Public Health Domain Research Articles

Mapping the Public Health and Health Promotion Capacity in Oman

Abstract Background An essential condition to enabling people to increase control over their health is to have sufficient capacity for public health (PH) and health promotion (HP). Despite the recognition of its importance, a comprehensive view of the PH and HP capacity in the sultanate of Oman is not yet available. This study provides a mapping of the country’s PH and HP capacity at national, governorate and district levels. Methods An online quantitative survey was performed amongst 70 health policy maker and experts in PH and HP using a questionnaire based on the PH capacity framework of Aluttis et al., yielding data on the country specific context with relevance for PH and 6 PH capacity domains, each divided in subdomains: leadership and governance; organizational structures, workforce, financial resources, partnerships, and knowledge development. Internal consistencies of the scales measuring the capacity subdomains ranged from .75 to .99. Results The survey revealed relatively low scores, representing partial development of capacities, for most of the public health capacity domains. The highest levels of capacity were observed for knowledge development (health information and monitoring systems, reporting systems and knowledge infrastructure), organizational structures (institutional capacity, program delivery structures, PH within health services, and response emergencies) and partnerships (formal consortia, informal partnerships and multisectoral coordination). In contrast, leadership and governance, workforce development, and financial resources score lower. Conclusions Mapping the strengths and weaknesses of PH and HP capacity in Oman allows to make recommendations for improving population health. Whereas all domains of PH and HP capacity are partially developed, there is a need to further improve capacity in all domains. Key messages • PH and HP capacities are partially developed in Oman. • Mapping the PH and HP capacity allows to identify strengths and weaknesses and make recommendations for improving public health.

Elective placements for medical students in a regional Public Health Department in Ireland

Abstract Exposure to different specialties during medical school influences the subsequent career choice of students. We describe the development of elective student placements in Public Health in a regional Public Health Department (PHD) in Ireland which serves a population of just over one million. In September 2023, a collaboration to oversee the electives was established between our PHD (HSE Dublin and Midlands) and an academic institution (Trinity College Dublin (TCD)). An Elective Working Group (WG) was formed which developed learning objectives and an elective plan. The electives were scheduled for October and November 2023. The key learning objectives were for students to: • Develop an understanding of the role of Public Health across all domains, in our regional PHD and in Ireland; • Develop an understanding of the career pathway in Public Health Medicine in Ireland; • Contribute to a public health project within the PHD. The elective plan included approximately 15 1:1 tutorials across the public health domains, attendance at PHD meetings and a literature review-based project. Between October and November 2023, two students (one per month) were attached to the PHD. At the end of each elective, students presented project findings to the WG for discussion. Debrief sessions gathered feedback from the students, the WG and the TCD partner. Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Feedback suggested taking pairs of students at the same time may increase efficiency and capacity for future electives in our PHD. A collaborative approach to planning and coordinating the electives was crucial to its success. We are building on this experience to expand the electives with an increased number of students being facilitated by our PHD in 2024, providing students with greater opportunity to gain exposure to Public Health Medicine during medical training. Application and evaluation materials were refined which can be shared. Key messages • The success of the Public Health electives in our regional Public Health Department was underpinned by a collaborative academic partnership and a structured, coordinated approach. • Availability of Public Health electives during medical school training can support students to gain exposure to this specialty in a time when they are considering future career choices.

Application of artificial intelligence to study the causality in public health: a systematic review

Abstract Introduction In epidemiology, establishing causation requires meeting rigorous criteria beyond mere association. Traditional methodologies often struggle to provide definitive causal conclusions due to confounding variables. However, leveraging artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine Learning (ML) offers a promising solution by modeling complex interactions among relevant factors. This systematic review explores the AI techniques utilized to uncover causal relationships in public health applications. Methods A literature search was conducted in Pubmed, Web of Science, and Scopus, employing the following search strategy: (Causalit*[Title/abstract] OR Causation*[Title/abstract] OR Causal[Title/abstract]) AND (‘Machine Learning’[Title/abstract] OR “Deep Learning” [Title/abstract] OR ‘Artificial Intelligence’ [Title/abstract] OR Algorithm* [Title/abstract]). The search aimed to identify studies encompassing causal inference techniques utilizing ML and AI methodologies in public health. Results From a total of 28,230 articles published up to August 2023, after removing duplicates (11,158) and articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria (16,168 post title/abstract screening, and 856 post full-text screening), the systematic review included 48 articles. Bayesian additive regression trees, Bayesian network models, causal forests analysis, and graphical causal models emerged as the prevailing causal methodologies. AI-driven causal methodologies have been investigated across various domains within public health, encompassing disease prediction, evaluation of treatment efficacy, identification of risk factors, analysis of health behaviors, precision Public Health initiatives, and environmental health assessment. Discussion While our systematic review affirms the potential of AI-driven causal approaches across several public health domains, further research is warranted before these emerging techniques can be effectively integrated into real settings. Key messages • In epidemiology, establishing causation requires meeting rigorous criteria beyond mere association and traditional methodologies often struggle to provide definitive causal conclusions. • This systematic review explores the AI techniques utilized to uncover causal relationships in public health applications.

