| 21. |
- Bajraktari, Saranda, et al.
(författare)
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Reaching older people with a digital fall prevention intervention in a Swedish municipality context : an observational study
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Public Health. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2296-2565. ; 10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: There is robust evidence that falls in old age can be prevented by exercise programs that include balance training, functional exercises, and strength training. For the interventions to have a population health impact, outreach to the population of focus with suitable interventions is needed. While digital interventions are promising there is limited knowledge on the characteristics of who is reached. The aim of this study was to describe the recruitment process, estimate reach rate at the population level and to describe participants characteristics and representativeness in a digital fall prevention intervention study.Methods: In a municipality-based observational study, reach of a digital fall prevention intervention was evaluated. The intervention included a digital exercise programme (Safe Step) and optional supportive strategies, complemented with a range of recruitment strategies to optimize reach. Recruitment during a period of 6 months was open to people 70 years or older who had experienced a fall or a decline in balance the past year. Reach was based on data from the baseline questionnaire including health and demographic characteristics of participants. Representativeness was estimated by comparing participants to a sample of older people from the Swedish National Public Health Survey.Results: The recruitment rate was 4.7% (n = 173) in relation to the estimated population of focus (n = 3,706). Most participants signed up within the first month of the intervention (n = 131). The intervention attracted primarily women, older people with high education, individuals who used the internet or digital applications almost every day and those perceiving their balance as fair or poor. Safe step participants lived more commonly alone and had higher education and better walking ability in comparison to the Swedish National Public Health Survey.Conclusions: With a range of recruitment strategies most participants were recruited to a digital fall intervention during the first month. The intervention attracted primarily highly educated women who frequently used the internet or smart technologies. In addition to digital fall prevention interventions, a higher diversity of intervention types (digital and non-digital) is more likely to reach a larger group of older people with different needs.
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| 22. |
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| 23. |
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| 24. |
- Bashkin, Osnat, et al.
(författare)
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Emerging lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic about the decisive competencies needed for the public health workforce : A qualitative study
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Public Health. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2296-2565. ; 10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The global COVID-19 crisis exposed the critical need for a highly qualified public health workforce. This qualitative research aimed to examine public health workforce competencies needed to face COVID-19 challenges and identify the gaps between training programs and the competency demands of real-world disasters and pandemics. Through a sample of thirty-one participant qualitative interviews, we examined the perspectives of diverse stakeholders from lead public health organizations in Israel. Grounded Theory was used to analyze the data. Six themes emerged from the content analysis: public health workforce's low professional status and the uncertain future of the public health workforce; links between the community and Higher Education institutions; the centrality of communication competencies; need to improve health promotion; the role of leadership, management, and partnership, and innovation in public health coherence. Increasing the attractiveness of the profession, professional and financial support, and improving the working conditions to ensure a sustainable and resilient PH system were deemed necessary. This paper describes and cultivates new knowledge and leadership skills among public health professionals, and lays the groundwork for future public health leadership preparedness programs.
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| 25. |
- Belmans, N, et al.
(författare)
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In vitro Assessment of the DNA Damage Response in Dental Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Following Low Dose X-ray Exposure
- 2021
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Ingår i: Frontiers in public health. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2296-2565. ; 9, s. 584484-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Stem cells contained within the dental mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) population are crucial for tissue homeostasis. Assuring their genomic stability is therefore essential. Exposure of stem cells to ionizing radiation (IR) is potentially detrimental for normal tissue homeostasis. Although it has been established that exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation (IR) has severe adverse effects on MSCs, knowledge about the impact of low doses of IR is lacking. Here we investigated the effect of low doses of X-irradiation with medical imaging beam settings (<0.1 Gray; 900 mGray per hour), in vitro, on pediatric dental mesenchymal stromal cells containing dental pulp stem cells from deciduous teeth, dental follicle progenitor cells and stem cells from the apical papilla. DNA double strand break (DSB) formation and repair kinetics were monitored by immunocytochemistry of γH2AX and 53BP1 as well as cell cycle progression by flow cytometry and cellular senescence by senescence-associated β-galactosidase assay and ELISA. Increased DNA DSB repair foci, after exposure to low doses of X-rays, were measured as early as 30 min post-irradiation. The number of DSBs returned to baseline levels 24 h after irradiation. Cell cycle analysis revealed marginal effects of IR on cell cycle progression, although a slight G2/M phase arrest was seen in dental pulp stromal cells from deciduous teeth 72 h after irradiation. Despite this cell cycle arrest, no radiation-induced senescence was observed. In conclusion, low X-ray IR doses (< 0.1 Gray; 900 mGray per hour), were able to induce significant increases in the number of DNA DSBs repair foci, but cell cycle progression seems to be minimally affected. This highlights the need for more detailed and extensive studies on the effects of exposure to low IR doses on different mesenchymal stromal cells.
