Health-based civic engagement is a professional responsibility

Abstract

to circumvent the potential spread of COVID-19, had left 50 million children unimmunized 7 . Although the polio vaccination campaign resumed in July 2020, the number of polio cases (WPV1 and cVDPV2) had reached 219 in Pakistan and 364 in Afghanistan by the end of 2020 8 , which accounted for 47.5% of all global polio cases last year.Nevertheless, the emergence of 9 polio cases (1 WPV1, 8 cVDPV2) in Pakistan and 44 cases (1 WPV1, 43 cVDPV2) in Afghanistan between January and August 2021 8 indicates a sharp decline, with most of the cases being vaccine-derived. With only two cases of WPV1 in both countries, 2021 is on track to have the lowest toll of polio virus in a decade (Fig. 1). This reduction in polio may be attributed to efficient governmental interventions and improved awareness of vaccination among the general public.Amidst the fourth wave of COVID-19 and the potential threat of the Delta variant, Pakistan has prioritized polio vaccination campaigns and more than 40 million children have received two doses of the polio vaccine in 2021 9 . By contrast, Afghanistan is struggling to continue their polio vaccination campaigns 10 ; in part due to instability and the changing political dynamics of the country.Vaccine hesitancy in Pakistan and Afghanistan has been a considerable problem for polio eradication in the past. The widespread coverage and administration of COVID-19 vaccines around the world has increased awareness about the lifesaving effects of vaccines, and this has had an effect on public awareness in polio endemic countries. There remains a need for booster doses of polio vaccines, especially in the tropics. There is also a need to implement GPEI's "the switch" strategy to phase out the oral polio vaccine in routine immunizations, which may reduce vaccine-derived polio cases by more than 90%. Nevertheless, COVID-19 vaccination centers remain an ideal setting to increase awareness of polio vaccines, to protect the lives of children, and finally move towards eradication.

The Role of Primary Care in Advancing Civic Engagement and Health Equity: A Conceptual Framework

“…104 Civic engagement initiatives within primary care settings may also more directly improve civic outcomes. 17 Although primary care providers and CHWs may take on a more patient-facing role, primary care management and policymakers will need to play a part by incentivizing relevant initiatives, opportunities, and funding.…”

“…Calls for social justice and increasingly high-profile efforts to mobilize public support have occurred against the backdrop of accelerating efforts to restrict the political power of marginalized and minoritized communities, particularly Black and Indigenous people. 17 In 2013, the US Supreme Court struck down provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, the federal law that prevents systematic voter suppression. Since then, 20 states have passed laws to restrict or suppress voting.…”

“…[123][124][125] Civic engagement in all of its forms, including but not limited to voting, is a means to drive policy action on health issues, stimulate systemic change, and ultimately improve health. 17,25,104 These influences vary by demographics and health condition 25,76,79 and apply to physical, 20,67,84,126 mental, 20,82,84 and social health (i.e., the robustness of interpersonal and community relationships as well as support and capital within larger social networks). 25,75,85 However, opportunities for civic engagement differ on the basis of common social and structural determinants.…”

“…There are calls for health care providers to see civic health promotion as part of their role and responsibility. 17 Most commonly, civic health promotion has focused on voter registration. The National Voter Registration Act stipulates that any agency that provides services under public assistance programs must offer voter registration services (e.g., Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; Medicaid offices).…”

The relationship between health and political ideology begins in childhood

“…This misalignment between unhealthy constituencies and legislative policy has generated concern and calls for solutions among public health, medical professional, and public policy advocates since disparities in voice and power can exacerbate health disparities. ( Bajaj, Martin, & Stanford, 2021 ; Shannon Firth (Washington Correspondent), 2022 ).…”