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The present paper aims to describe the structure, function, and goals of two of the oldest Mobile Mental Health Units in Greece, namely, the Mobile Mental Health Unit in Fokida (MMHU-F) and the Mobile Mental Health Unit in Thrace (Alexandroupolis, MMHU-T). Information about their historical background, catchment areas, and current staffing, as well as the services provided by each MMHU is discussed. The focus of the paper is slightly biased towards the MMHU-F because it is the only available mental health service in the whole Fokida prefecture. The major goals of the MMHUs are the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of relapse of severe mental illness within the community. Other important goals of the MMHUs are psychoeducation, psychological support for the family/caregivers, as well as vocational training and support for patients with severe mental illness. Statistical data depicting the demographic characteristics and diagnostic profiles of patients in each MMHU is also provided, and the differences between the two MMHUs are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to explore the politics of health promotion as a continual process of public health globally and locally. Our main objective in this study is to present the health promotion education initiatives taken by the World Health Organization (WHO) at an international level and also to examine the politics of health promotion in Greece, putting emphasis on the school system. In this approach, the possible influences of the WHO's politics are going to be sought. Available data point out that several efforts have been done over the last three decades by international organizations and national governments, including Greece, to establish the appropriate policies for the achievement of better health conditions. These initiatives have resulted to the significant improvement of the quality of health promotion provided in Europe. However, systematic health promotion programs and policies are still required to further improve the current situation of health education promotion in the European countries. On the other hand, health promotion and health school education policies in Greek schools are still being implemented in the extracurricular activities. The fundamental conditions for health promotion are thus constantly expected to include socioeconomic and environmental factors that can influence the level of health and quality of life. Investing on health should increasingly be seen by the European countries, including Greece, as a target towards the socio-economic development, the improvement of the environment and, finally, the upgrading of peoples' quality of life. (Contains 1 figure.)

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Public Health is the property of Turkish Journal of Public Health and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper addresses the issue of integrated care services as a current challenge for primary health care in Europe. It is focused on an operational definition of integrated care and documents its relevance to the recent declaration of the World Health Organization regarding primary health care. The paper also reports on experiences gained and lessons learned in Greece, a country where initial attempts towards integration of public health into primary care are currently unfolding. Additionally, it discusses the limited involvement of patients, families, and communities in health care, as well as relative absence of advocacy and care coordination at a policy level. The need for training stakeholders to define and promote integrated care is highlighted as an essential component of translating new concepts into concrete health care actions. Finally, when discussing development and implementation of a well-coordinated and integrated primary health care system, the paper provides ideas for further consideration. The present report is anticipated to open the dialogue between health care professionals, stakeholders, policy makers, and the public towards the integration of health services in contemporary Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The present research aims to identify the application of social media for marketing or communication purposes in healthcare. We studied the opinion of healthcare professionals, organizations and health consumers, trying to identify the current status, trends and beliefs. The research reveals that healthcare organizations have to move forward and engage with their customers. The health consumers are more mature than the health providers. The descriptive characteristics of the sample's responses collected during the survey are presented.Objective: The current research tries to identify the application of social media for marketing or communication purposes in healthcare in Greece. The scope of the paper is to investigate the status in Greece and compare it with other countries.Methods: We studied the opinion of healthcare professionals, organizations and health consumers, trying to identify the current status, trends and beliefs. We formed adequate questionnaires which were distributed to the different target groups, while for statistical analysis we performed tests (in order to investigate the dependence between certain respondents' categories) as well as one-way ANOVA analysis for inference purposes. In this context, the results can depict the (average) behavior, as well as the homogeneity of the corresponding general population.Results: The research conducted took into account the individualities of the Greek environment and revealed that both physicians and healthcare organizations have to move forward in order to engage with their customers. There is also a clear need to measure the effectiveness of any such media marketing effort. Most adopters are not yet-taking maximum advantage of the technology. Social networks are prevalent and several paradigms support their adoption for marketing purposes in the sensitive healthcare domain. Even though the expectations are ambitious, there is a lot of work to do in Greece in order to achieve the desired outcome. An important finding is that patients' attitudes are, in general, differentiated from those of healthcare professionals. Even though the results of the present paper can be generalized, according to the statistical analysis performed, further research would be warranted to cover all possible participants in the healthcare chain. It is clear that both physicians and healthcare organizations have to adopt social media marketing in their daily practice in order to meet the needs of their customers. The present paper advances the current state of knowledge, as there is not any prior study on this field in Greece. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nursing Care & Research / Nosileia kai Ereuna is the property of Greek Nursing Studies Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background. Differentials and inequalities in heath status are closely related to the implementation and the sustainability of public health policies. The paper investigates differences in health expectancy as an indicator of population health among regions and between genders. Design and Methods. Based on activity limitation, we compute Healthy Life Years indicator by applying the prevalence-based Sullivan method. The analysis is based on data from the National Health Survey conducted in Greece in 2009 by the Hellenic Statistical Authority, carried out on a multistage probability sample of 6172 individuals. Results. The results show that men are more likely than women to live a greater part of their life in good health. When regions are considered (NUTS_1 and NUTS_2 levels), the resulting diversities in healthy life years are more pronounced than those in life expectancy. Conclusions. The paper provides additional insights about health status discrepancies among Greek geographic regions and between genders. The results indicate that men are more likely to report to be in good health than women, and the differences by gender are more pronounced at regional than at national level. This empirical evidence can be used for monitoring both, the population health status and the undesired differentials in health expectancy, and may therefore be a useful tool for health policies aiming at reducing heath