Emerging Health Challenges Research Articles

Sarcopenic Obesity as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease: An Underrecognized Clinical Entity

Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a chronic condition and an emerging health challenge, in view of the growing elderly population and the obesity epidemic. Due to a lack of awareness among treating doctors and the non-specific nauture of the associated symptoms, SO remains grossly underdiagnosed. There is no consensus yet on a standard definition or diagnostic criteria for SO, which limits the estimation of the global prevalence of this condition. It has been linked to numerous metabolic derangements, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. The treatment of SO is multimodal and requires expertise across multiple specialties. While dietary modifications and exercise regimens have shown a potential therapeutic benefit, there is currently no proven pharmacological management for SO. However, numerous drugs and the role of bariatric surgery are still under trial, and have great scope for further research. This article covers the available literature regarding the definition, diagnostic criteria, and prevalence of SO, with available evidence linking it to CVD, metabolic disease and mortality, and an overview of current directives on management.

Remembrance and oblivion in vaccine development and vaccination coverage rates in Brazil: addressing vaccinology based on the One Health perspective

Lack of funds or interest from industry delays vaccine development. In 2016, a SARS vaccine was listed among the top ten in Research & Development (R&D), but this and several other vaccines were "put in a freezer" for different reasons. This can have devastating public health consequences when a pandemic such as COVID-19 emerges. In Brazil, vaccine coverage rates have dropped significantly in recent times, facilitating the reemergence of diseases that were "forgotten" by the Brazilian population. In past years, Brazil was considered by the international community as a good example and model concerning mass immunization programs. These achievements need to be remembered and rescued as a public health strategy. Investing in vaccine R&D is fundamental to the prevention and control of infectious diseases. However, this action must be integrated into a broader strategy considering the prevention of emerging diseases by maintaining ecosystems' function and preserving human, animal and environmental health (One Health perspective). Otherwise, advances in vaccine R&D will be constantly overtaken by the emergence of new disease outbreaks. Discussion on how to accelerate vaccine development and licensure is still needed, and the One Health perspective can help us to face emerging health challenges. These and other critical points involving vaccine-related issues are addressed in this article, with a focus on the Brazilian context. Finally, some solutions to deal with these problems are suggested.

Childhood tuberculosis - An emerging health challenge for Bangladesh

Childhood tuberculosis - An emerging health challenge for Bangladesh

The Phenomenon of Epidemiological Transition in Health and the Necessity to Update

The epidemiological transition is a global shift from communicable diseases to non-communicable diseases and injuries, impacting health and demographic indicators. The four-stage demographic transition model illustrates the evolution of population dynamics, with the epidemiological transition model overlaying disease patterns. Egypt-born demographer Omran classified transitions into “Classic,” “Accelerated,” and “Delayed” models, emphasizing the interplay between mortality decline, fertility, and healthcare demands. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) assesses causes of deaths, disabilities, and risk factors, revealing a shift from communicable to non-communicable diseases worldwide. In India, a significant portion of the population faces a rising burden of non-communicable diseases, particularly ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and stroke. Health transitions in diseases, demography, donor assistance, and domestic financing in India have implications for the healthcare system. Epidemiological transition levels (ETL) vary across states, affecting vulnerable populations like the elderly and urban women. Challenges arise from a double burden of disease, emphasizing the need for comprehensive policies, awareness, and improved accessibility. Risk factors like malnutrition, air pollution, and high blood pressure contribute to the disease burden. It is concluded by advocating for tailored interventions, utilizing the socio-ecological model, and emphasizing the importance of ongoing research in addressing emerging health challenges.