7.A. Skills building seminar: Is Behavioural Science Relevant for Public Health? A Quintuple Helix Lens

Abstract Background On 29 May 2023, the World Health Assembly adopted the first-ever global Behavioural Sciences for Better Health resolution (WHA76.7). This resolution requests the World Health Organization (WHO) to mainstream and support behavioural sciences in public health across the WHO and within Member States; including enhancing awareness, knowledge, and evidence and providing technical assistance, normative guidance, and capacity-building. But is behavioural science really relevant for public health? Why and how it can help us to improve people’s health? Rationale This workshop seeks to delve into the application of behavioural science in public health within the context of the quintuple helix framework - academia, industry, government, civil society, and the broader environment. Through collaborating across sectors, stakeholders can leverage behavioural science to design more effective strategies for promoting positive health behaviour change, preventing diseases, and addressing public health challenges. This workshop will feature discussions and case studies in various public health domains. Aim The main aim of this skills-building seminar is to explore the synergies between behavioural science and the quintuple helix, examining how these collaborations can drive innovation, enhance policy implementation, and foster sustainable health outcomes. By critically examining these intersections, we seek to stimulate dialogue, foster collaborations, and inspire innovative approaches for addressing complex health challenges in our society. Workshop structure This workshop will consist of three parts: - It will start with a short scene-setting presentation by Iveta Nagyova, EUPHA president, highlighting the innovation potential of behavioural science to improve people’s health (10 mins). - In the second part (30 mins), the panellists will discuss concrete examples of interconnections of behavioural science and public health within the quintuple helix framework. 1. Susan Michie will share her experience of interconnections between academia and government as a member of the UK SAGE - Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies. 2. Simon Bacon will discuss the behavioural lens applied to the commercial determinant of health. 3. Tiina Likki will share WHO/Europe’s experience with developing and implementing the European regional action framework for behavioural and cultural insights for health, 2022-2027, 4. Kim Lavoie will speak about community involvement and social innovation within the context of more efficient healthcare systems. 5. Stefano Capalongo will show us examples of salutogenic design and architecture, applying neurobiobehavioural mechanisms. - The third part (20 mins) will be dedicated to a facilitated discussion with the audience to explore attendees’ opinions regarding the challenges and opportunities of applying behavioural sciences to improve people’s health and well-being, using the quintuple helix framework. Key messages • Integrating behavioural science within the quintuple helix framework cultivates partnerships advancing effective, inclusive and lasting public health initiatives. • Fostering cross-sector collaboration establishes an ecosystem driving innovative, equitable and sustainable solutions in public health. Speakers/Panelists Susan Michie University College London, London, UK Simon Bacon Concordia University, Montréal, Canada Kim Lavoie UQAM, Department of Psychology, Montreal, Canada Tiina Likki WHO/Europe, Hellerup, Denmark Stefano Capolongo Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy

9.X.2. Activating the ASPHER-WHO Public Health Core Curriculum: Interprofessional Skills

