Unfolding Outbreak Scenarios Can Be a Bite-Size Treat and Other Lessons From New Zealand's First Online Environmental Health Conference

The New Zealand Institute of Environmental Health (NZIEH) is a nongovernmental institute for all environmental health professionals in New Zealand. In 2021, NZIEH held its annual conference as an online virtual event for the first time. One inclusion to the program was an evolving outbreak scenario delivered in installments including "injects" of information (i.e., inserts of information relevant to the scenario) that mimic the evolution of a real-life epidemiological outbreak investigation. Questions were posed to attendees related to each added information inject. The scenario also included discussion in virtual breakout rooms that allowed attendees to network and reach consensus before responding to questions;discussions were also initiated by the scenario facilitators. Details of the scenario, its aims, evaluation of success, and limitations of this approach are discussed.

Physical activity and mental health in Brazilian university students: An analysis in different sexes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Study aim: To identify symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in Brazilian university students of both sexes and the association of physical activity parameters during the COVID-19 pandemic.Material and methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2021. Data on occupational and social variables and mental health symptoms were investigated using the Beck Anxiety Inventory, Hamilton depression rating scale, and Perceived Stress Scale questionnaires. Physical activity levels were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.Results: In total, 277 college students over eighteen years old participated in the study (66% female;46.7% brown race). Higher scores and symptoms of anxiety and depression were observed in women (p < 0.0001). Anxiety symptoms were negatively associated with physical activity levels in women. Sedentary time, including sitting correlated with depression scores in women (r = 0.171;p < 0.05).Conclusions: University students are a risk group for the appearance of symptoms related to mental health. In addition, these disorders occur more frequently in females, and sedentary habits, such as more time sitting, were related to higher scores in depression and anxiety.

Impact of Covid-19 on the Psychology of Coaches

The development of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), raises concerns about heightened stress and anxiety in people's lives. The purpose of this research was to investigate the emotional influence of COVID-19 that professional coaches faced and how they managed to deal with social seclusion during the second wave of COVID-19. More precisely, it was investigated whether the age and educational level of coaches had an impact on their psychological condition during this period. The sample consisted of 605 Greek National coaches, 398 men, 206 women, and one coach who did not indicate sex preference, between the ages of 18-67 (M=38.18, SD=11.19). The results indicated the age differences between the youngest and oldest groups, and between high school and Ph.D. graduates. Overall, it was found that the Greek version of ERQ constitutes a reliable instrument for measuring emotion regulation situations in a professional sports environment.

2023 ACHE Hudgens Award Recipient: Baljeet S. Sangha, FACHE, COO, San Francisco Health Network

The integrated, safety-net healthcare system for the City and County of San Francisco includes the Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, San Francisco's only Level 1 trauma center, and the Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center. [...]even when folks can't get out of their home, we at the San Francisco Health Network know we can still reach out to them with access to substance abuse and mental health support as well as other critical preventive screenings. Dr. Ford: A few years ago, San Francisco enacted a law directing firms that employ 20 or more employees, most notably food service workers, to contribute a minimum amount to health benefits per employee hour. [...]many of them are doing two or three jobs to support their families, so it is impossible for them to get healthcare during periods that may be "normal” for the rest of us.

Journey to Cuba

NEHA offers an exciting opportunity for environmental health professionals to join their private delegation to Havana, Cuba, on Nov 2-6, 2023. They will explore Cuba's rich and varied cultural heritage and go beyond tourist corridors by engaging with local environmental health professionals, officials, engineers, entrepreneurs, musicians, and artists who will offer indepth commentary on health policies, economics, environmental justice, art, history, architecture, and culture. The trip is being organized by CLE Abroad, a provider of customized educational travel programs around the world. The trip is open to all individuals over 18 years.

Artificial Intelligence and Environmental Health Teaching: Impacts for the Wider Profession

ChatGPT, a new, easily accessible, and user-friendly artificial intelligence (AI) platform, as well as other emerging AI platforms, allow for the creation of well-crafted essays complete with citations, and quickly and mostly correct answers to multiple-choice questions. These types of platforms pose significant concerns for academic programs, including environmental health, as much of the students' learning is guided by written assignments. Academic integrity is an educational and professional attribute and breaches of ethical conduct risk the reputations of organizations and by association, those who work in them. To address this threat, the Environmental Health Community of Practice (CoP)--a group of academic professionals in environmental health from across the globe--has developed potential approaches to address AI within the academic and professional realms of environmental health.

