Annals of Global Health最新文献

{"title":"Determinants of Poor Treatment Outcomes Among Snakebite Envenoming Patients.","authors":"Narendar Kumar, Azfar Athar Ishaqui, Pushp Lata Rajpoot, Muhammad Bilal Maqsood, Razia Sultana, Muhammad Saleh Khaskheli, Adnan Iqbal, Shahida Tabassum, Shaib Muhammad","doi":"10.5334/aogh.5147","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.5147","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background:</i> Snakebite envenoming remains a significant yet neglected public health problem in tropical countries, particularly in rural South Asia. This study aimed to identify demographic characteristics, management practices, and the determinants of poor treatment outcomes among snakebite patients in Sindh, Pakistan. <i>Methods:</i> A prospective cohort study was conducted at Peoples Medical College Hospital (PMCH), Shaheed Benazirabad, Sindh, Pakistan, from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used for data collection, and all consecutive patients presenting with confirmed or suspected snakebite were included. Data were collected through a validated study tool on demographics, pre-hospital management, hospital care, and treatment outcomes. Categorical variables were tested with the Chi-square test, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to test the effect of exposure-to-reporting time and hospital stay time on outcomes using IBM SPSS V29. <i>Results:</i> A total of 320 patients were included; 74.7% were male, and 98.4% were from rural areas. Most victims were aged 20-29 years (31.9%) and engaged in farming or manual labor (67.2%). Nearly half (49.7%) of the bites occurred during summer. Delayed hospital presentation was common, with 22.8% arriving after six hours of the bite. The overall poor-outcome rate was 10.9%, and mortality was 1.9%. A significant association was found between exposure-to-reporting time (<i>p</i> = 0.040) and hospital stay duration (<i>p</i> < 0.001) with treatment outcomes. <i>Conclusion:</i> Delayed presentation to the hospital and prolonged hospitalization were major predictors of poor outcomes following snakebite. Strengthening emergency referral systems, ensuring timely antivenom availability, and promoting community awareness are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality in snakebite-endemic regions of Pakistan.</p>","PeriodicalId":48857,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Global Health","volume":"92 1","pages":"30"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13068097/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147677951","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Toxic Metals in a Green Transition: Global Health Risks, Sources, and Policy Responses-Insights from the Munich Toxic Metals Symposium 2025.","authors":"Stephan Bose-O'Reilly, Stefan Rakete, Philip J Landrigan, Johanna Elbel, Monica Nordberg, Gunnar Nordberg, Karin Broberg, Dewi Yunia Fitriani, Jenna Forsyth, Joanna Gaitens, Jinky Leilanie Lu, Dennis Nowak, Ernesto Sanchez-Triana, Sophie Turner, John Yabe, Melissa McDiarmid, Florencia Harari","doi":"10.5334/aogh.5214","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.5214","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background:</i> The global energy transition toward climate neutrality is driving rapid growth in the demand for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. While indispensable for decarbonization, their extraction, processing, and recycling expose workers, communities, and ecosystems to toxic metals, including lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and manganese, raising significant public health concerns. <i>Objectives:</i> This article synthesizes evidence presented at the Toxic Metals Symposium 2025 in Munich to assess health impacts, exposure pathways, and policy challenges related to toxic metals in the green energy transition. <i>Methods:</i> The analysis integrates findings from multidisciplinary studies presented at the symposium, including environmental monitoring, biomonitoring, occupational health research, and policy assessments across multiple geographic contexts. <i>Findings:</i> Evidence from mining regions, informal recycling hubs, and urban areas demonstrates widespread and persistent exposure to toxic metals from both legacy and ongoing sources. Lead and mercury are linked to impaired cognitive development in children, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, hypertension, and anemia. Arsenic and cadmium exposures are associated with increased cancer risk and renal dysfunction. Occupational studies report cobalt and nickel exposures exceeding safety thresholds, even in modern battery recycling facilities. Emerging research highlights cumulative, low-dose, and transgenerational effects, particularly among vulnerable populations. Although advances in monitoring technologies and community biomonitoring improve detection, weak regulatory enforcement and the prevalence of informal sectors continue to limit risk reduction. <i>Conclusions:</i> Managing toxic metal risks is essential for a just and sustainable green transition. Health safeguards must be embedded in climate and industrial policies from the outset, supported by enforced corporate due diligence and long-term remediation financing. Protecting human health must be a co-equal priority to carbon reduction to prevent reproducing historical environmental injustices.