Abstract The updated ASPHER-WHO Public Health Core Curriculum builds on ASPHER’s previous work on Competencies for Public Health Professionals (2006-2020), reflects the changing needs of our population and planet and public health professionals. The key objectives of this workshop are to: - Share the updated ASPHER core curriculum for public health; - Illustrate examples of public health challenges that young professionals have championed for inclusion; - Share the Faculty of Public Health (UK)’s work on Fair training as a case study on operationalising public health leadership on equality, diversity and inclusion and demonstrating the core competencies in action. A curricular content survey of member schools and programmes yielded responses from 60 schools, with > 500 submissions of detailed. subject curricula. These have been compiled into 36 Subject Areas in four Domains, namely: (1) Core Subject Areas in Public Health: (2) Subject-specific Areas in Public Health;(3) Core Cross-curricular Subject Areas; and (4) Core Interdisciplinary Professional Skills in PH. The development process was guided and grounded by the expertise and passion of young public health professionals. They are helping us make the core curriculum fit for purpose for the near future and provide them with the skills required to be a competent member of a supportive public health team in an ever changing world. This Workshop will profile selected Subject Areas from each Domain using real life challenges facing WHO European Region to show how the core curriculum integrates research, theory and practice to help build those essential interdisciplinary skills. The examples will focus on Economics in Public Health (Domain 1); Public Health and Criminal Justice; (Domain 2); Health Literacy and Infodemiology, Mental Health and Wellbeing (Domain 3); and Integrative Learning in Action; Communication Skills; Advocacy, Negotiation; Collaborations and Partnerships; and Leadership, Management and Implementation Science (Domain 4). Discussions for each of the Subject Areas will be led by an expert in the area. We will also illustrate an example of these competencies in action, how they are helping shine a light on the challenges we face in creating that supportive team and environment and how the potential for collaboration helps us to capitalise on the expertise available in some schools and programmes for the benefit of all. Key messages • Learning interdisciplinary skills are essential for effective public health analysis, advocacy and action. • Collaboration across countries, schools, professions and generations can create transformational change. Speakers/Panelists Mary Codd University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland Karl F Conyard University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland Jenny Houston University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK Samia Latif Faculty of Public Health, London, UK Olalekan Popoola ASPHER, UCD, Dublin, Ireland

Public Health Challenges for 2050 in the Netherlands

Abstract Every 4 years, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) carries out the Dutch Public Health Foresight Study, commissioned by the Ministry of Health. The ninth edition (PHFS-2024) compiles an outlook on future public health and the health care system in the Netherlands. It combines a business-as-usual Trend Scenario with literature study and a range of qualitative and mixed-methods approaches. The Trend Scenario comprises projections up to 2050 for a broad range of epidemiological indicators. Such as (healthy) life expectancy, disease burden, life style factors. The qualitative and mixed methods approaches supported an incremental intersubjective process. Methods were a focus groups study, stakeholder sessions and workshops. An important innovation in this study was the Citizen Council and Panel. The outcomes show that demographic development, in particular growth of the group people at high age with multimorbidity, will lead to high pressure on the formal and informal health care system but also on e.g. mental health. A life course approach applied shows that decreasing mental health of youth will have long term consequences. Also, overweight will deeply impact older people’s health in the future. Lastly, climate change in combination with e.g. energy transition will deeply affect our society and living environment. Next to these challenges, there will also be opportunities to improve health. Building a climate-proof living environment that also stimulates healthy life styles and social interaction is one of them. However, improving health has linkages with policy areas outside the traditional public health domain as well and requires, firstly, a Health in/for All Policies approach. Secondly a whole-of-society approach in which companies and civil organizations take action is needed. All these efforts can only be effective if people and communities are put at the core of all health policies.

A JUDICIALIZAÇÃO DO DIREITO À SAÚDE: ANÁLISE DOS REQUISITOS PARA CONCESSÃO DE LIMINARES

This study focuses on the analysis of the judicialization of the right to health, emphasizing the legal and practical implications arising from the granting of injunctions within the public health domain. The right to health, enshrined in the 1988 Federal Constitution as a fundamental social right, guarantees all citizens universal and equitable access to health services, a direct outcome of the Sanitary Reform that culminated in the establishment of the Unified Health System (SUS). The analysis was conducted through a review of literature, legislation, jurisprudence, and academic works about the theme, highlighting the consequences of this judicial intervention, which include significant financial impacts, an increase in inequalities regarding access to health services, and an overburdened judiciary. Subsequently, the phenomenon of judicialization of the right to health, intensified over the past few decades, is discussed considering its implications and consequences. This right has increasingly become the subject of judicial scrutiny, prompting interventions by the judiciary to ensure access to treatments, medications, and procedures. The consequences of judicialization to the right to health are multifaceted and include substantial financial impacts on the public budget. While judicialization seeks to ensure the effectiveness of the right to health and to fully protect citizens, its effects can be detrimental to the equilibrium of public health policies, affecting both equity and the sustainability of the system. As a result of this work, it is indicated that, to mitigate negative impacts, it is essential for judicial decisions to be made based on rigorous technical criteria and to be supported by robust evidence, such as medical reports. Furthermore, the responsibility for the implementation of judicial decisions should be tripartite, involving the Federal Government, States, and Municipalities, with procedural efficiency being necessary to prevent harm to citizens' health, thereby safeguarding the sustainability of the Unified Health System (SUS).

