OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe the socio-ecological and health profile of the Philippine LIFECARE study sites, its health care services and leading causes of mortality and morbidity.

METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study that recruited participants aged 20-50 years from Metro Manila and four provinces (Bulacan, Batangas, Quezon, Rizal). Study sites were characterized according to their geographical area, terrain and environmental profile, and available health care system.

RESULTS: 3,072 subejects were included, with male-to-female ratio of 1:1.3 and majority aged 30-50 years. Metro Manila was the most congested site. Two-thirds of the 62 villages (barangays) were rural, outside the town proper, and in lowlands. One-fourth were along coastal area. Almost all were accessible by public transportation. Majority have reduced forest cover, but were relatively safe from environmental hazards. Rural health units, hospitals, and professional health care workers were concentrated in Metro Manila. Leading cause of morbidity was respiratory tract infection, while cardiovascular diseases caused most of mortalities.

CONCLUSION: Study sites were mainly rural, outside the town proper and in lowlands, with available public transportation. There is an unequal distribution of health resources. Cardiovascular diseases is still the leading cause of mortality. The disparities in geographical access to health care play an important role in shaping human health.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Health Care Facilities, Manpower, and Services ; Delivery of Health Care ; Health Resources

The emerging global needs call for an expanded role of public health nurses in global health. Their competency is essential in responding to the emerging health challenges and to contribute to the attainment of Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals. This paper determined the self-assessed level of confidence of public health nurses on the global health competencies. The study utilized a quantitative, descriptive research design. A survey tool that contains a list of the global health competencies on global burden of disease, health implications of travel and displacement, social and environmental determinants of health, globalization of health and health care, health care in low resource settings, health care as a human right and development resource was utilized. A total of 17 public health nurses from the 16 health centers in Baguio City, Philippines were recruited through total enumeration. Higher scores were given to the competencies on social and environmental determinants of health while lower scores were found on competencies related to globalization of health and health care. Overall, the public health nurses in Baguio City assessed themselves as often confident on the global health competencies. The study highlights areas for improved education and training, which are essential in attaining the global health competencies. Integration of global health concepts in the practice of public health nurses is required to enhance their competency in dealing with global health issues and challenges. This study recommends global health training for public health nurses to enhance their awareness, preparation, and confidence in the global health competencies.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Nurses, Public Health ; Global Health ; Philippines ; Global Burden Of Disease ; Goals ; Health Resources ; Internationality ; Surveys And Questionnaires ; Awareness ; Human Rights ; Conservation Of Natural Resources

There are many international guidelines that have been developed to ensure that the conduct of researches by countries, institutions and individuals are ethical. There are, however, unique opportunities as well as challenges in research in the ASEAN region which mandate not only adherence to these guidelines but which necessitate regional as well as individual country efforts to ensure that biomedical researches uphold the dignity, ensure safety and protect the rights of participants. Some of the challenges are: the widespread poverty or uneven distribution of resources in developing countries which cause patients to participate in clinical trials to avail of services that otherwise are inaccessible, lack of a research infrastructure that makes ethics review of protocols inadequate or slow, and lack of post-trial access to medications which have been tested in precisely the populations that need these drugs. The aim of this paper is to review the ethical challenges in health research encountered in Asia and to describe the regional efforts being undertaken to address them.

Human ; Asia ; Developing Countries ; Health Occupations ; Health Resources ; Poverty ; Research ; Safety ; Ethics ; Biomedical Research ; Ethics, Research

Human resources for health ; demand and supply projection ; medical specialists ; demand-based approach ; physician requirement

PURPOSE: This pioneering study aimed to investigate social disparities in breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC) incidence rates among women across Iran's provinces from 2003 to 2009. METHODS: Provincial level population distribution data pertaining to women were obtained from the Statistical Centre of Iran. Age-standardized incidence rates of BC and OC were gathered from the National Cancer Registry. Human Development Index was used as the provinces' social rank (SR), and rate ratio and Kunst and Mackenbach relative index of inequality were used to assess social disparities. Annual percentage change (APC) was calculated using joinpoint regression, and Spearman rank correlation was used to examine the association between APC and SR. RESULTS: It was found that over the study period, annual incidence rates rose by 11.6% and 9.7% for BC and OC, respectively. Social disparities were substantial and stable in favor of provinces with lower SR in Iran, and were more profound for BC than OC. Correlations between APC and SR were small and nonsignificant for both BC and OC. CONCLUSION: The results showed that both BC and OC incidence increased in Iran during 2003 to 2009. There were positive associations between BC and OC incidence rates and the provinces' SR. This study's recommendations provide valuable information for health resource allocation pertaining to BC and OC control programs across provinces in Iran.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Demography ; Female ; Health Resources ; Health Status Disparities ; Human Development ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Iran* ; Longitudinal Studies ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Socioeconomic Factors

OBJECTIVES: Since many Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were not achieved, countries including Iran—despite achieving some of the MDGs—need regular planning to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. This article examines maternal and child health indicators in the early years of the SDGs in Iran relative to several other countries.METHODS: This study was carried out through a secondary analysis of maternal and child health indicators in Iran. The results were compared with data from other countries divided into three groups: countries with upper-middle income levels, countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region, and the countries covered by the Outlook Document 1,404 (a regional classification). Then, the relationship between these indicators and the Human Development Index was investigated.RESULTS: Iran has attained better results than other countries with respect to maternal mortality, family planning, skilled birth attendance, under-5 deaths, incidence of hepatitis B, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccination coverage, and antenatal care. In contrast, Iran performed worse than other countries with respect to under-5 wasting, under-5 stunting, and care-seeking behavior for children.CONCLUSIONS: Overall, among the 11 indicators surveyed, Iran has attained better-than-average results and seems to be improving. We recommend that Iran continue interventions in the field of maternal and child health.
Child Health ; Child ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Family Planning Services ; Growth Disorders ; Hepatitis B ; Human Development ; Humans ; Incidence ; Iran ; Maternal Health ; Maternal Mortality ; Mediterranean Region ; Parturition ; Vaccination

Climate changes, particularly global warming, are attributable to human activities, mainly fossil fuel burning which releases greenhouse gases such as CO2. The emissions of CO2 continue to rise, and climate models project 1.1degrees C to 6.4degrees C rise of average surface temperature over the 21st century. Health effects from global warming range from increased mortality by extreme weather, floods, and storms to increase of diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and diarrhea. Korea is not immune to health impacts from global warming. Data on daily temperature of Seoul in 1994 showed a clear association with daily mortality. Rise of sea and surface temperatures also indicates possibility of increase in infectious diseases in Korea. Concentrations of ambient pollutants, particularly ozone, were shown to be associated with surface temperature. Therefore, we are already in the influence of climate change. Adaptation strategy to climate changes is basically a matter of public health. Well-prepared programs for responding to climate changes will minimize health risks. The most effective responses are strengthening of the key functions of environmental management, surveillance, and response to natural disasters and changes of disease patterns associated with global warming. We need to intensify our efforts in preventive public health, and ensure sustainable development and protection of ecosystem for human health.
Burns ; Climate ; Climate Change ; Communicable Diseases ; Dengue ; Diarrhea ; Dietary Sucrose ; Disasters ; Ecosystem ; Floods ; Fossil Fuels ; Gases ; Global Warming ; Human Activities ; Humans ; Korea ; Malaria ; Natural Resources ; Ozone ; Public Health ; Weather