Availability Of Health Resources Research Articles

Global Resurgence of Measles in the Vaccination Era and Influencing Factors

ObjectiveRecent years have seen increased cases of measles despite widespread vaccination. We examine potential drivers behind the resurgence of measles. MethodsWe analyze the trends in measles incidence and vaccine coverage from 2010 to 2019 across World Health Organization (WHO) member countries using country-level linear regression models. We compute Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (ρ) between measles incidence and socioeconomic and vaccination-related variables using published data from the WHO member countries to identify key factors influencing measles incidence. ResultsBetween 2010 and 2019, global measles cases fluctuated with a notable rise in 2019 (measles cases per million in 2019 was about 140% higher than in 2010), alongside a declining vaccination coverage in many countries (59 out of 194 countries). Among 10 socioeconomic factors examined, per-capita national gross income, population literacy, urban residences, and political stability were significantly associated with measles incidence (ρ < 0, and P-value <0.05 for all these variables). These factors likely reflect the quality of public health infrastructure (e.g., access to vaccines), particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). In addition, stratified analysis suggests vaccine hesitancy likely contributed to measles case increases in high- and upper-middle income countries (HIC & UMIC). ConclusionThe socioeconomic determinants of measles transmission are interconnected and region-specific. Availability of public health resources and political stability significantly influence measles burdens in LMIC, while vaccine hesitancy presents a unique challenge to measles elimination in HIC and UMIC.

Sexual and reproductive health and rights through a screen: on technology and accessibility in the Arab region

Abstract In the Arab Region, the availability of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) resources is hindered by structural sociocultural barriers. In response to these challenges, youth and activists have turned to digital platforms such as websites, blogs, and social media accounts to improve access to SRHR information and services. The coalescence of such digital platforms has created a complimentary social space that exists to improve the sought for an equal, accessible, and empowering SRHR environment. Drawing from Asef Bayat’s concept of social non-movements, this research analyzes SRHR in repressive and conservative settings within the Arab region. The methodology employed includes a digital ethnography on SRHR-related online platforms and an online anonymous survey with young Arab individuals. Through the analysis, it becomes evident that online mobilization efforts may be framed as social non-movements and the role of such digital platforms is imperative to the improvement of youth’s SRHR. Recommendations for improvement include prioritizing comprehensive sexuality education through reformation of curricula, normalizing SRHR and engaging communities in locally and culturally sensitive discourses, disseminating SRHR through media and outreach programs, enhancing accessibility and support, creating more cohesive networks of support and knowledge, and promoting trusted SRHR services and platforms. The coupling between the online space, which has proven to fill in gaps that exist socially, with the formal healthcare system is bound to produce strides in the advocacy for gender equality and equitable access to healthcare in the region.

The Impact of School Environment on Student Health Behaviors: Insights from Qualitative Interviews

The relationship between the school environment and student health behaviors is increasingly pertinent amidst rising health concerns among youths. This qualitative study, conducted across diverse socioeconomic backgrounds in Vietnam, explores the multifaceted influences of school settings on the health behaviors of students. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions involving students, teachers, parents, and administrators from three schools, each representing urban, suburban, and rural settings. The study identified key factors within schools' physical and social environments that significantly impact health behaviors. These include the availability and condition of physical facilities, the nutritional quality of food offered, peer influences, teacher engagement in health education, and the availability of mental health resources. Socioeconomic factors and cultural attitudes towards health and education also emerged as significant determinants. The findings suggest that improvements in physical resources, enhanced teacher training in health education, standardized healthy food offerings, and greater availability of mental health services are critical for fostering healthier behaviors among students. This study underscores the need for holistic policy interventions tailored to diverse educational settings to promote overall student health.

