Health Cooperation Research Articles

Working in a team and mental health

Humans have always naturally lived in groups, which has asignificant impact on the well-being and mental stability of the individual. Various physiological processes are coregulated via the closeness of other persons. About one third of our adulthood is spent at work where social relationships often play an important role, because we are typically working with other individuals in groups or ateam. In these situations, mutual support and successful cooperation can develop, which promotes the mental and physical health of the employees of acompany ("social capital"). From various perspectives it becomes obvious that the quality of relationships at the workplace is akey factor for the satisfaction and health of individual employees as well as for the cohesion, resilience and performance of the entire team. This is confirmed by empirical findings that still need to be expanded, especially with respect to the neurobiological associations of the cooperation in teams and individual health.

A Patient with Decubitus Ulcer in the Scapular Region: Case Report

Decubitus ulcers are a widespread healthcare problem, especially among hospitalized patients who receive long-term time treatment. A multidisciplinary approach is required to provide appropriate treatment. The patient's general health status and cooperation define the treatment methods. Decubitus ulcers of the scapular region are not a common entity. This paper aimed to present a case with the successful treatment of decubitus ulcer stage IV with diagnosed Staphylococcus aureus deep wound infection in a patient who followed up by home health care service. Our multidisciplinary approach includes cleaning, debridement and dressing of the wound, optimized dressings, anti-biotherapy, the role of reconstructive surgery, and improvement of nutritional conditions and chronic health problems. Keywords: decubitus ulcer, pressure ulcer, geographic locations

Personalized clinical managements through exploring circulating neural cells and electroencephalography.

Since an initial diagnosis of Alzheimer disease (AD) in 1907, early detection, was unavailable through 116 years. Up-regulation of V-Ets erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homolog 2 (Ets2) is capable to enhance neuronal susceptibility and degeneration. Protein expression (PE) of Ets2 has functional impact on AD and Down's syndrome, with diverse intensity. PE of Ets2 has an influential pathogenic impact on AD. Clinical aspects of neurological disorders directly interact with psychological maladies. However, deterioration requires an early management including programmed based protection. To include cell biology in neuro-genetics; personalized, prognostics, predictive, preventive, predisposing (5xP) platform, accompanied by stratifying brain channels behavior pre- and post-intervention by light music in the AD-patients. Include exploration of PE assay and electroencephalography of brain channels. The processes are applied according to: (1) Triangle style, by application of cellular network; and (2) PE assay of Ets2 in the peripheral blood of the patients with AD, by Manual single cell based analysis, and Flow-cytometry. (1) Applying the Genetic counselling and pedigree analysis; (2) considering the psychological status of the referral cases; (3) considering the macro-and/or micro-environmental factors; (4) performing the required Genetics' analysis; and (5) applying the required complementary test(s). PE of Ets2 has pathogenic role in AD. PE unmasked the nature of heterogeneity/diversity/course of evolution by exploring Ets2, D1853N polymorphism in Ataxia Telangiectasia mutated gene (ATM), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and course of evolution at the single cell level of the brain. Ets2 revealed different cellular behavior in the blood and suggested the strategy as 'Gene Product-Based Therapy' and the personalized managements for the patients. PE reflected weak expression of ATM, mosaic pattern of Ets2; remarkable expression of VEGF and EGF by highlighting an early detective platform, considering circulating neural cells (CNCs) and the required molecular investigation, for the target individual(s) predisposed to AD or other neural disease including brain neoplasia. Brain channels-cooperation with diverse/interactive-ratios lead to strategic balancing for improving the life-quality in AD. We highlighted application of the single CNCs and correlated Ratio based between Brain channels by providing the 5xP personalized clinical management model for an early detection and therapy of the patients with AD and their targeted/predisposed relatives. Novel-evolutionary/hypothetic/heterogenic-results in brain-channels offer personalizd/constructive markers with unlimited cooperation in health and disease.

