bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social context matters: the role of social support and social norms in healthcare solidarity
Authors: Meijer MA , Brabers AEM , De Jong JD 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
In many European countries, including the Netherlands, the healthcare system is based upon solidarity. It is important that public support for solidarity-based systems is sufficient, to ensure that people remain willing to contribute to them. Although support is generally high, as indicated by high levels of willingness to pay for the healthcare costs of others, there are differences between groups. Previous research has focused on individual and institutional characteristics when explaining these differences. However, people's social context may also play a role. Little research has been conducted into this. To fill this gap, we examined the role of perceived social support and social norms in order to explain differences in the willingness to pay for other people's healthcare costs.

Methods
A questionnaire was sent to a representative sample of 1,500 members of the Dutch Healthcare Consumer Panel in November 2021 (56% response rate, N = 837). The relationship between the social context of people and their willingness to pay was studied via logistic regression analysis.

Results
Higher levels of perceived social support are associated with higher levels of willingness to pay for other people's healthcare costs (p = 0.038). We also found that willingness to pay is higher when someone's social context is more supportive of the solidarity-based healthcare system (p = 0.001). Contrary to our expectations, the effect of social norms does not differ between people who perceive low and high levels of socials support.

Conclusions
The degree to which people feel connected to others and the degree to which someone's social context supports the solidarity-based healthcare system affect the willingness to contribute to the healthcare system. Our results suggest that the social context of people has to be taken into account in both policy and research that addresses healthcare solidarity, next to individual and institutional characteristics.

Key messages
• Social support and social norms play a role in the willingness to pay for healthcare costs of others.
• People's social context must be taken into account in policy and research on healthcare solidarity.
Exploring the link between cancer policies and cancer survival: a comparison of seven countries
Authors: Nolte E , Morris M , Landon S , McKee M , Seguin M , Butler J , Lawler M 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Disparity in cancer survival across countries has been linked to variation in cancer policy delivery but there is lack of empirical evidence for this association. We traced the evolution of cancer policies in 20 jurisdictions in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Norway, New Zealand and the UK since 1995 and present the findings of an exploratory analysis linking cancer policy consistency to cancer survival.

Methods
We systematically searched and analysed national/regional cancer plans and strategies, mapping timelines of cancer policy evolution. For 10 jurisdictions, evidence was synthesised into five categories: oversight function; cancer plan; implementation plan; budget for plan implementation; and evaluation. We assigned scores evaluating whether a category was present or absent, and weighted scores for consistency. Summed scores were correlated with trends in survival from seven cancers between 1995-2014.

Results
All ten jurisdictions had implemented a high-level structure overseeing, steering or delivering cancer control policies (1995 - 2014); all had also published at least one major cancer plan. There was great variation in oversight mechanisms, ranging from institutionalising cancer control (New South Wales, Ontario) to cancer steering groups or taskforces (Denmark, Northern Ireland, Wales). Frequency and consistency of cancer plans also varied, from a succession of plans that build on each other (Denmark, New South Wales, Ontario) to the publication of isolated plans (New Zealand, Northern Ireland). We found a positive, albeit weak, correlation of cancer policy consistency and improvements in survival over time for six of the seven cancers.

Conclusions
Jurisdictions that have implemented consistent cancer control policies over time tended to be more successful in improving survival for a wide range of cancers. Our findings can help guide policymakers seeking approaches and frameworks to improve cancer services and, ultimately, cancer outcomes.

Key messages
• Sustained and consistent strategic cancer planning and investment are crucial for ensuring better patient outcomes, and this requires strong and sustained commitment at all levels.
• The findings can help guide policymakers seeking approaches and frameworks to improve cancer services and, ultimately, cancer outcomes.
Hospital hand hygiene after COVID-19: has the pandemic heightened healthcare workers’ awareness?
Authors: Zeduri M , Sgueglia AC , Vigezzi GP , Ferrara P , Lanave M , Galvi R , Abela S , Novelli V , Muzzi A , Odone A 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Hand hygiene (HH) is the leading measure for preventing the transmission of healthcare-associated infections (HAI), and a cornerstone to prevent COVID-19 spread. Aim of the research was the assessment of HCWs’ adherence to the application of WHO optimal practices, with the goal to promote a culture of safety and quality infection prevention and control (IPC) activities.

