Enhancing vitamin D levels in care homes: the role of healthy building design in preventing respiratory infections

IF 3.6 4区医学 Q1 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Journal of Public Health Pub Date : 2024-09-14 DOI:10.1093/pubmed/fdae254

Andi Andre Pratama Putra

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The recent article by Willcox et al. in the Journal of Public Health highlights the effectiveness of antiviral prophylaxis and high-dose vitamin D supplementation in reducing acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in care homes. This correspondence extends the discussion by emphasizing the critical role of healthy building design in enhancing vitamin D levels, which is vital for immune function and ARI prevention. Many care home residents suffer from vitamin D deficiency due to limited sunlight exposure. Incorporating architectural elements such as large windows, skylights, and outdoor spaces can significantly increase natural light exposure, thereby boosting vitamin D levels and potentially reducing ARI susceptibility. Despite the benefits of supplementation, addressing environmental factors through healthy building design offers a sustainable, long-term strategy that aligns with public health goals of preventive care and environmental sustainability. Prioritizing such design principles in care home planning and renovation can enhance residents’ health and resilience against infections like influenza and COVID-19.

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提高护理院的维生素 D 水平：健康建筑设计在预防呼吸道感染中的作用

Willcox 等人最近在《公共卫生杂志》上发表的文章强调了抗病毒预防和大剂量维生素 D 补充剂在减少护理院急性呼吸道感染 (ARI) 方面的有效性。这篇通讯扩展了这一讨论，强调了健康建筑设计在提高维生素 D 水平方面的关键作用，而维生素 D 对免疫功能和急性呼吸道感染的预防至关重要。由于日照时间有限，许多护理院居民都缺乏维生素 D。融入大窗户、天窗和户外空间等建筑元素可以显著增加自然光照射，从而提高维生素 D 水平，并有可能降低急性呼吸道感染的易感性。尽管补充维生素 D 有很多好处，但通过健康建筑设计来解决环境因素问题提供了一种可持续的长期策略，符合预防保健和环境可持续发展的公共卫生目标。在护理之家的规划和翻新中优先考虑此类设计原则，可以增强居住者的健康和抵御流感和 COVID-19 等感染的能力。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Public Health 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

7.40

自引率

2.30%

发文量

120

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Previous Title Zeitschrift für Gesundheitswissenschaften, Previous Print ISSN 0943-1853, Previous Online ISSN 1613-2238. The Journal of Public Health: From Theory to Practice is an interdisciplinary publication for the discussion and debate of international public health issues, with a focus on European affairs. It describes the social and individual factors determining the basic conditions of public health, analyzing causal interrelations, and offering a scientifically sound rationale for personal, social and political measures of intervention. Coverage includes contributions from epidemiology, health economics, environmental health, management, social sciences, ethics, and law. ISSN: 2198-1833 (Print) 1613-2238 (Online)