Public Health Promotion Research Articles

Children, young people and the Commercial Determinants of Health.

The commercial determinants of health (CDoH) have a significant impact on the health and well-being of children and young people (subsequently referred to as young people). While most research has focused on the influence of harmful industry marketing on young people, more recent CDoH frameworks have emphasized that a range of commercial systems and practices may influence health and well-being. Focusing on the impact of traditional and digital media, contemporary marketing strategies and corporate production and consumption processes, the following article outlines the impact of the CDoH on the health and wellbeing of young people. The article also provides evidence about how young people conceptualize the impact of corporate actors on health, and their involvement in advocacy strategies to respond. The article recommends that when collaborating with young people to understand the impacts of and responses to the CDoH, we should seek to diversify investigations towards the impact of a range of corporate tactics, systems and structures, rather than simply focusing on the impacts of advertising. This should include considering areas and priorities that young people identify as areas for action and understanding why some young people are more vulnerable to commercial tactics than others. Youth are powerful allies in responding to the CDoH. Public health and health promotion stakeholders could do more to champion the voices of young people and allow them to be active participants in the decisions that are made about harmful commercial practices and health.

Consented indicators for the evaluation of integrated strategies of community health promotion targeting children and adolescents: results of an eDelphi.

To date, there is no consensus on indicators for the evaluation of integrated community-based interventions for health promotion and prevention targeting children and adolescents. This study aims at consenting on a scoped set of indicators to evaluate integrated community-based interventions. Out of 738 indicators derived from a literature search, we preselected 94 indicators allotted to 20 domains based on an internal quality appraisal and consensus process and conducted an eDelphi procedure to assess their relevance in view of experts. Experts were recruited in the field of public health, health sciences and communal health promotion in practice and were invited as participants in this eDelphi. During the eDelphi, 47 experts rated the relevance of 94 indicators in two rounds. Consensus was defined as agreement of 75% (or above). After round 1, 27 indicators among 11 consented subdomains reached a consensus on relevance. After round 2, a total of 36 indicators reached consensus on relevance in 9 subdomains (such as socioeconomic factors, health education, nutrition and physical activity, oral health, overall health status, specific health conditions, drug related behavior, exposure to drugs and violence, family factors). These identified indicators may provide a basis for evaluation concepts of integrated community-based interventions for children and adolescents to inform stakeholders about intervention impacts.

Challenges of using evidence in managerial decision-making of the primary health care system

BackgroundManagerial Evidence-Based Decision-Making [EBDM] in the primary is a systematic approach that directs the decision-maker in a conscientious, explicit, and judicious utilization of reliable and best evidence based on the professional experiences and preferences of stakeholders and patients from various sources. This study aimed to investigate the challenges primary healthcare managers encounter while undertaking decision-making processes.MethodA systematic review was conducted in 2022 with the aim of identifying and collecting all qualitative articles pertaining to evidence-based decision-making in the primary healthcare system. To achieve this, a meticulous search was conducted using the relevant keywords, including primary health care and evidence-based decision making, as well as their corresponding synonyms, across the databases Web of Science, Scopus, and Pubmed. Importantly, there were no limitations imposed on the timeframe for the search. To carefully analyze and consolidate the findings of this systematic review, the meta-synthesis approach was employed.ResultsA total of 22 articles were assessed in this systematic review study. The results revealed the main categories including evidence nature, EBDM barriers, utilizing evidence, decision-makers ability, organizational structure, evidence-based, EBDM support, communication for EBDM, evidence sides, EBDM skill development, public health promotion, and health system performance improvement.ConclusionThe primary healthcare system is crucial in improving health outcomes and ensuring access to healthcare services for all individuals. This study explored the utilization of evidence-based EBDM within the primary healthcare system. We identified five key dimensions: causal, contextual, and intervening conditions, strategies, and consequences of EBDM as a core phenomenon. The findings will help policymakers and administrators comprehend the importance of evidence-based decision-making, ultimately leading to enhanced decision quality, community well-being, and efficiency within the healthcare system. EBDM entails considering the best reliable evidence, and incorporating community preferences while also exploiting the professional expertise and experiences of decision-makers. This systematic review has the potential to provide guidance for future reforms and enhance the quality of decision-making at the managerial level in primary healthcare.

