Effect of Health Management in Raising Awareness Rate of Disease Prevention and Treatment in Patients with Prehypertension

Objective: To analyze the effect of health management on improving the awareness rate of disease prevention and treatment in patients with prehypertension, so as to provide guidance for clinical management of patients with prehypertension. Methods: 108 patients diagnosed with prehypertension in our hospital were divided into a control group and an experimental group. The control group was not given management measures, while the experimental group was given health management. The incidence of hypertension and cognition level of hypertension knowledge were compared between the two groups after management. Results: The incidence of hypertension in the experimental group was 7.41% lower than that in the control group 29.63%. The cognitive level of hypertension in the patients (66.54 ± 1.25) was significantly higher than that in the patients without health management (41.45 ± 2.45), and P < 0.05;Conclusion: For patients with prehypertension, the implementation of health management is helpful to improve their cognition of hypertension, master related prevention knowledge, and reduce the incidence of hypertension.

Assessment of public perspectives and barriers towards dengue preventive practices using the Health Belief Model in Puducherry,India:A cross-sectional study

Objective:To assess the perspectives and barriers towards dengue preventive practices among the residents of Puducherry,India.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 300 households in Puducherry,using a population-proportionate(7:3)distribution from urban and rural areas by grid sampling.One adult interview per household was conducted and the participants were selected using a KISH grid.A semi-structured questionnaire based on the Health Belief Model(HBM)with additional questions on knowledge assessment was used.Knowledge was assessed based on the correctness of answers and the HBM scores were calculated on a 5-point Likert scale.Participants were categorized based on the median score under each domain.Logistic regression was used for adjusted analysis and models were built to predict the performances in each domain.Results:Four percent of the participants lacked basic knowledge regarding dengue transmission.While 208(69.3%)participants did not consider themselves at risk of contracting dengue within the next year,majority perceived dengue as a disease with low severity.Around 49.3%(148)were skeptical about the benefit of time and money spent on dengue prevention.Inadequate government efforts were stated as the major barrier(47.0%)and frequent reminders(142,47.3%)as the major cue to action.Age above 50 years(aOR 1.78,95%CI 1.04-3.06,P=0.037)and rural locality(aOR 2.68,95%CI 1.52-4.71,P=0.001)were found to be significantly associated with poor knowledge scores.Urban participants had a significantly higher chance to perceive low susceptibility as compared to the rural counterparts(aOR 1.74,95%CI 1.05-2.9,P=0.03).Participants with less than a high school education had low perceived benefits(aOR 2.46,95%CI 1.52-3.96,P<0.001)and low self-efficacy scores(aOR 2.66,95%CI 1.61-4.39,P<0.001).Conclusions:This study identifies key gaps in dengue prevention,including low perceived susceptibility,mild disease perception,limited knowledge of breeding sites,and overreliance on government efforts.Tailoring interventions to community needs,stratified to factors influencing the community perspectives can significantly improve dengue prevention efforts.

Survey on the Status Quo of Emergency Response Capabilities of Public Health Emergencies in Grassroots Disease Control Institutions in a Certain Area

Objective:To survey and study the emergency response capabilities of grassroots disease control institutions in a certain area for public health emergencies,and to put forward suggestions for rectification.Methods:The study was carried out from March 2022 to March 2023.Field surveys,questionnaire surveys,and interviews were used to investigate and analyze the emergency response capabilities of public health emergencies in 5 county Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDCs)in the region.Results:Through the survey,it was found that the professional level of the existing emergency team personnel of the grassroots disease control institutions in this region needs to be improved.There was an overall lack of emergency plans,and the compliance rate of the equipment,inspection,and testing items was low.The health emergency system of the CDCs in the region and the ability of the talent team need to be further improved.Conclusion:The emergency response capacity of grassroots disease control institutions in this region needs to be improved.For this reason,government departments need to increase investment and strengthen the construction of talent teams and hardware settings,and grassroots disease control institutions need to strengthen the construction of the public health emergency system to improve the ability to respond to public health emergencies.

The History of Controlling and Treating Infectious Diseases in Ancient China

Infectious diseases are the common enemies of mankind.In the course of historical development,they persistently threaten human health and safety.Even today,despite the developments in medical science,we cannot escape the fear and suffering caused by infectious diseases.Whether in ancient or modern times,the source of infection,route of transmission,and a susceptible population are the three key conditions for the prevalence and spread of infectious diseases.All factors closely related to these three conditions can affect the prevalence of infectious diseases.China is one of the cradles of world civilization.The ancient people accumulated a great deal of experience and lessons in the long struggle against infectious diseases.In the face of the current threat posed by widespread infectious disease,it is imperative to review and summarize ancient Chinese ideas and health policies on epidemic prevention and control to inspire contemporary efforts in the prevention and control of infectious disease.The combination of prevention-oriented epidemic prevention ideology and traditional medicine provides valuable insights,especially for impoverished and medically underserved regions.

