Public Health Security Research Articles

NATIONAL INTEREST AND COLLECTIVE SECURITY: ASSESSING THE ‘COLLECTIVITY’ OF GLOBAL SECURITY IN THE COVID-19 ERA

Purpose of the study: The study's rationale is tied to examining the viability of global collective security within a continuously changing arena of national interest of actors. It assesses the basis for global actors' policy responses and actions in the fight against the novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
 Methodology: The study uses a secondary data scoping review technique focusing on collective security, national interest, and Covid -19 as the central themes. It utilizes the tenents of human nature, cooperation, and systemic considerations espoused in game theory’s stag hunt analysis and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to explore the rationale for state actions in the global arena.
 Main findings: The paper confirms that while collective security is essential for global security, its efficacy is dependent on its alignment with states' national interests. Drawing from case observation of global superpowers' responses to Covid-19, the paper argues that the global and 'borderless' impact of Covid-19 serves to buttress the assertion that the integrity of collective security is a function of national interest alignment. In essence, collective security is only 'collective' and effective when state actors' national interests are directly aligned to the pursuance of such security objective(s). The paper concludes that the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic could only be won if global actors shun the narrow gains of national interest and focus on the survival of all through collective policy efforts.
 Application: The study is relevant as it adds to the body of knowledge and analysis for geopolitics and international relations. It is also a useful prototype in theory testing and analysis within politics and international relations subfields. It is also relevant in the discourse of global public health and human security.
 Novelty: The need to assess the methodology and need for collective action in the face of global threats is imperative. Thus, the study serves as an eye-opener and acknowledgment of the declining status of collective security in the face of national interest despite the clamor pre- and post-United nations formation and aim for world peace. Therefore, the global and 'borderless' impact of Covid-19 serves to buttress the assertion that the integrity of collective security is a function of national interest alignment. In essence, collective security is only 'collective' and effective when state actors' national interests are directly in agreement with the pursuance of such security objective(s).

A Note on the Role of Cultural, Institutional, and Urbanization Features in the COVID-19 Pandemic*

A Note on the Role of Cultural, Institutional, and Urbanization Features in the COVID-19 Pandemic*

COVID-19 Risk Assessment: Contributing to Maintaining Urban Public Health Security and Achieving Sustainable Urban Development

As the most infectious disease in 2020, COVID-19 is an enormous shock to urban public health security and to urban sustainable development. Although the epidemic in China has been brought into control at present, the prevention and control of it is still the top priority of maintaining public health security. Therefore, the accurate assessment of epidemic risk is of great importance to the prevention and control even to overcoming of COVID-19. Using the fused data obtained from fusing multi-source big data such as POI (Point of Interest) data and Tencent-Yichuxing data, this study assesses and analyzes the epidemic risk and main factors that affect the distribution of COVID-19 on the basis of combining with logistic regression model and geodetector model. What’s more, the following main conclusions are obtained: the high-risk areas of the epidemic are mainly concentrated in the areas with relatively dense permanent population and floating population, which means that the permanent population and floating population are the main factors affecting the risk level of the epidemic. In other words, the reasonable control of population density is greatly conducive to reducing the risk level of the epidemic. Therefore, the control of regional population density remains the key to epidemic prevention and control, and home isolation is also the best means of prevention and control. The precise assessment and analysis of the epidemic conducts by this study is of great significance to maintain urban public health security and achieve the sustainable urban development.

Janus principle applied to food safety: An active two-faced indicator label for tracking meat freshness

Abstract The lack of monitoring of food freshness during the cold chain has been reported in the literature as either a problem faced by meat industries enforcing stricter controls and public health security needs. This paper presents an innovative solution for real-time food freshness discrimination: a printable, easy-to-use, and non-toxic two-faced Janus color-indicator label. This sensor is based on the pink to purple variation of a multilayer pH-sensitive composite (cellulose acetate and black carrot anthocyanin) film in the turnover process of fresh to spoilage chicken. The microstructure and permeability of the composite, and also the impact of the psychrotrophic aerobic bacteria on the optical properties of the indicator label, were investigated. This sensor demonstrating a short response time (∼ 2 min), great color stability, and provides interactive information of food freshness, being capable of communicating directly with consumers via two simple images: “happy face” for fresh meat and “sad face” for spoilage. As far as we know, this is the first time that the Janus (or Emoji) principle is designed for tracking food quality to allow consumers to have easy information on food freshness.