</p>","PeriodicalId":48857,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Global Health","volume":"92 1","pages":"29"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13068094/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147677865","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Frontlines of Climate Change and Global Health Inequity: How Recurring Cyclones Undermine Health, Livelihoods, and Development in the Indian Sundarbans.","authors":"Pranay Narang, Monalisha Sahu, Monalisa Datta, Nilanjana Ghosh, Shilpa Mondal, Indrani Bhattacharya, Gaurab Basu","doi":"10.5334/aogh.5074","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.5074","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the cascading impacts of recurrent cyclones on the physical and mental health, livelihoods, infrastructure, well-being, and long-term development of communities in the Indian Sundarbans, one of the world's most climate-vulnerable regions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with community members, frontline public health workers government officials, NGO leaders, mental health counselors, and non-licensed village doctors. We aimed to identify the ecological, geographic, and socioeconomic conditions exacerbating the region's vulnerability to cyclones; examine the intersecting short-term and long-term health, economic, and social impacts; characterize existing response systems; identify structural barriers impeding long-term recovery and development; and propose stakeholder-informed recommendations to strengthen disaster preparedness and promote lasting resilience and recovery. Findings reveal that these communities remain entrapped in a recurring cycle of disaster and inadequate recovery marked by saline water intrusion, collapsed infrastructure, displacement to overcrowded shelters, loss of agricultural land, infectious outbreaks, disruptions to healthcare delivery and child education, life-threatening health emergencies, damage to livelihoods, food insecurity, and rising gender inequity, trauma, and depression. These vulnerabilities and impacts are perpetuated by chronic underinvestment and a lack of responsive policy. Participants called for solutions such as the following: (1) pre-positioning food, water, and medicines to strengthen disaster preparedness; (2) digitizing educational certificates to mitigate school dropout; (3) expanding insurance coverage, compensation schemes, vocational training, and employment opportunities to mitigate income losses; (4) establishing mangrove reforestation programs for livelihood diversification and bolstering natural ecological defense; and (5) increasing investment in resilient infrastructure, especially hospitals, roads, and homes. Policy reforms and tax incentives could mobilize private sector investment. The lived experiences captured in this study illuminate the daily struggle for basic security, income, health, education, and survival in the Indian Sundarbans and the urgent need for policies that uphold health equity and dignity in the face of accelerating climate threats.</p>","PeriodicalId":48857,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Global Health","volume":"92 1","pages":"28"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13062752/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147677879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advancing Toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 Targets in Sierra Leone: A Narrative Review of Progress, Persistent Gaps, and Policy Priorities.","authors":"Augustus Osborne, Ibrahim Franklyn Kamara, Sulaiman Lakoh, Mariama Mustapha, Alren Vandy, Morie Vandi, Sia Morenike Tengbe, Osman Sankoh","doi":"10.5334/aogh.5152","DOIUrl":"10.5334/aogh.5152","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background:</i> Sierra Leone, with a low adult HIV prevalence (~1.6-1.7%), faces uneven progress toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, with significant gaps in diagnosis, viral load (VL) coverage, and key population reach. <i>Methods:</i> A narrative review (January 2013-June 2024; final search 30 June 2024) synthesized national reports and peer-reviewed articles on Sierra Leone's HIV cascade and systemic determinants. Data focused on diagnosis, treatment, suppression, and cross-cutting issues (e.g., stigma, supply chain). <i>Results:</i> In 2023, of an estimated 82,000 people living with HIV (PLHIV), 80% (65,600) were diagnosed. Of those diagnosed, 87% (57,072) were on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 44% of those on ART (25,112) were virally suppressed. VL testing covered 68% of ART patients (38,812), suggesting incomplete coverage may underestimate true population-level suppression if untested patients are less likely to be suppressed. Key bottlenecks include limited VL platforms, commodity stockouts of antiretrovirals, stigma (especially for female sex workers), adolescent retention gaps, absent drug resistance surveillance, fragmented data systems, and donor-dependent financing. <i>Conclusions:</i> Progress is tangible but fragile. Prioritizing detection (first 95) through scaled testing, alongside VL network strengthening, differentiated service delivery (e.g., six-month multi-month dispensing), stigma monitoring, drug resistance surveillance, and sustainable financing roadmaps, is essential. Targeted research on implementation and cost-effectiveness will support equitable attainment of HIV 2030 goals.