Public Health Focus – Joint Programme on AIDS
Evaluating the AIDS work with Key Populations
UNAIDS, WHO, UNODC, and UNESCO conducted an evaluation on the AIDS work with key populations. The Joint Programme is recognized for supporting key population responses. However, advocacy to defend the human rights needs to increase and programming needs prioritizing to address inequalities and pockets of high incidence. Dr. Belhadj has contributed as the Team Leader for the Tunisia Country Case.
Belhadj, Hedia. (2022, April 5) Joint Evaluation of the UN Joint Programme on AIDS’s Work with Key Populations (2018-2021). UNAIDS.
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Public Health Focus – The Future of Healthcare
Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) Technologies
BCIs are a groundbreaking technology that provide for a direct connection between neurons in the body and artificial computers. They are implemented in a variety of therapeutic contexts and stand to play a significant role in the future of healthcare. BCIs take on many forms depending on the applications for which they are intended.
El Ghouayel, A. (2021, October 16) Distinguishing Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) Technologies. As originally publish on LinkedIn.
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Public Health Focus – Conventional Warfare
Health Effects of Conventional Warfare
Armed conflicts cause significant health consequences through injury and displacement of civilian populations, as well as increased pressure on healthcare infrastructure. As the tide of war suffuses daily life, the collapse of essential health services, including neonatal care, treatment of severe illness, and management of communicable diseases, becomes more likely. Reduced access to clean water, food and sanitation exacerbates these risks, contributing to malnutrition, a greater prevalence of water-borne illnesses such as cholera, and higher infection rates. These pressures, in addition to physical insecurity arising from attacks on nonmilitary targets, can have a generational impact on the mental health of those affected.
Moore, S. (2021, September 15). The impacts of war on global health. News. https://www.news-medical.net/health/The-Impacts-of-War-on-Global-Health.aspx
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Public Health Focus – Refugee Crisis
Influx of Ukrainian Refugees into Bordering Countries
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to the rapid influx of refugees into neighboring countries, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova. The establishment of registration protocols and the redistribution of healthcare resources has played an important role in the successful management of the crisis, including the control of COVID transmissions. Collaboration with humanitarian groups has facilitated the treatment of those with prevalent conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. For those traumatized by the crises, long-term monitoring and psychosocial support will be crucial to mitigating future mental health issues.
Marcus, M. B., & Posner, L. (2022, March 4). The fallout for people forced to leave Ukraine: Think global health. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/fallout-people-forced-leave-ukraine
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Public Health Focus – Firearm Deaths
Preventing Gun Violence
Gun violence in the United States occurs at higher rates compared to other countries. Reports indicate that guns are a primary weapon of choice for homicides and suicides. The American Public Health Association (APHA) recommends developing mechanisms for identifying risk factors associated with gun violence and analyzing the distribution of gun-related deaths to determine effective measures of prevention.
American Public Health Association. (2022, January 18). Gun Violence is a Public Health Crisis. https://www.apha.org/-/media/files/pdf/factsheets/200221_gun_violence_fact_sheet.ashx
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Public Health Focus – Education (COVID-19)
Impacts on Children’s Education and Health
COVID-19 has had a global impact, particularly on the lives of children. Due to disruptions caused by the pandemic, learning losses have resulted in a decline in literacy and math skills. Children’s mental and physical health were also affected with increased anxiety and depression reported. Reduced access to school meals as a result of school closures has also led to increased food insecurity and nutritional deficits.
COVID:19 scale of education loss “nearly insurmountable”, warns Unicef. UNICEF. (2022, January 23). https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/covid19-scale-education-loss-nearly-insurmountable-warns-unicef
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Public Health Focus – Antimicrobial Resistance
Tackling Superbugs
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when strains of microbes evolve and mutate into “superbugs” resistant to antimicrobials. Superbugs are directly responsible for more than one million deaths annually around the world. The misuse or overuse of antimicrobials has contributed significantly to the increased occurrence of AMR. Vaccines provide a potential solution, especially in healthcare settings, reducing hospitalizations and potential variants.
Finnegan, G. (2016, January 19). Can vaccines help beat superbugs?. VaccinesToday. https://www.vaccinestoday.eu/stories/can-vaccines-help-beat-superbugs
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Public Health Focus – COVID-19
Omicron: New Variant of Concern
Omicron, a new SARS-CoV-2 variant classified as a variant of concern, was reported in South Africa on November 24th, 2021. Several countries have been quick to restrict travel from the surrounding region as infections involving the variant have increased. Omicron is the result of over 50 mutations, 30 of which affect the virus’s spike protein which allows the virus to enter the body’s cells, increasing transmissibility and the likelihood of reinfection. These mutations interfere with the efficacy of existing vaccines which target the virus’s spike proteins.
“Classification of Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-COV-2 Variant of Concern.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 26 Nov. 2021, https://www.who.int/news/item/26-11-2021-classification-of-omicron-(b.1.1.529)-sars-cov-2-variant-of-concern.
McKenzie, David, et al. “Omicron, a New COVID-19 Variant with High Number of Mutations, Sparks Travel Bans and Worries Scientists.” CNN, Cable News Network, 26 Nov. 2021, https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/26/africa/new-covid-variant-discovered-south-africa-b11529-intl/index.html.
Jason Horowitz, Lynsey Chutel and Mike Ives. “Covid Live Updates: W.H.O. Says New Variant in South Africa Is ‘of Concern’.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 26 Nov. 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/11/26/world/covid-vaccine-boosters-variant.
Click here to read the article from The New York Times
More at the World Health Organization’s Website: https://www.who.int/news/item/26-11-2021-classification-of-omicron-(b.1.1.529)-sars-cov-2-variant-of-concern
Public Health Focus – Costa Rica
Bridging Gaps in Resource Distribution
Costa Rica’s outreach programs targeting vulnerable communities have contributed to a higher overall life expectancy.
Gawande, Atul. “Costa Ricans Live Longer Than We Do. What’s The Secret?” The New Yorker, Condé Nast, 23 Aug. 2021, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/08/30/costa-ricans-live-longer-than-we-do-whats-the-secret, Accessed 17 Oct 2021
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Public Health Focus – COVID-19
The Delta Variant: A New Mutation
A new version of the COVID-19 Delta variant has been found in 33 US states and is now the dominant strain in the UK. The Delta variant is the result of mutations in the virus’s receptor binding domain, making it more infectious and transmissible. A greater likelihood of hospitalization among both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals has also been reported. The new Delta version, dubbed “AY.4.2,” has a small growth advantage over the original Delta variant.
Mishra, Sanjay. “An offshoot of the Delta variant is rising in the U.K.” National Geographic, National Geographic Society, 2 Nov. 2021, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/an-offshoot-of-the-delta-variant-is-rising-in-the-uk, Accessed 3 Nov 2021
Click here to read article in National Geographic
More at the CDC’s Website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/delta-variant.html