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Tema rada su ograničenja temeljnih prava i sloboda zajamčenih ustavom uslijed pandemije. U uvodnom dijelu se rad bavi pitanjem ustavne regulacije pandemije, odnosno je li potrebno primijeniti odredbu članka 16. ili članka 17. Ustava. Potom se razrađuje načelo razmjernosti u ograničenju ustavnih prava i sloboda. Obrađuje se uloga Ustavnog suda, Stožera civilne zaštite, njihove svrhe i djelovanja u pandemiji. Središnji dio rada predstavljaju odluke Stožera civilne zaštite kojima se ograničavaju slobode okupljanja, kojima se propisuje obveza samoizolacije i uvodi mjera obveznog testiranja. Analiziraju se odluke Stožera i Ustavnog suda te na kraju daje zaključak s kritičkim stavom o radu Stožera i Ustavnog suda., The topic of the paper is the limitations of fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution due to the pandemic. At the beginnig, the paper deals with the issue of constitutional regulation of the pandemic; whether is it necessary to apply the provisions of Article 16 or Article 17 of the Constitution. Then the topic is the principle of proportionallity in the limitation of constitutional rights. The role of the Constitutional court, the Civil Protection Headquarters, their purpose and actions in the pandemic is analyzed. The main part of the paper represents decisions of the Civil protection headquarters, which limit the freedom of assembly, impose the obligation of self-isolation and introduce the measure of mandatory testing. The decisions of the Headquarters and the Constitutional court are analyzed and at the end a conclusion is given with a critical view on their work.

Pregnant Women with Substance Use Disorders Behavioral health conditions in pregnant women are often associated with negative health outcomes. But there has been an alarming trend among states to p...

We use event study models based on staggered summer vacations in Germany to estimate the effect of school reopenings after the summer of 2021 on the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Estimations are based on daily counts of confirmed coronavirus infections across all 401 German counties. A central antipandemic measure in German schools included mandatory rapid testing multiple times per week. Our results are consistent with mandatory testing contributing to the containment of the viral spread. We find a short-term increase in infection rates right after summer breaks, indicating the uncovering of otherwise undetected (asymptomatic) cases through the testing. After a period of about 2 wk after school reopenings, the growth of case numbers is smaller in states that reopened schools compared with the control group of states still in summer break. The results show a similar pattern for older age groups as well, arguably as a result of detected clusters through the school testing. This means that under certain conditions, open schools can play a role in containing the spread of the virus. Our results suggest that closing schools as a means to reduce infections may have unintended consequences by giving up surveillance and should be considered only as a last resort.

