 |
|
Global momentum for smoke-free indoor environments at tipping point
April 12, 2007Countries and states accelerate enactment of regulations
Boston, MA-In a Perspective in the April 12, 2007 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and the Association of European Cancer Leagues describe the growing momentum for indoor smoking bans in countries across the globe. They identify Ireland's pioneering 2004 comprehensive indoor smoking ban as a likely tipping point for fundamental change in social norms and public health worldwide.
Since 2004, in only a few years, more than a dozen other countries have also adopted national indoor smoke-free policies that are being implemented or will be implemented in the near future.
Lead author Dr. Howard Koh, Professor and Associate Dean of Public Health Practice at HSPH said: "The 21st century is witnessing a paradigm shift, once considered impossible, whereby entire countries are declaring themselves smoke-free in indoor public places. Such mounting progress across the globe is making smoking history worldwide."
The Perspective is accompanied by a world map showing countries, states and provinces that have passed smoke-free policies applying broadly to indoor workplaces and other indoor public places.[Permission to reprint the map can be obtained through the NEJM media center (media.nejm.org) or contact Karen Pedersen at NEJM kpedersen@nejm.org]. Among the countries are Ireland, New Zealand, Bermuda (territory), Scotland, England and the United Kingdom, Lithuania, Uruguay, Iran, the British Virgin Islands (territory), Bhutan, Norway, Italy, Malta, Sweden, Iceland, Uganda, South Africa, France, Hong Kong (region), and Finland. While the United States lacks a federal policy, 17 states are currently recognized as smoke-free, with the number increasing steadily. California enacted the first state ban on smoking in bars and restaurants in 1998. In addition, most of Australia and Canada is currently covered by smoke-free laws in indoor public places.
While a number of these new policies currently allow exceptions, such as the possibility of designated, enclosed, ventilated smoking rooms, all have advanced the international public health goal of protecting people from involuntary exposure to second hand smoke.
"In short, the world has begun to reclaim clean air as the social norm," the authors write. "For too long, the tobacco industry has spent billions to normalize, market, and glamorize a behavior that is now recognized as a tragic drug addiction." They point out that changing the social norm will be critical to reversing the burden of tobacco-related illness that led to 100 million deaths in the 20th century and is projected to cause a billion deaths in the century ahead.
The authors also note that the 2003 World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the first international public health treaty, helped galvanize global commitment. The treaty, which calls for countries to adopt clean-air policies as well as other initiatives to promote tobacco control and decrease consumption, has been ratified by 145 countries.
Harvard School of Public Health
Lead author Dr. Howard Koh, Professor and Associate Dean of Public Health Practice at HSPH said: "The 21st century is witnessing a paradigm shift, once considered impossible, whereby entire countries are declaring themselves smoke-free in indoor public places. Such mounting progress across the globe is making smoking history worldwide."
The Perspective is accompanied by a world map showing countries, states and provinces that have passed smoke-free policies applying broadly to indoor workplaces and other indoor public places.[Permission to reprint the map can be obtained through the NEJM media center (media.nejm.org) or contact Karen Pedersen at NEJM kpedersen@nejm.org]. Among the countries are Ireland, New Zealand, Bermuda (territory), Scotland, England and the United Kingdom, Lithuania, Uruguay, Iran, the British Virgin Islands (territory), Bhutan, Norway, Italy, Malta, Sweden, Iceland, Uganda, South Africa, France, Hong Kong (region), and Finland. While the United States lacks a federal policy, 17 states are currently recognized as smoke-free, with the number increasing steadily. California enacted the first state ban on smoking in bars and restaurants in 1998. In addition, most of Australia and Canada is currently covered by smoke-free laws in indoor public places.
While a number of these new policies currently allow exceptions, such as the possibility of designated, enclosed, ventilated smoking rooms, all have advanced the international public health goal of protecting people from involuntary exposure to second hand smoke.
"In short, the world has begun to reclaim clean air as the social norm," the authors write. "For too long, the tobacco industry has spent billions to normalize, market, and glamorize a behavior that is now recognized as a tragic drug addiction." They point out that changing the social norm will be critical to reversing the burden of tobacco-related illness that led to 100 million deaths in the 20th century and is projected to cause a billion deaths in the century ahead.
