Georges Benjamin - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Georges Benjamin

Research paper thumbnail of The changing face of crises and aid in the Asia-Pacific

Biosecurity and bioterrorism : biodefense strategy, practice, and science

Both US foreign policy and global attention attest to the strategic, economic, and political impo... more Both US foreign policy and global attention attest to the strategic, economic, and political importance of Asia. Yet, the region faces urgent challenges that must be addressed if it is to remain stable and prosperous. The densely populated countries of the Asia-Pacific are beleaguered by poverty, population displacement, decreasing access to potable water and adequate sanitation, and high rates of disease morbidity and mortality. New and reemerging diseases known to have originated in Asia over the past decades have spread globally by international trade, tourism, worker migration, and agricultural exportation. Unremitting naturally occurring and man-made disasters have strained Southeast Asia's already fragile disaster and public health response infrastructures and the essential services they provide (eg, surveillance, vaccination, maternal and child health, and mental health programs). Following disasters, governments often contract with the broader humanitarian community (eg,...

Research paper thumbnail of The Threat of Smallpox: Eradicated But Not Erased: A Review of the Fiscal, Logistical and Legal Obstacles Impacting the Phase I Vaccination Program

Fears that terrorists may have the capabilities and intent to disseminate a variety of biologic a... more Fears that terrorists may have the capabilities and intent to disseminate a variety of biologic agents has once again brought smallpox into the American consciousness. On December 13, 2002, recognizing that the global discontinuation of routine smallpox vaccination over two decades ago had left most Americans unprotected and vulnerable to the ravaging affects of the virus, the President announced a precautionary measure to begin vaccinating teams of emergency responders. The program commenced January 24, 2003. In the ensuing months, public health departments scrambled to meet the goal of vaccinating approximately 500,000 first responders, a protected phalanx that could quickly and effectively contain a smallpox outbreak by tracking and vaccinating exposed individuals and their close contacts. However, a formidable obstacle to achieving this goal arose, because the smallpox vaccine had a known range of mild to serious (sometimes life-threatening) side effects. By January 31, 2004, on...

Research paper thumbnail of Integrating Social Determinants in Decision-Making Processes for Health: Insights from Conceptual Frameworks—the 3-D Commission

Journal of Urban Health, 2021

The inclusion of social determinants of health offers a more comprehensive lens to fully apprecia... more The inclusion of social determinants of health offers a more comprehensive lens to fully appreciate and effectively address health. However, decision-makers across sectors still struggle to appropriately recognise and act upon these determinants, as illustrated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, improving the health of populations remains challenging. This paper seeks to draw insights from the literature to better understand decision-making processes affecting health and the potential to integrate data on social determinants. We summarised commonly cited conceptual approaches across all stages of the policy process, from agenda-setting to evaluation. Nine conceptual approaches were identified, including two frameworks, two models and five theories. From across the selected literature, it became clear that the context, the actors and the type of the health issue are critical variables in decision-making for health, a process that by nature is

Research paper thumbnail of Disaster medicine and public health preparedness: a discipline for all health professionals

Disaster medicine and public health preparedness, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Report Authors

Research paper thumbnail of The World is Our Classroom

Research paper thumbnail of Collaborating for Increased Effectiveness: APHA, Its Sections and Affiliates

Research paper thumbnail of The Refugee Crisis in the Middle East and Public Health

American journal of public health, Jan 15, 2015

Unfortunately for public health, two months after this crucial moment in September 2015 in which ... more Unfortunately for public health, two months after this crucial moment in September 2015 in which the tragic death of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi brought the world's attention on the crisis, confusion still predominates about what is at stake and what needs to be done for the many thousands of refugees from the Middle East. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print October 15, 2015: e1-e2. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2015.302929).