Aim of the study The aim of this was to study investigate the effectiveness of mandatory Covid-19 tests for in-classroom teaching in reopened schools as a containment measure in the pandemic. In Bavaria, mandatory testing at schools was implemented directly after the Easter vacations in 2021. For the first week after the vacations, this resulted in a natural experiment that allowed us to quantify the impact of the new testing strategy on reported Covid-19 cases.Methods We compared changes in the reported 7-day incidence of new infections between districts with in-classroom teaching at school and districts with closed schools. During the calendar week 15, districts with reported incidences below 100 were allowed to reopen schools and have in-classroom teaching if mandatory COVID-19 testing was performed at school with rapid antigen tests. We do not have data on the rapid test results; however, positive test results in the rapid antigen test were verified by a PCR test, and cases of positive PCR test results were reported at the district level by age groups. In the calendar weeks 13 and 14, all schools in Bavaria were closed due to Easter vacations. Taking into account a latency period of about 3-4 days and a reporting period of 1-2 days, this means that any additional increase in reported incidences for districts with in-class teaching and mandatory testing in the week after the vacation cannot be attributed to transmissions at schools, but reflects the reduction of underreporting due to the newly implemented testing strategy.Results Reported incidence increased by a factor of 6.6 for 5-11 year old and by 1.7 for 12-20 year old pupils in districts with in-classroom teaching and mandatory testing at schools. This increase was accompanied by a reduction in underreporting and was significant compared to districts with school closure. Given the situation of a natural experiment, this increase in the reported incidence among school children can be attributed to the testing strategy. For the same time period, no differences in reported incidences were found for the other age groups.Conclusion In-class teaching with mandatory testing in reopened schools changes the role of schools in the pandemic. Our analyses show that reopening schools with a mandatory testing approach is beneficial from an epidemiologic perspective as it can strongly reduce the dark figure of COVID-19 cases among children. Die Arbeit untersucht den Effekt der Maßnahme verpflichtender Covid-19 Tests für den Präsenzunterricht an Schulen. In Bayern gilt diese Testpflicht seit Ende der Osterferien 2021. Für die erste Woche nach den Osterferien ergibt sich ein natürliches Experiment, das uns erlaubt den Effekt der Testpflicht an Schule auf die Meldeinzidenz zu quantifizieren. Wir vergleichen die Änderungen der 7-Tage-Meldeinzidenz von Neuinfektionen pro 100 000 Einwohner zwischen Kreisen mit und ohne Präsenzunterricht. Für Landkreise und kreisfreie Städte, deren Meldeinziden zum Stichtag unter 100 lag, konnte in Kalenderwoche 15 Präsenzunterricht in geteilten Klassen bei Testpflicht stattfinden. Dazu haben sich Schulkinder in den Klassen mit Antigen-Schnelltest getestet. Daten zu den Testergebnissen der Schnelltests an den Schulen liegen uns nicht vor. Bei positivem Testergebnis im Antigen-Schnelltest wurde der Verdachtsfall mit einem PCR-Test überprüft. Positive PCR-Testergebnisse liegen auf Kreisebene in den betrachteten Altersgruppen als Meldeinzidenzen vor. In den Kalenderwochen 13 und 14 fand in Bayern wegen der Osterferien kein Schulunterricht an Schulen statt. Berücksichtigt man eine Latenzzeit von etwa 3–4 Tagen und einen Meldeverzug von 1–2 Tagen, so kann ein stärkerer Anstieg der Meldeinzidenzen in Kreisen mit Präsenzunterricht bei Testpflicht nicht (bzw. nur vernachlässigbar) auf Infektionen an Schulen zurückgeführt werden, sondern spiegelt eine Reduktion der Dunkelziffer durch die Testpflicht wider. Die Meldeinzidenz erhöht sich in Kreisen mit Präsenzunterricht und Testpflicht an Schulen um den Faktor 6,6 bei 5–11 Jährigen bzw. 1,7 bei 12–20 Jährigen. Dieser Anstieg geht einher mit einer Reduktion der Dunkelziffer und ist signifikant im Vergleich zu Kreisen mit Distanzunterricht. Aufgrund der gegebenen Situation eines natürlichen Experiments ist diese Steigerung der Meldeinzidenz in der Altersgruppe der Schulkinder der Maßnahme den Reihentests an Schulen mit Präsenzunterricht zuzuschreiben. Für denselben Zeitraum zeigen sich keinerlei Unterschiede in den Meldeinzidenzen für andere Altersgruppen. Präsenzunterricht mit Testpflicht ändert die Rolle der Schulen in der Pandemie. Die Analysen zeigen, dass die Öffnung der Schulen mit einem verpflichtenden Testkonzept aus epidemiologischer Sicht von Vorteil ist, da damit die Dunkelziffer von COVID-19 Infektionen unter den Schülerinnen und Schülern drastisch gesenkt werden kann.

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has caused substantial disruptions in routine clinical care. Emerging data show that surgery in coronavirus disease (COVID)‐positive cases can be associated with worsening of clinical outcomes and increased postoperative mortality. Hence, preoperative COVID‐19 testing for all patients before elective surgery was implemented in our institution. Materials and Methods Two hundred and sixty‐two asymptomatic cancer patients were preoperatively tested for COVID‐19 using reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction technique with nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabbing. All negative patients were operated within 72 hours, and positive patients were quarantined for a minimum 14 days before re‐swabbing. Results In our cohort, 21 of 262 (8.0%) asymptomatic preoperative patients, who were otherwise fit for surgery, tested positive. After adequate quarantine and a negative follow‐up test report, 12 of 21 (57%) had an operation. No major postoperative morbidity due to COVID‐19 was noted during the immediate postoperative period before discharge from the hospital. Conclusion Routine preoperative COVID‐19 testing was successful in identifying asymptomatic viral carriers. There was no incidence of symptomatic COVID‐19 disease in the postoperative period, and there was no incidence of morbidity attributable to COVID‐19. These data suggested a beneficial role for mandatory preoperative COVID‐19 testing.

BackgroundThe following position statement from the Union of the European Phoniatricians, updated on 25th May 2020 (superseding the previous statement issued on 21st April 2020), contains a series of recommendations for phoniatricians and ENT surgeons who provide and/or run voice, swallowing, speech and language, or paediatric audiology services.ObjectivesThis material specifically aims to inform clinical practices in countries where clinics and operating theatres are reopening for elective work. It endeavours to present a current European view in relation to common procedures, many of which fall under the aegis of aerosol generating procedures.ConclusionAs evidence continues to build, some of the recommended practices will undoubtedly evolve, but it is hoped that the updated position statement will offer clinicians precepts on safe clinical practice.

