Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Development Policy”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,207 records · Page 67Linked to original sources

A century of census tracts: health & the body politic (1906-2006).

In 2006, the U.S. celebrates the 100th birthday of the census tract. These geographic units, born out of concerns for urban well-being, were first proposed in 1906 to provide a "convenient and scientific city map system" for the City of New York. They were employed for the first time in the U.S. census in 1910 in eight cities, via a joint effort involving the U.S. Census Bureau and state and local health departments. Initially termed "sanitary areas" because of their relevance to planning for public health and health services, census tracts are now widely used by all sectors of government and by myriad disciplines in the health, social, and geographic sciences for research as well as policy development, implementation, and evaluation. In this article, I describe the census tract's underappreciated origins, give examples of its current use in analyzing and addressing social disparities in health and health care, and discuss its continued significance and implications for population health and the public data required for informed democratic governance.

Censuses↗

Childhood anxiety disorders: etiology, assessment, and treatment in the new millennium.

The following article reviews the literature on childhood anxiety disorders published during the past year. Publication trajectories suggest ever increasing empirical focus on the nature, developmental influences, assessment, and treatment of anxiety in children. The past year witnessed significant events on a national level with respect to public policy development. Despite such forward progress, research on childhood anxiety remains disproportionally behind that of the disruptive behavior disorders. With respect to treatment, cognitive-behavioral approaches have demonstrated strong empirical support. Although there is limited data yet available, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors appear to be efficacious in treating anxiety in children.

Anxiety Disorders↗

Child abuse as an international issue.

This paper provides a background and suggests a strategy for an international approach to policy development concerning child abuse. First, child abuse is defined in a way that makes it applicable across cultures and national boundaries as that portion of harm to children that results from human action that is proscribed, proximate and preventable. A number of other dimensions, such as the degree of social sanction or social censure, are outlined that also affect the likelihood that given harm will be regarded as child abuse. Cross-cultural research also reveals that certain categories of children--such as those in poor health, females, unwanted children and those born under difficult circumstances or with disvalued traits or under conditions of rapid socioeconomic change--are more vulnerable to maltreatment in many countries. The paper argues for a two-pronged international strategy that first urges individual countries to make a priority of the particular types of abuse that are in most urgent need of attention in their society as well as participating at the same time in a concerted international focus on three widely occurring forms of child abuse: parental child battering, selective neglect, and sexual abuse.

Child↗

Will primary health care efforts be allowed to succeed?

It is suggested that the consequences of following Primary Health Care (PHC) principles as guidelines for health care development must of necessity lead to socio-economic and political restructuring in most countries. We are well aware that health status is determined more by the social and economic situation of population groups than by curative health services. The holistic approach of primary health care includes a concern with such factors. PHC, if it is to succeed, must ultimately lead to a reduction in the greater benefit for the few to the greater benefit for the many. This will receive strong opposition. The situation of a PHC programme in Guatemala is presented as a case of PHC efforts which were succeeding being violently opposed. This is compared with PHC development efforts in Tanzania where, unlike Guatemala, there has been a conscious effort at restructuring the society and where national development policies are in tune with PHC principles. The future of PHC in Tanzania will depend more on whether or not the organization and management of selection, training and implementation processes, and the minimal available resources, will lead to success, than on whether or not it will be allowed to succeed. It is concluded that the situation in most countries comes closer to that of Guatemala than of Tanzania and that many people and institutions in hierarchial, non-egalitarian societies will spend a great deal of energy to prevent PHC programmes from succeeding. This forces us to consider the promotion of PHC in a much more serious manner than we might wish.

Community Health Workers↗

Social and cultural factors in the etiology of low birthweight among disadvantaged blacks.

This report gives results from eight intensive, exploratory interviews with Black women who suffered infant deaths within one year after delivery. Interviews were conducted as a final step in a research project to discover the correlates of very low birthweight among disadvantaged women in a city which maintains among the highest low birthweight and infant mortality rates in the United States. Qualitative results are presented within the context of a case/control study based on an in-depth medical record review. Statistical results showed that prenatal care, alcoholism, migrant status, smoking, hypertension history and previous poor pregnancy outcome distinguished women with very low birthweight infants. The medical record review also implicated violence, weak social support systems, poor social and psychological adjustments and ineffective contraception. Interview results further explore the social and psychological context of pregnancy for the disadvantaged inner city Black woman. Three-quarters of all women are unmarried at the time of delivery, and interviewed women expressed bitterness and resentment toward the men in their livers for non-support. They received the most help from 'girlfriends', and not consistent support--as expected--from mothers and female kin. Answers to open-ended questions and responses to a specially designed interview section on attitudes and beliefs suggest that these women conceptually dissociate three important areas of cultural focus: relationships with men, pregnancy and childbirth; and, that they value the 'gestator' role as separate from the role of 'mother'. They espouse contradictory beliefs about men: they believe that men are predatory and not trustworthy, but also more mainstream beliefs that call for reliance on the opposite sex. Because of their unstable relationships with men and their long histories of poor pregnancy outcome and termination, they face frequent disappointment. Responses to items in the attitudes and beliefs section suggest that these women feel powerless, hopeless and that life is somewhat meaningless. However, items designed to test Lewis' 'culture of poverty' do not support the concept of a consistent intergenerational poverty lifestyle. The report closes with a section on program and policy development in several areas: public health recordkeeping, health style education programs, special training programs for physicians and other health personnel, and some type of program to combat the social alienation and psychological distress of inner city women during pregnancy.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