Research paper thumbnail of Panel Discussion: Climate Change, Human Health and the Well-Being of Vulnerable Communities

Research paper thumbnail of Joint Center Convenes Experts on "Climate Change, Human Health and the Well-Being of Vulnerable Communities

Research paper thumbnail of Una alianza estratégica para ampliar el acceso a las comunidades hispanohablantes

Research paper thumbnail of Expanding access to Spanish-speaking communities: a critical partnership

American journal of public health, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring accreditation: striving for a consensus model

Journal of public health management and practice : JPHMP

Research paper thumbnail of Firearm-Related Injury and Death in the United States: A Call to Action From 8 Health Professional Organizations and the American Bar Association

Annals of Internal Medicine, 2015

Deaths and injuries related to firearms constitute a major public health problem in the United St... more Deaths and injuries related to firearms constitute a major public health problem in the United States. In response to firearm violence and other firearm-related injuries and deaths, an interdisciplinary, interprofessional group of leaders of 8 national health professional organizations and the American Bar Association, representing the official policy positions of their organizations, advocate a series of measures aimed at reducing the health and public health consequences of firearms. The specific recommendations include universal background checks of gun purchasers, elimination of physician "gag laws," restricting the manufacture and sale of military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines for civilian use, and research to support strategies for reducing firearm-related injuries and deaths. The health professional organizations also advocate for improved access to mental health services and avoidance of stigmatization of persons with mental and substance use disorders through blanket reporting laws. The American Bar Association, acting through its Standing Committee on Gun Violence, confirms that none of these recommendations conflict with the Second Amendment or previous rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Research paper thumbnail of Do we need a new law or regulation? The public health decision process

The Journal of law, medicine & ethics : a journal of the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 2002

New laws or regulations may not be a practical response to a public health threat. While in some ... more New laws or regulations may not be a practical response to a public health threat. While in some instances legislation or regulation may be the only alternative to protecting the public's health, in many situations public health authorities and their legal counsel must consider alternative approaches to abating threats. This article provides an overview of the alternatives available to the public health official by providing discussion of a "legal tool box" available to public health officials. It also presents scenarios, with commentary, that serve as the basis for illustration of other means of intervention.

Research paper thumbnail of The World is Our Classroom

Research paper thumbnail of Developing a consensus framework for an effective and efficient disaster response health system: a national call to action

Disaster medicine and public health preparedness, 2007

Eighteen national organizations, representing medicine, dentistry, nursing, hospital systems, pub... more Eighteen national organizations, representing medicine, dentistry, nursing, hospital systems, public health, and emergency medical services, have worked together to create a framework for a national and regional disaster response health system that is scalable, multidisciplinary, and seamless, and based on an all-hazards approach. In July 2005 and June 2006 the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Public Health Association (APHA) convened the AMA/APHA Linkages Leadership Summit, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under the Terrorism Injuries: Information Dissemination and Exchange (TIIDE) program. As cofacilitators, James J. James, MD, DrPH, MHA, director of the AMA Center for Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response, and Georges Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP(E), APHA executive director, met with leaders from 16 national medical, dental, hospital, nursing, hospital systems, public health, and emergency medical services organizations i...

Research paper thumbnail of Accreditation

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Final Recommendations for a Voluntary National Accreditation Program for State and Local Health Departments

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 2007

A recently released report of the Exploring Accreditation Project affirmatively answered the ques... more A recently released report of the Exploring Accreditation Project affirmatively answered the questions regarding the desirability and feasibility of establishing a national voluntary public health accreditation program. The report's recommendations were made after 10 months of inquiry from public health experts, elected officials, the general public health workforce, academicians, and other interested parties, more than 650 public health professionals in all. Recommendations regarding how such a program might be implemented insofar as its governance, principles for standards development, financing and incentives, and evaluation were included. The report provides a blueprint for establishing a national voluntary public health accreditation program. This article describes key aspects of the Steering Committee recommendations, with limited linkage to implementation strategies where relevant, in the four areas in which the project was designed. Details are provided in the final reports of the Steering Committee (www.exploringaccreditation.org) and in other articles in this issue.

