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  1. Fewtrell MS, Mohd Shukri NH, Wells JCK
    BMC Med, 2020 01 09;18(1):4.
    PMID: 31915002 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-019-1473-8
    BACKGROUND: Promoting breastfeeding is an important public health intervention, with benefits for infants and mothers. Even modest increases in prevalence and duration may yield considerable economic savings. However, despite many initiatives, compliance with recommendations is poor in most settings - particularly for exclusive breastfeeding. Mothers commonly consult health professionals for infant feeding and behavioural problems.

    MAIN BODY: We argue that broader consideration of lactation, incorporating evolutionary, comparative and anthropological aspects, could provide new insights into breastfeeding practices and problems, enhance research and ultimately help to develop novel approaches to improve initiation and maintenance. Our current focus on breastfeeding as a strategy to improve health outcomes must engage with the evolution of lactation as a flexible trait under selective pressure to maximise reproductive fitness. Poor understanding of the dynamic nature of breastfeeding may partly explain why some women are unwilling or unable to follow recommendations.

    CONCLUSIONS: We identify three key implications for health professionals, researchers and policymakers. Firstly, breastfeeding is an adaptive process during which, as in other mammals, variability allows adaptation to ecological circumstances and reflects mothers' phenotypic variability. Since these factors vary within and between humans, the likelihood that a 'one size fits all' approach will be appropriate for all mother-infant dyads is counterintuitive; flexibility is expected. From an anthropological perspective, lactation is a period of tension between mother and offspring due to genetic 'conflicts of interest'. This may underlie common breastfeeding 'problems' including perceived milk insufficiency and problematic infant crying. Understanding this - and adopting a more flexible, individualised approach - may allow a more creative approach to solving these problems. Incorporating evolutionary concepts may enhance research investigating mother-infant signalling during breastfeeding; where possible, studies should be experimental to allow identification of causal effects and mechanisms. Finally, the importance of learned behaviour, social and cultural aspects of primate (especially human) lactation may partly explain why, in cultures where breastfeeding has lost cultural primacy, promotion starting in pregnancy may be ineffective. In such settings, educating children and young adults may be important to raise awareness and provide learning opportunities that may be essential in our species, as in other primates.

