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The HTA of genomic applications in Italy: methodological and organisational preparedness
ConclusionsThe HTA is specifically addressed at a National level, but there is an overlap of institutional roles in its governance. At regional level, while most Regions have HTA specific regulations, there is great heterogeneity among them in the phases regulated and in the dimensions evaluated. Moreover, there is a lack in evaluation of dimensions essential for a comprehensive assessment of genomic applications, like ethical, social and legal aspects ”.Key messagesPolicy documents on HTA are well developed and integrated in the governance of the NHS. However, there seems to be a dispersion of value with various centres...
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - October 20, 2021 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research

Citizens' knowledge and educational needs in the omics sciences field: results from an Italian survey
ConclusionsThe omics sciences progress is linked to the need to develop a solid literacy of citizens. For this reason, effective tools of knowledge on the omics sciences field will have to be identified and implemented to improve citizens' literacy and engagement in this rapidly changing field.Key messagesThe progress of the omics sciences is related to the need to develop a solid literacy of citizens in order to enable them to make appropriate decisions about their own health.The current challenge is to identify effective methods of improving citizens' literacy and implementing them. (Source: The European Journal of Public Health)
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - October 20, 2021 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research

Survey of Public Health Professionals on perspectives towards Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Tests
ConclusionsOur results revealed a high level of awareness about the existence of DTC-GTs. Despite the overall positive attitudes, PH professionals reported a high need for strengthening regulatory aspects of DTC-GTs provision process. The growing interest of DTC-GTs among citizens and the poor knowledge of PH Professionals about these tests highlights the need to identify strategies for literacy improvement.Key messagesGiven the challenges for health systems, improving Public Health professionals' literacy on new technologies such as Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Tests is essential.The need for strengthening the regulation of...
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - October 20, 2021 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research

COVID-19 - pandemic effect in the organized breast cancer screening program in Croatia
ConclusionsLower response rate in the sixth BCSP invitation round was observed with similar invitation coverage. There was 11.8% less mammography examinations done in relation to the 5th and 0.3% less than in the 4th invitation round. Response rate to the invitation letter was higher in the sixth in relation to the previous rounds. Explanations for the observed differences could be lower number of mammography examinations done on the doctor's referral, less available terms in mammography units and consequently less second invitation letters sent because of the epidemiological measures. Intensive public health campaign and ...
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - October 20, 2021 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research

In-hospital mortality in COVID-19 vs. pre-COVID-19 era in the Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia
ConclusionsThe results of the study indicate that COVID-19 has a contribution to hospital mortality. Given that the pandemic has not yet completed additional research, it will be necessary to obtain a more complete picture of the impact of COVID-19 on hospital mortality in Split-Dalmatia County, as well as in other regions and countries.Key messagesThe results of the study indicate that COVID-19 has a contribution to hospital mortality.Given that the pandemic has not yet completed additional research, it will be necessary to obtain a more complete picture of the impact of COVID-19 on hospital mortality. (Source: The Europe...
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - October 20, 2021 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research

Individual level changes in body weight among Finnish adult population during the COVID-19 pandemic
ConclusionsThe weight loss among 70+ year olds seems worrying, but might be age related. Moreover, younger women and men with low education gained weight, groups known to be vulnerable for weight gain. Further analyses are required to evaluate whether containment measures related to COVID-19 pandemic have caused additional change compared to ageing and time related change.Key messagesFew weight changes were observed in the Finnish adult population. As weight gain/loss may take longer time to develop, further studies are needed to address the long term effects of COVID-19 pandemic.To avoid increasing health inequity after p...
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - October 20, 2021 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research

Excess mortality in England during the COVID-19 pandemic
ConclusionsReporting overall excess mortality early in the pandemic is important to inform policy makers and public about the true scale of the death toll when coding is inconsistent and developing. This approach has highlighted the large increases in already established inequalities in mortality. It provides rapid surveillance of developing disparities for national and local decision makers. It has been used to inform policy around reducing disparities and to revise messaging to encourage hospital attendance for non- COVID-19 health problems.Key messagesExcess deaths from all causes is a robust measure of overall impact, ...
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - October 20, 2021 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research

Estimation of Excess Deaths in Turin from COVID-19 and other causes, October to November 2020
ConclusionsThe results showed during pandemic an increase of mortality respect to the expected mortality. Only a part of this excess deaths is due to COVID-19 but there is a relevant percentage of excess of deaths apparentely not due to COVID-19 but probably due to other causes. A better knowledge of these phenomena could help to improve any gaps in territorial assistance and provide indications for the future management of the pandemic in Europe.Key messagesIncrease of mortality in pandemic respect to the expected mortality.There is an excess of deaths apparentely not due to COVID-19. (Source: The European Journal of Public Health)
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - October 20, 2021 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research