The Limits of the Intervention of Public Power in Individual Health Choices——From the Perspective of the Realization of the Right to Health in the Prevention and Control of Chronic Diseases

Noncommunicable chronic diseases have become the most important public health problem in the world today,so the focus of public health services should be shifted from the traditional area of communicable diseases to the prevention and control of chronic diseases.Since bad living habits are the most direct cause of chronic diseases,the most effective measure to prevent and control chronic diseases is to promote healthy lifestyles for the individual citizen.The theories of equal health opportunity,the right to health from the perspective of human rights,and determinants of a healthy society provide justified reasons for the intervention of public power in individual health choices.In the current legal system,the intervention of public power is limited to flexible measures such as health education,which shows respect for individual autonomy.However,it is inconsistent with the needs of current public health practice.We should expand diversified intervention means to encourage individuals to make healthy choices under the guidance of the management model.The“ladder of intervention”outlines a panoramic view of the intervention measures available.However,for the selection of specific measures,it is necessary to consider the public health objectives and the invasion of individual freedom,introduce the“legal reservation principle”and“proportionality principle”as policy analysis tools,and reasonably choose intervention measures at different levels on the ladder to properly handle the tension between public power and private rights.

Ancylostoma ceylanicum and other zoonotic canine hookworms:neglected public and animal health risks in the Asia-Pacific region

Zoonotic hookworm infections remain a significant public health problem,causing nearly 500 milion cases globally and approximately four million disability-adjusted life years lost annually.More than one-fth of these cases are attrib-uted to Ancylostoma ceylanicum,an emerging zoonotic health issue in the Asia-Pacific region.This review presents key research gaps regarding the epidemiology,diagnosis,control,prevention and elimination of A.ceylanicum and other canine zoonotic hookworms as neglected health threats.A.ceylanicum is the second most prevalent human hook-worm in the region;it is the most common hookworm among dogs and cats-reservoirs of zoonotic infections.Previous population genetic and phylogenetic analyses revealed that A.ceylanicum has three possible transmis-sion dynamics:zoonotic,animal-only,and human-only pathways.The actual burden of zoonotic ancylostomiasis in most endemic countries remains unknown due to the use of parasitological techniques(e.g.,Kato-Katz thick smear and floatation techniques)that have reduced diagnostic performance and do not allow accurate species identifica-tion in helminth surveys.The emergence of benzimidazole resistance in soil-transmitted helminths(STHs),includ-ing hookworms,is a concern due to the protracted implementation of mass drug administration(MDA).Resistance is conferred by single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)that occur in theβ-tubulin isotype 1 gene.These mutations have been reported in drug-resistant A.caninum but have not been found in A.ceylanicum in the field.A.ceylanicum remains understudied in the Asia-Pacific region.The zoonotic nature of the parasite warrants investigation of its occur-rence in human and animal reservoir hosts to understand the dynamics of zoonotic transmission in different endemic foci.The detection of benzimidazole resistance-associated SNPs in zoonotic hookworms from Asia-Pacific countries has yet to be thoroughly explored.Considering the high level of hookworm endemicity in the region,the circulation of resistant isolates between humans and animals potentially presents a significant One Health threat that can under-mine current MDA and proposed animal deworming-based control efforts.

Health Awareness: A Significant Factor in Chronic Diseases Prevention and Access to Care

Health literacy and awareness are essential strategies in promoting global health and improving access to care. While seen as an essential tool for promoting population health awareness to improve early detection and treatment of chronic diseases, it is yet to be emphasized in most African countries. Health literacy is an essential practice to promote chronic disease prevention and reduce the growing threat to population health. Incidences and mortalities from chronic diseases commonly arise from limited knowledge of the causative risk factors and access to health facilities. Without knowledge about causes, health impacts, and available health services, people continue to indulge in the habits that worsen their health conditions and fail to access care timely. By using health literacy and awareness as a tool for chronic disease prevention, healthcare professionals will develop strategic health awareness programs that fit the socio-demographics of the population they serve. This article explored the significant role health awareness occupies in individual and community health prevention through health promotion and education. It reviewed the concept and dimensions of chronic disease prevention, cultural beliefs and impact on chronic diseases, gaps created by low health literacy, and the significance of health literacy in disease prevention and health promotion. Furthermore, it recommends that health systems and local communities form partnerships to address common and emerging health problems, and health systems should be properly funded.

