1,721,127 research outputs found
Building equitable health partnerships: addressing racial disparities in global health
No full textThe traditional paradigms in global health, often characterized by power imbalances similar to the racial disparities between White and Black populations, are insufficient for addressing the complex health challenges of the 21st century. These disparities not only exist within national borders but also mirror the limitations of the North-South paradigm on an international scale. This framework perpetuates systemic inequalities, undermines local agency, and neglects the valuable expertise within communities of color. The evolving landscape of global health, marked by emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, non-communicable diseases, and climate change impacts, necessitates a paradigm shift toward partnerships based on mutual respect, shared responsibility, and equitable collaboration. This paper explores the limitations of the conventional paradigms and highlights the multifaceted benefits of a more collaborative approach. It demonstrates how equitable partnerships can enhance health security, foster innovation, and promote sustainable development across racial lines. Successful examples of equity-focused cooperation illustrate the potential of diverse partnerships in strengthening health systems and promoting knowledge sharing between White and Black communities. A new framework for health cooperation is proposed, emphasizing mutual respect, transparency, accountability, and sustainable capacity building. By recognizing the agency and expertise of Black communities, we can create a more inclusive and democratic health architecture. This shift from a charity-based mindset to one rooted in solidarity acknowledges that investing in health equity is a strategic investment in our collective future. Embracing this interconnected approach will enable us to tackle pressing racial health challenges and ensure a healthier and more equitable future for all.The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. This research did not receive particular funding but the author thanks the VLIR-UOS for supporting various projects ultimately leading to this perspective and vision
Integration of exergaming in pediatric rehabilitation
No full textTheme Abstract The development and generalization of modern technology have totally modied our world and habits. Concerning rehabilitation, the situation is a bit different and the integration of technology seems to be a bit slower than in other elds. The development of video games, and in particular active video games, offers new perspectives and pediatric rehabilitation. In this paper, we present the different technologies currently tested and developed in various rehabilitation contexts ranging from neurological rehabilitation (children with cerebral palsy) to pain management but also diseases such as autism spectrum disorders. Finally, we discuss the current and future challenges related to the integration of exergames in pediatric rehabilitation and propose some solutions to promote the development and implementation of these solutions on a large scale in clinics. Keywords Pediatric rehabilitation; exergames; video games; new technology; motivation Currently, informatics and technology are everywhere, or almost everywhere, in our lives. In the last decade, not only technology has developed drastically but two other elements are also of importance for the development and implementation of innovative solutions, at a large scale, in the healthcare sector: the democratization of the technology and the miniaturization of the devices. The development of new technology offers, therefore, a lot of new opportunities in rehabilitation for both the diagnosis, the assessment, and the treatment. In this paper, we are going to focus on the use and development of exergames in pediatric rehabilitation but the readers should be aware that the use of technology is much broader than this particular set of applications
Unlocking the Black Box? A Comprehensive Exploration of Large Language Models in Rehabilitation
No full textRehabilitation is a vital component of health care, aiming to restore function and improve the well-being of individuals with disabilities or injuries. Nevertheless, the rehabilitation process is often likened to a "black box," with complexities that pose challenges for comprehensive analysis and optimization. The emergence of large language models offers promising solutions to better understand this "black box." Large language models excel at comprehending and generating human-like text, making them valuable in the healthcare sector. In rehabilitation, healthcare professionals must integrate a wide range of data to create effective treatment plans, akin to selecting the best ingredients for the "black box." Large language models enhance data integration, communication, assessment, and prediction.This article delves into the ground-breaking use of large language models as a tool to further understand the rehabilitation process. Large language models address current rehabilitation issues, including data bias, contextual comprehension, and ethical concerns. Collaboration with healthcare experts and rigorous validation is crucial when deploying large language models. Integrating large language models into rehabilitation yields insights into this intricate process, enhancing data-driven decision making, refining clinical practices, and predicting rehabilitation outcomes. Although challenges persist, large language models represent a significant stride in rehabilitation, underscoring the importance of ethical use and collaboration
Harnessing digital health interventions to bridge the gap in prevention for older adults
No full textThe current global population of older adults is undergoing a notable and swift growth,
which presents substantial health-related obstacles to public health systems on a global
scale (1). The anticipated doubling of the aging population by 2050 has resulted in an
increased incidence of age-related illnesses, including falls, sarcopenia, and dementia (2).
The health issues associated with aging not only have a significant impact on the overall
wellbeing of older individuals but also puts a lot of pressure of the healthcare system (3).
The implementation of preventive measures aimed at addressing falls, sarcopenia, and
dementia is therefore of utmost importance in order to minimize the negative impact of
these conditions on the wellbeing, quality of life, and autonomy of older individuals (4, 5).
Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge that public health systems encounter distinct
obstacles when it comes to efficiently tackling these concerns (6, 7). These constraints
encompass for example restricted resources, insufficient infrastructure, and discrepancies
in healthcare accessibility (1). The World Health Organization (WHO) highlighted five
recommendations to promote physical activity: strengthen government (ownership and
leadership), provide practical tools and guidance, support partnerships and build capacity,
reinforce data systems and knowledge translation, secure and align funding with national
policy (8). Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize the development and implementation of
preventative measures that take into account the unique requirements and circumstances
of older persons in various socioeconomic contexts. This is essential in order to promote
healthy aging and enhance public health outcomes on a global scale (9).The author(s) declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article
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