    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
  2. Sukeri S, Daud A, Musa KI, Idris N
    Malays J Med Sci, 2019 Nov;26(6):1-4.
    PMID: 31908582 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2019.26.6.1
    The article introduces readers to the Master of Public Health and Doctor of Public Health programmes, offered by the Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. The programme vision, structure and accomplishments over the decade are presented to provide an understanding of the programme. It is hoped that this professional programme will continue to flourish and produce new generations of public health medicine specialist equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to make significant contribution towards improving the health of the population.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
  3. Mirasol R, Thai AC, Salahuddin AA, Tan K, Deerochanawong C, Mohamed M, et al.
    J ASEAN Fed Endocr Soc, 2017;32(1):6-12.
    PMID: 33442078 DOI: 10.15605/jafes.032.01.02
    The Asia-Pacific region carries a high disease burden, with over half of the global diabetic population residing in this region. Increasing evidence shows that without targeted intervention, the progression from impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) to type 2 diabetes occurs more frequently in Asians compared with Caucasians. Furthermore, IGT is independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and should be managed as early as possible. Because diabetes is now a major public health issue, strategies aimed at prevention and treatment are urgently required. Lifestyle modification, including weight loss, dietary changes and increased physical activity, play a major role in controlling the disease. Significant evidence also supports the effectiveness of a combination of lifestyle modification and pharmacologic therapy, such as metformin, in delaying the onset of diabetes. Although the importance of lifestyle interventions is well recognized throughout Asia, many countries do not have formal recommendations to guide the diagnosis and management of individuals at risk of progression to diabetes. At a recent regional meeting, experts from the Asian region convened to develop consensus recommendations to guide clinicians in the management of Asian patients with pre-diabetes. These consensus recommendations provide a clear and concise approach to the management of individuals with IGT based on the available evidence and current best clinical practice.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
  4. Boyle JH, Rastas PMA, Huang X, Garner AG, Vythilingam I, Armbruster PA
    Insects, 2021 Feb 16;12(2).
    PMID: 33669192 DOI: 10.3390/insects12020167
    The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, is an invasive vector mosquito of substantial public health concern. The large genome size (~1.19-1.28 Gb by cytofluorometric estimates), comprised of ~68% repetitive DNA sequences, has made it difficult to produce a high-quality genome assembly for this species. We constructed a high-density linkage map for Ae. albopictus based on 111,328 informative SNPs obtained by RNAseq. We then performed a linkage-map anchored reassembly of AalbF2, the genome assembly produced by Palatini et al. (2020). Our reassembled genome sequence, AalbF3, represents several improvements relative to AalbF2. First, the size of the AalbF3 assembly is 1.45 Gb, almost half the size of AalbF2. Furthermore, relative to AalbF2, AalbF3 contains a higher proportion of complete and single-copy BUSCO genes (84.3%) and a higher proportion of aligned RNAseq reads that map concordantly to a single location of the genome (46%). We demonstrate the utility of AalbF3 by using it as a reference for a bulk-segregant-based comparative genomics analysis that identifies chromosomal regions with clusters of candidate SNPs putatively associated with photoperiodic diapause, a crucial ecological adaptation underpinning the rapid range expansion and climatic adaptation of A. albopictus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
  5. Zin NNINM, Rahimi WNAWM, Bakar NA
    Malays J Med Sci, 2019 Nov;26(6):19-34.
    PMID: 31908584 MyJurnal DOI: 10.21315/mjms2019.26.6.3
    Parasitic diseases represent one of the causes for significant global economic, environmental and public health impacts. The efficacy of currently available anti-parasitic drugs has been threatened by the emergence of single drug- or multidrug-resistant parasite populations, vector threats and high cost of drug development. Therefore, the discovery of more potent anti-parasitic drugs coming from medicinal plants such as Quercus infectoria is seen as a major approach to tackle the problem. A systematic review was conducted to assess the efficacy of Q. infectoria in treating parasitic diseases both in vitro and in vivo due to the lack of such reviews on the anti-parasitic activities of this plant. This review consisted of intensive searches from three databases including PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus. Articles were selected throughout the years, limited to English language and fully documented. A total of 454 potential articles were identified, but only four articles were accepted to be evaluated based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Although there were insufficient pieces of evidence to account for the efficacy of Q. infectoria against the parasites, this plant appears to have anti-leishmanial, anti-blastocystis and anti-amoebic activities. More studies in vitro and in vivo are warranted to further validate the anti-parasitic efficacy of Q. infectoria.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
  6. Kwak ML
    Exp Appl Acarol, 2020 May;81(1):51-58.
    PMID: 32246381 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00487-1
    Pulau Tioman is a popular tourist island off the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia, known for its vast areas of intact vegetation. Six tick species have been recorded on the island but little is known about their local ecology or public health importance. To facilitate studies of the tick fauna of Pulau Tioman, a checklist of all species and host associations is presented with the first host records, from Pulau Tioman, of Amblyomma helvolum from the Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator) and Amblyomma varanense from the keeled rat snake (Ptyas carinata). A pictorial key is also presented for all tick species known from the island.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
  7. Hasbullah FY, Fong KY, Ismail A, Mitri J, Mohd Yusof BN
    Malays J Med Sci, 2021 Feb;28(1):75-86.
    PMID: 33679223 DOI: 10.21315/mjms2021.28.1.10
    Background: Genetic factors increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Thus, family history status may be a useful public health tool for disease prevention. This study compared the nutritional status, knowledge level, and T2DM risk among young adults with and without a family history of diabetes in Malaysia.
    Methods: A total of 288 university students aged 18 to 29 years participated in this comparative cross-sectional study. We assessed dietary intake, level of physical activity, knowledge of diabetes and T2DM risk.
    Results: Respondents with a family history of diabetes had significantly higher weight (P = 0.003), body mass index (P < 0.001), waist circumference (P < 0.001), diabetes knowledge level (P < 0.005) and T2DM risk (P < 0.001). Ethnicity, fibre intake, T2DM risk score and knowledge about diabetes were significant contributors toward family history of diabetes (P = 0.025, 0.034, < 0.001 and 0.004, respectively).
    Conclusion: Young adults with a family history of diabetes had suboptimal nutritional status. Despite being more knowledgeable about diabetes, they did not practice a healthy lifestyle. Family history status can be used to screen young adults at the risk of developing T2DM for primary disease prevention.
    Study site: Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
  8. Aniza, I., Syed Mohamed Al Junid, Sharifa Ezat
    MyJurnal
    Job satisfaction level of workers is among the important factors influencing the performance and productivity of an organization. A cross sectional study was conducted among Public Health Specialists in the Ministry of Health of Malaysia to identify their job satisfaction level and the factors influencing it. The respondents are from the Association of Public Health Specialists of Malaysia. A working in Ministry of Health. Focus group discussions were conducted in four states to develop a relevant and comprehensive questionnaire. Survey questionnaires were then mailed to the respondents. The response rate was 7 2.3%. In measuring the job satisfaction level seven aspects were studied. The study showed that ‘job and workload` is the main contributor to job dissatisfaction followed by ’management and policy aspect’, 'salary and remuneration: aspect’ and resources and facilities aspect. Most of the respondents (94.0%) were dissatisfied with their job. Gender and income were the predictors of general job satisfaction. As a conclusion, the management, policy and remuneration shouM be revised in order to overcome the problems identified and subsequently increase job satisfaction levels among Public Health Specialists in the Ministry of Health, Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
  9. Awosolu OB, Yahaya ZS, Farah Haziqah MT, Simon-Oke IA, Fakunle C
    Heliyon, 2021 Jan;7(1):e05975.
    PMID: 33521357 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e05975
    Background: Malaria is a severe global public health challenge that causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was designed to determine the prevalence, parasite density, and risk factors associated with malaria infection transmission among residents of two urban communities of Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria.

