this article the author discusses aspects of how advances in information and communication technologies might help developing nations and offers several predictions for technology developments and their implications. He believes that technological connections will become more pervasive, will help developing nations access government capabilities, and that combining medical services with consumer electronics will allow more access to health care. Also investigated is the "spoken Web."

The article discusses U.S. urologists' growing professional engagement of nurse practitioners and physician assistants called advanced practice providers (APP) as of September 2018. Topics covered include APPs' use in simple office procedure billing, in such independent performing procedures as bladder installation, emergency intracavernosal injections, and urodynamics interpretation, and in improving patient access. Also noted are ways to optimize relationships with APPs.

The article offers information on several news briefs related to wellbeing and health. Topics discussed include "essential occupational health" meeting by the Society of Occupational Medicine and the Royal College of General Practitioners for medical students and nurses; a new workplace health programme for employees by supermarket giant Tesco; and higher risk of breast or ovarian cancer in women aged over 30 due to faulty gene. Also mentions about the national audit of cardiac rehabilitation.

The article discusses a survey which assessed Canadian urologists' perceptions on the underuse of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) for overactive bladder (OAB). Topics covered include the key to offering SNM identified by the study, the most common prior experiences with SNM among respondents, and study recommendations to improve the use of SNM.

The article focuses on the effectiveness of online mindfulness and self-compassion training in improving the quality of life for adults with atopic dermatitis (AD). Topics include the study found that adding this training to usual care resulted in improved AD-specific quality of life, it suggests it as a viable treatment option and the Online format may increase the accessibility.

The article discusses the findings of a study published in the "Journal of Urology" and conducted to show that majority of hospitals offering robot-assisted radical prostatectomy averaged one case per week, while hospitals with higher number of cases offered lower cost and fewer complications.

The author highlights the need for the government's review of workplace health to address how the Great Britain's growing army of self-employed workers and contractors can be better supported when health issues strike. Topics discussed include number of self-employed workers in Great Britain; and regulations related to self-employment and workplace health.

The article explains the importance of dialing in digital and virtual health strategies, data sharing and efficiency, and provider engagement to stay on top of members' evolving needs, care access, quality, and spending. Here are four payer trends to watch in 2022. It discusses that payers are more committed than ever to addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) and tapping into the power of data analytics and provider, community, and government partnerships.

In some Asian countries, the poor are often denied access to health care. In the Philippines, we have thousands of Catholic doctors, Catholic nurses, even Catholic administrators, but not a Catholic, understood as “universal,” healthcare system available to all. This is a scandal and places heavy emotional and financial burdens on many families who need to pay the healthcare costs of sick loved ones. The Church teaches the principles of ordinary and extraordinary care, with only the former being morally obligatory. Extraordinary care, that involving excessive burden or cost may be foregone. Many families and healthcare professionals are uncertain about these principles and their application in practice. It would be helpful to more widely disseminate the Catholic Church teaching regarding ordinary and extraordinary care, especially in poor countries, to also avoid unnecessary or futile treatments, especially in critical or end-of-life situations. Lay Summary:The poor have limited access to health care in many countries. Even one episode of sickness often places the patient and their family under considerable financial strain. Many times they simply cannot afford even basic treatments. This is a scandal and an injustice which is the concern of us all. The Church teaches that when a treatment becomes very expensive it may be considered “extraordinary care” and not morally obligatory. It would be helpful to more widely disseminate this Catholic Church teaching, helping families to avoid unnecessary treatments especially in critical or end-of-life situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the role of value-based care in urology. Topics discussed include remarks from Deepak Kapoor, chairman of health policy at Large Urology Group Practice Association (LUGPA) and chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Integrated Medical Professionals, statement from Alec S. Koo of Skyline Urology about advanced payment model (APM), and benefit for the urology practice that is in an APM and qualifies as an advanced APM.

The article discusses the impact of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) of the World Health Organization (WHO) on global health systems and on drug development. Topics mentioned include the guideline set by the WHO for making policy decisions on the path to UHC, changes to health systems that spurred by UHC which noted bringing pressure on economic returns from drug development, and the economic burden associated with the development of drugs.