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Public Health

Emergency Preparedness
commentary
Achieving the Trump Administration's National Biodefense Strategy
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Oct 2, 2018
RealClearDefense
The Trump administration recently published its National Biodefense Strategy, which says that managing the risk of biological threats is in the “vital interest” of the United States, however they might present. The document provides a solid foundation, but more may be required to fully realize its goals and objectives.
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Emergency Preparedness
commentary
FEMA's Transformation
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Jun 8, 2018
CNN
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's strategic plan shows several shifts in U.S. disaster relief policy. Redirecting longer-term recovery operations to state and local authorities would allow FEMA to concentrate its assets on the catastrophic disasters it is uniquely designed to handle.
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Public Health
commentary
The Royal Wedding's Bouquet to Public Health
Sarah MacCarthy
May 17, 2018
Fox News Channel
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle asked the public to donate to charities instead of sending wedding gifts. The causes they are passionate about include helping children with HIV, homelessness, hygiene programs for women in the slums of Mumbai, and bringing sport to disadvantaged youth.
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Gaza Strip
commentary
Five Thoughts on Jerusalem, Gaza, and What's in Between
Shira Efron @ShiraEfron
May 15, 2018
The Hill
Dozens of people have been killed and over 2,000 injured in protests in the Gaza Strip along the border with Israel. Continued clashes are expected until the fundamental problems of the strip are solved, including the governance vacuum, the Palestinian Authority-Hamas rift, and the conflict with Israel.
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Social Determinants of Health
commentary
The Season Finale of 'This Is Us' Offers an Important Public Health Lesson
Sarah MacCarthy
Mar 23, 2018
Scientific American
The TV series "This Is Us" shows how health is not only affected by individuals' decisions, but also by the larger contexts in which they live. These social determinants of health include income, quality of housing, and access to health care.
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Gaza Strip
commentary
Gaza on the Brink
Shira Efron @ShiraEfron
Mar 9, 2018
U.S. News & World Report
The combined risk of violence and pandemic in Gaza makes this small coastal enclave a ticking time bomb. While neither Israel nor the U.S. has the solutions to all of Gaza's water and health woes, the United States' decision to withhold funding to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency could only make things worse.
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Global Health
commentary
Can the U.S. Afford to Reduce Global Public Health Funding?
Daniel M. Gerstein @Daniel_Gerstein
Feb 8, 2018
The Hill
The United States may be preparing to downsize funding for global epidemic prevention. Without renewed funding, the long-term outlook could include an increased likelihood of global disease outbreaks.
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Law Enforcement
commentary
Siren Song: How Ambulance Data Could Help Police Forces in England and Wales
Alex Sutherland, Lucy Strang
Jan 29, 2018
Policing Insight
Ambulance data is a new form of intelligence which may have value for violence prevention or reduction activities. Police forces can use this data to help identify violent crime that goes unreported to police, and aid problem-solving activities to reduce and prevent violence.
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Adolescent Health
commentary
Good Parenting or Good Policy? Both Are Needed to Curb the Epidemic of Teen Sleep Loss
Wendy M. Troxel @wendytroxel
Jan 27, 2018
USA Today
More rest improves teens' well-being, public safety, and academic performance. Later school start times promote better sleep for teens. School districts, communities, and parents should consider multi-pronged strategies that start with a later school bell.
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Law Enforcement
commentary
Can Ambulance Data Help Police Forces Do More with Less?
Alex Sutherland, Lucy Strang
Oct 24, 2017
The Daily Telegraph
Police forces in England and Wales may not be aware of a large proportion of violent incidents taking place in their areas. Ambulance data could contribute to a more complete picture of violent crime and help police target resources more effectively.
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The Elderly
commentary
An Uneven Future: An Ageing Population Needs Innovation, but Not at the Expense of Equal Care
Camilla d'Angelo
Oct 5, 2017
Health Service Journal
Expected increases in life expectancy together with increasingly complex physical and mental illness will continue to exert huge pressures on health systems. How should the UK prepare for the challenges ahead?
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Sleep
commentary
Why Sleep Matters to the World's Bottom Line
Marco Hafner
Sep 27, 2017
Media Planet
Sleep and sleep loss matters to all aspects of society, from an individual's health to the success of the global economy. Insufficient sleep costs five of the largest economies more than half a trillion dollars per year, but improving sleeping habits and duration can have major impacts.
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Sleep
commentary
The Early Bird Catches the Worm? Probably Not, Says Science on School Start Times
Marco Hafner, Wendy M. Troxel @wendytroxel
Sep 12, 2017
Thrive Global
School start times are becoming a hotly debated topic across the United States. Starting middle and high schools at 8:30 a.m. would improve teen health, and the economic benefits of this shift would likely outweigh the costs.
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Sleep
commentary
If Teenagers Get More Sleep, California Could Gain Billions
Wendy M. Troxel @wendytroxel, Marco Hafner
Sep 7, 2017
Los Angeles Times
Two key effects of better-rested teens are improved academic performance and reduced motor vehicle crashes. Delaying school start times to 8:30 a.m. could result in economic benefits that would be realized within a matter of years — $10 billion in California alone.
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Public Health
commentary
Anticipating Harvey's Toll on Health and Health Care
Mahshid Abir, Richard Serino
Sep 5, 2017
U.S. News & World Report
After Hurricane Harvey, challenges to the health of affected communities and the health care systems that serve them are expected to grow. Among the problems are closures of hospitals, pharmacies, and dialysis centers. Lessons from Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy could help relief efforts.
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Emergency Responders
commentary
Lessons for First Responders on the Front Lines of Terrorism
Mahshid Abir, Christopher Nelson
Jul 10, 2017
The Conversation
Given the persistent risk of terrorist attacks, it is critical to learn from past incidents to prepare for future ones. Medical and nonmedical first responders need more training in basic lifesaving skills. Open communication lines such as a dedicated radio frequency could help responders better coordinate. Disaster drills are also essential.
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