Preventable Deaths Research Articles

Investigation of homocysteine level after bariatric metabolic surgery, effect on vitamin B12 and folate levels

BackgroundObesity is a serious health problem with increasing incidence. worldwide and remains one of the most important causes of preventable deaths. We aimed to examine the relationship between Vitamin B12 and Folic acid, which have an important role for human life, and homocysteine is widely recognized for its association with the development of cardiovascular disease, although its role as an independent risk factor remains a topic of ongoing debate.Materials and methodsWe evaluated 126 patients who underwent bariatric metabolic surgery between September 2019-September 2020. In addition to demographic characteristics of the patients, weight, Vitamin B12, folate, HbA1c, cholesterol, triglyceride, ferritin, serum iron, albumin levels at preoperative, postoperative 1st month, 6th month, 12th month follow-ups were analyzed.ResultsPatients with the desired biochemical parameters at the determined follow-up points were identified and two groups were formed as RYGB(n = 43) and SG(n = 7) patients. When biochemical parameters were analyzed between the groups, homocysteine, HbA1c, HDL Cholesterol, VLDL Cholesterol, Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Ferritin, Serum Iron levels showed a statistical difference (p < 0.001). Folate (p = 0.064) and albumin (p = 0.257) did not show a significant difference over time. The change in vitamin B12 (p = 0.409) over time was not significant in the SG group, whereas a significant difference was observed in the RYGB group (p < 0.001). When we established a marginal model to determine the factors affecting the change in homocysteine over time, vitamin B12 and folate values.ConclusionsThe relationship between Vitamin B12, folate and homocysteine is important in order to better understand the complications that develop in bariatric metabolic surgery patients, to prevent possible complications and to better manage the process.

Pediatric Trauma - A Silent Epidemic.

Trauma is the leading cause of preventable deaths in children all over the world. In the majority of cases, children are innocent victims of road traffic accidents. They suffer from both short-term and long-term impacts of trauma. Deaths from road traffic accidents can be prevented by adopting simple road safety measures and the use of protective equipment. Worldwide programs have been initiated to curb this ever-rising menace; however, the success of these programs depends on their outreach and acceptance among the population in general. Golden hours in trauma management is the initial hour post-trauma, the success of resuscitation depends on the appropriate management of pediatric trauma victims in hospitals dedicated to the management of pediatric trauma victims. The current review highlights the epidemiology, pattern of injury, road safety measures, and global health initiatives for the prevention of accident-related injury in children. The shortcomings of this review are as follows- Firstly pediatric trauma is an exhaustive topic, it is impossible to cover all aspects of pediatric trauma. Thus, the review might have missed some important aspects of pediatric trauma. Secondly, the concept of a pediatric trauma registry is nonexistent in almost all developing countries; hence a true picture of pediatric trauma epidemiology and injury patterns is missing. Thirdly not much work has been done on pediatric trauma in developing countries leading to insufficient data from these countries.

Nutritional deficiency in patients with liver cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis is a prevalent cause of death, particularly in developing countries. The global mortality rate is 15–30 cases per 100 thousand population (more than 2.4% of the total mortality). Among the most severe complications of liver cirrhosis, nutritional deficiency increases not only the duration of hospital stay, but also mortality. This implies that malnutrition is not only a relevant clinical characteristic of liver cirrhosis, but it should also be considered as a significant complication requiring timely and appropriate therapy to enhance prognosis. This review emphasizes contemporary concepts regarding nutritional deficiency in liver cirrhosis patients and the significance of early diagnosis of this condition. Additional research is required to comprehensively understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of malnutrition in liver cirrhosis patients. It is anticipated that the results will assist in the optimization of diagnostic screening and the identification of a “therapeutic target,” considering factors influencing the development and progression of nutritional deficiency, thereby reducing the incidence of infectious complications and lowering the mortality rate among liver cirrhosis patients.

