Journal of public health
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Journal of public health · Jun 2010
Do mechanical doctors dream of electric sheep? Using science fiction to look into the future of public health.
At a first glance, it may seem that science fiction (SF) and public health have not much in common. To enlighten that this could be untrue, this paper starts up from their shared 'community perspective' and focuses on several implications of technological development, which can have a great impact on health and have been in some ways anticipated by SF stories. ⋯ Beside tackling specific issues, SF has made a deep reflection about technology itself, the way it frightens and the way it could potentially change people and society. While facing these issues, SF raises questions that can be useful to public health as well, in order to rediscover its role in a world rapidly changing.
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Climate change has been described as the biggest global health threat of the 21(st) century. World population is projected to reach 9.1 billion by 2050, with most of this growth in developing countries. While the principal cause of climate change is high consumption in the developed countries, its impact will be greatest on people in the developing world. ⋯ Linking population dynamics with climate change is a sensitive issue, but family planning programmes that respect and protect human rights can bring a remarkable range of benefits. Population dynamics have not been integrated systematically into climate change science. The contribution of population growth, migration, urbanization, ageing and household composition to mitigation and adaptation programmes needs urgent investigation.
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Journal of public health · Jun 2010
Newspaper reports: a source of surveillance for burns among women in Pakistan.
Our study attempts to describe the demographics, characteristics of victims and perpetrators, and circumstances leading to burn events among females in Pakistan. ⋯ Newspaper reports are good source of surveillance when information is otherwise limited. Majority of burns (51%) were classified as accidental while 49% were reported as intentional, though there is a limitation in the accuracy of reported accidental events. There is a dire need for systematic data collection and devising preventive strategies for this important public health problem that remains largely neglected in Pakistan.