Asthma, Health and Society

Asthma, Health and Society
Author: Andrew Harver
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 347
Release: 2010-03-10
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0387782850

Asthma, Health, and Society A Public Health Perspective Edited by Andrew Harver, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte Harry Kotses, Ohio University, Athens Asthma, Health, and Society is a comprehensive, current resource on this complex disease—its scope, human costs, and management—from a combined social ecology/public health perspective. This important and unique book proposes a concerted, multifaceted response and sets out the foundation for shaping this response, comprising individual and large-scale assessment, education, advocacy, and multiple forms of intervention. In clear, authoritative detail enhanced by figures, graphs, and references, contributors explain where universal standards need to be set, alliances need to be built (such as among agencies and institutions in a community), and what is currently known about: Pathophysiology, epidemiology, and social impact of asthma. Genetic and environmental factors; protective factors and risk markers. Effects in women, minorities, children, teens, and elders. Medical management, self-management, and home monitoring. Evidence-based interventions at the family, school, and community levels. Screening guidelines, compliance issues, and more. In the absence of a cure or clear-cut causes, Asthma, Health, and Society offers the most robust compilation of practical knowledge on its subject to benefit the range of public health and asthma professionals, researchers, teachers, and students

Severe Asthma

Severe Asthma
Author: Kian Fan Chung
Publisher: European Respiratory Society
Total Pages: 365
Release: 2019-06-01
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1849841047

Severe asthma is a form of asthma that responds poorly to currently available medication, and its patients represent those with greatest unmet needs. In the last 10 years, substantial progress has been made in terms of understanding some of the mechanisms that drive severe asthma; there have also been concomitant advances in the recognition of specific molecular phenotypes. This ERS Monograph covers all aspects of severe asthma – epidemiology, diagnosis, mechanisms, treatment and management – but has a particular focus on recent understanding of mechanistic heterogeneity based on an analytic approach using various ‘omics platforms applied to clinically well-defined asthma cohorts. How these advances have led to improved management targets is also emphasised. This book brings together the clinical and scientific expertise of those from around the world who are collaborating to solve the problem of severe asthma.

Communities in Action

Communities in Action
Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 583
Release: 2017-04-27
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309452961

In the United States, some populations suffer from far greater disparities in health than others. Those disparities are caused not only by fundamental differences in health status across segments of the population, but also because of inequities in factors that impact health status, so-called determinants of health. Only part of an individual's health status depends on his or her behavior and choice; community-wide problems like poverty, unemployment, poor education, inadequate housing, poor public transportation, interpersonal violence, and decaying neighborhoods also contribute to health inequities, as well as the historic and ongoing interplay of structures, policies, and norms that shape lives. When these factors are not optimal in a community, it does not mean they are intractable: such inequities can be mitigated by social policies that can shape health in powerful ways. Communities in Action: Pathways to Health Equity seeks to delineate the causes of and the solutions to health inequities in the United States. This report focuses on what communities can do to promote health equity, what actions are needed by the many and varied stakeholders that are part of communities or support them, as well as the root causes and structural barriers that need to be overcome.

Personalizing Asthma Management for the Clinician

Personalizing Asthma Management for the Clinician
Author: Stanley J. Szefler
Publisher: Elsevier Health Sciences
Total Pages: 237
Release: 2017-09-22
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 032349708X

Personalized medicine is a rapidly emerging area in health care, and asthma management lends itself particularly well to this new development. This practical resource by Dr. Stanley J. Szefler helps you navigate the many asthma medication options available to your patients, as well as providing insights into those which may be introduced within the next several years. - Features a wealth of information on available asthma medications, including new immunomodulators, new responses to treatment, and new treatment strategies at all levels of asthma care. - Prepares you to meet your patients' needs regarding asthma exacerbation prevention and asthma prevention. - Consolidates today's available information and guidance in this timely area into one convenient resource.

Preventing Chronic Diseases

Preventing Chronic Diseases
Author: World Health Organization
Publisher: World Health Organization
Total Pages: 199
Release: 2005-09-28
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9241563001

The major causes of premature adult deaths in all regions of the world, due to chronic diseases such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes and cancer, have been generally neglected on the international health and development agenda. Four out of every five chronic disease-related deaths in the world occur in low and middle income countries, where people tend to develop these diseases at a younger age and to die sooner. The death toll is projected to rise by a further 17 per cent in the next 10 years, whilst child obesity rates are increasing worldwide. This report examines the actual scale and severity of the problem using the most recent data available, considers the major risk factors and associated trends, and discusses the public health policy actions required to implement effective integrated chronic disease prevention and control measures.

