Muin Khoury, Sara Bedrosian, Marta Gwinn, Julian Higgins, John Ioannidis, and Julian Little (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780195398441
- eISBN:
- 9780199776023
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195398441.001.0001
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
The first edition of Human Genome Epidemiology, published in 2004, discussed how the epidemiologic approach provides an important scientific foundation for studying the continuum from gene discovery ...
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The first edition of Human Genome Epidemiology, published in 2004, discussed how the epidemiologic approach provides an important scientific foundation for studying the continuum from gene discovery to the development, application and evaluation of human genome information in improving health and preventing disease. Since that time, advances in human genomics have continued to occur at a breathtaking pace. With contributions from leaders in the field from around the world, this new edition is a fully updated look at the ways in which genetic factors in common diseases are studied. Methodologic developments in collection, analysis and synthesis of data, as well as issues surrounding specific applications of human genomic information for medicine and public health are all discussed. In addition, the book focuses on practical applications of human genome variation in clinical practice and disease prevention. The book is a useful tool for understanding the rapidly evolving methods of the discovery and use of genetic information in medicine and public health in the 21st century.Less
The first edition of Human Genome Epidemiology, published in 2004, discussed how the epidemiologic approach provides an important scientific foundation for studying the continuum from gene discovery to the development, application and evaluation of human genome information in improving health and preventing disease. Since that time, advances in human genomics have continued to occur at a breathtaking pace. With contributions from leaders in the field from around the world, this new edition is a fully updated look at the ways in which genetic factors in common diseases are studied. Methodologic developments in collection, analysis and synthesis of data, as well as issues surrounding specific applications of human genomic information for medicine and public health are all discussed. In addition, the book focuses on practical applications of human genome variation in clinical practice and disease prevention. The book is a useful tool for understanding the rapidly evolving methods of the discovery and use of genetic information in medicine and public health in the 21st century.
Jan Abel Olsen
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199237814
- eISBN:
- 9780191717215
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199237814.003.0013
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health, Epidemiology
This chapter deals with how to measure and value different degrees of health improvements — in health terms and in monetary terms. Beyond the valuation of improved health per se, the chapter ...
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This chapter deals with how to measure and value different degrees of health improvements — in health terms and in monetary terms. Beyond the valuation of improved health per se, the chapter discusses how to value the production gains following people's return to work as a possible consequence of the improved health. Exercises and suggested readings are included at the end of the chapter.Less
This chapter deals with how to measure and value different degrees of health improvements — in health terms and in monetary terms. Beyond the valuation of improved health per se, the chapter discusses how to value the production gains following people's return to work as a possible consequence of the improved health. Exercises and suggested readings are included at the end of the chapter.
Andrea H. Marques and Esther M. Sternberg
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195182910
- eISBN:
- 9780199786794
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195182910.003.0012
- Subject:
- Psychology, Health Psychology
This chapter reviews existing literature on the biological pathways and mechanisms involved in social interactions and positive emotions and their potential relationship to enhanced health. The first ...
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This chapter reviews existing literature on the biological pathways and mechanisms involved in social interactions and positive emotions and their potential relationship to enhanced health. The first three sections of the chapter focus on the substantial body of research on the neural pathways of affiliative behaviour, maternal-infant bonding, pair bonding, parental care, and some sexual behaviour. The neurobiology of these systems has been largely worked out, and they may also play a role in the neurobiology of positive emotions and behaviours like altruism, spirituality (prayer and meditation), and exercise, where research has only just begun. The final section explains the biology of the placebo effect and hypothesizes that the powerful effects of classical conditioning (learning to associate a certain outcome with a stimulus) may be an intermediate link between positive emotions or behaviour and enhanced health.Less
This chapter reviews existing literature on the biological pathways and mechanisms involved in social interactions and positive emotions and their potential relationship to enhanced health. The first three sections of the chapter focus on the substantial body of research on the neural pathways of affiliative behaviour, maternal-infant bonding, pair bonding, parental care, and some sexual behaviour. The neurobiology of these systems has been largely worked out, and they may also play a role in the neurobiology of positive emotions and behaviours like altruism, spirituality (prayer and meditation), and exercise, where research has only just begun. The final section explains the biology of the placebo effect and hypothesizes that the powerful effects of classical conditioning (learning to associate a certain outcome with a stimulus) may be an intermediate link between positive emotions or behaviour and enhanced health.
Steve Cropper, Alison Porter, and Gareth Williams (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9781861348180
- eISBN:
- 9781447301936
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781861348180.001.0001
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health
Improving health in populations in which it is poor is a complex process. This book argues that the traditional government approach of exhorting individuals to live healthier lifestyles is not enough ...
