Catch-up and life-course vaccination policies for adult and adolescent migrants in low-and-middle income countries: A policy analysis.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer: from global evidence to national action.

Association between national antimicrobial stewardship policies and antibiotic selection for uncomplicated cystitis in Japan: A 10-year database study.

This study examines oligarchic political discourse in Tempo.co’s Bocor Alus Politik podcast episode “Pertamina and Riza Chalid’s Political Network.” It investigates how political–economic power relations are represented in media narratives when discussing Indonesia’s energy governance, particularly regarding fuel imports, policy “conditioning,” and elite networks. The research employs a descriptive qualitative design and Teun A. van Dijk’s Critical Discourse Analysis framework, focusing on the dimensions of text, social cognition, and social context. The findings show that the podcast constructs oligarchy as a mode of power operating beyond formal state institutions through interconnected political and business actors that mutually reinforce protection and access. Riza Chalid is framed not merely as a businessman but as an informal political actor perceived to influence national energy policy and the distribution of rents. Evaluative lexical choices such as “Gasoline Godfather,” “old modus,” and the metaphor “out of the tiger’s mouth into the crocodile’s jaws” function to sharpen criticism that the issue is not reducible to individual wrongdoing, but rooted in structural continuity and the reproduction of networks. These results align with Jeffrey A. Winters’s concept of oligarchy as income defense, in which political power is used to secure wealth accumulation and protection by a narrow elite. Practically, the podcast as a digital platform operates as a space of counter-discourse, expanding public understanding of the nexus between media, power, and energy politics.

Alcohol is embedded in social life; however, alcohol control policies remain insufficiently enforced in Korea. Comprehensive evidence linking alcohol intake to disease and mortality is limited. This study estimated associations between alcohol consumption in Korea and risks of morbidity and mortality for 39 diseases and conditions. Retrospective cohort study using National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) data linked with death records from Statistics Korea. Population-based customized NHIS data, a mandatory single-payer system covering the entire Korean population, between 2006 and 2022. 6 214 569 participants (57.36% males) aged ≥20 years who underwent two general health examinations during 2006-2009 and were disease-free at baseline. Alcohol consumption was categorized by drinking status and daily pure alcohol intake (seven levels in 10 g/day increments), averaged across two measurements (2006-2007, 2008-2009). The reference group comprised current abstainers at both examinations. Outcomes included incident cases, all-cause and cause-specific deaths for 39 diseases, followed through 2022. Covariates included age, income, body mass index, smoking, physical activity and comorbidities. Hazard ratios and lifetime risks were estimated. At baseline, 79.3% of men and 39.0% of women were current drinkers. For cancer (450 738 cases), alcohol consumption was statistically significantly associated with increased risks of seven cancers in men and four in women. On average, lifetime incidence rate of alcohol-related cancers was 9.96% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 9.83-10.09] among current drinkers and 7.88% (95% CI = 7.73-8.03) among current abstainers in men (2.1% difference). Among women, corresponding rates were 10.28% (95% CI = 10.07-10.50) vs. 9.89% (95% CI = 9.78-9.99) (0.4% difference). For diseases of the circulatory system (2 998 902 cases of ten subtypes), alcohol consumption was associated with increased risks of eight subtypes in men and two in women. In contrast, J- or U-shaped association was observed for ischemic heart diseases, heart failure (men) and cardiac arrhythmias (women), which was no longer evident in analyses using light drinking as the reference. Additionally, statistically significant positive association was exhibited in 14 other conditions among men and six among women. For mortality, alcohol consumption was associated with a lifetime incidence rate of death from any cause of 41.70% (95% CI = 41.40-42.01), compared with 39.06% (95% CI = 38.69-39.43) among current abstainers in men, a 2.6% difference. It was also associated with mortality from 15 diseases in men and nine in women. Alcohol consumption in Korea appears to be associated with numerous diseases and conditions, highlighting the need for strengthened national alcohol control policies. Protective effects of alcohol on cardiac health should be interpreted with caution.

