Research suggests that people are more likely to adhere to health-related recommendations if they believe that the disease is severe, that they are susceptible to infection or that health authorities are trustworthy
Research also indicates that emotional appeals, compared to logical appeals, are more memorable and more likely to stimulate people to seek out health-related information.
Risk communication should contain a balance of assuring and fear-induced information. Rumor surveillance by health authorities is important in the early detection and correction of misinformation and misunderstanding.
To prevent people perception from being biased by rumors, people must limit their exposure to news coverage and give more credence to the advice and warning from the website of health authorities.
Treating pandemic related immotional distress:
The situation is challenging during pandemics due to an increase in sick people and healthcare shortage due to illness.
The situation is challenging during pandemics due to an increase in sick people and healthcare shortage due to illness.
A program primarily designed to treat post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 2005 after London terrorist bombings is helpful to implement during pandemics. A dedicated 24 hour help line was established that provided general advice and to refer callers to a screening team.
People with pre-existing mental health problems where either referred back to their treatment provider or for appropriate treatment. Those with mental health problems arising since the bombings were assessed for suitability trauma focused treatment.
The goal was to target cases in which symptoms to be persistent. In some other cases a questionnaire was made to determine if the situation of the patient require a transfer to a specialist. This way patient are screened by primary care to save specialists for difficult cases.
Examples of disorders meriting clinical attention include major depression triggered by loss of loved ones or anxiety triggered by uncertainty during pandemics.
STRESS MANAGEMENT ADVICE FOR THE PUBLIC:
Stay informed about how to keep safe. Keep things in perspective, things will get better. Keep a healthy life style and have a plan to cope yourself and family members and a plan for how you might care for a sick family member.
Stay informed about how to keep safe. Keep things in perspective, things will get better. Keep a healthy life style and have a plan to cope yourself and family members and a plan for how you might care for a sick family member.
Communicate with your children, discuss the pandemic in an open, age appropriate manner. Maintain social network which can be a valuable way of sharing feelings and relieving stress.
HELPING THE HELP:
Health care workers are at high risk of infection, they overwork, can suffer from fatigue due to exposure to deaths on mass scale and the inability to save lives. They are under threat of violence from people seeking care in a limited medical resource.
Health care workers are at high risk of infection, they overwork, can suffer from fatigue due to exposure to deaths on mass scale and the inability to save lives. They are under threat of violence from people seeking care in a limited medical resource.
Conclusion about pandemics:
There will be widespread pro social behavior but also incidents of civil unrest and even rioting. Things are likely to be turbulent, complicated and unpredictable.
There will be widespread pro social behavior but also incidents of civil unrest and even rioting. Things are likely to be turbulent, complicated and unpredictable.
A new generation of studies is required to find ways of improving adherence to vaccination and hygiene. Research weather it is feasible to develop community wide methods to reduce xenophobia and other forms of discrimination that occur when people are threatened with infection.
Most of the findings and health programs discussed come from the western world and to some extent from Asia and Africa. Further research is needed to determine weather the findings can be generalized to other places in the developing world that have not yet been investigated.
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