Paul Knudson’s Post

Happy World Health Day! Here is a cool timeline of major public health milestones over the decades. One of my favorites is the 2022 One Health declaration, appreciating health as evolving from the framework of our global ecosystem. Many people think public health is all sanitation and vaccinations, but of course it's so much more- psychosocial, political, and ecological. Here's to health for all! https://lnkd.in/gTZJ4vyT

The Power of Public Health: A Preventive Approach to Healthier Lives 🌍 Public health is more than a field; it’s the art and science of preventing diseases, promoting health, and prolonging life through organized efforts and informed choices. By focusing on prevention rather than cure, public health reduces the risk of diseases, lightening the burden on healthcare systems and empowering communities to live healthier lives. When we emphasize disease prevention—through vaccinations, health education, sanitation, nutrition, and mental well-being—we create a foundation for a resilient society. Unlike curative medicine, which addresses illness after it strikes, public health helps people avoid many of the health issues in the first place. This is not only cost-effective but also strengthens collective well-being. From vaccinations and clean water initiatives to health literacy programs, public health interventions save countless lives and ensure sustainable health for all. Remember, preventing disease is far better than merely treating it. Let's strive for healthier communities by placing prevention at the core of our efforts! #CHUKWUEBUKA_GODSPOWER_EZE #CGE #PublicHealth #DiseasePrevention #CommunityHealth #HealthForAll #PreventNotCure #HealthAdvocate

Every year, millions of letters are sent from health authorities to patients – to encourage them to get vaccinated, do their cancer screening or health check-up.   Evidence from #BehaviouralScience can help increase the impact of health letters – and to make people act. Our new policy brief proposes several concrete steps to help health authorities: ✔️ ensure a clear call to action ✔️ keep a letter short and simple ✔️ address the barriers and drivers of behaviours, by for example clarifying services are free of charge ✔️ draw on relevant psychological mechanisms such as social norms ✔️ adapt a letter to a cultural context ✔️ attract the readers’ attention with the email subject or letter envelope ✔️ use the right sender and signatory ✔️ test the letter and engage with intended recipients ✔️ use reminders Read the full policy brief here: https://lnkd.in/dW2TvfYJ #BCI

Communicating effectively about certain public health topics can be a challenge😮💨Sometimes we’re countering personal beliefs, tradition, religion, culture and a host of other factors, including prior misinformation. Vaccines is definitely one of those topics, which is why it’s so great that Public Health Communications Collaborative has developed a library of vaccine resources so public health professionals don’t have to go at it alone. Explore newly tested messages to open conversations with vaccine-hesitant people, updated messaging to inform your 2024-24 flu and COVID-19 campaigns, and virtual trainings and reports on trending vaccine narratives. Check out the content here: https://lnkd.in/eGacc6RS #PHCCAmbassador 💉

💉 Years on, does vaccination remain a priority and how are people managing symptoms? With the Social Meaning app, healthcare brands like Pfizer can go straight to the source, uncovering nuanced conversations shaping public opinion around critical topics like flu and COVID-19. The app scans social media, search history, and news to reveal key themes, like the importance of public health education, targeted risk management, and healthcare system preparedness. Ask 10 free questions on Social Meaning today: https://lnkd.in/diyYK3Zq