The Software Design of Intelligent Campus Safety Cabinet under Epidemic Situation

During the outbreak and future public health security, the safety cabinet industry gradually took to the forward momentum of development, the safe cabinet from the normal delivery tank through the software design to implement the "sell" face-to-face in universities. According to the survey, most students lose some take-out. Safety cabinets not only solve the problem of the safety delivery courier, also pay attention to public health in this era of successful implementation without personnel contact. Through the software design, the dining room also unified blocks with the school management, and students can order food through the canteen they want to go to, which provides a large number of different choices for students so that they won't get tired of eating in the same area. With the popularization of 5G in the future, the combination of "unmanned delivery mode" can reduce more risks in terms of public health and make people's lives more convenient.

Anthropomorphic Strategies Promote Wildlife Conservation through Empathy: The Moderation Role of the Public Epidemic Situation.

The global illegal wildlife trade directly threatens biodiversity and leads to disease outbreaks and epidemics. In order to avoid the loss of endangered species and ensure public health security, it is necessary to intervene in illegal wildlife trade and promote public awareness of the need for wildlife conservation. Anthropomorphism is a basic and common psychological process in humans that plays a crucial role in determining how a person interacts with other non-human agents. Previous research indicates that anthropomorphizing nature entities through metaphors could increase individual behavioral intention of wildlife conservation. However, relatively little is known about the mechanism by which anthropomorphism influences behavioral intention and whether social context affects the effect of anthropomorphism. This research investigated the impact of negative emotions associated with a pandemic situation on the effectiveness of anthropomorphic strategies for wildlife conservation across two experimental studies. Experiment 1 recruited 245 college students online and asked them to read a combination of texts and pictures as anthropomorphic materials. The results indicated that anthropomorphic materials could increase participants’ empathy and decrease their wildlife product consumption intention. Experiment 2 recruited 140 college students online and they were required to read the same materials as experiment 1 after watching a video related to epidemics. The results showed that the effect of wildlife anthropomorphization vanished if participants’ negative emotion was aroused by the video. The present research provides experimental evidence that anthropomorphic strategies would be useful for boosting public support for wildlife conservation. However, policymakers and conservation organizations must be careful about the negative effects of the pandemic context, as the negative emotions produced by it seems to weaken the effectiveness of anthropomorphic strategies.

Antibacterial efficacy of poly (vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites reinforced with graphene oxide and silver nanoparticles for packaging applications

AbstractAntibiotic resistance is a major threat to public health and food security. Attributable to the heightening occurrence and proliferation of antibiotic‐resistant pathogenic microorganisms, the development of antimicrobial packaging has emerged as a promising technology. Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), a water‐soluble synthetic polymer is contemplated as a promising biocompatible, biodegradable, and low cytotoxic material for various medical, industrial, and commercial applications. To stretch its applications, the polymer material was doped with graphene oxide (GO) decorated with silver nanoparticles (Ag). In this study, an eco‐friendly, facile, one‐step chemical reduction route was employed for the synthesis of nanocomposites by an Ag nanoparticle anchored on GO nanoparticle. The polymer nanocomposite thin film was prepared by solution casting technique. Homogeneity of dispersion and surface morphology was examined by scanning electron microscope investigation. The inclusion of GO‐Ag nanocomposite in the polymer matrix increases the roughness of the film confirmed by atomic force microscopy analysis. The increment in properties was attributable to excellent H bonding between PVA and GO wherein molecules are strongly intercalated with each other. The tensile strength, as well as thermal stability of the PVA/GO/Ag thin films, was significantly enhanced on the incorporation of GO/Ag nanoparticles confirmed by TGA analysis. PVA/GO/Ag nanocomposites exhibited effective antibacterial activity against gram‐positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli. In contrast, no inhibition around pristine PVA was observed. The prepared films proffered an effective antibacterial activity against contagious microorganisms that qualify them for food packaging and different biomedical applications.

