Week 7 Lecture

These flashcards cover key concepts and information related to the lecture on blood safety, environmental health, and related public health policy issues.

What epidemic occurred in Ontario and Quebec in the summer of 2002?

An epidemic of West Nile virus.

What testing program was developed to screen blood donors for West Nile virus?

Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) program.

What are the main policy issues addressed in relation to the West Nile virus transmission?

Role of evidence, framing, screening, policy trade-offs, cost-effectiveness analysis, and ethics.

What does the Krever Commission (1997) focus on?

How Canada’s blood supply system managed the threat of Hepatitis C and HIV via transfusion.

What principle emphasizes taking action to prevent harm despite uncertainty?

The precautionary principle.

What type of diseases do vector-borne diseases (VBD) represent?

Infections transmitted to humans through the bite of infected arthropods, such as mosquitoes or ticks.

List two vector-borne diseases mentioned in the notes.

West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease.

When was the West Nile Virus first detected in North America?

In New York in 1999.

What are the severe symptoms of West Nile Virus infection?

Brain inflammation, muscle weakness, paralysis, and death.

What type of screening aims at healthy individuals where there may be risk?

Screening.

What differentiates screening from testing?

Screening is aimed at healthy individuals; testing is for diagnosis in symptomatic individuals.

What is the role of cost-effectiveness analysis in health policy?

To compare the costs and consequences of alternative courses of action.

What report examined Canada's response to SARS?

The Naylor Report.

What does ICER stand for in health economics?

Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio.

What was identified as a major public health catastrophe in Canada according to the Krever Commission?

HIV and Hepatitis C transmissions via blood transfusion.

What are the two critical aspects emphasized in the Krever Commission's report?

Precautionary measures and creation of a governance system prioritizing safety.

What ethical consideration must be taken into account in decision-making about health risks?

The precautionary principle.

In cost-benefit analysis, what kind of costs are considered?

All costs, including intangible costs like pain and suffering.

What were the themes in the Naylor Report related to public health?

Public health policies affected by intergovernmental relations and the need for clarity in responsibilities.

What does the term 'opportunity cost' refer to?

The value of the next best alternative that is forgone when a decision is made.

Define what is meant by 'ethical decision making' in health policy.

It involves weighing the precautionary principle, virtue ethics, and utilitarian considerations when making policy choices.