Globally, norovirus is associated with approximately one-fifth of all diarrhea cases, with similar prevalence in both children and adults, and is estimated to cause over 200,000 deaths annually in developing countries. Norovirus is an important pathogen in a number of high-priority domains: it is the most common cause of diarrheal episodes globally, the principal cause of foodborne disease outbreaks in the United States, a key health care–acquired infection, a common cause of travel-associated diarrhea, and a bane for deployed military troops. Partly as a result of this ubiquity and burden across a range of different populations, identifying target groups and strategies for intervention has been challenging. And, on top of the breadth of this public health problem, there remain important gaps in scientific knowledge regarding norovirus, especially with respect to disease in low-income settings.
Currently, the world is facing challenges of maintaining food production growth while improving agricultural ecological environmental quality. The prevention and control of agricultural non-point source pollution, a key component of these challenges, is a systematic program which integrates many factors such as technology and its extension, relevant regulation and policies. In the project of UK-China Sustainable Agriculture Innovation Network, we undertook a comprehensive analysis of the prevention and control technology, technology extension systems and related policy measures of agricultural non-point source pollution in UK. We then proposed the promotion of prevention and control of agricultural non-point source pollution in China. Considering the current agricultural resources and environment countermeasures of "one control"(control over the total quantity of the agricultural water and agricultural water environment pollution), "two reduction"(reduction in quantities of fertilizers and pesticides), and "three basic countermeasures"(resource utilization, recycling, and mitigate harm from treatment of livestock and poultry wastes, agricultural plastic films and crop straws), we suggested that in the near future source control and process prevention should be technical priorities. Optimization and reduction of chemical fertilizer, combined use of chemical and organic fertilizers, land utilization management, agricultural sector adjustment and integration of crop production with animal husbandry should be the key technologies. The role of non-governmental technical service should be promoted. Government subsidies, ecological compensations and other forms of economic means could be used to encourage famers actively participate in the prevention and control of nitrogen and phosphorus losses and pollution in soil and water systems. Related technical documents and regulations should be more specific, clear, and practical. Collection, transmission and analysis of non-point source pollution data relying on modern ...
AbstractShip-source pollution is one of the important contributors to marine environment pollution. Because the legal status of the Arctic shipping routes is not clear, there is a considerable degree of dispute in the application of the rules on the prevention and control of ship-source pollution. The increased melting of sea ice undermines the legal legitimacy of the "ice-covered areas" clause under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The conflict between the application of the Polar Code and "ice-covered areas" will also reach an initial conclusion in the context of melting sea ice. However, the inadequacy of ship-source pollution rules in the Polar Code hampers its application, which has led to a negative impact on the more active role in the governance of pollution from Arctic shipping. For replying to the Challenges in the prevention of ship-source pollution in Arctic shipping routes, the relevant rules of the Polar Code need to be further improved, while a more binding HFO ban according to ship types needs to be applied. Therefore, a more important role in the future Arctic governance mechanism will be played by the enhanced enforcement of the Polar Code, meanwhile, the target for uniform international regulation of preventing and controlling ship-source pollution in Arctic shipping routes should be achieved.