Online public health promotion at the local level: An evaluation of four local authority-led marketing campaigns.

Local authority-led online campaigns offer the possibility of targeted health promotion to connect local services and residents. This study assesses the evidence for medium (e.g., click-trhoughs) and high (off-line behaviour change) levels of public engagement with four local authority-led campaigns across a variety of public health promotions (sexual health, weight loss, and vaccination), online marketing approaches (social media marketing, search engine marketing, and programmatic marketing) and target demographics (language, gender, age, income, ethnicity) undertaken by a London borough local authority. Employing quasi-experimental and observational study designs, engagement with local health services during the course of the campaigns was evaluated. The first three campaigns were evaluated based on an interrupted time series model of intervention assessment comparing outcome variables of interest during the campaign to periods before and after the campaign period. The results of the fourth campaign, an observational case-study, are discussed using descriptive statistics only. The analyses of the high engagement data for two of the three campaigns statistically assessed clearly supported the effectiveness of the campaigns. While the effect of high engagement could not be determined in the other two campaigns, they provide data that may be useful in online campaign design. The evidence assessed in this study across a variety of platforms, health promotion initiatives, and population targets suggests that local authority-led online marketing campaigns for health promotion may be useful for increasing participation in public health programmes.

The evolving role of Australian community pharmacists in vaccination: challenges and opportunities

Community pharmacists in Australia are increasingly at the forefront of public healthcare, expanding their scope of practice since first providing immunisation services in 2014. This article examines the evolving role of pharmacists, highlighting their significant contributions to vaccination efforts. Despite their growing impact, pharmacists face complexities due to varying regulatory frameworks and scope of practice across Australian jurisdictions. These challenges affect service consistency and consumer experience. Opportunities for community pharmacies to enhance and strengthen their care of communities remain, including initiatives like the National Immunisation Program Vaccinations in Pharmacy (NIPVIP), which enhances vaccine accessibility and affordability and travel advice and vaccination. Community pharmacists also play a critical role in public health promotion, opportunistic immunisation and support when disease outbreaks occur. To maximise their value, the healthcare system must address regulatory inconsistencies and promote multidisciplinary collaboration. By overcoming these barriers, community pharmacies can continue to provide accessible, high-quality care, reinforcing their essential role in public health and vaccination services.

Public awareness of warning signs & risk factors of colon cancer & attitude towards screening in primary health care, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Objective: This study aimed to assess public awareness of the warning signs and red flags of colon cancer and to evaluate the attitude towards screening for colon cancer. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the data were gathered from a hard-copy questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of demographic data and study factor questions. The questionnaire was distributed to 363 participants, either patients or their relatives who visited the primary care clinics in King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the period of distribution from June, 2021 to February, 2022. Results: Majority of the participants answered abdominal pain as the common symptom of colon cancer (n = 248, 68.3%) followed by the presence of blood in stool (n = 177, 48.8%). Among the risk factors, inflammatory bowel disease was recognized as the biggest cause (n = 192, 52.9%). There was a statistically significant association between smoking and participants' gender (p-value = 0.018). Conclusions: Public health promotion is important to deliver the knowledge needed to achieve the highest awareness of colorectal cancer. The awareness about colorectal cancer is still not enough, there is gap which needs to be filled with a thorough education about the disease.

Microentrepreneurs in Public Health Promotion: Implementation of a Street Vendor-Led COVID-19 Recovery Initiative in Los Angeles, California.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated long-standing inequities, galvanizing new investments and community feedback to improve recovery programs. This implementation evaluation offers descriptive evidence of the feasibility of engaging street vendors to (1) facilitate linkage to services for undocumented Latinx communities, (2) strengthen health promotion by gathering community feedback, and (3) enhance economic opportunity by recognizing and addressing systemic challenges in which vendors operate. Future work should assess the effectiveness of mobilizing existing community messengers around entrenched social determinants of health. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S1):S78-S81. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307453).