Clearing the Air

Clearing the Air
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 457
Release: 2000-05-24
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309064961

Since about 1980, asthma prevalence and asthma-related hospitalizations and deaths have increased substantially, especially among children. Of particular concern is the high mortality rate among African Americans with asthma. Recent studies have suggested that indoor exposuresâ€"to dust mites, cockroaches, mold, pet dander, tobacco smoke, and other biological and chemical pollutantsâ€"may influence the disease course of asthma. To ensure an appropriate response, public health and education officials have sought a science-based assessment of asthma and its relationship to indoor air exposures. Clearing the Air meets this need. This book examines how indoor pollutants contribute to asthmaâ€"its causation, prevalence, triggering, and severity. The committee discusses asthma among the general population and in sensitive subpopulations including children, low-income individuals, and urban residents. Based on the most current findings, the book also evaluates the scientific basis for mitigating the effects of indoor air pollutants implicated in asthma. The committee identifies priorities for public health policy, public education outreach, preventive intervention, and further research.

The Future of the Public's Health in the 21st Century

The Future of the Public's Health in the 21st Century
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 536
Release: 2003-02-01
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309133181

The anthrax incidents following the 9/11 terrorist attacks put the spotlight on the nation's public health agencies, placing it under an unprecedented scrutiny that added new dimensions to the complex issues considered in this report. The Future of the Public's Health in the 21st Century reaffirms the vision of Healthy People 2010, and outlines a systems approach to assuring the nation's health in practice, research, and policy. This approach focuses on joining the unique resources and perspectives of diverse sectors and entities and challenges these groups to work in a concerted, strategic way to promote and protect the public's health. Focusing on diverse partnerships as the framework for public health, the book discusses: The need for a shift from an individual to a population-based approach in practice, research, policy, and community engagement. The status of the governmental public health infrastructure and what needs to be improved, including its interface with the health care delivery system. The roles nongovernment actors, such as academia, business, local communities and the media can play in creating a healthy nation. Providing an accessible analysis, this book will be important to public health policy-makers and practitioners, business and community leaders, health advocates, educators and journalists.

U.S. Health in International Perspective

U.S. Health in International Perspective
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 421
Release: 2013-04-12
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0309264146

The United States is among the wealthiest nations in the world, but it is far from the healthiest. Although life expectancy and survival rates in the United States have improved dramatically over the past century, Americans live shorter lives and experience more injuries and illnesses than people in other high-income countries. The U.S. health disadvantage cannot be attributed solely to the adverse health status of racial or ethnic minorities or poor people: even highly advantaged Americans are in worse health than their counterparts in other, "peer" countries. In light of the new and growing evidence about the U.S. health disadvantage, the National Institutes of Health asked the National Research Council (NRC) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to convene a panel of experts to study the issue. The Panel on Understanding Cross-National Health Differences Among High-Income Countries examined whether the U.S. health disadvantage exists across the life span, considered potential explanations, and assessed the larger implications of the findings. U.S. Health in International Perspective presents detailed evidence on the issue, explores the possible explanations for the shorter and less healthy lives of Americans than those of people in comparable countries, and recommends actions by both government and nongovernment agencies and organizations to address the U.S. health disadvantage.

Asthma and COPD

Asthma and COPD
Author: Peter J. Barnes
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 897
Release: 2009-03-19
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0080920608

The Second Edition of Asthma and COPD: Basic Mechanisms and Clinical Management continues to provide a unique and authoritative comparison of asthma and COPD. Written and edited by the world's leading experts, it continues to be a comprehensive review of the most recent understanding of the basic mechanisms of both conditions, specifically comparing their etiology, pathogenesis, and treatments. * Each chapter considers Asthma and COPD in side-by-side contrast and comparison – not in isolation - in the context of mechanism, triggers, assessments, therapies, and clinical management * Presents the latest and most comprehensive understandings of the mechanisms of inflammation in both Asthma and COPD * Most extensive reference to primary literature on both Asthma and COPD in one source. * Easy-to-read summaries of the latest advances alongside clear illustrations

Patient Assessment in Clinical Pharmacy

Patient Assessment in Clinical Pharmacy
Author: Sherif Hanafy Mahmoud
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 432
Release: 2019-03-28
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 3030117758

This comprehensive, first-of-its kind title is an indispensable resource for pharmacists looking to learn or improve crucial patient assessment skills relevant to all pharmacy practice settings. Pharmacists’ role as health care practitioners is evolving as they are taking a more active part in primary patient care -- helping patients manage their medications and diseases, providing patient education, and, in some jurisdictions, prescribing and adapting medications. To perform their day-to-day duties, pharmacists are best-served using a framework called the patient care process. This framework involves three steps: patient assessment; care plan development and implementation; and monitoring and follow up. Organized in four parts, this practical book begins with introductory chapters regarding the basics of patient assessment and the patient care process. Part II includes a detailed assessment of common symptoms encountered by pharmacists. Part III discusses assessment of patients with various chronic illnesses. Part IV addresses select specialized topics and assessment considerations. An invaluable contribution to the literature, Patient Assessment in Clinical Pharmacy: A Comprehensive Guide will be of great benefit to pharmacists, regardless of their practice setting, and to pharmacy students as well.