Evaluation of a Novel Mechanical Compression Device.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading preventable cause of death in hospitalized patients. Current intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices used to provide external mechanical compression for VTE prevention are associated with a multitude of clinical challenges that often result in subtherapeutic use. A comparative study was conducted of the real-world clinical use of a novel mechanical compression device (MCD) and a current IPC device. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to compare use of the novel MCD and the standard IPC device on three clinical inpatient hospital units. Comparisons were based on the following patient outcome measures: evaluation of wear time, adherence to optimal wear time, evaluation of both patient comfort and device satisfaction, and perceived impact on mobility goals. Nurses' satisfaction with the clinical usability for mobility was also measured. This project used a pre-post design. A convenience sample of 89 surgical patients on the three clinical study units and 63 nursing staff members were recruited for the study. Data were collected using electronic health records, MCD data records, patient surveys, and nursing staff surveys. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent sample t tests. In the preintervention period, data were collected using the current IPC device. Nursing staff were then trained on use of the MCD. In the postintervention period, the MCDs were used in place of the IPC devices. MCD patients had significantly longer (P ≤ 0.001) wear time (mean, 19.3 hours/day) compared with IPC patients (mean, 12.9 hours/day). MCD patients also reported significantly better sleep (P = 0.04), fewer problems with sweaty legs (P ≤ 0.001), and improved assistance with mobility goals (P ≤ 0.001) than IPC patients. Nursing staff reported significantly improved accuracy of mobility documentation (P ≤ 0.001) with the MCD, but no differences in their perception of patient satisfaction with meeting mobility goals. Use of the MCD device for VTE prophylaxis resulted in actual and perceived improvements from the perspective of both patients and nurses. While these results provide initial data in support of a potentially promising system, more research is needed.

Comparison of gauze packing, sponge-based, and hemostatic Surgicel wound stasis dressings to treat hemorrhages from grade IV liver injuries: An experimental study

BackgroundUncontrolled bleeding is still the major factor leading to preventable deaths following trauma. This study sought to assess the effectiveness of mini sponge-based wound stasis, cellulose-based local hemostatic, and traditional gauze dressings for the control of hemorrhages resulting from grade 4 liver injuries in rats. MethodsThirty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three equal groups. In the first group, a liver laceration was treated with gauze packing. The second group received XStat minisponge dressing (MDS), and the third group was administered a combination of MDS dressing and Surgicel hemostatic agent. After gaining access to the intra-abdominal cavity, a liver laceration measuring 10 mm in length, 5 mm in depth, and extending to the middle lobe was created. The dressings were removed after 2 and 10 minutes to assess the amount of bleeding, and any bleeding was documented again after 48 hours. Intraperitoneal adhesions were evaluated during euthanasia. ResultsAt 2 minutes post-injury, the gauze packing group had an average bleeding volume of 0.97±0.15 mL, compared to 1.08±0.25 mL in the MDS group (P=0.26) and 1.02±0.18 mL in the MDS+Surgicel group (P=0.69). At 10 minutes, the bleeding volumes were 0.13±0.05 mL, 0.22±0.01 mL (P=0.09), and 0.14±0.05 mL (P=0.19), respectively. At 48 hours, significant differences were observed in bleeding volumes (gauze: 0.55±0.18 mL, MDS: 1.15±0.21 mL, MDS+Surgicel: 0.82±0.06 mL, P<0.001). Mortality rates after 14 days were 0% in the gauze packing group, 60% in the MDS group (P=0.001), and 60% in the MDS+Surgicel group (P=0.001). The gauze packing group displayed no adhesions, while the other groups exhibited adhesions in the liver, bowel, omentum, and abdominal wall. ConclusionOur results indicate that, when it comes to managing bleeding in severe liver injuries, traditional gauze packing remains the tried-and-true method, showing superior effectiveness in terms of blood loss and mortality when compared to XStat minisponge dressings and the fibrillar Surgicel hemostatic agents.

Perceptions of Cognitive Load and Workload in Nurse Handoffs: A Comparative Study Across Differing Patient-Nurse Ratios and Acuity Levels.

Medical errors, often resulting from miscommunication and cognitive lapses during handoffs, account for numerous preventable deaths and patient harm annually. This research examined nurses' perceived workload and cognitive load during handoffs on hospital units with varying patient acuity levels and patient-nurse ratios. Conducted at a southeastern US medical facility, the study analyzed 20 handoff dyads using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index to measure perceived workload and cognitive load. Linear regressions revealed significant associations between patient acuity levels, patient-nurse ratios, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index subscales, specifically mental demand (P = .007) and performance (P = .008). Fisher exact test and Wilcoxon rank sum test showed no significant associations between these factors and nurses' roles (P > .05). The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to manage workload and cognitive load, emphasizing standardized handoff protocols and technological aids. The study underscores the variability in perceived workload and cognitive load among nurses across different units. Medical-surgical units showed higher cognitive load, indicating the need for improved workload management strategies. Despite limitations, including the single-center design and small sample size, the study provides valuable insights for enhancing handoff communications and reducing medical errors.

