Abstract
During the twenty-first century we have seen a multitude of severe infectious disease outbreaks, the latest the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a devastating impact on lives and livelihoods around the globe.
More specifically, during the last two decades, the world has faced major epidemics including the return of old diseases like cholera, plague, and yellow fever, while new ones have emerged such as the SARS in 2003, the 2009 swine flu pandemic, the MERS in 2012, and most recently the novel coronavirus known as Covid-19. All the above epidemics resulted in substantial morbidity and mortality while spreading across borders to infect people in multiple countries.
However, during the same time space, we have also noticed significant medical advances, access to health care and improved sanitation that have reduced the overall mortality and morbidity linked to infectious diseases.
The implementation of various prevention and control measures has led to a significant reduction in some important infectious diseases. However, the increase of infectious disease rates along with the arrival of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 and it’s subvariants are to be taken seriously, given that already-strained health care systems may become overwhelmed. Evidence suggests that infection incidence rates and patterns of transmission for non-SARS-CoV-2 infections are rebounding after easing of social restrictions.
At the 6th Global webinar, we will consider and discuss the risk for the emergence of new and re-emergence of old infectious diseases noted in literature lately, as well as the biggest drivers of this process in a post-pandemic era.
Biography
Dr Shapo is a public health specialist with medical background and broad experience in public health. He has masters in epidemiology and public health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (UK). Over the last six years (2016 – 2022), he has led the health and social care integration program at London Borough of Southwark, UK. During the pandemic, he has been very active sharing his expertise both nationally and internationally with a focus on Covid-19 and the impact to healthcare services, lessons learned and the UK response. Dr Shapo is the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Public Health & Nutrition and has a track record of publishing in prestigious peer-reviewed journals.
Abstract
This presentation will define the what is meant by co-production and give the context for “Best Start in Life” (BSiL) in schools. A consideration of who holds the power is crucial to ensure that a more egalitarian approach is enabled. A further issue that was discussed and felt to be important in the implementation phase was how a sustainable way of working is developed to ensure that schools can continue to implement and facilitate young people to think about BSiL within their own lives and in their communities. The process was piloted with young women and later the involvement of young men was included.
The approach has enabled young people to learn more about different professions within the National Health Service and also how they can make changes in their lives and that of their families that will lead to better health outcomes.
Biography
Dr. Marion Gibbon, Assistant Director of Public Health, Birmingham City Council - Children and Families portfolio. She works across the Children and Families and Public Health Directorates. She has led the development and implementation of health improvement and prevention programmes over many years. She has worked internationally in Kenya, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Her doctoral work took place in Nepal and involved working with communities and particularly women to improve their health. She has undertaken organisational development and been involved in leading change at local, national and international levels. She is very creative and helps others to think outside the box. She has wide-ranging expertise across the public health field.
Abstract
Linda is a General Pediatrician with a long history of working with the underserved in rural and urban settings. She has worked in primary care with vulnerable populations. As such she bears direct witness to the impact of medical literacy on health outcomes. The course of her career has been in the education and empowerment of patient families in spite of negative determinants. Yet the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, were formidable and bear discussion. Dr. Linda’s practice of medicine in tandem with work in the non-profit and academic sectors, and as a public health educator has served to aid vulnerable populations in the understanding and effective use of medical information.
In the research arena, she has worked in basic science and clinical investigation. Her fields of study have included the microbiology of HIV, the clinical effects of hypertension, diabetes, and lead toxicity.
This conference will feature Dr. Linda’s anecdotal experience in collaborating with patient families in the Post COVID-19 pandemic era, so as to overcome medical illiteracy. Attention will be given to the lingering effects of the pandemic on navigation of the health care infrastructure. Special attention will be given to vulnerable pediatric populations.