inequalities among individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present an expert system that monitors seawater quality and pollution in northern Greece through a sensor network called Andromeda. The expert system monitors sensor data collected by local monitoring stations and reasons about the current level of water suitability for various aquatic uses, such as swimming and piscicultures. The aim of the expert system is to help the authorities in the decision-making process in the battle against pollution of the aquatic environment, which is vital for public health and the economy of northern Greece. The expert system determines, using fuzzy logic, when certain environmental parameters exceed certain pollution limits, which are specified either by the authorities or by environmental scientists, and flags up appropriate alerts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on the epidemiology of serious fungal infections in Greece are scarce. Our aim was to calculate the burden of serious fungal diseases in Greece. A thorough literature search for papers reporting epidemiological data on serious fungal diseases in Greece was performed. Where no Greek data existed, we used a structured set of assumptions to estimate fungal disease burden, based on specific high-risk populations. Of the 10.8 million population, 85.5 % are adults and 27 % are over 60 years of age. The annual fungal disease estimates are as follows: 142,337 Greek women get recurrent vaginal thrush (2,632 cases/100,000 females); there are 889 cases of esophageal candidiasis (8.2 cases/100,000); annual incidence of Pneumocystis pneumonia is 112 cases; chronic pulmonary aspergillosis prevalence is 386 cases; there are 20,843 patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and 27,744 with severe asthma with fungal sensitization; candidaemia incidence is 541 cases (5.0/100,000); there are 81 cases of Candida peritonitis; invasive aspergillosis occurs in 1,125 patients. According to our calculations, 194,067 individuals (1.79 cases/100,000) in Greece suffer from serious fungal diseases each year. This is the first attempt to determine the burden of fungal diseases in Greece, and provides a crude estimate on its impact on public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccine hesitancy is an important public health issue referring to concerns about the safety and efficacy of vaccination. Within a framework, this study aimed to assess the cultural adaptation, validity, and reliability of the Greek version of the adult Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (aVHS) as well as to identify the determinants of vaccine hesitancy among a large regional population in central Greece. A cross-sectional study was conducted enrolling 300 adults who had received primary healthcare services in the Health Centers and Local Health Units of the Magnesia Region from October to December 2022. The aVHS and the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) were used to identify vaccine hesitancy and the dispositional level of optimism, respectively. For survey translation, the procedure of forward and backward translation was followed. Also, the aVHS was tested in a pilot study with a sample of 18 responders. Construct validity and internal consistency reliability were investigated via exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha coefficients, respectively. Simple and multiple linear regression analysis were used to determine predictors for vaccine hesitancy. Factor analyses indicated that the aVHS comprises two constructs ("lack of confidence" and "risk perception") explaining 68.9% of the total variance. The Cronbach's alpha of the total scale was 0.884, indicating its high internal consistency. Participants who lived in rural areas, had a lower annual income, and reported a lower level of optimism showed a higher lack of confidence in vaccination. On the other hand, people aged above 45 years old who had graduated from high school or elementary school and were unemployed showed greater aversion to the risks of side effects. Finally, certain socio-demographic characteristics were associated with vaccine hesitancy. Our data suggest that the aVHS is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring vaccine-related attitudes and perceptions in Greek society, providing meaningful insight into designing vaccination-related preventive interventions in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health, social and economic impact of chronic diseases is well documented in Europe. However, chronic diseases threaten relatively more the 'memorandum and peripheral' Eurozone countries (i.e., Greece, Spain, Portugal and Ireland), which were under heavy recession after the economic crisis in 2009. Especially in Greece, where the crisis was the most severe across Europe, the austerity measures affected mainly people with chronic diseases. As a result, the urgency to tackle the threat of chronic diseases in Greece by promoting public health and providing effective chronic care while flattening the rising health care expenditure is eminent. In many European countries, integrated care is seen as a means to achieve this. The aim of this paper was to support Greek health policy makers to develop an action plan from 2015 onwards, to integrate care by bridging local policy context and needs with knowledge and experience from other European countries. To achieve this aim, we adopted a conceptual framework developed by the World Health Organization on one hand to analyse the status of integrated care in Greece, and on the other to develop an action plan for reform. The action plan was based on an analysis of the Greek health care system regarding prerequisite conditions to integrate care, a clear understanding of its context and successful examples of integrated care from other European countries. This study showed that chronic diseases are poorly addressed in Greece and integrated care is in embryonic stage. Greek policy makers have to realise that this is the opportunity to make substantial reforms in chronic care. Failing to reform towards integrated care would lead to the significant risk of collapse of the Greek health care system with all associated negative consequences. The action plan provided in this paper could support policy makers to make the first serious step to face this challenge. The details and specifications of the action plan can only be decided by Greek policy makers in close cooperation with other health and social care partners. This is the appropriate time for doing so. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION Worldwide there is an alarming increase in the caesarean delivery rate which has become a controversial topic. However, the reasons for this tendency are not clear. For example, in Greece alone, rates increased by almost 50% from 1983 to 1996. In order to better understand the causes of this phenomenon, we need to examine closely what groups of women undergo caesarean section (CS). To achieve this, it is essential to use a system that will enable us to monitor and compare caesarean delivery rates. Such a classification system should be easily adopted by obstetricians, midwives, and public health services. METHODS A review search of electronic databases concerning medical care was held from December 2020 to January 2021 in order to find systematic reviews which describe either theoretical or practical CS classification systems. RESULTS The most common classification systems fall into three main categories based on indication, urgency and maternal-based characteristics. According to users the highest rated classification system was women-based classifications in general. In particular the Robson Ten Group Classification System was considered to be the most valid to meet current local and international standards. The Robson classification system is praised for its robustness, simplicity, flexibility, and reproducibility. CONCLUSIONS The right implementation of the Robson Ten Group Classification System can facilitate an in-depth analysis of the main groups that increase CS rates and can be used to both review and monitor delivery practices both in Greece and abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: This study explores the effects of the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) and its resultant