PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWSPub Date : 2026-02-03eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2026.1609013
Pengqiang Du, Jiqian Li, Zixin Hua, Yiqi Sun, Siyang Song, Yin Liao, Sheng Cheng, Xingang Li
{"title":"Multiple Health Outcomes of Daytime Napping: A Comprehensive Umbrella Review.","authors":"Pengqiang Du, Jiqian Li, Zixin Hua, Yiqi Sun, Siyang Song, Yin Liao, Sheng Cheng, Xingang Li","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2026.1609013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/phrs.2026.1609013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This umbrella review aimed to clarify the dose-response relationship between napping duration and multiple health outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Following JBI guidelines, the review included studies from PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE. Data on health outcomes, effect sizes, and study characteristics were extracted, and the quality of the studies was assessed using AMSTAR-2 and GRADE. A random effects model and a sensitivity analysis were used to evaluate the associations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This umbrella review identified 16 meta-analyses encompassing 244 health-related outcomes. Napping for <60 min maximizes cognitive enhancement (SMD = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.37-1.00) and reduces fatigue, while minimizing the risk of all-cause mortality and chronic diseases. Napping for >60 min correlates with a 30% higher risk of coronary heart disease and a 20% increased risk of diabetes and obesity; short naps (20-30 min) improve athletic performance (SMD = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.67-1.31) and recovery, particularly in sleep-deprived individuals.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Limiting nap duration to ≤60 min may optimize cognitive and physical benefits while reducing chronic disease risks. For individuals with chronic conditions, it is prudent to avoid prolonged naps (>60 min) and prioritize nighttime sleep quality.</p>","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"47 ","pages":"1609013"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12909254/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146221455","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 : 2026-02-02eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2025.1608955
Verena Biehl, Denise Abegglen, Adrian Fassbind, Thomas Ballmer, Karin Nordström
{"title":"Vertical Lift Systems and Health Outcomes in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Rapid Review.","authors":"Verena Biehl, Denise Abegglen, Adrian Fassbind, Thomas Ballmer, Karin Nordström","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2025.1608955","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/phrs.2025.1608955","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Despite Switzerland's aging population increasingly wishes to age in place in familiar homes, many dwellings are not barrier-free. Retrofitting of vertical lift systems as home adaptations in private housing can support aging-in-place but are still rarely installed. Thus, this study examines the association between lift systems in the home environment and health outcomes among community-dwelling older adults.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A rapid review was conducted to identify and summarize existing evidence. Seventeen studies were included and the results clustered into the categories presence of lifts, usage of lifts and health outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The review shows that lifts in private housing are scarce and frequently fail to meet the specific needs of users. Usage depends on age, gender, health status, technical and financial aspects. Positive health outcomes include improved mobility, autonomy, safety and quality of life, while lack of lifts can restrict mobility and autonomy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results highlight the need for affordable, individualized lift systems supported by advice and policy measures. Such innovations can help reduce inequalities and enable older adults to remain safely in their homes and communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"46 ","pages":"1608955"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12907697/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146214398","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 : 2026-01-30eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2026.1609497
Vetriselvan Subramaniyan
{"title":"Rising Obesity in Malaysia (1990-2023): A Comprehensive Analysis of Temporal Trends, Sex Inequalities, and Lifestyle Drivers.","authors":"Vetriselvan Subramaniyan","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2026.1609497","DOIUrl":"10.3389/phrs.2026.1609497","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"47 ","pages":"1609497"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12900780/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146203107","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 : 2026-01-23eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2025.1608872
Vasileios Nittas, Alexia Bikou, Jana Sedlakova, Andreas Hellmann, Viktor Von Wyl, Milo Alan Puhan
