Inequity Driven Mistrust – Its Impacts to Infodemic Management and Health Response and what to do about it – World

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Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic, along with other recent health crises, has highlighted the detrimental impact of misinformation and mistrust of health information on health systems. Studies have underscored the negative associations between mistrust and various aspects associated to a health response, including health outcomes, utilization of preventive health services, willingness to receive care (including vaccination), mortality rates during an emergency, perceptions of risks, and overall acceptance of health measures (Lee & Lin 2011, Musa et al. 2009,
Ahorsu 2021, Reiersen et al. 2022, Bollyky 2022, Pian et al. 2021). Understanding what drives mistrust in health information and what possible actions can mitigate or address the impact that this mistrust has on the effectiveness of health emergency response is critical (Mulukom 2022). Given the significant role that trust plays during a health response, it becomes paramount to take a deeper look at what the main drivers of trust in health information are during a health crisis. This research is situated as part of the Rooted in Trust (RiT) project at Internews, which since 2020 has partnered with over 41 local organizations in 15 different humanitarian settings to respond to the unprecedented scale and speed of health-related rumors and misinformation. As part of our project, we have identified that inequity is an important driver of mistrust, particularly for at-risk communities in humanitarian settings.
Inequity has also proven to be an important social determinant of health that can have an impact on health outcomes (WHO, 2008).

A recount of the existing literature shows a significant gap, which this paper aims to begin to address. Some studies have conceptualized information inequality as the lack of access to factual and scientific information and emphasized how it contributes to the rise of misinformation (Mostagir & Siderius , 2022). However, “infodemic”1 management has shown that access

As a doctor, here are 5 things I want my patients to know

This marks a year since I began writing The Washington Post’s Ask A Doctor column and what a privilege it has been. But I’ve been doing more than dishing advice. I’ve also been listening — reading your comments, getting emails and talking to my patients.

What I’ve learned is that the science is only the bare bones of the story. Your lived experience is the heart. After reflecting on what I’ve heard this year, these are five things I want my patients to know.

1. Our health isn’t all determined by the big moments

Preventive health comes down to the innumerable micro-decisions each of us make every day. Bacon at breakfast may be another inconsequential food in your week, while a lifetime of eating processed meats can tip the scales between colon cancer and health.

Those smaller moments can have a butterfly effect you can’t always foresee. One patient of mine agreed to adopt his relative’s dog three years ago — mainly because he felt lonely and wanted companionship. Despite being a self-described “couch potato,” he’s since been easily hitting the recommended physical activity guidelines every week because he started taking his dog for runs around the neighborhood. In addition to the mental health benefits, he’s no longer prediabetic.

How would his trajectory have been different if he had never adopted a pet, if he had hired a dog walking service instead or decided to play fetch instead of joining his dog on a run?

Where would his health be in 10 years if he had developed diabetes?

Our tiny daily decisions add up. Healthy choices made even some of the time are better than unhealthy choices made all of the time.

2. Everyone is frustrated with doctor’s appointments.

Changing how you view fast fashion could save you money long-term





Nina Dragicevic, The Canadian Press







Published Tuesday, December 12, 2023 11:12AM EST




Danielle Cosentino used to give bags of unwanted clothes to her cousin every year.

While her cousin loved the free stuff, Cosentino grew tired of buying so much and wearing so little. She had become caught up in acquiring trends through fast fashion retailers only to realize she was locked in a loop of buying cheap clothes, having them degrade quickly, then having to buy more.

“I’ve always been told if you haven’t worn it in two years, then it should go,” says Cosentino, a massage therapist and nutritionist. “And I felt like that would be half my closet.”

A variety of studies and sources go even further than that, estimating that most of us don’t wear 70 to 80 per cent of our clothes.

Averaging out census data over several years, Canadian households spend roughly $300 a month on clothing, according to Statistics Canada. If most of that will be barely worn, our closets are essentially graveyards of disposable income.

Cosentino wanted to change. She hired Jaclyn Patterson, a personal wardrobe stylist and founder of  Shopwise, an online sustainable fashion retailer that focuses on “slow fashion.”

Cosentino began evolving her shopping habits and treating her wardrobe like a long-term investment, which she describes as a “psychological shift.” Even packing for vacations is easier now, as she’s learned how to build outfits and re-wear classic pieces in different ways.

“Yes, you will spend more on sustainable brands, for obvious reasons, but they’re timeless pieces and they really take you the distance,” Cosentino says. “In the long run, you actually spend less. Now I see the value in spending on quality, well-made pieces that aren’t

Can this Michigan county, deeply divided on politics and policy, reach a truce?

Adeline Hambley’s employees at a county health department in Michigan saw her as their protection from political interference by conservative Christians on the county board. Then the board offered her $4 million to quit.