Older patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) experience persistently poor outcomes, including physical disability, cognitive impairment, depression, impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL), rehospitalizations, loss of independence, and mortality. In our previous phase 2 REHAB-HF trial, an innovative physical rehabilitation intervention, delivered across three phases-inpatient, 12-week outpatient, and 3-month home-based maintenance-produced large improvements in physical function and HRQOL, with signals of reduced clinical events among patients with acute HFpEF. These findings provide a compelling rationale for a definitive, event-powered trial to evaluate clinical outcomes. Targeting physical frailty and multisystem functional impairments using the REHAB-HF intervention-a transitional, tailored, structured, and progressive multidomain rehabilitation program focused on balance, mobility, strength, and endurance-will reduce clinical events in older, predominantly frail patients hospitalized for acute HFpEF. REHAB-HFpEF is a multicenter, randomized, single-blind, attention-controlled phase 3 trial across 22 U.S. health system centers, enrolling 880 patients aged ≥60 years hospitalized for acute HFpEF. The primary endpoint is combined all-cause rehospitalizations and mortality at 6 months. Key secondary endpoints include major mobility disability (defined as inability to walk ≥160 meters on the 6-minute walk test) and HRQOL measured by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. Healthcare costs will also be assessed. REHAB-HFpEF is designed to address care gaps for frail older adults with acute HFpEF, who currently lack an evidence-based rehabilitation pathway. If successful in meeting endpoints, this trial could establish a scalable rehabilitation intervention that improves recovery, reduces adverse events, and lowers healthcare costs. Findings may shift HF management paradigms, inform guidelines, and influence national coverage policy for this growing, high-risk population. Enrollment ongoing, 478 of 880 (66%) as of 24Feb2027. Clinicaltrials.gov ID NCT05525663, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05525663?term=NCT05525663&rank=1.

The persistent inequality in wealth distribution in Indonesia reflects the failure to integrate Islamic normative values into the national fiscal policy framework, even though the Qur'an established comprehensive principles of distribution long before modern fiscal theory emerged. This study aims to analyze and construct the role of Qur’anic distribution principles—specifically Surah al-Hasyr, verse 7, regarding the distribution of wealth, and Surah al-Nisā’, verse 58, regarding amanah—as the normative foundation for Islamic fiscal policy in Indonesia. The study employs a qualitative approach using thematic exegesis (maudhū'i) and library research, through content analysis of classical and contemporary exegetical sources as well as relevant academic literature on Islamic economics. The results indicate that Surah al-Hasyr verse 7 contains a structural imperative prohibiting the concentration of wealth and mandating redistribution through fiscal instruments such as zakat and productive waqf, while Surah an-Nisa’ verse 58 establishes the principle of amanah as the ethical foundation of fiscal governance, demanding competence, transparency, and justice in the management of public finances. The synthesis of these two principles yields a conceptual model of Islamic fiscal policy that integrates distributive objectives with accountable governance mechanisms. This study contributes to enriching the theoretical framework of Islamic economics and provides practical implications for policymakers to formally integrate the instruments of zakat and waqf into the national fiscal system, as well as to strengthen Islamic fiscal institutions based on the principle of amanah.

Investigating AI competence among Chinese secondary school teachers: Insights from the UNESCO framework.

Fuel2Flourish is a nurse-led initiative designed to center the voices of nurses, who are active leaders within the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), as trusted messengers and role models in advancing the nutritional and emotional well-being of school-age children. Operating across nine local chapters in different states, this community-rooted program was built in partnership with national policy stakeholders and community leaders to respond to what children and families need most: support they can trust from people who understand their lived experiences. This study employed qualitative methods to gain feedback from chapter program leads to examine implementation processes and early perceived impacts. Through bilingual education toolkits, culturally relevant storytelling, and nurse-led workshops, nurses engaged directly with students, parents, and educators to create safe, inclusive spaces for learning and connection. Despite limited budgets and varied local conditions, Fuel2Flourish thrived by aligning clinical nursing expertise with community insight and action. This article describes the partnerships formed, and the early signs of impact seen on the ground. Fuel2Flourish shows what's possible when nurses are equipped and empowered to lead, bringing creative, locally tailored solutions to the forefront of child health promotion.

A new estimate for global and country-level employment in agrifood systems

With the rapid implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in radiographer workflows, leadership roles are necessary for its safe and effective integration into practice. Due to their dual professional identity (encompassing patient-centred care skills and technical skills) radiographers emerge as natural AI leaders within the medical imaging and radiotherapy ecosystems. To examine how UK radiographers perceive their readiness, confidence and potential roles in AI leadership, and to identify the barriers and enablers for their engagement within the AI-ecosystem. A UK-wide, cross-sectional, online survey of radiographers and students (n=273) combined demographic questions, AI knowledge and experience questions, Likert-type assessments of preparedness and free text responses. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U tests; qualitative data underwent thematic content analysis. Most respondents reported limited AI literacy and minimal hands-on experience, citing insufficient education, protected time and managerial support as key barriers to leadership readiness. Confidence varied: women and those with little AI exposure, expressed statistically significant lower confidence to lead in AI-enabled environments. Respondents felt more comfortable taking on leadership responsibilities once AI systems were already in place than leading their implementation. Qualitative findings indicated that in this predominantly frontline sample, radiographers described AI leadership mainly as operational, practice-based work. Motivations for leadership focused on improving workflows, supporting colleagues and ensuring safe practice. Radiographers recognise the relevance of AI leadership but understand it as practice-proximal, operational-focused responsibilities, due to limited AI exposure, uneven confidence and the absence of defined leadership pathways in national policy. Role ambiguity and limited experiential learning constrain radiographers' ability to envision strategic or organisation-wide AI leadership. Profession-specific education, structured experiential opportunities and organisational support are essential for enabling radiographers to participate equitably and effectively in AI-enabled service transformation.