Breaking Barriers: Unraveling the Connection between Mental Health Literacy, Attitudes towards Mental Illness, and Self-Stigma of Psychological Help-Seeking in University Students

Despite the high prevalence of mental health difficulties during the period of emerging adulthood and the availability of mental health resources, young adults are reluctant to seek professional psychological help. A significant contributor to this treatment gap is the inadequate levels of mental health literacy (MHL). The present study aimed to investigate the association between MHL with attitudes toward mental illness and the self-stigma of seeking psychological treatment among university students. The sample consisted of 485 university students (24.5% males, 75.5% females) with a mean age of 19.54 years (SD = 1.45) drawn from a regional university in Greece. MHL, attitudes towards severe mental illness, and self-stigma of help-seeking were assessed using the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS), the Attitudes towards Severe Mental Illness (ASMI), and the Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale (SSOSH), respectively. MHLS was positively correlated with three out of four subscales of ASMI, namely stereotyping, optimism, and coping, and negatively related to SSOSH. Multivariate linear regression analysis adjusting for various confounders showed that students with higher MHL were more likely to report non-stigmatizing attitudes towards mental illness and lower self-stigma of help-seeking from mental health professionals. According to our findings, higher MHL was related to more positive views regarding mental illness and lower self-stigma of help-seeking. To lessen the self-stigma of seeking professional help, MHL must be addressed as an important component of psychoeducational interventions at universities aiming to support students’ help-seeking intentions and practices.

Family health assessment in Ifugao, Philippines: a baseline study for Health In-tervention Program

A study was conducted to assess the health status of families in selected communities in Ifugao, Philippines. Interviews were done using a guide questionnaire adopted from the Family Health Management Manual for Nursing Students by Lydia Capistrano-Viet. The findings showed that the majority of households are nuclear, consisting of 5–10 people, and have an average monthly family income of 5,000–10,000 Philippine peso. The majority of the families possessed their own lots and homes made of wood and concrete, with enough space for the entire family. The majority of them disposed of their trash by burning it or giving it to animals. Nearly majority of them feature closed drainage systems and flush toilets. The majority reported that their homes lacked bug and rodent breeding grounds and shared a water supply. Additionally, they felt that their families' health was good as they had only experienced colds and the common cold over the previous six months. As shown by the fact that all of the respondents visit doctors and the health center for their medical requirements, 80% of them have complete immunization records. More or less seventy percent of people said they also follow healthy habits. The findings also demonstrate the availability of transportation, communication, and health resources in the neighborhood. A health intervention program aimed at enhancing the health and well-being of family clients in the community will be developed based on the study's findings.

The COVID-19 pandemic and OBGYN residency training: We have a problem and it’s not just masks

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has left no one untouched. Resident trainees have been driven to reconsider virtually every component of their daily lives. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) residency training and education.MethodsA cross-sectional pilot study was conducted between 2/2022 and 5/2022. A survey was created and distributed to OBGYN residents. The survey queried the effects of the pandemic on OBGYN residents’ procedure skills training and mental health.ResultsA total of 95 OBGYN residents across programs affiliated with each American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) district participated in the survey. Among them, just over half (n = 52, 55%) self-identified as under-represented minorities. A significant majority, 80% (n = 81), felt their gynecological training was inadequate, with 70% of fourth-year residents expressing a lack of confidence in their ability to independently practice gynecology after graduation. This lack of confidence among fourth-year residents suggests a notable disparity in readiness for independent gynecological practice, linked to meeting ACGME requirements before completing their residency (p = 0.013). Among the residents who reported a negative impact of the pandemic on their mental health (n = 76, 80%), about 40% (n = 31) had contemplated self-harm or knew a colleague who considered or attempted suicide (p < 0.001). This issue was especially pronounced in residents experiencing burnout (n = 44, 46%), as nearly half (n = 19, 43%) reported suicidal thoughts or knew someone in their program who had such thoughts or engaged in self-harm (p = 0.048).ConclusionsResidents expressed concerns about reduced hands-on gynecological training and doubts about their readiness for independent practice post-residency, highlighting the need for enhanced support through mentorship and revised training curriculums. Additionally, despite the availability of mental health resources to address pandemic-induced burnout, their underuse suggests a need for more accessible time for residents to use at their discretion and flexible training schedules that encourage mental health support resource utilization.

