Should the Pertussis Case Definition for Public Health Reporting Be Refined?

How should public health policy be developed? A case study in European public health.

BACKGROUND Article 129 of the Treaty of Rome (as amended at Maastricht) gave new powers to the European Union (EU) institutions to develop and implement public health programmes at EU level. The authors were invited by the cabinet of Commissioner Flynn to assist the Commission by developing new policy proposals in certain specific areas. METHODS The approach was agreed with officials of the P...

Massive haemoptysis: the definition should be revised.

We thank L. Mascitelli and colleagues for their interesting comments about the role of the renin–angiotensin system in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Our review [1] was intended to provide guidance on current established therapies rather than consider potential future treatment options and hence we did not include a comment relevant to this interesting but, as yet, unproven treat...

The Public Health Responsibility Deal: how should such a complex public health policy be evaluated?

BACKGROUND The Public Health Responsibility Deal (RD) in England was launched in 2011 as a public-private partnership which aims to 'tap into the potential for businesses and other influential organisations to make a significant contribution to improving public health by helping us to create this environment'. It has come under criticism from public health advocates and others, who have suggest...

Should the media be condemned for reporting on individual suicides?

Science Should Be in the Public Domain

Variants of avian influenza H5N1 virus that are transmitted by the airborne route among ferrets have been identified. The National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity has advised against publication of the details of the methods used to obtain these viruses and the amino acid changes that lead to transmission in ferrets. This decision is not based on sound scientific principles and risks set...