Communicating health through health footprints

The depth and scale of challenges posed by noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease are now well known and clearly documented. Reducing the 4 key risk factors has been shown to reduce premature mortality and morbidity by 70% globally. The authors consider how affirmative action can be driven to reduce these risk factors through Health Footprints, targeted interventions within specific domains of consumption, on the basis of an assessment of the negative health effect of specific choices, with the goal of driving healthy choices and improving health. In this article, the authors propose a methodology that ties together insight from public health, behavioral economics, marketing, and health communication. They offer 3 specific examples for affirmative action: a Pigovian tax on unhealthy foods, group-level interventions on the basis of sharing key health data, and personalized prevention tailored to specific individuals. In addition, they discuss the approach to implementation, including the role of an apex coordinating organization in setting standards for data and ethics, and evaluation of the effect of interventions to drive continuous improvement.     

Ecosystem health and human health

The study of ecosystem health is a relatively recent discipline that has already provided new insights into numerous aspects of environmental management. One of the most interesting fields of study is the one investigating the relationships between ecosystem and human heath. In this paper some basic terms of reference are given in order to help the understanding of this new approach. One definition of ecosystem health is given, possible causes of degradation are indicated and links with human health are addressed. The ecosystem approach to human health stresses the importance of cultural and social values in shaping the concept of health, both at human and at ecosystem level. Two case-studies showing man-ecosystem interactions are described: mining activities, that provide a suitable field of application of the ecosystem approach, and the case of malaria and DDT, that shows the risks of certain policies neglecting basic human expectations such as health. As a conclusion, some suggestions for possible research activities are given and a few recommendations for sound public health policies are indicated.     

Community health and foot health

The limiting factor in health and mobility for many seniors is the state of their feet. The origins of their foot problems can often be traced back to childhood and years of wearing badly fitting or inappropriate footwear. Well-fitting footwear is essential if mobility and independence are to be retained. The chiropodist (or podiatrist) is a health professional specializing in the treatment of conditions of the foot. Some common foot conditions, together with their treatments, are described. Although numbers of chiropodists in Canada are limited, their role is being increasingly recognized in maintaining or restoring mobility, and also their place in the community health team.     

Oral health and systemic health

Certain cancers, hypertension, diabetes, leukemia, gastrointestinal disorders, osteoporosis, and HIV and other infectious diseases can manifest themselves in the oral cavity. In addition, some of these conditions and the therapies for them can affect the teeth and mouth. This article outlines what physicians should know about how certain medical conditions and medications can affect dental health and treatment, how dentists can help detect underlying medical conditions, and how the two professions can better serve patients by working together. placement of implants, periodontal surgery, endodontic treatment, or subgingival manipulation. Physicians should be aware of potential complications from dental treatment, inform patients of the risks, and communicate to the patient's dentist about the patient's physical status, the extent to which his or her condition is under control, and how to prevent complications. The following examples illustrate the need for such interaction between physicians and dentists.     

亚健康与健康管理——认识亚健康,做自己的健康管理医师

亚健康问题已成为受社会关注的的热点之一,亚健康作为健康与疾病的中介状态,具有可向疾病发展、又可向健康逆转的双向性,因此,对亚健康的诊断,及时采取干预措施,有助于个体向健康方向转化,对阻止疾病的发生、发展是极其有价值的,本文探讨了亚健康的理念及评估方法.并探讨通过健康管理中心这个平台,利用综合手段,如健康教育宣传、电话咨询、电视、电台健康节目互动、互联网、健康管理门诊治疗、亚健康评估、心理治疗、社会生活方式指导、健康监测等,对亚健康人群进行个体化的健康管理,从而使亚健康状态向健康方面发展,避免慢性病的发生.     

Self-rated health in rural Appalachia: health perceptions are incongruent with health status and health behaviors

Background  

Appalachia is characterized by poor health behaviors, poor health status, and health disparities. Recent interventions have not demonstrated much success in improving health status or reducing health disparities in the Appalachian region. Since one's perception of personal health precedes his or her health behaviors, the purpose of this project was to evaluate the self-rated health of Appalachian adults in relation to objective health status and current health behaviors.     

公共卫生和公共卫生突发事件

该文从理论角度阐述什么是现代公共卫生观念 ,公共卫生应在公共卫生突发事件处理中发挥什么作用和怎样发挥作用 ,希望对确定我国现代公共卫生理论体系有所启发     

健康技能在健康知识与健康行为间的中介效应研究

健康技能是将健康知识转化为健康行为的一种能力,即运用健康知识来沟通、理性思考和探究问题等思辨的技能。根据知信行理论模式:"知识(信息)是行为改变的基础,是行为转变的必要条     

Subjective health indicators and health promotion

This article gives an account of subjective (perceived) healthmeasurement based upon the development and use of an indicatorknown as the Nottingham Health Profile, an instrument that aimsto show the subjective elements of the experience of healthand illness by using the ordinary language of the intended respondent.The author discusses the possibility of using subjective healthindicators for the assessment of health promotion activitiesand examines ways in which these indicators might be used inhealth promotion research.