Vaccinations in older adults: Optimization, strategies, and latest guidelines.

This article is a summary of the first AGS Symposium entitled "Update on Vaccination Strategies for Older Adults: Matching the Approach to the Individual and the Care Setting." Given declines in host defenses and immune function with aging, vaccinations play a pivotal role in fortifying older adults against preventable infections, resulting diseases, disability, and death. Current guidelines generally list recommendations applicable for an average older adult of a given chronological age. However, growing evidence indicates that heterogeneity in terms of factors as varied as biological sex, frailty, functional status, and multimorbidity may impact vaccine responses and clinical outcomes. As a result, clinicians will increasingly need to take these additional factors into consideration as they seek to improve outcomes through improved targeting of such aging-related heterogeneity. Moreover, efforts at protecting older citizens through vaccination must also include strategies to overcome barriers to the adoption of vaccine recommendations in varied settings including long-term care. This 2023 AGS Plenary Symposium sought to commence a broader dialogue across AGS and beyond on optimizing vaccinations for older adults, ensuring not only extended lifespans but also healthier and more active lives. This report is not a systematic review, and thus should not be considered comprehensive.

Greenness and mortality in an industrialized area in Southern Italy: a health impact assessment study

Abstract Background In Taranto the effects of industrial installations have been studied, but less attention has been placed on the impacts of green-oriented policies. The “3-30-300” rule states that every citizen should have 30% tree-canopy-cover in their neighborhood and not live more than 300m away from the nearest green space. In this Health Impact Assessment (HIA) study, we aimed to quantify the deaths that could be prevented in population aged ≥20 years by implementing this policy in Taranto. Methods Population weighted exposures (PWE) to green spaces (10m) were estimated using the 2022 greenest season NDVI from Sentinel-2 and the 2021 ESA WorldCover within a 300m (WHO 2016) buffer. We set a tree-cover optimal target of 30% and interim targets from 10% to 25%. For each tree-cover target, we set the counterfactual exposure (CE) as the corresponding PWE to NDVI. Age-specific preventable deaths (PD) were calculated by multiplying the baseline deaths (ISTAT) by the preventable fractions (PF). Preventable years of life lost (PYLL) were calculated by multiplying the PD by the specific life expectancy. To compute the 95%CI, we ran 100,000 Monte Carlo simulations to propagate the uncertainties of both CE and ERF to the final estimates. Results The PWEs to NDVI and tree-cover-proportion were 0.19 and 8.0%, respectively. For the 30% tree-cover target (currently achieved by the 1.5% of population), the CE (NDVI) and PF (%) were 0.33 (0.32-0.33) and 5.4% (4.1%-6.2%). A total of 126 (97-146) PD and 1270 (976-1474) PYLL were estimated. Three-cover, shrubland and grassland were associated to higher NDVI values, while built-up and deprivation-index were associated to lower greenness. NDVI and summer temperature showed an inverse relationship. Conclusions This study as a pioneering effort in Southern Italy. Providing more green space could prevent a substantial number of premature deaths in Taranto, potentially up to 5.4% by achieving a 30% tree-cover. Key messages • Providing more green space could prevent a substantial number of premature deaths in Taranto, potentially up to 5.4% by achieving a 30% tree-cover. • Built-up and deprivation-index were associated to lower greenness. NDVI and summer temperature showed an inverse relationship.

Positive effects from the introduction of fully subsidised nicotine replacement therapy in Ireland