Artificial Neural Network Prediction Model for Maternal Health Services Quality in Nigeria

This study presents an innovative approach in predicting the quality of maternal health services in Nigeria using artificial neural networks (ANNs). It focuses on a binary classification task in categorizing maternal health services facilities into "High_Quality" and "Low_Quality" classes. Dataset was collected from diverse healthcare facilities in Nigeria through a WHO Health Resources and Services Availability Monitoring System (HeRAMS) cross sectional-survey report. The collected data was preprocessed; the ANN architecture was developed and trained using back-propagation method. The network was modeled using feed-forward modeling approach with 16 variables at the input layer, 2 hidden layers of 65 and 55 neurons each, and an output of 2 neurons. Hence, 87.17% accuracy with only 2.48% deviation at the 50 epoch was achieved. The model's performance was evaluated using standard metrics of accuracy (87%), precision (88%), recall (89%), and F1-score (88%) to assess its ability to accurately classify maternal health services facilities. The findings of the study can have significant implications to policymakers, healthcare providers, and maternal health advocates to optimize healthcare resources and achieve better maternal health outcomes in Nigeria. Data availability, potential biases in the data, and the subjective nature of some quality-related indicators were acknowledged as limitations. However, despite these challenges, the ANN classification model remains a valuable tool for supporting decision-making in maternal healthcare facility delivery service in Nigeria. Artificial neural network, Binary classification, Health services, Maternal health, Predictive modeling

Management of suicidal risk in the emergency department: A clinical pathway using the computerized adaptive screen for suicidal youth.

Given the critical need for efficient and tailored suicide screening for youth presenting in the emergency department (ED), this study establishes validated screening score thresholds for the Computerized Adaptive Screen for Suicidal Youth (CASSY) and presents an example of a suicide risk classification pathway. Participants were primarily from the Study One derivation cohort of the Emergency Department Screen for Teens at Risk for Suicide (ED-STARS) enrolled in collaboration with Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Networks (PECARN). CASSY scores corresponded to the predicted probabilities of a suicide attempt in the next 3 months and risk thresholds were classified as minimal (<1%), low (1%-5%), moderate (5%-10%), and high (>10%). CASSY scores were compared to risk thresholds derived from clinical consensus and ED complaints and dispositions. CASSY risk thresholds were also examined as predictors of future suicide attempts in the Study Two validation cohort of ED-STARS. A total of 1452 teens were enrolled with a median age of 15.2 years, 59.5% were female, 55.6% were White, 22% were Black, 22.3% were Latinx, and 42.8% received public assistance. The clinical consensus suicide risk groups were strongly associated with the CASSY-predicted risk thresholds. Suicide attempts in the Study Two cohort occurred at a frequency consistent with the CASSY-predicted thresholds. The CASSY can be a valuable tool in providing patient-specific risk probabilities for a suicide attempt at 3 months and tailor the threshold cutoffs based on the availability of local mental health resources. We give an example of a clinical risk pathway, which should include segmentation of the ED population by medical versus psychiatric chief complaint.

Waitlist management in child and adolescent mental health care: A scoping review

Background: Although many mental health disorders first emerge during early childhood or adolescence, there is a significant gap between demand and availability of mental health resources, leading to long waitlists for services. Objective: The objective of this scoping review was to identify and characterize the research literature related to the range of waitlist management strategies that have been implemented in outpatient child and adolescent mental health care. Methods: Electronic databases reviewed included: Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), PubMed, PsychINFO, SCOPUS, CINAHL, and ISI Web of Science. Grey literature databases included: OpenGrey, Conference Papers Index, and Proquest Digital Dissertations. Articles were screened by two reviewers in two steps: first by title and abstract, then full text level.Data were extracted using an a-priori developed data extraction framework, which was piloted and modified iteratively. Results: A total of 119 papers related to waitlist interventions in child and adolescent mental health were reviewed. Of these 119 papers, 11% were reviews, summary, or theoretical papers; 8% used a randomized control trial design and 2.5% were trial protocols. Most studies used less rigorous designs, such as uncontrolled before-and- after designs. The large majority focused on just one waitlist strategy each. The most commonly used approaches included: prioritization/triage and initial assessment; brief consultation and advice or brief therapy approaches; group-based models; interim services; increasing capacity; and strategies to decrease non-attendance. Most studies were conducted in the United Kingdom or Canada. Discussion: While mental health systems are complex, most studies examining waitlist initiatives explored the implementation of single initiatives. It is unlikely that a single waitlist strategy can be effective in managing wait times for children’s mental health. Rather, consistent and systemic approaches to address wait times that consider the impact of the reduction approach on the patient, the program, and the community are needed.

