Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), mainly represented by Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, have a multifactorial etiology and a growing incidence in developing countries. In Brazil, studies on their occurrence and relationship with social conditions remain scarce, which reinforces the importance of updated epidemiological analyses. Ecological study using secondary data on hospital admissions extracted from the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SIH/SUS). Population data were obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), and socioeconomic indicators (HDI-M, SVI, and Gini Index) from the Institute for Applied Economic Research (IPEA). Incidence rates were age-standardized according to the WHO world standard population. For time trend analysis, Prais-Winsten linear regression was applied, and to assess relationships with socioeconomic variables, linear regression analysis was used. The statistical software employed was Stata version 18.0. Between 2010 and 2023, there were 64,303 hospital admissions for IBD in Brazil. The highest frequency was observed among women, adults aged 20 to 59 years, and in the Southeast region, while the lowest occurred in the North region. Regarding incidence, there was a significant increase among men, individuals under 19 years old, adults aged 20 to 59 years, and in the Northeast and Southeast regions. Nationally, an annual growth of 2% in incidence was observed. No significant associations were found with socioeconomic indicators, but regional analyses revealed important relationships with HDI-M and SVI. The results demonstrate an increase in hospital admissions for IBD in Brazil, particularly among younger groups and in specific regions, indicating changes in the epidemiological profile. These findings highlight the need for public policies focused on early diagnosis, equitable access to specialized services, and the strengthening of epidemiological surveillance. Future research should explore environmental, nutritional, and social factors that may influence the occurrence and progression of IBD.

Abstract Political ecology examines the interconnectedness of social, political, and ecological processes, offering critical insights into power dynamics, environmental governance, justice, and inequality. We examine the discipline of political ecology and its relevance in understanding the impacts of environmental changes, economic and colonial exploitation, and socioeconomic inequalities. We present an in-depth critical analysis of key debates and themes in contemporary political ecology: decolonial approaches and inclusion of Indigenous knowledge, climate justice and uneven distribution of climate vulnerabilities, posthumanism and more-than-human governance, and Anthropocene and Capitalocene. This paper discusses the economic drivers and structural solutions to climate adaptation. By highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of political ecology, this study illustrates how recent advancements in the field contribute to the development of more equitable environmental governance and global sustainability initiatives. The study discusses the implications and future directions of political ecology, emphasising the need to decolonise the field, address intersecting social categories, apply Indigenous knowledge and knowledge co-production, engage with environmental justice movements, and critically examine AI-mediated climate governance and decision-making.

ABSTRACT Beyond the direct threat of diarrheal diseases, inadequate WASH conditions are recognized as a major cause of impaired physical development in children. Analyzing NFHS-5 data for 206,025 Indian children, this study explores the link between WASH access andstunting, controlling for socio-demographic factors. With a 35.5% overall stunting rate, disadvantaged and lower-caste groups bear the highest burden. Improved WASH access significantly reduces stunting odds (OR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.92–0.98), which can be particularly beneficial for poor households. Given persistent regional and socio-economic inequalities, national nutrition programs must integrate caste-and-equity-sensitive WASH strategies to effectively and sustainably reduce undernutrition across India.

Climate change poses significant threats to the livelihoods, health, and overall well-being of smallholder women farmers globally. In Mhondoro Ngezi, where agricultural production is predominantly rain-fed, high temperatures, recurrent droughts, and erratic rainfall patterns have intensified women's vulnerability to climate-induced health risks. This study examined the gendered health impacts of climate change on women farmers and explored how these challenges intersect with broader socio-economic inequalities. The research employed the Q methodology to identify and analyse women farmers' subjective viewpoints and lived experiences regarding climate-related health challenges. Findings reveal that prolonged exposure to extreme heat contributes to dehydration, heat stress, and pregnancy-related complications. Declining water availability increases susceptibility to waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea. Food shortages caused by recurrent crop failures have also led to malnutrition, reduced dietary diversity, and weakened immunity among women and their households. These health burdens are compounded by limited access to adequate healthcare services, including shortages of essential medicines, limited diagnostic capacity, and insufficiently trained rural health workers. Women also face difficulties accessing timely medical care during extreme weather events. Structural gender inequalities, such as limited financial resources and restricted decision-making power, further constrain their ability to adapt. The study underscores the urgent need to address the gendered health impacts of climate change, particularly for women farmers in vulnerable, climate-affected communities. Strengthening rural health systems, investing in gender-responsive climate adaptation strategies, and improving access to climate-health information are essential. The insights generated through Q methodology highlight the importance of incorporating women's voices into climate and health policy planning to enhance their resilience and well-being.

