Corrigendum: How Can Schools of Public Health Actively Promote Peace?

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2021.1604459.].

Correction to: ASPHER statement on racism and health: racism and discrimination obstruct public health's pursuit of health equity.

Authors would like to correct the error in author names spotted in their original publication. Naomi Limaro corrected to Naomi Limaro NATHAN and Rhanjeet Dhonkal corrected to Ranjeet Dhonkal by this correction article.

Brexit threatens the UK's ability to tackle illicit drugs and organised crime: What needs to happen now?

BACKGROUND: The decision by the UK government to leave the European Union comes at a time when parts of the UK are experiencing a marked rise in reported gun and knife crimes. The health effects of Brexit will have serious consequences as to how the UK tackles this upsurge in drug-related crime. HEALTH POLICY PROCESSES: The UK's future participation with the EU's specialised agencies will depend on the detail of any agreement reached on future collaboration with the EU and its drug agency, the EMCDDA. CONTEXT: The EMCDDA provides the EU and its Member States with a factual overview of European drug problems and a solid evidence base to support debates on drugs policies. It also supports early warning initiatives and coordinates measures at national and supranational levels with Europol and supranational enforcement agencies. EXPECTED OUTCOMES: While these arrangements might continue throughout any transition period, those working within the sector require guidance and assurances from the British government about its long-term intentions after any transition. CONCLUSIONS: The scale of collaboration between the UK and European institutions is extensive. It is not clear how this might be replicated after Brexit. Yet an alternative framework of collaboration between the UK and the EU is clearly needed to facilitate shared and agreed approaches to data sharing and drug surveillance after Brexit.

Effects of Nicotinamide and Lanthanum Carbonate on Serum Phosphate and Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 in CKD: The COMBINE Trial.

BACKGROUND: Higher serum phosphate and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) levels may be modifiable to prevent cardiovascular disease in CKD. Short-term studies have reported modest efficacy in phosphate and FGF23 reduction with intestinal phosphate binders in CKD. METHODS: To investigate effects of lanthanum carbonate (LC; a phosphate binder) and/or nicotinamide (NAM; an inhibitor of active intestinal phosphate transport) on serum phosphate and FGF23 in stage 3b/4 CKD, we conducted a randomized trial among individuals with eGFR 20-45 ml/min per 1.73 m2 to NAM (750 mg twice daily) plus LC (1000 mg thrice daily), NAM plus LC placebo, LC plus NAM placebo, or double placebo for 12 months. Dual primary end points were change from baseline in serum phosphate and intact FGF23 concentrations. RESULTS: Mean eGFR for the 205 participants was 32ml/min per 1.73 m2. At baseline, serum phosphate was 3.7 mg/dl and median FGF23 was 99 pg/ml (10th, 90th percentiles: 59, 205). Mean rates of change in phosphate increased slightly over 12 months in all groups and did not differ significantly across arms. Similarly, percent changes in FGF23 per 12 months increased for all arms except LC plus placebo, and did not differ significantly across arms. Gastrointestinal symptoms limited adherence. Adverse events rates were similar across arms. CONCLUSIONS: LC and/or NAM treatment did not significantly lower serum phosphate or FGF23 in stage 3b/4 CKD over 12 months. Although these agents appeared safe, intestinal symptoms limited adherence. Reducing phosphate and FGF23 in nondialysis CKD will require new approaches.

Law enforcement and public health: recognition and enhancement of joined-up solutions.

Public security and law enforcement have a crucial but often largely unacknowledged role in protecting and promoting public health. Although the security sector is a key partner in many specific public health programmes, its identity as an important part of the public health endeavour is rarely recognised. This absence of recognition has resulted in a generally inadequate approach to research and investigation of ways in which law enforcement, especially police at both operational and strategic levels, can be effectively engaged to actively promote and protect public health as part of a broader multisectoral public health effort. However, the challenge remains to engage police to consider their role as one that serves a public health function. The challenge consists of overcoming the continuous and competitive demand for police to do so-called policing, rather than serve a broader public health function-often derogatively referred to as social work. This Series paper explores the intersect between law enforcement and public health at the global and local levels and argues that public health is an integral aspect of public safety and security. Recognition of this role of public health is the first step towards encouraging a joined-up approach to dealing with entrenched social, security, and health issues.

Public health in England in 2016-the health of the public and the public health system: a review.

Background: This article describes the current state of the health of the public in England and the state of the public health professional service and systems. Sources of data: Data sources are wide ranging including the Global Burden of Disease, the Commonwealth Fund and Public Health England reports. Areas of agreement: There is a high burden of preventable disease and unacceptable inequalities in England. There is considerable expectation that there are gains to be made in preventing ill health and disability and so relieving demand on healthcare. Areas of controversy: Despite agreement on the need for prevention, the Government has cut public health budgets by a cumulative 10% to 2020. Public health professionals broadly supportive of remaining in the EU face an uphill battle to retain health, workplace and environmental protections following the 'Leave' vote. Growing points and areas timely for developing research: There is revitalized interest in air pollution. Extreme weather events are testing response and organizational skills of public health professionals and indicating the need for greater advocacy around climate change, biodiversity and protection of ecological systems. Planetary health and ecological public health are ideas whose time has certainly come.