Biography
Linda is a General Pediatrician with a long history of working with the underserved in rural and urban settings. As well, she has worked in the non-profit and academic sectors as a public health educator. In this regard, her creative use of social media for civic engagement has been an addition to the public health discourse in the promotion of child health and well-being. In research, she has been a contributor to basic science and clinical investigation. Study subject has included the immunology of HIV, and the clinical effects of hypertension, diabetes, and lead toxicity in children. Her work with obesity includes community events such as health fairs and healthy cooking seminars in rural Alabama. In addition, patients in rural Georgia were invited to Zumba in the Park, courtesy of grant funding and non-profit support. This is to supplement the daily efforts to encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices in the face of food deserts, inactivity, and poverty which exacerbate obesity for rural and BIPOC populations. Education: University of Virginia, B.A Chemistry, B.A French University of Chicago-Pritzker School of Medicine, M.D Emory University School of Public Health, MPH. Informatics
Abstract
Most individuals that are infected with the hepatitis B virus live with it for years without knowing they are infected, 12 % of the people living with chronic hepatitis B in the United States were born in Africa. Black or African Americans represent 62% of the population of Baltimore. AfricanImmigrants over the past 20 years have more than doubled in population in the United State, and they are disproportionately affected by hepatitis B with estimated infection rates of 10%. This study sought to determine the hepatitis B health-seeking behavior, awareness, and screening among Africa-Immigrants (AIs) in Baltimore, Maryland. This study was initiated because of the critical gaps in research on hepatitis B infection among African- Immigrants (AIs) in Baltimore, Maryland. This brief report summarizes the result of 22 qualitative in-depth interviews and one focus group discussion of 8 participants on hepatitis B knowledge, health-seeking behavior, awareness, and screening among adults aged 18-65 foreign-born African immigrants residing in Baltimore, Maryland. Focus Group recording was coded and transcribed using Atlas ti. The participants reported inadequate awareness and lack of access to screening for hepatitis B due to lack of health insurance, immigration status, cost of vaccination, and little knowledge on how to schedule appointments for screening and vaccination hence refusal to visit healthcare for hepatitis B screening and vaccination. The outcome of this study can improve research on hepatitis B awareness, screening, and vaccination among foreign-born African-Immigrants hence contributing to public health efforts in reducing the transmission of HBV and to clinical research in providing cures for chronic hepatitis B
Biography
Bukola Daramola is Licensed Registered Nurse & Midwife, and a Doctoral Public Health candidate at Morgan State University. She is a compassionate Public Health Professional and a knowledgeable Health Educator with a strong work history in the Ministry of Health, Nigeria on Maternal and Child Health among the underserved population. She has taught as an adjunct faculty in the School of Community Health and Policy, at Morgan State University. She focuses on improving the health of individuals and communities by using education and public health awareness strategies. Her research focus is on hepatitis B awareness, screening, and vaccination among high-risk and underserved populations in the USA.
Abstract
Will be updated soon
Biography
Prof. Swapna Chaudhuri is an alumnus of University of Calcutta. Presently she is an Emeritus Medical Scientist at Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute,Calcutta, India.She had joined School of Tropical Medicine in 2008 as Professor. Her research area is the fields of Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, Respiratory and Infectious Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cryptoccocal Immunology and Immunotherapy and Haematopoitic Stem cell Immunology and Immunotherapy.Taught at both postgraduate and undergraduate levels. Published seventy five papers in high impact factor journals and also reviews, monograms, book chapters, commentaries. Has won many Academic laurels and Fellowships, affiliated to twelve Academic Societies, Editorial Committee member of many National and International journals, Reviewer of fifty six high impact factor journals, Principal Investigator of twenty one projects, Supervised 21 PhD, MD and DM students. ORG
Abstract
Will be updated soon
Biography
Immunologist,Certified, Drug Safety Officer,Pharmacovigilance and Clinical Trials Specialist.Currently working at Seramun Diagnostica Biotechnology Company in the Dept.of Research and Development as a Research & Development Scientist in the field of Immunoassay.Completed PhD from Charite’-University of Medicine Berlin, Center for Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Internal Medicine Dept. of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology; German Rheumatology Research Center Berlin; Institute for Immunology, Center for Infection Medicine of Freie University Berlin. Ambassador of Brain City Berlin for Science and Technology. Diaspora Expert for Developing Countries in relation to health, education, research and consultation. Co-advisor and lecturer for Master and PhD students & lecturer of undergraduate students in different Ethiopian Universities. Ambassador of Tedda Health Science College in Gonder/ Ethiopia. Board Member of Ethiopian Institute of Textile and Fashion Technology EiTEX & Biorefinery Research Center (BRRC of EiTEX) in Bahir Dar University-Ethiopia, Board Member & Co-Founder and General Secretary of International Verein für Gesundheitsförderung in Äthiopien (IVGFÄ) at Germany. Vice-President of Bridge Ethiopia Network for Science and Technology (BE-NeST) in Germany. Auditor of German Society for Lupus Research Society/ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Lupus Forschung (DGLF) e,V.in Berlin-Germany.
