Reducing Risks for Mental Disorders

Reducing Risks for Mental Disorders
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 636
Release: 1994-01-01
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309049393

The understanding of how to reduce risk factors for mental disorders has expanded remarkably as a result of recent scientific advances. This study, mandated by Congress, reviews those advances in the context of current research and provides a targeted definition of prevention and a conceptual framework that emphasizes risk reduction. Highlighting opportunities for and barriers to interventions, the book draws on successful models for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, injuries, and smoking. In addition, it reviews the risk factors associated with Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, alcohol abuse and dependence, depressive disorders, and conduct disorders and evaluates current illustrative prevention programs. The models and examination provide a framework for the design, application, and evaluation of interventions intended to prevent mental disorders and the transfer of knowledge about prevention from research to clinical practice. The book presents a focused research agenda, with recommendations on how to develop effective intervention programs, create a cadre of prevention researchers, and improve coordination among federal agencies.

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.

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.

Gender and Non-Communicable Diseases

Gender and Non-Communicable Diseases
Author: Aswathy Sreedevi
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Total Pages: 154
Release: 2024-10-01
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 2832555101

Risk factors for chronic diseases differ between men and women. Exploring and tracking the direction and magnitude of trends in exposure to risk factors and accessing services will provide valuable insights into the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. As sex-disaggregated data can hide important differences between men and women, it is important to analyze the non-communicable disease data gender-wise. Research in these areas will also help to understand the role of gender and help in the planning of gender-responsive health promotion or preventive campaigns and gender-responsive interventions. There is a need to address the impact of gender norms, roles, and the social determinants of health on the differential exposure to risk factors between men and women. Health-seeking behavior, life years of exposure, and the responses from health care providers in a gender/sex aggregated manner could also give interesting insights into the role of gender. Men are not homogenous groups and their health opportunities and risks vary according to social, economic, environmental, and cultural influences throughout their lifetime. The disproportionate morbidity among women and disproportionately high mortality among men also need to be looked into. Articles on the above areas will also help to address the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on gender equality and empowering women with NCD-related targets under SDG 3 on ensuring healthy lives. In this context, it would be invaluable to create and compile research articles in this area.

Global Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance

Global Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance
Author: David V. McQueen
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 288
Release: 2003-08-31
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9780306477775

This book contains the latest information on surveillance by the international public health community, including: the WHO's Stepwise Approach, the U.S.'s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the Finbalt Health Monitor, the EURALIM Experience, and the Mega Country Health Promotion Network. It is for those involved in planning or conducting chronic disease risk factor surveillance and for those interested in developing a global network of persons involved in this arena.