South-South Cooperation for development : an introduction

The text discusses the importance of international cooperation in science, technology, and innovation (STI), highlighting changes in bilateral partnerships between Brazil and China, especially in the space sector, and the promotion of health cooperation in South America. Additionally, it examines transnational networks involving Brazilian scientists and researchers and regional inequalities in scientific collaboration. It also explores the evolution of technical cooperation in sectors such as metrology and food security, emphasizing the potential for future cooperation initiatives and the need for a strategic approach to sectoral agendas such as health and STI.

Collaboration against infectious diseases in border region between North and South Korea

This study aims to prepare countermeasures that prevent the spread of infectious diseases including malaria and African Swine Fever (ASF) in regions adjacent to the DMZ and border region between North and South Korea and propose exchanges and collaboration measures between North and South Korea against diseases. For this, we reviewed cases of inter-Korean cooperation promoted by the Korean government or local governments and related studies and examined collaboration and problem factors in health and medicine between North and South Korea. Additionally, rooted by the exchange model for border areas between East and West Germany, we suggest applicable measures in the inter-Korean border areas. We put forward proposals for the continuous and specific development of inter-Korean health and medical cooperation plan on the basis of establishing Committee on Border Areas and Agreement on Health and Medicine by supplementing the limitation of piecemeal approach and support at one-time in North-South Korea relations in the past. Additionally, the current study suggests the need for inter-Korean cooperation at the local government level for joint malaria prevention, and prevention of the spread of livestock infectious diseases.

Health systems efficiency in China and ASEAN, 2015–2020: a DEA-Tobit and SFA analysis application

ObjectiveTo evaluate the health systems efficiency in China and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries from 2015 to 2020.DesignHealth efficiency analysis using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and stochastic frontier...

The priority areas and possible pathways for health cooperation in BRICS countries

As one of the largest alliances of middle-income countries, the BRICS, known as an acronym for five countries including “Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa”, represents half of the global population. The health cooperation among BRICS countries will benefit their populations and other middle- and low-income countries. This study aims to summarize the current status of health cooperation in BRICS countries and identify opportunities to strengthen BRICS participation in global health governance. A literature review was conducted to analyze the status, progress, and challenges of BRICS' health cooperation. Content analysis was used to review the 2011–2021 annual joint declarations of the BRICS Health Ministers Meetings. The priority health areas were identified through segmental frequency analysis. Our research suggested that communicable diseases, access to medicine, and universal health coverage appeared most frequently in the content of declarations, indicating the possible top health priorities among BRICS' health collaboration. These priority areas align with the primary health challenges of each country, including the threats of double burden of diseases, as well as the need for improving health systems and access to medicines. Respective external cooperation, inter-BRICS health cooperation, and unified external cooperation are the main forms of health cooperation among BRICS countries. However, challenges such as the lack of a unified image and precise position, lack of practical impact, and weak discourse power have impeded the impact of BRICS on health governance. This study suggests that the BRICS countries should recognize their positioning, improve their unified image, and establish cooperative entities; at the same time, they should increase their practical strength, promote non-governmental cooperation, and expand the cooperation space through the “BRICS Plus” mechanism with countries with similar interests to join.

International Cooperation during a Transboundary Crisis: A Review of Theoretical Perspectives on States’ Responses to the Coronavirus Pandemic

Abstract The coronavirus crisis has negated the widely held post-Cold War narrative that the rise of non-state actors like non-governmental organizations, social movements and firms would end up supplanting states as the main actors on the international stage. States were the first responders to emerging health-related transboundary crises before the great strides of the 19th and 20th centuries to institutionalize health cooperation. Two decades into the 21st century, the world and state-level pandemics preparedness were exposed. The pandemic wreaked havoc on all states, notwithstanding their military and economic capabilities. It surpassed power asymmetries prevailing in the community of states. Among the many purposes of International Relations (IR) theories, include an attempt to explain and predict patterns of national behaviours or understand the world “inside the heads” of actors. What, then, can we learn from IR theories about the need for states to cooperate, and why was such cooperation not forthcoming, especially during the initial phases of the outbreak? Why was the initial global response so shambolic and largely inward-looking and uncoordinated? To answer these questions, the article draws insights from various IR theoretical strands and the ensuing structural, state and individual-level explanations of various actors’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Population-level, patient-reported outcomes: a case study regarding a public health intervention that involves patients with life-limiting illnesses.