Monitoring and Evaluating the Impact (Post-Legislative Scrutiny) of Emergency Regulation in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The threat posed by passing emergency laws and policies in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic can be said to be a critical precursor of human rights abuses. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigerian President issued the COVID-19 REGULATION 2020 exercising his powers under the Federal Quarantine Act, CAP Q2 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. Based on this, the Nigerian Federal Government has undertaken stringent measures, enforced restrictions and cessation of movement, social and economic activities in Nigeria to curtail the pandemic. Nigeria has employed human control to stop the disease's spread, including travel bans, quarantine orders, social distancing, and lockdowns. The measures applied to curtail the spread of COVID-19 have an undoubted impact on human rights.The Nigerian government implemented these restrictive measures which impinge on human rights and democratic processes with authoritarian provisions. This study analyses the emergency measures implemented by the Nigerian government and human rights' infractions and considers Post-Legislative Scrutiny to mitigate the government's legislative actions as a safeguard for human rights and democracy in Nigeria.To ensure true democracy, Nigerian regulations, laws, and policy response to COVID-19 must align with international human rights commitments. And the temporarily imposed restrictions on rights are reviewed by the Legislature and do not become permanent. Questions to be addressed in this paper are: (1) Is the breadth of powers currently enjoyed by executive bodies, such as Public Health authorities and security forces under scrutiny and review of the Legislature? (2) Are there safeguards put in place by the Legislature, as an oversight to ensure democratic rule and respect for human rights in Nigeria?The paper uses the qualitative research method. It relies on content analysis of COVID-19 regulatory and legislative provisions, academic literature, articles, journals, and newspaper publications.

Public Investment in Home Healthcare in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Win-Win Strategy

ABSTRACT Home healthcare – to the elderly and those with chronic health conditions – is growing in importance in the COVID-19 pandemic era. In the United States, public investment in home healthcare can be a win-win strategy for public health and economic security. Yet, home healthcare has remained chronically underpaid and neglected in the policy response to the COVID-19 crisis. This article examines the impacts of large-scale public investment in the home healthcare industry. It finds that such investment can stabilize employment for millions of low-income women and, through their renewed economic activity, create or stabilize employment in the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic and where low-income women are concentrated: non-home healthcare, food service, and retail. The study concludes it is crucial to push for robust investment in home healthcare as policymakers in the US consider major public support for a variety of industrial sectors. HIGHLIGHTS In the pandemic, access to home healthcare is more important than ever before. Public investment in the home healthcare workforce would support millions of jobs. The home healthcare workforce is mainly made up of low-income women, disproportionately women of color. Investment in home healthcare could motivate important public support for other care sectors.

Understanding the Challenge of Cybersecurity in Critical Infrastructure Sectors

Abstract The cybersecurity of critical infrastructures is an essential topic within national and international security as 16 critical infrastructure sectors touch various aspects of American society. Because the failure to provide adequate cybersecurity controls within the critical infrastructure sectors renders the country open to an attack that could have a debilitating effect on security, national public health, safety, and economic security, this matter is so vital that there is the Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) 21 Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience advances a national policy to strengthen and maintain secure, functioning and resilient critical infrastructure. An organization identified as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has the mission to be the risk advisor for the United States (US). Other organizations, such as the National Security Agency (NSA), have approved a specific Knowledge Unit (KU) to address cybersecurity for critical infrastructures associated with doctoral-level granting programs. To address this challenge, it is necessary to identify threats better and defend against them while mitigating risks to an acceptable level. Only then can a nation build a more secure and resilient infrastructure for the future while defending against present-day bad actors as cyberwarfare, cyber espionage, and cybersecurity attacks are the modern-day threats that need to be addressed in planning, designing, implementation, and maintenance. Therefore, the researchers developed a case study reviewing threats against different sectors defined in the PPD.

