Showing papers on "Preparedness published in 2023"

Sources, diffusion and prediction in COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned to face next health emergency

Abstract: Scholars and experts argue that future pandemics and/or epidemics are inevitable events, and the problem is not whether they will occur, but when a new health emergency will emerge. In this uncertain scenario, one of the most important questions is an accurate prevention, preparedness and prediction for the next pandemic. The main goal of this study is twofold: first, the clarification of sources and factors that may trigger pandemic threats; second, the examination of prediction models of on-going pandemics, showing pros and cons. Results, based on in-depth systematic review, show the vital role of environmental factors in the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and many limitations of the epidemiologic models of prediction because of the complex interactions between the new viral agent SARS-CoV-2, environment and society that have generated variants and sub-variants with rapid transmission. The insights here are, whenever possible, to clarify these aspects associated with public health in order to provide lessons learned of health policy that may reduce risks of emergence and diffusion of new pandemics having negative societal impact.

Efficient resilience portfolio design in the supply chain with consideration of preparedness and recovery investments

Abstract: Supply chain (SC) resilience is imperative to cope with disruptions using some preparedness and recovery capabilities such as network redundancy (e.g., backup suppliers) and process flexibility (e.g., capacity agility). These capabilities frame an SC resilience portfolio. Both designing a resilient portfolio and recovering in case of a real disruption require investments. This paper presents a new mathematical model for designing an efficient resilience portfolio in a multi-echelon SC. Through computational and comparative analyses using a real-life case-study, we demonstrate that our model allows increasing resilience at minimal costs by determining an optimal combination of preparedness and recovery investments. Interestingly, the optimal solutions (i.e., efficient resilient SC designs) increase SC efficiency even in business-as-usual scenarios. This result contributes to the literature on transforming resilience from an expensive spend to a value-creation asset. We illustrate our approach using a real-life industrial example that allows for the identification of important relations between disruption duration/magnitude and efficiency of preparedness and recovery strategies. Based on computational, comparative, and case-study analyses, we deduce and generalize managerial implications at the network, supplier, and manufacturer levels. We take an extra step by extrapolating our major findings and generalized managerial implications toward the COVID-19 pandemic setting. The outcome of our research can be instructive for SC managers when deciding on investments in resilient redundancy allocation as a part of preparedness strategy and efficient recovery deployment.

Should I Stay or Should I Go? How Danish MNEs in Russia Respond to a Geopolitical Shift

Abstract: Geopolitical shifts are having an increased impact on multinational enterprises. We propose a framework that illustrates how corporate responses to geopolitical shifts vary with operational and reputational considerations. We build our framework from evidence of how five Danish multinationals with operations in Russia responded to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The selected cases highlight several drivers of operational and reputational considerations that offer reasons for MNEs’ heterogeneity in strategic responses. Based on our framework, we derive recommendations for managers in terms of increased preparedness and awareness. We also recommend that policymakers reconsider their strategies for using corporations as geopolitical instruments.

Mobilization of science advice by the Canadian federal government to support the COVID-19 pandemic response

Abstract: Abstract The procurement and provision of expert-driven, evidence-informed, and independent science advice is integral to timely decision-making during public health emergencies. The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has underscored the need for sound evidence in public health policy and exposed the challenges facing government science advisory mechanisms. This paper is a jurisdictional case study describing (i) the federal science advice bodies and mechanisms for public health in Canada (i.e., the federal science advice “ecosystem”); and (ii) how these bodies and mechanisms have mobilized and evolved to procure expertise and evidence to inform decisions during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. We reviewed publicly accessible Government of Canada documents, technical reports, and peer-reviewed articles available up to December 2021. Canada’s federal landscape of science advisory bodies for public health within the Health Portfolio was largely shaped by Canada’s experiences with the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome and 2009 H1N1 outbreaks. In parallel, Canada has a designated science advisory apparatus that has seen frequent reforms since the early 2000s, with the current Office of the Chief Science Advisor created within the Science Portfolio in 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated Canada’s science advice ecosystem, with involvement from departments, expert advisory groups, and partnerships within both the federal Health and Science Portfolios. Although the engagement of federal departments outside the health sector is promising, the COVID-19 experience in Canada supports the need to institutionalize science advisory bodies for public health to improve pandemic preparedness and ensure rapid mobilization of well-coordinated and independent advice in future emergencies. This review also identified pressing areas for further inquiry to strengthen science advice for public health in Canada, including to assess the independence of science advisory actors and the interaction between federal and subnational authorities.

Mucosal vaccines for SARS-CoV-2: scientific gaps and opportunities—workshop report

Abstract: On November 7th and 8th, 2022, The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI), The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), and the Wellcome Trust hosted a virtual workshop entitled “Mucosal Vaccines for SARS-CoV-2: Scientific Gaps and Opportunities.” During the workshop, researchers and vaccine developers from around the world discussed the potential of mucosal vaccines to block SARS-CoV-2 transmission and reviewed the status of SARS-CoV-2 mucosal vaccine research. Here, we summarize key challenges and opportunities in basic, translational, and clinical research that were highlighted during the meeting. We also provide recommendations to advance the field and accelerate the development of mucosal vaccines for SARS-CoV-2.