Review on Peptic ulcer and its effective Management and Treatment with Herbals

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) is one of the major problems of the gastrointestinal tract occurs in the stomach, duodenum and oesophagus. PUD is characterized by mucosal damage either by pepsin, gastric acid secretion or bacterial infection. Apart from infection due to gram negative bacteria-Helicobacter pylori, regular consumptions of the medications like, NSAIDS, steroids and excessive stress are also some major causes of the PUD. Complications of PUD may include bleeding, perforation, and blockage of the stomach. The PUD is an emerging health challenge in the developed and developing countries. Commonly use of potent synthetic antiulcer chemotherapy arises with adverse effects that might be a cause of serious health challenge. Traditional utilization and scientific reports of medicinal plants in the management of peptic ulcer-like-symptoms urge to redesign the existing clinical approach of using synthetic drugs for the treatment of PUD and adopt the scientifically proven plant drugs for the treatment of PUD which might free or have lesser adverse effects as compared to the synthetic chemotherapy. The review might bestow a strategic planning for the treatment of PUC to the medical practitioners and a newer scope to the researchers to explore the traditional claims of the plant drugs.

Design, Implementation, and Evolution of the Medicaid Outcomes Distributed Research Network (MODRN).

In the US, Medicaid covers over 80 million Americans. Comparing access, quality, and costs across Medicaid programs can provide policymakers with much-needed information. As each Medicaid agency collects its member data, multiple barriers prevent sharing Medicaid data between states. To address this gap, the Medicaid Outcomes Distributed Research Network (MODRN) developed a research network of states to conduct rapid multi-state analyses without sharing individual-level data across states. To describe goals, design, implementation, and evolution of MODRN to inform other research networks. MODRN implemented a distributed research network using a common data model, with each state analyzing its own data; developed standardized measure specifications and statistical software code to conduct analyses; and disseminated findings to state and federal Medicaid policymakers. Based on feedback on Medicaid agency priorities, MODRN first sought to inform Medicaid policy to improve opioid use disorder treatment, particularly medication treatment. Since its 2017 inception, MODRN created 21 opioid use disorder quality measures in 13 states. MODRN modified its common data model over time to include additional elements. Initial barriers included harmonizing utilization data from Medicaid billing codes across states and adapting statistical methods to combine state-level results. The network demonstrated its utility and addressed barriers to conducting multi-state analyses of Medicaid administrative data. MODRN created a new, scalable, successful model for conducting policy research while complying with federal and state regulations to protect beneficiary health information. Platforms like MODRN may prove useful for emerging health challenges to facilitate evidence-based policymaking in Medicaid programs.

Poster 206: TIPE2 Mitigates the Histopathology of Osteoarthritis in An Accelerate Aging Mouse Model

Poster 206: TIPE2 Mitigates the Histopathology of Osteoarthritis in An Accelerate Aging Mouse Model

Synthetic Benzimidazole Opioids: The Emerging Health Challenge for European Drug Users.

Synthetic Benzimidazole Opioids: The Emerging Health Challenge for European Drug Users.

High diversity in the regulatory region of Shiga toxin encoding bacteriophages

BackgroundEnterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is an emerging health challenge worldwide and outbreaks caused by this pathogen poses a serious public health concern. Shiga toxin (Stx) is the major virulence factor of EHEC, and the stx genes are carried by temperate bacteriophages (Stx phages). The switch between lysogenic and lytic life cycle of the phage, which is crucial for Stx production and for severity of the disease, is regulated by the CI repressor which maintain latency by preventing transcription of the replication proteins. Three EHEC phage replication units (Eru1-3) in addition to the classical lambdoid replication region have been described previously, and Stx phages carrying the Eru1 replication region were associated with highly virulent EHEC strains.ResultsIn this study, we have classified the Eru replication region of 419 Stx phages. In addition to the lambdoid replication region and three already described Erus, ten novel Erus (Eru4 to Eru13) were detected. The lambdoid type, Eru1, Eru4 and Eru7 are widely distributed in Western Europe. Notably, EHEC strains involved in severe outbreaks in England and Norway carry Stx phages with Eru1, Eru2, Eru5 and Eru7 replication regions. Phylogenetic analysis of CI repressors from Stx phages revealed eight major clades that largely separate according to Eru type.ConclusionThe classification of replication regions and CI proteins of Stx phages provides an important platform for further studies aimed to assess how characteristics of the replication region influence the regulation of phage life cycle and, consequently, the virulence potential of the host EHEC strain.

