Integrating Oral Health in School Systems: A Path to Better Well-being

The World Federation of Public Health Associations Oral Health Workgroup published recently the article Oral Health for all Schools: A Call to Integrate Oral Health in School Systems

As we strive for global health equity, addressing oral health disparities among school-aged children is paramount. With over 3.5 billion people affected by oral diseases worldwide, including half a billion children with untreated dental caries, the need for action is clear. Recognizing the significant impact of oral health on children’s overall well-being and academic performance, it’s imperative to integrate comprehensive oral health education and preventive measures into school systems.

By embedding oral health education into school curriculums and promoting healthy habits from a young age, we can instill lifelong behaviors that promote overall wellness. Initiatives such as daily supervised toothbrushing programs in schools and establishing sugar-free environments can help reduce the prevalence of dental caries and empower children to take charge of their oral health.

Moreover, schools serve as strategic platforms for reaching large populations, making them ideal settings for promoting health education and preventive services. Through partnerships with organizations like the Seoul National University Global Maternal and Child Oral Health Center, we can collaborate to develop evidence-based oral health programs tailored to the needs of students worldwide.

By prioritizing oral health in schools, we not only improve children’s immediate health outcomes but also lay the foundation for healthier generations to come. Let’s work together to ensure that every child has access to the knowledge and resources they need to maintain a healthy smile and thrive academically.

HPV Awareness Day: WFPHA Advances Global Efforts to Eradicate Cervical Cancer

The launch of the Global HPV Consortium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on September 2023, stands as a monumental achievement in the realm of global health. Led by the Sabin Vaccine Institute and with active involvement from the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), represented by its Executive Manager, Dr. Marta Lomazzi, this event signifies a key advancement in the battle against cervical cancer.

Aligned with the World Health Organization‘s (WHO) Immunization Agenda 2030 and Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative, the Consortium serves as a collaborative platform uniting public and private stakeholders worldwide. Its primary mission is to expedite the prevention of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) transmission and ultimately eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat.

Cervical cancer remains a global health challenge, claiming the lives of approximately 350,000 women annually, with over 600,000 affected each year. This largely preventable disease disproportionately impacts low- and middle-income countries, where access to screening and treatment resources is limited. Without intervention, cervical cancer cases are projected to surge by almost 50% by 2040.

Despite the availability of the HPV vaccine for 17 years, its uptake remains low, exacerbated by the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the urgent need for action, the Consortium has galvanized diverse stakeholders from various sectors, including vaccination, cancer control, non-communicable diseases, HIV, reproductive and adolescent health, gender equity, and women’s empowerment.

Looking forward, on June 23rd, 2024, the WFPHA’s Immunization Taskforce convened a webinar on “Shaping the Future of Public Health Sustainable Investments.” This event brought together global experts to showcase tangible examples of efficient and effective health investments, including the transformative potential of gene therapy and the analysis of the return on investment for HPV immunization in low and middle-income countries. Insights into Costa Rica’s immunization model and the PAHO revolving fund were also shared.

The WFPHA is committed to supporting the Global HPV Consortium’s endeavors and anticipates collaborative initiatives aimed at preventing HPV transmission and eradicating cervical cancer. Together, we can stride towards a future where cervical cancer ceases to be a threat to public health.

Investing in Health System Resilience: Strategies for Preparedness and Response Capacity Enhancement

WFPHA’s Executive Manager Marta Lomazzi, Daniel O. Okyere, Katya Peri, and Michael Moore have published an article titled “Investing in Health System Resilience: A Scoping Review to Identify Strategies for Enhancing Preparedness and Response Capacity” in Population Medicine.

Introduction

 In an era marked by unprecedented global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, the importance of resilient health systems has become increasingly clear.

Although investing in health system resilience has gained attention from policymakers and researchers worldwide, it remains a relatively new concept in the healthcare field.

By strengthening the foundations of healthcare systems, resilience can be enhanced, improving preparedness and response to disasters. Investing in resilience not only fosters long-term socioeconomic growth but also ensures national security and promotes collective global health security. This scoping review aims to identify key strategies for investing in health system resilience.

Methods

A scoping review searched PubMed and Google Scholar for health system resilience literature from March 2020 to March 2023. English articles, including original studies, reviews, and reports, were considered. Thematic areas were identified through a narrative summary.

Results

Of 940 records, 43 met the inclusion criteria. Six themes emerged: preventive care, governance, resource mobilization, collaboration, research prioritization, and workforce sustainability.

Conclusions

The study underscores the importance of coalition-building, data visibility, political commitment, and government leadership.

These investments strengthen healthcare systems’ ability to respond to crises, ensuring public health protection and socioeconomic development. Investing in these areas builds resilient health systems and promotes population well-being.

Wars are never necessary: Gaza is the best example

In a recent publication, The Lancet delivers a powerful message against the perceived justification of war, using the ongoing conflict in Gaza as a poignant example. The article challenges the notion of a “necessary war” and calls for global advocacy in defense of life.

Over two months into the conflict, no resolution has been achieved, and persistent challenges endure. The toll on lives lost and survivors facing enduring hardships is immeasurable. The billions spent on destructive endeavors could have been redirected to save lives, nourish and immunize communities, aid the malnourished, establish equitable systems, and supply essential medicines to regions worldwide.

For the authors, WFPHA President Prof. Luis Eugenio De Souza, Paulo Buss and Santiago Alcázar, appeal continues: stop the war and the bloodshed and let health act in the recovery of the injured and those affected mentally and physically.

Unmasking Big Tobacco: Seven Deceptive Tactics Revealed

The tobacco industry has employed sophisticated and deceptive strategies to influence public opinion and disrupt health policies for decades. Despite overwhelming evidence of the deadly effects of tobacco products, the industry remains profitable, contributing to over 8 million tobacco-related deaths annually.

In a comprehensive review, the Tobacco Control Working Group of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) has identified seven key tactics employed by the tobacco industry, revealing the industry’s pervasive influence across scientific research, politics, law, sport, education, and the media.

Understanding these tactics is crucial for effective tobacco control measures. Recommendations include comprehensive advertising bans, plain packaging, health warnings, vigilance against industry front groups, education, and advocacy. Transparency in academic journals, compliance with FCTC Article 5.3, exposure of political lobbying, strict regulation of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), prioritizing data over propaganda in the ‘harm reduction’ debate, aligning policies with FCTC, and legal action against Big Tobacco are vital steps. Health professionals and the public must be informed to collectively combat the industry’s tactics, reducing global tobacco consumption and preventing related illnesses and deaths.