Dying and death are public health concerns, but little is known about public health interventions that target populations living with life-limiting illnesses. This gap makes it difficult to identify best-practice public health interventions for this population and to achieve public health objectives. The study aimed to describe a public health intervention that intends to improve population-level outcomes using point-of-care and patient-reported outcomes. A case study approach, informed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) Best-Practice Public Health Framework, was used to describe coverage, effectiveness, and equity using mixed methods. Data from 2012 to 2022 were analyzed. Over the 10-year period, the number of deaths recorded in the programme (n = 16,358 to 32,421, +98.2%) as well as the percentage of the population that might benefit from palliative care increased (14.8% to 25.1%). The median age of those admitted for care (74 to 77 years) and the proportion of services participating in the programme located in outer regional and remote areas of Australia increased (2012: 59; 2022: 94; +5.4%). The access by patients that experience the greatest socioeconomic disadvantage decreased (2012: 18.2% n = 4,918; 2022: 15.9% n = 9,525). Improvements in relation to moderate distress related to pain were identified (2012: 63% n = 8,751, 2022: 69% n = 13,700), and one in five instances of severe distress related to pain did not improve (2012: 20% n = 781; 2022: 19% n = 635). Population-level, patient-reported outcome data are useful and necessary in addressing public health objectives in populations with life-limiting illnesses. Our application of the OECD's Best-Practice Public Health Framework has helped to identify and describe a national intervention that may be transferred to other settings to address health promotion objectives. This may help improve the targeting of treatments to improve pain and issues related to equity.

A study on the representation of mental disorders in Turkish newspapers

Background Newspapers that address mental disorders affect health care positively or negatively and can affect the public’s perspective with the way they explain mental disorders. Aims To examine the representation of news about mental disorders published in Turkish newspapers. Methods Using the document analysis method, 230 news about mental disorders published in the six most read newspapers in 2022 were examined. Results It has been concluded that the descriptive characteristics of individuals with mental disorders are often stated, schizophrenia and psychotic disorders are mentioned most, mental disorders are associated with delinquency and violent behaviour, these people are mostly represented by being detained as a result of the events, and negative concepts are frequently used in newspaper reports. Five sub-themes were determined under the main theme of “Negative Concepts”: “Exaggerated Discourses”, “Stigmatizing Discourses”, “Discourses Targeting Mental Health”, “Discourses That May Cause Negative Emotions”, “Discourses Containing Misdescription”. Conclusions Newspaper items about mental disorders are represented as stigmatizing and misleading by using negative concepts. The sensitivity of media workers, the development of mental health policies and cooperation with mental health workers contribute to the recovery process of individuals with mental disorders.

Mental health policy and implementation from 2009 to 2020 in China

Mental health is a major component of overall health. Before 2009, the inequity between supply and demand of mental health services in China was extremely prominent, and the mental health service system faced significant challenges. In 2009, China embarked on its new healthcare system reform. The government attributed much more importance to mental health services and introduced a series of policies and measures to improve the mental health service system, as well as personnel service capability and service models. For example, the Mental Health Law was issued, community mental health services were expanded to the whole country, more psychiatric hospitals and clinics were built, the number of psychiatrists was increased through academic education, and a comprehensive mechanism of interdepartmental cooperation in mental health was established to improve service delivery. Furthermore, the mental health of key groups such as children, adolescents and older people was emphasized, and more attention was gradually paid to patients with common mental disorders to realize the stepwise transformation from an individual-focused mental health approach to a public-focused one. Most of the implementations began with pilot projects that developed practical experience and then expanded all over the country. This article summarizes and analyses the important mental health policies and implementations in China from 2009 to 2020 and prioritizes the next steps.