Prediction Model for Coronavirus Pandemic Using Deep Learning

The recent global outbreak of COVID-19 damaged the world health systems, human health, economy, and daily life badly. None of the countries was ready to face this emerging health challenge. Health professionals were not able to predict its rise and next move, as well as the future curve and impact on lives in case of a similar pandemic situation happened. This created huge chaos globally, for longer and the world is still struggling to come up with any suitable solution. Here the better use of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and deep learning, may aid healthcare practitioners in making reliable COVID-19 diagnoses. The proposed research would provide a prediction model that would use Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning to improve the diagnostic process by reducing unreliable diagnostic interpretation of chest CT scans and allowing clinicians to accurately discriminate between patients who are sick with COVID-19 or pneumonia, and also empowering health professionals to distinguish chest CT scans of healthy people. The efforts done by the Saudi government for the management and control of COVID-19 are remarkable, however; there is a need to improve the diagnostics process for better perception. We used a data set from Saudi regions to build a prediction model that can help distinguish between COVID-19 cases and regular cases from CT scans. The proposed methodology was compared to current models and found to be more accurate (93 percent) than the existing methods.

Community Health Workers (CHWs) to Improve Primary Health Care Services Delivery: A Case of Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHV) Program in Nepal

Community health workers (CHWs) have played a vital role in improving primary healthcare services in different parts of the world, in particular, for those services related to the prevention and control of communicable diseases, immunization services, reproductive health, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS prevention and care and nutrition promotion. The Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) program, which was introduced in 1988 in Nepal, has now reached over 51,000 FCHVs. They are key community level CHWs in Nepal and have contributed significantly in achieving several health and related outcomes and meeting several Millennium Development Goals. In such, there is also a potential and needs for engaging them to prevent and control emerging health challenges such as non-communicable diseases prevention and control and re-emerging health issues. Their effective involvement to ongoing health programs would be critical to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, agenda in particular “SDG 3 – Health and Wellbeing” by 2030.

The nurse practitioner's role in addressing chronic sequelae of Lyme disease as a climate change related disease.

A major health consequence of climate change is an increased prevalence of vector-borne diseases due to changes in temperatures and the environments in which vectors can survive and carry out transmissible activity. Because of climate change, emerging health challenges related to the warming of the planet have led to an increase in vector-borne diseases in broadening geographic areas. Individuals affected with Lyme disease may present with a variety of symptoms, which highlights the importance of illness recognition to ensure that a patient can receive timely treatment and effective support. Despite the focus on early detection and treatment of acute Lyme disease, chronic health problems associated with Lyme disease are an emerging problem in the 21st century. This article focuses on the role of nurse practitioners and members of the health professional team in the recognition, clinical care, patient education, and management of increasing rates of chronic Lyme disease.

Occupational Heat Stress: An Overview for Nurse Practitioners.

The health impacts of climate change are pervasive and complex. The role of nurse practitioners is a key in addressing these emerging health challenges. However, few health care providers are aware of the extensive signs and symptoms that accompany climate-related health sequelae. This article explores the increasing prevalence of occupational heat stress and best practices for nurse practitioners in addressing this problem. The A CLIMATE mnemonic is a clinical tool applied to occupational heat stress and aims to address a comprehensive health assessment and proactive management. Two clinical case studies will be offered as exemplars of occupational heat stress. The cases are framed within the A CLIMATE mnemonic for health assessment and physical examination for nurse practitioner practice.

3.G. Round table: How to prepare the public health workforce for a digital health future?