Women’s use of online health and social media resources to make sense of their polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis: a qualitative study

BackgroundWith the growing availability of online health resources and the widespread use of social media to better understand health conditions, people are increasingly making sense of and managing their health conditions using resources beyond their health professionals and personal networks. However, where the condition is complex and poorly understood, this can involve extensive “patient work” to locate, interpret and test the information available. The overall purpose of this study was to investigate how women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) across two healthcare systems engage with online health resources and social media to better understand this complex and poorly understood lifelong endocrine disorder.MethodsA semi-structured interview study was conducted with women from the US (N=8\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$N=8$$\\end{document}) and UK (N=7\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$N=7$$\\end{document}) who had been diagnosed with PCOS within the previous five years. Transcribed data was analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis method.ResultsWe highlight the information needs and information-seeking strategies women use to make sense of how PCOS affects them, to gain emotional support, and to help them find an effective treatment. We also show how women with PCOS use online health and social media resources to compare themselves to women they view as “normal” and other women with PCOS, to find their sense of “normal for me” along a spectrum of this disorder.ConclusionWe draw on previous models of sense-making and finding normal for other complex and sensitive health conditions to capture the nuances of making sense of PCOS. We also discuss implications for the design and use of social media to support people managing PCOS.

Evaluation of National Health Insurance Program Policies by Ketapang District Health Social Security Administration Body

This research aims to evaluate the process of implementing the National Health Insurance program policy by the Ketapang District Health Social Security Administering Agency, based on a compliance perspective relating to compliance with implementing agents, implementation of policies and facilities and resources, and based on what happening Perspective, which is related to factors that influence implementation and short-term outcomes. The results of this research show that the Evaluation of the National Health Insurance program policy implementation process by the Ketapang District Health Social Security Administration Agency has yet to be implemented optimally. This can be seen from the following indicators: Compliance perspective, which includes compliance by policy implementing agents, has not been carried out objectively according to regulations and is not by standards and procedures established by policy. Policy implementationNational Health Insurance Program by the Ketapang District Health Social Security Administering Agency has not been able to improve the quality of health services in Ketapang Regency, the availability of health facilities and resources has not met the criteria for capitation payment norms, and there is a lack of health workers both in terms of quality and quality. Meanwhile, the What is Happening Perspective includes factors that influence the implementation of policies, namely the actors involved, clarity of policy objectives, program complexity, support from all units involved, and other factors such as human resources, which include the quality and quantity and weak authority and legitimacy of health workers and short-term results have not been achieved due to contact data on the online application of the Social Security Administering Agency for Health.

Development of a Reliable Information System for Medical Device Inventory in Hospitals: A Systematic Literature Review

Developing an information system for medical equipment inventory in hospitals not only includes technical aspects but also involves an in-depth understanding of the operational needs of the hospital itself. By utilizing the latest technology, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), and efficient data integration, hospitals can ensure that the information systems developed can adapt to the dynamics of future technological needs and developments. This study aimed to explore the development of a reliable information system for inventory of medical equipment in hospitals. The literature search process was carried out on various databases (PubMed, Web of Sciences, EMBASE, Cochrane Libraries, and Google Scholar) regarding the development of a reliable information system for the inventory of medical devices in hospitals. This study follows the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) recommendations. Developing an information system for medical device inventory in hospitals is a crucial step in improving the efficiency, availability, and management of health resources. Developing an information system for medical device inventory in hospitals is not just about recording and monitoring but also providing a holistic solution to improve operational efficiency and patient service.