Restorative benefits of soundscapes for individuals with psychological disorders

Mental health is a significant focus in the global public health domain today. Soundscapes have been identified as having positive environmental restorative benefits, yet the discussion on the mechanisms through which soundscapes contribute to the recovery from psychological disorders remains insufficiently explored. To guide the creation of restorative soundscapes in psychotherapy settings, this article adopted an "exposure-response" research paradigm. Through a soundscape intervention experiment involving 98 participants, it analyzed the perceived restorativeness evaluations and both physiological and psychological responses of populations with different psychological states. Overall, this article explored the restorativeness of soundscapes for individuals with psychological disorders in a solitary listening condition, with specific soundscapes such as rain sounds, bird songs, and river sounds demonstrating restorative effects. Individuals with psychological disorders rated rain sounds highest, while psychologically healthy individuals gave the highest ratings to bird songs.

Building a community-academic partnership to expand services for childhood cancer survivors in a rural, low-income region in California.

360 Background: Community-engaged research is an effective approach to address health disparities that is well-established in the public health domain and has not been widely applied in childhood cancer survivorship. We present our multi-year experience building a community-academic partnership and community-engaged childhood cancer survivorship research portfolio. Methods: We have developed a partnership between Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services, a nonprofit community-based organization (CBO) and an academic pediatric cancer survivorship team, with the goal of improving health outcomes for childhood cancer survivors and their families in the Salinas Valley, a rural, low-income region in California with majority Hispanic/Latino/a/e residents. Our partnership process is guided by principles of community-based participatory research, prioritizing trust and involving community members as equal partners in all phases of research. Results: In year 1 (2021-2022), we held successive meetings which identified common goals and shared values, established the collaboration, and sought funding to advance our goals. In year 2 (2022-2023), with internal grant funding, we conducted a qualitative needs assessment interviewing childhood cancer survivors, parents, and CBO staff. Teamwork enriched the data analysis and allowed us to identify problems in communication as an area of need, which directly informed subsequent grant proposals. In year 3 (2023-2024), with external funding we began a multi-year study to understand and improve survivorship-related communication among Hispanic/Latino/a/e young adult childhood cancer survivors, their parents, and clinicians. Current and future projects include collaborative design and pilot testing of a novel communication intervention, formation of a dedicated community advisory board, and a CBO-driven program evaluation. Findings from our community-engaged studies have prompted new sets of research questions and illustrate opportunities for institutional change in the clinic setting. In parallel, the CBO has leveraged research findings in real-time to identify barriers to seeking support among childhood cancer survivors and families, and adapted and improved programming for families in response. Through our joint research portfolio, we have incorporated training and mentorship for staff at the CBO and medical trainees at the academic center. Conclusions: A community-academic partnership in a rural, low-income region has the potential to reduce health disparities and improve childhood cancer survivors’ health outcomes through collaborative program development and community-engaged research. Fueled by mutual investment and strong momentum, our partnership facilitates an interconnected cycle of research and practice change that is grounded in community needs.

Towards a comprehensive COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions’ index for the province of Québec

