ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To identify the number and distribution of public health specialists in the UK. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Postal survey of UK members and fellows of the Faculty of Public Health and primary care trust directors of public health in England in October 2003. RESULTS: Of 1993 individuals surveyed, 1566 (78%) responded, of whom 1331 reported working as consultants or specialists in public health in the UK. Of the 1331, 891 (67%) were on the General Medical Council Specialist Register, 53 (4%) were on the General Dental Council Register, and 92 (7%) were in the process of applying for the Voluntary Register; 295 (22%) did not appear to be on any professional register or in the process of applying to the Voluntary Register. This equated to a total UK rate of 14.1 per million 'service' public health. There was substantial variation by region from 9.3 per million population in Wales and the South West to 18.0 per million population in the West Midlands and 19.5 per million population in London. An increase of 218 (21%) additional consultants and specialists in public health across the UK would be required to bring other regions up to the level of the highest region. CONCLUSIONS: This survey, although limited, being based on a survey of members and fellows of the Faculty of Public Health, shows that specialist public health is under capacity, is resourced in a highly variable manner, and needs to be built up to meet the challenges we face. A comprehensive workforce plan for public health is urgently needed.
Subject(s)
Public Health , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Data Collection , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , United Kingdom , WorkforceSubject(s)
Hymenoptera/immunology , Hypersensitivity/complications , Insect Bites and Stings/complications , Humans , Hypersensitivity/diagnosis , Hypersensitivity/therapy , Insect Bites and Stings/diagnosis , Insect Bites and Stings/therapy , Tissue Extracts/therapeutic use , Venoms/therapeutic useSubject(s)
Antigens/administration & dosage , Immunotherapy , Poaceae/immunology , Humans , Skin TestsSubject(s)
Physician Assistants/education , California , Curriculum , Humans , Hypersensitivity , Licensure , PreceptorshipABSTRACT
An unusually heavy infestation of the tussock moth resulted in a high incidence of symptoms affecting the skin and mucous membranes of those exposed to high concentrations of particulate matter of this insect. Extensive epidemiological studies proved these manifestations to be both toxic and allergic. The authors have given this condition the name, Tussockosis. Clinical and immunoligical studies including in vitro procedures and direct patient testing confirmed the allergenicity, as well as the non-specific irritation of material from this moth.
Subject(s)
Hypersensitivity/diagnosis , Lepidoptera/immunology , Moths/immunology , Adolescent , Adult , Dermatitis, Atopic/diagnosis , Dermatitis, Contact/diagnosis , Dermatitis, Occupational/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Respiratory Hypersensitivity/diagnosis , Skin TestsABSTRACT
The aqueous extract of green peas was separated into 3 fractions (albumin, legumin, and vicilin) by dialysis against distilled water and isoelectric precipitation. The major antigenic and all of the allergenic activity of the pea extract was associated with the albumin fraction. The albumin fraction retains its allergenicity upon heating at 60 degrees C for 30 min or boiling at 100 degrees C for 5 min, but becomes partially inactivated by autoclaving at 120 degrees C for 15 min. The allergenic determinant expressed by the albumin fraction appears to be common to several other members of the legume family. In addition, the pea dialysate fraction was shown to specifically inhibit precipitin and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reactions involving rabbit antipea serum and the pea albumin fraction, and histamine release from passively sensitized monkey lung tissue using the serum of pea-sensitive patients.
