PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWSPub Date : 2021-06-17eCollection Date: 2021-01-01DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2021.1604061
Hanieh Beyrampour-Basmenj, Morteza Milani, Abbas Ebrahimi-Kalan, Ziyad Ben Taleb, Kenneth D Ward, Ghader Dargahi Abbasabad, Zeynab Aliyari-Serej, Mohammad Ebrahimi Kalan
{"title":"An Overview of the Epidemiologic, Diagnostic and Treatment Approaches of COVID-19: What do We Know?","authors":"Hanieh Beyrampour-Basmenj, Morteza Milani, Abbas Ebrahimi-Kalan, Ziyad Ben Taleb, Kenneth D Ward, Ghader Dargahi Abbasabad, Zeynab Aliyari-Serej, Mohammad Ebrahimi Kalan","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2021.1604061","DOIUrl":"10.3389/phrs.2021.1604061","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> In late December 2019, a new infectious respiratory disease (COVID-19) was reported in a number of patients with a history of exposure to the Huanan seafood market in China. The World Health Organization officially announced the COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, 2020. Here, we provided an overview of the epidemiologic, diagnostic and treatment approaches associated with COVID-19. <b>Methods:</b> We reviewed the publications indexed in major biomedical databases by December 20, 2020 or earlier (updated on May 16, 2021). Search keywords included a combination of: COVID-19, Coronavirus disease 2019, SARS-CoV-2, Epidemiology, Prevention, Diagnosis, Vaccine, and Treatment. We also used available information about COVID-19 from valid sources such as WHO. <b>Results and Conclusion:</b> At the time of writing this review, while most of the countries authorized COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use starting December 8, 2020, there is no a definite cure for it. This review synthesizes current knowledge of virology, epidemiology, clinical symptoms, diagnostic approaches, common treatment strategies, novel potential therapeutic options for control and prevention of COVID-19 infection, available vaccines, public health and clinical implications.</p>","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"42 ","pages":"1604061"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2021-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8245675/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39302941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWSPub Date : 2021-06-16eCollection Date: 2021-01-01DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2021.1604212
Johanna Reidy
{"title":"Reviewing School Uniform through a Public Health Lens: Evidence about the Impacts of School Uniform on Education and Health.","authors":"Johanna Reidy","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2021.1604212","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/phrs.2021.1604212","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study uses a public health lens to review evidence about the impacts of wearing a school uniform on students' health and educational outcomes. It also reviews the underlying rationales for school uniform use, exploring historical reasons for uniform use, as well as how questions of equity, human rights, and the status of children as a vulnerable group are played out in debates over school uniforms. The literature identified indicates that uniforms have no direct impact on academic performance, yet directly impact physical and psychological health. Girls, ethnic and religious minorities, gender-diverse students and poorer students suffer harm disproportionately from poorly designed uniform policies and garments that do not suit their physical and socio-cultural needs. Paradoxically, for some students, uniform creates a barrier to education that it was originally instituted to remedy. The article shows that public health offers a new perspective on and contribution to debates and rationales for school uniform use. This review lays out the research landscape on school uniform and highlights areas for further research.</p>","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"42 ","pages":"1604212"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2021-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8386814/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39553469","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Rebuilding Trust on Routine Immunization in Era of COVID-19 Fear-Role that Civil Society Organizations can Play Hands-in-Hand with Immunization Program.","authors":"Ameer Muhammad, Daniyaal Ahmad, Eleze Tariq, Yasir Shafiq","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2021.1603989","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/phrs.2021.1603989","url":null,"abstract":"To the Editor, The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically impacted the health and socioeconomic condition of this symbiotic globe [1]. The aforementioned impact as well as the one on quality of life has been much more devastating for developing countries, such as the ones supported by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) [4] All GAVI-supported countries pledged to achieve 100 percent of immunization but one in every 10 children globally still has no access to vaccines, leaving millions of zero-dose children behind [6]. Where the supply-side in these countries is struggling to deliver vaccination services after COVID-19, the demand is facing “double burden” now. Communities often harbor lots of “myths and misconceptions” pertaining to vaccines and vaccination services [7]. The exacerbation of existing fear within communities to access vaccination services and anxiety among frontline health workers to safely deliver vaccination present as key hurdles, reflected by a much smaller number of children being vaccinated in this period [8–10]. The consequences of this have been compounded by restrictions on movement, suspension of public transport, and concerns about exposure to