Abstract Smoking remains a leading cause of preventable death in the Europe. Despite recent declines in prevalence, the adverse health and economic effects of smoking are felt disproportionately by disadvantaged groups. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is well established as an effective smoking cessation aid; however, its financial cost may act as a barrier to uptake. In February 2023, eligibly for fully subsidised NRT was expanded to all users of smoking cessation services in Ireland. This study evaluated the impact of universal access to NRT on smoking cessation. This study utilised secondary analysis of routinely collected data from service users attending Irish smoking cessation services. Individuals were followed for twelve weeks. Changes in self-reported quit status and NRT use were analysed before (January 2021 - February 2023) and after (March 2023 - December 2023) the introduction of fully subsidised NRT. Logistic regression modelling identified factors associated with smoking cessation. The total number of participants was 19,717. There was higher uptake of NRT among service users who were eligible for free NRT (59% vs 40%, p &amp;lt; 0.001) and higher quit rates at four (41% vs 29%, p &amp;lt; 0.001) and twelve (29% vs 20%, p &amp;lt; 0.001) weeks. Logistic regression models demonstrated that NRT use was significantly associated with smoking cessation at four (aOR 1.88, 95%CI 1.47 - 2.41) and twelve (aOR 1.76, 95%CI 1.37 - 2.28) weeks. This study confirms the effectiveness of NRT in an Irish context and illustrates the benefits of universal access to this life saving medicine. Targeted interventions are required to intensify services offered to disadvantages groups if the ambitious objectives of Tobacco Endgame are to be achieved. These findings represent an urgent call to action for European policy makers to deliver equitable access to NRT across the continent. Such action can transform the public health landscape and help bring us closer to achieving a tobacco free Europe. Key messages • This study confirms the real-world effectiveness of NRT use as a smoking cessation aid. • The removal of financial barriers is associated with increased NRT use and successful smoking cessation.

Social norms and social opportunities: a qualitative study of influences on tobacco use among urban adolescent girls in Ghana

BackgroundTobacco use is a global public health threat and a leading preventable cause of death in the world. While cigarette use among youth has been decreasing in high-income countries, low- and middle-income countries have contrastingly high rates of adolescent smoking. In Ghana, smoking prevalence is lower than in other parts of the African continent and more common among men than women; however the gender gap in tobacco use among adolescents has narrowed, with shisha use among girls recently surpassing boys. These trends toward increased relative use among adolescent girls are a cause for concern and highlight the need for interventions to prevent and/or reduce tobacco use in this population.MethodsWe conducted in-depth interviews with girls aged 13–20 (n = 148) and their parents (n = 7) in Ghana’s largest two cities – Accra and Kumasi, to explore the physical, social, and psychological context underlying smoking perceptions and behavior.ResultsWe identified 11 key insights into influences on smoking behavior, organized into the broader themes of perceptions of smoking, environmental factors, and internal factors. Findings underscore that perceptions around smoking are very much driven by girls’ social world, which is generally small and parent-centric for non-smokers at younger ages but can start to expand as girls get farther along in school or leave school entirely. After what may have been a sheltered adolescence, many older girls in Ghana look for ways to express their independence in decision-making and a few may use their developing agency to rationalize limited or infrequent tobacco use if they perceive the benefits to them outweigh the potential consequences.ConclusionsOur findings highlight strong social influences on girls’ perceptions, exposure to opportunities, and decision-making in ways that can often be protective against smoking, particularly at younger ages, but may also leave girls unprepared to manage challenging situations later in life. Understanding this context in Ghana will be important for any future programming aiming to prevent smoking initiation among adolescents.

Digital interventions to prevent smoking habit among children. Is there evidence?

Abstract Smoking remains one of the foremost preventable causes of death and disease on a global scale, with its roots often traced back to early childhood. The habit typically begins at a young age, setting a pattern that becomes increasingly difficult to break over time. This enduring issue highlights the critical need for effective preventive measures. Traditional approaches to curbing smoking among the youth-such as public health campaigns, school-based education, and legislative measures like age restrictions on tobacco purchases-have had limited success. In this context, digital interventions (DIs) have begun to emerge as a promising new frontier for tobacco prevention. Leveraging the pervasive influence of technology in young people’s lives, these interventions include gamified educational programs, which transform learning about the dangers of smoking into interactive and engaging activities; social media campaigns, which can spread powerful anti-smoking messages quickly and broadly; and virtual reality experiences, which immerse users in scenarios that vividly illustrate the impact of smoking on health. These digital strategies not only offer fresh avenues for conveying important health information but also engage young audiences in a medium they find relatable and compelling. In this context, the presentation will discuss results of a systematic review aims to assess the efficacy of DI in preventing smoking, and improving knowledge and awareness about smoking damages, among children. This review is part of the PRIN project, titled: “Leo&amp;Giulia standing for public health”, whose goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of a DI aimed at school-aged children, intended to increase knowledge about the negative effects of smoking and prevent its use. Grasping the impact of DI in smoking prevention can greatly benefit public health by offering practical alternatives.