Strategy of Islamic Rural Banks Improving Financial Performance During the Covid-19 Pandemic

This study aims to measure the pattern of Islamic Rural Banks strategic management in Central Java during the Covid-19 Pandemic. This study use SWOT Analysis by determining Internal Factor Analysis Summary (IFAS) and External Factor Analysis Summary (EFAS). The sources of this research data were collected through a Focus Group Discussion conducted with the Financial Services Authority, Islamic Rural Banks Practitioners and Academics. The results of the study show that the Islamic Rural Banks considers the Covid-19 pandemic as a challenge with several priority aspects of control. Strategy formulation and implementation are carried out through changes to the Bank's Business Plan. Bank limited the distribution of high-risk financing during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Islamic Rural Banks focuses on the health sector, cooperation and government projects.

Lessons Learned from COVID-19 to better address future threats to global health security: A Critical Analysis of Experts Perspectives

Emerging infectious diseases have had a significant impact on the Asia-Pacific region in recent years, including a severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak that occurred in 2002-2003, which had a substantial impact on several Asia-Pacific economies, the outbreak of highly pathogenic Asian avian influenza A (H5N1) that followed in 2006, strains of H1N1, and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). There is an increasing frequency and impact of emerging infectious diseases (EID), as demonstrated by the current global outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). The Asia-Pacific region is particularly vulnerable to the spread of EID across national borders. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Health Working Group conducted an International Workshop on Managing Emerging Infectious Diseases (MEID) in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 12–16 September 2022. The workshop focused on a lesson-learning approach and aimed to strengthen global and domestic preparedness for the next pandemic. Four key lessons can be drawn from the APEC region's COVID-19 pandemic. First, zoonotic outbreaks threaten health security, making One Health an urgent necessity. Secondly, collaboration and partnership are essential to combating the pandemic. Thirdly, decisive leadership is essential at all global and local levels. Finally, risk communication builds trust and acknowledges uncertainty during a crisis. These lessons could strengthen the evidence base for regional policy responses and better responses to future threats.

The influence of occasional and frequent work from home on musculoskeletal complaints.

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic acts as a recent driver for telework on a global scale. While visual display unit (VDU) workplaces are usually subject to regulatory requirements or occupational health and safety controls, mobile workplaces may increase the risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs). This study aimed to explore the influence of work from home (WFH) on musculoskeletal complaints in the context of German municipal administrations. This paper is based on an online survey conducted as part of the Health and Digital Change project in cooperation with three municipal administrations in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. A multivariate model was constructed to calculate the odds ratio for MSCs including various control variables. While bivariate analysis showed a 0.96-fold risk for employees who work from home, the multivariate model with a split between occasional (OR = 0.79) and frequent (OR = 1.59) WFH revealed a more complex effect. Both odds did not reach the significance level. However, the influence of being female (OR = 3.34) and being overweight (OR = 1.51) was confirmed. Regarding age the OR increases by 1.02 per year of life. Other control variables were the municipal affiliation, university entrance qualification, working hours and feeling overstrained. The regression model improved by 0.07 (McFadden R2) compared to the null model. Although WFH is discussed as a rising risk factor for MSCs, the findings in this study indicate, that occasional WFH acts as a rather protective factor against work-related MSCs.