    Materials and methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study was carried out on 300 participants. Blood samples were obtained. Thick and thin blood films were prepared and viewed using the standard parasitological technique of microscopy. Moreover, data on sociodemographic and environmental variables were obtained using a pre-tested standard questionnaire.

    Results: Of the 300 participants examined, a total of 165 (55.0%) were found positive for Plasmodium falciparum with a mean (S.D) parasite density of 1814.70 (1829.117) parasite/μL of blood. The prevalence and parasite density of malaria infection vary significantly (P < 0.05) with age group. Children <5 years old were more likely to have malaria infection and high parasite densities than adults (p < 0.05). Similarly, in relation to gender, males significantly (P < 0.05) had a higher prevalence (60.2%) and mean (S.D) parasite density of malaria infection [2157.73 (1659.570) parasite/μL of blood] compared to females. Additionally, those without formal education had the highest prevalence (73.0%) and mean (S.D) parasite density of infection [2626.96 (2442.195) parasite/μL of blood]. The bivariate logistic regression analysis shows that age group 6-10 (Crude Odds Ratio, COR 0.066, 95% CI: 0.007-0.635), presence of streams/rivers (COR 0.225, 95% CI: 0.103-0.492), distance from streams/rivers within ≤1 km (COR 0.283, 95% CI: 0.122-0.654) and travel to rural area (COR 4.689, 95% CI: 2.430-9.049) were the significant risk factors.

    Conclusions: Malaria infection is prevalent in the study area and was greatly influenced by traveling activities from the rural areas to urban centers and vice versa. Multifaceted and integrated control strategy should be adopted. Health education on mosquito prevention and chemoprophylaxis before and during travel to rural areas are essential.