Association of COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations and cardiovascular drugs with hospitalisation and mortality in COVID-19 and Long COVID: 2-year follow-up of 17 million individuals in England

Abstract Introduction For COVID-19 and Long COVID, determining the highest-risk subgroups, particularly in the context of compound pressures such as influenza and cardiovascular disease (CVD), may identify effective interventions to prevent adverse health outcomes, and inform public health and policy decisions. Methods Using national, linked electronic health records for England (NHS England Secure Data Environment: via CVD-COVID-UK/COVID-IMPACT Consortium), we studied individuals with COVID-19 and Long COVID from January 2020 to February 2023. We compared all-cause hospitalisation and mortality in unmatched and matched cohort analyses, by prior CVD, high CVD risk (by QRISK2), COVID-19 and influenza vaccination status, and prescription of CVD preventive therapies. We investigated potential impact of targeted vaccination and CVD prevention strategies on mortality and hospitalisations by calculating population preventable fractions. Results We identified 17,373,850 individuals with COVID-19 [54.4% female; mean age 38.8 years; COVID-19 vaccination ≥2 doses:50.0%, influenza vaccination (≥1 dose):27.8%; mean follow-up 1.28 years] and 301,115 with Long Covid [61.8% female; mean age 46.0 years; COVID-19 vaccination ≥2 doses:66.4%, influenza vaccination:33.1%; mean follow-up 1.1 years]. Hospitalisation and mortality rates were 15.3% and 2.0% in COVID-19 (Long COVID rate 1.3%) and 16.8% and 1.4% in Long COVID, respectively. Adjusted risk of mortality and hospitalisation were reduced with COVID-19 vaccination ≥2 doses (COVID-19:HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.34-0.38 and 0.69, 0.68-0.69; Long COVID:0.44, 0.42-0.47 and 0.90, 0.89-0.91). With influenza vaccination, mortality was reduced, but not hospitalisation (COVID-19: 0.86, 0.85-0.86 and HR 1.01, 1.01-1.01, and Long COVID: 0.72, 0.67-0.76, and 1.05, 1.03-1.07), with greatest effect in those with prior CVD and high CVD risk. Mortality and hospitalisation were also reduced by CVD prevention in those with CVD, e.g. anticoagulants- COVID-19: 0.69, 0.69-0.70 and 0.92, 0.91-0.93; Long Covid: 0.59, 0.54-0.64, and 0.88, 0.84-0.92. COVID-19 vaccination, influenza vaccination and CVD drugs (Anticoagulants) averted 101117 of 193598, 2138 of 4017 and 16573 of 36847 preventable deaths among individuals after COVID-19, and 875 of 1189, 65 of 127 and 507 of 1007 preventable deaths among those with Long COVID, particularly in people with CVD. Conclusions Prior CVD and high CVD risk are associated with increased hospitalisation and mortality risk in people with COVID-19 and Long COVID. Targeted improvement in COVID-19 vaccination and CVD prevention, especially in those with CVD are priority interventions in pandemics to avoid excess hospitalisation and mortality.Baseline Characteristics and OutcomesHospitalisation/mortality by COVID vaccn

Magnitude and predictors of obstetric complications during delivery among postpartum women in Ethiopia: evidence from PMA Ethiopia longitudinal survey