Healthier Food of Animal Origin and Prevention of Campylobacteriosis

Campylobacter species belong to the most important foodborne bacteria which cause gastroenteritis in humans in both developed and developing countries. Applied hygienic measures result only partially efficient, as demonstrated by the high number of reported cases in the human population. Alternative strategies to prevent the disease though a direct action at primary production level have been explored. Preliminary data showed that cattle and pigs fed with bamboo and olive by-products, respectively, were free from Campylobacter, suggesting potential sustainable prevention strategy. In addition, biochemical analysis showed high levels of unsaturated fatty acids in red meat and meat products, adequate for the application of health claims in line with EU food law.

Sustainable Community Epidemic Prevention Countermeasures against Public Health Emergencies

How to deal with public health emergencies is an important issue related to the normal life of community residents. However, after the corresponding understanding, it is found that a series of unsustainable epidemic prevention factors have been exposed in the community in the COVID-19, such as blocked access to basic materials, unsafe living environment, and lack of social platforms. In view of these problems, based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the changes in the hierarchy of needs of residents during the epidemic were analyzed, and sustainable community epidemic prevention strategies were proposed from five aspects of material storage, safe environment, social platform, respect opportunity and self-worth realization, so as to provide effective reference for future response to public health emergencies.

Analysis of CDC’s Role in Public Health Emergencies

Objective:To explore the role of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC)in public health emergencies.Methods:The details of 12 public health events that occurred between January 2021 to December 2022 were analyzed to explore the roles of the CDC.Results:There were 160 patients involved in 10 public health events in 2021 and 48 patients involved in 2 public health events in 2022.Besides,the proportion of school public health events in 2022 was 0%,which was lower than in 2021,which was 80%(P<0.05).99.38%of patients during public health events were sent to the hospital promptly in 2022,which was higher than that in 2021,which was 81.25%(P<0.05).Furthermore,the average time taken for the CDC to control public health events in 2022 was 20.11±1.62 hours,and the average time taken to send inspection reports was shorter than that in 2021.The public satisfaction score was also higher in 2022 compared to 2021(P<0.05).Conclusion:The role of the CDC is to control infectious diseases.Therefore,it is important to pinpoint the existing problems in the strategies implemented by the CDC so that more improvements can be made to better prevent infectious diseases.

Report on Cardiovascular Health and Diseases in China 2022:an Updated Summary

In the past 30 years,the accessibility and quality index of medical care have made remarkable progress in China,ranking the first among middle-income countries.Many cardiovascular technologies are at or near the world's leading level,and significant progress has been achieved in China solving the problem of“treatment difficulty”of cardiovascular diseases(CVD).However,due to the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles among Chinese residents,a huge population with CVD risk factors,accelerated population aging,and other reasons,the incidence and mortality rate of CVD are still increasing,and the turning point of the decline in disease burden has not appeared yet in China.In terms of proportions of disease mortality among urban and rural residents,CVD still ranks the first.In 2020,CVD accounted for 48.00%and 45.86%of the causes of death in rural and urban areas,respectively;two out of every five deaths were due to CVD.It is estimated that the number of current CVD patients in China is around 330 million,including 13 million stroke,11.39 million coronary heart disease,8.9 million heart failure,5 million pulmonary heart disease,4.87 million atrial fibrillation,2.5 million rheumatic heart disease,2 million congenital heart disease,45.3 million peripheral artery disease,and 245 million hypertension cases.China has entered a new stage of transformation from high-speed development to high-quality development,and the prevention and control of CVD in China should also shift from previous emphasis on scale growth to strategies focusing more on strategic and key technological development in order to curb the trend of increasing incidence and mortality rates of CVD.

High-intensity interval training for health benefits and care of cardiac diseases——The key to an efficient exercise protocol

Aerobic capacity, which is expressed as peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), is well-known to be an independent predictor of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular prognosis. This is true even for people with various coronary risk factors and cardiovascular diseases. Although exercise training is the best method to improve VO2peak, the guidelines of most academic societies recommend 150 or 75 min of moderate- or vigorous- intensity physical activities, respectively, every week to gain health benefits. For general health and primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been recognized as an efficient exercise protocol with short exercise sessions. Given the availability of the numerous HIIT protocols, which can be classified into aerobic HIIT and anaerobic HIIT [usually called sprint interval training (SIT)], professionals in health-related fields, including primary physicians and cardiologists, may find it confusing when trying to select an appropriate protocol for their patients. This review describes the classifications of aerobic HIIT and SIT, and their differences in terms of effects, target subjects, adaptability, working mechanisms, and safety. Understanding the HIIT protocols and adopting the correct type for each subject would lead to better improvements in VO2peak with higher adherence and less risk.

