Social Media as a Catalyst for Policy Action and Social Change for Health and Well-Being: Viewpoint

Journal of Medical Internet Research

• Douglas Yeung, PhD 

ABSTRACT

This viewpoint paper argues that policy interventions can benefit from the continued use of social media analytics, which can serve as an important complement to traditional social science data collection and analysis. Efforts to improve well-being should provide an opportunity to explore these areas more deeply, and encourage the efforts of those conducting national and local data collection on health to incorporate more of these emerging data sources.

Social media remains a relatively untapped source of information to catalyze policy action and social change. However, the diversity of social media platforms and available analysis techniques provides multiple ways to offer insight for policy making and decision making. For instance, social media content can provide timely information about the impact of policy interventions. Social media location information can inform where to deploy resources or disseminate public messaging. Network analysis of social media connections can reveal underserved populations who may be disconnected from public services. Machine learning can help recognize important patterns for disease surveillance or to model population sentiment. To fully realize these potential policy uses, limitations to social media data will need to be overcome, including data reliability and validity, and potential privacy risks.

Traditional data collection may not fully capture the upstream factors and systemic relationships that influence health and well-being. Policy actions and social change efforts, such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s effort to advance a culture of health, which are intended to drive change in a network of upstream health drivers, will need to incorporate a broad range of behavioral information, such as health attitudes or physical activity levels. Applying innovative techniques to emerging data has the potential to extract insight from unstructured data or fuse disparate sources of data, such as linking health attitudes that are expressed to health behaviors or broader health and well-being outcomes.

J Med Internet Res 2018;20(3):e94

doi:10.2196/jmir.8508

Why clinical trial outcomes fail to translate into benefits for patients

Commentary - Open Access - Open Peer Review

• TrialsEmail authorView ORCID ID profil
 

Carl HeneghanEmail authorView ORCID ID profile,

Ben Goldacre and

Kamal R. Mahtani

Trials201718:122https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-017-1870-2

Open Peer Review reports

Abstract

Clinical research should ultimately improve patient care. For this to be possible, trials must evaluate outcomes that genuinely reflect real-world settings and concerns. However, many trials continue to measure and report outcomes that fall short of this clear requirement. We highlight problems with trial outcomes that make evidence difficult or impossible to interpret and that undermine the translation of research into practice and policy.

Bilastine safety in drivers who need antihistamines: new evidence from high-speed simulator driving test on allergic patients

Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2018; 22 (3): 820-828

DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201802_14318

A. Demonte, M.B. Guanti, S. Liberati, A. Biffi, F. Fernando, M. Fainello, P. Pepe

Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncological and Regenerative Medicine; Dermatology Unit; University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy. patrizia.pepe@unimore.it

• 
  

OBJECTIVE: Bilastine is a highly selective, non-sedating antihistamine, indicated for the symptomatic treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and urticaria. Available data suggest that bilastine interferes neither with driving ability nor with flying-related performance. However, no data are available on the effect of bilastine on the driving ability in extreme conditions. Here we analyzed the effect of 7 days treatment with 20 mg bilastine in patients with allergic rhinitis and/or chronic urticaria, on psychophysical performance assessed by the Formula One (F1) high-speed simulator-driving test.

The International Study of the Allergic Rhinitis Survey: outcomes from 4 geographical regions

Asia Pac Allergy. 2018 Jan;8(1):e7. English.  https://doi.org/10.5415/apallergy.2018.8.e7

Desiderio Passali,1 Cemal Cingi,2 Paola Staffa,1 Francesco Passali,3 Nuray Bayar Muluk,4and Maria Luisa Bellussi1

1Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.

2Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, 26040 Eskisehir, Turkey.

3ENT Clinic, University of Roma Tor Vergata, 00173 Rome, Italy.

4Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Kırıkkale University, Faculty of Medicine, 71450 Kırıkkale, Turkey.

Abstract

Background Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global health problem and is characterised by one or more symptoms, including sneezing, itching, nasal congestion and rhinorrhea.

Diet during pregnancy and infancy and risk of allergic or autoimmune disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PLOS MEDICINE

Vanessa Garcia-Larsen , Despo Ierodiakonou , Katharine Jarrold, Sergio Cunha, Jennifer Chivinge, Zoe Robinson, Natalie Geoghegan, Alisha Ruparelia, Pooja Devani, Marialena Trivella, Jo Leonardi-Bee, Robert J. Boyle 

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002507

Abstract

Background

There is uncertainty about the influence of diet during pregnancy and infancy on a child’s immune development. We assessed whether variations in maternal or infant diet can influence risk of allergic or autoimmune disease.

Clinical implications of CD4+ T cell subsets in adult atopic asthma patients

• Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology
• Research  Open Access

• Matthew Wiest†,
• Katherine Upchurch†,
• Wenjie Yin,
• Jerome Ellis,
• Yaming Xue,
• Bobby Lanier,
• Mark Millard,
• HyeMee Joo and
• SangKon OhEmail authorView ORCID ID profile

†Contributed equally

Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology201814:7

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-018-0231-3

Abstract

Background T cells play a central role in chronic inflammation in asthma. However, the roles of individual subsets of T cells in the pathology of asthma in patients remain to be better understood.

