Whose Democracy, and Whose Public Health?

Cancer Risk Factors Among Adults with Serious Mental Illness

Promoting synergies between clinical medicine and public health.

SPECIALTY GRAND CHALLENGE article Front. Public Health, 18 July 2013Sec. Public Health Education and Promotion https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2013.00020

Regional Public Health Training Centers: An Essential Partner in Workforce Development.

Introduction: Public health is a crucial aspect of maintaining the well-being and health of the community. The ever-growing demands of the modern world have resulted in a growing emphasis on public health to address the needs of the people in society. In the present era, the focus has shifted towards more advanced technologies like Chatbots. This essay will explore the importance of Chatbots in revolutionizing public health. What are Chatbots? A Chatbot is a computer program that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to simulate human conversation. It utilizes natural language processing (NLP) to recognize words and provide responses to queries. Chatbots can be programmed to interact with humans, answer questions, provide recommendations, and even offer assistance in various areas of public health. The Importance of Chatbots in Public Health: 1. Supporting Mental Health: Chatbots can be used to support mental health in various ways. They can be used to provide emotional support to individuals going through mental health issues. Chatbots can also direct individuals to professional help services, providing reassurance and guidance. The ability of chatbots to be available around the clock makes them an excellent resource to anyone experiencing distress. 2. Providing Personalized Health Solutions: Chatbots have the capacity to provide personalized health solutions tailored to individual needs. They can provide recommendations and guidance to people who are looking to improve their health status. Additionally, chatbots can also recommend lifestyle modifications, healthy eating habits, and medication management. 3. Improving Timeliness of Information: Chatbots can be programmed to deliver timely health information, such as disease outbreaks and epidemics. They can also provide real-time updates to help prevent the spread of disease. The prompt dissemination of information can save lives by keeping people informed and prepared. 4. Enhancing Efficiency: Chatbots can be integrated with health management systems to improve efficiency in the delivery of health services. They can be used to automate the appointment booking process, thus reducing wait times and streamlining service delivery. Chatbots can also assist in scheduling appointments, ensuring that patients receive timely treatment. 5. Cost-Effective Solution: Chatbots are a cost-effective solution to the growing demand for public health services. They can operate around the clock, providing assistance to a vast number of people with minimal operational costs. Chatbots can reduce the need for face-to-face consultations, which can be costly and time-consuming. Drawbacks of Chatbots in Public Health: 1. Limited Capacity: Chatbots may have limitations in handling complex healthcare services that require a sophisticated response from a human health professional. 2. Privacy and Security: Chatbots may not always be secure, raising concerns about privacy concerns for sensitive patient information. 3. Limited Human Connection: Chatbots cannot replace the human connection aspect of healthcare, especially during difficult times when emotions are running high. Conclusion: Chatbots have revolutionized public health by providing accessible, cost-effective, and personalized healthcare services. However, the potential drawbacks of limitations in handling complex healthcare tasks, privacy concerns and a lack of human connection highlight the need for careful integration of chatbots in the public's health landscape. While the integration of chatbots in public health care delivery will continue to grow, the need for monitoring and refinement will evolve with the technology's evolution. Chatbots are a valuable addition in the delivery of public health services, which need to be continuously fine-tuned to respond appropriately to the population's health needs.