Timothy Bonney Oppong,1 Cecilia Amponsem-Boateng,1 Emmanuel Kumi Duodu Kyere,1 Ying Wang,1 Zohreh Gheisari,1 Eunice Ekua Oppong,2 Godfrey Opolot,1 Guangcai Duan,1 Haiyan Yang1 1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450001, People's Republic of China; 2Medical Department, Entrance University Hospital, Accra 00233, GhanaCorrespondence: Haiyan Yang Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Henan 450001, People's Republic of ChinaTel +86 13592602629Email yhy@zzu.edu.cnBackground: Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a globally relevant aspect of all health systems impacting the health and safety of both patients and healthcare workers. However, best practices remain a challenge in healthcare delivery especially in resource limited situations. The primary objective of this study was to assess the infection prevention and control (IPC) preparedness levels of acute healthcare facilities in Ghana and to determine the factors associated with the overall IPC preparedness levels in acute healthcare facilities.Methods: A cross-sectional study adapting the IPC assessment framework (IPCAF) developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) was conducted. Five of the core components of the WHO IPCAF were used to assess the IPC level of 56 acute healthcare facilities in Ghana.Results: Of the 56 facilities surveyed, only 19 had an IPC program with clearly defined objectives. Overall, 8 (14.3%) facilities scored an IPC preparedness level of "Advance", 18 (32.1%) facilities received an "Intermediate" IPC preparedness score, 23 (41.1%) facilities received an IPC preparedness level of "basic" and 7 (12.5%) facilities scored an IPC preparedness level of "inadequate". IPC materials like detergents, running water and PPEs were not significantly supplied. Government owned facilities performed better in terms of IPC preparedness as compared to privately owned facilities. A PLUM-ordinal regression analysis revealed that an IPC program with clearly defined objectives (OR= 76; 95% CI; 7.23, 808.19), dedicated IPC budget (OR= 13; 95% CI; 3.8– 44.3) and regular mandatory training (OR= 50.9; 95% CI; 6.1– 425) were associated with increased IPC preparedness.Conclusion: Generally, the IPC preparedness levels in a majority of the facilities were low and required significant improvements in several areas. Facilities must make periodic reviews and adjust their objectives based on facility priorities.Keywords: infection prevention and control, infection prevention preparedness, assessing infection prevention and control programs, infection prevention and control policy
The magnitude of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic and its broad impact have been seriously underestimated and underappreciated. The Special Programme on AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) of the World Health Organization (WHO) was created on February 1, 1987, as the architect and keystone of the global AIDS plan. The Special Programme on AIDS has designed the global strategy, has raised sufficient funds to begin implementing the strategy and, for this effort, has marshalled the support of every nation in the world. AIDS affects both the developing and the industrialized worlds; therefore, every country will need a national AIDS program. This is vital not only for national interests but also because ultimately AIDS cannot be stopped in any one country unless it is stopped in all countries. National AIDS programs are being rapidly established throughout the world with the technical and financial support of WHO's Special Programme on AIDS. At the global level, the Special Programme is responsible for strategic leadership, developing consensus, coordinating scientific research, exchanging information, assuring technical cooperation and mobilizing and coordinating resources. National AIDS committees have already been established in more than 150 countries and, by the end of 1988, the Special Programme will support every country in the world that requests collaboration.
The purpose of this review is to emphasize the role of tobacco prevention and control in cardiovascular health (CVH) promotion and cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, including the importance of these endpoints for measuring the full impact of tobacco-related policies, programs, and practices. In this review, we describe an overview of tobacco control interventions that have led to substantial declines in tobacco use and the relationship between these declines with CVH and CVD. We review interventions that have had success in high-income countries (HICs) as well as those that are gaining traction in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We emphasize the challenges to comprehensive tobacco prevention and control strategies faced by LMICs, and highlight the special role of cardiovascular health professionals in achieving CVH promotion and CVD prevention endpoints through tobacco control. Tobacco prevention and control strategies have a strong scientific basis, yet a distinct gap remains between this evidence and implementation of tobacco control policies, particularly in LMICs. Health professionals can contribute to tobacco control efforts, especially through patient-level clinical interventions, when supported by a health care system and government that recognize and support tobacco control as a critical strategy for CVH promotion and CVD prevention. Understanding, supporting, and applying current and evolving policies, programs, and practices in tobacco prevention and control is the province of all health professionals, especially those concerned with CVH promotion and CVD prevention. A new tobacco control roadmap from the World Heart Federation provides a strong impetus to the needed interdisciplinary collaboration.
L'igiene ospedaliera in Italia ha una lunga e solida storia che però richiede una necessaria riflessione per poter restare al passo con quelle che sono le innovazioni e gli sviluppi dei sistemi sanitari anche connessi a quelle che sono le attività dell'Unione Europea. A livello europeo infatti esistono diverse tradizioni nazionali che riguardo l'igiene ospedaliera e per questo motivo l'European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) ha adottato il termine "controllo delle infezioni e igiene ospedaliera" per poter così includere tutti i professionisti sanitari dei singoli Paesi. La nostra proposta è sia quella di modificare il termine di "igiene ospedaliera" in "igiene delle organizzazioni sanitarie" per poter focalizzare l'attenzione anche ai numerosi livelli di cura non ospedalieri, sia di adottare la seguente definizione: "tutte le attività volte a garantire, in modo appropriato, scientificamente valido ed efficiente, l'assistenza in un ambiente sicuro, confortevole e salubre per i pazienti, i caregiver e gli operatori sanitari". L'igiene ospedaliera ed i suoi professionisti sono un pilastro necessario per garantire la qualità e la sicurezza dell'assistenza sanitaria in Italia. ; Although hospital hygiene has a long history in Italy it is necessary to reflect about it because of the innovation in healthcare systems and because of the evolution due to European Union related activities. Different traditions exist in European countries about hospital hygiene and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) adopted the term of "infection control and hospital hygiene" which includes all the engaged European healthcare professionals. We propose to modify hospital hygiene as "healthcare organisation hygiene" in order to focalise the attention to all care settings not only hospitals and to adopt the following definition: "all activities aimed to guarantee, in an appropriate, scientifically sound and efficient way, that structures and processes support healthcare practices in a safe comfortable and healthy environment both for patients, caregivers and healthcare workers". Hospital hygiene and its professionals, besides the long tradition, still remain a relevant pillar in guaranteeing quality and safety of healthcare in Italy.