Condition of water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) in Ghana's basic schools: Empirical evidence from Wa municipality

Access to functional water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) systems is a necessity for safe health and a fundamental determinant of human well-being. As a result, constant monitoring, tracking and bridging of the gaps in access to WaSH is a global public health requirement. Developing countries are currently disadvantaged in this era of the COVID-19 outbreak, particularly in the area of school-based WaSH. This study assesses the present condition and challenges hindering access to school-based WaSH in the Wa Municipality. Primary data involving 145 health teachers were sourced using survey questionnaires and supported with ocular assessment. Results show that basic schools in the Wa Municipality currently have in place some sort of WaSH facilities, thereby meeting the availability criteria to a large extent. However, these schools do not meet the remaining standards – functionality, accessibility, maintenance and quality of services, education and prac-tices. The major factors affecting the sustainable operationalisation of the school-based WaSH are poor maintenance and inadequate funding of WaSH infrastructure. The school-based WaSH in Ghana requires rapt policy attention if the quest to attain Sustainable Development Goal 6 by 2030 is to be achieved. © 2023 The Authors.

Millennials' perception of safety and hygiene measures, perceived health risk, satisfaction and behavioural intention at upscale restaurants amid COVID-19 pandemic

The new normal of social distancing policy and health risks has shaped customers' dining out behaviors at restaurants. This study applied qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the written comments of consumer-generated media on food and service quality and safety and hygiene prevention measures at upscale restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study also investigated the impact of safety and hygiene prevention measures on perceived health risks, customer satisfaction, and behavioral intention via the stimulus-organism-response model. Written comments from 10 upscale restaurants were collected, and a purposive sampling approach was used to recruit Millennial respondents to participate in a self-administered survey. Results show different areas of comments provided by customers in the aspects of staff issues, hardware, amenities and other measures. Relationships among safety and hygiene prevention measures, perceived health risks, customer satisfaction and behavioral intention exist. Theoretical development on motivation factors to dine out and managerial implications were discussed. © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

From Assessment to Action: A Road Map to Becoming an Environmental Health Science Professional

Is the air safe to breathe? Is the water safe to drink? Can I feed my child the apple I bought at the grocery store? Is my house safe from toxic substances? How will climate change-related flooding and drought impact food security? These are some of the questions environmental health science professionals are trained to counter. From the time John Snow removed the pump handle and Rachel Carson described the origin of a Silent Spring, environmental health professionals consistently provided the evidence that the health of the environment is inextricably linked to that of people. Never before has the profession been in such need of bolstering its workforce. Over the last few decades many communities have taken for granted the ability to control disease outbreaks and have access to safe food, clean water, healthy homes, and reliable sanitation. This trend has been combined with a realization that the traditional definition of environment is no longer relevant.

Seizing the opportunity to redesign physical education teacher education: blending paradigms to create transformative experiences in teacher education

The COVID-19 pandemic has encouraged many to engage with determining what is most effective in the realm of teaching and learning and how we can negotiate what we have done in the past with what makes sense for the future. In proposing a framework in which to encourage the community of physical education teacher educators to redefine physical education teacher education (PETE) practices, we argue that we need to start by revisiting, embedding and challenging Zeichner's [(1983). Alternative paradigms of teacher education. Journal of Teacher Education, 34(3), 3–9] paradigms at a programmatic level. Drawing on Rink's [(1993). Teacher education: A focus on action. Quest (Grand Rapids, Mich), 45(3), 308–320] main thesis of considering the different philosophical orientations as complementary, and not competing ideologies, this paper is a response to the call of Carmi and Tamir [(2020). Three professional ideals: Where should teacher preparation go next? European Journal of Teacher Education] to improve strategies for blending paradigms in teacher preparation programmes, by providing some specific directions and reflective prompts for PETE programmes. We introduce the reader to the consideration that decisions made around the paradigms and the blending of paradigms across a programme may be essential to provide pre-service teachers (PSTs) with transformative experiences that enable their understanding of the different contexts and ontologies to succeed in their pedagogical and professional endeavours. We develop a double-pyramid approach evidencing how more than one paradigm of teacher education can co-exist to create a holistic and comprehensive plan to facilitate PETE. We convey that a programmatic structure with decisions around the paradigms and their blending, and how those might shape PSTs' educational experience will provide a starting point if teacher educators are to re-define PETE practices.