</p>","PeriodicalId":48857,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Global Health","volume":"92 1","pages":"27"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13025156/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147575977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strengthening the Structure of Public Health: Suggesting the Incorporation of 'People' Component as the 'Seventh Block'.","authors":"Delfin Lovelina Francis, Saravanan Sampoornam Pape Reddy","doi":"10.5334/aogh.5012","DOIUrl":"10.5334/aogh.5012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background:</i> Health systems function as complex adaptive networks where institutions, professionals and citizens interact to maintain public health and social well-being. The World Health Organization conceptualised six foundational building blocks: service delivery, health workforce, information systems, access to essential medicines, financing and leadership/governance. While these components provide a valuable framework for strengthening systems, they insufficiently account for community dynamics and citizens' roles in co-producing health. This article proposes the addition of a seventh building block, 'People', to formally recognize individuals, households and communities as active partners in generating and sustaining health outcomes. <i>Methods:</i> A systems-thinking approach was used to analyse the interplay between institutional structures and community engagement, drawing on implementation theories and empirical evidence from India. The article explores how mechanisms under the National Health Mission, such as Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committees and Health and Wellness Centres, operationalize people-centred governance. <i>Results:</i> Integrating 'People' as a distinct building block enhances accountability, equity and resilience by repositioning citizens as co-creators rather than passive beneficiaries. Empirical observations from India demonstrate how community-led governance and participatory platforms strengthen local health responses, particularly in vulnerable rural settings. <i>Conclusion:</i> The proposed seventh building block, 'People', reframes health systems from institutional hierarchies into inclusive, democratic and adaptive networks. This reconceptualization is essential for addressing contemporary challenges, including pandemic recovery, climate-related health threats and the accelerating expansion of digital health.</p>","PeriodicalId":48857,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Global Health","volume":"92 1","pages":"26"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13025245/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147576053","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Disease Burden and Pattern of Healthcare Utilization Among Pilgrims During Hajj 2024: A Cross‑Sectional Analysis.","authors":"Khulud K Alharbi, Mashael S Alfaifi, Ali M Alzahrani, Ahmad Salah Alkathiri, Tassnym H Sinky","doi":"10.5334/aogh.4956","DOIUrl":"10.5334/aogh.4956","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background:</i> The Hajj pilgrimage is one of the largest annual mass gatherings in the world, and it presents unique healthcare issues due to the vast number and diversity of participants. Optimizing the delivery and planning of health services requires an understanding of prevalent diseases and healthcare usage patterns. The aim of the study was to examine the patterns of disease burden and healthcare utilization among 2024 Hajj pilgrims. <i>Methods:</i> This study used a retrospective, descriptive cross‑sectional design. Data from 37,758 adult patient records in the outpatient clinics (OPCs) of the primary healthcare centers (PHCs) and hospitals located at the holy sites (Mena, Arafat, and Muzdalifah) during Hajj 2024 were analyzed. Data covered demographics, nationality, diagnoses, discharge outcomes, and healthcare utilization in holy sites. Patterns and associations were assessed using descriptive statistics and chi‑square testing (<i>p</i> < 0.05). <i>Results:</i> Most pilgrims were men (65.5%), and older than 60 years of age (26.4%). They came from more than 100 different countries. The most frequent diagnosis (44.6%) was upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), which was followed by dermatitis (6.3%), gastrointestinal disorders (7.4%), headaches (7.8%), and musculoskeletal problems (7.3%). Geographically, disease prevalence varied: URTIs were most common in Mena (46.3%), dermatitis peaked in Muzdalifah (14.8%), and heat exhaustion was most common in Arafat (9.4%). Primary care use peaked in Mena (14,500 visits), mirroring pilgrim mobility. <i>Conclusion:</i> The results emphasize the necessity for flexible, data‑driven resource allocation by highlighting the dynamic and site‑specific character of healthcare demands during the Hajj. To improve health outcomes in upcoming Hajj seasons, it is imperative to enhance infection control, heat illness prevention, and culturally competent care, in addition to tailored interventions for older pilgrims and those with chronic illnesses.</p>","PeriodicalId":48857,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Global Health","volume":"92 1","pages":"25"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12985899/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147464195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Surgical Site Infections in Mozambique: A Literature Review of Incidence, Antimicrobial Resistance, Risk Factors, and Surveillance Practices.","authors":"Mahmood Yousry Mohamed El-Shazly, Rosa Buonamassa, Alessandro Cornelli, Ahmed Yousry El-Shazly, Roberta Iatta, Elmano Dos Santos Gomonda, Luisa Frallonardo, Giacomo Guido, Mohamed El Shazly, Muhammad Asaduzzaman, Annalisa Saracino, Sónia Raquel Mendonça da Cunha, Raja Waqar Ali, Ferenc Balázs Farkas, Botond Lakatos, Francesco Di Gennaro, Ussene Hilário Isse","doi":"10.5334/aogh.5143","DOIUrl":"10.5334/aogh.5143","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background:</i> Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most common healthcare-associated infections worldwide and