Global Public HealthPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-04-22DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2025.2495326
Beheshta Harghandiwal
{"title":"Impact of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza on children's health: Evidence and recommendations for mitigation.","authors":"Beheshta Harghandiwal","doi":"10.1080/17441692.2025.2495326","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2025.2495326","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>On 7th October 2023, Hamas attacked Israel, killing over 1100 Israeli civilians. This was followed by a war in Gaza and Israeli forces continuously bombed and launched military attacks on the Gaza Strip. Over 13,000 children have been killed and thousands more injured, many of whom are suffering from disabling traumatic injuries. Given the recency of events and the unprecedented scale of the impact, this narrative review addresses the urgent need to synthesise the impact of the crisis on children's health in Gaza. The review focuses on the impact of the war on healthcare, food insecurity, infectious diseases, children with disabilities and the psychological impact. Findings reveal that children in Gaza are facing life-threatening challenges affecting all aspects of their health. There are catastrophic levels of food insecurity with high rates of malnutrition. About 60% of WASH facilities have been destroyed and infectious diseases are widespread. Children with chronic medical conditions and a disability are especially vulnerable to the hostilities. The challenges of data collection during the war introduce uncertainty, making it difficult to fully understand the extent of harm. However, without urgent interventions, an entire generation of children are endangered and condemned to a future of ill health and suffering.</p>","PeriodicalId":12735,"journal":{"name":"Global Public Health","volume":"20 1","pages":"2495326"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143996574","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Global Public HealthPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-01-29DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2025.2457109
Stephanie Montesanti, Kayla M Fitzpatrick, Barbara S E Verstraeten, Beverly Tourangeau, Lorraine Albert, Richard T Oster
{"title":"Revitalising strong cultural connections and resilience: Co-designing a pilot Elder-led mentorship program for Indigenous mothers in a remote northern community in Alberta, Canada.","authors":"Stephanie Montesanti, Kayla M Fitzpatrick, Barbara S E Verstraeten, Beverly Tourangeau, Lorraine Albert, Richard T Oster","doi":"10.1080/17441692.2025.2457109","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17441692.2025.2457109","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Connecting with traditional knowledge and culture promotes the well-being of Indigenous parents and creates healthy environments for child development. Community Elders in a remote northern community in Alberta, Canada, collaborated with researchers to design a pilot Elders Mentoring Program. The programme aims to support young Indigenous mothers(-to-be), bringing back cultural traditions and teachings. Twelve workshops for Indigenous mothers(-to-be) focused on cultural activities and passing down traditional knowledge from Elders. Nine mothers(-to-be) completed a survey about their perinatal and postpartum experiences and care needs. Sharing circles with Elders and individual debriefings with mothers were conducted to understand their experiences in the workshops. Survey responses showed limited childcare services and transportation availability as barriers to accessing perinatal and postpartum support. Four themes emerged from qualitative data analysis: (1) the meaningful role of Elder mentorship for Indigenous mothers(-to-be); (2) Weekly workshops provided a safe space to share and develop relationships; (3) Participation in workshop activities fostered positive coping and improved self-esteem; (4) Elder-led workshops encouraged cultural connection and transference of traditional knowledge to younger generations. Cultural workshops led by Elders enhanced the connection to culture and resilience for Indigenous mothers and expectant mothers in a remote northern community.</p>","PeriodicalId":12735,"journal":{"name":"Global Public Health","volume":"20 1","pages":"2457109"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143058823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Global Public HealthPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-07-09DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2025.2514522
Preeti Patel, Aiswarya Francis Xavier, Sentirenla Longchar, Subeksha Shrestha
{"title":"The influence of socioeconomic and cultural factors on emotional violence in gender-based abuse.","authors":"Preeti Patel, Aiswarya Francis Xavier, Sentirenla Longchar, Subeksha Shrestha","doi":"10.1080/17441692.2025.2514522","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2025.2514522","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pervasive global issue that transcends cultural, geographic, and socio-economic boundaries. This study aims to contribute to the growing body of empirical literature on GBV by analysing its prevalence and associated factors across 19 countries using data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Phases 7 and 8. While previous studies have often focused on physical or sexual violence, this research provides a holistic perspective, disaggregating findings across physical, sexual, and emotional