Impact of climate change on human health

@#<p style="text-align: justify;">Data trends show that climate is changing and several researches have shown the adverse effects of climate change to human health. This review presents how climate change affects human health. Climate change can influence the nature and severity of climate-related natural disasters such as flooding and drought, hence, increasing the rate of mortality and morbidity among human population. Climate change can also increase the likelihood of infection in humans by way of affecting the transmission of infectious diseases. Climate-induced food insecurity is also one of the consequences of climate change and this may eventually result in malnutrition and famine. There are both direct and indirect consequences of climate change to human health. First, the direct health impacts such as injuries and deaths associated with climate-induced natural disasters, and second, the indirect health impacts such as food insecurity, contaminated source of water, and increased incidence of diseases.</p>

Elaborating and discoursing the ethics in eHealth in the Philippines: Recommendations for health care practice and research

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the research study were to determine ethical guidelines and principles applicable in the practice and research of eHealth and telehealth in the Philippines, how these are applicable to the Philippines, and to differentiate between the ethical issues in research and in clinical practice of eHealth. METHODS: This research study used: 1) review of ethics manuscripts, guidelines and literature; 2) focused group discussion and key informant interviews of experts; and 3) triangulation. The information sought for the review were- 1) relevant policies, guidelines in eHealth that are pertinent to the discussion of eHealth ethics in the Philippines; 2) components of ethics in eHealth research; and 3) components of ethics in eHealth practice. The framework of the consultation with experts was to identify mechanisms and strategies in incorporating ethics in both eHealthpractice and eHealth research within the following- 1) in reference to existing laws, policies, and guidelines on ethics in medicine and health; and 2) in the context of the Philippine setting. RESULTS: Based on the review, there are pertinent codes of ethics, applicable laws, policies and guidelines in eHealth, both in the international and local settings. The focus group discussion and key informant interview with experts yielded significant and deeper understanding on how to address the gaps and lapses of ethics applied to eHealth in the country. These recommendations were given which distinguish between the ethics in clinical practice and ethics in the planning and implementation of eHealth systems. There is also a need to resolve the problem of whose primary responsibility the patient is- the referring, commonly referred to as the attending physician in the local community, or the specialist from the center. The proposed resolution was also presented. CONCLUSION: The study has shown how important eHealth in potentially promoting timely and improved health care access. However, there are still lapses and gaps in the implementation of policies and guidelines on and relating to eHealth in the Philippines as shown by the data culled from the review and the focus group discussions with the experts. With more specific ethical guidelines and relevant policies, the development and practice of eHealth and telehealth will be on its way in bridging the gap and aiding in health systems development in the Philippines, especially with the support of the national government and collaboration of various agencies and stakeholders.

Epidemics, diseases, and health emergencies in the aftermath of natural disasters in the Philippines

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to present the data on the frequency and severity of natural disasters in the Philippines, the common diseases in affected communities after a natural disaster, the immediate health effects after a natural disaster and the preceding environmental risk factors, as well as evaluation scheme for pre- and post- disaster management in the Philippines. METHODS: Data were gathered from local and international agencies dealing with epidemics diseases and health emergencies related to natural disasters. Critical analysis was done in order to come up with an evaluation scheme on both ex ante risk reduction, and ex post disaster response. RESULTS: The study showed that there are immediate adverse health effects of natural disasters. Drought brings about protein malnutrition; earthquakes can cause crush injuries; and fires can cause poor air quality. The study showed that the most common communicable diseases arisng from disasters and emergencies include diarrhea, acute respiratory infection, measles, and malaria. In the international scene, cholera, diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, measles, meningitis, tetanus, diarrhea, leptospirosis, acute respiratory syndrome, coccidiomycosis, and malaria were reported to be the major epidemics after certain types of natural disaster. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: There are several recommendations proposed in this study for disaster management such as integration of permanent LGU disaster risk management, better coordination among agencies involved in disaster management, strengthened vertical and horizontal integration of disaster risk reduction plans, creation of an overall framework that integrates environmental issues with disaster management strategies, documentation, evaluation and replication of successful local disaster prevention and management strategies, and coordination with health units, and economic development units. The Philippines is challenged to come up with and implement a comprehensive disaster preparedness and mitigation measures for disasters and epidemics.