IntroductionThe majority of pregnancy-related complications were preventable. However, the magnitude of complications during pregnancy and childbirth was high in sub-Saharan Africa. There was limited evidence on the magnitude of obstetric complications during childbirth and its predictors among postpartum women in Ethiopia.Methods and materialsThe research used secondary data sources based on performance monitoring for action in Ethiopia’s second cohort longitudinal survey. It was a national survey that was conducted in three large, predominantly agrarian regions (Oromia, Amhara, and SNNP) and one urban region (Addis Ababa) of Ethiopia between 2021 and 2023. It was conducted to track pregnant women’s use of essential maternal and newborn health services. It involved the enrollment of pregnant women and tracking them at six weeks, six months, and one year after giving birth. The data collected at the beginning of the survey and six weeks after childbirth were used for the analysis. Sample weights were applied to account for differences in sample allocation and response rates across regions and urban/rural areas. Multi-collinearity and intra-cluster correlation were assessed before fitting the multilevel models to ensure the accuracy of the estimates. A multi-level logistic regression model was used to assess the magnitude and predictors for the occurrence of obstetric complications during delivery. The model fit was evaluated using Akaike’s Information Criterion and Bayesian Information Criterion. Adjusted odds ratio with its 95% confidence interval was used to measure the strength of association for this study.ResultsThe magnitude of obstetric complications during delivery was found to be 33.86% with 95% CI (31.56, 36.24. Among the obstetric complications that occurred during delivery, about 15.73%with 95% CI(14.02, 17.61) of women experienced bleeding, 4.14% with 95% CI (3.30, 5.17) had their membrane rupture but labor did not start within 24 h, 2.29% with 95% CI(1.67, 3.13) had their membrane rupture before 9 months, 3.95% with 95% CI(3.16, 4.93) had faced malpresentation or malposition of the baby, 12.70% with 95% CI (11.18, 14.39) had prolonged labor lasting more than 12 h, and 12.40% with 95% CI (10.83,14.17) had convulsions. The odds of occurrence of obstetric complication during delivery among women from severely food insecure households were 1.88 times [AOR = 1.88; 95% CI (1.22, 2.90)] more likely to occur than women from food secure households. Moreover, the odds of occurrence for obstetric complications during delivery among women who had complications during their pregnancy were 2.39 times [AOR = 2.39; 95% CI (1.81, 3.16)] more likely to occur as compared to those women who had no complication during their pregnancy. On the other hand, women’s who had 1–4 live births given before this delivery were 0.61 times [AOR = 0.61; 95% (0.43, 0.88)] less likely to develop complications as compared to those women’s who had no prior live birth.Conclusion and recommendationDelivery-related obstetric complications during delivery in Ethiopia were high. Approximately one-third of postpartum women in Ethiopia experienced obstetric complications during delivery. Based on this study, women’s from severely food insecure households, those women’s who had no prior live birth, and women’s who had complications during their pregnancy were more likely to develop delivery-related obstetric complications. Thus, policy makers and program implementers who were working on maternal and newborn health should give special attention for women’s from severely food insecure households, women’s who had no prior live births, and those women’s who encountered obstetric complications during their pregnancy to decrease the occurrence of obstetric complications during delivery. In Ethiopia, various governmental organizations, such as the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, are dedicated to addressing food insecurity and improving nutritional access. The country has launched several effective nutritional programs, including the Productive Safety Net Program, the Targeted Supplementary Feeding Program, and the National Nutrition Program, aimed at alleviating food insecurity and enhancing nutrition. Ongoing efforts are crucial to tackle the food insecurity experienced by women, which can help to reduce obstetric related complications of women’s during delivery. It is crucial for everyone involved in maternal and newborn health to prioritize addressing the factors that lead to obstetric complications during delivery in women in order to reach the goal of ending all preventable maternal and newborn deaths by 2030.

Long-Term Effectiveness of a Quitline for Smoking Cessation: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Plain Language SummarySmoking is a major global health problem, causing many preventable deaths and disabilities each year. Telephone counselling is a recommended method to help people quit smoking because it provides accessible support. This study examined the long-term effectiveness of the national German Smokers Quitline. Daily smokers who wanted to quit smoking were divided into two groups. One group received up to six phone calls from the national German Smokers Quitline, the other group received a self-help brochure. We measured how many participants stopped smoking for at least 7 days 12 months after the start of the intervention (7-day point prevalence of abstinence). We assessed long-term cigarette and tobacco abstinence, i.e., how many participants abstained from cigarettes/tobacco for a period of 9 months after the start of the intervention. We also examined the use of other cessation aids. A total of 905 participants took part in the study. The telephone counselling group had higher rates of long-term cigarette (31.7% vs. 17.8%) and tobacco abstinence (30.8% vs. 15.2%) compared to the other group. The odds of quitting were significantly higher in the telephone counselling group. However, the 7-day point prevalence of abstinence did not differ between the groups. Many participants used additional cessation aids, with e-cigarettes being the most common. In conclusion, telephone counselling provided by the national German Smokers Quitline is effective in helping people quit smoking long term. Increasing its awareness could improve smoking cessation rates in Germany. Counselling should include information about the risks and benefits of new nicotine consumer products.

Deaths and clashes induced by rivalry among fans during FIFA World Cup 2022 in Bangladesh.