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| 26. |
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| 27. |
- Beukes, Eldre W., et al.
(författare)
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Changes in Tinnitus Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- 2020
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Public Health. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2296-2565. ; 8, s. 1-13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted delivery of healthcare, economic activity, and affected social interactions. Identifying and supporting those most affected by the pandemic is required. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the pandemic on individuals with tinnitus and to identify mediating factors. Methods: This is a mixed-methods exploratory cross-sectional study, using data collected via an online survey from 3,103 individuals with tinnitus from 48 countries. The greatest representation was from North America (49%) and Europe (47%) and other countries were only marginally represented. Results: Although the study was aimed at those with pre-existing tinnitus, 7 individuals reported having COVID-19 initiated tinnitus. Having COVID-19 symptoms exacerbated tinnitus in 40% of respondents, made no change in 54%, and improved tinnitus in 6%. Other mediating factors such as the social and emotional consequences of the pandemic made pre-existing tinnitus more bothersome for 32% of the respondents, particularly for females and younger adults, better for 1%, and caused no change to tinnitus for 67%. Pre-existing tinnitus was significantly exacerbated for those self-isolating, experiencing loneliness, sleeping poorly, and with reduced levels of exercise. Increased depression, anxiety, irritability, and financial worries further significantly contributed to tinnitus being more bothersome during the pandemic period. Conclusions: These findings have implications for tinnitus management, because they highlight the diverse response both internal and external factors have on tinnitus levels. Clinical services should be mindful that tinnitus may be caused by contracting COVID-19 and pre-existing tinnitus may be exacerbated, although in the majority of respondents there was no change. Additional support should be offered where tinnitus severity has increased due to the health, social, and/or emotional effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tinnitus may be more bothersome for those experiencing loneliness, having fewer social interactions, and who are more anxious or worried.
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| 28. |
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| 29. |
- Bhaskar, Sonu, et al.
(författare)
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At the Epicentre of COVID-19 - the Tragic Failure of the Global Supply Chain for Medical Supplies
- 2020
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Public Health. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2296-2565.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The tragic failure of the global supply chain in the face of the current coronavirus outbreak has caused acute shortages of essential frontline medical devices and personal protective equipment, crushing fear among frontline health workers and causing fundamental concerns about the sustainability of the health system. Much more coordination, integration, and management of global supply chains will be needed to mitigate the impact of the pandemics. This article describes the pressing need to revisit the governance and resilience of the supply chains that amplified the crisis at pandemic scale. We propose a model that profiles critical stockpiles and improves production efficiency through new technologies such as advanced analytics and blockchain. A new governance system that supports intervention by public-health authorities during critical emergencies is central to our recommendation, both in the face of the current crisis and to be better prepared for potential future crises. These reinforcements offer the potential to minimize the compromise of our healthcare workers and health systems due to infection exposure and build capacity toward preparedness and action for a future outbreak.
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| 30. |
- Bjoerkman, A., et al.
(författare)
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The Swedish COVID-19 approach: a scientific dialogue on mitigation policies
- 2023
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Ingår i: Frontiers In Public Health. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2296-2565. ; 11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sweden was among the few countries that did not enforce strict lockdown measures but instead relied more on voluntary and sustainable mitigation recommendations. While supported by the majority of Swedes, this approach faced rapid and continuous criticism. Unfortunately, the respectful debate centered around scientific evidence often gave way to mudslinging. However, the available data on excess all-cause mortality rates indicate that Sweden experienced fewer deaths per population unit during the pandemic (2020-2022) than most high-income countries and was comparable to neighboring Nordic countries through the pandemic. An open, objective scientific dialogue is essential for learning and preparing for future outbreaks.
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