A rare occurrence of tumoural calcinosis of long head biceps tendon post-COVID-19 infection

Tumoural calcinosis is a rare entity commonly caused by hyperphosphatemia due to bone mineral disease, hyperparathyroidism of chronic renal failure. However, our case demonstrated a normo-phosphatemic tumoural calcinosis post-COVID-19. This is a 36-year-old with a multiple history of soft-tissue calcification presented with acute onset severe right shoulder pain associated with anterior shoulder swelling at day 20 post-COVID-19. The clinical examination reveals anterior shoulder swelling at bicipital groove with severe restriction of range of motion due to pain. Ultrasound revealed an initial solid mass arising from the sheath of long head of biceps tendon which turns into cystic mass at week 4 of the disease. Computed tomography scan demonstrate sedimentation sign. His blood parameters revealed normo-calcemic, normo-phosphatemic bone profile, normal renal function and no sign suggestive of rheumatological disease. He was started on short course on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for 3 week and does not require surgical intervention. His symptoms completely resolved after 4 weeks with persistent shoulder swelling. He was started with prophylaxis low phosphate diet to prevent future recurrence. Our case demonstrates that conservative management using the short course of NSAIDs can be beneficial in treating primary normophosphatemic tumoural calcinosis.

How an Australian Centre for Disease Control Can Reinforce Environmental Health Systems and Services

The Australian government is working to establish a Center for Disease Control (CDC). The goal is to ensure pandemic preparedness, lead the federal response to future disease outbreaks, and prevent noncommunicable and communicable diseases. This news is welcomed as Australia is the only country in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) without a CDC or similar national organization. The nation is uniquely placed to build on lessons from other countries to create a "world-class" Australian CDC by reinforcing environmental health systems and becoming the champion for evidence-based policy.

Anemia in children aged 6-59 months was significantly associated with maternal anemia status in rural Zimbabwe.

Globally, anemia is a public health problem affecting mostly women of reproductive age (WRA, n = 452) and children aged 6-59 months (n = 452) from low- and lower-middle-income countries. This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and determinants of anemia in WRA and children aged 6-59 months in rural Zimbabwe. The venous blood sample was measured for hemoglobin utilizing a HemoCue machine. Anthropometric indices were assessed and classified based on World Health Organization standards. Socioeconomic characteristics were assessed. The median (±inter quartile range (IQR)) age of WRA was 29 ± 12 years and that for children was 29 ± 14 months. The prevalence of anemia was 29.6% and 17.9% in children and WRA, respectively, while the median (±IQR) hemoglobin levels were 13.4 ± 1.8 and 11.7 ± 1.5 g/dl among women and children, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess determinants of anemia. Anemia in children was significantly associated with maternal anemia (odds ratio (OR) = 2.02; 95% CI 1.21-3.37; p = .007) and being a boy (OR = 0.63; 95% CI 0.41-0.95; p = .029), while anemia in WRA was significantly associated with the use of unimproved dug wells as a source of drinking water (OR = 0.36; 95% CI 0.20-0.66; p = .001) and lack of agricultural land ownership (OR = 0.51; 95% CI 0.31-0.85; p = .009). Anemia is a public health problem in the study setting. The positive association between maternal and child anemia reflects the possibility of cross-generational anemia. Therefore, interventions that focus on improving preconceptual and maternal nutritional status may help to reduce anemia in low-income settings.

Puberty health intervention to improve menstrual health and school attendance among adolescent girls in The Gambia: study methodology of a cluster-randomised controlled trial in rural Gambia (MEGAMBO TRIAL).

BACKGROUND: Menstrual health (MH) is a recognised global public health challenge. Poor MH may lead to absence from school and work, and adverse health outcomes. However, reviews suggest a lack of rigorous evidence for the effectiveness of MH interventions on health and education outcomes. The objective of this paper is to describe the methods used in a cluster-randomised controlled trial to estimate the effect of a multi-component intervention to improve MH and school attendance in The Gambia. METHODS: The design ensured half the schools (25) were randomised to receive the intervention which comprised of the following components: (i) Peer education camps and menstrual hygiene laboratories in schools, (ii) Mother's outreach sessions, (iii) Community meetings, and (iv) minor improvements of school Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities and maintenance. The intervention was run over a three-month period, and the evaluation was conducted at least three months after the last intervention activity was completed in the school or community. The other 25 schools acted as controls. Of these 25 control schools one Arabic school dropped out due to COVID-19. The primary outcome was the prevalence of girls missing at least one day of school during their last period. Secondary outcomes included: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) symptoms, biochemical markers of UTI in urine, Reproductive Tract Infection symptoms, self-reported menstruation related wellbeing, social support and knowledge, perceptions and practices towards menstruation and MH in target school girls. In addition, a process evaluation using observations, routine monitoring data, survey data and interviews was undertaken to assess dose and reach (quantitative data) and assess acceptability, fidelity, context and possible mechanisms of impact (qualitative data). Cost and cost-effectiveness of the intervention package will also be assessed. CONCLUSION: Results will add to scarce resources available on effectiveness of MH interventions on school attendance. A positive result may encourage policy makers to increase their commitment to improve operation and maintenance of school WASH facilities and include more information on menstruation into the curriculum and help in the reporting and management of infections related to adolescent menstruation. Trial Registration PACTR, PACTR201809769868245, Registered 14th August 2018, https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=3539.

