Public Health Concerns And Priorities Reflected In Latest Policy
Statements From The American Public Health Association
The
Governing Council of the American Public Health Association adopted 12
new policy statements at its recent 2018 Annual Meeting and Expo in
San Diego. These statements provide a window on the current thinking
of public health professionals about public health priorities in the
US and beyond.
Edited
excerpts from APHA’s short descriptions of these priorities are
presented below along with the reason(s) cited for selecting these
issues as priorities for policy statements in 2018. Several
recommendations are made in the policy statements that could help to
address these problems. To read the recommendations, visit:
https://bit.ly/2zn6SzU
Reduce
global child mortality rates —
Because one child younger than 5 worldwide dies of diarrhea every
minute and oral rehydration salts and zinc treatment can prevent many
such deaths.
Address potential health impacts of fracking —
Because unconventional oil and gas extraction — often known as
fracking — poses a range of known and unknown risks to public health
and the environment, including risks to drinking water, air quality
and worker health.
Ensure
a healthy energy future —
Because communities are moving toward to non-fossil fuel and
alternative energy sources
Reducing gun-related suicides —
Because U.S. suicide rates increased by nearly one-third over the last
20 years and guns are involved in more than half of U.S. suicide
deaths.
Understanding, treating violence as a public health issue —
Because national data show an increase in violent deaths, such as
gun-related homicides and suicides, as well as long-term health
effects from childhood exposures to violence.
Regulating electronic nicotine delivery products —
Because the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems is increasing
among all U.S. demographic groups and little is known about their
long-term safety or efficacy in helping people quit cigarettes.
Preventing tuberculosis among health workers —
Because tuberculosis is causing nearly 2 million deaths worldwide in
2016 and health care workers are at higher risk of infection than the
general population.
Advancing the health of refugees —
Because global instability is contributing to historic levels of
displaced people and refugees face significant health challenges.
Achieving health equity in the U.S. —
Because research documents clear disparities in morbidity and
mortality, particularly among racial and ethnic minority groups.
Supporting global food security —
Because hunger is still a daily challenge for more than 815 million
people worldwide.
Addressing police violence as a public health issue —
Because law enforcement violence — including death, injury, trauma and
stress — often disproportionately affects marginalized populations.
Opposing family-child separations at the U.S. border —
Because the separation of immigrant children and families at the
U.S.-Mexico border is a public health crisis with the potential for
long-lasting negative health impacts.
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