The influence of weight training on the manifestation of special physical fitness of schoolchildren in grades 9-11

Abstract: To establish the dependence of the impact of weight training on the manifestation of physical qualities of schoolchildren in grades 9-11. The research was conducted at the Pokrovsky-Bagachan Lyceum of the Khorolsk City Council of the Lubensk District of the Poltava Region. To solve the problem, a group of 30 high school students was formed, who systematically practiced in the strength sports section, and in particular, kettlebell sports. The age of the test subjects was 15-17 years, the experience of continuous training in kettlebell sports sections was 0.5-1.5 years. Pedagogical testing is presented to determine the level of special preparedness of schoolchildren of grades 9-11, who were engaged in kettlebell sports sections. Exercises were determined that are appropriate to use at these stages of training: jerking a 24 kg kettlebell in 10 minutes; kettlebell push 24 kg in 10 minutes; squats with weights of 24 kg for the number of times; deadlift with weights 24 kg for the number of times. The material presented in this publication shows that the general physical fitness of schoolchildren of grades 9- 11, who train in sports sections of secondary schools, corresponds to peers in most indicators, but has more improved indicators. The mentioned facts testify to the slowing down of the processes of deceleration of the physical development of modern children. As a result of testing of special preparedness using competitive and special-preparatory exercises for kettlebell sports, it was found that the indicators improve every year in all exercises (p<0.05), especially in the 24 kg kettlebell jerk in 10 minutes from the 9th to the 10th grade (t=4.00; p<0.001), and from 10th to 11th grade (3.55; p<0.01), but the high increase was in two years (t=7.05; p<0.001). In performing the 24 kg kettlebell push exercise, the number of times was from 9th to 10th grade (t=2.56; p<0.05), and from 10th to 11th grade (2.79; p<0.05), but high the increase was in two years (t=4.79; p<0.001). Performance of the squat exercise with 24 kg weights increased by the number of times in the age intervals from the 9th to the 10th grade (1.78; p>0.05), from the 10th to the 11th grade (t=2.10; p<0.05) , and for the entire training period (t=3.66; p<0.001). The indicators of deadlift with 24 kg weights per number of times among schoolchildren significantly increased in the period from the 9th to the 10th grade (t=2.77; p<0.05) from the 10th to the 11th grade (t=3.15; p<0, 01), and for the entire period was (t=7.48; p<0.001).

Reactions of the public transport sector to the COVID-19 pandemic. Insights from Belgium

Abstract: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, public transport has been one of the hardest hit transport modes, losing ridership due to fear of contagion. This can partially be explained by the lack of preparedness in the sector to a pandemic scenario, as only few cities had epidemic contingency plans for the transport sector. To anticipate disruptions caused by future crises, we look at the preparedness and the response to COVID-19 by the public transport sector in Belgium. We interview all public transport operators in Belgium and analyze the interviews through the disaster management framework. We also aim to distill the lessons that can be learned from the pandemic to increase resilience in future public transport planning. We find that no operator in Belgium had contingency plans ready for a pandemic scenario, but that other plans were deployed to adapt their offer to COVID-19 conditions. Although all operators lost a significant part of ridership, their offer was maintained throughout the crisis, albeit at a decreased level for some operators. The availability of reliable and real-time data is identified as an important learning by the operators, as well as the ability to identify a core response team in case of a crisis. COVID-19 was seen by the operators as a learning platform to face future crises and highlighted the need to increase reactivity through better preparedness and data availability. We recommend the structural use of foresight methods through for example scenario planning to increase the preparedness of operators in the case of future disruptions.

Factors affecting the intention to prepare for tsunami in Thailand

Abstract: The threat brought by natural disasters such as tsunamis is evident since the major chaotic event happened in 2004. Related studies have dealt with the mapping and routes for efficient evacuation but limited works of literature considered the intention to prepare for tsunamis. This study aimed to analyze different factors affecting the intention to prepare for tsunamis through the integration of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Protection Motivation Theory. A total of 736 valid responses collected via convenience sampling answered a self-administered cross-sectional online survey to measure the behavioral aspects holistically. Through the use of structural equation modeling, factors such as understanding tsunami affecting perceived severity (PS) and perceived vulnerability (PV) were seen to be the most significant relationship. In addition, attitude on intention to prepare showed a significant direct relationship, which led to an understanding of tsunami having an indirect effect on intention to prepare through PS, PV, and attitude. It could be deduced that when people understand the impact, severity, vulnerability, and aftermath brought by tsunamis, individuals would have a high positive relationship to attitude to prepare for tsunamis. This study presented practical and government implications for promoting mitigation and preparedness among people for tsunami. Moreover, the findings of this study may be applied to other countries that may be affected by tsunamis. This study is considered the first study that measured intention to prepare for tsunami holistically. Lastly, this study contributes to people's intention towards preparation for natural disasters which can be applied and extended for other calamities worldwide.

