Abstracts by keywords: Epidemiology
Thesis paper 7.0 builds on the previous papers published in “Monitor Healthcare Research” (from MVF 03/20), updates the epidemiological analysis and focuses on vaccination and the classification of vaccination in the current epidemiological situation and the prevention concept . According to the authors, organizing a vaccination campaign is one of the most demanding tasks for a society and must be planned (and evaluated) like a multiple intervention, and individual information about vaccination is also mandatory. Three goals and strategies for the vaccination campaign are also conceivable, which are set out in the full text paper. The article published here is a short version of the full version, which has already been published in an online first version by MVF. Was standing; January 10, 2021, 12:00 p.m
01.02.2021
The significantly increasing proportion of positive test results to now over 2.5% indicates that the epidemic has spread widely among the population. As the group of authors expressed in its ad hoc statement on the occasion of the results of the Chancellor/Prime Minister Conference on October 14, 2020, the political leadership would have been called upon, on the one hand, to begin a discussion process with positive connotations instead of an ever-perpetuated threat scenario, how general prevention measures can be combined with specific measures and, on the other hand, what an adequate testing strategy should look like. All of this with the aim of achieving specific prevention as the basis for “stable control” of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic.
07.12.2020
The group of authors hereby presents its sixth theses paper on SARS-CoV-2/Covid-19. Due to the increasing complexity of the topic, this 6th thesis paper will be published in three parts. The previous three-part division and the associated interdisciplinarity and interprofessionalism will be retained; thesis paper 6 in its parts 6.1 to 6.3 again covers the aspects of epidemiology, prevention and social policy. In this sense, paper 6.1 presented here starts with the topic of epidemiology. Based on the current state of knowledge, we estimate the number of unreported cases and make statements about the reliability of the determination of the limit values for the reporting rate that are now in the law (e.g. “35/100,000”). Alternative indices for controlling the infection process (notification index, hospitalization index) are being newly developed and presented. Essentially, it is clear that the numbers currently used for control are neither valid nor reliable and are far from being achievable (implementable). The current approach to the topic therefore contradicts the findings of promising risk communication. On the way there, we remind you of the correct terminology, for example when using the term “incidence” and, by updating the data, point out positive developments in the outcome of the epidemic (e.g. hospitalization rate, mortality) and, on the other hand, what an adequate testing strategy should look like. All of this with the aim of achieving specific prevention as the basis for “stable control” of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic.
24.11.2020
As early as 1927, the dentist Alfred Kantorowicz recognized that plaque (bacterial plaque) has an influence on dental health and that carious areas can develop (Kantorowicz 1927: 386). Since caries is one of the most common diseases in society (Rupf et al. 2019: 336), there is a need for preventive measures through dental prophylaxis (Schubert 2010: 347). The development of caries can be prevented through appropriate prophylactic measures. In addition to the six-monthly examination by the dentist, the use of fluorides and the right diet without excessive sugar consumption, daily tooth brushing is one of the four features of dental prophylaxis (German Working Group for Dentistry 2016). Especially in childhood and adolescence, it is important to educate this target group about caring for their teeth and to encourage them to do so, because missing or incorrect oral prophylaxis at this age can lead to lifelong problems and effects on dental health (Straehle et al. 1996: 13) . It is therefore necessary to introduce children to dental care at an early age and to begin oral hygiene at home before the first tooth emerges (Hertwig 2019: 69). On the one hand, children should learn the correct tooth brushing technique, and on the other hand, daily brushing should become a routine habit (Jacobson 2016).
08.10.2020
The increase in new infections reported daily, the problem of travelers returning, the reopening of schools and kindergartens, the approaching election campaign - our group of authors needed to decide whether there should be a fourth paper after the theses from the beginning of April, the beginning of May and the end of June , no long discussions. The enormous dynamics of the current situation cannot be overlooked, especially since positive developments are now becoming visible behind the numbers, such as the quite significant drop in the hospitalization rate, the low intensive care utilization due to CoViD-19, the decline in mortality to 0.4% of infected people and - let's pick it out - initial findings of an apparently persistent cellular immunity, which seems to significantly strengthen the somewhat unreliable antibody-related defense (as is common in viral diseases).
08.10.2020
Thesis paper 3.0 builds on the previous papers (see MVF 03/20), updates the epidemiological analysis and focuses on the “third way” of specific prevention, the legal analysis and the problem of the corona tracing app. A strategy for stable control of the infection process and preventative measures to identify risk situations are described. Likewise, the path to returning civil rights that were restricted during the pandemic to a return to normality. The article published here is a short version of the full version, which was published by MVF in an online-first version.
28.07.2020
Since the first publication of the "Thesis paper on the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2/Covid-19 - improve the database, further develop prevention in a targeted manner, protect civil rights" on April 5th, 2020, the development has taken a rapid and sometimes surprising course. On April 15, 2020, at the conference of the Federal Chancellor and Prime Minister, measures to relax containment were taken on individual points (e.g. reopening of certain shops, some schools, etc.) (Anonymous 2020). This was preceded by the Leopoldina’s third ad hoc statement (Leopoldina 2020) on April 13, 2020, the European Commission’s recommendation of April 11, 2020 to relax containment measures in the EU area (European Commission 2020) and the statement by the non-university research institutions on April 28, 2020 (Kleiner et al. 2020). The result was partially contradictory recommendations, but overall the official side is sticking to the restriction of public life, access to education, freedom of occupation and some fundamental rights such as freedom of movement and demonstration. The conference of the Federal Chancellor and Prime Minister on April 30, 2020 did not deviate from this line either, but the importance of regional problem-solving skills was emphasized (point 3).
04.04.2020
The present text sets itself the task of scientifically clarifying the epidemiological problem and deriving recommendations for effective preventive measures from the given situation. The suggestions for prevention are placed in a socio-political framework which, for the authors, is inextricably linked to the facts described. The extensive analytical part is preceded by a shorter summary, which is intended to enable quick orientation about the points of view represented. As would be expected for a thesis paper, the most important results are condensed into three theses with corresponding sub-points, which can be found verbatim in the summary and at the end of the respective chapters. The authors strive to clearly identify the facts and problems. This does not mean any criticism of the people involved who in the past few weeks had to make decisions under the conditions of - the increase is permitted - "even more incomplete information" than is the case today. In every respect, the statements in this thesis paper are intended as constructive contributions with the purpose of supporting the decisions of the coming weeks.
04.04.2020
The complexity of the metabolic disease diabetes mellitus type 2 affects many organs in the body. Accordingly, a positive correlation is often found between the severity of diabetes and the occurrence of other diseases such as neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease (PAOD) and coronary artery disease (CHD) (Bauer T, 2011). CHD means that the coronary arteries that supply the heart muscle with oxygen are narrowed. This constriction is caused by arteriosclerosis, which in turn can arise from hypertension, hyperlipidemia and increased blood sugar levels in diabetes mellitus. In particular, the increased blood sugar damages the vessels and leads to micro- and macroangiopathies. As a result, diabetics are much more likely to develop CHD than non-diabetics (Kannel W, 1979). The risk of coronary heart disease is already increased before the diabetes diagnosis, as the pre-diabetes phase with elevated blood sugar levels exists for a long time before the confirmed diabetes diagnosis (Hu FB, 2002)