Enlightenment from the COVID-19 Pandemic:The Roles of Environmental Factors in Future Public Health Emergency Response

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic is challenging the current public health emergency response systems(PHERSs)of many countries.Although environmental factors,such as those influencing the survival of viruses and their transmission between species including humans,play important roles in PHERSs,little attention has been given to these factors.This study describes and elucidates the roles of environmental factors in future PHERSs.To improve countries’capability to respond to public health emergencies associated with viral infections such as the COVID-19 pandemic,a number of environmental factors should be considered before,during,and after the responses to such emergencies.More specifically,to prevent pandemic outbreaks,we should strengthen environmental and wildlife protection,conduct detailed viral surveillance in animals and hotspots,and improve early-warning systems.During the pandemic,we must study the impacts of environmental factors on viral behaviors,develop control measures to minimize secondary environmental risks,and conduct timely assessments of viral risks and secondary environmental effects with a view to reducing the impacts of the pandemic on human health and on ecosystems.After the pandemic,we should further strengthen surveillance for viruses and the prevention of viral spread,maintain control measures for minimizing secondary environmental risks,develop our capability to scientifically predict pandemics and resurgences,and prepare for the next unexpected resurgence.Meanwhile,we should restore the normal life and production of the public based on the“One Health”concept,that views global human and environmental health as inextricably linked.Our recommendations are essential for improving nations’capability to respond to global public health emergencies.

A review of physicochemical and biological contaminants in drinking water and their impacts on human health

Clean drinking water is one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.Despite significant progress in the water purification technology,many regions still lack access to clean water.This paper provides a review of selected water contaminants and their impacts on human health.The World Health Organization(WHO)guidelines and regional standards for key contaminants were used to characterise water quality in the European Union and UK.The concept of safe drinking water was explained based on the non-observed adverse effect level,threshold concentrations for toxic chemicals,and their total daily intake.Various techniques for monitoring water contaminants and the drinking water standards from five different countries,including the UK,USA,Canada,Pakistan and India,were compared to WHO recommended guidelines.The literature on actual water quality in these regions and its potential health impacts was also discussed.Finally,the role of public water suppliers in identifying and monitoring drinking water contaminants in selected developed countries was presented as a potential guideline for developing countries.This review emphasised the need for a comprehensive understanding of water quality and its impacts on human health to ensure access to clean drinking water worldwide.

Physical activity in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease:Overview updated

Although the observed progress in the cardiovascular disease treatment, the incidence of new and recurrent coronary artery disease remains elevated and constitutes the leading cause of death in the developed countries. Three-quarters of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases could be prevented with adequate changes in lifestyle, including increased daily physical activity. New evidence confirms that there is an inverse dose-response relationship between physical activity and cardiovascular disease and mortality risk. However, participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity may not fully attenuate the independent effect of sedentary activities on increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Physical activity also plays an important role in secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases by reducing the impact of the disease, slowing its progress and preventing recurrence. Nonetheless, most of eligible cardiovascular patients still do not benefit from secondary prevention/cardiac rehabilitation programs. The present review draws attention to the importance of physical activity in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. It also addresses the mechanisms by which physical activity and regular exercise can improve cardiovascular health and reduce the burden of the disease.

Nursing ethics for prevention and control of major infectious disease outbreaks:Chinese expert consensus

Background Major infectious disease has become a serious threat to people’s health worldwide.As the world’s largest healthcare workforce and the core forces fighting against the epidemic,nurses are on the frontline of this battle.A number of ethical issues have given rise to numerous concerns that have largely affected nurses in different ways as they respond to the epidemic.In addition,excessive expectations from people can exert undue pressure,which can easily lead to burnout in nurses.Methods In this consensus,the expert panel method was used to develop and reach a consensus.The members involved in the formation of the consensus included an expert discussion panel and a consensus writing expert group,a methodologist,and four secretaries.After 16 rounds of online expert consultation and two rounds of expert panel meetings,the writing team analyzed and reviewed the 78 amendments suggested by the experts to develop a consensus on nursing ethics for prevention and control of major infectious disease outbreaks based on the ethical vision of life care.Results This expert consensus focuses on five essential domains:the responsibilities and rights of nurses,the nurse-patient relationship,the doctor-nurse relationship,and the relationship between society and nurses throughout the epidemic.Conclusions We hope this consensus can help nurses better understand and respond to the ethical issues and challenges in public health emergencies,and raise reasonable public expectations of the roles and responsibilities of nurses in these situations.