Background: Sickle cell trait (SCT) has been associated with an increased risk of sudden death in athletes during strenuous exercise. In August 2010, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) began requiring athletes to be screened for SCT, provide proof of SCT status, or sign a waiver and launched an educational campaign for athletes, coaches, and medical staff. The impact of this program is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of death associated with sickle cell trait (daSCT) in NCAA athletes before and after legislation. Hypothesis: NCAA SCT legislation will decrease the incidence of daSCT. Study Design: Observational study. Level of Evidence: Level 2. Methods: A database of NCAA athlete deaths from 2000 to 2019 was reviewed for daSCT. A total of 8,309,050 athlete-years (AY) were included. Incidence of death was calculated before and after legislation. Results: The incidence of daSCT in Division I (DI) football athletes before legislation (n = 9) was 1:28,145 AY and after legislation (n = 1) was 1:250,468 AY (relative risk [RR], 0.112; 95% CI, 0.003-0.811; P = 0.022), an 89% reduction in risk after legislation was enacted. The incidence of daSCT in African American DI football athletes before legislation (n = 9) was 1:12,519 AY and after legislation (n = 1) was 1:118,464 AY (RR, 0.106; 95% CI, 0.002-0.763; P = 0.017), also an 89% risk reduction after legislation was enacted. For all NCAA athletes, the incidence of daSCT was 1:489,749 AY before legislation (n = 10) and 1:1,705,780 AY after legislation (n = 2) (RR, 0.288; 95% CI, 0.031-1.347; P = 0.146). Conclusion: The incidence of daSCT in DI football athletes has decreased significantly since legislation was enacted. Cases of daSCT outside of football are rare. It is unclear whether the decrease is related to screening for SCT, education, or both. Clinical Relevance: This is the first evidence that NCAA SCT legislation may save lives.

Background. The size of the fruit, its external attractiveness, along with other important characteristics of a variety, have always been important, especially for amateur gardening. Therefore, new cultivars replenishing the gene pool of black currant preserved by VIR, in addition to their main biological and economic characteristics (flowering and fruiting biology features, resistance to abiotic and biotic environmental factors), undergo mandatory testing for the quality of yield. The aim of this study was to assess individual morphostructural yield components in new cultivars added to the black currant collection of VIR.Materials and methods. The mechanical composition of berries and bunches was analyzed at Pushkin and Pavlovsk Laboratories of VIR in 2013–2015. Forty-one black currant cultivars of various ecogeographic origin were the material for the research. Cv. ‘Peterburzhenka’, listed in the State Register of Breeding Achievements for the Northwestern region of Russia, served as the reference. The research was conducted by conventional methods. Statistical data processing was performed using Microsoft Excel.Results and conclusions. Studying individual morphostructural components of yield made it possible to identify cultivars with the largest berries, the most stable fruit weight, and bunches containing 8–9 plump berries. The cultivars with the best combinations of the studied characteristics, suitable for large-scale cultivation and amateur gardening in the Northwest of Russia, are ‘Garmoniya’ (k-40677), ‘Kriviai’ (k-42517), ‘Ben Sarek’ (k-41435), ‘Joninai’ (k-43124), ‘Zhuravushka’ (k-40681), and ‘Shalynya’ (k-41988). Correlations between separate morphostructural yield components were identified, such as: fruit weight – fruit diameter (r = 0.92); fruit weight – number of seeds (r = 0.74); bunch length – number of flowers per bunch (r = 0.65), bunch length – number of berries per bunch (r = 0.52).

The present study was undertaken to study clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic characteristics of patients with Chronic Kidney Disease crash- landing and initiating hemodialysis at first presentation in our centre.Ours was a cross-sectional study of one hundred and seventy patients with chronic kidney disease starting hemodialysis. Detailed history and examination were done. Apart from routine biochemical tests and CKD-MBD profile, all patient underwent ultrasonography, urine examination and echocardiography. Efforts were made to delineate etiology in each patient.Out of 170 patients 64% were males, 36% were females. Mean age at presentation in our study was 41.27 (±16.47) yrs. Chronic glomerulonephritis was the most common etiology accounting for 54% of cases followed by Diabetes (20%). Mean eGFR at presentation waslt;5 ml/min/1.73 m². Hypocalcemia was present in 87.1%, hyperphosphatemia in 84.2% and elevated PTH levels in 98% with mean PTH levels being 588.07±309.58 ng/ml. LVH on echocardiogram was present in 58.4 % of patient with diastolic dysfunction being reported in 31 % of patients. DCM was present in 28% of patients and 21% of patients had frank left ventricular failure at presentation.Chronic Kidney Disease patients referred late have clinical and lab characteristics which are worse as compared to routine CKD patients .This calls for a mandatory CKD screening programme for increasing awareness and early identification of CKD patients.