violence. Further, special emphasis is placed on emotional violence, a subtle yet deeply harmful form of abuse that involves manipulation, humiliation, and control, with far-reaching psychological consequences. Our findings underscore the role of intergenerational violence, socio-economic disparities, and cultural norms in perpetuating emotional violence. Key determinants include childhood exposure to violence, educational attainment, economic dependence, and occupational vulnerabilities, with disparities observed across rural and urban settings. Emotional violence prevalence is particularly high among household workers and women in financially imbalanced relationships, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. The study identifies critical data gaps in understanding emotional violence and advocates for more in-depth questioning and qualitative research to capture its nuanced impacts.</p>","PeriodicalId":12735,"journal":{"name":"Global Public Health","volume":"20 1","pages":"2514522"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144600157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Global Public HealthPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-04-18DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2025.2492234
Cole King
{"title":"Commentary: Air pollution and neurodevelopmental disorders: a cause for concern in an urbanising world.","authors":"Cole King","doi":"10.1080/17441692.2025.2492234","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2025.2492234","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The world's population is rapidly urbanising, especially in low- to middle-income countries. However, urban living is associated with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) like autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia. Exposure to urban air pollutants like particulate matter has been positively associated with both ASD and schizophrenia diagnosis rates. Mechanistic studies have shown that particulate matter exposure leads to brain inflammation and white matter pathologies consistent with these disorders. Children are especially susceptible to these effects due to their rapidly developing nervous systems. Despite this, few reviews on the subject recommend future steps to mitigate the teratogenic effects of particulate air pollution. This commentary both synthesises evidence and recommends research and policy goals to protect children, both present and future, from the neurodevelopmental consequences of particulate air pollution. These steps include further study of the relationship between air pollution and equitable resource distribution to address the coming global rises in NDD. Furthermore, capacity building in urbanising nations is essential to overcome barriers erected by resource extraction and pollution outsourcing by wealthy nations. With such an integrated approach, progress can be made in protecting the developing nervous systems of children and future generations in both affluent and resource-strained nations.</p>","PeriodicalId":12735,"journal":{"name":"Global Public Health","volume":"20 1","pages":"2492234"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143994087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Global Public HealthPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-07-27DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2025.2537698
Martina Mchenga, Brendan Maughan-Brown, Rachel Yates, Lucas Hertzog, Boladé Hamed Banougnin, Silinganisiwe Dzumbunu, Madison T Little, Lucie Cluver, Elona Toska
{"title":"Accelerating the prevention of HIV and violence in adolescent girls and young women in Zimbabwe through multi-sectoral programming: Cross-sectional analysis of the 2017 violence against children survey.","authors":"Martina Mchenga, Brendan Maughan-Brown, Rachel Yates, Lucas Hertzog, Boladé Hamed Banougnin, Silinganisiwe Dzumbunu, Madison T Little, Lucie Cluver, Elona Toska","doi":"10.1080/17441692.2025.2537698","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17441692.2025.2537698","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In Zimbabwe, adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) encounter significant challenges, including HIV risk and gender-based violence. This study analyses data from 7,211 AGYW aged 13-24 from the 2017 Zimbabwe Violence Against Children Survey. Using a multivariable logistic regression model, it examines the associations between three protective factors: positive parenting, food security, and equitable-gender attitudes and 12 outcomes. Westfall-Young stepdown procedure was used to adjust for multiple hypothesis testing. Percentage predicted probabilities of each outcome occurring in several scenarios were computed: exposure to each protective factor alone or in combination, with other variables kept constant. The findings reveal that equitable-gender attitudes inversely correlate with ten adverse outcomes, including inconsistent condom use (aOR: 0.47) and adolescent pregnancy (aOR: 0.65). Positive parenting also reduce the likelihood of sexual abuse (aOR: 0.63) and physical intimate partner violence (IPV) (aOR: 0.56). Food security is linked to lower odds of physical IPV (aOR: 0.52) and mental distress (aOR: 0.58). The combination of these protective factors demonstrates additive effects across various outcomes. These results suggest that integrating HIV-centered interventions with structural, societal, and relational strategies such as improving food security and promoting equitable gender attitudes could enhance the well-being of AGYW in Zimbabwe.</p>","PeriodicalId":12735,"journal":{"name":"Global Public Health","volume":"20 1","pages":"2537698"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144729870","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Global Public HealthPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2024-12-11DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2024.2436436