Methods
Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy, implemented a HH monitoring plan in which HCWs’ adherence to HH procedures is evaluated using WHO guidelines, technical manual and observation form. Direct field observations took place in March and April 2022 by trained personnel. Process index was HH adherence, stratified by profession, opportunity and unit, which has been visited at least twice.

Results
Overall, 302 HCWs were observed from 18 hospital units (105 physicians, 108 nurses, 84 healthcare assistants and 5 students). Out of 1382 opportunities, global adherence was 52% with 190 handwashing and 598 hand rubbing. The indication with the highest adherence was “after body fluid exposure risk” (76%), whereas the lowest were “after touching the patient's setting” (40%) and “before touching a patient” (43%). Adherence was higher in specialistic surgeries and haematology units, while the worst performances were reported in general medicine ward (29%). Physicians’ and nurses’ adherence was respectively 45% and 61%. Audits occasionally revealed non-conformities in glove use (i.e., unnecessary use, not changed between patients, hand rubbing on gloves).

Conclusions
These preliminary findings could be directly linked to habits acquired during the pandemic, when HW tended to consider COVID-19 patients as a unique block to shield themselves from infections, rather than safeguarding individual patient units. HH awareness could have changed in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic and our study described how HCWs’ adherence to optimal practices needs specific initiatives to promote correct HH.

Key messages
• The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the importance of handwashing and IPC, showing the key role of the HCWs’ adherence to hand hygiene (HH) procedures.
• HH audits play a leading part in clinical governance and IPC, aiming at enhancing the quality of care and patient safety, particularly to strengthen health system resilience in post-COVID era.
Essential Public Health Functions in Ireland: Perspectives to strengthen capacities and stewardship
Authors: McDarby G , Mustafa S , Zhang Y , Seifieldin R , Saikat S , Hendricks L , McNicholas T 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
COVID-19 has caused unprecedented disruptions to health, social and economic systems in countries worldwide including Ireland. Weaknesses in Public Health capacities have undermined health system resilience compounding the effects of the pandemic. The Essential Public Health Functions (EPHFs) provide a comprehensive, cost-effective approach to operationalising public health and a means to build health systems resilience. As Ireland looks to recovery, the Department of Health engaged the World Health Organization (WHO) to undertake a mapping of the current state of delivery of EPHFs to identify opportunities for improvement and support wider health system strengthening towards resilience.

Methods
A strategic review of the delivery of EPHFs in Ireland was conducted with respect to policy, infrastructure, service provision and coordination and integration. Findings were reported in the context of international lessons identified through experience with COVID-19 and major health system challenges within the Irish context.

Results
There are significant capacities present within the Irish context to support the delivery of the EPHFs though they are limited in strategic cohesion, coordination and implementation. These include a high level of Public Health expertise, an agile and resourceful workforce, a strongly engaged community and significant evidence generation and synthesis capacities. Gaps recognised included ICT infrastructure and capacity, workforce resourcing and support, pandemic planning and public health governance, visibility, legislation, strategy and resourcing. COVID-19 has led to the development and strengthening of mechanisms to leverage a whole-of-government and -society approach to health that should be sustained to tackle ongoing and future stressors.