Le passage d’un programme de formation par objectifs à une approche par compétences, au début des années 2000, au Québec, a généré son lot de changements dans les pratiques d’enseignement ainsi que dans les pratiques évaluatives des enseignants, lesquelles se devaient d’être au service de l’apprentissage (MÉQ, 2003). Cette étude rétrospective vise à faire état des changements dans les pratiques évaluatives d’enseignants de 6e année pouvant témoigner de l’appropriation de l’approche par compétences et des orientations relatives à l’évaluation préconisées. Plus précisément, la recherche tente de répondre à la question : « Comment les enseignants de la 6e année se sont-ils appropriés de nouvelles pratiques évaluatives dans le contexte de la réforme de l’éducation au Québec ? » Notre recherche de type exploratoire et descriptive, réalisée à partir d’une méthodologie à la fois quantitative et qualitative, nous a permis de recueillir les données pour répondre à notre question de recherche, via un questionnaire en ligne auquel 57 enseignants ont répondu ainsi qu’une entrevue semi-dirigée à laquelle 16 d’entre eux ont participé. Il appert que les enseignants ont adapté à divers degrés leurs pratiques évaluatives à la suite de la réforme. Cela s’est traduit, chez une proportion importante d’enseignants, par la mise en place de pratiques qui, sans être entièrement exemplaires, sont enlignées sur les orientations visées par le PFÉQ et les fonctions de l’évaluation indiquées dans la PÉA, bien qu’un certain nombre d’entre eux maintenaient, près d’une décennie après la mise en place de la réforme au primaire, des pratiques plus traditionnelles ne témoignant pas d’une appropriation des nouvelles orientations relatives à l’évaluation des compétences. Ces résultats permettent de faire le constat que l’appropriation d’un tel changement nécessite beaucoup de temps et qu’il faudrait probablement que les décideurs mettent en place des pratiques d’accompagnement à long terme pour assurer une appropriation optimale des changements souhaités., The transition from an objective-based education program to a competency-based program in the province of Quebec in the early 2000s led to changes in teaching practices as well as in teachers' evaluative practices, which had to become assessment for learning (MÉQ, 2003). This retrospective study aims to report on changes in the evaluative practices of Grade 6 teachers that may reflect the appropriation of the competency-based approach and the recommended assessment orientations. Specifically, the research attempts to answer the question: "How did teachers adapt their evaluative practices as a result of the reform?" Our exploratory and descriptive research, based on both quantitative and qualitative methodology, allowed us to collect data to answer our research question, via an online questionnaire to which 57 teachers responded as well as a semi-structured interview in which 16 of them participated. It appears that teachers have partially adapted their evaluative practices following the reform. This has resulted in the implementation of practices for a significant proportion of teachers that, while not entirely exemplary, are aligned with the orientations of the PFÉQ and the evaluation functions indicated in the Politique d’évaluation des apprentissages although a number of them maintained, almost a decade after the implementation of the reform at the primary level, more traditional practices that do not reflect an appropriation of the new orientations related to competency assessment. These results make it possible to note that the appropriation of such a change requires a lot of time and that it would probably be necessary for decision-makers to put in place longterm support practices to ensure optimal appropriation of the desired changes.