How Cooperative Engagement Programs Strengthen Sequencing Capabilities for Biosurveillance and Outbreak Response.

The threat of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases continues to be a challenge to public and global health security. Cooperative biological engagement programs act to build partnerships and collaborations between scientists and health professionals to strengthen capabilities in biosurveillance. Biosurveillance is the systematic process of detecting, reporting, and responding to especially dangerous pathogens and pathogens of pandemic potential before they become outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics. One important tool in biosurveillance is next generation sequencing. Expensive sequencing machines, reagents, and supplies make it difficult for countries to adopt this technology. Cooperative engagement programs help by providing funding for technical assistance to strengthen sequencing capabilities. Through workshops and training, countries are able to learn sequencing and bioinformatics, and implement these tools in their biosurveillance programs. Cooperative programs have an important role in building and sustaining collaborations among institutions and countries. One of the most important pieces in fostering these collaborations is trust. Trust provides the confidence that a successful collaboration will benefit all parties involved. With sequencing, this enables the sharing of pathogen samples and sequences. Obtaining global sequencing data helps to identify unknown etiological agents, track pathogen evolution and infer transmission networks throughout the duration of a pandemic. Having sequencing technology in place for biosurveillance generates the capacity to provide real-time data to understand and respond to pandemics. We highlight the need for these programs to continue to strengthen sequencing in biosurveillance. By working together to strengthen sequencing capabilities, trust can be formed, benefitting global health in the face of biological threats.

Novel information fusion model for simulating the effect of global public events on the Sino-US soybean futures market

Trade frictions and global public health security events have made it more difficult for investors to generate positive returns from the Sino-US soybean futures markets. This paper employed deep learning and mode decomposition to improve market efficiency and reduce investor risk from Sino-US trade frictions and the COVID-19 pandemic using soybean futures data published on the Dalian Commodity Futures Exchange (DCE) and the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). The proposed model was found to assist investors to proactively perceive the market risks from disruptive events and make profitable decisions. The results provide practical guidance for the conduct of quantitative trading on the soybean markets between the two countries.

Covid-19 Fatality Rate in Third World Countries: A Review of Environmental Challenges and Impacts on Public Health and Human Security

The novel coronavirus is far from being over; with the case-fatality rate (CFR) hitting more than 16,500 globally as of July, there is a worry that despite the fact that the global CFR curve is showing signs of flattening, the environmental peculiarities of the third world countries may be abetting global efforts towards containing the virus. Therefore, this review x-rayed these peculiarities in the light of their current concern in public health as per their contribution to the persistent surge in CFR in most developing nations. Given that the virus is transmitted via droplets, the review focused on how the state of public and environmental challenges such as air as well as water pollution and personal hygiene could be abetting the surge in coronavirus infections and morbidity. The review revealed, among other things, that challenges associated with poor sanitary conditions, lack of potable water, unventilated environments, air pollution, and poor inter-personal hygiene are devastating challenges in the fight against the pandemic. The implication is that since these conditions are systematic in nature, it may take more than average effort and public sacrifice to checkmate the case-fatality rate of the virus in the third world. Therefore, call for studies is necessary to establish empiricism for CFR patterns and ratio across areas in deplorable environmental and sanitary conditions.

Eco-friendly and intrinsic nanogels for durable flame retardant and antibacterial properties

Fire hazard and public health security have become the main potential problems affecting human safety and health. Eco-friendly, healthy, and multi-function materials represent an inevitable tendency. In this research, nanogels of intrinsic flame retardance and antibacterial properties were prepared via Michael addition reaction. The resultant nanogels possessed regular, robust spherical morphologies and size-controllable properties, exhibited stable thermal performance and strong ability to kill bacteria. The antibacterial efficacy reached to more than 99.9% for both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli when being exposed in nanogel suspension at the concentration of 120 μg/mL. Moreover, anti-infection experiments were explored by in vivo wound model confirmed that the nanogels had capability to prevent infection, and the healing efficiency reached 97.7% after 14 days’ treatment. By grafting on the cotton fibers and fabrics, the nanogels displayed excellent flame retardancy protection of the matrix. The peak of heat release rate (pHRR) reduced by 41.2% compared with raw cotton fabric and the total heat release (THR) declined by 24.4%. In addition, the usage of nanogels could reduce the grafting ratio and improve the functionality, which effectively saved resource and decreased the damage of matrix. The durability test demonstrated the nanogels were ideal candidate for nanoscale materials with durable flame retardant and antimicrobial.