social spending cuts and austerity measures on social work practice in Greek public hospitals. THEORETICAL BASE: The research is informed by a critical social theory approach. METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted with eleven senior social workers. OUTCOMES: Data gathered from qualitative interviews in 2011 reveal that underfunding and understaffing causes workers to intensify their professional efforts and to increasingly draw on more informal contacts, as well as on their personal resources, to respond to the needs of service users. Health care spending cuts within the context of neoliberal capitalism clearly undermine participants' ability to effectively perform their work, but they do the best they can with the available resources. Faced with an increasing inability to provide optimal care, participants reorient their focus to at least providing emotional support. A strong theme of resistance emerged, with participants insisting that health care is a right and not a commodity. SOCIAL WORK IMPLICATIONS: The paper maintains that it is imperative for the social work profession to understand that the difficulties they experience emerge within the context of neoliberal capitalism and thus austerity measures and social spending cuts need to become a locus of intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION In the digital age, Internet and social networks are the most important media for exchanging information and personal experiences. Individuals with health problems can use social media to increase their knowledge about diseases and treatment, often having the Internet as their main information source. Vaccines have been classified as one of the most important medical discoveries of all time. Vaccination acceptance is considered critical for the prevention of contagious diseases. The present study attempted to investigate the general public's perceptions on vaccination and their sources of information about vaccines, in Greece. METHODS The study was conducted through a web-based survey. The questionnaire consisted of closed-ended, 7-point Likert scale questions and multiple-choice questions. The data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Also, bivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify potential predictor variables concerning information sources on the participants' opinions on vaccines. RESULTS Responses by 683 individuals were obtained. Healthcare professionals are considered by the participants as the preferred source of information on vaccination. Older age groups express a higher degree of agreement regarding doctors as preferred information source, compared to the younger ones. More than 60% of the participants choose to be informed by official bodies such as the National Public Health Organization, the Ministry of Health, the WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. A small proportion of the respondents (8%) stated that often to always they preferred social media as information sources about vaccinations. Doctors and Ministry of Health as sources of information and older age groups were found to be strong predictors of participants' positive attitude towards vaccines. CONCLUSIONS The study revealed that the vast majority of the participants are positive about vaccinations and seem to rely on more official sources of information on vaccination than the general Internet and social media. Communication efforts on vaccination awareness should be directed at younger ages and in particular through social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To highlight the best practices of the implementation of the National Action Plan for Public Health in Greece, by strengthening prevention, health promotion strategies, and social policy in current epidemiological challenges. METHOD Asthma patients from the community enrolled in the "Asthma School", where they were screened, diagnosed and trained. Best practices of the outpatient Pulmonology Unit of the Model Health Center of the urban type of Peristeri were evaluated, highlighting the primary health care (PHC) reorientation policy. The Pulmonology Unit has developed a strategy for preventing respiratory problems and providing health education. This strategy was implemented in collaboration with the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention, now the Hellenic National Public Health Organization, the Municipality of Peristeri, and the Ministry of Health. RESULTS A total of 113 people attended the "Asthma School", of which 69.03% were women and the mean age was 51.07±14.59 years. The Pulmonology Unit operated to high standards, with the vision of developing a dynamic system, according to National Health Policy. Emphasis was placed on the quality of PHC, as respiratory problems concern a major public health problem for society. The majority of participants reported that their asthma was well controlled in the last four weeks (p<0.05). Improvement was recorded in terms of adopting prevention, with an increase of 30% in patients visiting the Health Center for preventive measures. CONCLUSIONS Targeted education of asthma patients is important in PHC, leading to better compliance and treatment effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of frailty in older people is getting constant recognition as an important aspect both in terms of public health, as well as at a personal level, for the appropriate management of an older person's health condition. This is reflected by the continuously increasing number of research studies carried out in several settings across different countries. Sometimes, this is very solid, but in other cases, there is a considerable gap in terms of accurate and well-grounded documentation of frailty status. This is the case in Greece, where we are missing clinically validated tools to approach frailty. We are missing frailty screening tools, such as, for instance, Program of Research on Integration of Services for the Maintenance of Autonomy 7 (PRISMA 7), the gold standard tool of Fried criteria, is somehow problematic since the question referring to physical activity originates from a questionnaire that has not been translated and validated, while Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) has been validated for translation but not for the capacity to detect frailty. The aim of this study is to validate these tools for their accuracy to detect frailty by using a measurable index of frailty, previously proposed for use in clinical studies: the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Seventy-four male and female participants (mean age 80.47 years SD = ±7.45 years, minimum–maximum age = 65–95) have been evaluated for their frailty status using different tools. We observed that the PRISMA 7 translation detects frailty only when one question is removed at a cut-off of ≥2 and indicates a sensitivity of 88.1% and specificity of 99.9% with a good correlation with SPPB measurements (r = −0.858; p < 0.001). When CFS was validated using SPPB, it demonstrated a very good correlation (r = −0.838; p < 0.001 respectively) as was the case for the modified Fried Criteria (r = −0.725; p < 0.001). All items demonstrated a good correlation between them. We here propose that we can accurately assess frailty status in the community setting by using a modified version of Fried criteria, Clinical Frailty Scale translation in Greek, and we can screen for frailty by using the Greek translation of PRISMA 7 only after removing item 6 of the questionnaire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many reports have commented on the decreasing level of humanity in healthcare, and that medical training has an increasingly scientific basis. This paper reports on a six-week elective on compassionate care, delivered to first year medical students at the University of Crete Medical School.The course proved highly popular, and may represent a starting point for emphasising the importance of compassionate care in the Greek healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primary health care is the cornerstone of a high quality health care system. Greece has been actively attempting to reform health care services in order to improve heath outcomes and reduce health care spending. Patient-centered approaches to health care delivery have been increasingly acknowledged for their value