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Purpose – This paper was to describe the overview of public health research. Design/methodology/approach – It is a commentary piece of work from own long experience in working with the World Health Organization. Findings – This study has innovative ideas in approaching priority areas in public health research. Originality/value – This study opens up new thought in public health research.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance of taking responsibility for our own self-care as fundamental to achieving optimum healthcare at all levels: family, community and country. However, for self-care to work at its best, the support of the government and the national medical and public health workforce are required in addition to increased facilities that ensure the development and long-term maintenance of a person’s health status. Moreover, inter-disciplinary government policy, strategy and resource support should be placed as a central part of the national healthcare development system. Design/methodology/approach - It is a commentary piece of work from own long experience in working with the World Health Organization. Findings - The value of self-care and individual responsibility in achieving one’s own good health ultimately results in improved national and global health standards. Originality/value - This commentary explores the ideas and concepts on ways and means of leading people to think and act toward achieving their own optimum health in order to lead a socially and economically productive life and ultimately achieve “the highest attainable standard of health,” a WHO objective.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to disseminate among concerned professionals its certain operational aspects, including some possible implications on health and medical care practices. Design/methodology/approach - It is written on the basis of the author’s special study of a diverse source of information, as well as on author’s practical experience and observation in this particular area. Findings - Special attention is paid to possible public health impacts within a broad social and economic framework, as well as to its impacts on the existing national health care systems in countries, that would possibly lead to certain degree of inequity in health at national level as an important consequence of health development progress. Originality/value - Knowledge and understanding gained from this paper might be useful in the efforts to develop and manage national health care systems to ensure a reasonable balance in health status of people of all groups.

Purpose - In view of the current global challenge of infectious diseases transmitted from animal to man, this is a complimentary piece of paper to promote, in particular, the inter-sectorial and multi-disciplinary coordination and cooperation in their prevention and control, among all concerned agencies/organizations at both policy and operational levels, with special emphasis on the importance of leadership development within the socio-cultural context of health, and with particular reference to the concept of “One Health” that implies the intimate interaction between man and animal within their own environments/ecosystems. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach - This is a commentary piece. Findings - The paper directly and indirectly suggests lacunae in several areas of concern for further research and development to fill the knowledge gap in such a prevention and control. Originality/value - This is a commentary piece.

Purpose - Health for all is an ideal goal that all governments aspire to reach. The purpose of this paper is to assess the definitions of the key terms used to better appreciate the role of the WHO member states in their efforts to achieve improved healthcare systems that suit each nation’s particular needs. Design/methodology/approach - Definitions of the terms disease, illness and health are discussed against health concepts as a means of assessing the most effective approach toward achieving an effective universal healthcare system. Findings - Universal health and treatment of sickness and disease have improved globally, but the target of achieving total wellness still remains as a goal for the future and may be impeded by diseases that have not yet evolved. The implementation of a universal health coverage system is a positive step toward achieving the goals of health and wellness for the present times. Originality/value - This is a commentary piece.

Purpose - The WHO Health for All goal of the year 2000 was unreachable due to a number of irreconcilable factors. However, governments agree that a resolution must be found to effectively cope with increasing health care costs. Furthermore, national health insurance schemes must be properly refined to suit local situations. Workable health policies and strategies for caring and treating sick people through reduced or cost effective methods must be developed as part of a Universal Health Coverage scheme. A review of progress made toward achieving the WHO goal of health for all. The purpose of this paper is to explore the government’s role and responsibilities to educate and support society to achieve optimum health. Design/methodology/approach - This is a commentary piece. Findings - Participation and involvement of all people of all walks of life in the development and management of their nation’s health care programs is an important requisite of good health for all. This should include financial participation and co-payment into the national health insurance scheme. Furthermore, national health care systems should involve or include the traditional/local and alternative systems of medicine in the most appropriate manner. Health care has to encompass the total range of comprehensive health interventions, inclusive of at least preventive, curative and rehabilitative care. Originality/value - This paper provides a review of the current health system constraints and assesses the effectiveness of available options by way of ensuring that a country-specific UHC system may be successfully implemented.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to review the government’s role and responsibilities to educate and support society to achieve optimum health. Recommendations for collaborative and interdisciplinary support systems are suggested through a passive and pro-active health development strategy. Design/methodology/approach - This is a commentary piece. Findings - The case for Thailand is positive but further improvements can be made to achieve improved standards of health and educating society in order to achieve these goals. Originality/value - Effective self-care is important to good health and is entirely dependent on people themselves, both individually and collectively. This aspect of health development should be firmly built into the national health care system.

Background: Lack of physical activity and unhealthy eating behavior are considered to be global issues and lead the risk of non-communicable diseases. The previous studies indicated that mobile applications have the potential for delivering health information to promote health behaviors. Objective: To evaluate the effect of health promotion intervention through smartphone LINE application to increase knowledge, perception, and practice of physical activity and healthy eating behavior among overweight women in urban community. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 100 overweight women with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 kg/m², and aged between 35 and 65 years living in urban community in Bangkok between October 2017 and April 2018. Participants were selected to the intervention group and control group. The intervention program consisted of group education, self-monitoring, individual counseling, and smartphone LINE application group chatting about physical activity and healthy eating behavior. Data were collected at baseline and after the intervention ended at 24 weeks. Chi-square, paired samples t-test, and independent t-test were used to find the effect of the program. Results: At the end of 6-month, the results indicated that the intervention group had significantly increased in mean of knowledge (p<0.001) and perception (p<0.001) of physical activity and healthy eating behavior, food frequency scores (p<0.001), MET-physical activity (p=0.007) and decreased in mean of time spent sitting (p<0.001), body weight (p=0.043), and BMI (p<0.001) when compared to the control group. Conclusion: The use of LINE application was found effective to deliver health information, share and exchange their experienced, motivate, and monitor their physical activity and healthy eating behavior. This app can help the participants to increase the physical activity and healthy eating behavior, and to decrease their sedentary behavior resulting in weight loss. It is useful for healthcare providers to promote the health behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]