Raglan Maddox, Melody E Morton Ninomiya
{"title":"Indigenous sovereignty in research and epistemic justice: Truth telling through research.","authors":"Raglan Maddox, Melody E Morton Ninomiya","doi":"10.1080/17441692.2024.2436436","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2024.2436436","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing are based on embodied sovereignty, relationality and countless generations of knowledge sharing. We call for <i>epistemic justice</i> in which Indigenous knowledge systems are recognised and valued in research-related contexts. We draw attention to how colonial knowledge systems silence, delegitimise and devalue specific knowers and ways of knowing, being and doing - through truth telling. This includes (1) the extent to which educational systems, research, practices, decisions, and reported outcomes are whitewashed - a process of structural and systemic discrimination, racism, and exclusion that actively alters or omits Indigenous and non-Euro-Western contributions and perspectives to fit Euro-Western norms and (2) whitewashed and racialised logic in scientific research that claims to be open, collaborative and transparent. Whitewashing not only obscures the history and contributions of Indigenous peoples and communities but also actively reinforces systemic biases and inequities. We assert the need for epistemic justice in public health research. Epistemic justice calls for Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination to be made visible. It may involve on how colonial policies, protocols, and regulations are connected to everyday lived inequities of Indigenous communities, families and individuals. Ultimately, epistemic justice is inherent to Indigenous peoples' health and wellness, self-determination and sovereignty.</p>","PeriodicalId":12735,"journal":{"name":"Global Public Health","volume":"20 1","pages":"2436436"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142812898","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Global Public HealthPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-01-09DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2025.2450412
Luma Princess Schneider, Jean Henri Maselli-Schoueri, Barbara de Souza Gutierres Aguiar, Pedro Nazareth Aguiar, Auro Del Giglio
{"title":"Addressing challenges in the implementation of precision oncology: An in-depth examination of limitations and disparities in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in the Brazilian public healthcare system (SUS).","authors":"Luma Princess Schneider, Jean Henri Maselli-Schoueri, Barbara de Souza Gutierres Aguiar, Pedro Nazareth Aguiar, Auro Del Giglio","doi":"10.1080/17441692.2025.2450412","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2025.2450412","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Precision oncology (PO) has significantly advanced lung cancer treatment by enabling personalised therapy based on genetic mutations. However, equitable access to molecular testing and targeted therapies remains a challenge, particularly in resource-limited settings such as the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS). To identify the challenges faced by SUS in caring for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in terms of access to Precision Oncology. Retrospective study with data from e-medical records of NSCLC treated between 2015-2021. 174 patients with NSCLC were included, of which 56% were females and 63% had non-squamous histology - 80% of early-stage patients and 32% of advanced-stage patients missed access to genomic testing, primarily due to short life expectancy or insufficient sample size. Only one participant underwent testing for all recommended biomarkers. Among patients with actionable mutations, 40% did not receive targeted therapy; however, regarding EGFR mutations, only 8% did not get it. Access to targeted therapy was associated with improved survival outcomes. The study highlights critical challenges and missed opportunities in the implementation of precision oncology for NSCLC management within the SUS and underscores the need for strategies to improve access to genomic testing in the public health setting.</p>","PeriodicalId":12735,"journal":{"name":"Global Public Health","volume":"20 1","pages":"2450412"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142947196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Global Public HealthPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-01-20DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2024.2433725
Michael Kunnuji, Megan Schmidt-Sane, Olufunke Adegoke, Syed Abbas, Elizabeth Shoyemi, Akanni O Lawanson, Ayodele Jegede, Hayley MacGregor