ObjectivesThe primary objective of this project was to develop a comprehensive COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions’ index for the province of Québec (QCnPI-Index). The resulting database systematically categorizes, multiple non-pharmaceutical interventions implemented in the 17 administrative regions (AR) of the province of Québec to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the form of an index.Data descriptionData represent interventions and groups of interventions implemented during the COVID-19 period in Québec. They are a compilation of policies, guidelines, and governmental interventions related to COVID-19, considering temporal and geographical dimensions. Data were collected for all 17 AR of Québec using dates as unit of analysis, from March 2020 to April 2022. They were first collected and then coded by an interdisciplinary research team to form the foundation of the QCnPI-Index.ContributionThis quantitative instrument offers the necessary granularity for nuanced spatial and temporal studies within the province of Québec, using AR, for instance, as unit of analysis. With this database, pre-, during-, and post-COVID periods can thus be better analyzed. Additionally, the innovative methodologies employed for data collection, coding, and weighting offer valuable insights that may have broader applications in public health, epidemiology, and other research domains. The QCnPI-Index could be instrumental for public health, epidemiology, and transportation researchers investigating the multifaceted impacts of non-pharmaceutical interventions on various societal domains, such as road safety, alcohol and cannabis consumption, and/or mental health, in the province of Québec.

Temporal dynamics in psychological assessments: a novel dataset with scales and response times

The growing prevalence of mental health issues underscores the need for innovative screening methods. Large-scale, internet-based psychological screening has emerged as a vital tool to accurately determine morbidity rates and facilitate early diagnosis of mental disorders. However, conventional psychological screening methods often struggle with non-genuine responses and lack objective metrics. To bridge this gap, we have compiled a novel dataset derived from an expansive screening initiative at Xinxiang Medical University. The study, conducted from February 27 to March 17, 2021, yielded a dataset comprising responses from 24,292 students to four well-established psychological scales—PHQ-9, GAD-7, ISI, and PSS. A distinctive feature of this dataset is the inclusion of response time data, which captures the temporal dynamics of participants’ interactions with the scales, offering valuable insights into their response behaviour. The release of this dataset offers a substantial opportunity for researchers in the domains of psychology and public health to explore new insights into mental health, scale reliability, and the dynamics of psychological assessment.

Bringing Trust Building to Life Within Health Policy-Making Comment on "Placing Trust at the Heart of Health Policy and Systems"

Public trust is crucial for health policy-making as it is closely linked to public participation and policy-makers’ legitimacy. While we have witnessed increasing interest in issues of public trust, especially since COVID-19, we argue that efforts should be made to deeply integrate the concept of public trust into health policy-making from the design to the implementation, assessment, and evaluation processes across the public health and medical domains. We propose four key aspects to consider for building public trust in the healthcare system, which have emerged from our past and ongoing health policy research on public trust: to understand trust before aiming to build trust; to provide tailored guidance on trust building in health policy; to develop trust performance indicators to assess trust interventions; and to implement targeted communication strategies.

In vitro Tolerance of Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Candida albicans Biofilms to Dalbavancin and Anidulafungin

Background: Concerns about infections resulting from bacterial biofilm formation in invasive devices such as catheters and prostheses are becoming widespread in the public health domain. Staphylococcus haemolyticus, a coagulase-negative bacterium, and Candida albicans, a yeast, have become recurrent pathogens of these diseases because their presence in these devices enhances the likelihood of infection. It is believed that these microorganisms produce biofilms, which complicate treatment and slow the patient´s recuperation. Dalba-vancin is a semisynthetic, lipoglycopeptide-class antibiotic utilized as an anti-infective agent to break down gram-positive bacteria biofilms. Anidulafungin is an echinocandin class anti-fungal medication that works very well against resistant yeast strains and removes biofilms. Objective: This study aims to examine the anti-infective agents´ tolerance to the biofilms of Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Candida albicans. Methods: Polymicrobial biofilms were grown in a CDC Biofilm Reactor (CBR) for use in in vitro experiments. Results: When dalbavancin maintained its antibiotic activities against Staphylococcus hae-molyticus in comparison with their activity against the sessile forms, the antifungal anidula-fungin lost efficacy in eliminating Candida albicans. Conclusion: The planktonic forms of microbes are examined in relation to the tolerance to these anti-infective drugs.