International sports events like the Football World Cup affect the collective emotions of the global community. Usually, major sports events like the Football World Cup show beneficial effects on the community. However, many unwanted consequences such as accidents, premature deaths and violent supporter rivalries have been noticed during it. We aimed to report preventable premature deaths and clashes induced by rivalry among fans during the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Bangladesh. We monitored local newspaper reports for data collection during the World Cup 2022 event and collected data for age, sex, the possible cause of death, and precipitating events related to the event. We found 23 World Cup Football-related deaths, 35 hospitalizations, and 45 injuries related to clashes between the rival fans of Argentina and Brazil. The median age of deceased was 20 years. The majority of the deaths happened in young males due to fall while hoisting flags. Deaths in the late age happened due to sudden emotional upsurge during the game day. And, clashes between rival fans mostly happened due to social bullying favoring and disfavoring a team. This report indicates an important area of potentially preventable death related to World Cup Football and warrants public health attention even in a non-participating country, both locally and internationally.

The effect of drugs and guns on life expectancy in the United States, 2000–2020

ObjectivesThis study estimated the effect of changing trends in drug- and firearm-related mortality on life expectancy in the U.S. over the last two decades. Study designRetrospective cross-sectional study. MethodsWe used national vital registration data from CDC WONDER, stratified by sex, to estimate the mortality rate due to accidental and intentional poisoning (ICD Codes X40-X49, X60-X69, Y10-Y19 and X85), and firearm deaths (ICD codes W32-W34, X72-X74, X93-X95, Y22-Y24) for the period 2000–2020. We applied standard life table methods to all cause mortality rates with and without these mortality causes to estimate the life expectancy at each age over this period. ResultsIn 2020, mortality due to drugs and firearms combined reduced male life expectancy by1.67 years compared to 0.67 years in 2000, and without the effect of these two causes of death, male life expectancy in 2019 would have been 78.02 years. For women, drugs and firearm-related mortality reduced life expectancy by 0.20 years in 2000 and 0.63 years in 2020, and female life expectancy would have been 82.25 years in 2019 without the retarding effect of these two preventable causes. ConclusionsDrug- and firearm-related deaths have increased so rapidly, especially among younger populations, that life expectancy at birth is significantly reduced by these causes of death. Without urgent action to tackle these preventable causes of death, US life expectancy will continue to stagnate and may even decline, even without the effect of COVID-19.

The 2024 Public Health Emergency of International Concern: A Global Failure to Control Mpox.

On August 14, 2024, following a regional declaration by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, marking the second such declaration in two years. A series of outbreaks involving the more virulent clade I virus (compared to clade II, which caused a global outbreak in 2022), has now spread in 13 African countries, exposing the inadequacies of the public health infrastructure in these settings. There was significant investment during the 2022 global outbreak, but these efforts failed to address vaccine access and treatment in the Global South. Regulatory delays, unequal access to vaccines, and a lack of compassionate use treatments for severe cases have resulted in preventable cases and deaths, especially among vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, children, and the immunocompromised. The current outbreak also underscores critical knowledge gaps in our understanding of mpox, including its transmission, pathogenesis, and viral evolution. We join intensified calls for global solidarity and action to control mpox, emphasizing immediate containment measures and long-term local and international investment in African public health systems, to prevent future epidemics.

High-resolution modeling and projection of heat-related mortality in Germany under climate change.

Heat has become a leading cause of preventable deaths during summer. Understanding the link between high temperatures and excess mortality is crucial for designing effective prevention and adaptation plans. Yet, data analyses are challenging due to often fragmented data archives over different agglomeration levels. Using Germany as a case study, we develop a multi-scale machine learning model to estimate heat-related mortality with variable temporal and spatial resolution. This approach allows us to estimate heat-related mortality at different scales, such as regional heat risk during a specific heatwave, annual and nationwide heat risk, or future heat risk under climate changescenarios. We estimate a total of 48,000 heat-related deaths in Germany during the last decade (2014-2023), and the majority of heat-related deaths occur during specific heatwave events. Aggregating our results over larger regions, we reach good agreement with previously published reports from Robert Koch Institute (RKI). In 2023, the heatwave of July 7-14 contributes approximately 1100 cases (28%) to a total of approximately 3900 heat-related deaths for the whole year. Combining our model with shared socio-economic pathways (SSPs) of future climate change provides evidence that heat-related mortality in Germany could further increase by a factor of 2.5 (SSP245) to 9 (SSP370) without adaptation to extreme heat under static sociodemographic developments assumptions. Our approach is a valuable tool for climate-driven public health strategies, aiding in the identification of local risks during heatwaves and long-term resilience planning.