The Future of Epidemic and Pandemic Vaccines to Serve Global Public Health Needs

Abstract: This Review initiates a wide-ranging discussion over 2023 by selecting and exploring core themes to be investigated more deeply in papers submitted to the Vaccines Special Issue on the “Future of Epidemic and Pandemic Vaccines to Serve Global Public Health Needs”. To tackle the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, an acceleration of vaccine development across different technology platforms resulted in the emergency use authorization of multiple vaccines in less than a year. Despite this record speed, many limitations surfaced including unequal access to products and technologies, regulatory hurdles, restrictions on the flow of intellectual property needed to develop and manufacture vaccines, clinical trials challenges, development of vaccines that did not curtail or prevent transmission, unsustainable strategies for dealing with variants, and the distorted allocation of funding to favour dominant companies in affluent countries. Key to future epidemic and pandemic responses will be sustainable, global-public-health-driven vaccine development and manufacturing based on equitable access to platform technologies, decentralised and localised innovation, and multiple developers and manufacturers, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There is talk of flexible, modular pandemic preparedness, of technology access pools based on non-exclusive global licensing agreements in exchange for fair compensation, of WHO-supported vaccine technology transfer hubs and spokes, and of the creation of vaccine prototypes ready for phase I/II trials, etc. However, all these concepts face extraordinary challenges shaped by current commercial incentives, the unwillingness of pharmaceutical companies and governments to share intellectual property and know-how, the precariousness of building capacity based solely on COVID-19 vaccines, the focus on large-scale manufacturing capacity rather than small-scale rapid-response innovation to stop outbreaks when and where they occur, and the inability of many resource-limited countries to afford next-generation vaccines for their national vaccine programmes. Once the current high subsidies are gone and interest has waned, sustaining vaccine innovation and manufacturing capability in interpandemic periods will require equitable access to vaccine innovation and manufacturing capabilities in all regions of the world based on many vaccines, not just “pandemic vaccines”. Public and philanthropic investments will need to leverage enforceable commitments to share vaccines and critical technology so that countries everywhere can establish and scale up vaccine development and manufacturing capability. This will only happen if we question all prior assumptions and learn the lessons offered by the current pandemic. We invite submissions to the special issue, which we hope will help guide the world towards a global vaccine research, development, and manufacturing ecosystem that better balances and integrates scientific, clinical trial, regulatory, and commercial interests and puts global public health needs first.

The return of austerity imperils global health

Abstract: Recognising the world’s lack of preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic, international organisations like the World Health Organization, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund are calling for extensive additional funding to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response systems in low-income and middle-income countries, including through domestic resource mobilisation. This article examines the prospects of national health budgets increasing in such a context, drawing on new International Monetary Fund projections on public spending around the world. We show that by 2024 public spending will be lower than the 2010s average for almost half of all low-income and middle-income countries. A key driver of this new wave of austerity is the dramatic increase in public spending dedicated to repaying external debt—underpinned by growing debt stocks, US interest rates rises, and commodity price hikes. As in earlier crises, the stage is set for a situation where population health deteriorates—via compound effects of the pandemic and widespread economic hardship—while public health services required to tackle increased need are facing steep cuts. We conclude by considering what can be done to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.

Marburg virus disease: the paradox of Nigeria’s preparedness and priority effects in co-epidemics

Abstract: Abstract Background The recent outbreaks of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Guinea and Ghana have become a major public health concern not only to the West African sub-region but a threat to global health. Main body of the abstract Given the poorly elucidated ecological and epidemiological dynamics of the Marburg virus, it would be imprudent to preclude the possibility of another pandemic if urgent efforts are not put in place. However, the prior emergence and impact of COVID-19 and other co-occurring epidemics may add ‘noise’ to the epidemiological dynamics and public health interventions that may be required in the advent of a MVD outbreak in Nigeria. Short conclusion Paying attention to the lessons learned from previous (and current) multiple epidemics including Avian Influenza, Yellow fever, Ebola virus disease, Monkeypox, Lassa fever, and COVID-19 could help avoid a potentially devastating public health catastrophe in Nigeria.

Flash floods: why are more of them devastating the world’s driest regions?

Abstract: Shifting weather, changing settlement patterns and a lack of preparedness mean that dryland areas are most at risk from flooding. Researchers need to focus on data collection, early-warning systems, flood protection and more. Shifting weather, changing settlement patterns and a lack of preparedness mean that dryland areas are most at risk from flooding. Researchers need to focus on data collection, early-warning systems, flood protection and more.

COVID-19 and Beyond: The Pivotal Role of Health Literacy in Pandemic Preparedness

Abstract: An abstract is not available for this content. As you have access to this content, full HTML content is provided on this page. A PDF of this content is also available in through the ‘Save PDF’ action button.