Health Resource Gaps in Primary Health Care Facilities: Community Members’ Perspectives in the Era of Universal Health Coverage in Lawra Municipality, Ghana

Background. Health resources are key determinants of healthcare coverage. Community members who utilise healthcare have significant insights into the availability of health resources in providing healthcare. Aim. This study sought to explore community (health committee) members’ perspectives on health resource gaps in lower-level health facilities in the municipality. Methods. The qualitative descriptive study explored the perspectives of community members who served on the health committee. Thirty-four community health committee members at community-based health planning and services (CHPS) compounds, maternity-unit CHPS, and health centres were studied. Results. The study found three high-level categories of resource gaps deemed relevant to community members—infrastructural gaps, equipment gaps, and safety-quality gaps. Conclusion and Recommendation. There are perceived gaps in health resources from the community members’ perspective. It is recommended that the Lawra Municipal Health Directorate and other health directorates with similar health resource challenges take steps to fill health resource gaps to ensure universal health coverage.

Towards successful implementation of public health research into practice: Experiences and lessons learned from EDUCATE

BackgroundThe English schools-based human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme is routinely offered to all young people aged 12–13 years. The EDUCATE lesson was developed to overcome barriers to uptake related to unmet information needs by providing young people with information and answering questions they may have about the HPV vaccine. The resource comprises a PowerPoint presentation, interspersed with five short films and a guidance document for professionals delivering the lesson. Adopting public health research into practice is challenging and few papers describe the process. This paper reports the initial use of the EDUCATE resource in schools and the process involved in supporting wider implementation. Study designImplementation and knowledge mobilisation. MethodsFive secondary schools supported implementation of the EDUCATE resource. Delivery took place during April and December 2022 and was observed in four schools, with feedback obtained from two school staff members and 15 young people. Alongside this, meetings were held with over 80 stakeholders with the aim of identifying possible policy levers to encourage use of the EDUCATE resource, and to enhance understanding of how wider scale and sustained impact can be achieved. ResultsOverall, the resource was positively received by school staff and young people engaged well during the lesson. As a result of the stakeholder networking activities, the research team worked with the Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Association to adapt the materials to meet their Quality Assessment and incorporate elements, such as more interactive activities, requested during the implementation study. ConclusionThe EDUCATE resource has the potential to change practice by enhancing information provision about the HPV vaccine in schools and supporting young people nationally to make informed decisions. Key learnings from the project include the importance of integrating input from target users at all stages of the research process, pragmatism in relation to evaluation research designs, and incentivising researchers to undertake translation activities through further funding and a greater focus on impact. Together, these can help facilitate the availability of public health resources and their adoption into ‘real-world’ practice.

Utilisation of Maternal Health Services and its Impact on Maternal Mortality Rate: A Case for KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Despite several strategies in place in South Africa and globally to prevent maternal mortality and morbidity, maternal deaths remain high, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and lower to middle-income countries. The aim of the study was to identify the challenges that lead to pregnant women’s delays in seeking antenatal care (ANC) early and to find strategies to prevent such delays, contributing to a reduction of maternal deaths in South Africa. The study was conducted in two phases. Phase one analysed data on maternal deaths collected by the District Health Information System (DHIS) of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health from all 11 districts over a 10-year period (2009–2019). The data on maternal deaths revealed that there was a very high maternal mortality rate; between 800 and 1 780 per 100 000 live births. This correlated with very low antenatal visits; between 695–895 per 100 000 live births. In phase two, a literature review was conducted using several computer-assisted databases, bibliographies and websites to identify and source current policies. The literature review presents causes of delay in seeking ANC and strategies to prevent maternal deaths. Recommendations were made to consider strengthening education and awareness related to family planning; women empowerment through community health programmes and change in healthcare providers’ behaviours and attitudes; ensuring availability of maternal health resources; and developing strategies to ensure that the ANC services delivered are in line with the South African Department of Health Guidelines.