Partial Occlusion, Less AKI: an AORTA Registry Analysis of pREBOA-PRO

Abstract Background Non-compressible torso hemorrhage remains a leading cause of potentially preventable deaths. Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) has emerged as an adjunct temporizing hemorrhage control. The complete occlusion strategy with the ER-REBOA catheter can cause distal ischemia when used for longer than 30 minutes. To specifically address this limitation, the pREBOA-PRO catheter was developed. The objective of the current study is to investigate the impact of longer, partial occlusion times provided by pREBOA-PRO on acute kidney injury and mortality. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of the Aortic Occlusion for Resuscitation in Trauma and Acute Care Surgery (AORTA) registry as of August 2023. Patients in the pREBOA-PRO group (n = 110) receiving partial occlusion in Zone 1 were contrasted to patients in the ER-REBOA group (n = 752) treated with complete occlusion in Zone 1. Between-group comparisons included demographics, clinical presentation, aortic occlusion (AO) strategy, clinical complications, and mortality. Results Demographics, clinical presentation, and mortality were indistinguishable between groups, except for age which was higher in the ER-REBOA group (44 vs. 38, p &lt; 0.002). The partial AO strategy was employed more often in the pREBOA-PRO group (87% vs 33%, p &lt; 0.05) and for longer periods (59 min vs. 50 min, p &lt; 0.003). In contrast, AKI occurred less frequently in the pREBOA-PRO group (19% vs. 33%, p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions The more frequently partial and longer occlusion times in Zone 1 with the use of pREBOA-PRO resulted in lower AKI incidence suggesting that this newer device is a safer extended bridge to hemorrhage control.

Exposure to nicotine and withdrawal in Wistar rats: an electrophysiological study.

Throughout the world, smoking is one of the principal causes of preventable death. Nicotine, the primary active component of tabacco, acts as a psychostimulant and modulates the electrical activity of a number of the areas of the brain involved in addiction. Abstinence from nicotine will also impact the functional state of the brain, which is reflected in symptoms of craving and susceptibility to relapse. In addition, given the increase in the sympathetic tone of the heart and pulse rate promoted by nicotine, its consumption can contribute to tachyarrhythmia. The present study investigated the electroencephalographic (EEG) and electrocardiographic (ECG) patterns of Wistar rats submitted to acute or chronic exposure to nicotine, followed by withdrawal for 24 or 48 hours, and the re-administration (or not) of nicotine, to simulate episodes of relapse. The EEG data revealed an increase in all types of brainwaves, with emphasis on high-frequency (alpha, beta, and gamma) brain oscillations following both acute and chronic exposure to nicotine (14 days), whereas in withdrawal, there was a predominancy of delta waves. When exposure to nicotine was reinstated after withdrawal, the observed EEG profile was similar to that found in chronic exposure. The electrocardiogram reads showed that both acute and chronic exposure to nicotine caused abnormalities in the atrioventricular conduction and that, while these changes improve with substance withdrawal, relapse can worsen these parameters. The results of this study indicate that high-frequency brainwaves are correlated with nicotine dependence, while slow brain oscillations are consistent with drug craving, and episodes of nicotine relapse can reproduce brain activity patterns linked to dependence. Finally, exposure to nicotine predisposes the individual to heart rhythm abnormalities, which are attenuated by withdrawal, but may nevertheless be restored rapidly with re-exposure to the substance. This study demonstrated that nicotine increases high-frequency brain oscillations, which is associated with addiction, whereas withdrawal elevates the delta wave power, suggesting craving. Re-exposure to nicotine following withdrawal restores rapidly the EEG profile of chronic dependence. In addition, nicotine has deleterious impacts on cardiac activity, which are linked to fatal arrhythmias. This implies that stopping smoking is beneficial for the amelioration of the alterations in heart rhythm caused by nicotine addiction. This study elucidates the functional states of the brain and heart during both sporadic and chronic nicotine use, and the electrophysiological explanation for substance dependence and drug relapse after craving episodes.