Fluoridated food on preventing dental caries in Latin American and Caribbean children and adolescents: a systematic review

Dental caries is a significant global public health challenge, particularly among children and adolescents. It affects individuals' quality of life and can lead to various adverse outcomes, including pain, infection, and impaired school performance. Fluoride has been widely recognized as a key component in oral health improvement programs due to its ability to prevent tooth demineralization and promote remineralization. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the existing literature on the effectiveness of fluoridated food interventions in preventing dental caries in Latin American and Caribbean children and adolescents. The study focuses on this specific region, which faces unique challenges such as limited access to dental care services, socioeconomic inequalities, and cultural practices that may influence oral hygiene and dietary habits. The review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted in multiple databases, including EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scielo, and Web of Science. The search strategy utilized relevant MeSH terms and Boolean phrases related to fluoridated food interventions and dental caries in children aged 12 years and younger. After screening the articles based on predetermined inclusion criteria, no study met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the systematic review. Overall, the systematic review highlights the absence of high-quality available evidence specifically focused on the effectiveness of fluoridated food interventions on children and adolescents of the Latin American and the Caribbean, underscoring the importance of conducting further studies to inform evidence-based decisions regarding public health policies, resource allocation, and oral health promotion strategies in this population.

From biodiversity to nature deficiency in human health and disease.

Nature (biodiversity) loss is the loss or decline of the state of nature taking place in the wider environment. We present a novel concept, nature deficiency, referring to nature loss in the human body influencing health. Humans are connected with the natural environment and its microbes and biogenic chemicals through eating (drinking), breathing, and touching. The mental and sociocultural links to the environment are also strong. With medical and ecological research and guidelines, the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of nature deficiency may become part of the clinical practice. Nature prescription is likely to find plausible forms in patient care and inspire preventive actions at the society level. Health professionals are in a key position to integrate public health promotion and environmental care.

Religion and COVID-19 Pandemic: Policy Directions for Potential Future Public Health Crises

Religion has always been important in human societies. It has also been of great importance during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. There is scientific consensus that its role has been multidimensional. Many religious groups have been endorsing COVID-19 mitigation measures while others have been opposing them. Furthermore, faith-based anti-vaccine stances have been a major obstacle in vaccination campaigns worldwide. In many cases, religious groups and organizations have been providing humanitarian aid, as well as, spiritual and emotional support to individuals and communities during a time of crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. In conclusion, religions have been functioning in this aforesaid variety of manners. Policy recommendations for potential future public health crises are being made in this paper with the intention to make sure that religions will be part of the solution, and to enhance already existing activities and initiatives towards the promotion of public health.

Health Equity through Structural Adjustment by Nepal for Public Health

The study states at Nepal's healthcare system, emphasizing structural changes and obstacles to enhanced health of people. The federal system prioritizes social determinants, healthcare personnel, quality access, community involvement, and the impact of globalization on health while providing comprehensive services despite decentralization and collaboration. With an emphasis on social justice and the promotion of public health, this paper investigates Nepal's healthcare system and health equity in the context of globalization. Reviewing data, policy, implementation, and literature assists it to analyze and draw conclusion. In discussing Nepal's shift from a unitary to a three-level federal government structure, the article highlights the consequence of developing policies and programs that promote social justice and equity in health. In addition to calling for a massive effort by the public health community to discuss and analyze health crises related to globalization and develop social justice-based strategies for a world where health for all is a reality, it suggests that a single strategy should be developed to address health crises.

Prevalence of Testing for Diabetes Among US Adults With Overweight or Obesity, 2016-2019.

Screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes may allow earlier detection, diagnosis, and treatment. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening every 3 years for abnormal blood glucose among adults aged 40 to 70 years with overweight or obesity. Using IQVIA Ambulatory Electronic Medical Records, we estimated the proportion of adults aged 40 to 70 years with overweight or obesity who received blood glucose testing within 3 years from baseline in 2016. We identified 1,338,509 adults aged 40 to 70 years with overweight or obesity in 2016 and without pre-existing diabetes. We included adults whose records were present in the data set for at least 2 years before their index body mass index (BMI) in 2016 and 3 years after the index BMI (2017-2019), during which we examined the occurrence of blood glucose testing. We calculated the unadjusted and adjusted prevalence of receiving blood glucose testing. The unadjusted prevalence of receiving blood glucose testing was 33.4% when it was defined as having a hemoglobin A1c or fasting plasma glucose measure. The unadjusted prevalence was 74.3% when we expanded the definition of testing to include random plasma glucose and unspecified glucose measures. Adults with obesity were more likely to receive the test than those with overweight. Men (vs women) and adults aged 50 to 59 years (vs other age groups) had higher testing rates. Our findings could inform clinical and public health promotion efforts to improve screening for blood glucose levels among adults with overweight or obesity.

