PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Erica Di Ruggiero

Publications and source records attributed to Erica Di Ruggiero.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Measuring population health: a review of indicators.

This article reviews the historical development of population health indicators. We have long known that environmental, socioeconomic, early life conditions, individual actions, and medical care all interact to affect health. Present quantitative reporting on the impact of these factors on population health grew out of Bills of Mortality published in the 1500s. Since then, regular censuses, civil registration of vital statistics, and international classification systems have improved data quality and comparability. Regular national health interview surveys and application of administrative data contributed information on morbidity, health services use, and some social determinants of health. More recently, traditional health databases and datasets on "nonhealth" sector determinants have been linked. Statistical methods for map-making, risk adjustment, multilevel analysis, calculating population-attributable risks, and summary measures of population health have further helped to integrate information. Reports on the health of populations remain largely confined to focused areas. This paper suggests a conceptual framework for using indicators to report on all the domains of population health. Future ethical development of indicators will incorporate principles of justice, transparency, and effectiveness.

Canada↗
PubMed2003

Prevention: delivering the goods.

In this brief primer on prevention, the authors raise some of the scientific, social, behavioural, political and practical issues that must be addressed to integrate effective preventive initiatives into our health system (which includes public health practice). They begin by reviewing the contributions science has and has not made to inform our prevention efforts. The authors further examine what it is we know about changing human behaviour in health-promoting ways. The article closes with a review of the practical challenges for prevention-oriented policies and programs in the health system and in society as a whole. The authors call for increased emphasis on strategies that encourage the creation of supportive environments. Moreover, they identify that we need to try for fewer, but better-thought-out and more sustained, multi-level health promotion and disease prevention interventions. Community-led interventions that identify, address and change local cultural norms that contribute to these health concerns are especially key. Finally, the authors identify the need for rigorous evaluation to ensure that all effects, good and bad, of preventive interventions are fully captured and addressed.

Canada↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Coordinating Canada's research response to global health challenges: the Global Health Research Initiative.

The Global Health Research Initiative (GHRI) involving the Canadian International Development Agency, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Health Canada and the International Development Research Centre seeks to coordinate Canada's research response to global health challenges. In light of numerous calls to action both nationally and internationally, an orientation to applied health policy and systems research, and to public health research and its application is required to redress global inequalities in wealth and health and to tackle well-documented constraints to achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Over the last four years, the GHRI has funded close to 70 research program development and pilot projects. However, longer-term investment is needed. The proposed dollars 100 million Teasdale-Corti Global Health Research Partnership Program is such a response, and is intended to support teams of researchers and research users to develop, test and implement innovative approaches to strengthening institutional capacity, especially in low- and middle-income countries; to generating knowledge and its effective application to improve the health of populations, especially those most vulnerable; and to strengthen health systems in those countries. While Canada stands poised to act, concerted leadership and resources are still required to support "research that matters" for health and development in low- and middle-income countries.

Canada↗