Hypertension remains a critical health disparity among Black older adults, driven by factors such as socioeconomic inequities, chronic stress and barriers to healthcare access. Within this population, family relationships, particularly intergenerational interactions, significantly influence health behaviours and the management of hypertension remain understudied. To explore intergenerational factors influencing hypertension prevention and management among Black older adults, focusing on how family relationships impact health behaviours, knowledge transfer and treatment adherence. A discursive paper applying the Transtheoretical Model of Change and Self-Determination Theory as guiding frameworks to examine the role of family dynamics in hypertension management. PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed papers published from 2015 to 2025. The role of family in health behaviours is examined, including the transmission of health knowledge, caregiving dynamics and emotional support. Both barriers and facilitators to effective hypertension management are identified, including cultural beliefs, community resources and the impact of intergenerational role modelling. The discussion underscores the need for nurses to adopt family-centred approaches in hypertension management, considering the intergenerational influences on health outcomes. Recommendations for integrating these insights into clinical practice and nursing education are provided. Understanding the intergenerational context of hypertension management can enhance patient care by improving adherence and prevention strategies. Future research should further explore the role of family in managing hypertension among Black older adults.

Cancer-related out-of-pocket costs in advanced cancer patients in Spain: functional dependence and socioeconomic inequalities.

Purpose This paper explores the relationship between populist rhetoric and political communication within the context of Dravidian politics in Indian politics. Populist rhetoric has been a strategic tool used by both national and regional party leaders, but here, we are specifying regional parties’ usage, particularly the Dravidian Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), to articulate issues of socio-economic inequality, equality in caste status, and linguistic and cultural Tamil identity? These include Conjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai (ANNA), Muthuvel Karunanidhi (Kalaignar), Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran (MGR), and Jayaram Jayalalithaa (JJ & AMMA). They were key figures in the construction of these narratives, and Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin (Thalapathy) utilized their iconic status to cultivate an emotional attachment with the masses and grassroots support. Kalaignar is given special attention because his literary prowess, his theatrical skills and his rhetoric policy were of great use to reinforce the Dravidian ideals and consolidate his political legacy. It analyses the election manifestos, political speeches and public perceptions to understand recurring populist themes in the form of anti-elitism, welfare-oriented policies and identity-driven politics. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study incorporates document analysis, field surveys, semi-structured interviews and historical comparisons to trace the evolution of populist narratives within Dravidian politics. The findings indicate the dual nature of populist rhetoric, both mobilizing an apparatus for inclusive governance and potentially turning out to be the harbinger of societal polarization. Situating this with regional and global political contexts is exactly what this study will be adding to the debate on the dynamic interplay between identity, governance and democratic participation in Tamil Nadu and Indian politics. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, a mixed-method design is used to analysis the nexus between political party identification, welfare policies and electoral behavior in Tamil Nadu. Virudhunagar district has been chosen due to its high literacy rate, HDI (2017) ranking and prevalence of strong Dravidian parties (Dravidian Munnetra Kazhagam & AIADMK). The research uses quantitative surveys (210 people: 121 rural, 89 urban) and qualitative interviews. Stratified random sampling was used so that representation cut across income levels, grounded communities, gender and party platforms. Findings The findings indicate the dual nature of populism – both mobilizing an apparatus for inclusive governance and potentially turning out to be the harbinger of societal polarizations. Originality/value Situating this with regional and global political contexts is exactly what this study will be adding to the debate on dynamic interplay between identity, governance and democratic participation in Tamil Nadu, India.

Infant and young child feeding practices among children aged 6–23 months remain a major challenge in Indonesia due to social, economic, cultural inequalities and regional contextual disparities. These conditions directly affect the achievement of Infant and Young Child Feeding indicators, particularly the Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD). This study aimed to review and synthesize scientific evidence on the socioeconomic and contextual determinants of feeding practices among children aged 6–23 months in Indonesia. This study employed a literature review design using a narrative synthesis approach. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Garuda databases for publications from 2020 to 2024. Articles were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and analyzed descriptively. The results of this review identified nine eligible articles, which consistently indicated that household economic status was the most influential determinant of child feeding practices. Maternal education, area of residence, antenatal care visits, paternal involvement, and access to media and the internet were also associated with variations in MAD achievement. Children from wealthier households and those living in urban areas were more likely to experience better feeding practices. In conclusion, infant and young child feeding practices in Indonesia are strongly shaped by socioeconomic factors and environmental context. It is recommended that nutrition interventions be designed in an integrated manner, with a focus on reducing socioeconomic inequalities, strengthening family roles, and optimizing health services and nutrition-related information channels.

Abstract Purpose Rare diseases (RD) produce an important public health impact, but their specific morbimortality burden remains unknown. Based on Death Certificates (1997–2017), the secular trend (ST) and spatial distribution of deaths due to RD are analyzed. Methods The ICD-10 classified Death Certificates were obtained from the Ministry of Health. A Python web scraper was developed to query the orpha.net web catalogue to establish a correspondence between Orpha and ICD-10 codes. The RDs mortality rate per 1,000 deaths (RD*1000) was calculated by sex, age groups, and by ICD-10 chapters for the five regions of Argentina (Northwest, Northeast, Centro, Cuyo, and Patagonia), as well as for its 24 provinces and 513 departments. Secular trend (ST) was analyzed using Joinpoint software, while spatiality was assessed through Moran’s and LISA indices. Results The RD*1000 death rate at country level was 189.4. Patagonia exhibited the highest rate, followed by Cuyo, Centro, Northeast and Northwest, being these conditions higher in women. The ST was negative between 1997 and 2009 and positive between 2009 and 2017. The geographical distribution of the clusters exhibiting high and low rates was mainly observed in the central and northern regions of the country, respectively. According to ICD-10, the prevalent categories were neoplasms, followed by eye diseases, congenital malformations, diseases of the nervous and digestive systems and diseases of the blood. Conclusion The geographical distribution of RD deaths in Argentina exhibits significant heterogeneity, characterized by a latitudinal arrangement. This phenomenon can be attributed to socioeconomic inequalities, intricately linked to population dynamics and migratory patterns. Clinical trial registration Not applicable. This study involved the analysis of secondary data and did not require clinical trial registration.

Decomposing socio-economic inequalities in edentulism among community-dwelling older adults in a socially diverse metropolitan by using the Erreygers concentration index.

Early childhood weight status among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal children in Victoria, Australia: A repeated cross-sectional analysis.

The gendered landscape of informal caregiving: Cohort effects and socioeconomic inequalities in England.

Environmental disasters are inherently political phenomena, shaped by systemic inequalities and entrenched power dynamics. This article analyzes how the securitization paradigm and slow violence frameworks explain the disproportionate impact of Hurricane Katrina on marginalized communities. While the territorial securitization paradigm focuses on reactionary military preparedness, it fails to address the long-term systemic issues-such as racism, socioeconomic inequality, and inadequate -infrastructure-that exacerbate vulnerability to environmental events. Using qualitative case study analysis, this article draws on federal reports, congressional records, academic literature, and media sources to examine structural neglect and racialized disaster response, and it draws parallels between Hurricanes Katrina and Maria. The disproportionate impact of Katrina on New Orleans' Black and low-income communities underscores the intersection of structural violence, slow violence, and environmental vulnerability. By reframing environmental security within the context of systemic inequities, this article calls for a renewed focus on resilience-building measures and inclusive disaster planning to address the root causes of vulnerability and mitigate future disasters.

Racial disparities in suicide-related mortality in the US: Examining trends before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic using the CDC WONDER database.

Monitoring the SDG immunization indicator: Approaches and challenges.

Global Burden of Oral Disorders in Adults Aged ≥65, 1990 to 2021: A Systematic Analysis of Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Woven lives: The intersection of streetism and resilience in Dodoma City, Tanzania.

Does pay for performance affect socioeconomic inequalities in access? Evidence from hospital specialised care in England.

Contributions of life-course circumstances to the cognitive function in later life: A retrospective study among Chinese older adults.

Type-5 diabetes (T5D), a recently identified malnutrition-related diabetes subtype, is a serious public health concern for both world health and Bangladesh, where high rates of undernutrition coexist with a rapidly increasing diabetes epidemic. T5D disproportionately impacts low- and middle-income nations. Bangladesh is a hotspot due to the dual burden of undernutrition and diabetes, with high rates of childhood stunting (24%), wasting (11%), and adult diabetes prevalence (13.2%). This review attempts to identify T5D mitigation vulnerabilities in Bangladesh, a representative sample of low-resource nations, including resource limitations, socioeconomic inequalities, dietary attitudes and practices, awareness gaps, cultural obstacles, and natural disaster concerns. Key constraints include widespread economic hardship, which restricts access to healthy food and healthcare; dietary shifts toward processed foods, which intensify micronutrient deficiencies; and suboptimal child feeding practices. Weaknesses in the healthcare system, such as insufficient resources, diagnostic restrictions, rural-urban inequities, and a scarcity of skilled professionals, impede early identification and treatment. Gender disparities and domestic violence increase the hazards, since starving women have intergenerational metabolic effects on their children. Furthermore, frequent natural catastrophes interrupt food security, exacerbating malnutrition-diabetes relationships. Multisectoral initiatives are required for effective mitigation of T5D, including scaling up nutrition interventions, enhancing basic healthcare, and establishing social protection programs. Policy changes must include T5D in national diabetic standards, and community-based awareness initiatives must remove cultural stigmas. Without measures, T5D will worsen health disparities in low-income countries such as Bangladesh, highlighting the need for global attention and customized public health initiatives to prevent the malnutrition-based T5D.