{"title":"Digital Informal Care: The Use of Technology in Family Care. A Scoping Review.","authors":"Vasileios Nittas, Alexia Bikou, Jana Sedlakova, Andreas Hellmann, Viktor Von Wyl, Milo Alan Puhan","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2025.1608872","DOIUrl":"10.3389/phrs.2025.1608872","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To map the recent literature on digital health in informal caregiving, identify commonly used technologies, their functions and impact, as well as barriers and facilitators.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We searched Medline, Web of Science, and CINAHL for randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental, observational, and qualitative studies, published in English between 2019 and 2024.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>110 studies were included, most of which targeted informal caregivers in dementia care and used moderately complex, consumer-facing technologies for education and caregiving support. Positive impact was reported on various outcomes such as caregiver burden, psychological wellbeing, caregiver competence, quality of life, caregiver-patient relationships, as well as care coordination and efficiency. Barriers included limited digital literacy, technical issues, low accessibility, caregiving burden, and data security concerns. Facilitators were good digital skills, social and emotional support, user-friendly designs, and perceived usefulness.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Digital informal care is emerging and shows promise in supporting informal caregivers by improving their wellbeing, skills, and connectedness. However, barriers and knowledge gaps remain, highlighting the need for additional research as well as more inclusive and person-centred digital informal care approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"46 ","pages":"1608872"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12876001/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146143884","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":"Community-Based Interventions to Improve Eye Health Outcomes in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Wasana Luangphituck, Plernpit Boonyamalik, Piyanee Klainin-Yobas, Sunee Lagampan, Chukiat Viwatwongkasem","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2025.1607404","DOIUrl":"10.3389/phrs.2025.1607404","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This review aimed to synthesize evidence on community-based interventions designed to improve eye health among older adults.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Eleven electronic databases and reference lists of relevant studies were systematically searched. Two reviewers independently screened records, extracted data, and assessed study quality. Pooled effect sizes were calculated using a random-effects model with standardized mean differences (SMD) and relative risks. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I<sup>2</sup> and Chi-square tests, with subgroup, sensitivity, and publication bias analyses performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria, and 13 were included in the meta-analysis. Interventions included educational, telephone-based, and health promotion programs. Educational programs significantly improved attitudes toward eye health (SMD = 3.91) and general eye health behaviors (SMD = 8.20). Structured teaching interventions had the greatest effect on knowledge (SMD = 4.04), while community-based support groups improved eye examination uptake (SMD = 4.33). Subgroup and meta-regression analyses found no significant moderators, with persistent heterogeneity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Community-based interventions appear to enhance eye health knowledge and behaviors among older adults, but evidence remains limited and heterogeneous, warranting cautious interpretation.</p><p><strong>Systematic review registration: </strong>PROSPERO: Identifier CRD42023434652.</p>","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"46 ","pages":"1607404"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12867932/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146126673","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 : 2025-12-29eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2025.1608157
Sanjoy Kumar Chanda, Gretl A McHugh, Maria Horne
{"title":"Barriers and Facilitators to Accessing and Using Maternal Healthcare Services by Women Living in Rural Bangladesh: A Theory-Guided Narrative Literature Review.","authors":"Sanjoy Kumar Chanda, Gretl A McHugh, Maria Horne","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2025.1608157","DOIUrl":"10.3389/phrs.2025.1608157","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To identify and synthesize the barriers and facilitators to accessing and using maternal healthcare (MHC) services by women living in rural Bangladesh.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A structured literature search was conducted using six databases in 2024. Studies were synthesized using a thematic approach, underpinned by the Social-Ecological Model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Searches returned 3,619 studies, of which 37 were included in this review. Findings related to barriers and facilitators were categorized into four themes: individual, family, social and community, and organizational levels. Key barriers to accessing and using MHC services included illiteracy, lack of family support, cultural taboo to pregnancy disclosure, distance to health facilities, and lack of quality services. Key facilitators to accessing and using MHC services were higher literacy levels, family support, NGO support and mass media exposure, and free healthcare services.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Based on the findings of the review, to improve Bangladeshi women's access to and use of MHC services, improvements in women's literacy levels, village roads, family support, and service-related skills of healthcare providers are necessary.</p>","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"46 ","pages":"1608157"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12791047/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145967236","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":"Building Resilience Through Better Performance Assessment of Switzerland's Health System in Times of Crises.","authors":"Camille Poroes, Laurence Seematter-Bagnoud, Kaspar Wyss, Isabelle Peytremann-Bridevaux","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2025.1608860","DOIUrl":"10.3389/phrs.2025.1608860","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The increase in patients' needs and demands resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an assessment of whether health systems were performant enough. Health system performance refers as how far health systems achieve their desired goals. Measuring the Swiss health system performance taking into account its ability to prepare, manage and learn from a crisis will allow to better interpret the assessment.