Global Health Action最新文献

{"title":"Factors associated with essential newborn care practices among non-institutional births in urban Bangladesh: evidence from Bangladesh Urban Health Survey 2021.","authors":"Shimlin Jahan Khanam, Mst Fatema Begum, Md Badsha Alam, Md Awal Kabir, Md Nuruzzaman Khan","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2024.2412152","DOIUrl":"10.1080/16549716.2024.2412152","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Non-institutional births remain prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, associated with a majority of adverse maternal and child health outcomes, including maternal and child mortality. Ensuring essential newborn care (ENC) practices for these non-institutional births is crucial for reducing these adverse outcomes. This study aimed to identify the prevalence, and factors associated with the adoption of ENC practices among non-institutional births in urban Bangladesh.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 2,165 children's data were analyzed, extracted from the 35,186 ever-married women interviewed in the 2021 Bangladesh Urban Health Survey. Six ENC components and their level (lowest/none, moderate, and highest) were considered as the outcome variables. Several socio-demographic factors were considered as the explanatory variables. Multivariate binary and multinomial logistic regression model were used to explore the association between outcome and explanatory variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Approximately 49% of all mothers reported practicing the highest level of ENC. Among the individual components, the highest adherence was observed for the use of a disinfected instrument to cut the umbilical cord (90%). The likelihood of adopting the highest level of ENC practices was higher among mothers with relatively higher education and wealth quintiles and lower among those residing in slum and other urban areas of city corporations compared to non-slum areas. Mothers living in the Khulna and Sylhet divisions had a lower likelihood of adopting the highest level of ENC practices.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Awareness building programs are needed to educate the population, particularly mothers, about the importance of practicing ENC for improving maternal and child health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11463011/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142394645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Changes in the menstrual hygiene management facilities and usage among Bangladeshi school girls and its effect on school absenteeism from 2014 to 2018.","authors":"Farjana Jahan, Noshin Sayiara Shuchi, Abul Kasham Shoab, Mahbub-Ul Alam, Sk Md Kamrul Bashar, Khairul Islam, Hasin Jahan, Mahadi Hasan, Md Masud Alam, Mahbubur Rahman","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2023.2297512","DOIUrl":"10.1080/16549716.2023.2297512","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The lack of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) information and facilities in schools is a major contributor to adolescent girls' school absenteeism in low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This paper examines the changes over time in school MHM facilities, knowledge and perceptions among adolescent girls, in relation to school absenteeism between 2014 and 2018 in Bangladesh.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We examined changes in MHM and school absenteeism among schoolgirls using nationally representative data from the Bangladesh National Hygiene Baseline Survey 2014 and National Hygiene Survey 2018. Given the repetitive nature of our data and its clustering within participants, our method included performing descriptive analysis, bivariate analysis, and multivariate Generalised Estimating Equation (GEE) modelling to analyse these changes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results showed that adolescent girls' menstruation-related absenteeism decreased between 2014 and 2018. Percentage of adolescents who missed school decreased from 25% to 14% (PD: -11; CI: -16 to -6.1), while the average number of missed days reduced from 2.8 to 2.5 (PD: -0.33; CI: -0.57 to -0.10). In the GEE model, we found that living in rural areas (coef: -5.6; CI: -10.06 to -1.14), parental restrictions on going outside (coef: 4.47; CI: 0.75 to 8.2), education levels of girls (coef: -9.48; CI: -14.17 to -4.79), girl's belief that menstruation affects school performance (coef: 23.32; CI: 19.71 to 26.93), and using old cloths (coef: -4.2; CI: -7.6 to -0.79) were significantly associated with higher absenteeism. However, participant's age, type of school, knowledge of menstruation before menarche, receiving information regarding MHM, separate place for changing absorbents, and separate latrine and urine facility were not significantly associated with the changes in absenteeism over time.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This paper emphasised the associations between changes in school absenteeism, parental restrictions on students, students' education levels, and menstruation-related misperceptions. Ongoing research, policy reviews, and targeted interventions to improve MHM perceptions among girls are required to provide long-term benefits for adolescent girls in Bangladesh.