Monitoring and predicting community mental health centre utilization in Auckland, New Zealand.

Deinstitutionalization of mental health care has been in progress in many countries for over a quarter of a century. A comprehensive and detailed literature has evolved focussing on this process and its implications for alternative forms of combatting the incidence of mental illness. Most notably, literature has concentrated on the need for community-based mental health services both to prevent hospitalization in the first place and to ease the return of the hospital patient into the outside environment. In this paper the evolution of such a community-based system in metropolitan Auckland, New Zealand is discussed. More specifically, the focus is on the utilization of four community-based centres, with a view to plan better growth or reduction of service provision. Two dimensions of centre use, spatial and sociodemographic, are analysed and incorporated into four predictive models that, with appropriate refinement, can be used to determine the likely level of centre use in unserviced parts of the metropolitan area. Distance of individuals from centre locations is shown to be a significant factor in affecting use for three suburban primary prevention and intervention centres, whilst distance is non-significant for an inner-city aftercare facility. Also, various combinations of socio-demographic variables, reflecting service-specific needs for specific groups in the population, are shown to contribute significantly to predicting centre use. The paper presents the results against a policy backdrop in New Zealand where community mental health services are very much experimental in nature. The results reaffirm the importance of community mental health care in fulfilling an important need in society that health care administrators should take seriously in future policy developments.

Adolescent↗

Concepts in health promotion: the notion of relativism.

'Health promotion' is a new and powerful concept. By some professionals in the field as well as by actors in the policy making spheres, though, the notion may be received with considerable scepticism. We have attributed this scepticism, as well as barriers to include notions of health promotion in day-to-day work, to a lack of knowledge of essential concepts in the health promotion context. In this article we first explore the quintessential nature of 'health' (a capacity of people, rather than an end product of medical care) before we set out to analyze some crucial components of health promotion: integral-ness, intersectorality, holism, and ecology. Integral intervention mixes appear to have synergetic, and therefore cost-effective, results. An intersectoral approach will be necessary to address all determinants of health in an adequate way. Alas, neither integral, nor intersectoral health programs have been documented in depth. The notions of holism and ecology seem to suffer from obscurantism and esoteric elitism, though commendable in their scope. Here, we introduce 'relativism' to combine various valuable approaches into one more comprehensive scheme. Moreover, a 'relativist' approach to health promotion might induce better and more fruitful cooperation among professions. Finally, some research gaps have been identified. Policy development studies remain to have top priority in development of health promotion. Better documentation of efforts in this field will be of crucial importance. Further development of, and research on how to apply relativist approaches may be recommended. Cooperation, and opening up a dialogue between different professions and actors is of great importance in this field.

Ecology↗

Health care reforms in Bulgaria: an initial appraisal.

Bulgaria is in the process of re-structuring its health care system from one based on command and control to one founded on pluralism. This paper explores the way this transformation is taking place from the comparative perspective of the health care reforms being implemented in Britain and elsewhere. It draws out the lessons that there may be for Bulgaria based on western European experience and concludes with an assessment of the applicability and desirability of relying on the experience of other countries as a precursor for policy development and formulation in another.

Bulgaria↗

A Hausa herbal pharmacopoeia: biomedical evaluation of commonly used plant medicines.

Biochemical analysis of a selected sample of the Hausa (northern Nigeria) medicinal flora is presented in order to assess potential chemotherapeutic values. Laboratory investigation, supplemented by previously published phytochemical constituent analyses of pertinent taxa, suggests that a number of disorders can be effectively treated by the Hausa practitioner. The Hausa herbal pharmacopoeia is analysed first with reference to its efficacy in the treatment of oral disease. Examined subsequently are Hausa plant medicines considered to be of potential value in the treatment and/or prevention of malaria infection, with particular attention focussed on the malaria symptom complex and parasite-host cell biochemistry. Results are discussed in the context of the adaptive potential of non-Western medical systems and the significance of this aspect for medical policy development programs.