COVID-19. At the same time, the health workforce is absent from their duties either due to travel restrictions, self-quarantine, sickness, lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and concerns about COVID-19 exposure [11, 12]. There is a resultant visible impact seen on immunization services such as the 52.8% decrease in immunization visits seen in the Sindh province, Pakistan. This translated into around 2,734 missed children daily only in Karachi, the most populous city of Sindh province. These missed children are at the highest risk of developing VPDs [13]. Many immunization campaigns like “polio and zero dose” were or are still suspended in countries including Pakistan, and bring about a risk of spread of these VPDs and consequent morbidity and mortality [14, 15]. Currently, countries are lifting lockdown restrictions and restoring the health services. However, due to the unpredictability of the situation and decrease in vaccination coverage, exceptional strategies are needed. Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) alone cannot compensate for the loss of missed children so far and months of effort are required to reach the point where we were before COVID-19. Integrated systems and synergy across the partners are a need of the hour. In some semblance of hope, Pakistan has an existing infrastructure of CSOs which operate as the key players in delivering Edited by: Raquel Lucas, University Porto, Portugal","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"42 ","pages":"1603989"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2021-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8207195/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39125718","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWSPub Date : 2021-06-02eCollection Date: 2021-01-01DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2021.1604018
Rawlance Ndejjo, Hamid Yimam Hassen, Rhoda K Wanyenze, David Musoke, Fred Nuwaha, Steven Abrams, Hilde Bastiaens, Geofrey Musinguzi
{"title":"Community-Based Interventions for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Low-and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Rawlance Ndejjo, Hamid Yimam Hassen, Rhoda K Wanyenze, David Musoke, Fred Nuwaha, Steven Abrams, Hilde Bastiaens, Geofrey Musinguzi","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2021.1604018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/phrs.2021.1604018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objectives:</b> To synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of community-based interventions for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to inform design of effective strategies for CVD prevention. <b>Methods:</b> We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane register of controlled studies and PSYCINFO databases for studies published between January 2000 and June 2019. Other studies were identified from gray literature sources and review of reference lists of included studies. The primary outcomes for the review were those aimed at primary prevention of CVD targeting physical activity, diet, smoking and alcohol consumption. <b>Results:</b> Database searches yielded 15,885 articles and 94 articles were identified through snowball searching. After screening, the articles from LMICs were 32 emanating from 27 studies: 9 cluster randomized trials, eight randomized controlled trials and 10 controlled before and after studies. Community-based interventions successfully improved population knowledge on CVD and risk factors and influenced physical activity and dietary practices. Evidence of interventions on smoking cessation and reduced alcohol consumption was inconsistent. <b>Conclusion:</b> This evidence should inform policy makers in decision-making and prioritizing evidence-based interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"42 ","pages":"1604018"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2021-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8386815/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39553464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Communication With Older Adults in Times of a Pandemic: Practical Suggestions for the Health Care Professionals.","authors":"Alexis Pinsonnault-Skvarenina, Adriana Bender Moreira de Lacerda, Mathieu Hotton, Jean-Pierre Gagné","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2021.1604046","DOIUrl":"10.3389/phrs.2021.1604046","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In order to limit the spread of the coronavirus, several protective measures have been put in place in the community, in private and public residences and in health care centers. Some measures have a negative impact on communication. They include physical distancing, the use of face masks and shields as well as the increased use of telephone and videoconferencing for distance communication. The effects of COVID-19 are particularly harsh on older adults. Consequently, older adults, especially those with hearing loss, are particularly at risk of experiencing communication breakdowns and increased social isolation. Health care professionals should learn about and be encouraged to use communication strategies to maintain good interactions with their patients. This article proposes practical suggestions to health professionals who interact with older adults, especially those who have difficulty understanding speech. The goal of this article is to inform on the prevalence of hearing loss, the hearing difficulties experienced by older adults, the manifestations of hearing problems, the effects of pandemic protection measures on communication and the strategies that can be used to optimize professional-patient communication during a pandemic.</p>","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"42 ","pages":"1604046"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2021-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8190655/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39125719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWSPub Date : 2021-05-10eCollection Date: 2021-01-01DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2021.1604044