PART ONE: UNDERPINNING CONCEPTS - THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR UNDERSTANDING PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE Historical Development of Public Health - Nicholas Fulton Phin Modern Public Health - Fiona Adshead and Allison Thorpe Determinants of Health - Soumen Sengupta Public Health Theories - Ann Bryan Inequalities in Health - Nicola Close Sociological Concepts of Public Health - Andy Lovell Principles of Epidemiology - Hamed A Adetunji Public Health and Demography - Mzwandile (Andi) Mabhala and Walid El Ansari Population and Surveillance - Hamed A. Adetunji Public Health Law - Nicholas Fulton Phin Leadership Development for Public Health Practitioners - Frances Wilson and Kim Greening Social Marketing - Allison Thorpe, Rowena Merritt, Clive Blair-Stevens and Jeff French Economics of Health - Hamed A. Adetunji Public Health and Sustainable Development - Mzwandile A. Mabhala and Peete Lesiamo Health Literacy - Mike Horah and Mzwandile (Andi) Mabhala Public Health and the Media - Pat Clarke Local Strategies for Public Health Implementation - Graham Holroyd Ehics of Public Health - Jill McCarthy Social Exclusion and Stigma - Elizabeth Mason-Whitehead Vulnerability - Jan Hardy and Tina Barrows PART TWO: PRACTICAL CONCEPTS - FOR APPLICATION: IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE Assessing Public Health Need - Pat Rose Planning and Public Health - Janine Talley Evaluating Public Health - Elaine Hogard Health Impact Assessment - Rachel A. Wells Health Protection - Nicholas Fulton Phin Immunisation - Michelle Falconer Public Health and Health Promotion - Frances Wilson Screening - Mzwandile (Andi) Mabhala Disease Prevention - Alan Massey Public Health and the Natural Environment - Kim Greening Environmental Impact on Health Emergency and Disaster Planning - Alex G Stewart and Richard Jarvis Walid El Ansari and Pat Deeny User Involvement and Influence - Walid El Collaborative and Partnership Working - Walid El Evidence Based Practice - Gail Louw Public Health and Contemporary Health Issues - Mike Thomas Public Health and Physical Activity - Hayley Mills, Diane Crone, Walid El Public Health and Nutrition - Basma Ellahi Community Food Initiatives - Basma Ellahi Commissioning Public Health - Frances Wilson and Moyra PART THREE: POPULATIONS: APPROACHES TO PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE Public Health and Mental Health - David Coyle Adherence to treatment - a person-centred approach - Dianne Phipps and Sara Bell Public Health and the Preschool Child - Jean Mannix and John Public Health and the Schools Community - Gabrielle Rabie Public Health and Young People - Gabrielle Rabie and Irene Public Health and Adults - Sue Phillips Student Health - Walid El Ansari Public Health and the Older Person - Irene Cooke and Jean Public Health and Homelessness - Judith Lydon and Scott Public Health and the Workplace - Alan Massey

BackgroundThe rapid evolution of social media in recent years has increased public exposure to suicide. While research has highlighted concerns about the role of social media in facilitating harmful discourse and imitative suicidal behaviour, there is a wide gap in our understanding of the impact of social media exposure in the aftermath of a suicide, and no research to our knowledge from preventive public and mental health perspectives. This qualitative study explored the experiences of public and mental health professionals in relation to social media exposure following a suicide. The study aimed to (1) Better understand social media risks from a public health perspective; (2) Provide insights for public health policy and strategy to enhance suicide prevention efforts and inform guidance for responding.MethodsIn-depth interviews were conducted with 10 purposively sampled public and mental health professionals based on their roles in crisis response, suicide prevention, and digital monitoring. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focusing on their experiences of responding to suicide-related risks on social media, including the spread of information across platforms, public engagement with content, impact, and intervention challenges. Data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify emerging themes.ResultsFour key themes emerged: (1) The communicative ecology of social media (where the public act as content purveyors, rapidly disseminating varied and often unregulated narratives); (2) Harmful effects (including the copycat effect and toxic discourse); (3) Positive effects (where protective discourse and moderation offer harm reduction opportunities); and (4) Challenges in intervention (including content moderation difficulties and algorithmic biases that amplify harmful narratives).ConclusionFindings highlight the need for improved content moderation, public health-led digital monitoring, and education on safe social media use. Strengthening real-time suicide surveillance, improving collaboration with social media platforms, and promoting public awareness of digital literacy are critical to mitigating risks and ensuring social media supports suicide prevention efforts. As digital communication continues to evolve, proactive public health strategies will be essential in safeguarding vulnerable individuals.

Public Health Finance

The paper provides a complete accounting of the Partners in Information Access for the Public Health Workforce (Partners) initiative since its inception in 1997, including antecedent activities since 1995. A descriptive overview is provided that is based on a review of meeting summaries, published reports, Websites, project reports, databases, usage statistics, and personal experiences from offices in the National Library of Medicine (NLM), six organizations that collaborate formally with NLM on the Partners initiative, and one outside funding partner. With ten years of experience, the initiative is an effective and unique public-private collaboration that builds on the strengths and needs of the organizations that are involved and the constituencies that they serve. Partners-supported and sponsored projects include satellite broadcasts or Webcasts, training initiatives, Web resource development, a collection of historical literature, and strategies for workforce enumeration and expansion of public health systems research, which provide excellent examples of the benefits realized from collaboration between the public health community and health sciences libraries. With continued funding, existing and new Partners-sponsored projects will be able to fulfill many public health information needs. This collaboration provides excellent opportunities to strengthen the partnership between library science and public health in the use of health information and tools for purposes of improving and protecting the public's health.