Drug Evaluation, Preclinical↗

The Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP/ACMU).

The Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians is a diverse group of 500 practitioners providing emergency care to the ill and injured. The specialty section of the organization represents Royal College certificants and is 120 strong. The Association, with headquarters in Ottawa, has a major interest in the continuing education of its members, policy development and the improvement of emergency health care in the country.

Canada↗

Primer on the practice doctorate for neonatal nurse practitioners.

Recent advances in technology, research, and knowledge have amplified the need for longer and more in-depth education for neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs). In this article we will briefly review the history of NNP's role and education, define the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and propose that the practice doctorate is the primary mechanism to meet that need and thus is the future of our profession. Doctor of Nursing Practice programs are designed to prepare the practitioner as an expert clinical NNP. Graduates obtain the highest level of practice expertise integrated with the ability to translate scientific knowledge into complex clinical interventions tailored to meet individual, family, and community health and illness needs. Doctor of Nursing Practice education also expands the scientific basis for practice and clinical practice education, and provides organization and system management and leadership, quality improvement, analytic methods to evaluate practice and apply evidence to practice, enhanced skills in information technology, health policy development, and interdisciplinary collaboration for enhanced patient outcomes.

Directories as Topic↗

Community health workers as interventionists in the prevention and control of heart disease and stroke.

A considerable body of research indicates that community health workers (CHWs) are effective in improving chronic disease care and health outcomes. Much of the focus of cardiovascular research involving CHWs has been on hypertension because of its high prevalence and because it is a major risk factor for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and renal diseases. Adding CHWs to the patient-provider team has a beneficial effect on the quality of care for populations most in need. CHWs have contributed to significant improvements in community members' access to and continuity of care and adherence to treatment for the control of hypertension. CHWs assume multiple roles, including patient and community education, patient counseling, monitoring patient health status, linking people with health and human services, and enhancing provider patient communication and adherence to care. Current recommendations for CHWs to be interventionists on healthcare teams and in community-based research increase opportunities for CHWs to play an important role in eliminating disparities in heart disease and stroke. Adequate translation of research into clinical practice remains a major challenge, however. Addressing this issue, which has national implications, will require sustainable funding; appropriate reimbursement; enhanced efforts to incorporate CHWs into healthcare teams; better utilization of their skills; improved CHW supervision, training, and career development; policy changes; and ongoing evaluation, including a reporting of costs.

Baltimore↗

Characteristics of physical activity levels among trail users in a U.S. national sample.

BACKGROUND: The Task Force on Community Preventive Services strongly recommends environmental interventions that include enhanced access to opportunities for physical activity, such as walking and cycling trails. Although accumulating evidence indicates that trails can be effective in increasing physical activity, little is known about trail users. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of a national sample of 3717 adults from the HealthStyles and ConsumerStyles surveys using logistic regression to determine physical activity patterns and sociodemographic correlates related to trail use, and to identify support regarding trail development policies. RESULTS: Almost 13% (12.7%) of the sample reported using trails at least once a month and 24.3% at least once a week. People who reported using trails at least once a week were twice as likely than people who reported rarely or never using trails to meet physical activity recommendations (odds ratio=2.3, 95% confidence interval=1.9-2.8). Nearly half (43.6%) of the non-trail users supported expanded public spaces for people to exercise, and 36.4% of the non-trail users reported that they would be willing to pay more taxes to build more parks and trails in their community. CONCLUSIONS: Community trails facilitate physical activity, and almost half of frequent trail users report that access to trails and other green space is important in choosing a place to live. These results support the need for prospective research on whether newly built trails promote physical activity in previously inactive people.

Adolescent↗

Emerging hantavirus risks in mass gatherings: epidemiology, diagnostic challenges, and outbreak preparedness.

Hantaviruses are emerging rodent borne zoonotic pathogens of increasing global public health concern because of their high mortality, expanding ecological distribution, and potential for international dissemination. Although traditionally associated with sporadic rural outbreaks, recent ecological disruption, climate variability, urbanization, and increased global mobility have heightened concerns regarding hantavirus risks in mass gathering settings. This review critically examines the epidemiology, transmission uncertainty, diagnostic and surveillance challenges, and preparedness strategies related to hantavirus infections in the context of mass gatherings, including religious events, refugee settlements, cruise tourism, sporting events, and temporary accommodations. Particular emphasis is placed on the 2026 multinational cruise ship associated outbreak linked to the MV Hondius, which highlighted vulnerabilities related to delayed diagnosis, international passenger dispersal, and uncertainties surrounding possible human to human transmission of Andes virus. Current evidence indicates that hantavirus transmission occurs primarily through inhalation of aerosolized rodent excreta; however, controversies regarding limited interpersonal transmission, environmental persistence, and asymptomatic infections continue to complicate risk assessment and outbreak preparedness. Diagnostic limitations, underreporting, insufficient environmental surveillance, and lack of mass gathering specific preparedness frameworks remain major public health challenges, especially in resource limited settings. Strengthening proactive preparedness through integrated One Health approaches, ecological surveillance, genomic monitoring, AI driven epidemic intelligence, and coordinated international response systems is essential for mitigating future risks. The review emphasizes the urgent need for multidisciplinary research and evidence based policy development to improve global preparedness against emerging hantavirus associated threats in increasingly interconnected mass gathering environments.