The authors also note that the 2003 World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the first international public health treaty, helped galvanize global commitment. The treaty, which calls for countries to adopt clean-air policies as well as other initiatives to promote tobacco control and decrease consumption, has been ratified by 145 countries.
Harvard School of Public Health
Public Health Current Events and Public Health News RSSPopulation movement can be critical factor in dengue's spread
Human movement is a key factor of dengue virus inflow in Rio de Janeiro, according to results from researchers based at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) in Brazil.
Expectant moms, babies subjects of new Singapore study to prevent obesity and diabetes in adults
Three Singapore biomedical institutions have launched a major, long-term study of pregnant mothers and their fetuses as well as infant children to determine just how profoundly environmental factors early in life influence the onset of diseases such as obesity and diabetes in later years.
Scripps team shows diet switching can activate brain's stress system, lead to 'withdrawal' symptoms
In research that sheds light on the perils of yo-yo dieting and repeated bouts of sugar-bingeing, researchers from The Scripps Research Institute have shown in animal models that cycling between periods of eating sweet and regular-tasting food can activate the brain's stress system and generate overeating, anxiety, and withdrawal-like symptoms.
Some chest pain patients wait longer than 10 minutes to see ER physician
Emory University Rollins School of Public Health researchers will present Nov. 10 on a range of topics at the American Public Health Association's annual meeting in Philadelphia, including a study that examined compliance with national recommendations that a physician screen chest pain patients within 10 minutes of their arrival to the Emergency Department (ED).
U.S. and European Experts Applaud Creation of New Transatlantic Task Force on Global Antibiotic Resistance Threat
Experts on both sides of the Atlantic applaud President Barack Obama and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, representing the European Union (EU) Presidency, for establishing a transatlantic task force to address antibiotic resistance, an urgent and growing problem that threatens patient safety and public health worldwide.
Poll: Many parents, high-priority adults who tried to get H1N1 vaccine unable to get it
A new national poll from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers found that a majority of adults who tried to get the H1N1 vaccine for themselves or their children have been unable to do so.
Local health investigation sheds light on gastroschisis birth defect
Results of an investigation conducted by University of Nevada, Reno researchers, public health officials and area physicians published this week in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, indicate that Washoe County experienced a cluster of a particular birth defect, gastroschisis, during the period April 2007 - April 2008.
NHLBI stops enrollment in study on resuscitation methods for cardiac arrest
Enrollment has ended early in a large, multicenter clinical trial comparing two distinct resuscitation strategies delivered by emergency medical service (EMS) providers to increase blood flow during cardiac arrest.
Indiana U. at APHA: Studies about why men and women use lubricants during sex
An Indiana University study involving 2,453 women ages 18 to 68 found that lubricant use during sexual activity alone or with a partner contributed to higher ratings of pleasurable and satisfying sex.
Higher health insurance costs force doctors to talk about money with patients
As health insurers require people to base more treatment decisions on out-of-pocket costs, physicians should learn to talk to patients about money, according to researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
More Public Health Current Events and Public Health News Articles
 |
Public Health: What It Is and How It Works by Bernard J. Turnock (Author) Using a straightforward systems approach, Public Health: What It Is and How It Works explores the inner workings of the complex, modern U.S. public health system what it is, what it does, how it works, and why it is important. It covers the origins and development of the modern pubic health system; the relationship of public health to the overall health system; how the system is organized at the federal, state, and local levels; its core functions and how well these are currently being addressed; evidence-based practice and an approach to program planning and evaluation for public health interventions; public health activities such as epidemiological investigation, biomedical research, environmental assessment, policy development, and more. |
 |
Public Health: Career Choices That Make a Difference by Bernard J. Turnock (Author) Public Health: Career Choices That Make a Difference is the first book about public health workers, both current and future, and what they do. This book offers basic information for those considering a career in public health. This innovative title emphasizes key aspects of the work of different public health occupations and titles in order to provide an understanding of the tasks of public health jobs and careers. This book complements texts and courses on public health and is useful in both graduate and undergraduate programs. It also provides an introduction to career possibilities for individuals looking for a career in the health sector. |