ASSURE 모형 기반의 ASEAN 맞춤형 역량기반 보편적건강보장 연수프로그램 개발

Purpose: This study aims to design and propose a customized international training program for ASEAN countries based on competency-based education, following the six stages of the ASSURE model design. Originality: Korea is facing an opportune time to lead global health issues due to the increase in international recognition and demand for K-quarantine in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, Southeast Asian countries are experiencing growing demand for COVID-19 response and improving the quality of life for their citizens. Although ASEAN countries have made progress in achieving universal health coverage by improving healthcare accessibility and expanding the scope of health insurance, there is a need for cooperation in strengthening healthcare systems and building healthcare human resources. Against this background, there is a need for a strategic health cooperation project to establish universal health coverage in ASEAN and to improve the specialized skills of local health and medical personnel through education programs. However, research on systematic models of international health education training programs using curriculum models is inadequate, and studies proposing ASEAN-customized international health education training program models are also insufficient. Methodology: Therefore, this study utilized content analysis to conduct a literature review of the current status of universal health coverage in ASEAN countries and surveyed the needs of participants in international training programs to develop an ASEAN-customized training program using the ASSURE model. Result: The study secured an education and training module based on bidirectional communication and designed an education process focused on the needs of the training participants. Finally, an ASEAN-customized competency-based education international training program was designed and proposed. Conclusion and Implication: The systematically developed education and training program can be utilized not only as an ASEAN-customized curriculum but also as basic data for developing a systematic model of international health education based on competency-centered education. It can also be applied as a guideline for developing educational curricula using curriculum models. Moreover, it can contribute to sustainable health cooperation between Korea and ASEAN countries.

Exploration of Barriers and Facilitators of Sexual Health Information-Seeking Behaviors Among Teenage Girls in Rasht

Background: Teenage girls who are passing through sensitive puberty time are among the vulnerable ones whose sexual health information needs have not received sufficient attention. The present article aimed to explore barriers and facilitators of sexual health information-seeking behaviors (SHISB) among teenage girls in Rasht in 2022. Methods: The present study was performed using a qualitative method based on conventional content analysis. The participants were selected by the maximum variation sampling method and included 15 teenage girls in the age range of 15-21 years old and 5 key adults, including mothers, teachers, and sexual health specialists. Data were collected by the semi-structured interview technique and then analyzed using Landman and Granheim’s approach. Results: According to the results of the present study, 7 main categories and 25 subcategories were extracted, including barriers, facilitators, motivations, and resources for seeking sexual health information. The main categories were individual barriers, family inappropriate performance, cyber threats, social inhibitors, facilitating elements of information seeking, information seeking motivation, and channels of sexual health literacy. Conclusion: In addition to clarifying the barriers and facilitators of seeking sexual health information among teenage girls, the findings also point to the necessity of providing educational situations to learn sexual health topics. Therefore, the present study suggests the necessity of family institution, health, and education cooperation, along with formulating community-oriented programs to support teenage girls’ information needs, changing the family and society’s point of view considering sexual health.

COVID-19 Crisis and the State of Emergency: Analyzing Impacts, Paradoxes, and Recommendations

This scientific article examines the exceptional situation that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent imposition of states of emergency, which raised concerns about potential abuses of power by governments. Employing analytical and comparative approaches, the research explores the connection between the pandemic and its effects on human rights and freedoms, particularly regarding movement and assembly restrictions. The study highlights the diverse implementation of states of emergency across countries during the crisis. The findings reveal international gaps in preparedness, the violation of human rights, and the potential exploitation of emergencies for other purposes. Recommendations include enhancing international cooperation, reevaluating intellectual property rights related to combating epidemics, establishing a global health cooperation fund, setting reasonable limits for emergency measures, and implementing internal monitoring committees to ensure the proportionality of restrictions. These insights have significant implications for global health security, human rights protection, and international collaboration in response to future health emergencies.Highlights:
 
 
 Impact of state of emergency: Examining the repercussions of COVID-19 pandemic emergency measures on human rights.
 
 
 Global health challenges: Assessing health system effectiveness in confronting COVID-19 and its impact on human rights.
 
 
 Recommendations for action: Proposing measures for international cooperation, intellectual property rights reconsideration, establishing a health cooperation fund, setting reasonable emergency limits, and implementing monitoring committees.
 