    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
  10. Onunkwor OF, Al-Dubai SA, George PP, Arokiasamy J, Yadav H, Barua A, et al.
    PMID: 26753811 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-016-0408-8
    There is a rapid increase in the population of the elderly globally, and Malaysia is anticipated to become an ageing nation in 2030. Maintaining health, social participation, reducing institutionalization, and improving quality of life of the elderly are public health challenges of the 21(st) century. Quality of life among elderly in Elderly Homes in Malaysia is under researched. This study aims to determine the quality of life and its associated factors among the Elderly in Elderly Homes in Kuala Lumpur.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
  11. Hamidah Othman, Noor Azizah Mohd Ali
    MyJurnal
    HIV/AIDS is a matter of concern and has become a pandemic disease that threatens the world population. It
    has remained one of the priorities in global public health challenges. Caring for people with HIV/AIDS
    requires clinical expertise as well as high-quality skills for health care providers. The purpose of the study was
    to examine knowledge and attitude on HIV/AIDS patients among nursing students. A cross-sectional study
    was conducted in Public University at Wast Cost Malaysia. The 126 respondents of nursing students agreed to
    participate in the study using a self-administered questionnaire that was designed and modied after reading
    and referring to articles, books, and journals. The results of the research revealed that nursing students, in
    general, have a satisfactory knowledge (mean score 30.71), but had a moderate attitude toward HIV/AIDS
    patient with total mean score 2.34. Most of the students (89.3%) get the knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS
    through the internet. The majority of the students knew that blood transfusion (99.4%) and sharing
    needles/syringe (99%) were the higher sources HIV/AIDS modes of transmission. Most of the students agreed
    that peoples with HIV/AIDS should be treated in society with support from the community (97.0%). Although
    the knowledge level of nursing students seems to be satisfactory, but they still showed the moderate attitude
    towards HIV/AIDS patients. Thus, structured education programmes should be conducted by nursing faculty
    to ensure that nursing students gain the necessary accurate knowledge and an appropriate attitude towards the
    care of HIV/AIDS patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
  12. Fazriyati Jamharee, Abu Yazid Md Noh, Tuan Hairulnizam Tuan Kamauzaman, Ariff Arithra Abdullah, Junainah Nor
    MyJurnal
    Background: Diving related illness has become a public health concern, as there isan increasing number of diversworldwide. However, the incidence of Decompression Illness (DCI), a medical disorder as a result of sudden reduction of ambient pressure, remainsgenerallylow. This paper describes the patternsof decompression illness treated in a military hospital-based recompression chamber facility in Peninsular Malaysiafrom year 2000 until 2010.Objective:The objective ofthis study is to determine the patternsof decompression illnesspatientstreated withHyperbaric Oxygen Therapy(HBOT)in a military hospital-based recompression chamber facility inPeninsular Malaysia.
    Methodology:A retrospective descriptive study was carried out to utilizesecondary data from Hospital Angkatan Tentera Lumut, Perakfrom 1stJanuary 2000 to 31stDecember 2010. A total of 96 caseswere included in thisstudy.
    Results:Most of the patients were male (94.8%), recreational divers (43.0%), non-smokers (56.3%),with no previous medical illness(85.4%), who had dived with compressed air (78.0%), had lessthan 5years divingexperience (56.3%), were non-instructors(75.0%),and had body mass index between 18.5 to 24.9kg/m2(59.4%). Interestingly,25% of the patients developing DCI dived to less than 10 meters depth, 35.4% of them went for a single dive and 71.9% performed safety stops.The majority of the patients had symptoms startingwithin 12 hours after surfacing (85.4%),mainly within the first 3 hours and many had neurological manifestation (61.5%).Only 16.7% of the patients treated withHBOThad therapycommenced within 6 hours from the onset of symptomsand 93.8% from this group had complete recovery. Overall,76.0% of patients had fullrecovery after HBOT.
    Conclusion:Diving activities must be closely monitored. Medical surveillance as well as legislations related to diving activities in Malaysia areessential to improve SCUBA discipline and to reduce mortality and morbidity ofDCI in the future.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
  13. Low WY, Binns C
    Asia Pac J Public Health, 2015 Mar;27(2 Suppl):7S-8S.
    PMID: 25712494 DOI: 10.1177/1010539515574405
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health*
  14. Haque M, McKimm J, Sartelli M, Samad N, Haque SZ, Bakar MA
    J Popul Ther Clin Pharmacol, 2020 03 03;27(1):e76-e103.
    PMID: 32170920 DOI: 10.15586/jptcp.v27i1.666
    The provision of healthy and safe food is vital for human health, and the addition of unnecessary sugars in foodstuffs is an important global issue, leading to multiple long- and short-term health issues and spiraling costs for individuals and governments alike. The negative effect of excess sugar consumption contributes to adverse health conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and poor oral health in both high and low resource settings. A key plank of governmental and health promotion bodies' nutritional guidance is to raise public awareness of "hidden" sugars, salt, and fats, such as found in processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and guide individuals to reduce their consumption. This rapid narrative review brings together some of the key issues identified in the literature around the consumption of SSBs, including patterns of consumption, the general impact on human health and nutrition, specific effects on oral health and the oral microbiome, and strategies to address over-consumption. The range of long-term adverse effects on health is often misunderstood or unknown by the public. However, some strategies have succeeded in reducing the consumption of SSBs, including public health strategies and interventions and the imposition of taxes or levies, and this article makes recommendations for action.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health*
  15. Chew BH, Cheong AT, Ismail M, Hamzah Z, A-Rashid MR, Md-Yasin M, et al.
    BMJ Open, 2016 Jan 07;6(1):e009375.
    PMID: 26743703 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009375
    OBJECTIVE: To examine impressions of public healthcare providers/professionals (PHCPs) who are working closely with family medicine specialists (FMSs) at public health clinics.
    DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.
    SETTING: This study is part of a larger national study on the perception of Malaysian public healthcare professionals on FMSs (PERMFAMS).
    PARTICIPANTS: PHCPs from three categories of health facility: hospitals, health clinics and health offices.
    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Qualitative analyses of written comments of respondents' general impression of FMSs.
    RESULTS: The participants' response rate was 58.0% (780/1345), with almost equal proportions from each public healthcare facility. A total of 23 categories for each of the 648 impression comments were identified. The six emerging themes were: (1) importance of FMSs; (2) roles of FMSs; (3) clinical performance of FMSs; (4) attributes of FMSs; (5) FMS practice challenges; (6) misconception of FMS roles. Overall, FMS practice was perceived to be safe and able to provide effective treatments in a challenging medical discipline that was in line with the current standards of medical care and ethical and professional values. The areas of concern were in clinical performance expressed by PHCPs from some hospitals and the lack of personal attributes and professionalism among FMSs mentioned by PHCPs from health clinics and offices.
    CONCLUSIONS: FMSs were perceived to be capable of providing effective treatment and were considered to be important primary care physicians. There were a few negative impressions in some areas of FMS practice, which demanded attention by the FMSs themselves and the relevant authorities in order to improve efficiency and safeguard the fraternity's reputation.
    Study site: Klinik Kesihatan, Hospitals, Malaysia
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health*
  16. Chew BH, Cheong AT, Ismail M, Hamzah Z, A-Rashid MR, Md-Yasin M, et al.
    BMJ Open, 2014 Jun 11;4(6):e004645.
    PMID: 24919639 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004645
    OBJECTIVE: To examine the expectation of public healthcare providers/professionals (PHCPs) who are working closely with family medicine specialists (FMSs) at public health clinics.

    DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

    SETTING: This study is part of a larger national study on the perception of the Malaysian public healthcare professionals on FMSs.

    PARTICIPANTS: PHCPs from three categories of health facilities, namely hospitals, health clinics and health offices.

    MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Qualitative analysis of written comments of respondents' expectation of FMSs.

    RESULTS: The participants' response rate was 58% (780/1345) with an almost equal proportion from each public healthcare facility. We identified 21 subthemes for the 623 expectation comments. The six emerging themes are (1) need for more FMSs, (2) clinical roles and functions of FMSs, (3) administrative roles of FMSs, (4) contribution to community and public health, (5) attributes improvement and (6) research and audits. FMSs were expected to give attention to clinical duty. Delivering this responsibility with competence included having the latest medical knowledge in their own and others' medical disciplines, practising evidence-based medicine in prehospital and posthospital care, better supervision of staff and doctors under their care, fostering effective teamwork, communicating more often with hospital specialists and making appropriate referral. Expectations ranged from definite and strong for more FMSs at the health clinics to low expectation for FMSs' involvement in research; to mal-expectation on FMSs' involvement in community and public health programmes.

    CONCLUSIONS: There were some remarkable differences in expectations on FMSs from the three different PHCPs. These ranged from being clinically competent and administratively available for patients and staff at the health clinics, to mal-expectations on FMSs to engage in public health affairs. Relevant parties, including FMSs themselves, could take appropriate self-improvement initiatives to enhance public practice of family medicine and patient care.

    TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NMRR ID: 08-12-1167.