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Improving health in populations in which it is poor is a complex process. This book argues that the traditional government approach of exhorting individuals to live healthier lifestyles is not enough – action to promote public health needs to take place not just through public agencies, but also by engaging community assets and resources in their broadest sense. The book reports lessons from the experience of planning, establishing, and delivering such action by the five-year Sustainable Health Action Research Programme (SHARP) in Wales. It critically examines the experience of SHARP in relation to current literature on policy; community health and health inequalities; and action research. The authors make clear how this regional development has produced opportunities for developing general concepts and theory about community-based policy developments which are relevant across national boundaries and show that complex and sustained community action, and effective local partnership, are fundamental components of the mix of factors required to address health inequalities successfully. The book concludes by indicating the connections between SHARP and earlier traditions of community-based action, and by arguing that we need to be bolder in our approaches to community-based health improvement and more flexible in our understanding of the ways in which knowledge informs developments in health policy.Less
Improving health in populations in which it is poor is a complex process. This book argues that the traditional government approach of exhorting individuals to live healthier lifestyles is not enough – action to promote public health needs to take place not just through public agencies, but also by engaging community assets and resources in their broadest sense. The book reports lessons from the experience of planning, establishing, and delivering such action by the five-year Sustainable Health Action Research Programme (SHARP) in Wales. It critically examines the experience of SHARP in relation to current literature on policy; community health and health inequalities; and action research. The authors make clear how this regional development has produced opportunities for developing general concepts and theory about community-based policy developments which are relevant across national boundaries and show that complex and sustained community action, and effective local partnership, are fundamental components of the mix of factors required to address health inequalities successfully. The book concludes by indicating the connections between SHARP and earlier traditions of community-based action, and by arguing that we need to be bolder in our approaches to community-based health improvement and more flexible in our understanding of the ways in which knowledge informs developments in health policy.
Salvatore J. Babones
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9781847423207
- eISBN:
- 9781447303398
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
- DOI:
- 10.1332/policypress/9781847423207.003.0013
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Public Health
More equal societies exhibit longer life expectancy than less equal societies. This implies that societies could potentially become healthier through reductions in inequality, but the micro-level ...
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More equal societies exhibit longer life expectancy than less equal societies. This implies that societies could potentially become healthier through reductions in inequality, but the micro-level mechanisms through which this could be accomplished are not obvious. This chapter argues that reducing the harshness of today's rationalised workplaces would both improve health and reduce inequality at the same time. A long tradition of research on social structure and personality notes that work conditions affect the worker's self. It is reasonable to surmise that working conditions thus affect health through their effects on the self; this suggests that the appropriate location for policy intervention is the workplace. With improved health being the ultimate goal, policy mechanisms such as better workplaces, greater leisure time, and more cohesive societies are also worthwhile goals.Less
More equal societies exhibit longer life expectancy than less equal societies. This implies that societies could potentially become healthier through reductions in inequality, but the micro-level mechanisms through which this could be accomplished are not obvious. This chapter argues that reducing the harshness of today's rationalised workplaces would both improve health and reduce inequality at the same time. A long tradition of research on social structure and personality notes that work conditions affect the worker's self. It is reasonable to surmise that working conditions thus affect health through their effects on the self; this suggests that the appropriate location for policy intervention is the workplace. With improved health being the ultimate goal, policy mechanisms such as better workplaces, greater leisure time, and more cohesive societies are also worthwhile goals.
Noel S. Weiss
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- December 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780190651510
- eISBN:
- 9780190651541
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190651510.003.0007
- Subject:
- Public Health and Epidemiology, Epidemiology
This chapter introduces the concept of screening in epidemiology. Students can practice what they have learned in class with 22 questions based on real-world examples, and then use the corresponding ...
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This chapter introduces the concept of screening in epidemiology. Students can practice what they have learned in class with 22 questions based on real-world examples, and then use the corresponding solutions to check their work. Examples include work on the prevalence of PSA screening for prostate cancer, incidence of breast cancer following negative mammographic examination, screening mammograms, mortality rates and adult-onset diabetes, mortality rates and screening for prostate cancer, screening for ovarian cancer, screening to reduce mortality rates from cutaneous melanoma, and screening for mesotheliomas among patients with pleural effusion.Less
This chapter introduces the concept of screening in epidemiology. Students can practice what they have learned in class with 22 questions based on real-world examples, and then use the corresponding solutions to check their work. Examples include work on the prevalence of PSA screening for prostate cancer, incidence of breast cancer following negative mammographic examination, screening mammograms, mortality rates and adult-onset diabetes, mortality rates and screening for prostate cancer, screening for ovarian cancer, screening to reduce mortality rates from cutaneous melanoma, and screening for mesotheliomas among patients with pleural effusion.