The Ponce Playa Project, officially known as the Centro Sister Isolina Ferré, is a community-based project originally designed for the prevention and correction of juvenile delinquency. It is also perceived as a successful grass-roots project that has effectively limited violence through the revitalization of the Ponce Playa community. The project is based on the principle that a community made aware of its own resources, with a confidence in its capacity to use these resources for its own fulfillment, will come alive and create a life more human and more satisfying for itself and the development of its children. Educational alternatives and job training have helped in the development of a sense of self-worth; youth and family advocacy and community health programs have resulted in a new vision of a people in control of their lives; an awareness of their capacity for mutual assistance has reawakened a sense of confidence. They have created in Ponce Playa an environment conducive to achievement rather than delinquency or violence.
Highlights: - Despite clinical evidence of its effectiveness in secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, uptake of fixed dose combination therapy (FDCs) for CVD has been poor. - A symposium was held bringing together stakeholders on this issue, including from academia, government and NGOs. - The conclusion made was that what is now needed to improve implementation of FDCs is country-specific health systems analyses to design appropriate implementation strategies. - Implementation strategies must look beyond listing on the WHO Essential Medicines List to consider approaches to improving FDC availability, accessibility, affordability, and adherence. - Strategies might include incorporation of FDCs into the WHO HEARTS technical package, simplified treatment and monitoring algorithms, decentralisation of medicine dispensing and task-sharing for treatment management.
In: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety: EES ; official journal of the International Society of Ecotoxicology and Environmental safety, Volume 181, p. 308-311
"This manual is designed to help violence prevention organizations hire an empowerment evaluator who will assist them in building their evaluation capacity through a learn-by-doing process of evaluating their own strategies. It is for state and local leaders and staff members of organizations, coalitions, government agencies, and/or partnerships working to prevent violence. Some parts of the manual may also be useful to empowerment evaluators who work with these organizations." - summary on publisher's Web site (http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pub/evaluation_improvement.html) ; Introduction -- Empowerment evaluation: an overview -- Step 1: Preparing for the hiring process -- Step 2: Writing a job announcement -- Step 3: Finding potential empowerment evaluators -- Step 4: Assessing the candidates -- Step 5: Writing an evaluation contract -- Step 6: Building an effective relationship with your evaluator -- Step 7: Assessing and sustaining the evaluation -- Glossary -- References -- Appendix A: Resources for general evaluation and empowerment evaluation -- Appendix B: Worksheets for hiring an empowerment evaluator -- Appendix C: Sample hiring committee confidentiality statement -- Appendix D: Sample job announcement -- Appendix E: Sample request for proposals -- Appendix F: Sample interview questions -- Appendix G: Sample budget and narrative for an evaluation team ; authors: Pamela J. Cox, Dana Keener, Tiffanee L. Woodard, Abraham H. Wandersman; editor: Carole A. Craft. ; "November 2009." ; "Grantees of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancements and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA) Program and the Enhancing and Making Programs and Outcomes Work to End Rape (EMPOWER) Program were instrumental in the development of this publication. All DELTA and EMPOWER Program grantees used an early draft of this manual to hire empowerment evaluators. The experiences, lessons, and insights from their hiring processes are shared throughout this manual. " - p. 2 ; Also available via the World Wide Web. ; Includes bibliographical references (p. 70-72). ; Cox PJ, Keener D, Woodard T, Wandersman A. Evaluation for Improvement: A Seven Step Empowerment Evaluation Approach for Violence Prevention Organizations. Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2009.