Abstract
We know that when People feel fear, most have reduced abilities to understand information…for through the veil of fear…we peer.
When “new” fears combine with past trauma, to be effective, communication strategies must be customized. What issues cause fear? To whom and why? How do we consider and distinguish fears from myth; and then, when and by what methods effective health communications SHOULD be disseminated.
Accuracy is key, based upon known science, including studies and data, but reminding People each day that, as new facts, studies, data emerge, strategies may change. “Prepared” People are best-equipped to pay attention.
Public Health can do better—explaining the web of life and convincing local leaders that prioritizing against negative Social Determinants of Health can be had via: creative planning, zoning, and land use regulation; reasonable green and accessibility policies; and promotion of development options supporting home ownership and stable tenancies—all strategies highlighting and springing forth from already existing sector strengths. Such devotion results in built-in environments, programs, support systems, and workplaces HEALTHIER for ALL people.
“Othering” has forever interfered with Public Health. Wise leaders seek counsel from those who have lived or who are living realities of discrimination, harassment, marginalization. Representation matters. As Lies are pushed as “information,” effective leaders must push back.
Proactively invite People not historically seated. Recognizing Lies then becomes easier. Allowing Logic and Empathy seats at your Table helps effectively counter Lies, reduce Fear, and combat Greed.
Biography
Sharon Fisher Roberts, a longtime local government and public health attorney, graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organismal and Systems Biology from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, USA, and with a Juris Doctorate degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, USA. She has been a writer, trainer, and speaker for local, state, and international associations, across sectors, in areas of governance, disability law, civil rights, administration of justice, environmental regulations, housing, nonprofit management, communication, and best business practices. She is currently writing a novel and lawyering for committed local leaders
Abstract
More than 6 million people have died from COVID-19 virus since it swept across the globe from the beginning of 2020. While vaccination efforts have been implemented worldwide to mitigate the spread of the virus, vaccination distribution is not only leaving millions or billions of people vulnerable to the deadly virus, but also allowing even more deadly variants to emerge and spread across the globe. With the unequal vaccine distribution efforts, the gap between rich and poor countries have continued to widen. To understand the impact of vaccine inequity in low-income countries and globally, the inclusion of qualitative and quantitative data will highlight the long-term effects and consequences of not addressing vaccine inequity. In addition, a look at possible solutions that could increase inequality and inequity of COVID-19 vaccinations worldwide.
Biography
Randa Collins holds a MA in Global Affairs and Human Security from the University of Baltimore and a BA in Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution from Salisbury University. She started her career in the social services field back in 2015, where she provided healthcare and employment assistanceto refugee and Spanish speaking populations. In 2019, she transitioned over to the public health sector, where she provides data analysis and project management support to HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 prevention and treatment programs in low-income and underserved communities throughout the United States.
Abstract
Environmental pollution and changes in human lifestyles have led to contaminants in food.Micro-plastics and nano-plastics being typical representatives.Plastics are present in all environmental components, and concerns have been raised about their potential presence in the soil, food, food products, and other edible substances. There have been concerns about food safety previously, and such issues have increasingly become the focus of attention worldwide. Throughout the literature, two main ways explain the occurrence of plastics in food: through the food web (Trophic transfer of plastics in marine foods and seafood) and food processing.The world is currently producing twice as much plastic wasteas two decades ago, with the bulk of it ending up in incinerated, landfill, or leaking into the environment, and only 9 percent successfully recycled. Ultimately, plastics pose a threat to human health through consuming contaminants in food that need to be considered but are still challenging to determine. Researchers are still attempting to answer these questions, but so far, detection methods and quantitative and qualitative analyses of micro and nano-plastics have focused on the aquatic environment.With increasing numbers of research on micro and nano-plastics in food and their adverse effects on human health, there are still enormous challenges and data gaps to achieve the aim of preventing contamination of food by plastic particles. The treatment and control of plastics in food and food matrices is an urgent problem to be solved. Various recommendations are made to address this issue.
Biography
Helena completed her MPH recently and has been working for twenty-plus years as a Registered Nurse in Ghana and the United States serving in various capacities in the hospitals she’s worked. She is currently considering her path to a doctorate program. Her interest in Public Health stems from the fact that public health cuts across all areas of our lives and influences our daily activities in so many ways. She has a strong interest in womens’ health and affairs, equity, diversity and inclusion, Health Administration, Global Health, and Social Determinants of Health.