Adeline Hambley has been the health officer in Ottawa County, Mich., since December 2022. Shortly after her appointment, new conservative members of the county board began an effort to remove her. (Kristen Norman for The Washington Post)

WEST OLIVE, Mich. — All year, the new conservative Christian majority on the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners had been searching for a way to get rid of Adeline Hambley, who ran the west Michigan county’s health department. It wasn’t as easy as it seemed.

They had discussed firing Hambley, whom they saw as an instrument of government tyranny. But her job came with protections, written into state law, that were intended to insulate her from political influence or retribution.

They had proposed paying Hambley $4 million to leave. She accepted in early November. But the commissioners backed out a few days later when they learned that the payment could damage the county’s bond rating and tank its finances.

Now it was Nov. 14. The commissioners huddled with their lawyers in a windowless conference room at the county’s boxy, brick government complex. Hambley and her lawyer waited anxiously in a small room just down the hall. The two sides were stuck.

All over the country, deep partisan divisions were making it harder for American government to function and its citizens to coexist. The number of intractable disputes seemed to grow by the day: climate change, racial equity, gender-affirming care, guns, immigration, abortion. The battles were paralyzing Congress and pitting red and

B.C. health officials offer contract for 1.5 million virtual care visits


The provincial government is offering a service contract for a company that can provide physicians or nurse practitioners to field up to 1.5 million virtual appointments for British Columbians, CTV News has learned.


The application package for “British Columbia (BC) Access to Episodic Virtual Care Services” requires at least 150,000 appointments per year, which would exclude all but the largest health-care providers and corporations in the province.


Several physicians have spoken to CTV News about the move, describing it as a surprise strategy outside the usual bounds of negotiation and policymaking – and one that corporatizes health-care and adds unnecessary bureaucracy while centralizing control with the Ministry of Health. They spoke on background, fearing reprisal for questioning government policy. 


One pointed out that virtual appointments are quicker and much more profitable than in-person care, which often involves physical exams and treatments that require more time and supplies. 


The goal, applicants are told in the package, is to “add additional dedicated access to episodic virtual primary care services coordinated at a provincial level in support of the province’s primary care strategy,” it reads in part. Physical assessments or exams would then need to be referred to a clinic or primary care practice with a family doctor or nurse practitioner registered and accredited to practise in B.C.


Under their current agreement with the province, family doctors are limited in how many unattached patients they can see as part of their practice, with a cap on the number of appointments per day.


Patient and public health-care advocate Camille Currie, co-founder of BC Healthcare Matters, suggested that access to medical care may not improve for patients, with a middle-man profiting in a unnecessarily complicated system, if the plan goes ahead as proposed.


“This money could’ve been

Best Boxing Day fashion and clothing deals 2023

Forget Christmas, it’s the Boxing Day sales that make this the most wonderful time of the year… Because when you’re stuffed with turkey and sick of arguing over board games with your extended family, what do you do? A spot of internet shopping, obvs.

OK, so we know that Black Friday was literally last month, but retailers still have a lot left to give. It’s the perfect time to buy any last min Xmas gifts for people you forgot (dw, we’re not judging). Perhaps even some sparkly knitwear for a low-key New Year’s Eve or a full-on NYE party dress. In fact, Boxing Day is the one time of year where a lack of organisation is actually rewarded: keen beans will defs have paid more.

Or not – some of the sales have actually already started. Get the low-down in our guide to the best Boxing Day fashion deals:

When is Boxing Day?

Boxing Day is always on December 26, the day after Christmas. It’s also a bank holiday in the UK, which is pretty fun.

Is Boxing Day better than Black Friday?

Honestly, it depends on what you’re looking for. While Black Friday tends to be the time to bag blanket discounts, Boxing Day is traditionally a clearance kinda sale. In short, you’ll get bigger discounts on December 26 (up to 80%) but you’ll need to work a little harder – and sizes/stock will sell out a LOT faster. It’s not all old season, FYI, most retailers’ coats, boots and winter clothes are being reduced right now and, last time we checked, it was still cold AF outside.

ASOS Boxing Day Sale

ASOS currently has up to 70% off on loads of lines – including big brands and special edition collections. So, if you missed out on the e-tailer’s

Health department prepares for child dental screening required by new legislation

GAYLORD — Vision and hearing screenings have been part of how families prepare for the big day — their child’s first day of kindergarten — for decades. Children enrolling into their first year of school will now receive an oral health screening, too.

“Dental health is often overlooked when we talk about the health and development of our kids,” Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) Health Officer Dan Thorell said in a statement. “Families need access to care to ensure their children stay healthy and have every advantage education provides.”

A primary way access to dental care is being addressed through a new state law requiring the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to establish and maintain a program with local health departments, including HDNW. The program, called Kindergarten Oral Health Assessment (KOHA), is expected to serve 112,000 students statewide.

In Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego counties, the program will be led by HDNW school oral health staff, the same staff who has been doing these screenings in schools for years.