Health in All Policies and intersectorality in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2011 - 2021: a scoping review

Introduction: Intersectoriality, since the Alma Ata Conference in 1978, has become a fundamental part of the political discourse on public health, social determinants, and health promotion to address health problems in society. Following the above, it is important to identify the research carried out in Latin America and the Caribbean on this topic in the last decade. Metodology: A scoping review was carried out on the scientific evidence published between 2011 and 2021 in countries of the Latin American region on experiences and intersectoral actions between health and other sectors to address joint public health problems. Results: 15 studies were included; mostly from Brazil, with predominantly qualitative designs and local character. In addition, some analyses highlight the hegemony of the biomedical model, as well as the conflicts and tensions at the ideological level in certain health issues and traditional practices that limit effective intersectoral collaboration. Conclusions: Intersectoriality is not a strictly technical issue, but ideological elements converge that determine its scope and limitations. Studies in countries such as Colombia should be expanded to have evidence that allows an understanding of the barriers and facilitating aspects of intersectorality.

Management of North Jayapura Public Health Center in the Stunting Prevention Program for Children Aged 3-5 Years

This study aims to identify and describe the management of North Jayapura Public Health Center in the stunting prevention program in children aged 3-5 years which covers the availability of input (human resources and supplies, and funds), processes (monitoring, movement and implementation, monitoring, control, and evaluation) and outputs in the Stunting Prevention Program for children aged 3-5 years. This study is qualitative research with a description approach. The study was conducted in North Jayapura Public Health Center from March to May 2023 involving five informants: one head of the public health center as a key informant, one chief of the nutrition and child health services and two staff of the health and child nutrition services as the primary informants, and one patient's family. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain the required primary data. Stunting prevalence reports in North Jayapura Public Health Center in 2022 are used as secondary data. The interviews showed a wide range of roles from various stakeholders in conducting stunting prevention programs, including midwives, nutritionists, the head of the Public Health Center, cadres, community figures, and health promotion. The funds obtained from the Health Operational Assistance (BOK) proved sufficient to implement a stunting prevention program. Facilities and infrastructure in North Jayapura Public Health Center had several adequate facilities such as complete room content based on the needs in implementing the program. The planning process (P1) of the stunting prevention program was carried out by involving screening of pregnant mothers, cooperation with Public Health Center and nursing practitioners, as well as data collection and data analysis, and then planning the activities of the PMT Program. The movement and implementation of the program (P2) was done by monitoring pregnant women at stunting risk and news. The program leaders and the head of the Public Health Center played an important role in the supervision and control of the program. Monitoring, Control, and Performance Assessment (P3) was carried out through supplementary feeding (PMT) and body height and weight monitoring. Coverage availability and monthly reports became important indicators in performance assessment. There were constraints in the effectiveness and efficiency of the program, especially about the availability of time and the economy of the people. Educating patients took a long time, so not all patients get optimal education. The results obtained with the presence of the Stunting Prevention Program in North Jayapura Public Health Center could show how many babies are undernourished in the Region of North Jayapura Public Health Center by always providing education and counseling to the mother to understand the importance of the health of the child. The results of the program giving PMT on the child stunting helped to improve the child's nutrition to be better. In conclusion, the management of stunting prevention programs in North Jayapura Public Health Center requires improvements in resource management, more integrated surveillance, and improved facilities and facilities. Collaboration between the various stakeholders is also the key to the success of the program. With an in-depth understanding of the management of stunting prevention programs, it is expected that the program can be continuously improved to have a positive impact on the health of 3-5-year-olds in the Region.

Cyberbullying and Its Impact on Self-Esteem and Emotional and Behavioral Problems Among University Students in Kuwait – A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Cyberbullying is a modern phenomenon with public health implications due to the associated serious mental disorders, emotional distress, substance use, and suicidal behaviour. Young people are at a higher risk of cyberbullying and its complications. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cyberbullying and its relationship with self-esteem and behavioural problems among Kuwait University Students. 
 
 METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in seven randomly selected colleges of Kuwait University using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included three sections: Cyberbullying questions, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.
 