Abstract
Introduction: CheckYourself is the first-ever non-clinic based, self-collect STI testing program that was developed by, for, and in partnership with public health departments to reduce barriers to asymptomatic screening for HIV and STIs. CheckYourself partnered with a public health technology lab to offer The Standard 5 test kit that includes whole blood microtainer to screen for HIV (I, II, P24 Antigen) and Syphilis EIA, as well as urine testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Trichomoniasis.
Methods: CheckYourself was introduced March 2022 by National Coalition of STD Directors to expand public health department's capacity to uptake HIV/STI asymptomatic screening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since its establishment, CheckYourself has served 19 active accounts, and it's expected to expand to 37 active sites by mid-year of 2023.
Results: The program has administered 196 unique panels for asymptomatic STI testing and has seen an overall 25% positivity rate among asymptomatic clients.
Discussion/Conclusion: CheckYourself delivers tailored non-clinic based home healthcare solutions that addresses the needs of clients where they are and supports a generalized perception that non-clinic based Testing is an efficient way to allocate resources when clinical capacities are limited, and it empowers patients to be advocates of their own healthcare. To further address the unique needs of clients, the CheckYourself program will diversify its services and introduce three-site testing to screen for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, whole blood screening for Hepatitis C and a full PrEP screening panel for clients who are initiating PrEP.
Biography
Jessica manages the Check Yourself At-Home Testing Program at National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) providing training and technical assistance to national public health partners. Prior to joining NCSD, Jessica oversaw the daily operations of a walk-in HIV/STI sexual health clinic at Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center in Chicago, one of the largest HIV treatment facilities in the Midwest. Jessica earned a Master of Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Bachelor of Community Health from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She currently serves as board member of the Latino Caucus for Public Health, an affiliated organization of the American Public Health Association. In 2020, Jessica became a published contributing author for Today's Inspired Young Latina Vol II book series where she hopes her story will empower and inspire fellow Latinas to pursue a career in public health.
Abstract
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Biography
Samar has completed her PhD at the age of 31 years(2014) from Zagazig University, Egypt. I'm an associate professor of Zagazig University, Egypt 2019. Granted the MRCGP at the age of 29 year (2012) . Master degree in Mental Health Primary Care ,Nova University ,Portugal2020 . I have more than33 publications, Share in the writing of 4 books , and has been serving as an editorial board member of 4 Journals. I presented papers in more than 9 national and international jouranls.
Abstract
Introduction During the COVID-19 pandemic the healthcare systems all over the world were literally overwhelmed by the challenges related to the newly emerged virus. After small initial decreased into the number of the patients admitted into the emergency departments was recorded stable trend of increase into the patients influx. The rationalities of these phenomenon are several. The increased number of potentially contaminated patients and the requirement of assuring the safety of the hospital facility posed additional tasks for the emergency medicine specialists. While planning, organizing and executing these non routine activities a lot of vulnerabilities, both into the structure and organization of the workload were noticed.
The aim of this study is to present some of the main vulnerabilities decreasing the static component of the emergency medical support resilience highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic within the emergency department of the University hospital for active treatment "St. George" Plovdiv.
Materials and Methods By the means of the descriptive and comparative methods the vulnerabilities into location and structure of the emergency department are analyzed.
Results and Discussion Vulnerabilities that were decreasing the emergency department resilience - related to the static component -have been identified into the entrance of the building, routes of ingress and egress, structure and location of the examination and diagnostic facilities, triage area and etc.
The results of the performed analyses have proved the need of significant changes into the emergency department structure in order to facilitate the triage and admittance of greater number of simultaneously arriving patients that is expected during crisis and disasters
Biography
Prof Colonel Rostislav Stefanov Kostadinov is Organizing and leading the educational process for Medical University of Plovdiv and Medical College of Plovdiv students. Delivering lectures, leading seminars and the students examine. Monitoring, organizing, and facilitating the International relations and Project activities of the Public Health Faculty academic staff. Organizing and leading Ph.D. and resident programs on Disaster Medicine and Disaster Medical Support at the Medical University of Plovdiv Planning, organizing, and managing courses for improvement of the population skills for healthy behavior in case of disasters and catastrophes. Leading and managing courses for disaster medical support (for medical professionals) and advance medical training for search and rescue team members.
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