 
 Keywords: COVID-19, state of emergency, human rights, global health, recommendations.

The Health Silk Road: A Double-Edged Sword? Assessing the Implications of China’s Health Diplomacy

The Health Silk Road (HSR) of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China aims to enhance public health and foster international cooperation in the healthcare sector. HSR objectives include strengthening healthcare infrastructure, expanding China’s global health leadership, and enhancing international health cooperation. The aim of this study was to examine the HSR and its implications for global health and international relations by using expert opinion analysis on known major HSR initiatives. We analyzed the objectives of HSR, including improving healthcare infrastructure, enhancing global health cooperation, and expanding China’s global health leadership. Additionally, as a case study, an in-depth analysis of the China-Pakistan collaboration on healthcare under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was conducted. This research posits that the HSR has a mix of positive and negative implications. Positive impacts of HSR include improved healthcare services, infrastructure, and capacity-building in participating countries. The main challenges include the quality and sustainability of the infrastructure and services provided, debt sustainability, transparency of projects, and China’s geopolitical influence. This research identified five motives behind China’s HSR: economic interests, diplomatic influence, reputation building, regional stability, and health security. The summary centers on CPEC and the WHO/Global collaboration. This research contributes to a nuanced understanding of the HSR’s multifaceted impacts and underscores the importance of open dialogue, cooperation, and the sharing of best practices among stakeholders. By assessing the motives, implications, and concerns of the HSR, this study offers valuable insights for policymakers, global health practitioners, and scholars, highlighting the significance of international collaboration.

The Incidence of Lung Cancer and Smoking in Iran, Turkey, England, and the USA: A Comparative Study

Objectives: Lung cancer is the deadliest and the costliest cancer in the world. In this study, we compared the situation of this disease in several countries by considering the most important risk factor of lung cancer (smoking). Methods: This is a comparative study, a comprehensive one which was done on lung cancer rates in four countries: Iran, Turkey, England, and the USA, during the past twenty years (2002-2021). Age-standardized rate (ASR) index and the percentage of smokers were extracted from available information in the World Health Organization (WHO) databases, The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Health Statistics 2021, and other valid related articles. After comparison, control procedures were examined. Results: England, with an ASR of 46, has the highest rate of lung cancer, and Iran, with an ASR of 21, has the lowest rate. Turkey has the highest percentage of smokers (29.3%), and the lowest percentage belongs to Iran (20%). Regarding the increasing trend of the ASR index, lung cancer in Iran and Turkey has had an upward trend, and England and the United States have a downward trend. Taxes on cigarettes are a significant factor in smoking reduction. Among these 4 countries, the lowest cigarette tax belongs to Iran (4.83%). Discussion: The result of this study shows that the incidence of lung cancer in Iran is rising, so following successful countries in imposing cigarette taxes can be an effective step to reduce smoking. Training programs, cultural improvement, and new diagnostic methods can also be useful in reducing lung cancer ASR.

The implications of decolonization on China’s academic global health: a dialogue with Stephen Gloyd at the Luhu Global Health Salon

The call for decolonization in global health is growing alongside China’s increasing involvement in the field. This perspective paper presents and extends with a further literature review of a dialogue with Stephen Gloyd, a global health professor from the University of Washington, conducted in July 2022 at the Luhu Global Health Salon. Drawing from Gloyd’s four decades of experiences in low- and middle-income countries, as well as his role in creating the University of Washington’s global health department, the doctoral program in implementation science, and the non-governmental organization, Health Alliance International, this paper delves into the concept of decolonization in global health and explores how Chinese universities can expand their participation in global health while striving for equity and justice. Focusing on China’s academic global health research, education, and practice, the paper proposes specific recommendations for building an equity-focused global health curriculum, addressing power imbalances and inequalities in university-affiliated organizations, and strengthening South-South cooperation in practice. The paper offers implications for Chinese universities on expanding future global health cooperation, promoting global health governance, and avoiding recolonization.