Public Health Disasters
Unaddressed mental health issues have been weighing on the young generation well before the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns. An estimated 13% of 10-19-year-olds live with a diagnosed mental disorder globally.
ONLY 2% of government health budgets are allocated to mental health spending globally, (UNICEF)
Can technology help to meet the mental health needs of the young (next) generation?
Recent news of $1.7 billion of student loans will be forgiven of US Public Service Workers and Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen providing testimony to US Senate Commerce Committee show an opportunity for better engagement to help the next generation through financial and technological efforts.
COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about mental health impact among everyone especially children and young adults. As we lead to the World Mental Health Day (Oct 10), let’s discuss latest thought leadership and global mental health reports this week.
Today’s discussion question:
How can healthcare and technology help to meet the mental health needs of the young generation?
Opting in to COVID-19 vaccine mandates at your company? Strategy working to curb new infections at workplace?
COVID-19 cases in the United States have dropped by 25% over the last two weeks (Axios).
With World Mental Health Day coming up, we should be pushing towards a fairer and healthier world. One way is not dismissing the great impact caused by COVID-19 pandemic on our mental health. Making mental health days “normal” in the workplace will go a long way to improve the workforce and its productivity as more and more industries re-open.
Today Pfizer / BioNTech SE announced positive topline results from COVID-19 vaccine trial in children 5 to 11 years old via press release (still waiting for full report and data).
Highlights given in Press Release of Phase 2/3 trial (link in below):
COVID-19 vaccine or testing requirement coming soon at your company?
Recent news emerged that President Biden will be implementing a requirement for large businesses (>100 employees) to have employees vaccinated for COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing. If weekly testing occurs, details have yet to be released to whether the employer will have to cover the cost of weekly testing or the unvaccinated employees could use the free federal sites or would have to pay out of pocket.
Are you using vaccine card or digital vaccine passport where you live?
More and more cities and regions are opting into using technology with vaccine passports. British Columbia, Canada just released its new program requiring people to show in order to enter non-essential business activities. There are plans in Alberta, Canada to create a proof of vaccination card and QR code coming soon in upcoming weeks, as well.
6 months ago – we were discussing the plea deals with U.S. Department of Justice and Purdue Pharma L.P.. (the bankrupt maker of the OxyContin painkiller).
Purdue Pharma admitted twice (in 2007 and 2020) to illegally marketing opioid medications. Bankruptcy judge recently approves Purdue Pharma plan to resolve the opioid claims, in which also gives civil immunity to owners. The civil immunity gives broad protection from current and future litigation, even though there were objections from nine states and a branch of the Justice Department.
Yesterday, our paper addressing how disaster risk in conflict areas can be reduced to meet United Nations Sendai Framework disaster risk reduction priorities was presented at Conflict Research Society’s annual conference.