Estimates of the value of life lost from COVID-19 in Ohio.

The economic burden of mortality due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) extends beyond the lives lost. Data from the Ohio Department of Public Health and Social Security Administration was used to estimate the years of potential life lost, 72,274 and economic value of those lost lives, US$17.39 billion. These estimates may be used to assess the risk-trade off of COVID-19 mitigation strategies in Ohio.

The legal conundrum over regulation of access and benefit sharing obligations in digital sequence information over genetic resources‐assessing indian position

AbstractThe agenda of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on genetic resources was taken up for international debate at the 14th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD hereinafter) in 2018. The issue is of great significance to governments of the member countries as the new use of sequence information is replacing the existing practice of physical access to plants, animals, and so forth. It is everting the traditional approaches to access and benefit sharing (ABS hereinafter) under the CBD and encouraging bio‐piracy as the legal framework is not versed with the realities of technical advance. This legal conundrum and free‐for‐all access to sequence information is highly beneficial for user countries and the biotechnology industry which supports the open access model citing benefits related to climate change, public health, and food security. The current COVID‐19 pandemic related research has given strength to their argument that restriction of access would hamper research and development for the benefit of mankind as the sequence details of the virus has been made available under the public domain. On the other hand, source countries contend that allowing free access to sequence information of genetic resources without prior informed consent and mutually agreed terms as per the CBD and Nagoya Protocol (NP hereinafter) will be counterproductive to the interests of the indigenous people and local communities that foster and preserve biodiversity in their jurisdictions. The paper analyses the issues and arguments related to DSI and explore the possibility and prospects of the application of the ABS under CBD‐NP framework to DSI.

Analysis of factors related to granting sickness benefits to industry workers on leave due to Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSD)

Background: Sickness absence represents a serious problem for industry and Social Security, since many of these workers become beneficiaries by the National Social Security Institute. The relationship between the factors that lead to dismissal and granting benefits to workers in the industry has yet to be studied. Objective: To determine the relationship between social and occupational factors to granting sickness benefits to industrial workers affected by Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders. Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional with quantitative approach study involving industrial workers. The data contained in the evaluation form of workers who were admitted between 2016 and 2020 in a Reference Centers in Occupational Health were used. The data were descriptively evaluated and a logistic regression model was used to estimate the factors which are related to the type of assistance granted to the workers. Results: 108 medical records of industry workers were evaluated and 56.5% received the accident-related sickness assistance benefit (B-91). Most are workers from industry with light demand (95.4%), who perform repetitive work (93.5%), intense work pace (83.3%), with the shoulder being the region most frequently affected (85.2%). The factors that were significantly related to grating accidental-related sickness benefit: time in the current occupation (OR = 1.01), work involving cervical spine flexion (OR = 4.68), participation in the rehabilitation program (OR = 31.27) and referral to specialist consultations (OR = 3.10). Conclusion: The creation of institutional programs in the industry and the implementation of public health and social security policies are necessary to manage these factors.

The Practice of the Socialist Outlook on Human Rights with Chinese Characteristics in the Face of Coronavirus Pandemic

The Socialist Outlook on Human Rights with Chinese Characteristics is a scientific theory developed and summarized in the development and practice of China’s human rights cause, and “taking people as the foremost” is its most basic characteristic. During this year’s pandemic and the current post-pandemic period, the Communist Party of China (CPC) has always adhered to the people-centered mission, respected every individual life, followed a realistic and pragmatic approach to fight against the pandemic, actively maintained international public health security, and practiced the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind. This is the best interpretation of the Socialist Outlook on Human Rights with Chinese Characteristics in this new coronavirus pandemic, and a vivid practice of safeguarding human rights.