{"title":"Mpox and the men who have sex with men (MSM) community in Nigeria: Exploratory insights from MSM and persons providing healthcare services to them.","authors":"Michael Kunnuji, Megan Schmidt-Sane, Olufunke Adegoke, Syed Abbas, Elizabeth Shoyemi, Akanni O Lawanson, Ayodele Jegede, Hayley MacGregor","doi":"10.1080/17441692.2024.2433725","DOIUrl":"10.1080/17441692.2024.2433725","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The current mpox outbreak has challenged previous understanding of the disease, with human-to-human transmission being a significant mode of transmission, particularly among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). A knowledge gap exists on MSM's mpox experiences in Nigeria's restrictive sociolegal context. This study explored mpox awareness, knowledge, and experiences among MSM in Lagos, Nigeria, through 28 in-depth interviews. We analysed the interview transcripts thematically. Findings showed low awareness and knowledge of mpox among MSM, who prefer seeking healthcare outside public health facilities due to stigma. Intimate contact during sexual intercourse is a likely source of infection among MSM. The Nigerian mpox response does not centre MSM, and centreing them may not be ideal due to potential stigma. MSM seek care through various means, including drugs, herbal remedies, and KP-friendly sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, but face stressful care-seeking due to limited social support and stigma. The study shows that Nigeria's mpox situation differs from the situation in mpox non-endemic contexts. The homophobic legal and social environment and heterogenous spread require unique disease framing and context-sensitive response. The study concludes that further surveillance is needed to deepen understanding around mpox care seeking among MSM in Nigeria.</p>","PeriodicalId":12735,"journal":{"name":"Global Public Health","volume":"20 1","pages":"2433725"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143004160","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Global Public HealthPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-06-24DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2025.2523540
Karen O'Reilly, Jane L Fowler
{"title":"Gender-based violence in Papua New Guinea: An intervention to change knowledge, beliefs and behaviours.","authors":"Karen O'Reilly, Jane L Fowler","doi":"10.1080/17441692.2025.2523540","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2025.2523540","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gender-based violence (GBV) in Papua New Guinea has resulted in the country's recognition as one of the most dangerous places on the planet for women to live [Human Rights Watch. (2017). <i>Papua New Guinea: Events of 2016</i>. World Report. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2017/country-chapters/papua-new-guinea] . This study explored the effectiveness of a training programme to change human service providers' (HSPs) knowledge, beliefs and behaviour about GBV. Qualitative (written responses to questions) and quantitative (Social norms and beliefs about gender-based violence scale) data were collected pre- and post-training. HSPs showed increased understanding about the causes of GBV and ways of addressing this major health concern, and positive change in beliefs about and willingness to act on GBV, after training. This study has advanced research by formally evaluating GBV training in a non-Western, developing country. Results provide strong support for the effectiveness of such training. Suggestions for practice and future research are provided in the paper.</p>","PeriodicalId":12735,"journal":{"name":"Global Public Health","volume":"20 1","pages":"2523540"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144484132","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Global Public HealthPub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-07-23DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2025.2537688
Fatima Hassan, Luis Gil Abinader, Matthew M Kavanagh
{"title":"Law and power in pandemic negotiations: Policymaking via contract in South Africa's dealings with COVID-19 vaccine companies.","authors":"Fatima Hassan, Luis Gil Abinader, Matthew M Kavanagh","doi":"10.1080/17441692.2025.2537688","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2025.2537688","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>COVID-19 vaccine distribution was marked by deeply unequal access for Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This article analyzes negotiations between government and pharmaceutical companies, through the case of South Africa, to better understand the mechanisms through which the international order produced this inequality. A process we label policymaking via contract undermined state power during the pandemic. Using a unique archive of unredacted contracts and negotiation documents obtained through court order, our analysis shows that, given limited supply, monopolised production, and fragmented global governance, companies exercised exceptional power and made allocations between countries. South African officials objected, but eventually acceded, to 'unacceptable' provisions requiring large payments without binding commitments on volume or delivery timing and little recourse for non-delivery. This helps explain South Africa's delayed vaccine roll-out. New policy was made via contract on vaccine indemnification, intellectual property, and export controls. Secrecy provisions particularly disempowered government. In future pandemics, power dynamics revealed in these negotiations call into question whether voluntary mechanisms for allocating medical countermeasures globally can ever achieve equity. Instead of focusing on funding pooled procurement, global health actors should make greater use of international law, technology transfer, and cooperation on contract transparency to shift dynamics and empower states.</p>","PeriodicalId":12735,"journal":{"name":"Global Public Health","volume":"20 1","pages":"2537688"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144698355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}