In this mixed-methods pilot study, we examined the intersections of the current Canadian immigration policy, mandatory HIV screening during the Immigration Medical Exam (IME) and enacted and internalized stigma for HIV-positive immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in a western Canadian province. We focus on qualitative findings from this study.Using the Internalized HIV Stigma Scale (IHSS), we collected data from eight immigrants from SSA living with HIV in a western Canadian province. We then conducted semistructured interviews with seven of the eight participants. Due to the small sample size, survey data were summarized using descriptive analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed through constant comparative analysis.The following key themes emerged from analysis of qualitative data: experiences of HIV-related emotional distress during the IME; varied experiences of HIV testing during the IME; and inconsistent patterns of linkage to medical care, psychosocial supports and engagement in the HIV care cascade.Findings from this pilot study cannot be generalized to the broader population of immigrants living with HIV in Canada. However, we found that the experiences of internalized HIV stigma and enacted stigma during the IME potentially influence the long-term engagement in the HIV care cascade during the process of migration and settlement in Canada. Further study in this population is recommended to examine the intersections of current mandatory HIV screening process during the Canadian immigration process, migration, settlement, culture, stigma and engagement in the HIV care cascade.Dans cette étude pilote à méthodes mixtes, nous avons examiné les recoupements entre la politique canadienne actuelle en matière d’immigration, le dépistage obligatoire du VIH effectué pendant l’examen médical aux fins de l’immigration (EMI) et la stigmatisation effective et intériorisée liée aux immigrants d’Afrique subsaharienne séropositifs qui vivent dans une province de l’Ouest canadien. Nous mettons l’accent surles résultats qualitatifs obtenus dans le cadre de cette étude.À l’aide de l’Internalized HIV Stigma Scale (IHSS), nous avons recueilli des données auprès de huit immigrants d’Afrique subsaharienne infectés par le VIH vivant dans une province de l’Ouest canadien. Nous avons ensuite réalisé des entrevues semi-dirigées auprès de sept de ces huit participants. Compte tenu du petit échantillon, les données des entrevues ont été synthétisées en utilisant une analyse descriptive. Les données qualitatives ont été examinées au moyen d’une analyse comparative constante.L’analyse des données qualitatives a permis de dégager les thèmes principaux suivants : détresse émotionnelle liée au VIH pendant l’EMI, expériences variées relativement au processus de dépistage du VIH pendant l’EMI et manque de cohérence en matière de mise en relation avec les soins médicaux, le soutien psychosocial et la participation à la cascade de soins contre le VIH.Les résultats de cette étude pilote ne sont pas généralisables à l’ensemble de la population d’immigrants vivant avec le VIH au Canada. Cependant, nous avons constaté que les expériences de stigmatisation intériorisée et effective liées au VIH pendant l’EMI peuvent avoir des répercussions sur la participation à long terme à la cascade de soins contre le VIH au cours du processus de migration et d’établissement au Canada. Il est souhaitable de réaliser d’autres études auprès de cette population afin d’examiner les recoupements entre le dépistage obligatoire du VIH (actuellement effectué pendant le processus d’immigration), la migration, l’établissement au Canada, la culture, la stigmatisation et la participation à la cascade de soins contre le VIH.People from HIV-endemic countries, including most sub-Saharan African countries, are overrepresented in national HIV surveillance data in Canada. This pilot study contributes new knowledge about the experiences of sub-Saharan African immigrants living with HIV in one western Canadian province. This study provides new insights on intersections of culture, social determinants, HIV, stigma and potential impacts on the HIV care cascade and mental wellness during migration to and settlement in Canada. Further research is needed, including intervention research, to reduce stigma within the Canadian Immigration Medical Examination (IME) process and ensure better engagement in the HIV care cascade should be explored.Les personnes provenant de pays où le VIH est endémique, ce qui englobe la plupart des pays de l’Afrique subsaharienne, sont surreprésentées dans les données nationales de surveillance du VIH au Canada. Cette étude pilote fournit de nouvelles connaissances sur les expériences d’immigrants d’Afrique subsaharienne vivant avec le VIH dans une province de l’Ouest canadien. Cette étude offre de nouvelles perspectives sur les recoupements entre la culture, les déterminants sociaux, le VIH, la stigmatisation et les répercussions possibles sur la cascade de soins contre le VIH et le bien-être mental pendant la migration et lors de l’établissement au Canada. D’autres travaux de recherche sont requis, en particulier une recherche interventionnelle, afin de réduire la stigmatisation pendant l’examen médical aux fins de l’immigration (EMI) canadien et d’assurer une meilleure participation à la cascade de soins contre le VIH.