"We Should Not Have the Same Restrictions as Everybody Else:” Southeastern US CrossFit Coaches' Perceptions of COVID-19 Restrictions

The spread of the COVID-19 virus significantly impacted the fitness industry with government restrictions including mandated closures. CrossFit, a major player in the global fitness industry, faced a new industry landscape and significant internal division while coping with the crisis. This study contributes to the literature on CrossFit coaches, who are important cultural figures in fitness services. This study investigated CrossFit coaches' perceptions of COVID-19 restrictions through semi-structured interviews with a diverse sample in Georgia and Florida, U.S. The coaches displayed CrossFit exceptionalism, believing that fitness facilities should have been treated differently, and CrossFit gyms in particular were distinctive enough to merit special consideration. Some coaches approved of the governmental response, but others disapproved, and many expressed gratitude that they were in states with short restriction periods. Their demonstration of uncertainty, however, somewhat conflicted with their exceptionalism. These perceptions may influence coaches' behaviors and impact CrossFit participants, which makes the topic worthy of additional study.

Is Home Advantage Diminished When Competing Without Spectators? Evidence From the Israeli Football and Basketball Leagues

Sports spectators are one of the factors that affect home advantage. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic created unique conditions under which most of the leagues in the world played matches without crowds for over six months. This situation facilitated an analytical comparison of two different periods: before and during the coronavirus pandemic. The current study sought to examine home advantage in the Israeli sport domain in general, and specifically the impact of the absence of a crowd. The study consisted of 4,030 matches played in Israel's top football and basketball leagues, of which 3,589 took place with crowds from August 2015 to March 2020, while the others were held without spectators from May 2020 to February 2021. Descriptive and analyses of variance procedures indicated a home advantage independent of crowd size, density, geographic region, league level, and type of sport. However, higher-quality teams demonstrated a higher home advantage ratio for the goals conceded. The findings of the study indicate that in the Israeli context, the crowd plays less of a role in home advantage than other potential factors.

Bridging the generational communication divide

This article briefly describes the characteristics of each generation from the 1940s to the 2020s, the challenges of communication between these generations in the veterinary profession (including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic) and the importance of developing awareness to better understand generational challenges, work together to meet both personal and professional objectives and communicate clearly, effectively and professionally to meet the needs of clients and their pets.

How Did Participating In a Prenatal Nutrition and Exercise Program Influence Postpartum Experiences During COVID-19?

Lifestyle interventions focusing on prenatal physical activity (PA) and healthy nutritional habits can carry forward into the postpartum period. As many health resources, like PA facilities and postpartum support groups, were inaccessible due to the Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions, it may be plausible that individuals who participated in a prenatal lifestyle intervention continued engaging in positive health behaviours on their own. This study explored experiences of postpartum individuals during the pandemic who had engaged in a prenatal PA and nutrition program prior to COVID-19. Semi-structured interviews were completed with postpartum individuals following a qualitative description approach. The study objectives were to identify and summarize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on PA and nutritional behaviours postpartum, and the role of previous participation in a prenatal lifestyle intervention, pre-pandemic, on PA and nutritional habits during postpartum quarantine restrictions. Thirteen participants completed interviews and reported that overall, PA levels stayed the same however, there was a change in PA type, as walking became the prominent choice of PA. Diet became more limited and involved a great deal of meal planning. Participation in a prenatal lifestyle intervention prior to the pandemic positively impacted PA and nutritional habits postpartum during COVID-19 restrictions. Specifically, it enabled individuals to implement walking as a daily PA habit and encouraged important concepts such as mindful eating and meal planning. Prenatal lifestyle interventions can be beneficial in establishing healthy postpartum habits, even during pandemic restrictions.