Prospective analysis of a TRD cohort over a 1-year follow-up with standard of care in Mexico: results for depression severity, treatment response, disability and QoL from the multicenter, observational TRAL Study

Introduction: Based on TRAL Mexico subsample, clinical outcomes and Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) are reported here. Methods: From 697 patients with MDD recruited from 14 Mexican sites, 140 patients with diagnosis of TRD under standard of care (SOC) were included in the 1-year follow-up. Patients with relevant psychiatric comorbidities or active participation in a clinical trial were excluded. Outcomes were obtained from PROs and clinical assessment scales. Results: Patients were mostly female (82.6%), with a mean age of 47.6 years. Only 44.3% of the patients achieved a clinical response, and remission was around 37% (measured through MADRS). Results from PHQ-9, EQ-5D and SDS show significant symptoms and disability for TRD patients in their everyday life after 1-year of follow-up with SOC. Discussion: TRD patients showed a significant burden of the disease, as current SOC fails to deliver clinically meaningful results for the majority of the patients. Response, remission and relapse are far from the desired outcomes Conclusion: Mexico has undertaken relevant and meaningful strategies to improve mental health resources availability, but some unmet needs are yet to be addressed. All involved stakeholders should consider public policies to enhance clinical outcomes and availability of resources.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Behavioral Health Screening and Follow-Up Services in Pediatric Trauma Centers Across the United States.

Over 120,000 U.S. children are hospitalized for traumatic injury annually, a major risk factor for behavioral health problems such as acute/posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Pediatric trauma centers (PTCs) are well positioned to address the recent mandate by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma to screen and refer for behavioral health symptoms. However, most PTCs do not provide screening or intervention, or use varying approaches. The objective of this mixed-methods study was to assess PTCs' availability of behavioral health resources and identify barriers and facilitators to service implementation following pediatric traumatic injury (PTI). Survey data were collected from 83 Level I (75%) and Level II (25%) PTC program managers and coordinators across 36 states. Semistructured, qualitative interviews with participants (N = 24) assessed the feasibility of implementing behavioral health education, screening, and treatment for PTI patients and caregivers. Roughly half of centers provide behavioral health screening, predominantly administered by nurses for acute stress/PTSD. Themes from qualitative interviews suggest that (1) service provision varies by behavioral health condition, resource, delivery method, and provider; (2) centers are enthusiastic about service implementation including screening, inpatient brief interventions, and follow-up assessment; but (3) require training and lack staff, time, and funding to implement services. Sustainable, scalable, evidence-based service models are needed to assess behavioral health symptoms after PTI. Leadership investment is needed for successful implementation. Technology-enhanced, stepped-care approaches seem feasible and acceptable to PTCs to ensure the availability of personalized care while addressing barriers to sustainability.

Examining the Connection Between Health Outcomes, State Political Ideology, and Food Access in the United States.

To estimate the impact of county-level income, access to food, availability of health resources, socioeconomic factors, and state political ideology on population obesity and mental health in US counties. We compiled a county-level data set from the US Census, County Health Rankings, USDA Food Environment Atlas, the American Community Survey, and the State Ideology Database. We specify 2 multivariable regression models for county-level obesity rate and per capita poor mental health days and control for rurality, food access, income, availability of health care resources, state political ideology, and socioeconomic characteristics. We find that higher food access reduces obesity in counties; an increase in per capita full-service restaurants by 1 unit is associated with reduction in obesity rate by 1.24 points and an increase in per capita grocery stores reduces poor mental health days by 0.14. We also find that counties in liberal-leaning states tend to have lower obesity rates. Access to primary care providers (increase in primary care physicians by 1 is associated with decline in obesity rate by 1.18 points and poor mental health days by 0.11 days), and recreational facilities (increase in recreational facilities per 1000 by 1 is associated with reduction in obesity rate by 3.16 points and poor mental health days by 0.47 days) reduces obesity rates and poor mental health days. Median income is associated with decrease in obesity rate and poor mental health days. Increase in median household income by 1% is associated with reduction in obesity rate 4.75% and reduction in poor mental health days by 1.39 days. We find that access to food and health care at county level and state ideology through policy making affects health outcomes. Our analysis indicates that counties can improve access to food and health care by investing in these services thereby improving county-level health outcomes and save dollars in the process.