impose a disproportionate burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In Mozambique, persistent health system constraints-including limited infection prevention and control (IPC) capacity, weak surveillance infrastructure, and rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR)-likely amplify this burden. This review synthesizes available evidence on SSI incidence, etiology, antimicrobial resistance patterns, risk factors, and surveillance practices in Mozambican healthcare settings. <i>Methods:</i> A structured literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, WHO Global Index Medicus, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2000 and September 2025. Eligible studies reported SSI incidence or prevalence, causative pathogens, AMR profiles, or associated risk factors in Mozambique. Additional data were retrieved from WHO reports, Joint External Evaluations (JEEs), and national surveillance assessments. <i>Results:</i> Published evidence remains scarce and fragmented, with no comprehensive national estimates of SSI incidence identified. The most commonly reported pathogens were <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (including MRSA), <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>, <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>, <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp., and <i>Escherichia coli</i>. MRSA prevalence in hospital settings ranged from 15% to 42%. Gram-negative isolates frequently demonstrated extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production, suggesting substantial antimicrobial pressure. Reported risk factors were consistent with regional findings and included inadequate hand hygiene, suboptimal sterilization practices, prolonged lab or, malnutrition, HIV infection, and perioperative anemia. National SSI surveillance is largely absent, and only one hospital currently reports AMR data to the WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS). <i>Conclusions:</i> SSIs represent a significant yet underrecognized public health challenge in Mozambique. Despite increasing multidrug resistance, systematic data collection and coordinated national surveillance remain limited. Strengthening IPC programs, establishing structured SSI surveillance, expanding microbiological laboratory capacity, and implementing antibiotic stewardship initiatives are urgent priorities to improve surgical outcomes and reinforce national health security.</p>","PeriodicalId":48857,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Global Health","volume":"92 1","pages":"24"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12962243/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147379322","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Pilot Study to Advance Task-Sharing of Gastroschisis Management in Uganda.","authors":"Anthony N Eze, Felix Oyania, Wigdan S Hissein, Daphine Kyasimire, Ivan N Nuwagaba, Gift Atuheire, OyinOluwa G Adaramola, Olivia McGinnis, Shannon Barter, Tamara N Fitzgerald","doi":"10.5334/aogh.5088","DOIUrl":"10.5334/aogh.5088","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Introduction:</i> Gastroschisis mortality in Africa is high partly due to delays in care. In Uganda, skilled birth attendants (SBAs) are the first point-of-contact for most babies, and with proper training, may be willing to participate in surgical task-sharing. <i>Objective:</i> Empower Ugandan skilled birth attendants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to care for babies with gastroschisis. <i>Methods:</i> Ugandan SBAs completed a one-day gastroschisis course, and resident physicians also requested to participate. A pre- and post-course test was administered to assess gastroschisis knowledge and confidence. <i>Findings:</i> A total of 69 SBAs (44 midwives, 25 nurses) and 17 residents participated. Participants were predominantly female (n = 64, 74%) with a median of 9 years of work experience. There was significant knowledge increase from pre- to post-course regarding differentiating gastroschisis from omphalocele (SBA 39% to 70%, p < 0.001; resident 48% to 77%, p < 0.001), gastroschisis incidence and outcomes (SBA 56% to 87%, p < 0.001; resident 65% to 89%, p < 0.001), risk factors (SBA 66% to 89%, p < 0.001; resident 67% to 86%, p < 0.0026), treatment (SBA 57% to 84%, p < 0.001; resident 63% to 79%, p < 0.001), and importance of community education (SBA 54% to 59%, p < 0.006; resident 56% to 65%, p < 0.0413). Only SBAs showed a significant increase in prenatal diagnosis (74% to 88%, p < 0.001). There was a significant boost in SBA clinical management confidence from 39% to 88%. <i>Conclusion:</i> A one-day training course can enable Ugandan SBAs to serve as task-sharers for babies with gastroschisis. While residents benefited, a future course should be developed for their learning needs. Continuing education is needed to ensure knowledge retention and clinical preparedness. Assessment of gastroschisis outcomes is necessary to determine if involving SBAs can improve survival.