    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health*
  17. Corbel V, Kont MD, Ahumada ML, Andréo L, Bayili B, Bayili K, et al.
    Parasit Vectors, 2023 Jan 20;16(1):21.
    PMID: 36670470 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05554-7
    BACKGROUND: The continued spread of insecticide resistance in mosquito vectors of malaria and arboviral diseases may lead to operational failure of insecticide-based interventions if resistance is not monitored and managed efficiently. This study aimed to develop and validate a new WHO glass bottle bioassay method as an alternative to the WHO standard insecticide tube test to monitor mosquito susceptibility to new public health insecticides with particular modes of action, physical properties or both.

    METHODS: A multi-centre study involving 21 laboratories worldwide generated data on the susceptibility of seven mosquito species (Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto [An. gambiae s.s.], Anopheles funestus, Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles minimus and Anopheles albimanus) to seven public health insecticides in five classes, including pyrethroids (metofluthrin, prallethrin and transfluthrin), neonicotinoids (clothianidin), pyrroles (chlorfenapyr), juvenile hormone mimics (pyriproxyfen) and butenolides (flupyradifurone), in glass bottle assays. The data were analysed using a Bayesian binomial model to determine the concentration-response curves for each insecticide-species combination and to assess the within-bioassay variability in the susceptibility endpoints, namely the concentration that kills 50% and 99% of the test population (LC50 and LC99, respectively) and the concentration that inhibits oviposition of the test population by 50% and 99% (OI50 and OI99), to measure mortality and the sterilizing effect, respectively.

    RESULTS: Overall, about 200,000 mosquitoes were tested with the new bottle bioassay, and LC50/LC99 or OI50/OI99 values were determined for all insecticides. Variation was seen between laboratories in estimates for some mosquito species-insecticide combinations, while other test results were consistent. The variation was generally greater with transfluthrin and flupyradifurone than with the other compounds tested, especially against Anopheles species. Overall, the mean within-bioassay variability in mortality and oviposition inhibition were public health insecticides currently deployed for vector control. The datasets presented in this study have been used recently by the WHO to establish 17 new insecticide discriminating concentrations (DCs) for either Aedes spp. or Anopheles spp. The bottle bioassay and DCs can now be widely used to monitor baseline insecticide susceptibility of wild populations of vectors of malaria and Aedes-borne diseases worldwide.

    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health
  18. Friel S, Gleeson D, Thow AM, Labonte R, Stuckler D, Kay A, et al.
    Global Health, 2013 Oct 16;9:46.
    PMID: 24131595 DOI: 10.1186/1744-8603-9-46
    Trade poses risks and opportunities to public health nutrition. This paper discusses the potential food-related public health risks of a radical new kind of trade agreement: the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement (TPP). Under negotiation since 2010, the TPP involves Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the USA, and Vietnam. Here, we review the international evidence on the relationships between trade agreements and diet-related health and, where available, documents and leaked text from the TPP negotiations. Similar to other recent bilateral or regional trade agreements, we find that the TPP would propose tariffs reductions, foreign investment liberalisation and intellectual property protection that extend beyond provisions in the multilateral World Trade Organization agreements. The TPP is also likely to include strong investor protections, introducing major changes to domestic regulatory regimes to enable greater industry involvement in policy making and new avenues for appeal. Transnational food corporations would be able to sue governments if they try to introduce health policies that food companies claim violate their privileges in the TPP; even the potential threat of litigation could greatly curb governments' ability to protect public health. Hence, we find that the TPP, emblematic of a new generation of 21st century trade policy, could potentially yield greater risks to health than prior trade agreements. Because the text of the TPP is secret until the countries involved commit to the agreement, it is essential for public health concerns to be articulated during the negotiation process. Unless the potential health consequences of each part of the text are fully examined and taken into account, and binding language is incorporated in the TPP to safeguard regulatory policy space for health, the TPP could be detrimental to public health nutrition. Health advocates and health-related policymakers must be proactive in their engagement with the trade negotiations.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health*
  19. Mountjoy M, Akef N, Budgett R, Greinig S, Li G, Manikavasagam J, et al.
    Br J Sports Med, 2015 Jul;49(13):887-92.
    PMID: 25833900 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2014-094424
    Antidoping and medical care delivery programmes are required at all large international multisport events.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health Administration/methods
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