 RESULTS: A total of 1252 students were included with a mean age of 20.58 years. Most students were females (n=1049, 84.2%), single (n=1078, 86.4%) and Kuwaiti (89.3%). Of the cohort, 194 students (15.8%) have been cyberbullied in their lifetime and 4% (n=49) were cyberbullied in the last 30 days. Female students (OR =2.677, P<0.001) and students with divorced (OR=2.35, P<0.006) or separated (OR=3.730, P<0.006) parents had a higher risk of being affected by cyberbullying. In addition, participants who were dissatisfied with their financial situation were more likely to be affected by cyberbullying (OR=1.096, P=0.008). Emotional problems (P<0.001), conduct problems (P<0.001), hyperactivity problems (P=0.029), peer problems (P<0.001), externalizing problems (P<0.001) and internalizing problems (P<0.001) were higher among students who were exposed to cyberbullying in their lifetime compared to other students.
 
 CONCLUSION: This study revealed a relatively high prevalence of cyberbullying among college students in Kuwait. Since emotional problems and self-esteem are significantly related to cyberbullying, university-wide public health promotion campaigns are encouraged to address the negative consequences of cyberbullying on students’ psychological health.

A review on the impacts of COVID-19 on the auditory system: Implications for public health promotion research.

Currently, there are few studies on the relationship between COVID-19 and the auditory system. In the current study, a review of the studies conducted in the fields of etiopathology, clinical manifestations, research, and treatment of hearing loss caused byCOVID-19 was conducted, which can be used as a baseline for future studies. We utilized the research approach suggested by Arksey and O'Malley to carry out this scoping review. Search was conducted in Farsi and English with a focus on the onset of hearing loss in patients with COVID-19 through Medline and PubMed, and Google Scholar search engine. Studies included were those involving adult patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who experienced hearing loss, ear pain, ear discharge, and otitis media. Studies were eligible for inclusion if there was a description of the otologic dysfunction, specifically onset, duration, or clinical outcomes. Among 90 studies identified, 35 studies were included in the review process. Our findings suggest several possible mechanisms for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in COVID-19 patients, and COVID-19 infection could have deleterious effects on the inner ear, specifically on the hair cells of the cochlea despite patients being asymptomatic and early identification of SSNHL in COVID-19patients can save the hearing and also patient. Hearing loss in COVID-19 infection has not received much attention by health care professionals. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), tinnitus, and/or vertigo have been shown to occur during and following COVID-19 infection. Due to lack of research studies, and the inconsistency and even contradictory of the findings, it remains questionable whether COVID-19 contributes to the high incidence of hearing loss. The proper understanding of the mechanisms behind hearing loss in COVID-19 infections needs further research. However, it seems likely that SNHL could be included among the manifestations of those-called "long COVID" syndrome.

Settings, populations, and time: a conceptual framework for public health interventions.

This paper presents a conceptual framework displaying how combinations of settings and populations seen in a long-term perspective may guide public health and health promotion planning and research. The notion of settings constitutes a key element of health promotion as stipulated by the Ottawa Charter from 1986. The setting approach highlights the individual, social and structural dimensions of health promotion. Likewise, the notion of populations and how they are selected forms a center pillar of public health. By joining the two perspectives, four combinations of intervention strategies appear by addressing: (1) a single population segment within a single setting, (2) multiple population segments within a single setting, (3) a single population segment within multiple settings or (4) multiple population segments within multiple settings. Furthermore, the addition of a time dimension inspired by the life-course perspective illustrates how trajectories of individuals and projects change settings and population segments as time goes by. The conceptual framework displays how systematic awareness of long-term, multi-setting, multi-population trajectories allow health promotion planners and researchers to systematically develop, plan and analyze their projects.

Egészségügyi Hatásvizsgálat és Egészséges Közpolitika: Narratív áttekintés a meghatározásokról és megközelítésekről

BACKGROUND: Despite advancements in various fields due to globalization and technology, societal health and quality of life have not proportionally improved. Health inequalities, and unjust disparities in health within and between communities, have garnered attention as preventable challenges. The influence of non-health-related policies and decisions on public health has been overlooked for an extended period. The concept of Health Impact Assessment (HIA) has emerged to address this issue. HIA aims to inform decision-making processes, promote health, and reduce health disparities. Healthy Public Policy (HPP), which integrates health and equality considerations across policy sectors, further contributes to improved overall health outcomes. This study investigates the interplay between HIA and HPP. The focus is on elucidating the evolving dynamics between these two concepts and scrutinizing the increasing efficacy of the popular HIA. METHODS: Peer-reviewed, English-language articles reporting on health impact assessment that were published between 1990 and 2021 were looked for on PubMed, Science Direct, and JSTOR. Health impact assessment with either public policy or health promotion was used for the search. To find further studies, reference lists of papers were examined. A subset of studies was chosen for analysis. RESULTS: Studies support that the interplay between HIA and HPP is a potent force that shapes the landscape of public health. Their collaboration amplifies the impact of each and transforms policies into vehicles of positive change. Recommendations include aiming for healthier communities, reducing health inequalities, and a sustainable future by synergistically evaluating health impacts and creating policies that prioritize well-being. However, concerns have been raised about the potential for HIA to expand into non-health areas, leading to discussions about renaming it to a more inclusive term such as "general policy assessment", although no concrete steps have been taken. It has been mentioned that the complexity of HIA can lead to difficulties in certain contexts and makes it difficult for it to become widespread and that it needs to be improved. Making it simpler, more flexible, and applicable to different conditions is among the suggestions. CONCLUSION: HIA emerges as an indispensable and potent tool for cultivating HPP. Its application should extend to diverse domains, necessitating the identification and resolution of obstacles that may impede its effectiveness.

Green Space and the Risk of Non-communicable Diseases: A Study of Urban Residents in Dhaka City

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading cause of death in Bangladesh, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. Green spaces, defined as natural or semi-natural areas with vegetation, have been recognized for their potential to promote health and prevent NCDs. However, limited research exists on the relationship between green space and NCDs in urban areas of Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship between green space and NCD risk in urban residents of Dhaka City, focusing on the amount and distribution of green spaces, their effectiveness in reducing NCD risk, and recommendations for policymakers and urban planners. The findings could have significant implications for public health interventions, such as advocating for increased availability and accessibility of green spaces, improving their quality, and promoting activities that encourage their use. The study may also identify areas with inadequate access to green spaces, informing targeted interventions for equitable access. Furthermore, understanding the mechanisms through which green spaces influence NCD risk, such as physical activity, social interaction, air quality, and stress reduction, could lead to evidence-based interventions. The findings could be used to advocate for policy changes and urban planning strategies that prioritize green spaces as an important component of public health promotion and NCD prevention in urban areas. Collaborative efforts between health authorities, urban planners, policymakers, and community stakeholders may be necessary to implement strategies that increase the availability, accessibility, and quality of green spaces in Dhaka City. In conclusion, this study has the potential to contribute valuable knowledge to the literature on green space and health in urban areas of Bangladesh, with implications for public health policy and planning.

Rural-urban health differences among aging adults in India

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine the rural-urban health differences among aging adults in India. MethodsThe national cross-sectional data of 67,489 individuals (≥45 years) in 2017–2018 from 35 states and union territories of India (excluding Sikkim) in 2017–2018 were analysed. Various sociodemographic data, well-being indicators, lifestyle factors and physical conditions were assessed by face-to-face interviews and physical measurement. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was utilized to assess the predictors between residence status (rural dweller, urban migrant, and urban dweller) and various health indicator outcomes. ResultsMajority (70.4 %) of the participants lived in rural areas, 10.3 % were urban migrants and 19.3 % urban dwellers. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, urban migrants and urban dwellers had a higher self-rated health status, cognitive functioning, physical inactivity, overweight or obesity and abdominal obesity than rural dwellers, while urban migrants and/or urban dwellers had lower functional disability, insomnia symptoms, current smokeless tobacco use, current smoking, heavy episodic drinking and underweight than rural dwellers. Furthermore, urban migrants and/or urban dwellers had higher odds of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, high cholesterol than rural dwellers, while urban migrants and/or urban dwellers had lower odds of persistent headaches, major injury, recurrent fall, physical pain, periodontal disease, vision impairment, and gastrointestinal problems than rural dwellers. ConclusionAmong 30 health indicators assessed, 16 had an urban migrant and/or urban dweller advantage, 8 had urban migrant and/or urban dweller penalty, and 6 did not differ between rural-urban groups. Public health promotion and health care should address differing health care needs of rural and urban middle-aged and older adults.