Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz
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Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz · Apr 2008
Comparative Study[Development of national guidelines for depression].
Depressive disorders rank among the most frequent causes of consultation and diseases in health care. Although they are treatable, there is further need to optimize diagnostics and therapy, despite sizable progress in recent years. ⋯ In order to ensure its acceptance and a wide dissemination, this guideline will be adopted in consensus by all relevant health care providers in this field. According to this, it is a future challenge to anchor guideline-based diagnostics and treatment in routine care.
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Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz · Apr 2008
[Transcultural aspects of depression].
For many decades it was assumed that depressive disorders are mainly a problem of Western societies. However, a World Bank report published in 1993 revealed that Major Depression is already the fifth leading contributor to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) among women in developmentally disadvantaged countries. The core symptoms of depression are disorders of affect, conduct and somatic complaints. ⋯ Nowadays mental health specialists have regular contact with patients from different cultural backgrounds. In order to achieve optimal results in diagnosing and treating mental disorders, it is important to consider the cultural background of a patient and her or his explanatory model of the disease. Transcultural psychiatry and psychotherapy aims at developing culture-sensitive concepts for treatment and mental health services and tries to increase insight in culture-related psychopathology and epidemiology.
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Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz · Mar 2008
[Amendments of occupational laws in Germany and consequences for occupational health].
German legislation with respect to occupational health during recent years is reviewed. Discussed is the occupational safety law and related legislation as the hazardous substances act and the biological hazard act, the occupational health and safety act and the social act VII. ⋯ The role of occupational medicine in companies by some of the above mentioned laws is improved. On the other hand the situation of occupational physicians in companies, universities and other agencies is characterized by budget cuts, reduction of occupational standards and loss of importance.
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Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz · Feb 2008
Comparative Study[Utilitarianism or communitarianism as the foundation of public health ethics?].
The goal of public health is to maximise health, and to promote the common good. These two assumptions frequently give rise to claims that public health is founded on utilitarian or communitarian ethics, respectively. In this paper, these claims are critically examined and rejected. ⋯ Some moderate appeals to more communal spirit for public health are well taken, although not exclusive communitarian. Other more extreme proposals of communitarians, e.g. to exercise public-health police power and public-health paternalism, are to be taken with great care. Thus, it is concluded that there is a need for an ethical foundation of public health different from both utilitarianism and communitarianism.
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Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz · Feb 2008
[Vaccination programs between individual autonomy and common welfare].
Vaccinations are among the most effective and cost-effective means to prevent serious infectious diseases. Actual vaccination rates, however, still fall short of their full potential to reduce morbidity and mortality both in industrialized and low-income countries. ⋯ However, there are good ethical and pragmatic arguments against compulsory vaccination enforced by law. Rather, one should try to strengthen public support and trust in vaccination programs by a proactive and persuasive information policy.