Intervention programs to increase influenza vaccination in Israel: which is the preferred one?

Influenza vaccine is the most effective method of preventing influenza and its complications, but coverage rates are not satisfactory. Therefore, an effective intervention is required to increase vaccination coverage. In a recent study published in IJHPR, Yamin et al. identified the need to target risk perception in the public, as a major intervention tool. Risk perception and compliance with vaccination guidelines was found to be mostly influenced by physician recommendations. These findings are in-line with similar findings in the literature, stressing the importance of patient-physician interaction in the patients’ decision to comply with vaccination guidelines produced by the public health authorities. They also underscore the need to involve primary physicians in both the decision making process as well in the vaccination campaign

Cost-Benefit of Stockpiling Drugs for Influenza Pandemic

We analyzed strategies for the use of stockpiled antiviral drugs in the context of a future influenza pandemic and estimated cost-benefit ratios. Current stockpiling of oseltamivir appears to be cost-saving to the economy under several treatment strategies, including therapeutic treatment of patients and postexposure prophylactic treatment of patients' close contacts

Optimal Nutrition Care for all, from Policy to Action – A National Nutrition Program in Israel

Abstract \ Background \ Malnutrition is a significant public health problem which includes both ends of the nutrition spectrum, with obesity and overweight at one end and under nutrition at the other. Israel is one of 14 countries in Europe which has joined the European Nutrition for Health Alliance (ENHA) whose common goals are ‘Optimal Nutrition Care for All\u27(ONCA). Israel is unique in that the four health maintenance organizations, which provide coverage for all, are fully computerized, with big accessible data. \ Objective \ Creating national awareness for better nutrition for all the population. \ Methods \ Four subcommittees were formed to develop policy: interventions in hospitals; within the community; communication and patient opinion; continuity of care with the aid of computerized and big data tools. \ Results \ All stakeholders signed a charter which included: Implementation of weighing in all health-care settings; screening for malnutrition; creating health quality indicators; improving the nutritional quality of food served to patients in hospital settings; continuity of treatment-care sequence; promoting a healthy lifestyle for the entire population and establishing a national malnutrition registry. \ Conclusion \ Multidisciplinary teams must work together at a national level towards reaching the goal of ‘Optimal Nutrition Care for All\u27 against malnutrition.

Multifocal Avian Influenza (H5N1) Outbreak

During March 2006, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) occurred in multiple poultry farms in Israel. The epidemiologic investigation and review of outbreak mitigation efforts uncovered gaps in planning for and containing the outbreak, thus affording valuable lessons applicable to other countries in similar settings

Exposure to tobacco smoke based on urinary cotinine levels among Israeli smoking and nonsmoking adults: a cross-sectional analysis of the first Israeli human biomonitoring study

Background Cotinine levels provide a valid measure of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). The goal of this study was to examine exposure to tobacco smoke among smoking and nonsmoking Israeli adults and to identify differences in ETS exposure among nonsmokers by socio-demographic factors. Methods We analyzed urinary cotinine data from the first Israeli human biomonitoring study conducted in 2011. In-person questionnaires included data on socio-demographic and active smoking status. Cotinine levels were measured using a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry procedure. We calculated creatinine-adjusted urinary cotinine geometric means (GM) among smokers and nonsmokers, and by socio-demographic, smoking habits and dietary factors. We analyzed associations, in a univariable and multivariable analysis, between socio-demographic variables and proportions of urinary cotinine ≥1 μg/l (Limit of Quantification = LOQ) or ≥4 μg/l. Results Cotinine levels were significantly higher among 91 smokers (GM = 89.7 μg/g creatinine; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 47.4-169.6) than among 148 nonsmokers (GM = 1.3; 1.1-1.7). Among exclusive waterpipe smokers, cotinine levels were relatively high (GM = 53.4; 95% CI 12.3-232.7). ETS exposure was widespread as 62.2% of nonsmokers had levels ≥ LOQ, and was higher in males (75.8%) than in females (52.3%). In a multivariable model, urinary cotinine ≥ LOQ was higher in males (Prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.02-1.64, p = 0.032) and in those with lower educational status (PR = 1.58; 1.04-2.38, p = 0.031) and decreased with age (PR = 0.99; 0.98-1.00, p = 0.020, per one additional year). There were no significant differences by ethnicity, residence type or country of birth. Conclusions Our findings indicate widespread ETS exposure in the nonsmoking Israeli adult population, especially among males, and younger and less educated participants. These findings demonstrate the importance of human biomonitoring, were instrumental in expanding smoke-free legislation implemented in Israel on July 2012 and will serve as a baseline to measure the impact of the new legislation

A Systematic Analytic Approach to Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Planning

The World Health Organization warns that a flu pandemic is inevitable, and possibly imminent. Barnett and colleagues discuss a tool called the Haddon Matrix that could help in pandemic influenza planning