Digital health is a crucial field for healthcare sustainability and adequate response to emerging health challenges. It has potential to increase efficiency in public health areas, such as surveillance, communication, data analysis and visualization, planning and collaboration. While the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the digitalisation of healthcare, a structured and planned approach is needed to ensure its sustainable and equitable integration in healthcare. Capacity building in digital literacy plays a key role to ensure an adequate implementation of digital public health. Moreover, the application of digital health solutions in public health services requires a proper training for students, young professionals, and public health experts. To fulfil this, education on digital health should be fully integrated in medical and public health curricula. Our workshop aims to discuss the potential of digital health technologies for public health services and identify proposals for a renewed digital public health curriculum. In this workshop, we will present a summary of potential uses of digital health in public health, focusing advances developed during COVID-19 pandemic. This introduction will provide a background for participants to be aware of digital health solutions, from basic digital services to innovations, that are applicable in public health practice. Panellists will share both local and national experiences. Although there are some examples of digital health updated curricula, a more comprehensive and structured approach to public health training is needed. Digital public health education should include specific topics, such as capacity building, opportunities for youth, and an ethics-driven approach. However, it should be tailored for public health students and professionals needs, which are certainly different. A short presentation will provide a guiding framework for participants to discuss the topic. Following, during small group discussions, workshop participants will share perspectives and suggestions for an updated digital public health curricula, including different approaches for both undergraduate students, public health residents and public health experts. In this round table discussion, one panelist will present a summary of potential uses of digital health in public health (10 minutes). The following presentation will cover main concerns that digital public health education should consider, particularly for young professionals (10 minutes). Following, participants will be asked to discuss in 3 to 6 small groups which topics should be included in curricula and training opportunities in medical schools, public health schools and public health services (20 minutes). Finally, each group will briefly present their conclusions (15 minutes), which will be highlighted in a wrap-up conclusion (5 minutes). We intend to keep in touch with all participants, in order to develop a concrete proposal for digital health education curricula.Key messages Digital health has potential to increase efficiency in multiple public health areas and digital health education is a key step to ensure its implementation in public health schools and services.COVID-19 accelerated the digitalization in public health, but a planned approach is needed to guarantee adequate training for students and professionals.

The Future Public Health Workforce in a Changing World: A Conceptual Framework for a European-Israeli Knowledge Transfer Project.

Health services quality and sustainability rely mainly on a qualified workforce. Adequately trained public health personnel protect and promote health, avert health disparities, and allow rapid response to health emergencies. Evaluations of the healthcare workforce typically focus on physicians and nurses in curative medical venues. Few have evaluated public health workforce capacity building or sought to identify gaps between the academic training of public health employees and the needs of the healthcare organizations in which they are employed. This project report describes the conceptual framework of “Sharing European Educational Experience in Public Health for Israel (SEEEPHI): harmonization, employability, leadership, and outreach”—a multinational Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education funded project. By sharing European educational experience and knowledge, the project aims to enhance professionalism and strengthen leadership aspects of the public health workforce in Israel to meet the needs of employers and the country. The project’s work packages, each jointly led by an Israeli and European institution, include field qualification analysis, mapping public health academic training programs, workforce adaptation, and building leadership capacity. In the era of global health changes, it is crucial to assess the capacity building of a well-qualified and competent workforce that enables providing good health services, reaching out to minorities, preventing health inequalities, and confronting emerging health challenges. We anticipate that the methods developed and the lessons learned within the Israeli context will be adaptable and adoptable by other countries through local and cultural adjustments.

Trends and outcomes in primary health care expenditures in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–2017

IntroductionAs the world responds to COVID-19 and aims for the Sustainable Development Goals, the potential for primary healthcare (PHC) is substantial, although the trends and effectiveness of PHC expenditure are...

IHR-PVS National Bridging Workshops, a tool to operationalize the collaboration between human and animal health while advancing sector-specific goals in countries.