informing quality improvement activities. This paper reports the quality of primary health care services in Greece as perceived by patients and aspects of health care delivery that are valued by patients.Methods: This study was conducted as part of the Quality and Costs of Primary Care in Europe (QUALICOPC) study. A cross-sectional sample of patients were recruited from general practitioner's offices in Greece and surveyed. Patients rated five features of person-focused primary care: accessibility; continuity and coordination; comprehensiveness; patient activation; and doctor-patient communication. One tenth of the patients ranked the importance of each feature on a scale of one to four, and nine tenths of patients scored their experiences of care received. Comparisons were made between patients with and without chronic disease.Results: The sample included 220 general practitioners from both public and private sector. A total of 1964 patients that completed the experience questionnaire and 219 patients that completed the patient values questionnaire were analyzed. Patients overall report a positive experiences with the general practice they visited. Several gaps were identified in particular in terms of wait times for appointments, general practitioner access to patient medical history, delivery of preventative services, patient involvement in decision-making. Patients with chronic disease report better experience than respondents without a chronic condition, however these patient groups report the same values in terms of qualities of the primary care system that are important to them.Conclusions: Data gathered may be used to improve the quality of primary health care services in Greece through an increased focus on patient-centered approaches. Our study has identified several gaps as well as factors within the primary care health system that patient's perceive as most important which can be used to prioritize quality improvement activities, especially within the austerity period. Study findings may also have application to other countries with similar context and infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

»Von der Austerität zur Pandemie und wieder zurück? Lockdown- Politik in Griechenland«. This paper provides an analysis of the lockdown politics implemented in Greece during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. It argues that Greece's pandemic politics deepened the crisis of the familistic social model that resulted from the austerity policies of the last decade. Although caring for the family became a high priority during the pandemic, resources for families and households did not increase. Likewise, while "essential" workers were much praised by officials, their wages and working conditions hardly improved. The COVID-19 pandemic crisis management in Greece has two peculiarities: First, the country entered the pandemic after a painful decade of austerity, interrupting the fragile, long-awaited economic recovery. Second, given the inadequate state of the public healthcare system after a decade of austerity, the lockdowns in Greece were among the strictest in Europe. Rather than being the result of state preparedness, these lockdowns can be interpreted as an acknowledgment of state failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the assessment of alternative aspects of the efficiency of 98 out of 126 hospitals of the Greek national health system. The analysis is directly concerned with the degree of utilisation of resources and the production efficiency of the general hospitals selected. For the measurement of the indices or efficiency, the internationally known method of Data Envelopment Analysis (modified to the particular characteristics of the Greek NHS) was used. The efficiency of Greek hospitals was assessed utilising two alternative conceptual models: one focusing on production and the other on cost efficiency. The results, in both cases, indicated the scope for substantial efficiency improvements. The analysis has sought to discuss the policy implications resulting from the current efficiency status of the hospitals with reference to issues of resource re-allocation and optimal scale size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of Hellenic Medicine / Arheia Ellenikes Iatrikes is the property of Athens Medical Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The enshrinement of religious freedom in a State Constitution is determined by the system of relations between the State and Religions. A particular aspect of religious freedom is freedom of worship, which was reframed due to the COVID-19 pandemic with the adoption of measures for the protection of public health. The examples of Cyprus and Greece demonstrate that the self-regulation enjoyed by religious communities may be harmonized with the need to protect public health and is directly connected to the existing system of relations between the State and Religions. The case law on the State restrictive measures regarding worship in conjunction with the measures implemented by the religious communities themselves together give rise to the general principles of harmonization between religious freedom and the protection of public health, with respect for the principle of proportionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The literature is lacking information on the anatomy and the osseous dimensions of the thoracic intervertebral foramen (IVF). We describe the anatomy of the broader area, and we proceed with morphometric data of the vertebrae and the foramina. Depiction of these features is provided with imaging and illustrations. The purpose of this paper is to survey and present the anatomy of the foramen as a whole and provide baseline statistical data. Materials and Methods: We review relevant literature, and we present data obtained from skeletal samples of known population and sex. One hundred and nineteen thoracic vertebrae of ten cadaveric spines from the prefecture of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Greece, were selected. Statistical analysis measuring the vertical height and the foraminal width of each vertebra was made in accordance with sex. Results: No statistically important differences referring to the descriptive data of both sexes were found. However, statistically, important positive correlation between the vertebral height and the foraminal width was observed, especially for men. The components of the foramen including arteries and veins passing through or neighboring it, and the spinal nerves and roots are described and depicted. Conclusions: The osseous thoracic IVF reveals a glimpse of the in vivo structure and alterations of its width may be present in back pain and other degenerative diseases. Although it is crucial for surgeries and other interventional procedures of the thoracic spine, little is known about the precise anatomy and dimensions of this anatomical landmark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the period of 2012-2014 a West Nile Virus (WNV) outbreak occurred in the Regional District of Xanthi in Greece. As the self-protection measures are the most important for securing the public health this paper aims to explore the citizens buying behavior towards those measures, to classify them into groups and to profile each group accordingto their demographic characteristics. Age, education, number of children, number of family members, occupation and infection from WNV found to be significant related to people expenses towards self-protection measure. Moreover, people that have been infected from WNV have different demographic profile than those who have not being infected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe Greek primary health-care system (PHC) seems to be suffering the most from the economic crisis because of understaffing and misdistribution of the health workforce and the shortage of medical supplies and diagnostic equipment.AimsThe objective of the paper is to present for the first time in public national health-care workforce census data for the first two years of the economic recession and the adopted bailout mechanism (2010 and 2011) (a) to evaluate the adequacy of the governmental effort in terms of organization and management of the health-care workforce in PHC; and (b) to identify constraints and opportunities for the development of an integrated