A study on the state of occupational safety and health in the Philippines

OBJECTIVES: This study looked into the state of occupational health and safety in the country. Specifically, the objectives were 1) to show to current condition of workers, both local and migrant, in terms of their workplace conditions and hazard exposures; and 2) to present occupational diseases and illnesses in various industries and occupational groupings in the Philippines. METHODS: Data were gathered using documentary research targeting agencies that deal with occupational safety and health in the Philippines in terms of occupational diseases, injuries, and accidents, and existing occupational health and safety policies. RESULTS: The study revealed occupational hazards and health and safety conditions in various industries, occupational settings, and job groupings such as in the industrial sector, manufacturing, mining, agriculture, fishing, and cement manufacturing. It also looked into small-scale and informal industries such as tanning, laundry work, and pyrotechnics manufacture. Special segments of the labor force including women workers, child laborers and migrant workers were also covered. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: In all these sectors and industries, the stdy found attendant occupational diseases and injuries from occupational hazards. In general, OSH in the Philippines requires further improvements in data collection, coverage of industries and occupational sectors, and dissemination to both public and private sectors.

Analysis of trends of occupational injury in the Philippines: Implications for policy

OBJECTIVE. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and incidence of occupational injuries in the Philippines. METHODS. Data were collected from various agencies, namely, Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics (BLES) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Labor Force Survey of National Statistics Office, Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC), National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) under Department of Health (DOH), Overseas Employment Statistics (OES) of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and International Labor Organization (ILO). Hospital-based data and surveys were also used in this study. RESULTS. The study revealed about 358,000 fatal and 337 million non-fatal occupational accidents occurring around the world. In the Philippines, there were 22,65 cases of occupational injury in 2003 and 47,235 cases in 2007. The manufacturing industries registered the highest number of cases. The reported cases of occupational injury resulted in 178 deaths in 2000 and 116 deaths in 2007. As for the frequency rate of injury, it was estimated to occur at six injury cases per 500 full-time workers. In the following years, the frequency rate of injury declined to 4.07 in 2003, and further declined to 2.79 in 2007. Superficial injuries and open wounds were the most common type of injury in 2000, 2003 and 2007. Acute poisoning and infections rapidly increased by 2.39 times from 2003 to 2007. Other serious injuries reported were burns, corrosions, scalds, and frostbites, with 2,065 cases reported in 2007. In 2007, 1839 cases of fracture were reported. Based on hospital records, a total of 9,521 injury cases were reported in 2007. In 2007, 1,839 cases of fracture were reported. Based on hospital records, a total of 9,521 injury cases were reported for the first quarter of 2010 at 77 government and private hospitals in the country. Most injuries were sustained on the road (44.4%) and work-related injuries were reported at 7.8%. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION. The data showed that occupational injury is prevalent and presents a problem in the country. It is suggested that data collection on occupational injuries be performed on a national scale, and3not merely through the random collection of data for small, medium and large industries. Data on occupational safety and health should also include the agricultural sector, the informal sector, and small enterprises.

Establishing risk assessment indices for occupational injuries at work in the Philippines: Strategies for prevention

The study looked into the occupational hazards and injuries among 500 workers in 10 semiconductor industries in the Cavite Export Processing Zone in the Philippines. It also looked into the risk factors associated with injuries among workers. The 10 semiconductor industries are involved in the production of microchips and electronics. This is a parametric study using stratified sampling, workplace ambient monitoring, safety investigation, medical records review, survey questionnaires and interviews. Results of the study showed that noise was the most common physical agent, 67-100 percent present in all industry sizes. Medium-scale industries had low compliance on provision of administrative and engineering control measures. Selective interviews indicated the following problems: lack of ventilation, lack of protective equipment, need for overtime, frequent accidents/injuries during night shifts and prolonged standing. For the 500 workers who were given questionnaires, problems cited for work conditions include poor housekeeping, slippery floors, uneven floors, no machine guard, insufficient work area and insufficient warehouse/storage area. The top five most frequent stressors were overtime, fast-paced work, repetitive work, mental fatigue and visual strain. The most prevalent injuries were cuts and bruises at 65.5 percent. When hazards and injuries were associated, the results showed significant association between the following: noise with hearing loss (p=0.019), poor illumination with eye strain (p=0.007), vibration with muscle injury (p=0.046), excessive work with low back injury (p=0.00), poor housekeeping with slipping (p=0.021), slippery floor with falls (p=0.032), and with uneven floors with falls (p=0.003). All these injuries occurred in the workplace due to lack of machine guards, improper use of tools, non-ergonomically designed tools, fast workplace and unsafe conditions. Cutting from a machine caused three amputations. In conclusion, the study showed that there occupational injuries are prevalent in the electronic industries, and they are work-related. (Author)