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10795776/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139479303","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Contested and nervous spaces: exploring the environment of healthcare provision for international migrants in the Gauteng province of South Africa.","authors":"Janine A White, Laetitia C Rispel","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2024.2422192","DOIUrl":"10.1080/16549716.2024.2422192","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Notwithstanding the global goal of inclusive universal health coverage, and the notion of migrant-sensitive health systems, limited healthcare access or the exclusion of migrants from national health systems persists. South Africa has a rights-based constitution, but there is an inability or a failure of the health system to recognise and address the health needs of migrants.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To explore the intersection of the environment of healthcare provision for migrants and the everyday practices and behaviours of health workers and patients in the Gauteng province of South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The conceptual frameworks of health system responsiveness and social exclusion informed this institutional ethnographic study at 13 healthcare facilities in Gauteng province. We developed an observation guide to explore the intersection of culture and environment and its influence on healthcare provision to patients, especially migrants. Following ethics approval, we observed the facilities for 234 person-days. We used thematic analysis to analyse the data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Busy, frantic or nervous spaces, and contestations between patients and health workers, and among health workers formed part of the social and cultural environment of healthcare provision. The presence of migrant patients during busy periods served as a detonator for rude or discriminatory remarks, exacerbated by staff shortages and language barriers. Simultaneously, migrants exercised their agency by rebutting or confronting rude health workers. We also observed encouraging examples of kindness, caring and professionalism of health workers.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study has implications for achieving a migrant-sensitive health system in South Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11539399/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142577068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of digital health in pandemic preparedness and response: securing global health?","authors":"Chisom Ogochukwu Ezenwaji, Esther Ugo Alum, Okechukwu Paul-Chima Ugwu","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2024.2419694","DOIUrl":"10.1080/16549716.2024.2419694","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Digital health technologies, such as mobile applications, wearable devices, and electronic health record systems, have significantly enhanced global health security by enabling timely data collection and analysis, identifying infectious disease trends, and reducing infection risk through remote services.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study assesses the role of digital health in pandemic preparedness and global health security response. It examines the application of digital health to early detection, surveillance, and data management in patient care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We gathered data from scholarly articles published between 2019 and 2024 (found in PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Web of Science), reports from the WHO, and case studies of recent pandemics. Topics discussed include digital health technologies, their use, benefits, and issues. We paid special attention to gathering the informed opinions and perspectives of specialists from various fields, including public health, technology, and government. The commentary synthesises these findings to offer suggestions for incorporating digital health into future pandemic preparedness and response.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Digital tools improve communication, combat fake news, and reach the public, but data protection and public health remain challenges. Integration requires extensive research and collaboration between governments and the private sector.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The COVID-19 outbreak demonstrated the importance of digital technology in outbreak management, patient care, communication, and data sharing. As the world transitions into the post-pandemic phase, it will be important to build on these innovations and prepare for the challenges ahead in order to strengthen healthcare systems for future pandemics.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11497569/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142478824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Women's exposure to intimate partner violence and its association with child stunting: findings from a population-based study in rural Rwanda.","authors":"Jean Nepo Utumatwishima, Ingrid Mogren, Kristina Elfving, Aline Umubyeyi, Ali Mansourian, Gunilla Krantz","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2024.2414527","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2024.2414527","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Child stunting is a significant challenge for most districts in Rwanda and much of sub-Saharan Africa and persists despite multisectoral efforts. There is a notable lack of population-based studies examining the correlation between violence against women and child stunting in Rwanda.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>We aimed to investigate the association between Rwandan women's exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) and child stunting in children under 3 years of age.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In December 2021, a population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Northern Province of Rwanda, including 601 women and their children <3 years of age. The World Health Organization (WHO) Women's Health and Life Experiences Questionnaire for IPV research was utilized. Child stunting was assessed using the WHO criteria for low height for age. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between IPV and child stunting before and during pregnancy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 601 women, 47.4% (<i>n</i> = 285) experienced any form of IPV during pregnancy. The prevalence rates of the types of IPV associated with child stunting varied: 33% for psychological, 31.4% for sexual, and 25.7% for physical violence. Exposure to physical violence before pregnancy and sexual violence during pregnancy was associated with higher odds of child stunting; the adjusted odds ratios were 1.29 (95% CI, 1.01-2.03) and 1.25 (95% CI, 1.04-2.01), respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Women's exposure to physical and psychological violence is associated with an increased risk of child stunting. Urgent targeted interventions and support systems are needed to address the complex relationship between women's exposure to IPV and adverse effects on child growth.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11485766/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142478825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adaptive adjustment to the needs of families caring for children and adolescents with physical disabilities in north-eastern Tanzania: a grounded-theory study.","authors":"Elia Asanterabi Swai, Haleluya Imanueli Moshi, Sia Emmanueli Msuya, Marie Lindkvist, Ann Sörlin, Klas Göran Sahlen","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2024.2354009","DOIUrl":"10.1080/16549716.2024.2354009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Family interactions, which are always multi-faceted, are complicated further by family members with disabilities. In resource-poor settings, policies and programmes that address the needs of and challenges faced by families are often inaccessible or unavailable. Approximately 13% of the families in Tanzania have at least one member with a disability, yet family-centred research on caring for disabled children and adolescents is scarce in this context.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The aim is to explore the needs and challenges faced by families that care for children and adolescents with physical disabilities in the Kilimanjaro Region of north-eastern Tanzania.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This qualitative study had a constructivist grounded-theory design. In-depth interviews, using a semi-structured interview guide based on the social-capital framework, were conducted with 12 female participants aged between 24 and 80. A conceptual model of family needs, inspired by Maslow's hierarchy of needs, informed the analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Challenging needs were grouped into five categories, which were linked to Maslow's hierarchy of needs and related to the central concept of 'adaptive adjustment': (1) 'barely surviving'; (2) 'safety needs in jeopardy'; (3) 'sociocultural protection'; (4) 'self-esteem far beyond reach', and (5) 'dreaming of self-actualisation'.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Families caring for children and adolescents with physical disabilities in north-eastern Tanzania have needs that extend beyond the available and accessible resources. Families can adjust and adapt by avoiding certain situations, accepting the reality of their circumstances and exploring alternative ways of coping. A sustainable support system, including social networks, is essential for meeting basic needs and ensuring safety.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11151795/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141238609","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The perception of air pollution and its health risk: a scoping review of measures and methods.","authors":"Zeinab Bahrami, Satomi Sato, Zhesi Yang, Monali Maiti, Paoin Kanawat, Tomohiro Umemura, Kazunari Onishi, Hiroaki Terasaki, Tomoki Nakayama, Yutaka Matsumi, Kayo Ueda","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2024.2370100","DOIUrl":"10.1080/16549716.2024.2370100","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Although there is increasing awareness of the health risks of air pollution as a global issue, few studies have focused on the methods for assessing individuals' perceptions of these risks. This scoping review aimed to identify previous research evaluating individuals' perceptions of air pollution and its health effects, and to explore the measurement of perceptions, as a key resource for health behaviour.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The review followed the methodological framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley. PubMed and Web of Science were searched. After initial and full-text screening, we further selected studies with standardised scales that had previously been tested for reliability and validity in assessing awareness and perceptions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After full-text screening, 95 studies were identified. 'Perception/awareness of air quality' was often measured, as well as 'Perception of health risk.' Only nine studies (9.5%) used validated scaled questionnaires. There was considerable variation in the scales used to measure the multiple dimensions of risk perception for air pollution.