Collaborative, One Health approaches support governments to effectively prevent, detect and respond to emerging health challenges, such as zoonotic diseases, that arise at the human-animal-environmental interfaces. To overcome these challenges, operational and outcome-oriented tools that enable animal health and human health services to work specifically on their collaboration are required. While international capacity and assessment frameworks such as the IHR-MEF (International Health Regulations-Monitoring and Evaluation Framework) and the OIE PVS (Performance of Veterinary Services) Pathway exist, a tool and process that could assess and strengthen the interactions between human and animal health sectors was needed. Through a series of six phased pilots, the IHR-PVS National Bridging Workshop (NBW) method was developed and refined. The NBW process gathers human and animal health stakeholders and follows seven sessions, scheduled across three days. The outputs from each session build towards the next one, following a structured process that goes from gap identification to joint planning of corrective measures. The NBW process allows human and animal health sector representatives to jointly identify actions that support collaboration while advancing evaluation goals identified through the IHR-MEF and the OIE PVS Pathway. By integrating sector-specific and collaborative goals, the NBWs help countries in creating a realistic, concrete and practical joint road map for enhanced compliance to international standards as well as strengthened preparedness and response for health security at the human-animal interface.

Changes in health status of North Korean children and emerging health challenges of North Korean refugee children.

The food shortage in North Korea is a serious situation that has spanned the mid-1990s to today. North Korean refugee children, even those born in North Korea, China, or South Korea, had poor nutritional status at birth; thus, their growth and nutritional status should be continuously monitored. This review focused on the health status of North Korean children and the nutritional status of North Korean refugee children upon settling in South Korea. Immediately after entering South Korea, North Korean refugee children were shorter and lighter than South Korean children and had a serious nutritional status. Over time, their nutrition status improved, but they remained shorter and lighter than South Korean children. A new obesity problem was also observed. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously monitor their growth and nutritional status.

Low to no cost remedies for the management of diabetes mellitus; global health concern.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic non-communicable endocrine and metabolic disease that is thought to be the fastest emerging health challenge of the twenty-first century. Presently, 90% of diabetic population is handicapped with T2-DM, and the majority of pre-diabetes on the way to T2-DM progression. By keeping in view, a review article has been compiled to highlight the significance of value aided effective, low-cost, safe, and useful remedies that could easily be accessible to the global community in order to moderate the possibility of DM and related complications. Literature search for this review was carried out using scientific databases including PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus, Web of science, and google scholar. Whilst, value aided articles were selected on the basis of their therapeutic potential, safety profile and outreach. Escalating research data validated that herbal remedies and physical activities significantly prevents hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and other complications in people with T2-DM. Globally, nearly half-billion individuals are living with diabetes. Therefore, it is urged to embrace herbal remedies and physical mediation in our daily routine in order to tackle such devastating disorder.

AYURVEDA FOR PREVENTION, PROPHYLAXIS AND MANAGEMENT OF COVID-19: A REVIEW

COVID-19 pandemic which has spread to 216 countries in eight months resulted in 7.50 lakh deaths across the globe. SARS CoV-2, highly infectious causative agent of this disease is transmitted through droplets, contact routes and aerosols. Even the most developed nations are experiencing difficulty to limit its spread and the disease is still spreading at an alarming rate. For filling the gaps and lacunas in the healthcare system this is high time to integrate different healthcare systems available to meet the ever emerging health challenges. Ayurveda has documented the first reference of epidemics as Janapadodhwamsa and has given a scientific insight to its causes, effect and prevention along with management strategies. No established and approved treatment of COVID-19 is yet available and off label drugs are being tried for prophylaxis and therapeutic purpose. Variation in host susceptibility and outcomes has been observed and host factors are being explored along with fast track vaccine development. Ayurveda treatment always take into account the host factors to alleviate the disease by improving the Agni and providing nutrition and strength to the host by means of Rasayana, Panchakarma, lifestyle measures and using drugs of varied origin. The clinical profile of COVID-19 matches with Vata-Kapha dominant Sannipataja Jwara for which detailed treatment guidelines and array of pharmaceutical preparations are described in Ayurvedic literature which are being practiced by qualified Ayurvedic physicians effectively since long. This paper highlights the Ayurvedic perspective of the COVID-19 along with its prevention, prophylaxis and management strategies through Ayurveda.