Ecological and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Sungai Perak, Malaysia

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are mutagenic and bio-accumulates in nature. This research aims to determine the ecological and health risk assessment of PAHs in Sungai Perak, Malaysia. The sampling was conducted at the up and downstream of Sungai Perak in the district of Perak Tengah, Malaysia. The sampling stations were Tanjung Belanja Bridge (TBB), Water Treatment Plant Parit (WTPP), Parit Town Discharge (PTD), Water Treatment Plant Senin (WTPS) and Water Treatment Plant Kepayang (WTPK). The water treatment plants channel water through the distribution network, to Manjung (249,600 people), Perak Tengah (249,600 people), Kinta (810,400 people) and Hilir Perak (144,400 people) districts. The hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) were applied for ecological and health risk assessments. The lifetime cancer risk (LCR) was employed for the health risk assessment. The PAHs contamination level presumptions for all sampling campaigns were low (0–100 μg/L). The HI values of ecological and health risk assessments were found to be aligned with each other. The HI values for raw water were below one (<1) indicating low or no risk while the treated water HI values were more than one (>1) indicating to high risk to aquatic organisms and human health. However, the LCR for raw and treated water exceeded the maximum permissible limit, 1.0 × 10−6 equals to cancer risk of 1 in 1,000,000 people. The LCR for raw water were 1.71 × 10−4 (TBB), 1.35 × 10−4 (WTPP), 1.43 × 10−4 (PTD), 9.54 × 10−5 (WTPS) and 2.37 × 10−4 (WTPK). Meanwhile, the LCR for treated water were 6.90 × 10−5 (WTPP), 5.42 × 10−5 (WTPS) and 2.63 × 10−4 (WTPK). The conventional water treatment system appears to be inefficient to remove PAHs, risking the security of public health. Thus, restructuring the infrastructure of water treatment plants or considering an alternative to rivers as domestic water sources are highly recommended.

Is the country-level income an important factor to consider for COVID-19 control? An analysis of selected 100 countries

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between economic activity in a country, as measured by the gross domestic product (GDP) and the control of the COVID-19 pandemic outcomes, as measured by the rate of incidence and mortality increase per 100,000 population in different countries using up-to-date data, in the light of public health security capacities including prevention, detection, respond, enabling function, operational readiness, as measured by the 2019 State Party self-assessment annual reporting (SPAR) submissions of 100 countries.Design/methodology/approachFor this analytical study, multiple linear regression analyses were performed for each variable with the COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates, while controlling for Human Development Index (HDI) and GDP.FindingsCountries with higher income levels were significantly more likely to have a higher incidence and mortality rate per 100,000 population. Among the public health capacity categories, prevention of the infectious disease and detection of the pathogens were significantly associated with lower incidence and mortality of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country-level income was found to be an important negative predictor of COVID-19 control.Practical implicationsThese findings present to decision-makers in organizing mitigation strategies to struggle emerging infectious pandemics and highlight the role of country-level income while trying to control COVID-19. In order to determine the priority settings for the fight against pandemic, national policy-makers and international organizations should notice that countries in a high-income group had better health security capacities than that of other income groups, particularly in low- and lower-middle-income groups. The results of the capabilities of health security by the income group can assist health policy makers and other international agencies in resource allocation decisions and in mitigating risk with more informed resource planning.Social implicationsThe income level of countries may have a positive effect on public health strategies to mitigate the risk of infection of COVID-19. This study may assist the local public authorities to gain a better level of understanding on the relationship country-level income and COVID-19 outcomes in order to take appropriate measures at the local level. The results also highlighted the importance role of public health security capacities for the pandemic control policy.Originality/valueAlthough previous studies have examined to assess the public health capability by country-level and to describe cases and deaths by continent and by country, very limited studies have evaluated the rate of incidence and mortality of COVID-19 by country-level income and by health expenditure using the data on the health security capacities with analytical and practical approaches.