BackgroundScholarly calls have also been made for more studies with a transgender and gender diverse health promotion in the workplace policy focus.ObjectiveThis co-designed study aims to: a) investigate and report on mental health barriers and enablers for transgender and gender diverse employees with psychosocial disability; and b) model and critically discuss the issues and measures which respectively constrain and advance the mental health of transgender and gender diverse employees with psychosocial disability.MethodsThematic analysis was applied to data collected from interviews involving 12 participants identifying as transgender or gender diverse.ResultsMicro system issues included gender-related stigma and discrimination. Micro system enablers included more contact with transgender and gender diverse employees. Meso system issues encompassed a lack of mental health supports. Meso system enablers included transgender and gender diversity workplace education. Macro system issues and enablers were discriminatory national policies and kindness as a universal guide respectively.ConclusionsWe conclude by recognising a need for co-developed national health and wellbeing policies to support the mental health of transgender and gender diverse employees with psychosocial disability.

In Great Britain, an estimated 4% of road deaths occur among children under 16 years-old. Previous research has often focused on individual-level risk factors, with less attention to the broader social, environmental and system-level determinants shaping child road safety. Emerging systematic reviews highlight the need for integrated approaches that consider inequalities, built environment characteristics and transport systems in understanding child injury risk. The establishment of the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) in 2019 provides a unique opportunity to comprehensively analyse child road fatalities in England. This study adopts a systems-based approach, using Dahlgren and Whitehead's (1991) Social Determinants of Health model to explore the interplay of modifiable risk factors and inform evidence-based interventions. A sequential mixed-methods design will analyse all child road traffic fatalities (0-17 years) recorded in the NCMD between 2019 and 2024 (estimated n ≈ 262). Cases will be identified using NCMD cause of death classifications and child death review panel determinations.Quantitative analysis will describe patterns in child road deaths across individual, family, social and environmental factors, identifying variations by mode of transport, age, gender, deprivation and geographic region. A qualitative template analysis of child death review narratives will provide deeper insight into the systemic conditions contributing to child road deaths. Context-Mechanism-Outcome models will be developed to explore how different risk factors interact to increase vulnerability. Recommendations for policy and practice will be coproduced with stakeholders, including caregivers, using the study findings. Ethics approval has been obtained through the University College London, Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering Local Ethics Board (28815/001). Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, policy briefings, stakeholder workshops and practitioner guidance, with the aim of informing national road safety policy and cross-sector prevention strategies.

Mapping Breast Cancer Care Patterns in FARO Member Countries: A Survey.

Dementia is one of the most serious health issues in an aging society, placing a significant burden on patients and their families, while also posing considerable socioeconomic challenges at the national level. In response, the Korean government introduced the National Responsibility for Dementia Care policy in 2017 to improve healthcare accessibility for patients with dementia and reduce their financial burden. This study utilized the cohort data of patients with dementia collected from Ajou University Hospital between 2012 and 2022. To quantitatively assess the changes in healthcare utilization, we applied panel multivariate negative binomial regression and panel multivariate gamma regression analyses. The analysis identified key factors influencing healthcare utilization, including place of residence, presence of comorbidities, age, and duration of dementia. After the policy was implemented, there was a general decline in outpatient visits and medical expenditure, suggesting a positive effect of the policy on alleviating the economic burden on patients with dementia. Significant changes in healthcare utilization were observed among patients in the early stages of dementia, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and home-based care services. The findings indicate a need for personalized treatment and the expansion of community-based healthcare services for patients with dementia.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping telecommunications, yet Indonesia still lacks a unified framework to guide sector-wide adoption. This study addresses that gap by proposing a National AI Roadmap Framework (NARF) and an AI Readiness Assessment Model (ARAM) tailored to the needs of emerging economies. Using a mixed-methods design, the study combines literature review, expert interviews, industry surveys, and benchmarking against 15 international operators. The results show that Indonesian operators have moved beyond isolated experimentation toward advanced AI maturity, but progress remains uneven. Strengths are evident in strategic leadership and foundational deployment, while persistent gaps remain in talent readiness, data governance, technology integration and autonomous network capability. To address these issues, the study develops a five-phase implementation roadmap that links readiness assessment, policy action and operational scaling. The study makes two main contributions. First, it offers a structured and transferable framework for assessing and planning AI adoption in telecommunications. Second, it provides evidence-based guidance for aligning operator transformation with national digital policy goals. Economic projections indicate that large-scale AI adoption in telecommunications could contribute approximately IDR 285.4 trillion to Indonesia’s GDP by 2035. These findings position AI-enabled telecommunications as a strategic pillar of Indonesia’s digital economy transformation.