</p><p><strong>Analysis: </strong>Assessments of the Swiss health system performance appear not to fully align to recent developments on conceptual thinking of the WHO and the OECD, notably regarding the assessment of the resilience of a health system, and need to be modified to better reflect current developments.</p><p><strong>Policy options: </strong>Recommendations include considering resilience as a core concept, standardizing a framework integrating resilience, considering resilience indicators, and enhancing data collection and sharing.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To ensure long-term resilience and performance, Switzerland must act decisively to unify its data systems, institutionalize regular performance reviews including resilience indicators, and build a common framework and language for resilience.</p>","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"46 ","pages":"1608860"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12745293/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145865296","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 : 2025-12-09eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2025.1608126
Mariana da Silva de Lima, Jorge Manuel Dos Santos Conde, Jorge Manuel Rodrigues Bonito
{"title":"Health Promotion in European Higher Education Institutions: An Integrative Literature Review.","authors":"Mariana da Silva de Lima, Jorge Manuel Dos Santos Conde, Jorge Manuel Rodrigues Bonito","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2025.1608126","DOIUrl":"10.3389/phrs.2025.1608126","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This research aimed to determine the state of the art of health promotion actions in higher education institutions of European Union member countries.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To achieve the proposed objective, an integrative literature review was conducted. The collection of analyzed articles was carried out across four databases and a data compilation, where studies published between 2016 and 2022 were reviewed. The analysis was conducted through the description of the actions in health promotion (HP).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fourteen articles were selected for analysis. The HP actions described primarily target students. Some of the main topics covered in the studies are health habits related to gender differences, recreational substances and health education.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although research in this area is increasing, it appears necessary to further disseminate the principles of the health promotion universities movement to raise awareness across the entire academic community. This could more easily lead to the development of more effective HP actions directed at the entire academic community and those outside the institutions.</p>","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"46 ","pages":"1608126"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12722967/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145828833","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 : 2025-12-08eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2025.1608588
Behrooz Behbod, Katarzyna Czabanowska
{"title":"Shifting Leadership Paradigms in Healthcare and Public Health.","authors":"Behrooz Behbod, Katarzyna Czabanowska","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2025.1608588","DOIUrl":"10.3389/phrs.2025.1608588","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"46 ","pages":"1608588"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12719292/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145821393","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 : 2025-12-05eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.3389/phrs.2025.1609089
Martin McKee, Josep Figueras, Ramune Kalediene, Ashish Joshi, Ayman El-Mohandes, Robert Otok, Laura Magaña, Charlotte Marchandise, Henrique Barros
{"title":"An Agenda for Public Health Diplomacy in an Age of Populism.","authors":"Martin McKee, Josep Figueras, Ramune Kalediene, Ashish Joshi, Ayman El-Mohandes, Robert Otok, Laura Magaña, Charlotte Marchandise, Henrique Barros","doi":"10.3389/phrs.2025.1609089","DOIUrl":"10.3389/phrs.2025.1609089","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Public health is under pressure from rising populism, disinformation, and weakened global institutions, threatening cooperation, equity, and trust in science.</p><p><strong>Analysis: </strong>Populism politicises health, suppresses evidence, and marginalises vulnerable groups. Public health diplomacy must adapt, becoming more politically aware, ethically grounded, and resilient.</p><p><strong>Policy options: </strong>We propose nine ways forward: create diplomacy labs for crisis simulation; empower non-state actors like cities and NGOs; strengthen ethical communication and listening; protect health workers; build alternative accountability systems; reframe health as a diplomatic priority; decentralise and diversify funding; develop a new diplomacy curriculum; reinvent and defend multilateralism.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Public health diplomacy must evolve into a bold, inclusive, and strategic force. By defending evidence, empowering diverse actors, and reforming institutions, it can safeguard health as a foundation for peace and global progress.</p>","PeriodicalId":35944,"journal":{"name":"PUBLIC HEALTH REVIEWS","volume":"46 ","pages":"1609089"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12714670/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145805525","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}