PHC ensuring access to health-care services for all.MethodsData were drawn from the national project ‘Health Monitoring Indicators System: Health Map’ coordinated scientifically by the National School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology. They referred to the 202 PHCs and their regional surgeries (with 98% response rate). Descriptive statistics and frequency distributions were used for the analysis.FindingsThe findings pointed that PHC absorbs a very limited part of the national health system's workforce. Important inequalities in the numerical and geographical allocation of the PHC health workforce specialties across the country in favor of the medical profession and to the detriment of rural areas and the islands were identified, raising concerns about the policymakers’ ability to meet the emerging needs of the population, as the retrospective study of the health-care workforce, since 2010, reveals that the numerical and per type allocations remained almost unchanged. These results were in line with previous studies showcasing the lack of holistic approach for PHC questioning the restrictive spending policy (ie, salary and benefit cuts for the health-care professionals, important discharges and nonrenewal of the personnel) adopted in the public health-care sector. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Greece is the only European Union member state that in 2008 included hepatitis A (HAV) vaccine in the routine national childhood immunization program (NCIP). Given that the resources allocated to public health have dramatically decreased since 2008 and that Greece is a low endemicity country for the disease, the benefit from universal vaccination has been questioned. The aim of this paper is to summarize the available epidemiological data of the disease for 1982-2013, and discuss the effects of universal vaccination on disease morbidity. Descriptive analysis, ARIMA modeling and time series intervention analysis were conducted using surveillance data of acute HAV. A decreasing trend of HAV notification rate over the years was identified (p<0.001). However, universal vaccination (~ 80% vaccine coverage of children) had no significant effect on the annual number of reported cases (p = 0.261) and has resulted to a progressive increase of the average age of infection in the general population. The mean age of cases before the inclusion of the vaccine to NCIP (24.1 years, SD = 1.5) was significantly lower than the mean age of cases after 2008 (31.7 years, SD = 2.1) (p<0.001). In the last decade, one third of all reported cases were Roma (a population accounting for 1.5% of the country’s total population) and in 2013 three outbreaks with 16, 9 and 25 Roma cases respectively, were recorded, indicating the decreased effectiveness of the current immunization strategy in this group. Data suggest that universal vaccination may need to be re-considered. Probably a more cost effective approach would be to implement a program that will include: a) vaccination of high risk groups, b) universal vaccination of Roma children and improving conditions at Roma camps, c) education of the population and travel advice, and d) enhancement of the control measures to increase safety of shellfish and other foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the Centre for Mental Health and Research, an organisation launched in Athens in 1956 and that is still operational today. Its story up to 1970 is analysed as a case study of the development of mental hygiene and child guidance in Greece, where international movements became relevant within the context of the social transformations of the post-war period. Seizing the opportunities created by the ‘modernisation’ of Greece and the anxiety around it, the Centre managed to secure funding and develop a number of services and activities. It is concluded that, although it was not successful in its broader social projects, it had an impact at the micro-level of the family and played a part in opening up new possibilities for the ‘psy’ disciplines in post-war Greece beyond the pathological and the hospital, so addressing the ‘normal’ individual and society as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The health, social and economic impact of chronic diseases is well documented in Europe. However, chronic diseases threaten relatively more the "memorandum and peripheral" Eurozone countries (i.e. Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Ireland), which were under heavy recession after the economic crisis in 2009. Especially in Greece, where the crisis was the most severe across Europe, the austerity measures affected mainly people with chronic diseases. As a result, the urgency to tackle the threat of chronic diseases in Greece by promoting public health and providing effective chronic care while flattening the rising healthcare expenditure is eminent. In many European countries, integrated care is seen as a means to achieve this. The aim of this paper was to support Greek health policy makers to develop an action plan from 2015 onwards, to integrate care by bridging local policy context and needs with knowledge and experience from other European countries. To achieve this aim, we adopted a conceptual framework developed by the World Health Organization on one hand to analyse the status of integrated care in Greece, and on the other to develop an action plan for reform. The action plan was based on an analysis of the Greek healthcare system regarding prerequisite conditions to integrate care, a clear understanding of its context and successful examples of integrated care from other European countries. This study showed that chronic diseases are poorly addressed in Greece and integrated care is in embryonic stage. Greek policy makers have to realise that this is the opportunity to make substantial reforms in chronic care. Failing to reform towards integrated care would lead to the significant risk of collapse of the Greek healthcare system with all associated negative consequences. The action plan provided in this paper could support policy makers to make the first serious step to face this challenge. The details and specifications of the action plan can only be decided by Greek policy makers in close cooperation with other health and social care partners. This is the appropriate time for doing so. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Nursing Care & Research / Nosileia kai Ereuna is the property of Greek Nursing Studies Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Studies conducted over the past decades have provided substantial evidence that both the long- and the short-term exposures to ozone and particulate matter are responsible for mortality and cardiopulmonary morbidity. This paper examines the relationship between exposure to ambient concentrations of ozone (O) and particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 μm (PM) and public health and provides the quantification of the burden of disease from PM and O-related mortality and morbidity through a Life Cycle Impact Assessment focused on the greater area of Athens, Greece. Thus, characterizations factors (CFs) for human health damage are calculated in 17 sites in Athens, in terms of the annual marginal change in the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to a marginal increase in the ambient concentrations. It is found that the PM intake factors range between 1.25 × 10 and 2.78 × 10, suggesting that 1.25-2.78 μg of PM are inhaled by the Athenian population per kg of PM in the urban atmosphere. Mortality due to chronic exposure to PM has a dominant contribution to years of life lost with values ranging between 6.2 × 10 and 1.1 × 10. On the other hand, the mortality caused by short-term exposure to O is weaker with the CFs ranging between 1.58 × 10 years of life lost in the urban/traffic areas and 4.71 × 10 years in the suburbs. Finally, it is found that 9,000 DALYs are lost on average in Athens, corresponding to 0.0018 DALYs per person. This is equal to 0.135 DALYs per person over a lifetime of approximately 75 years, assuming constant emission rates for the whole period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: No study in Greece has assessed so far the full range of common mental disorders using a representative sample of the population from both mainland and insular regions