“KOHA expands on what HDNW started in 2011 based on local need,” said Dawn Marie Strehl, HDNW Regional Oral Health Coordinator. “The screenings are required; however, parents and guardians may have their regular providers complete a form saying the children have a dental home and have already had the needed exam.”

The Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) is working with registered dental hygienists to train for and schedule school oral health screenings throughout the region’s 31 counties. The team includes (from left) Rene Louchart, Caroline Sarya, Angie Sutton, Dawn Marie Strehl and Valerie Witt. Missing is Kara McLellan.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, five times more common than asthma. In Michigan, almost half of the Head Start children have tooth decay. More than half of the children in Michigan do not see a dentist each year. The goal of this program is to establish a dental home for each child.

HDNW is scheduling screening days during kindergarten round-ups and health fairs in the spring. The dates will be shared by the

The Growth Of FemTech: Separating Hype From Facts

Alexandr Khomich, President & CEO at Andersen.

FemTech is a relatively new technology sector (the term was proposed by Ida Tin in 2016). According to McKinsey, “FemTech provides a wide range of solutions to improve healthcare for women across a number of female-specific conditions, including maternal health, menstrual health, pelvic and sexual health, fertility, menopause, and contraception, as well as a number of general health conditions that affect women disproportionately or differently (such as osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease).”

The defining focus of businesses and apps in this field is enhancing healthcare for women across an array of concerns tied directly to biological differences or health statistics.

FemTech definitely holds promise, drawing in investments and startups. However, while headlines often hype a “FemTech revolution,” the question remains: Is there ample evidence proving that technologies focused on women’s health are skyrocketing?

The “FemTech Revolution”: Hype Vs. Reality

While the sector has indeed seen growth, a closer look reveals a more nuanced picture.

Google Trends indicates only moderate growth in interest in this field over the past five years, significantly lagging behind such common health tech terms as “telemedicine” or “healthcare AI.”

Investment trends further indicate that FemTech’s growth, while real, is hardly explosive. As per Statista‘s data, the worldwide market reached a valuation of $51 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to achieve $103 billion by 2030, reflecting an 8.1% CAGR. Notably, female-focused health tech only attracted 3.3% of digital health funding in the U.S. between 2011 and 2020.

Unlike telemedicine, which dates back to 1874 when the telegraph was employed to aid in the medical care of a wounded person and experienced explosive growth during the Covid-19 pandemic, FemTech has witnessed a more gradual, steady increase in adoption.

So, while FemTech is growing, framing it as a

Cardiologist offers advice on the best cooking fats for healthy cholesterol levels

cooking oil
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Are you trying to remember which fat is the good fat to use in the kitchen? If you are confused about whether to use unsaturated fats, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated or saturated fats when cooking, it’s understandable. It can be confusing.

Dr. Regis Fernandes, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, says fats that raise your bad cholesterol levels and increase your risk for heart disease are the ones to avoid.

“Saturated fat is a type of fat that solidifies in room temperature,” says Dr. Fernandes.

Coconut oil is an example, so is palm oil.

“Saturated fat consumption is directly related to cholesterol levels in the blood,” he says. “The higher the saturated fat intake, the higher will be the cholesterol level in the blood.”

“There are two types of unsaturated fats that are considered healthy fats. We have the polyunsaturated fats, and you have the monounsaturated fats. And those two types of fats are considered the good fats because they do not raise the LDL cholesterol,” says Dr. Fernandes.

LDL is low-density lipoprotein. That’s the bad cholesterol. The opposite is high-density lipoprotein.

“HDL is considered a good cholesterol because it’s measuring the amount of cholesterol that is removed from your arteries back to the liver,” Dr. Fernandes says.

You’ll find these good fats in olive oil, avocado oil, and soybean and vegetable oil.

Try these tips to reduce unhealthy fats in your diet:

  • Use oil instead of butter. For example, saute with olive oil instead of butter, and use canola oil when baking.
  • Eat fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, instead of meat at least twice a week.
  • Choose lean meat and skinless poultry. Trim visible fat from meat. Remove fat and skin from poultry.
  • Limit processed foods, which often contain saturated fat. Instead reach for whole

Options for accessing health care during holiday season

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Dr. Somaiah Ahmed, chief and medical director of the emergency department at the Brant Community Healthcare System (Brantford General Hospital and Willett Hospital, Paris) has an important message for everyone this holiday season.

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“If you are not feeling well, and your condition is not improving at home, please do not delay in seeking the most appropriate care. Do not allow fear of long waits to prevent you from accessing care.”

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Ahmed said unfortunately, emergency department and urgent care centre physicians and staff often see the disadvantage when people wait too long before finally seeking care. “Health services can be very busy during Christmas and New Year’s so we understand why people can be hesitant. However, sometimes we let our guard down. So, I repeat, if your condition is not improving at home, please do not delay in getting the most appropriate care,” she said.

When deciding on the most appropriate care there are many choices. Dr. Scott Elliott, a family physician, said, “If you

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