Facile strategy for the synthesis of antimicrobial poly(vinyl chloride) functionalized with benzimidazole

AbstractSynthesizing antimicrobial materials is a viable approach to combating microbes and mitigating their detrimental consequences on public health and economic domains. Here, we aim to design and synthesize hybrid polymers composed of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and benzimidazole derivatives, in addition to evaluating their antimicrobial efficacy. PVC was chemically functionalized affording 4 conjugates where the benzimidazole motif was incorporated indirectly into the PVC through a triazole ring combined with a short linker. This functionalized PVC was synthesized by employing Cu azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) conditions (click chemistry). The second functionalized PVC was synthesized by a nucleophilic substitution reaction to give 5, which has a benzimidazole moiety attached directly to the PVC via a short spacer arm. The benzimidazole derivatives and the corresponding benzimidazole‐PVC conjugates were investigated by elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques (IR, NMR, and MS) as needed, besides UV–vis spectroscopy, x‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) in the case of the polymeric conjugates. The SEM morphology demonstrated a change in the PVC surface after the modification, showing spongy structures. Furthermore, the chemical characterization using EDX revealed peaks representing C, O, and N, in addition to the characteristic Cl peaks. The benzimidazole derivatives and the corresponding functionalized PVC were evaluated as antimicrobial agents against a variety of Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria and fungi strains utilizing the well diffusion assay. The data revealed an improvement in the antimicrobial activity of the functionalized PVC (4) that contained triazolobenzimidazole against pathogenic Escherichia coli and S. typhimurium.Highlights Microbes have negative impact on public health and economic domains Synthesizing antimicrobial materials is a viable approach to combating microbes We herein synthesized PVC/benzimidazole hybrid polymers Functionalized PVC was synthesized and characterized by IR, NMR, SEM and EDX PVC/benzimidazole hybrids were evaluated as antimicrobial agents.

A Structured Approach to Involve Stakeholders in Prioritising Topics for Systematic Reviews in Public Health.

This study aimed to develop and apply a structured approach for prioritising topics for systematic reviews in public health, framed according to the readily applicable PICO format, which encourages the involvement of stakeholders' preferences in a transparent matter. We developed a multi-stage process, consisting of a scoping and two Delphi stages with web-based surveys and invited public health stakeholders in Switzerland to participate: First, respondents specified topics for different public health domains, which were reformulated in a PICO format by content analysis. Second, respondents rated the topics using five stakeholder-refined assessment criteria. Overall rankings were calculated to assess differences between stakeholder groups and rating criteria. In total, 215 respondents suggested 728 topics altogether. The response rate in the two Delphi stages was 91.6% and 77.6%, respectively. Most top-rated review topics focused on the effectiveness of interventions providing education to different target groups, followed by interventions to increase access to specific healthcare services. Our approach encourages involvement of stakeholders in identifying priorities for systematic reviews and highlights disparities between stakeholders and between individual criteria.

A comprehensive review of early detection of COVID-19 based on machine learning and deep learning models

This paper reviews the use of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) for early coronavirus disease (COVID-19) detection, highlighting their potential to overcome the limitations of traditional diagnostic methods such as long processing times and high costs. We analyze studies applying ML and DL to imaging, clinical, and genomic data, assessing their performance in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency. The review discusses the advantages, limitations, and challenges of these models, including data quality, generalizability, and ethical considerations. It also suggests future research directions for improving model efficacy, such as integrating multi-modal data and developing more interpretable models. This concise review serves as a guide for researchers, healthcare practitioners, and policymakers on the advancements and prospects of ML and DL in early COVID-19 detection, promoting further innovation and collaboration in this vital public health domain.

Sex Differences in Stigma Reduction toward Minor Attracted Persons (MAPs) via Contact Interventions

Individuals who are sexually attracted to children (i.e., people with pedophilic interests or minor-attracted persons; MAPs) can, and do, live offence-free. Stigmatization and fear of conviction, however, can prevent MAPs from accessing appropriate support and treatment. Previous researchers compared the impact of two interventions – narrative humanization vs. scientific information-in reducing stigma towards people with pedophilic interests and found the former to be more effective. Using freely available secondary data, the present study replicated and extend this previous research by directly examining sex differences on impact of the two interventions. As predicted, females (vs. males) held more negative and stigmatic attitudes towards sex offenders at baseline and, while both interventions showed a positive impact on these negative attitudes, the impact was greater for females. Results are discussed in terms of reducing stigma regarding MAPs by positioning the issue in the public health domain by educating mental health professionals via contact interventions as a means of better protecting children and preventing child sexual abuse.

Patterns of Ownership and Usage of Wearable Devices in the United States, 2020-2022: Survey Study.