Conclusions
The use of the EPHFs within the Irish setting provides a comprehensive approach to strengthening capacities for public health and enhanced population health and wellbeing.
4.D. Workshop: The interaction of environmental impact and chronic diseases: from theory to practice
Authors:   Organised by: EUPHA-CHR, EUPHA-ENV,   Chair persons: Sarah Cuschieri (Malta), Marija Jevtic (EUPHA-ENV)
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Both chronic diseases and environmental change are growing global public health challenges even amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Every country is faced with these challenges, although small states and islands have an additional burden imposed on their sustainability, however this is rarely investigated. The intertwined relationship that exists between both epidemics is acknowledged, yet seldom explored or tackled together on a public health research level with bleak effect on policies outcome. People's lifestyles are a contributing factor to the progressive deterrent relationship between chronic diseases and environmental change. Indeed, many public health interventions promoting a healthier life will also produce the double benefit of tackling climate and the environment. For example, promoting more active transportation such as through the increase in bike lanes accessibility and incentives to promote active commuting will both reduce the dependency of carbon-based motor vehicle transportation, with a positive impact on the environment and climate, and on health. In fact, increase in physical activity is a well-known preventive and management action for most chronic diseases. Similarly, lower levels of pollution are also associated to decreases in many chronic diseases. Many other examples exist including the relationship between the food production, food security and carbon emissions. It is therefore imminent that urgent public health action is taken targeting the dominating urbanization and obesogenic environment that concomitantly have a role in the progressive development of chronic diseases and negative environmental impact. The aim of this workshop is to follow a multidisciplinary approach by bringing together different stakeholders to discuss the relationship between chronic diseases and the environment with a focus on small island states. While addressing the need to ensure that both public health and economic sustainability along with decelerating environmental change are on the imminent agenda. The workshop will be composed of four presenters discussing the various impacts on the environment from food production and security, sustainable dietetic models, the impact of city design on healthy living and finally the link between change in climate change and chronic diseases from a small state perspective. This will be followed by an engaging discussion between the presenters and the audience.

Key messages
• An intertwined relationship exists between environmental change (ranging from food security to city planning) and chronic diseases.
• A One Health approach and public health interventions are required to halt the dual epidemic.
The German national public health institute’s journey to becoming a Key Climate Actor: The Robert Koch Institute’s strategy development process
Authors: Taylor A 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is Germany's national public health institute. It has been working for a number of years on One Health topics such as zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance, as well as wider areas relevant to climate change such as environmental health. Climate change has, however, only been a specific area of focus since 2019. This was signalled through the creation of a coordination role called One Health Climate Change (OHCC). In addition, a number of projects on climate change have been initiated independently of one another during this time across the RKI. Since summer 2021, RKI has been more active in its strategic development and set up a climate change and health working group of over 50 members of staff representing all departments. This offers a hub structure for pulling the relevant work and activities together under one umbrella, thereby promoting exchange, cooperation and cohesion across RKI. The RKI is currently at an early and dynamic phase in its journey as a key Climate Actor. It is developing a strategy on the topic, guided by the “IANPHI Roadmap for Action on Health and Climate Change” in order to further strengthen its contribution in this area. This presentation will share how RKI has developed its strategy and its action plan for implementation, as well as some of the successes and challenges in their development.
The presentation aims to:
• promote shared learning between national public health institutes on climate change and health strategy development;
• provide an opportunity for shaping future planning at RKI through audience input;
• stimulate thinking on how national public health institutes can remain in exchange with key stakeholder groups and open to learning and adaptation of their strategies in order to be effective Key Climate Actors over the long term.
Which disciplines form digital public health, and how do they relate to each other?
Authors: Pan C 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
A standard public health definition, coined by Acheson in 1998 and adapted by the World Health Organization, describes public health as ‘the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organised efforts of society’. Several other definitions emphasise different foci such as living conditions, the efficient use and equitable distribution of resources, or sustainability. Yet, they all share the dual nature as a science and practice of public health, its focus on the health of entire populations, and its interdisciplinary nature. In particular, joint efforts of individual disciplines are needed to combine subject matter knowledge and approaches to protect and promote population health. Traditional core public health disciplines comprise the social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and environmental sciences. Their key tasks are summarised in the ten essential public health services, which can be further extended to digital public health. This extension leads to increasing use and integration of technological innovation and advancement into public health functions which require intensive collaborations with disciplines from the engineering field. In this presentation, we aim to describe the transition from public health to digital public health, emphasising the disciplines needed to tackle population health challenges in a digitalised world. In a first step, we will illustrate core disciplines and their sub-disciplines that are traditionally known in the public health field. In a second step, we will introduce further core and sub-disciplines prominent in digital public health. Finally, we will briefly present examples of key strengths and challenges of some of the disciplines. After this presentation, workshop participants should have a first understanding of the role and importance of interdisciplinarity in digital public health. Stefanie Do will host the table on epidemiology during the world coffee.
Tool-HLCA: An intervention to promote the health literacy of school-aged children
Authors: Schulenkorf T , Bauer U , Okan O 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
In the age of ‘infodemic,’ children and young people encounter health-related information in digital environments at an early age. They should therefore learn how to deal with these in a health-competent way while still at school. Above all, it is relevant that they learn how to distinguish good health information from false. This can be achieved by promoting health literacy. The intervention “Toolbox” combines areas of media education in schools and health literacy to be implemented in schools and curricula in the long term.