Tea in cardiovascular health and disease:a critical appraisal of the evidence

The findings of various epidemiological studies,interventions using randomized controlled trials and mechanistic experiments have suggested a protective role of tea and its bioactive components in cardiovascular health.The potential of tea in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases(CVDs)has therefore attracted increasing research interest.Polyphenols,in particular flavonoids,found in both green and black tea,have been suggested to play a primary role in the reduction of CVD risk.While promising results regarding the effects of tea on blood pressure and other CVD-related biomarkers have been found in preclinical experiments,the effects demonstrated in human studies are modest and less satisfactory.This discrepancy may be explained,at least in part,by different research strategies used in human and animal research.However,since tea is globally one of the most commonly consumed beverages,even small beneficial effects in humans may shift the population distribution of CVD risk,with major implications for public health.However,research conducted to date does not yield sufficiently robust evidence to allow a recommendation as to an optimal level of tea consumption as an element of health policies seeking to prevent hypertension and improve cardiovascular health.

Oral health status of Chinese residents and suggestions for prevention and treatment strategies

Objective:To understand the oral health status of urban and rural residents in China,the Fourth National Oral Health Epidemiological Survey (FNOHES) was conducted in 2015.Materials and methods:Based on the principles of multi-stage,stratified,equal capacity,and random sampling,the subjects included five groups of residents aged 3-5,12-15,35-44,55-64,and 65-74 years in all 31 provinces,municipalities,and autonomous regions except Hong Kong,Macao,and Taiwan.The total sample size was 172,425.The survey covered two areas,namely oral health status and knowledge,attitude and oral health behavior.Results:Residents in China had serious caries and poor periodontal condition.The prevalence of caries was above 50% in all age groups,subjects without periodontal disease accounted for <50%,and fewer than 50% of subjects brushed their teeth twice a day.Based on the results of the FNOHES,the following suggestions were proposed for improving the oral health in China in the future:to establish and improve the comprehensive prevention and control system for oral diseases,implement a comprehensive prevention and control strategy for priority groups,strengthen the oral health education for all people to improve oral health literacy,enhance dynamic monitoring to scientifically evaluate oral health status,and coordinate multi-party resources to establish and improve the oral health service security system.Conclusion:The oral health status of Chinese residents and their oral health behavior habits need to be improved.With the support of the administrative departments of the government and unremitting efforts of the oral health staff,all sectors of society must be coordinated to strengthen oral health education for the whole population.Furthermore,comprehensive prevention and control measures must be implemented for priority groups.

Public health preparedness and responses to the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic in South Asia:a situation and policy analysis

Like rest of the world,the South Asian region is facing enormous challenges with the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.The socio-economic context of the eight South Asian countries is averse to any longterm lockdown program,but the region still observed stringent lockdown close to two months.This paper analyzed major measures in public health preparedness and responses in those countries in the pandemic.The research was based on a situation analysis to discuss appropriate plan for epidemic preparedness,strategies for prevention and control measures,and adequate response management mechanism.Based on the data from March 21 to June 26,2020,it appeared lockdown program along with other control measures were not as effective to arrest the exponential growth of fortnightly COVID-19 cases in Afghanistan,Bangladesh,India,Nepal and Pakistan.However,Bhutan,Maldives and Sri Lanka have been successfully limiting the spread of the disease.The in-depth analysis of prevention and control measures espoused densely populated context of South Asia needs community-led intervention strategy,such as case containment,in order to reverse the growing trend,and adopt the policy of mitigation instead of suppression to formulate COVID-19 action plan.On the other hand,mechanism for response management encompassed a four-tier approach of governance to weave community-led local bodies with state,national and international governance actors for enhancing the countries’emergency operation system.It is concluded resource-crunch countries in South Asia are unable to cope with the disproportionate demand of capital and skilled health care workforce at the time of the pandemic.Hence,response management needs an approach of governance maximization instead of resource maximization.The epidemiologic management of population coupled with suitable public health prevention and control measures may be a more appropriate strategy to strike a balance between economy and population health during the time of pandemic.