Mohammed Oumer, Ashenafi Tazebew, Mekuriaw Alemayehu
{"title":"Anterior Fontanel Size Among Term Newborns: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Mohammed Oumer, Ashenafi Tazebew, Mekuriaw Alemayehu","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2021.1604044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/phrs.2021.1604044","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Anterior fontanel is an integral element of an infant craniofacial system. There are six fontanels in the newborn skull, namely anterior, posterior, two mastoid, and two sphenoid fontanels. The anterior fontanel is the largest, prominent, and most important for clinical evaluation. Sex, race, genetics, gestational age, and region are the principal factors that influence anterior fontanel size. There exist inconclusive findings on the size of anterior fontanel in newborns. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled mean size of anterior fontanel among term newborns and to identify the pooled mean difference of anterior fontanel size between males and females. <b>Methods:</b> PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, Science Direct, JBI Library, embase, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched. All essential data were extracted using a standardized data extraction format. The heterogeneity across studies was assessed using the Cochrane Q test statistic, I<sup>2</sup> test statistic, and <i>p</i>-values. A fixed-effect model and random effect model were used to estimate the pooled mean size of anterior fontanel and the pooled mean difference between male newborns and female newborns, respectively. To deal with heterogeneity, sub-group analysis, meta-regression analysis, and sensitivity analysis were considered. JBI quality appraisal checklist was used to evaluate the quality of studies. <b>Results:</b> In this meta-analysis, 8, 661 newborns were involved in twenty-six studies. Among studies, 13 conducted in Asia, 7 in Africa, 5 in America, and 1 in Europe. The pooled mean size of anterior fontanel was 2.58 cm (95% CI: 2.31, 2.85 cm). The pooled mean size of anterior fontanel for Asia, Africa, America, and Europe region was 2.49, 3.15, 2.35, and 2.01 cm, respectively. A statistically significant mean difference was detected between male and female newborns (D + L pooled MD = 0.15 cm, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.29 cm). <b>Conclusion:</b> The pooled estimate of this review does provide the mean value of the anterior fontanel size in the newborns. There was a statistically significant mean fontanel size difference between male and female newborns. Therefore, male newborns had a significantly larger mean size than female newborns.</p>","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"42 ","pages":"1604044"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2021-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8386755/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39553466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWSPub Date : 2021-05-06eCollection Date: 2021-01-01DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2021.1604127
Rana Orhan, John Middleton, Katarzyna Czabanowska
{"title":"ASPHER Statement: Towards a Carbon-Neutral Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region.","authors":"Rana Orhan, John Middleton, Katarzyna Czabanowska","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2021.1604127","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/phrs.2021.1604127","url":null,"abstract":"Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region (ASPHER), Brussels, Belgium, Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute CAPHRI, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands, Department of Health Policy Management, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"42 ","pages":"1604127"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2021-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8135093/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39125720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWSPub Date : 2021-05-05eCollection Date: 2021-01-01DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2021.1603990
P Tavakoli, U Vollmer-Conna, D Hadzi-Pavlovic, M C Grimm
{"title":"A Review of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Model of Microbial, Immune and Neuropsychological Integration.","authors":"P Tavakoli, U Vollmer-Conna, D Hadzi-Pavlovic, M C Grimm","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2021.1603990","DOIUrl":"10.3389/phrs.2021.1603990","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objective:</b> Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are complex chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract with uncertain etiology. IBDs comprise two idiopathic disorders: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The aetiology, severity and progression of such disorders are still poorly understood but thought to be influenced by multiple factors (including genetic, environmental, immunological, physiological, psychological factors and gut microbiome) and their interactions. The overarching aim of this review is to evaluate the extent and nature of the interrelationship between these factors with the disease course. A broader conceptual and longitudinal framework of possible neuro-visceral integration, core microbiome analysis and immune modulation assessment may be useful in accurately documenting and characterizing the nature and temporal continuity of crosstalk between these factors and the role of their interaction (s) in IBD disease activity. Characterization of these interactions