Personally, I have been very fortunate (...and I try to “count all my blessings" and not take anything for granted). I have gone 1500+ consecutive days untouched by COVID since the WHO declared the pandemic Mar 2020 (analyzing data, calculating risks, taking sufficient precautions, masking, distancing, etc.). I can survive without the WHO, but I don't think it should be completely dismantled. The WHO started from a good place, it simply needs to "stay in its lane" and provide studies and data, for countries, communities and individuals to devise their own strategies....as opposed to imposing one (experimental, ineffective) strategy on an entire population. The WHO should be one of many independent, privately-funded organizations, serving in an advisory capacity- not a global governing body (with corporate influences/interests). Its guidelines (specifically involving vaccines) should be recommendations and NOT be legally binding. The WHO has not demonstrated any significant "know-how" or the safety and effectiveness any of these one-size-fits-all shots. Countries should maintain sovereignty. Citizens should be allowed to vaxx on their own volition without mandates, coercion or deception, litigate if they suffer adverse effects, and be properly compensated. Since (real) vaccines protect the body from the inside, anyone who is (truly) vaccinated is safe from infection where ever they go, regardless of the vaccination status of those around them. My vaxx status does not effect or infringe on any one else’s (right to) health. Therefore, since vaccines help develop *personal* protection (like training an internal army), getting vaxxed is a personal, private medical decision (protected by HIPAA), not an obligation to an employer or community, ...especially since no one is obligated to offer aid to those who have been vaxx injured. The end result of forcing “aid” on a healthy person, that actually harms them, and then not offering aid to remedy the situation is no different than recklessly injuring that person and assuming no responsibility. It’s simply unethical and immoral. Citizens should also be able to exercise freedom of speech regarding their personal experiences after getting vaxxed across all social media without facing censorship. "Misinformation" is not imperative- it causes no real, physical harm, but mandates can cause some people to lose jobs, homes, and worse. The World Health Assembly is meeting May 27 - Jun 1 to revise the WHO Pandemic Treaty empowering them to mandate "health products" = substances with unpredictable effects (S.U.E's), censor citizens across social media and extend protection for drug makers against litigants seeking compensation for vaxx injuries. Ask your U.S. senators and representatives to require Senate ratification of both WHO pandemic preparedness treaties. Ask your state attorney general to join the 22 AGs who requested the President to resist WHO governance in their state.

Every day, thousands of letters are sent from health authorities to patients, to encourage them to get vaccinated, do their cancer screening or do a health check-up. Many of these letters could be improved to motivate people to take action for their health, drawing on behavioural and cultural insights. WHO/Europe’s new policy brief gives concrete steps that help health authorities draft impactful health letters: ✔️ ensure a clear call to action ✔️ keep a letter short and simple ✔️ address the barriers and drivers of behaviours, by for example clarifying services are free of charge ✔️ draw on relevant psychological mechanisms such as social norms ✔️ adapt a letter to a cultural context ✔️ attract the readers’ attention with the email subject or letter envelope ✔️ use the right sender and signatory ✔️ test the letter and engage with the intended recipients ✔️ use reminders Read the full policy brief here: https://bit.ly/3ZUX8cZ #BehaviouralScience #BCI

Public Health: The Invisible Superpower That Impacts Us All When you think about public health, what comes to mind? Policies? Data? Maybe COVID-19? Here’s the truth: Public health is all around us, even when we don’t realize it. • It’s the clean water we drink. • The safety standards in the food we eat. • Vaccination programs that protect entire populations. • Smoke-free public spaces. Public health is about preventing problems before they start and creating systems that allow everyone to thrive—regardless of where they live or what resources they have. But here’s the challenge: Public health often goes unnoticed until something goes wrong. And when it’s done right, you rarely hear about it. Let’s change that. Let’s bring the conversation forward and give public health the spotlight it deserves. 💡 What’s one public health initiative or issue you’re passionate about? Let’s talk about how we can make an impact—together. #PublicHealthMatters #HealthForAll #PreventiveCare #HealthEquity

The Health and Social Care Committee of the House of Commons has published a report entitled: ‘Prevention in Health and Social Care: healthy places’, (19 January 2024). It recognises the vital role of place in preventing ill health. For example, it quotes from Professor Sir Chris Whitty: If you look back over the last 150 years, more has been done for public health by proper planning than almost any other intervention (except, perhaps, vaccination). p.11 Planners everywhere know this to be true and are all too aware of the origins of the profession in public health and design issues. Nevertheless, it is important to continue to draw attention to the importance of good planning. The report can be found here: https://lnkd.in/e7WFiZAX

These admissions raise serious questions about the integrity of the central public health policies during the pandemic. As Republicans prepare to delve deeper into Fauci's role during public testimonies, the need for transparency and evidence-based decision-making in public health is highlighted more than ever. Adding to the controversy, COVID-19 vaccines are now under increased scrutiny regarding their efficacy and safety, which feeds into broader doubts about pandemic management. This scepticism often stems from these vaccines' rapid development and approval, raising concerns about potential safety oversights. Despite extensive data supporting the vaccines' effectiveness against severe disease, public trust wavers amid sporadic reports of adverse effects and the ongoing evolution of the virus. As we face future health crises, it is paramount that public health policies are firmly rooted in robust scientific evidence, enhancing public trust and confidence in health directives. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dwiY_aD9 #thinkly #trending #viral #news #newsfortoday #eveningbrief