of the country. The aim of the present paper was to present the results of the first such study. Methods: The study was carried out between 2009-2010 in a nationally representative sample of 4894 individuals living in private households in Greece. Common mental disorders in the past week were assessed with the revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R). We also assessed alcohol use disorders (using AUDIT), smoking and cannabis use. Results: 14% of the population (Male: 11%, Female: 17%) was found to have clinically significant psychiatric morbidity according to the scores on the CIS-R. The prevalence (past seven days) of specific common mental disorders was as follows: Generalized Anxiety Disorder: 4.10% (95% CI: 3.54, 4.65); Depression: 2.90% (2.43, 3.37); Panic Disorder: 1.88% (1.50, 2.26); Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: 1.69% (1.33, 2.05); All Phobias: 2.79% (2.33, 3.26); Mixed anxiety-depression: 2.67% (2.22, 3.12). Harmful alcohol use was reported by 12.69% of the population (11.75, 13.62). Regular smoking was reported by 39.60% of the population (38.22, 40.97) while cannabis use (at least once during the past month) by 2.06% (1.66, 2.46). Clinically significant psychiatric morbidity was positively associated with the following variables: female gender, divorced or widowed family status, low educational status and unemployment. Use of all substances was more common in men compared to women. Common mental disorders were often comorbid, undertreated, and associated with a lower quality of life. Conclusions: The findings of the present study can help in the better planning and development of mental health services in Greece, especially in a time of mental health budget restrictions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The question to what extent primary and secondary air pollutants are relevant to atmospheric pollution and their effects on human health and the quality of the environment can be answered in a straight-forward manner: atmospheric processes, including oxidation procedures, particle formation and equilibria, determine the fate of primary emissions and, in most cases, the secondary products of these processes are the more important ones concerning their effects on human health and the quality of the environment. The formation of secondary products represents the critical property determining the establishment of certain air standards, rather than the actually emitted substance, although there are notable exceptions. In this paper, a review concerning transformation of primary pollutants as studied in the atmosphere of Athens is used to enlighten matters that may need further attention by the responsible authorities and stakeholders for the control and reduction of atmospheric pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few years Greece has undergone several endeavors, aimed at modernizing and improving the national health care services. A Health Care Reform Act seeking quality improvement and coordination of outpatient and hospital services at the Regional level, through the enhancement of primary care, has been recently approved. This paper reports a proposal for integrated health system in the primary care system in Greece with a major focus on equity, quality, and outcomes. The equity and quality framework of this proposal will possess the main components focusing on the provision of essential services, and clinical and organizational standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few years Greece has undergone several endeavors, aimed at modernizing and improving the national health care services. A Health Care Reform Act seeking quality improvement and coordination of outpatient and hospital services at the Regional level, through the enhancement of primary care, has been recently approved. This paper reports a proposal for integrated health system in the primary care system in Greece with a major focus on equity, quality, and outcomes. The equity and quality framework of this proposal will possess the main components focusing on the provision of essential services, clinical, and organizational standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Rostrum of Asclepius / Vima tou Asklipiou is the property of Technological Educational Institute of Athens and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper seeks to document the health effects of the Greek financial crisis. The hardship of the crisis as well as the austerity measures put in place to combat it are found to have negatively impacted public health, personal health, and mental health within the country. Despite these sobering findings, NGOs have made promising and innovative advances in countering the negative health effects, and the government is actively working towards the creation of policies that will bring this crisis within a crisis to an end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To understand the role of primary school teachers in Greece in managing type 1 diabetes in school children • To read about a study that examined Greek primary school teachers' knowledge of and attitudes to managing type 1 diabetes • To appreciate that strengthening primary school teachers' knowledge of chronic conditions would enhance the safety, quality of life and academic achievements of school children with type 1 diabetes Background: Type 1 diabetes has negative effects on children with the condition, including reduced ability to engage in learning. Primary school teachers have an important role in supporting school children with type 1 diabetes, but the literature on teachers' knowledge, perceptions and attitudes regarding the condition is limited. Aim: To explore the knowledge of type 1 diabetes and the perceptions of, and attitudes towards, the management of type 1 diabetes in schools among primary school teachers in Greece. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used with a sample of 157 education professionals working in primary schools in the Attica region of Greece. Data were collected via an anonymous online questionnaire. Results: One third of respondents (n=48, 31%) had insufficient knowledge of type 1 diabetes, two thirds of respondents (n=106, 68%) had basic knowledge and very few respondents (n=3, 2%) had sufficient knowledge. Respondents generally had favourable attitudes towards the management of type 1 diabetes in school. Most were in favour of the recruitment of school nurses and were interested in attending training on type 1 diabetes. Conclusion: Strengthening primary school teachers' knowledge of chronic conditions and recruiting healthcare professionals to work in schools would likely enhance the safety, quality of life and academic achievements of school children with type 1 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, it has been argued that conspiracy beliefs and populist attitudes go hand in hand. Despite their theoretical and empirical similarities, it remains unclear why these constructs are so closely associated. Across three studies, we examined the processes underlying the relationship between belief in conspiracy theories and populist attitudes. Study 1 (Greece, N = 275) and Study 2 (United Kingdom, N = 300) revealed that the relationship between populist attitudes and conspiracy beliefs is mediated by political cynicism and zero‐sum thinking. In Study 3 (USA, N = 300, pre‐registered), we use a vignette of a fictitious country to experimentally show that having a newly elected populist party in power (as compared to a well‐established party) reduced participants' tendency to believe conspiracy theories. Moreover, this was due to increased empowerment, decreased political cynicism and decreased zero‐sum thinking. These findings reveal various complementary mediators of the link between populist attitudes and conspiracy thinking and suggest that electing a populist party in power may reduce conspiracy beliefs among the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of Hellenic Medicine / Arheia Ellenikes Iatrikes is the property of Athens Medical Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Effective patient blood management constitutes a persistent challenge for healthcare systems and public health across Europe. Especially in Greece, a country with a traditionally high prevalence of β-thalassemia and other haemoglobinopathies, it