 |
Introduction to Public Health, Second Edition by Mary Jane Schneider (Author), Henry Schneider (Illustrator) This thorough revision contains new chapters on bioterrorism and emergency preparedness. Further bioterrorism issues have been woven through relevant chapters. New additions in epidemiology include anthrax and SARS. Additions in women's health consider new developments in hormone replacement therapy. A new emphasis has been placed on planning to include natural disasters as well as terrorism. Introduction to Public Health, Second Edition covers the basic elements of public health as well as essential data and statistics. |
 |
Essentials of Public Health by Bernard J. Turnock (Author) As the second offering in Jones and Bartlett's new Essential Public Health Series, this comprehensive text is an excellent introduction to the field of public health. Combining the best elements of Dr. Turnock's two previous books, Essentials of Public Health offers the most up-to-date information on the field of public health. The first set of chapters introduce readers to the field of public health and how it works. It defines and describes the public health system, provides concepts and tools for measuring health in populations, characterizes the relationship of the public health system with medical care and other elements of the overall health system, and identifies government s unique contributions through federal, state, and local public health agencies. The second... |
 |
Betrayal of Trust: The Collapse of Global Public Health by Laurie Garrett (Author) In this meticulously researched and ultimately explosive new book by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the New York Times bestseller The Coming Plague, Laurie Garrett takes readers across the globe to reveal how a series of potential and present public health catastrophes form a terrifying portrait of real global disaster in the making. |
 |
A History of Public Health by George Rosen (Author) Reprint of a 1958 classic public health text by Rosen, with a new introduction by Elizabeth Fee and a new biography of Rosen by Edward T. Mormon. DNLM: Rosen, George, 1910. |
 |
Epidemiology for Public Health Practice by Robert Friis (Author), Thomas Sellers (Author) Epidemiologic speculations and research findings increasingly blaze across media headlines and heighten anxiety among the public. Understanding the foundations of such news can be daunting. Now in its third edition, Epidemiology for Public Health Practice has become a favorite textbook for undergraduate and graduate students new to epidemiology by providing a comprehensive look at all major topics, from study designs and descriptive epidemiology, to quantitative measures and terminology. Distinguishing itself from other texts with its accessible writing style and immediacy of information presented, the Third Edition has been extensively revised, with updated data and statistics essential to understanding the importance of epidemiology to public health. |
 |
International Public Health: Diseases, Programs, Systems and Policies by Michael H. Merson (Editor), Robert E. Black (Editor), Anne J., Ph.D. Mills (Editor) Previous Edition 0763728748 |
 |
Public Health Administration: Principles for Population-based Management by Lloyd F. Novick (Author), Lloyd F. Novick; Cynthia B. Morrow; Glen P. Mays (Editor) Public health has undergone enormous change in recent years the growing epidemics of obesity and diabetes; the events of September 11, 2001; devastating natural disasters such as the 2004 tsunami and Hurricane Katrina; and the threats of emerging infectious diseases have redefined the field, making the role of the public health administrator more important than ever before. With contributions from top leaders in areas ranging from workforce to community-based prevention to emergency preparedness, the second edition of Public Health Administration offers detailed, comprehensive coverage of current, relevant issues for new as well as seasoned public health administrators. The second edition has been thoroughly revised and features: A new chapter on the emerging field of public... |
 |
Pathologies of Power: Health, Human Rights, and the New War on the Poor (California Series in Public Anthropology, 4) by Paul Farmer (Author), Paul Farmer (Foreword), Amartya Sen (Foreword) Pathologies of Power uses harrowing stories of life-and death-in extreme situations to interrogate our understanding of human rights. Paul Farmer, a physician and anthropologist with twenty years of experience working in Haiti, Peru, and Russia, argues that promoting the social and economic rights of the world's poor is the most important human rights struggle of our times. With passionate eyewitness accounts from the prisons of Russia and the beleaguered villages of Haiti and Chiapas, this book links the lived experiences of individual victims to a broader analysis of structural violence. Farmer challenges conventional thinking within human rights circles and exposes the relationships between political and economic injustice, on one hand, and the suffering and illness of the powerless,... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |