Support Services Research Articles

Data resource profile: Exploring freely accessible data describing wider determinants of health in England

IntroductionIn England, life expectancy has stalled and significant decreases observed in certain geographical areas and populations. The cause of this involves complex dynamics between an individual's health, characteristics, lifestyle, and their wider environment known as the wider determinants of health which are key to good life expectancy, healthy life expectancy, and prevention of long-term medical conditions. Knowing the availability, breadth, features, and linkage potential of datasets relevant to wider determinants of health is important for exploring trends and associations for policy and public health planning. MethodsA systematic mapping of internet content identified accessible datasets relevant to wider determinants of health in England with town level geographical granularity or lower. Search terms were used in search engines and chatbots to identify weblinks subsequently examined for eligible datasets. Results105 potential weblinks to datasets were identified. Of these, twenty-one weblinks were explored further after exclusion of those: not accessible or currently live (n = 13); duplicated across search engines (n = 17); providing information only (i.e. no raw data, n = 14); did not provide freely accessible data (n 3); were not relevant to wider determinants of health (n = 17); lacked geographical granularity (n = 26). Eighty-nine datasets of interest were compiled with sub-town level data aggregation. Approximately half (n = 47, 52%) were from the England and Wales census 2021, with the remaining sources including government bodies, public services, and research datasets. Datasets covered many valuable categories of wider determinants of health. Key data gaps included food consumption, social care data and community/voluntary services. ConclusionIn England, access to data relevant to wider determinants of health is good and available at relatively small geographical resolution. Accessible datasets were identified and compiled within multiple categories of wider determinants of health as a useful data resource to explore wider determinants of health at place if linked to relevant health data or population studies. Key Features This data resource profile describes a systematic mapping of freely accessible population data on wider determinants of health in England. To the authors knowledge this is the first comprehensive compilation of freely accessible data resources of this kind. This data resource profile was created to support research into the mechanisms and impact of wider determinants on the health of populations in England but is applicable to research and populations studies wider than this. Eighty-nine datasets were identified that may be of use to researchers in health and other population data fields. Datasets are held separately but many have the potential to be linked through common geographical area codes to other relevant datasets such as health data. The datasets originate from multiple sources including government bodies, public services, and research datasets. They cover many key categories of wider determinants of health including socioeconomics, employment, housing, support services, and the environment. Key data gaps included food consumption, social care data and community/voluntary services. The data resource profile in this article links directly to freely accessible datasets at the time of publication in the tables provided. The authors welcome contact from researchers for collaboration on exploring wider determinants of health through data use. Please contact Dr Melanie Rees-Roberts m.rees-roberts@kent.ac.uk

Navigating the Impact of Immigration Policies on Universities: A Leadership Model Approach

This study explores the multifaceted challenges universities may face as a result of alterations in immigration policies. Tightened regulations lead to decreases in international student enrollment. By drawing upon various theoretical frameworks, including transformational leadership, change management, and cultural dimensions, this study offers a comprehensive strategy to address the financial, social, and cultural implications of immigration policy shifts. The study examines the impact of policy changes on employees, highlighting potential challenges such as burnout and disengagement. Proactive measures, including flexible work arrangements and mental health support services, are recommended to mitigate these impacts. Financial implications are addressed through developing contingency plans and reassessing financial strategies to maintain operational stability. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of preserving campus cultural exchange opportunities and diversity initiatives through virtual programs, partnerships, and curriculum integration. Leadership models, particularly transformational leadership, provide a guiding framework for navigating organizational change. The study advocates for clear communication, employee empowerment, and alignment with the institution’s values to foster resilience. Additionally, Kotter’s 8-Step Model of Change Management offers a structured approach to addressing challenges, emphasizing the importance of urgency, vision, and cultural integration. Through proactive measures informed by theoretical insights, universities can navigate the challenges of immigration policy changes while upholding their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and academic excellence. This study contributes valuable insights for higher education institutions grappling with regulatory shifts, offering actionable recommendations for fostering resilience and adaptation in a rapidly changing landscape.

OPTIMUM DESIGN OF INTENSIVE CARE UNIT- AN EVIDENCE- BASED HEALING ENVIRONMENT

Successfully designing a new ICU requires clarity of vision and purpose and the recognition that the patient room is the core of the ICU experience for patients, staff, and visitors. The ICU canbe conceptualised into three components: the patient room, central areas, and universal support services. Each patient room should be designed for single patient use and be similarly configured and equipped. The design of the room should focus upon functionality, ease of use, healing, safety, infection control, communications, and connectivity. All aspects of the room, including itsinfrastructure; zones for work, care, and visiting; environment, medical devices, and approaches to privacy; logistics; and waste management, are important elements in the design process. Since most medical devices used at the ICU bedside are really sophisticated equipments, the ICU needs to be capable of supporting the full scope of medical informatics. The patient rooms, the central ICU areas (central stations, corridors, supply rooms, pharmacy, laboratory, staff lounge, visitor waiting room,) and the universal support services (infection prevention, finishings & and flooring, staff communications, signage & wayfinding, security and fire & safety) work best when fully interwoven. This coordination helps establish efficient and safe patient throughput and care and fosters physical and social cohesiveness within the ICU. Synchronisation of the universal support services in the ICU with the hospital’s existing systems maintains unity of purpose and continuity across the enterprise and avoids unnecessary duplication of efforts.

A thematic analytic account of university support services' acceptability for postgraduate researchers experiencing mental health problems

A thematic analytic account of university support services' acceptability for postgraduate researchers experiencing mental health problems

Practice examples: AP's staged approach re-engages non-attenders

Mark Loveday was head of service at Chadsgrove School Support Services and creator of the Pathways scheme for young people who are out of education due to Emotional Based School Avoidance.

Using patient-reported performance status to guide management of advanced cancer: A quality improvement initiative.

379 Background: Performance status is a key prognostic factor among patients with advanced cancer and can inform the need for supportive care services. However, assessment and documentation of performance status is inconsistently integrated into standard oncology care. Patient-reported performance status (PRPS) is a surrogate for clinician-assessed performance status and has the potential to address this challenge. We piloted a decision support tool in our electronic health record (EHR) that uses PRPS to prompt clinician assessment of performance status and suggest referrals to supportive care services. Methods: We identified patients with advanced cancer using a pre-built and validated registry driven by ICD codes in our EHR (EPIC). For patients with advanced cancer seen at one of our clinics, a multiple-choice question with options derived from the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale in patient-friendly language was added to the pre-visit questionnaire sent electronically prior to oncology visits. For patients with a poor PRPS (2 or greater), a clinical decision support tool alerted providers of the patient’s self-reported performance status, encouraged input of the clinician’s ECOG assessment, and suggested referral orders to supportive care services such as palliative care, nutrition, and social work. We are currently evaluating how our PRPS-driven decision support tool impacts the rate of clinician-assessed ECOG documentation, referral rates, and clinical outcomes. Results: Between 3/13/24 and 5/13/24, of 336 patients identified by the advanced cancer registry, 70% (235) of patients completed the PRPS questionnaire. Among patients with an available PRPS score, 18% (42) of patients reported a poor performance status (2 or greater) at least once, triggering the decision support tool. Providers entered ECOG assessments for 93% (39) of patients and sent referrals to supportive care services for 10% (4) of the patients. Three patients died during this time period, and all three of them reported a poor performance status of 3 or 4. Oncologists at the clinic reported no significant disruption to routine workflow. Conclusions: Preliminary results suggest feasibility of a PRPS-driven decision support tool to flag patients with advanced cancer and declining function and improve discrete documentation of clinician-assessed performance status. Notably, the rate of referrals to supportive care services remains low. Next steps include obtaining longitudinal data from this pilot, assessing the impact of the pilot on goals of care documentation, and validating the concordance of PRPS and ECOG and their effect on clinical outcomes. Ultimately, we aim to use the resulting data and harness our dashboard of patients with advanced cancer and poor performance status to develop innovative, automated, and targeted quality improvement interventions.

Information and Service Support of the Mechanism of Industry Functioning in the Single Digital Space

The functioning of industry in the context of the creation and development of a single digital space of the Russian economy requires the development of an appropriate mechanism, in which information and service support for the digitalization of business processes of industrial enterprises should play a key role. The purpose of this study is to build a model of the mechanism for the functioning of an industrial enterprise in a single digital space (hereinafter referred to as the SDS) as well as to characterize the information and service support for the control and governing functions of this mechanism. The categorical apparatus of the digital economy and digital technologies, methods of classification, comparative analysis, functional and systemic approaches were used as the methodological basis of the study. The results of the work were the construction of a conceptual model of the mechanism of functioning of an industrial enterprise in a single digital space, based on the principle of optimality and capable of adapting to the needs of a particular industrial enterprise, as well as the identification of the basic functions of the management activity of an industrial enterprise in the single digital space, and the characteristics of the information and service support mechanism, which is digital services (technologies) that ensure management activities and interaction of actors of the business ecosystem in the single digital space. The conclusions drawn from the results of the study can be applied in practice by the management of companies when developing their own mechanism and strategy for digitalizing business processes in order to increase the efficiency of functioning in the single digital space industry.

Characterizing Performance Tradeoffs from Air Traffic Management Services for Advanced Air Mobility

The emergence of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) has called for novel Air Traffic Management (ATM) solutions to enable the projected high number of operations, particularly in already dense and complex metroplex airspace. Understanding the multidimensional performance impacts of developing air traffic rules, procedures, and services is key to guiding this new traffic management system design. This paper presents a simulation framework to provide a quantitative assessment of the operational performance of ATM services in support of AAM. The framework embeds several modules for high-fidelity modeling of urban air traffic flows based on actual data, ATM service provision, stochastic simulation, and performance quantification. Two key services are analyzed: airspace geofencing and strategic deconfliction. We evaluate the use of these services in a scenario of air mobility operations associated with daily urban commuting in the Sao Paulo metropolitan region. Monte Carlo experiments are performed to simulate the execution of aircraft trajectories managed under different ATM service configurations, allowing for the characterization of operational performance tradeoffs, particularly in terms of safety and efficiency. The work contributes to quantifying the value of novel ATM services for integrating AAM operations in dense metroplex airspace, supporting their design and implementation.

Service Access and Supportive Care Experiences among Urban and Rural Cancer Survivors: Informing Social Work Practice.

Access to medical and supportive care services is important for the health and quality of life of cancer survivors; however, services are not always available or accessible to all survivors equally. This study aims to explore the experiences of cancer services among cancer survivors in urban and rural settings to inform social work practice. Authors conducted interviews with 25 cancer survivors (colorectal, n = 13; hematological, n = 12) in the West of Ireland, using a narrative inquiry approach. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Authors found variations in the availability of supportive care services for urban and rural cancer survivors. Often, services designed to maximize survivors' individualized choices and needs in community care were limited in rural communities, preventing some survivors from having their physical and psychological needs met. Additionally, access to services proved to be a barrier for rural cancer survivors. Rural survivors stated that traveling to appointments required time and planning, and the implications of travel costs were an increased burden. When rural survivors had good social support, access to services became less of an issue. The study confirms geographical disparities and recommends a review of supports that better meet survivors' needs and informs social work practice.

The tipping point: Financial and emotional costs of care for Medicare patients with cancer.

260 Background: As cancer-related health care expenses are increasing, a greater proportion of treatment costs are shifting directly to the patient, resulting in an increased financial burden for many patients. In addition to growing healthcare costs, the inflationary environment in the US has also increased the costs of daily living expenses. Although the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) encompasses measures for negotiating prices of specific high-cost medications within Medicare Parts B and D, given the expenses associated with cancer treatment IRA negotiation provisions will likely have limited impact on patients’ financial burden. We sought to capture the financial and emotional experiences of Medicare cancer patients about their costs of care prior to the implementation of the IRA. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis used data from a nationwide survey distributed in February 2024 by Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF). Inclusion criteria included a valid email address, age >19, self-reported cancer diagnosis and Medicare coverage. Frequencies were calculated for categorical variables. Additional information about financial challenges will be collected on a subset of cancer survey respondents in May 2024. Results: A total of 331 survey respondents with cancer completed the survey. Most respondents were female (61%), age≥56 (86%), white (73%), retired (59%), married (47%), household income <$48,000 (69%), and rural location (24%). The most common cancer types were multiple myeloma (47%) and breast (26%); 25% were diagnosed < 2 years prior, 87% were receiving cancer treatment and 52% experienced financial challenges prior to diagnosis. Almost half (45%) reported a negative change in their financial situation in the past 12 months; caused by increased living (63%), food (60%), medical care (47%) and medication (39%) costs. Overwhelming/above average financial stress (40%) was reported on the day of the survey; 30% reported spending at least 25% of their monthly income on medical costs; 69% reported financial burden due to their illness. Fifty-nine percent reported that finances impacted their emotional wellbeing. Common coping strategies to alleviate financial distress included positive attitudes, family/friend support and spiritual beliefs. Conclusions: To mitigate the impact of inflation on low-income cancer patients, it is essential for policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations to work together to ensure access to affordable healthcare, support services, and financial assistance programs. Additionally, raising awareness about the challenges faced by this vulnerable population and advocating for policies that address their needs can help alleviate some of the burdens imposed by inflation. While the IRA is a step in the right direction, its financial impact on patients appears limited.

Anesthetic considerations for fetal interventions

Fetal therapy is a well-established but rapidly evolving field discipline. Fetal interventions require a multidisciplinary team approach that emphasizes collaboration and communication. The success of a fetal therapy program relies on the availability of a comprehensive obstetric and neonatal care team, support services, and advanced imaging. Technological advancements in prenatal fetal imaging and genetic diagnosis have improved our understanding of various fetal anomalies. Surgical techniques and anesthetic management have also advanced, leading to better outcomes. Fetal anesthesia presents unique challenges as it involves managing both the mother and the fetus. Anesthetic management focuses on ensuring maternal safety and comfort, maintaining adequate uteroplacental perfusion, optimizing surgical conditions, and minimizing risks for both the mother and the fetus. This article reviews current anesthesia practices for fetal surgery, highlighting recent advances and future directions.

Examining mental and physical distress among male informal caregivers in the US

Background and objectivesResearch has shown that while female caregivers report worse health-related struggles, male caregivers are disproportionately more likely to report interferences with daily tasks due to health-related struggles. Because of this discrepancy, we conducted secondary analyses using the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to explore health-related interferences among a sample representative of adults across 40 US states.Research design and methodsWe performed four Poisson regression models to assess whether: (1) risk of caregivers reporting interferences differed by sex, (2) male caregivers had higher risk of interferences compared to non-caregiving males, (3) interferences among caregivers overall differed by race/ethnicity, and (4) interferences among only male caregivers differed by race/ethnicity.ResultsWhile controlling for relevant covariates, we found male caregivers had 19% higher risk of reporting interferences compared to female caregivers, and 17% higher risk compared to non-caregiving males. Among male caregivers, Asian male caregivers had 90% higher risk of reporting interferences compared to White male caregivers while Non-Latino other race male caregivers had 42% lower risk. Latino and Asian American caregivers overall had 27% and 65% higher risk respectively of reporting interferences relative to White caregivers.Discussion and implicationsThese findings are important as they identify disparities in health-related interferences among groups of caregivers often overlooked in research and support services. Based on our findings, targeted interventions to support male caregivers and Latino and Asian caregivers overall should be a priority for health equity research and support networks.

Telemedicine in geriatric oncology is here to stay.

Advancing age is the most important risk factor for cancer. Collaborations with medical and surgical-oncology divisions, and supportive services are required to assist older adults with cancer through their assessment and treatment trajectories. This often requires numerous clinical encounters which can increase treatment burden on the patient and caregivers. One solution that may lighten this load is the use of telemedicine. At Memorial Sloan Kettering, the Cancer and Aging Interdisciplinary Team (CAIT) clinic risk stratifies and optimizes older adults planned for medical cancer treatment. We analyzed patients seen in the CAIT clinic between May 2021 and December 2023, focusing on their utilization of telemedicine, and on the differences in characteristics of the visits and the results of the Geriatric Assessment based on visit type. Of the 288 patients (age range 67-100) evaluated, the majority (77%) chose telemedicine visits. Older age, lower educational status, living in New York City, abnormal cognitive screen, impaired performance measures, IADL dependency and having poor social support were all associated with choosing an in-person visit as opposed to telemedicine. Older patients with cancer frequently choose and can complete telemedicine visits. Efforts should be directed to develop an infrastructure for remote engagement, improving reach into rural and underserved areas, decreasing the burden generated by multiple appointments.

Challenges faced by head teachers in the management of students' indiscipline in secondary schools in Anambra State

This study explores the challenges encountered by head teachers in managing students’ indiscipline in secondary schools in Anambra State, Nigeria. Using a descriptive research design, data were collected from head teachers through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The study revealed several challenges, including difficulties in identifying root causes of indiscipline, ensuring consistency in disciplinary actions, addressing peer pressure and social dynamics, and managing large class sizes. Despite these challenges, head teachers implemented various strategies to manage indiscipline, including fostering positive relationships, encouraging open communication channels, offering counseling and support services, and promoting student involvement in decision-making processes. The findings underscore the importance of proactive interventions and collaborative efforts among school stakeholders to address indiscipline effectively. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing insights into the unique challenges faced by head teachers in Anambra State and offers recommendations for improving disciplinary practices in secondary schools.

Rural-urban and regional variations in aspects of caregiving, support services and caregiver health in the USA: evidence from a national survey

ObjectivesDue to substantial regional variability in available caregiving services and supports, culture and health status among informal caregivers in the USA, the study objective was to explore how rural-urban differences...

URBAN REGENERATION AND PUBLIC SPACE: LESSONS ON EARLY INTERVENTION OF COMMUNITY-BASED MICRO-PLANNING

Documenting lessons learned from revitalization projects through community-based micro-planning is crucial in developing countries, as it lacks mainstream urban regeneration recognition. This research aimed to evaluate the early intervention of community gardening or urban farming initiatives under an urban regeneration project: the Special Area Action Plan Section 13, Petaling Jaya City, Malaysia. This single case study was investigated using the mixed-methods approach. In the quantitative approach, 200 samples were collected via questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics. In the qualitative approach, eight interviews were conducted and analyzed via thematic analysis. The findings show that the respondents are sceptical about the awareness, safety infrastructure and support services, caretaker, and land ownership concerns surrounding the proposal for community gardening at the Sungai Penchala monsoon drain area. When revitalizing left-over urban public spaces, authorities are recommended to plan more awareness intervention campaigns, enhance safety infrastructure designs, provide policy support in appointing caretakers, and resolve land acquisition matters to realize and sustain the regeneration projects in the public interest. This study contributes lessons learned by auditing the early intervention urban regeneration initiatives in development plans, particularly in fourth-tier-community-based micro-planning in a developing country.

The Workplace Discrimination Experiences of Americans With Disabilities: An Examination of Pacific and Northwest Regions

Background:The purpose of this study was to increase the body of knowledge regarding the workplace discrimination experiences of individuals with disabilities residing in the Pacific and Northwest (PNW) regions by exploring their allegations filed under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).Objective:The goals of this article are to describe region- and state-level patterns in workplace discrimination and to provide valuable information to stakeholders to better understand and address job discrimination within their respective areas of practice.Methods:The Integrated Mission System database documents every available closed allegation of job discrimination under the ADA. Data for each state include overall frequencies and proportions. Data are presented as respective national and regional rankings for comparison purposes. Descriptive and nonparametric statistics were obtained for each of the five specific research questions.Findings:Variables selected for study include the frequency of allegations, the impairment of the charging party, alternative prongs of the ADA definition of disability, the nature of the unlawful discrimination alleged (known as issues), and the outcome of the EEOC investigation (known as merit or nonmerit). These are presented in tables for ease of comparison. Finally, the next steps in research and other possibilities for knowledge translation are discussed.Conclusion:The findings suggest that workplace discrimination against individuals with disabilities varies significantly by state in the PNW, highlighting the need for tailored interventions at the state level. Differences in support services, advocacy, and public awareness about ADA protections contribute to these disparities. Future efforts should focus on enhancing ADA literacy and targeted interventions to address state-specific issues in reducing discrimination in the workplace.

Migraine Prevalence and Academic Impact on Medical Students at Alfaisal University.

Migraine is highly prevalent among medical students but has been understudied in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to determine migraine prevalence, characteristics, academic impacts, and coping strategies in medical students. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 352 medical students. Migraine was identified using ID-Migraine (38.8% prevalence) and International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition (ICHD-3) criteria (36.8% prevalence). Analyses focused on the 130 students meeting ICHD-3 criteria. The mean monthly migraine frequency was 3.5 days. Average pain severity was moderate at 6.4/10. Mean duration was 9.3h. Exams triggered migraines for 66% and increased headache frequency/severity for most students. Headaches limited productivity ≥1 day for 86% and caused missed exams and grade point average (GPA) declines. Rest (77.7%), trigger avoidance (57.7%), and medications (56.9%) were the most common coping strategies. Migraine prevalence exceeded general population estimates, frequently disrupted academics, and was exacerbated by exam stressors. Support services and education on coping strategies tailored to academically triggered migraines could better equip students to manage headaches.

Association between food insecurity, financial toxicity, and healthcare utilization in adolescents and young adults with cancer.

305 Background: Adolescents and young adults with cancer experience high rates of financial toxicity (FT) and unmet health-related social needs (HRSN: food, housing, transportation insecurity). FT and unmet HRSN, specifically FI, are modifiable factors that impact health outcomes; however, the relationship between FI, FT, and healthcare utilization (emergency department (ED) visits or hospitalizations) remains unclear. Leveraging systematic screening for FT and HRSN using the electronic health record (EHR) patient portal among AYAs with cancer, we examined the association between FI, FT, and healthcare utilization measures among AYAs with cancer. Methods: AYAs (ages 15-39) who utilize the EHR patient portal were prompted to complete an 8-item standardized HRSN survey (i.e., food insecurity, housing instability, transportation difficulties) and a 2-item previously established FT survey during e-check in between November 2022 and April 2024. ED visits and hospitalizations were extracted from the EHR directly. Descriptive statistics and associations using chi-square tests were used to describe the patients and examine associations between FI or FT and ED visits or hospitalizations. Results: Of 691 AYAs who completed the HRSN survey, 16% (n=109) screened positive for FI. Among AYAs with FI, 42% (n=46) had at least one ED visit compared with 28% (n=163) among AYAs without FI (p<0.01). Among AYAs with FI, 39% (n=43) were hospitalized at least once compared to 31% (n=179) among AYAs without FI (p=0.07). Of 439 AYAs who responded to the FT survey, 66% (n=290) met criteria for high FT. Within this group, 26% (n=74) had at least one ED visit compared with 17% (n=26) who screened negative (p=0.06). Among AYAs with high FT, 22% (n=65) were hospitalized at least once, compared with 19% (n=28) among those with low or moderate FT (p=0.38). Among 384 AYAs who responded to both the HRSN and FT surveys, 19% (n=74) screened positive for FI, 92% (n=68) of whom also had high financial toxicity. The table describes characteristics of screened AYAs by language and race/ethnicity. Conclusions: FI may be a risk factor for increased ED visits during cancer treatment among AYAs. Systematic screening to identify FI, FT, and other HRSN is important to facilitate referral for resources, support services, or interventions. Sociodemographic characteristics of AYA participants in FI and FT screening. Characteristic +FI -FI +FT -FT N=109 (%) N=582 (5) p-value N=290 (%) N=149 (%) p-value Language <0.01 <0.01 English 82 (75) 496 (85) 241 (83) 134 (90) Spanish 24 (22) 45 (8) 29 (10) 1(1) Other 3 (3) 41 (7) 20 (7) 14 (9) Race/Ethnicity <0.01 <0.01 Hispanic, any race 67 (61) 175 (30) 125 (43) 16 (11) Non-Hispanic Black 12 (11) 62 (11) 30 (10) 10 (7) Non-Hispanic White 16 (15) 219 (38) 78 (27) 84 (56) Other 14 (13) 126 (22) 57 (20) 39 (26)

A national cross-sectional survey on community spinal cord injury individuals profiles, health-related quality of life and support services in China: implications for healthcare and rehabilitation

BackgroundSpinal cord injury (SCI) results in severe, permanent functional changes and has become a global health priority due to its high incidence, cost, and disability rate. Current national epidemiological data on SCI in China are limited and outdated. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive, national cross-sectional investigation of SCI epidemiology in China.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 3055 SCI participants aged 8 to 78 years, conducted from May to September 2023. Data collected encompassed demographic characteristics, employment status, etiology, years lived with disability (YLD), family structure, caregiving status, income, health insurance, paralysis type, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Descriptive statistics analyses were used to assess demographic and injury characteristics. Group differences were assessed using t-tests, one-way ANOVA and Chi-square tests. Significant factors were examined using multivariate regression analysis.ResultsThe majority (88.9%) of respondents were aged 15 to 59 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.36:1. Car accidents caused 45.4% of tetraplegia cases, falls caused 35.9% of paraplegia cases, and myelitis was the leading cause of non-traumatic SCI. Among paraplegia participants, 65.5% had complete SCI, while 53.1% of tetraplegia participants had incomplete SCI. Functional improvement was reported by 9.58% of participants. Half (50.3%) of the respondents were unemployed, and 75% had incomes below the national average. HRQoL was significantly lower in the SCI population compared to controls, mainly influenced by injury site, income, age and etiology (p < 0.05).ConclusionsSCI participants in China exhibit low HRQoL and reemployment rates. Accessible community and vocational rehabilitation programs, alongside robust public medical services, are essential for enhancing reemployment and HRQoL among SCI participants, reducing the overall disease burden.