Methods We investigated the potential signatures of T cell subset phenotypes in asthma using fresh whole blood from adult atopic asthma patients (n = 43) and non-asthmatic control subjects (n = 22). We further assessed their potential clinical implications by correlating asthma severity.

The role of tonsillectomy in the Periodic Fever, Aphthous stomatitis, Pharyngitis and cervical Adenitis syndrome; a literature review

BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders

Jostein Førsvoll

 and

Knut Øymar

BMC Ear, Nose and Throat DisordersBMC series – open, inclusive and trusted201818:3

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12901-017-0049-5

©  The Author(s). 2018

Open Peer Review reports

Abstract

Background

Tonsillectomy (TE) or adenotonsillectomy (ATE) may have a beneficial effect on the clinical course in children with the Periodic Fever, Aphthous stomatitis, Pharyngitis and cervical Adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome. However, an immunological reason for this effect remains unknown. This literature review summarizes the current knowledge of the effect of TE or ATE in the PFAPA syndrome.

Dupilumab: an evidence-based review of its potential in the treatment of atopic dermatitis

REVIEW

          

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Authors Eshtiaghi P, Gooderham MJ

Published 23 February 2018 Volume 2018:13 Pages 13—20

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/CE.S133661

Video abstract presented by Melinda J Gooderham

Views: 3

Panteha Eshtiaghi,¹ Melinda J Gooderham<sup>2–4

1</sup>Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; ²SKiN Centre for Dermatology, Peterborough, ON, Canada; ³Probity Medical Research, Waterloo, ON, Canada; ⁴Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a recurrent, pruritic inflammatory skin disease with complex immunopathogenesis characterized by a dominant T_H2 response. Dupilumab is an interleukin (IL)-4 receptor alpha antagonist that subsequently blocks IL-4 and IL-13 signaling. It has recently been approved for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD whose current treatment options are limited.

Epinephrine in Anaphylaxis: Preclinical Study of Pharmacokinetics after Sublingual Administration of Taste-Masked Tablets for Potential Pediatric Use

Open Access

Pharmaceutics 2018, 10(1), 24; doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics10010024

Ousama Rachid 1,*, Mutasem Rawas-Qalaji 2,* and Keith J. Simons 3

Abstract

: 

Epinephrine is a life-saving treatment in anaphylaxis. In community settings, a first-aid dose of epinephrine is injected from an auto-injector (EAI). Needle phobia highly contributes to EAI underuse, leading to fatalities—especially in children. A novel rapidly-disintegrating sublingual tablet (RDST) of epinephrine was developed in our laboratory as a potential alternative dosage form.

CSACI position statement: prescribing sublingual immunotherapy tablets for aeroallergens

Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology Review Open Access

J. Quirt,

R. Gagnon,

A. K. Ellis and

H. L. Kim

• Email author

Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology201814:1

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-017-0225-6

Background: Allergic rhinitis is estimated to affect 20–25% of Canadians and has a significant impact on quality of life, with many patients reporting inadequate control of their symptoms [1]. Mainstays of treatment for allergic rhinitis include avoidance, intranasal steroids, oral antihistamines and leukotriene receptor antagonists [2]. Specific immunotherapy offers disease-modifying treatment for those uncontrolled by, intolerant to, or averse to pharmacotherapy [3]. 

Heterogeneous pattern of differences in respiratory parameters between elderly with either good or poor FEV1

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Research article

Open Access

Open Peer Review

• Stefan KarraschEmail author,
• Jürgen Behr,
• Rudolf M. Huber,
• Dennis Nowak,
• Annette Peters,
• Stefan Peters,
• Rolf Holle,
• Rudolf A. Jörres,
• Holger Schulz and
• KORA Study Group

BMC Pulmonary MedicineBMC series – open, inclusive and trusted201818:27

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12890-018-0582-z

Open Peer Review reports

Abstract

Background: The relationship of spirometric values to other respiratory and functional parameters in advanced age is not well studied.

Dr. Jay Portnoy describes how to perform a systematic review to answer questions

ACAAICOLA

Dr. Sharon Jacob discusses pediatric contact dermatitis

ACAAICOLA

Optimal control of asthma improved eosinophilic otitis media

Hypothesis & Experience  Open Access

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Asia Pac Allergy. 2018 Jan;8(1):e5. English. Published online Jan 24, 2018.  https://doi.org/10.5415/apallergy.2018.8.e5

Yukako Seo,1 Manabu Nonaka,1 Yukie Yamamura,1 Ruby Pawankar,2 and Etsuko Tagaya3

1Department of Otolaryngology, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan.

2Department of Pediatrics, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo 113-0022, Japan.

3First Department of Medicine, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo 162-8666, Japan.

Correspondence to: Manabu Nonaka. Department of Otolaryngology, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan. Tel: +81-3-3353-8111 (ext. 28531), Fax: +81-3-5269-7617, Email: nonaka-m@twmu.ac.jp

Abstract

Background Eosinophilic otitis media (EOM) is often associated with comorbid asthma. The middle ear cavity is part of the upper airway. Therefore, EOM and asthma can be considered to be a crucial part of the “one airway, one disease” phenomenon. Based on the concept of one airway, one disease in the context of allergic rhinitis and asthma, optimal level of inhalation therapy for better asthma control leads to improvement in allergic rhinitis.