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring Accreditation

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of The changing face of crises and aid in the Asia-Pacific

Biosecurity and bioterrorism : biodefense strategy, practice, and science

Both US foreign policy and global attention attest to the strategic, economic, and political impo... more Both US foreign policy and global attention attest to the strategic, economic, and political importance of Asia. Yet, the region faces urgent challenges that must be addressed if it is to remain stable and prosperous. The densely populated countries of the Asia-Pacific are beleaguered by poverty, population displacement, decreasing access to potable water and adequate sanitation, and high rates of disease morbidity and mortality. New and reemerging diseases known to have originated in Asia over the past decades have spread globally by international trade, tourism, worker migration, and agricultural exportation. Unremitting naturally occurring and man-made disasters have strained Southeast Asia's already fragile disaster and public health response infrastructures and the essential services they provide (eg, surveillance, vaccination, maternal and child health, and mental health programs). Following disasters, governments often contract with the broader humanitarian community (eg,...

Research paper thumbnail of The Threat of Smallpox: Eradicated But Not Erased: A Review of the Fiscal, Logistical and Legal Obstacles Impacting the Phase I Vaccination Program

Fears that terrorists may have the capabilities and intent to disseminate a variety of biologic a... more Fears that terrorists may have the capabilities and intent to disseminate a variety of biologic agents has once again brought smallpox into the American consciousness. On December 13, 2002, recognizing that the global discontinuation of routine smallpox vaccination over two decades ago had left most Americans unprotected and vulnerable to the ravaging affects of the virus, the President announced a precautionary measure to begin vaccinating teams of emergency responders. The program commenced January 24, 2003. In the ensuing months, public health departments scrambled to meet the goal of vaccinating approximately 500,000 first responders, a protected phalanx that could quickly and effectively contain a smallpox outbreak by tracking and vaccinating exposed individuals and their close contacts. However, a formidable obstacle to achieving this goal arose, because the smallpox vaccine had a known range of mild to serious (sometimes life-threatening) side effects. By January 31, 2004, on...

Research paper thumbnail of Integrating Social Determinants in Decision-Making Processes for Health: Insights from Conceptual Frameworks—the 3-D Commission

Journal of Urban Health, 2021

The inclusion of social determinants of health offers a more comprehensive lens to fully apprecia... more The inclusion of social determinants of health offers a more comprehensive lens to fully appreciate and effectively address health. However, decision-makers across sectors still struggle to appropriately recognise and act upon these determinants, as illustrated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, improving the health of populations remains challenging. This paper seeks to draw insights from the literature to better understand decision-making processes affecting health and the potential to integrate data on social determinants. We summarised commonly cited conceptual approaches across all stages of the policy process, from agenda-setting to evaluation. Nine conceptual approaches were identified, including two frameworks, two models and five theories. From across the selected literature, it became clear that the context, the actors and the type of the health issue are critical variables in decision-making for health, a process that by nature is

Research paper thumbnail of Disaster medicine and public health preparedness: a discipline for all health professionals

Disaster medicine and public health preparedness, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Report Authors

Research paper thumbnail of The World is Our Classroom

Research paper thumbnail of Collaborating for Increased Effectiveness: APHA, Its Sections and Affiliates

Research paper thumbnail of The Refugee Crisis in the Middle East and Public Health

American journal of public health, Jan 15, 2015

Unfortunately for public health, two months after this crucial moment in September 2015 in which ... more Unfortunately for public health, two months after this crucial moment in September 2015 in which the tragic death of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi brought the world's attention on the crisis, confusion still predominates about what is at stake and what needs to be done for the many thousands of refugees from the Middle East. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print October 15, 2015: e1-e2. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2015.302929).