Food as Medicine in Los Angeles County: Policy and Practice Insights from a 2025 Convening.

ABSTRACT This article explores the alignment between Libya’s post-2014 sustainable development agenda and social work’s priorities in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using a qualitative approach, the article combines a review/analysis of national policy documents, global SDG frameworks, and narratives from fourteen Libyan social workers. The findings reveal a significant discrepancy: the government prioritizes prosperity-based SDGs, while social workers prioritize dignity-based SDGs. It concludes that sustainable development in fragile states is unattainable without confronting the political structures that systematically marginalize the very people the SDGs aim to help.

Neurosurgical workforce inequities remain a major barrier to timely access to essential neurosurgical care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Because workforce capacity depends not only on the number of trainees but also on the quality, geographic distribution, and sustainability of training systems, neurosurgical training is a critical determinant of global neurosurgical equity. We aimed to synthesize the principal barriers and scalable solutions in neurosurgical training across LMICs and to illustrate these patterns through a national case study of adult neurosurgery residency positions in Peru. We conducted a structured narrative review of the literature on neurosurgical training in LMICs, focusing on historical development, residency training, mentorship, digital education, simulation, and international collaboration. In parallel, we performed a descriptive national case study of adult neurosurgery residency positions available in Peru in 2025, assessing their geographic and institutional distribution. Across the reviewed literature and the Peruvian national case study, barriers to neurosurgical training appeared to be predominantly related to structural and institutional factors, including geographic centralization, limited educational infrastructure, inconsistent subspecialty exposure, financial constraints, and unequal access to mentorship. This does not exclude the role of individual motivation or institutional culture, but suggests that trainee interest alone is insufficient to overcome system-level barriers. Promising scalable strategies included competency-based curricula, structured virtual learning, low-cost simulation models, and partnership frameworks centered on local capacity-building. In Peru, 31 adult neurosurgery residency positions were identified across 20 hospitals in 7 regions, with marked concentration in Lima and repeated clustering within a small number of high-complexity referral institutions. This distribution reflects a centralized training model with limited regional expansion. Neurosurgical training inequities in LMICs appear to be strongly shaped by the structural concentration of training capacity, although local institutional culture, trainee motivation, and national policy contexts may also influence access to high-quality training. Expanding the neurosurgical workforce will require coordinated national planning, investment in regional training hubs, and sustainable educational partnerships that strengthen local ownership and workforce sustainability.

Prolonged economic sanctions-often framed as non-military tools-have increasingly harmed health systems, especially where institutional and policy capacities are fragmented. Despite the growing debate on sanctions, documented analyses of health system responses remain scarce. This study examines Iran to assess how prolonged sanctions shaped its health policy architecture and resilience capacity, with attention to compounded crises such as COVID-19. Phase one synthesized seven empirical studies conducted by the authors-including document reviews, interviews, Delphi, and policy analyses-to assess how resilience principles were embedded across the four stages of the health policy cycle: agenda-setting, policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation. These findings formed the foundation for Phase two, which applied an expanded Theory of Change (ToC) framework to reconstruct policy logics, surface implicit assumptions, and identify institutional breakpoints. After modelling the ToC, a panel of experts reviewed and validated the findings, ensuring methodological rigour and contextual accuracy in mapping resilience under sanctions. The findings indicate that while Iranian health authorities implemented adaptive measures, responses were shaped by fragmented coordination, untested assumptions, and limited structured learning systems. Resilience limitations emerged during implementation and were embedded in early design phases, not fully anticipated or addressed, given the complex and uncertain policy environment. This study offers an analytical framework for mapping resilience in policy systems under long-term constraints. Building on identified governance and design weaknesses, we recommend strengthening international legal safeguards; establishing protected humanitarian corridors; institutionalizing risk-informed planning; routine scenario-based resilience testing; and feedback-driven learning mechanisms within national policy systems. These capacities are essential to absorb shocks and enable adaptive, inclusive, sustainable responses. By clarifying structural domains where resilience can be embedded in advance, the analysis offers guidance for countries under comparable pressures to target strategies in governance, planning, and resource protection. This provides a transferable blueprint for strengthening justice-oriented health systems under long-term constraints.