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Biomedical subjects

J Davidson-Rada

Publications and source records attributed to J Davidson-Rada.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

New Zealand's SIDS prevention program and reduction in infant mortality.

New Zealand has suffered a very high mortality rate from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as "crib death" or "cot death." This prompted the development of the New Zealand Cot Death Study, a case-controlled epidemiological study. The preliminary findings of this study identified three risk behaviors potentially amenable to modification: prone sleeping position of the infant, maternal smoking, and not breastfeeding. These findings were discussed with the major stakeholders of child health. The Department of Health coordinated the development of a health education SIDS prevention program. Since the Help Prevent Cot Death Programme was launched in February 1991, the rate of total infant deaths, which was 10.1/1,000 live births in 1987, fell to 7.6/1,000 live births in 1991. The SIDS rate fell from 4.2/1,000 in 1987 to 2.5/1,000 in 1991. It is suggested that the described health education program had a significant influence on this improvement in infant survival.

Cause of Death↗
PubMed1993

The Rainbow Model of health as ongoing transformation.

A model is proposed that suggests new directions for achieving well-being that meet the emergent self-transformational needs of individuals. The Rainbow Model is a systematic framework for showing the relationship between approaches to health and total, whole-of-life development, including the spiritual dimension. It uses the colors of the rainbow and the chakras to denote progressively expansive understandings and actions regarding wellness and health care. Red, the longest wavelength, corresponds to one's present state of health or disease. Orange reflects a concern with reducing risk factors. Yellow, the third wavelength, signifies a rational approach to health: Beliefs and habits of thinking are examined. Green means health through emotional balance, supportive relationships, and values that support health. Blue is the layer of health through involvement with one's higher purpose. Indigo is the wavelength of health through metaphysical awareness, and violet, the shortest wavelength, shows health to be most profound when one attains universal consciousness: the sense of unity with all life.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1986

Stop ourselves smoking: a smoking cessation programme.

The stop ourselves smoking (SOS) pilot programme, designed for those who want to stop smoking, is based on a self-help approach. It was developed in Christchurch to supplement existing smoking cessation programmes in the community. Of the 142 participants, 118 finished the course. Of these, 80 (68%) were not smoking at the end of the eighth week and 61 (52%) were still not smoking at the end of the 15-month followup period. The success of this programme exceeds that of any reviewed in the literature. The format of the programme is readily adaptable to other lifestyle programmes.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Who should run worksite health programmes in hospitals?

The authors discuss the pros and cons of having each of the following occupational groups heading a worksite health promotion in a hospital: health educators/promoters, nurses, managers, external consultants. The authors draw on recently completed research in New Zealand organisations to suggest that: 1) Health educators have the necessary diagnosing and programme planning skills, but may not have a good grasp of workplace issues and hazards; 2) Nurses have an extensive medical background, but may lack the skills of consultation and/or the ability to see worker-clients in the context of the total environment; they may be biased towards changing the individual worker rather than an unhealthy environment; 3) Managers may understand the client population at the workplace, and have the power to make comprehensive, system-wide changes, but may not have an extensive medical or health background, requiring ongoing liaison with resources that do; 4) External consultants are probably able to bring in fresh ideas borrowed from similar organisations and may have excellent initiative and coordination for recreational events. They may be expensive, and may not be familiar or powerful enough with an organisation to be able to make organisation-wide changes for health. Multiple factors must be considered when a health programme leader is chosen. The situation in each organisation will require a unique blending of the roles and skills for the smoothest implementation of the programme. An example is offered of how these could come together in a hypothetical hospital situation.

Consultants↗