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted US colleges and universities. As The George Washington University (GWU), a large urban university, prepared to reopen for the Fall 2020 semester, GWU established protocols to protect the health and wellness of all members of campus community. Reopening efforts included a cadre of COVID-19 surveillance systems including development of a public health COVID-19 laboratory, weekly and symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 testing and daily risk screening and symptom monitoring. Other activities included completion of a mandatory COVID-19 training and influenza vaccination for the on-campus population, quarantining of students returning to campus, campus-focused case investigations and quarantining of suspected close contacts, clinical follow-up of infected persons, and regular communication and monitoring. A smaller on-campus population of 4,435 students, faculty and staff returned to campus with later expansion of testing to accommodate GWU students living in the surrounding area. Between August 17 and December 4, 2020, 38,288 tests were performed; 220 were positive. The surveillance program demonstrated a relatively low positivity rate, with temporal clustering of infected persons mirroring community spread, and little evidence for transmission among the GWU on-campus population. These efforts demonstrate the feasibility of safely partially reopening a large urban college campus by applying core principles of public health surveillance, infectious disease epidemiology, behavioral measures, and increased testing capacity, while continuing to promote educational and research opportunities. GWU will continue to monitor the program as the pandemic evolves and periodically reassess to determine if these strategies will be successful upon a full return to in-person learning.Summary BoxWhat is the current understanding of this subject? When the COVID-19 pandemic began, generally universities were not prepared and it was unclear how to safely reopen colleges and universities given the uncertain risks of transmission among students, faculty and staff.What does this report add to the literature? This case report highlights the successful approaches employed, including applying the core principles of public health surveillance and increasing testing capacity, to mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 on a densely populated urban college campus resulting in a safe reopening.What are the implications for public health practice? This experience can provide a roadmap for other universities to consider as they plan for the safe reopening of their campuses.

The COVID‐19 pandemic has triggered severe global restrictions on international travel with the intention of limiting the spread of SARS‐CoV‐2 across countries. This paper studies the effects of the partial relaxation of these travel restrictions in Europe during the summer months of 2020. It exploits the staggered start of the summer school breaks across German states as an ex‐ogenous shock to the travel opportunities of the population. While the school breaks also increased mobility within Germany, the event study regressions include disaggregated and time‐varying controls for domestic mobility and local COVID‐19‐related restrictions. The resulting intention‐to‐treat effects of the relaxed travel restrictions show a significant and sizable increase of the COVID‐19 incidence in German counties during the later weeks of the school breaks. The increase can be partly ascribed to a mandatory testing regime for travel returnees from risk areas.

We develop an agent-based model on a network meant to capture features unique to COVID-19 spread through a small residential college. We find that a safe reopening requires strong policy from administrators combined with cautious behavior from students. Strong policy includes weekly screening tests with quick turnaround and halving the campus population. Cautious behavior from students means wearing facemasks, socializing less, and showing up for COVID-19 testing. We also find that comprehensive testing and facemasks are the most effective single interventions, building closures can lead to infection spikes in other areas depending on student behavior, and faster return of test results significantly reduces total infections., 17 pages, 8 figures, 5 tables

The best way to prevent the potential tsunami of chronic complications and the associated increased healthcare costs of COVID-19 is by halting its transmission. The only evidence-based preventive strategy currently available to do this is population-wide behavior change. This AJPM Current Issue paper is a “Call to Action” to improve pandemic behavioral and social science research. Better behavioral intervention methods could contribute to suppressing further community transmission of the COVID-19 virus and thus prevent infection and sequela.

The prevalence of daily smoking in France was 24 % in 2019 and tobacco control remains a major public health issue. A hospital stay provides an opportunity for smoking cessation intervention. Identification and management of smokers during a hospital stay may be variously integrated into electronic health records (EHR).Smoking status identification, which have included pre-filled forms, check-box, reminders, icons, is heterogeneous. Specific modules in EHR have been implemented for smoking cessation management such as counselling sessions, tobacco cessation prescriptions, smoking cessation guidelines and long-term follow-up. EHR-based intervention to identify and manage smokers with a long-term follow-up for at least one month after hospital discharge has shown an increase in smoking abstinence at 6-12 months.Due to the lower quality of free data about smoking status, systematic identification with check-box, reminders or icons in EHR may be more appropriate. Integration of functionalities such as help for prescription, reminders and follow-up of patients would make tobacco cessation management easier for health professionals.EHR interventions to identify smokers and manage smoking cessation during hospital stays are an opportunity to increase smoking cessation.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic condition characterized by occlusion of the upper airway during sleep resulting in daytime sleepiness. Drivers with OSA are at a two- to sevenfold increase in risk of motor vehicle crashes (MVCs). Approximately, 13% to 28% of commercial motor vehicle drivers (CMVDs) are thought to have OSA. Obstructive sleep apnea is a significant issue in the transportation industry. Currently, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) does not mandate OSA screening. Federal regulations only specify that CMVDs be free of “respiratory dysfunction” that would impair driving. Untreated OSA is a public safety concern. The purpose of this article is to use Bardach’s eightfold policy analysis approach to examine policy options related to OSA screening in the trucking industry.