is critical to ensure availability of blood to cover the needs of systematically transfused patients. A recent prospective study highlighted a potential gap in meeting future needs in red blood cell units in Greece for transfusion-dependent patients with β-thalassemia over the next 15 years. The present study, which is part of the pan-European initiative "Blood & Beyond", discusses current challenges and proposes structured activities with measurable outcomes to increase and sustain blood supply and optimize blood demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the factors that affect the acceptance of vaccines and especially those for COVID-19, in Greek primary healthcare workers (HCWs) and members of the general adult population of the city of Thessaloniki. METHOD The study was based on a self-reported questionnaire consisting of 29 questions. The first 13 questions were related to the demographic characteristics of the sample, and 16 questions were designed to evaluate the acceptance of vaccines in general and the COVID-19 vaccine in particular. Responses were collected from a sample of 235 adults. Associations were determined by Pearson’s Chi-square test. RESULTS Several factors affect the reluctance of HCWs and members of the general population to be vaccinated, among which age, gender, parenthood and job specialty were the main factors associated with hesitancy. Citizens were in favor of the compulsory vaccination for health professionals, while the majority of HCWs disagreed with this policy (p=0.019). Younger participants, especially unmarried citizens without children, reported that they do not trust the efficacy of the expert committee (p=0.0002) and the beneficial effects of the vaccines on public health (p=0.00001). The majority of the females reported that they do not trust the experts (p=0.0032). CONCLUSIONS The attitudes towards the vac)cination program of HCWs and the general population should be assessed by governments in order to plan strategies to manage hesitancy and gain the trust of the people and protect public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Vaccine hesitancy remains a major public health concern. The reasons behind this attitude are complex and warrant careful consideration, especially in the context of the COVID-19 era. The purpose of this study was to estimate vaccine hesitancy towards the established childhood immunization programmes in a non-random sample of Greek parents and explore possible links with important drivers of this phenomenon. (2) Methods: An online self-administered questionnaire was used from October 2020 to April 2021 to collect socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health status data and evaluate knowledge, views, and attitudes of the Greek population on COVID-19 pandemic-related issues. Parents were further asked to complete the Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) questionnaire. (3) Results: A total of 1095 parents participated in the study with a mean age of 50 years (SD 9.5 years). The hesitancy against the established childhood vaccinations was estimated at 8.9% (95% CI, 7.3–10.8%). Married status and higher education and income were negatively correlated with hesitancy, whereas positive correlations were found for stress and depressive symptoms and current smoking. Variables related to proper awareness, sound knowledge, and trust toward authorities regarding the COVID-19 pandemic were strongly associated with being less hesitant against the established childhood vaccination programmes. (4) Conclusion: The estimated parental hesitancy against the established childhood vaccination programmes is worrisome. Variables related to good awareness and knowledge of the COVID-19 pandemic were strongly associated with being less hesitant against childhood vaccinations. Since controversy surrounding COVID-19 vaccinations may decrease parents' confidence in routine childhood vaccinations, appreciating the complex reasons behind vaccine hesitancy may inform public health policies to overcome barriers and increase vaccine acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The primary goal of managing MSW incineration residues is to avoid any impact on human health or the environment. Incineration residues consist of bottom ash, which is generally considered as rather harmless and fly ash which usually contains compounds which are potentially harmful for public health. Small quantities of ash (both bottom and fly) are produced currently in Greece, mainly from the healthcare waste incineration facility in Attica region. Once incineration plants for MSW (currently under planning) are constructed in Greece, the produced ash quantities will increase highly. Thus, it is necessary to organize, already at this stage, a roadmap towards disposal/recovery methods of these ash quantities expected. Certain methods, related to the treatment of the future generated ash which are more appropriate to be implemented in Greece are highlighted in the present paper. The performed analysis offers a waste management approach, having 2016 as a reference year for two different incineration rates; 30% and 100% of the remaining MSW after recycling process. The results focus on the two greater regions of Greece: Attica and Central Macedonia. The quantity of potential future ash generation ranges from 137 to 459kt for Attica region and from 62 to 207kt for central Macedonia region depending on the incineration rate applied. Three alternative scenarios for the treatment of each kind of ash are compiled and analysed. Metal recovery and reuse as an aggregate in concrete construction proved to be the most advantageous -in terms of economy-bottom ash management scenario. Concerning management of the fly ash, chemical treatment with phosphoric solution addition results to be the lowest total treatment cost and is considered as the most profitable solution. The proposed methodology constitutes a safe calculation model for operators of MSW incineration plants regardless of the region or country they are located in. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The application of crop protection chemicals (CPCs) may involve hazardous techniques or processes which can lead to various occupational injuries and environmentally undesirable side effects. This paper reports on the actions and attitudes of 300 Greek farmers who used spraying equipment in an area of northern Greece. All the farmers were interviewed, and attempts were made to ascertain their knowledge of CPCs, and the practices they used with regard to them. Also described is the methodology used for identifying erroneous behaviour and malpractice among the farmers. The main objective was to identify the particular characteristics of those farmers who had appropriate knowledge about CPCs and were applying them properly and to compare these with the characteristics of the farmers who neither had knowledge about CPCs nor used proper application practices. The profiles of members of the two groups are outlined. Over 80% of the respondents reported taking the necessary safety precautions in applying CPCs, but, when questioned, up to 20% provided incorrect answers. Better regard to safety rules was seen among part-time farmers, those who had been spraying for more than 10 years, and those with larger farms. Spraying equipment was used correctly by farmers who had been spraying for more than 10 years and those cultivating less than 6 ha of land. These farmers were unlikely to be involved with European Union Agricultural Development Programmes, and there was no consistent relationship between farmers' education and age and protective and technical behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decarbonization of energy system requires the promotion of sustainable energy policies. Towards this direction, a holistic approach is required that is based on an in-depth analysis of the links related to the energy system transformation chain. Among others, implementing electrification of road transport is widely discussed, mainly to encounter climate change and environmental pollution in urban areas. This paper presents a methodological scheme to estimate environmental and social benefits (internalization of externalities) associated with the promotion of vehicle fleet electrification. Emphasis is given on urban scale, where electric vehicles have their main environmental advantage over conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. Demonstration of the applicability is performed for Greece, focusing on the three largest cities of the country. Reductions of energy consumption and emissions are estimated for two defined scenarios in the 2020–2050 period and the benefits to public are monetized. Among others, the scenario that intensively promotes electrification of vehicles, contributes to the avoidance of 10.200 Years of Life Lost due to premature mortality attributed to particulate pollution, saving more than 730 M€ as social benefit. These results can be used to assess the cost-benefit of energy and transport policies intended to promote vehicle fleet electrification in urban areas. • Methodology to estimate environmental and social benefits of fleet electrification. • Emphasis to urban scale, where electric vehicles present environmental advantages. • Application for the three largest cities of Greece: Athens, Thessaloniki, Patra. • 10.200 Years of Life Lost avoided associated to the intense penetration scenario. • The social benefit of electrification is estimated at the order of 730 M€. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to examine the costing / payment system applicable to public hospitals in the period before Covid-19 and compare it with adjustments implemented by the Greek Government because of Covid-19, both in payment methods and in the execution of its budgets. In addition, we tried to record the burden on hospitals with the extra costs caused by Covid-19 and how these affected the regular execution of their budget. Quantitative data were collected from a university hospital, which is one of 13 coronavirus reference centers in Greece. Data were collected from the Finance, Supply and Revenue pricing departments. All Greek hospitals have adopted Closed Consolidated Hospitalization -- Diagnosis Related Groups (KEN- DRGs) as the pricing system, based on the Australian DRGs. The findings revealed that, due to the inability of the KEN system to readily adjust to a health crisis and due to a lack of time to adapt to the new circumstances, Greek hospitals were called to implement a per-diem reimbursement system as a Covid-19 case pricing system. It was also found that the hospital, in order to keep providing its services for Covid-19 patients at the same pace, was required to incur a large amount of expenses. According to the results, the reimbursement system of public hospitals in no way reflects the actual Covid-19 costs and a reliable cost accounting system for calculating the actual cost per Covid-19 patient (based on actual costs and hospitalization data) is needed. Additionally, there is an evident and urgent need for optimization of the KEN system and its evolution into a more reliable costing/pricing system, such as that of the DRGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore factors that influence individuals' attitudes towards mandatory vaccination in Greece. Methods: A nationally representative cross‐sectional telephone survey was conducted via a random multistage selection process in October 2019 in Greece. The survey was designed to obtain information about whether vaccination should be mandated or not among adults 18 years of age or older. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to estimate the association between individuals' sociodemographic, contextual and clinical characteristics, utilization, satisfaction, and trust in the healthcare system and providers and their preference over mandatory vaccination. Results: A total of 901 participants fully completed the survey (response rate 90%‐901/1001). About 85% of the respondents supported mandatory vaccination. Individuals who used preventive services more often compared to those who never or rarely used such, those who reported increased trust in official healthcare authorities' guidelines and recommendations compared to those who reported no trust and those who had underage children living in the household were significantly more likely to support mandatory vaccination. No differences were observed for sociodemographic factors and mandatory vaccination support. Conclusion: This survey revealed that most Greek citizens support mandatory vaccination, which was critically affected by the utilization of preventive services and trust in healthcare authorities. Our results suggest that healthcare policy interventions should promote mandatory vaccination through multi‐level initiatives to improve healthcare providers' and the general public's understanding of the value of vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The primary aim of the programme was a minimum of a 5% weight reduction of the initial weight, while the secondary outcomes were a reduction in participants' body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), AUDIT-C score and an increase in the Mediterranean diet (MD) score and an improvement in physical activity levels. Methods: This 'before and after' study was a 10-week weight management (WM) programme and it was developed and delivered in community pharmacies in Patras chosen for convenience, thus consisting the first service of its type in Greece. The sample size was calculated (n = 96) based on the mean BMI for a Greek male and female individual, and the standard deviation (SD) of weight at baseline of 14 kg. Results: Nearly every participant enrolled in the 20 participating pharmacies, 97.4% (n = 114/117), achieved the programme's aim, losing at least 5% of their initial weight. The mean percentage of total weight loss of the 117 participants at the 10th week was 8.97% (SD 2.65), and the t-test showed statistically significant results (P-value < 0.001; 95% CI [8.48, 9.45]). A significant reduction in the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was observed in both male (P-value = 0.004) and female (P-value < 0.001) participants. The participants' BP and AUDIT-C score and physical activity levels significantly improved (P-value < 0.001), as well as their MD score. Conclusion: This study provides the first evidence that Greek pharmacists have the potential to play an important role within primary healthcare and that after training they are able to provide public health services for both the public's benefit and their clinical role enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews the measures implemented in Greece during the economic crisis, and assesses their degree of success in leading to the catharsis for the chronic problems of the country's health system. Topics discussed include the European health model, European Union health policy intervention, and impact of health care reforms on population health and quality of life.

Background: Overweight and obesity during childhood consist two of the most important public health issues in the 21st century. Consumption of high-fat processed food has been increased alarmingly.Objective: To examine the association between parental ultra-processed, high-fat products' consumption and childhood overweight/obesity.Methods: A cross-sectional survey, conducted among 422 children, aged 10-12 years, and their parents, during school years 2014-16. Parental and child data were collected through self-administered, anonymous and validated questionnaires. Among others, high-fat ultra-processed food consumption was also recorded. Children's weight status was based on gender- and age-specific tables derived from the International Obesity Task Force body mass index (BMI) cut-offs.Results: The prevalence of obesity in the reference population was 2.9%, whereas the prevalence of overweight was 19.3%. A strong correlation was observed between children's and their parents' BMI status (P < 0.001). Multi-adjusted data analysis revealed no association between parental intake of ultra-processed, high-fat products and children overweight/obesity. Similarly, when the data analysis accounted for family income and physical activity status of the children, the aforementioned results remained insignificant.Conclusion: Despite the fact that parents' specific dietary habits seem not to affect their children's weight status, public health programs should consider parental nutrition education and mobilization as a preventive measure for childhood overweight/obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]