Methods
The intervention was designed to address existing health topics in the classroom while strengthening digital health literacy in grades 7 to 10. The Toolbox was piloted in three school classes in Germany and the feedback provided by teachers and students was implemented in a new version of the intervention.

Results
The basic understanding of health literacy in the Toolbox is finding, understanding, evaluating and using digital health information. These steps are followed through using quality criteria for good health information. Students learn that they need to find out the type of information, analyze the author, investigate the media provider, and also the sources given. If they are unsure, they can conduct an adapted questionnaire regarding identify misinformation and disinformation. In addition, the students and teachers receive working materials for group work.

Conclusions
Recognizing disinformation is a relevant skill already for children and adolescents. The intervention should make it easier for students to recognize good health information. For teachers it should be made easier to address health literacy in school without additional effort.
Health Literate Schools: Organizational Health Literacy in the School Setting
Authors: Kirchhoff S , Okan O 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Fostering health literacy is considered an important objective within school-based strategies of health promotion. To effectively strengthen health literacy in the school setting the approach of organizational health literacy can be transferred to and implemented in schools. This approach combines behaviour-focused measures (providing individual learning opportunities) and environment-orientated measures (changing school's framework conditions). The HeLit-Schools project aims at developing a school-based concept of organizational health literacy and tools to support schools in becoming health-literate schools.

Methods
Existing concepts of organizational health literacy of other setting are analysed and adapted to the school setting. The concept development includes the expertise of actors from the school field, health literacy research and health sector. They contribute by commenting, reviewing and validating the conceptualization at different stages in the development process. A quantitative assessment of schools’ organizational health literacy is planned to further validate the concept. Furthermore, a screening of existing materials and programs for schools to use to foster health literacy is being conducted.

Results
The developed HeLit-Schools concept describes eight standards of a health-literate school. Every standard focuses on a specific area within the school's organization that can be addressed and changed in order to strengthen everyone's health literacy at school more effectively. To additionally support schools in fostering health literacy in school as well as in the classroom, a structured collection of existing (teaching) materials and programs was assembled.

Conclusions
Enhancing schools’ organizational health literacy and thus promoting school development by optimizing schools’ structures, processes and conditions in a health-literate matter can lead to an effective and sustainable strengthening of health literacy of every individual at school.
Introducing Maternal Oral Health As Global Health And Public Health Agenda
Authors: Lee H 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Achieving and maintaining good oral health during pregnancy is essential for both the oral and overall health of expecting mothers and their young children. Dental caries can negatively affect daily activities including eating, speaking, and social interaction, and when expecting mothers have active dental caries, the risk for dental caries in these children becomes higher. Another common oral disease, periodontitis, was found to be associated with systemic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, and potentially adverse birth outcomes.

Importance
Some studies also showed the systemic impact of periodontal disease and the related pathogens that can lead to systemic inflammation and adverse birth outcomes. A mother's oral health status, her oral health knowledge, and beliefs also have been shown to significantly affect diet and home oral hygiene practice among her children.

Problem
Despite the importance of mother's oral health and oral health knowledge to prevent dental caries in young children, maternal oral health is much neglected in primary and prenatal health discussion. This is even more significant in developing countries where oral health care infrastructure and workforce are inadequate. With increase in sugar consumption growing worldwide with this lack of oral health care infrastructure, oral diseases prevention and oral health promotion are the key to achieve oral health parity among the maternal and child population.

Solution
In this presentation, the author will discuss literature on maternal oral health and how to position oral health as an essential part of perinatal care along with WHO oral health initiative set for 2030. This is an introduction presentation for this workshop to set a stage and make a case why maternal oral health is a critical topic to discuss in global health and public health perspectives.