Effects of climate variability on respiratory diseases in the Western Region of Bahia, Brazil

ObjectivesThis study aimed to analyse hospitalisations for respiratory diseases in the Western Region of Bahia, Northeast Brazil, from 2010 to 2019, and to explore possible correlations with meteorological data. Study designThis descriptive, epidemiological, ecological study analysed data from 37 municipalities in the Western Bahia health macro-region, defined according to geographical, administrative, demographic, epidemiological, social and cultural criteria, and accounting for availability of health resources. MethodsHospitalisation data for respiratory diseases, including total admissions and disease frequency, mean and prevalence, were obtained from DATASUS (Ministry of Health). The data were evaluated by sex, age group and city. Statistical tests, such as the Chi-squared test and analysis of variance, were used for data analysis. Meteorological data were compared using the t-test and Mann–Whitney test. Correlations between health indicators and weather data were assessed using the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients. ResultsOver the investigated period, there were 536,195 hospitalisation records in the region, with respiratory diseases accounting for 17.1% of admissions. Notably, 40% of respiratory hospitalisations were among children aged 0–9 years. The most prevalent respiratory conditions were pneumonia and asthma, which together constituted 73% of all respiratory hospitalisations. A significant negative correlation was observed between respiratory diseases and rainfall (r = −0.70, P = 0.011). ConclusionsPneumonia and asthma remain important causes of hospitalisation among children in the Western Bahia Region. The study findings suggest that respiratory diseases are influenced by rainfall, possibly due to increased atmospheric pollutants during time of low rainfall. These findings emphasise the importance of environmental factors in the development and exacerbation of respiratory diseases.

Evaluating climate change impact on the hydrology of Kessie Watershed, Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia

Climate change affects ecosystems, agriculture, human health, forestry, and water resource availability. This study is mainly aimed at assessing the climate change effect on the water resources of the Kessie Watershed in the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia. The updated Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP-6) data outputs were used. The three climate model outputs: ACESS_ESM1-5, FGOALS_g3, and GFDL_ESM4 with two shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5) scenarios, were used. The climate model output rainfall and temperature data were downscaled to the station level through bias correction. The catchment hydrology was represented by the SWAT—Soil and Water Assessment Tool—through calibration and validation. Future temperatures and rainfall change were evaluated by the Mann–Kendall trend test and Sen’s slope estimator. Future climate change trend analysis and streamflow simulation were done on two time horizons: the 2050s (2041–2070) and the 2080s (2071–2100). The baseline streamflow data (1985–2014) were used as a reference. The global climate model projection data indicated mean annual precipitation and temperatures show a slight increase for the future in both scenarios for all climate model outputs. According to the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, respectively, mean annual precipitation is expected to increase by 5% and 4.89% in the 2050s and 10.13% and 6.8% in the 2080s based on ACCESS_ESM1-5; 4.7% and 3.8% in the 2050s and 4.3% and 4.84% in the 2080s based on FGOALS_g3; and 4.67% and 3.81% in the 2050s and 4.67% and 3.81% based on GFDL_ESM4 models data. Yearly average maximum temperature may increase by 3.62 °C and 1.87 °C in the 2050s and 3.31 °C and 2.99 °C in the 2080s based on ACCESS ESM1-5, 1.76 °C and 1.25 °C in the 2050s and 3.44 °C and 2.61 °C in the 2080s based on FGOALS-g3, and 2.15 °C and 3.83 °C in the 2050s and 1.37 °C and 2.66 °C in the 2080s based on GFDL-ESM4 model data. Similarly, the mean annual minimum temperature is also expected to increase by 2.73 °C and 1.90 °C in the 2050s and 5.63 °C and 4.52 °C in the 2080s based on ACCESS ESM1-5, 3.04 °C and 2.43 °C in the 2050s and 3.55 °C and 4.36 °C in the 2080s based on FGOALS-g3, and 2.31 °C and 3.29 °C in the 2050s, and 3.16 °C and 3.87 °C in the 2080s based on GFDL-ESM4 model data. The streamflow is also expected to increase. In the 2050s, simulated annual streamflow is expected to increase from 12.1 to 21.8% and 9.8 to 15.4% in SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, respectively, whereas in the 2080s, the change is expected to increase from 15.14 to 24.08% and 13.08 to 41% in SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5, respectively. Future water resource potential of the case study watershed seems able to support irrigation and other projects.