The International journal of health planning and management
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Int J Health Plann Manage · Sep 2020
"A community system": A critical foundation for the epidemic prevention and control of SARS-CoV-2.
In response to COVID-19 that has constituted a global pandemic, countries around the world have successively adopted a myriad of prevention and control measures. As the first country with the COVID-19 outbreak, the Chinese government has adopted a series of timely and strict prevention and control measures against the spread of the SARS-CoV-2, which has effectively slowed down the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 and created a valuable window for the international community to overcome the epidemic. ⋯ At the same time, it also exposed the problems of the community prevention and control epidemic system in terms of infrastructure, human resources, and internal systems. Based on this, this article suggests that we should improve the hardware facilities of community, improve the internal mechanism of the community, strengthen the stability of the community talent team, improve the level of linkage between the community and other departments to prevent and control the spread of SARS-CoV-2, effectively use information technology and actively mobilize social forces to help community prevention and control COVID-19.
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Int J Health Plann Manage · Jan 2020
The impact of the "Health Transformation Plan" and related policies on the prevalence rate of cesarean section in Iran: Insights from an interrupted time series analysis.
The high prevalence of cesarean section represents a major public health challenge worldwide. In 2014, the Iranian Health Transformation Plan (HTP) included programs promoting vaginal delivery. ⋯ The present study showed that the implementation of the HTP policy was effective in reducing the rate of cesarean section. This policy should continue, involving relevant stakeholders, raising mothers' awareness and motivation, and providing financial support.
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Int J Health Plann Manage · Oct 2019
The impact of health reform in Iran on catastrophic health expenditures: Equity and policy implications.
In 2014, the Islamic Republic of Iran launched the Health Transformation Plan (HTP), with the goal of achieving universal health coverage (UHC) through improved financial protection and access to high-quality health services among Iranian households. We aimed to investigate the impact of the HTP on the level and pattern of out-of-pocket (OOP) payments for health care. ⋯ These results suggest that while financial protection of the poor in Iran has improved due to the HTP, more work is needed to achieve UHC in Iran. For the next phase of health reforms, more emphasis should be placed on shifting away from OOP co-payments for health financing to progressive prepayment mechanisms to facilitate better sharing of financial risks across population groups.
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Int J Health Plann Manage · Oct 2019
Lots of little ones: Analysis of charitable donations to a hospice and palliative care unit in Taiwan.
Charitable donations play a major role in the provision of hospice and palliative care (HPC) services, most of which are not reimbursed by health insurance programs. A good understanding of the constitution and use of donations is thus conducive to maintaining a high-quality HPC unit. ⋯ HPC services in Taiwan are sponsored by lots of individuals and small donations. For sustainability of standards-based and quality HPC services, the benevolence of the public should be thus cherished and adequately responded to.
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Int J Health Plann Manage · Jan 2019
Low prioritization of latent tuberculosis infection-A systemic barrier to tuberculosis control: A qualitative study in Ontario, Canada.
Eliminating tuberculosis (TB) in low-incidence countries is an important global health priority, and Canada has committed to achieve this goal. The elimination of TB in low-incidence countries requires effective management and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). This study aimed to understand and describe the system-level barriers to LTBI treatment for immigrant populations in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Ontario, Canada. ⋯ This multiperspective study identified barriers beyond the typical socioeconomic determinants and highlighted important upstream factors that hinder treatment initiation and adherence. Addressing these factors is critical if Canada is to meet the WHO's global call to eradicate TB in all low incidence settings.