holds the promise of identifying novel diagnostic, interventions, and therapeutic strategies. <b>Material and Methods:</b> A search of published literature was conducted by exploring PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Medline Plus, CDSR library databases. Following search terms relating to key question were set for the search included: \"Inflammatory bowel diseases,\" \"gut microbiota,\" \"psychological distress and IBD,\" \"autonomic reactivity and IBD,\" \"immune modulation,\" \"chronic inflammation,\" \"gut inflammation,\" \"enteric nervous system,\" \"gut nervous system,\" \"Crohn's disease,\" \"Ulcerative colitis\", \"depression and IBD\", \"anxiety and IBD\", \"quality of life in IBD patients,\" \"relapse in IBDs,\" \"remission in IBDs,\" \"IBD disease activity,\" \"brain-gut-axis,\" \"microbial signature in IBD,\" \"validated questionnaires in IBD,\" \"IBD activity indices,\" \"IBD aetiology,\" \"IBDs and stress,\" \"epidemiology of IBDs\", \"autonomic nervous system and gut inflammation\", \"IBD and environment,\" \"genetics of IBDs,\" \"pathways of immune response in IBDs,\" \"sleep disturbances in IBD,\" \"hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA),\" \"sympatho-adrenal axis,\" \"CNS and its control of gut function\" \"mucosal immune response,\" \"commensal and pathogenic bacteria in the gut,\" \"innate and adaptive immunity.\" Studies evaluating any possible associations between gut microbiome, psychological state, immune modulation, and autonomic function with IBDs were identified. Commonly cited published literatures with high quality research methodology/results and additional articles from bibliographies of recovered papers were examined and included where relevant. <b>Results:</b> Although there is a substantial literature identifying major contributing factors with IBD, there has been little attempt to integrate some factors over time and assess their interplay and relationship with IBD disease activity. Such contributing factors include genetic and environmental factors, gut microbiota co","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"42 ","pages":"1603990"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2021-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8386758/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39553468","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWSPub Date : 2021-04-29eCollection Date: 2021-01-01DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2021.1604112
Brian L H Wong, Marine Delgrange, Naomi L Nathan, Carolina D Luévano, Jose M Martin-Moreno, Robert Otok, Ted H Tulchinsky, John D Middleton
{"title":"The Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region Statement on the Erosion of Public Health Systems.","authors":"Brian L H Wong, Marine Delgrange, Naomi L Nathan, Carolina D Luévano, Jose M Martin-Moreno, Robert Otok, Ted H Tulchinsky, John D Middleton","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2021.1604112","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/phrs.2021.1604112","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"42 ","pages":"1604112"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2021-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8386754/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39553467","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWSPub Date : 2021-04-26eCollection Date: 2021-01-01DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2021.1603976
Sarah Beardon, Charlotte Woodhead, Silvie Cooper, Elizabeth Ingram, Hazel Genn, Rosalind Raine
{"title":"International Evidence on the Impact of Health-Justice Partnerships: A Systematic Scoping Review.","authors":"Sarah Beardon, Charlotte Woodhead, Silvie Cooper, Elizabeth Ingram, Hazel Genn, Rosalind Raine","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2021.1603976","DOIUrl":"10.3389/phrs.2021.1603976","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Health-justice partnerships (HJPs) are collaborations between healthcare and legal services which support patients with social welfare issues such as welfare benefits, debt, housing, education and employment. HJPs exist across the world in a variety of forms and with diverse objectives. This review synthesizes the international evidence on the impacts of HJPs. <b>Methods:</b> A systematic scoping review of international literature was undertaken. A wide-ranging search was conducted across academic databases and grey literature sources, covering OECD countries from January 1995 to December 2018. Data from included publications were extracted and research quality was assessed. A narrative synthesis approach was used to analyze and present the results. <b>Results:</b> Reported objectives of HJPs related to: prevention of health and legal problems; access to legal assistance; health improvement; resolution of legal problems; improvement of patient care; support for healthcare services; addressing inequalities; and catalyzing systemic change. There is strong evidence that HJPs: improve access to legal assistance for people at risk of social and health disadvantage; positively influence material and social circumstances through resolution of legal problems; and improve mental wellbeing. A wide range of other positive impacts were identified for individuals, services and communities; the strength of evidence for each is summarized and discussed. <b>Conclusion:</b> HJPs are effective in tackling social welfare issues that affect the health of disadvantaged groups in society and can therefore form a key part of public health strategies to address inequalities.</p>","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"42 ","pages":"1603976"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2021-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8113986/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"39125717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}