</p>","PeriodicalId":48857,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Global Health","volume":"92 1","pages":"23"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12947823/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147327904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global, Regional, and National Burden Attributed to Particulate Matter Pollution, 1990-2021: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.","authors":"YangYang Li, Ping Sun, Yiheng Yin, Chang Yu, Dongjie Xie, Zhengwei Wan, Bolin Deng","doi":"10.5334/aogh.4965","DOIUrl":"10.5334/aogh.4965","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background:</i> Particulate matter pollution (PMP), both ambient (APMP) and household (HPMP), significantly contributes to global health issues, affecting mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) across different populations. This study aims to analyze the temporal and spatial trends of deaths and DALYs attributable to APMP and HPMP from 1990 to 2021, stratified by age, sex, and SDI, to understand the evolving global health burden. <i>Method:</i> In this study, data on deaths, DALYs, and population attributable fractions due to overall PMP, APMP, and HPMP from 1990 to 2021 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The counts, rates per 100,000 population, and their estimated annual percentage changes, with 95% uncertainty intervals, were reported for each estimate. <i>Results:</i> This study reveals that the global PMP-attributable deaths increased, driven by the doubling of APMP-attributable deaths. Rates attributable to overall PMP and HPMP decreased with rising SDI, while APMP-attributable rates followed an inverted U-shaped pattern, from 1990 to 2021. In 2021, the highest age-specific death and DALY rates occurred in infants and the elderly, with males consistently exhibiting higher rates than females. Regionally, North Africa and the Middle East, and Oceania had the highest rates attributable to APMP and HPMP, respectively, while South Asia showed the largest increase in APMP-attributable rates. The leading PMP-attributable diseases were cardiovascular diseases, maternal and neonatal disorders, and respiratory infections. APMP primarily contributed to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), ischemic heart disease, and stroke, while HPMP had the greatest impact on lower respiratory infections, COPD, and neonatal disorders. <i>Conclusions:</i> This study revealed that the burden of different PMP-attributable diseases varied by region, gender, and age. In addition, APMP-attributable deaths and DALYs doubled, with significant regional, gender, and age disparities, underscoring the need for targeted prevention and control strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":48857,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Global Health","volume":"92 1","pages":"22"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12947824/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147327890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Use of Artificial Intelligence in Public Health Education for Pandemic Preparedness and Response.","authors":"Ellen Crystian Silvestre Garcia Souza, Aires Garcia Dos Santos Junior, Adriana M S Félix, João Paulo Assunção Borges, Layze Braz de Oliveira, Liliane Moretti Carneiro, Alvaro Francisco Lopes de Sousa","doi":"10.5334/aogh.5130","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.5130","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Background:</i> The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) has enabled new approaches for health education, particularly during public health emergencies. However, evidence remains fragmented on how AI-based educational strategies support preparedness, response, and recovery phases of pandemics and epidemics. <i>Objective:</i> To map the use of AI-based technologies in health education strategies addressing preparedness, response, and recovery during public health emergencies, identifying target populations, intervention characteristics, outcomes, scalability, and knowledge gaps. <i>Methods:</i> This scoping review followed Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Searches were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, IEEE Xplore, and LILACS, complemented by gray literature from Google Scholar. Studies published from 2010 onward in English, Portuguese, or Spanish were included. Eligible designs comprised primary studies, methodological or implementation research, and reviews with explicit educational components. Data extraction covered context, populations, AI modalities, educational purposes, delivery channels, supervision requirements, pandemic-cycle phase, scalability, outcomes, and evidence gaps. <i>Results:</i> Forty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Conversational AI (chatbots and large language models) and algorithmic curation tools using machine learning and natural language processing predominated. Most interventions supported health literacy, risk communication, and misinformation management; others addressed personalized learning, microtraining, and clinical simulation for students and health professionals. Delivery channels included mobile applications, messaging platforms, websites/YouTube, and clinical AI systems. Human oversight (expert validation and curation) was consistently reported as essential for safety and reliability. Interventions mainly targeted the response phase, with emerging applications for preparedness. Major gaps included standardized learning measures, cost-effectiveness evaluations, equity analyses, and governance frameworks ensuring privacy, transparency, and bias control. <i>Conclusions:</i> AI-enabled educational technologies can strengthen rapid, scalable, and personalized learning during health emergencies. Future research should prioritize multicenter studies using standardized indicators, economic and equity assessments, and robust governance frameworks to ensure ethical, safe, and inclusive adoption.</p>","PeriodicalId":48857,"journal":{"name":"Annals of Global Health","volume":"92 1","pages":"21"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12927464/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147285847","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}