Excess all-cause mortality from January to August 2020: a temporal analysis in 20 countries
This study aims to investigate the magnitude and potential determinants of excess all-cause mortality, from January until August 2020, using national mortality databases from 20 countries part of the C-MOR consortium. Excess weekly mortality for 2020 was calculated by comparing observed against expected weekly number of deaths for 2020. Expected 2020 weekly mortality was estimated using 2015-19 data based on a time series model adjusting for time trend and seasonality. The excess mortality was visualized against a stringency index (SI), based on nine government response indicators, downloaded from the Oxford COVID-19 Gover...
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - October 20, 2021 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research

Risk of Sars-CoV-2 infection and disease severity in people at socioeconomic disadvantage in Italy
ConclusionsAccording to our results, SE disadvantage is associated with an increased risk of acquiring Sars-CoV-2, and to suffer from severe outcomes when infected. Based on available data, diagnostic test access was more equitable during 1stepidemic wave. This study calls for targeted health policies and actions to protect those with the greatest SE vulnerability.Key messagesAvailable Italian data, indicate that higher socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with an increased risk of acquiring Sars-CoV-2, and to suffer from severe outcomes when infected.Our study highlights the importance of adopting targeted health poli...
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - October 20, 2021 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research

Evaluation of the direct and indirect impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Tuscan nursing homes
ConclusionsThe impact of the pandemic on Tuscan LTCFs in terms of deaths and patient care by hospitals has been considerable, with the greatest reduction in hospital admissions occurring mostly in the months characterised by the highest mortality rate and admissions for COVID-19.Key messagesThe direct and indirect impact of the pandemic on Tuscan LTCFs has been considerable, probably due to the reorganisation of LTCF services and limited coordination with hospital health care.The greatest reduction in hospital admissions, especially those not COVID-related, occurred mostly during the months characterised by the highest mor...
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - October 20, 2021 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research

Potential life years lost to COVID-19 in 17 countries during the pandemic period, up to August 2020
ConclusionsSouth America, and males were found to be the most affected by COVID-19. Ongoing monitoring of the COVID-19 mortality impact is essential in order to assess health system performances, control measures, and identify vulnerable populations. Differences in mortality burden among populations will help public health officials in their efforts to minimize the COVID-19 mortality burden on a local, and on a global level.Key messagesUp to August 2020, COVID-19 was a cause of premature mortality in all the participating countries, with South America and males to be more affected.The timing of the pandemic, seasonal trend...
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - October 20, 2021 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research

8.A. Round table: Governing digital transformations in health: Shaping the digital future of Europe
Abstract Digital and data tools are fundamentally changing approaches to health and the design of health systems and health services deliver, but governance models have neither followed nor kept up with the pace of innovation. In response to this challenge, The Lancet& Financial Times Commission Governing health futures 2030: Growing up in a digital world is exploring the convergence of digital health (DH), AI, and other frontier technologies with UHC to support attainment of SDG 3. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges, with serious implications for public health and healthcare systems worldwi...
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - October 20, 2021 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research

Effects of covid-19 on cognitive functioning
AbstractWe were interested in whether the covid-19 pandemic affects cognitive functioning in addition to emotional responses. To this end, we applied four questions related to everyday activities that inevitably involve fluid cognitive abilities, e.g., problems concentrating, remembering, and switching between different mental activities. Respondents self-assessed their cognitive abilities during the covid-19 pandemic compared to the period before the pandemic on a 7-point scale (1 - much easier than before, .. 4 - the same as earlier, .. and 7 - much harder than before). The results showed that, on average, respondents es...
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - October 20, 2021 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research

Mental health problems and COVID-19 – which came first, the chicken or the egg?
AbstractIt was very clear that the COVID-19 pandemic will have an impact on mental health from the first day that it was declared.However, the scale and magnitude of the impact changed as the pandemic persisted, progressed, and transformed. After a year of social distancing, distance education, and virtual concerts, the societal fabric has changed to such an extent that it will most likely produce a long lasting impact on public mental health. The presentation will focus on the indicators of public mental health obtained from the SI-PANDA research, a bi-weekly web panel survey with a nationally representative sample of 100...
Source: The European Journal of Public Health - October 20, 2021 Category: General Medicine Source Type: research