Humans↗

Influencer-driven lifestyle and wellness framing of intoxicating hemp products may normalize youth cannabis use.

Hemp-derived intoxicating cannabis products (DICPs) have rapidly expanded across the U.S. marketplace and are increasingly promoted on social media platforms popular among youth. This commentary highlights emerging concerns about influencer-driven DICP promotion on Instagram, where intoxicating hemp and cannabis products are embedded within lifestyle, wellness, fitness, sobriety, harm-reduction, and entertainment narratives. In ongoing monitoring of Instagram posts from leading DICP brands, we observed influencer posts that featured young-looking creators, aspirational wellness imagery, humor, slang, fast-cut editing, mocktail-making scenes, and claims positioning DICPs as "hangover-free," safer, or substitutes for alcohol or other drug use. Such content may reduce perceived risk, increase product appeal, and normalize cannabis use, particularly when promotional posts resemble organic (non-promotional) peer-culture content rather than advertising. Existing platform guidelines and regulatory approaches may inadequately address this form of influencer marketing. Enforcement is more actionable when sponsorship is clearly disclosed; however, influencers often omit brand sponsorship disclosures entirely or use vague disclosures. The absence of a disclosure does not necessarily mean that a post is non-promotional. Platforms should develop policies and algorithm-assisted surveillance approaches that identify DICP influencer content using youth-oriented cues, lifestyle and wellness framing, brand tags or links, and unverified reduced-risk or therapeutic claims.

Humans↗

Female urinary incontinence in the west of Turkey: prevalence, risk factors and impact on quality of life.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of urinary incontinence (UI), and to assess its impact on quality of life (QOL) in Turkish women. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 1012 women aged over 18 years were interviewed through a questionnaire including 'International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form'. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of UI was 23.9% (n=242). Among these women, 62 (25.6%) had urge, 80 (33.1%) stress and 100 (41.3%) mixed type UI. The prevalence rate increased with advancing age. Eighty-nine women (36.8%) stated to have urinary leakage at least once a day or more, while 153 (63.2%) women were experiencing less than twice a week. UI was significantly associated with fecal incontinence, hypertension, history of nocturnal enuresis, and recurrent urinary tract infections. Overall, 211 (87.2%) women stated that UI have negative impact on the QOL. This effect remained mostly at the mild or moderate level. Although many (87.2%) had intention for medical assistance, only a few (14.9%) had realized it. Women with urge UI and aged 40 to 50 years looked for more assistance than others. CONCLUSIONS: UI affect approximately one of four Turkish women. The results emphasize the need for taking preventive measures and policy development for UI.

Adolescent↗

The cost and cost trajectory of genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis for Indigenous children with suspected rare diseases.

PURPOSE: Indigenous peoples are underrepresented in reference genome libraries. Consequently, rare disease diagnosis may require bespoke bioinformatics analyses of genome sequences. Establishing diagnostic cost is crucial to support policy development for equitable diagnosis of rare diseases. We estimated the cost and cost trajectory of diagnostic genome sequencing and bioinformatics for Indigenous participants with suspected rare diseases. METHODS: We conducted a microcosting study of Indigenous children and their families receiving genome sequencing through Canada's Silent Genomes Project. Invoice data informed the costs of genome sequencing. We conducted a time-and-motion study for bioinformatics analyses, including labor, computing, and data storage costs. RESULTS: With standard bioinformatics, costs ranged from C$3645 (SD: 455) for singletons to C$7402 (SD: 566) for trios. With advanced, bespoke bioinformatics, costs ranged from C$5344 (SD: 634) for singletons to C$9760 (SD: 822) for trios. Genome sequencing was a primary cost driver; however, sequencing costs decreased by 61% over 4 years. Bioinformatics costs ranged from 21.3% to 58.3% of the total costs. The time required for bioinformatics ranged from 71 hours to 215 hours for standard and advanced analyses, respectively. CONCLUSION: Genome sequencing costs decreased over time. Bioinformatics is a significant cost driver, particularly for bespoke analyses arising from nonrepresentative reference libraries.

Humans↗