PurposeThis paper aims to use systems mapping as a tool to develop an organisation-wide approach to public mental health to inform strategic direction within a national public health agency. Design/methodology/approachTwo workshops were facilitated with internal staff from a wide range of public health policy teams working in small groups to produce paper-based maps. These were collated and refined by the project team and digitised. FindingsThe approach engaged a range of teams in forming a shared understanding and producing a complex system map of the influences on population mental health and well-being, where current policy initiatives were addressing them and what the gaps and priorities were. Participants valued the approach which led to further study and organisational commitment to the whole system working as part of national public mental health strategy. Research limitations/implicationsThe approach was limited to internal stakeholders and wider engagement with other sectors and community members would help further the application of complex system approaches to public mental health. Originality/valueIt was a valuable process for developing a whole-organisation approach and stimulating thinking and practice in complex system approaches. The paper provides a practical example of how to apply systems mapping and its benefits for organising public mental health practice.

As the importance of quality in health care provision is increasingly recognised, it is opportune to consider quality care as a key link between clinical and public health approaches to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This region has the lion's share of the global epidemic and the least resources to respond. Looking at health problems using a 'quality lens' may help bridge the gaps between clinical care and public health, the current and desired standard of care, and prevention and treatment. Quality care, with prompt diagnosis and effective treatment, of people with HIV infection is crucial for good individual health outcomes, public health outcomes (in terms of decreased HIV transmission) and societal outcomes (increased productivity and decreased costs of health provision for HIV-related care). A spotlight on quality care can bring clinicians and public health practitioners together in working towards universal access to quality HIV care and prevention - one of the greatest health challenges faced in developing countries in Africa today.

The Ethics of Public Health

Background International collaborations are valuable yet often undervalued assets that enhance the quality of public health education and bolster the development of the public health workforce. Objectives The Humphrey Fellowship Program, part of the Fulbright Exchange Program, facilitates mid-career professionals’ visits to US-based host universities for an academic year. Fellows engage in a semi-structured fellowship period to achieve self-defined goals, emphasizing professional development, expanded experience, and intercultural exchange. This study advocates for the program’s contribution to enhancing public health education. Results Currently, two universities host fellows in public health. Over decades, fellows have engaged with faculty and professionals, participated in classes and meetings, visited institutions for development purposes, and completed US-based affiliations, contributing significantly to their own and the public health workforce’s advancement. This interaction-based learning approach aids in navigating social and ethical challenges by fostering a deeper understanding of public and global health issues across countries. Conclusions The Humphrey Fellowship Program in public health stands as a commendable model. Similar initiatives could be beneficially replicated in the European region, leveraging local and global successes to strengthen ties with public health education institutions, student communities, and beyond. Key messages • Programs that facilitate international interactions can enhance public health professionals’ understanding of global perspectives. • The Humphrey Fellowship Program in the US stands as a commendable practice for mid-career public health professionals, contributing significant value to the education at host universities.

Artificial intelligence technology has become an important part of the development of Internet technology. Artificial intelligence technology can help colleges and universities optimize the network ideological and political teaching system. Artificial intelligence technology provides more accurate data resources and rich and reliable educational technology means for online public mental health education in colleges and universities. This paper comprehensively uses a variety of methods such as qualitative and quantitative analysis, case and empirical analysis, literature analysis, and artificial intelligence technology. Artificial intelligence technology has been closely integrated with online public mental health education in colleges and universities. The model systematically analyzes the optimization methods of artificial intelligence technology methods for the online public mental health education system in colleges and universities, and constructs an innovation system for online public mental health education in colleges and universities. Based on the comprehensive analysis of artificial intelligence and public health in colleges and universities, this paper further proposes the application of artificial intelligence technology in online public mental health education in colleges and universities. On this basis, the model conducts an in-depth analysis of artificial intelligence technology and the online public mental health innovation system. The model supports the development of ideological and political teaching in colleges and universities through various forms such as idea innovation, path innovation, carrier innovation, and mechanism innovation.

The state's role in promoting population health: Public health concerns in Canada, USA, UK, and Sweden