Research paper thumbnail of Panel Discussion: Climate Change, Human Health and the Well-Being of Vulnerable Communities

Research paper thumbnail of Joint Center Convenes Experts on "Climate Change, Human Health and the Well-Being of Vulnerable Communities

Research paper thumbnail of Una alianza estratégica para ampliar el acceso a las comunidades hispanohablantes

Research paper thumbnail of Expanding access to Spanish-speaking communities: a critical partnership

American journal of public health, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring accreditation: striving for a consensus model

Journal of public health management and practice : JPHMP

Research paper thumbnail of Firearm-Related Injury and Death in the United States: A Call to Action From 8 Health Professional Organizations and the American Bar Association

Annals of Internal Medicine, 2015

Deaths and injuries related to firearms constitute a major public health problem in the United St... more Deaths and injuries related to firearms constitute a major public health problem in the United States. In response to firearm violence and other firearm-related injuries and deaths, an interdisciplinary, interprofessional group of leaders of 8 national health professional organizations and the American Bar Association, representing the official policy positions of their organizations, advocate a series of measures aimed at reducing the health and public health consequences of firearms. The specific recommendations include universal background checks of gun purchasers, elimination of physician "gag laws," restricting the manufacture and sale of military-style assault weapons and large-capacity magazines for civilian use, and research to support strategies for reducing firearm-related injuries and deaths. The health professional organizations also advocate for improved access to mental health services and avoidance of stigmatization of persons with mental and substance use disorders through blanket reporting laws. The American Bar Association, acting through its Standing Committee on Gun Violence, confirms that none of these recommendations conflict with the Second Amendment or previous rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Research paper thumbnail of Do we need a new law or regulation? The public health decision process

The Journal of law, medicine & ethics : a journal of the American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 2002

New laws or regulations may not be a practical response to a public health threat. While in some ... more New laws or regulations may not be a practical response to a public health threat. While in some instances legislation or regulation may be the only alternative to protecting the public's health, in many situations public health authorities and their legal counsel must consider alternative approaches to abating threats. This article provides an overview of the alternatives available to the public health official by providing discussion of a "legal tool box" available to public health officials. It also presents scenarios, with commentary, that serve as the basis for illustration of other means of intervention.

Research paper thumbnail of The World is Our Classroom

Research paper thumbnail of Developing a consensus framework for an effective and efficient disaster response health system: a national call to action

Disaster medicine and public health preparedness, 2007

Eighteen national organizations, representing medicine, dentistry, nursing, hospital systems, pub... more Eighteen national organizations, representing medicine, dentistry, nursing, hospital systems, public health, and emergency medical services, have worked together to create a framework for a national and regional disaster response health system that is scalable, multidisciplinary, and seamless, and based on an all-hazards approach. In July 2005 and June 2006 the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Public Health Association (APHA) convened the AMA/APHA Linkages Leadership Summit, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under the Terrorism Injuries: Information Dissemination and Exchange (TIIDE) program. As cofacilitators, James J. James, MD, DrPH, MHA, director of the AMA Center for Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response, and Georges Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP(E), APHA executive director, met with leaders from 16 national medical, dental, hospital, nursing, hospital systems, public health, and emergency medical services organizations i...

Research paper thumbnail of Accreditation

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Final Recommendations for a Voluntary National Accreditation Program for State and Local Health Departments

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 2007

A recently released report of the Exploring Accreditation Project affirmatively answered the ques... more A recently released report of the Exploring Accreditation Project affirmatively answered the questions regarding the desirability and feasibility of establishing a national voluntary public health accreditation program. The report's recommendations were made after 10 months of inquiry from public health experts, elected officials, the general public health workforce, academicians, and other interested parties, more than 650 public health professionals in all. Recommendations regarding how such a program might be implemented insofar as its governance, principles for standards development, financing and incentives, and evaluation were included. The report provides a blueprint for establishing a national voluntary public health accreditation program. This article describes key aspects of the Steering Committee recommendations, with limited linkage to implementation strategies where relevant, in the four areas in which the project was designed. Details are provided in the final reports of the Steering Committee (www.exploringaccreditation.org) and in other articles in this issue.

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring Accreditation

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 2007