Although wearable technology has become increasingly common, comprehensive studies examining its ownership across different sociodemographic groups are limited. The aims of this study were to (1) measure wearable device ownership by sociodemographic characteristics in a cohort of US consumers and (2) investigate how these devices are acquired and used for health-related purposes. Data from the Rock Health Digital Health Consumer Adoption Survey collected from 2020 to 2022 with 23,974 US participants were analyzed. The sample was US Census-matched for demographics, including age, race/ethnicity, gender, and income. The relationship between sociodemographic factors and wearable ownership was explored using descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regression. Of the 23,974 respondents, 10,679 (44.5%) owned wearables. Ownership was higher among younger individuals, those with higher incomes and education levels, and respondents living in urban areas. Compared to those aged 18-24 years, respondents 65 years and older had significantly lower odds of wearable ownership (odds ratio [OR] 0.18, 95% CI 0.16-0.21). Higher annual income (≥US $200,000; OR 2.27, 95% CI 2.01-2.57) and advanced degrees (OR 2.23, 95% CI 2.01-2.48) were strong predictors of ownership. Living in rural areas reduced ownership odds (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.60-0.72). There was a notable difference in ownership based on gender and health insurance status. Women had slightly higher ownership odds than men (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.04-1.17). Private insurance increased ownership odds (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.17-1.40), whereas being uninsured (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.36-0.47) or on Medicaid (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.68-0.82) decreased the odds of ownership. Interestingly, minority groups such as non-Hispanic Black (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03-1.25) and Hispanic/Latine (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.10-1.31) respondents showed slightly higher ownership odds than other racial/ethnic groups. Our findings suggest that despite overall growth in wearable ownership, sociodemographic divides persist. The data indicate a need for equitable access strategies as wearables become integral to clinical and public health domains.

Social vulnerability and surgery outcomes: a cross-sectional analysis

BackgroundPost-operative complications present a challenge to the healthcare system due to the high unpredictability of their incidence. Socioeconomic conditions have been established as social determinants of health. However, their contribution relating to postoperative complications is still unclear as it can be heterogeneous based on community, type of surgical services, and sex and gender. Uncovering these relations can enable improved public health policy to reduce such complications.MethodsIn this study, we conducted a large population cross-sectional analysis of social vulnerability and the odds of various post-surgical complications. We collected electronic health records data from over 50,000 surgeries that happened between 2012 and 2018 at a quaternary health center in St. Louis, Missouri, United States and the corresponding zip code of the patients. We built statistical logistic regression models of postsurgical complications with the social vulnerability index of the tract consisting of the zip codes of the patient as the independent variable along with sex and race interaction.ResultsOur sample from the St. Louis area exhibited high variance in social vulnerability with notable rapid increase in vulnerability from the south west to the north of the Mississippi river indicating high levels of inequality. Our sample had more females than males, and females had slightly higher social vulnerability index. Postoperative complication incidence ranged from 0.75% to 41% with lower incidence rate among females. We found that social vulnerability was associated with abnormal heart rhythm with socioeconomic status and housing status being the main association factors. We also found associations of the interaction of social vulnerability and female sex with an increase in odds of heart attack and surgical wound infection. Those associations disappeared when controlling for general health and comorbidities.ConclusionsOur results indicate that social vulnerability measures such as socioeconomic status and housing conditions could affect postsurgical outcomes through preoperative health. This suggests that the domains of preventive medicine and public health should place social vulnerability as a priority to achieve better health outcomes of surgical interventions.

Durable, Photostable Omniphobic Synthetic Leather Surfaces with Anti-Biofouling Properties for Hygienic Applications.

Globally, the public health domain is increasingly emphasizing the need for surfaces that can resist bacterial contamination, as the consumption of bacteria-infected substance may cause illnesses. Thus, this study aimed to modify polyurethane (PU) synthetic leather surfaces by coating their upper layer with fluorine-functionalized nano-silica particles (FNPs). This simple modification imparted omniphobic characteristics, realizing anti-biofouling and self-cleaning properties. The effectiveness in preventing bacterial adhesion was confirmed by the dip-inoculation method using Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Bacterial adhesion was evaluated based on bacterial counts using the pour plate method and by directly enumerating from scanning electron microscopy images. The attachment of bacteria to the modified omniphobic FNPs-coated PU leather surface decreased by over 98.2% compared to that on the bare surface. We expect that the method developed in this study will significantly reduce or even eliminate the potential risks associated with various biological cross-contamination scenarios, thereby enhancing hygiene standards.