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Few studies used structured scales to quantify individuals' perceptions, limiting comparisons among studies. Standardised methods for measuring health risk perception are needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11216274/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141471927","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of Iranian health workforce emigration based on a system dynamics approach: a study protocol.","authors":"Hamideh Keyvani, Reza Majdzadeh, Esmaeil Khedmati Morasae, Leila Doshmangir","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2024.2370095","DOIUrl":"10.1080/16549716.2024.2370095","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Emigration of health workers has emerged as a significant obstacle in Iran, compelling policymakers to implement a diverse range of interventions and reforms to enhance healthcare services. It is imperative to comprehend the efficacy of emigration control interventions. To explore the intricate dynamics of elite emigration, this study employs a system dynamics modeling approach. The objective is to scrutinize Iranian health workers' emigration, examine the relationships, and evaluate the impact of various factors involved.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The general purpose of this study is to analyze the policy interventions affecting the emigration of human resources in the field of health in Iran based on the system's dynamic approach.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The research consists of four phases including analyzing the emigration status of health workers in developing countries, studying health personnel emigration in Iran, developing a System Dynamics (SD) model, and determining evidence-based policy interventions to address health worker emigration. These phases involve realist review, document analysis, qualitative interviews, data integration, and policy scenario planning. The primary objective is to gain a profound understanding of the underlying causes, mechanisms, and consequences of migration, as well as assess the impact of policies, in order to prioritize effective interventions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>It seems that the SD model developed in this study can highlight the interconnectedness of various factors that influence health worker emigration, including demographic changes, economic conditions, and characteristics of healthcare systems.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study uses a systems dynamics approach to analyze health worker emigration from Iran, focusing on policies that promote retention and explore the implications of emigration on the healthcare system. By examining interrelationships and feedback loops within the healthcare system and socioeconomic factors, the study aims to identify effective policy interventions that can mitigate the negative effects of emigration.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11249144/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141591868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beyond buzzwords: fostering interdisciplinary and collaborative global health research in Germany and beyond.","authors":"Maeve Cook-Deegan, Kerem Böge, Walter Bruchhausen, Mizeck Chagunda, Medha Chaturvedi, Meral Esen, Johanna Hanefeld, Beate Kampmann, Carsten Köhler, Charlotte Köhler, Francis Osei, Clarissa Prazeres da Costa, Eva Rehfuess, Thirumalaisamy P Velavan, Nora Anton","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2024.2408884","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2024.2408884","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Germany has increased its political and financial commitment for global health, but this needs to be backed by a robust global health research ecosystem with strong partnerships in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This article suggests pathways for empowering researchers to operate beyond their disciplinary silos and strengthen partnerships across sectors and countries. The authors identify barriers and enablers of operations from a nascent research network in Germany, trusting that this experience can inform other initiatives seeking to stoke interdisciplinary and collaborative global health research.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This article represents the culmination of extensive reflections spanning the initial four years of the German Alliance for Global Health Research (GLOHRA). The insights have additionally been informed by an analysis of publicly available reports, internal procedural records, and externally conducted studies based on interviews with researchers and policymakers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>GLOHRA has developed a toolbox of practices that foster interdisciplinary research and support capacity-building. Insights indicate that highly interdisciplinary and diverse governance structures and seed-funding for interdisciplinary and cross-sector research with appropriate review processes represent a critical step for achieving these aims. Additionally, inclusive training sessions and networking events help to bridge disciplinary boundaries, equipping researchers to envision the broader context of their work.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Despite achievements, challenges persist. Wider support, especially from universities and research institutions, is necessary to make global health research an attractive career path and to reduce bureaucratic barriers for collaborators in LMICs. Sustained, longer-term federal funding mechanisms will also be essential for ongoing progress.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142478820","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}

{"title":"Estimating the potential health effects of cleaner air in the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic: a study in Malmö, Sweden.","authors":"Ebba Malmqvist, Emilie Stroh, Erin Flanagan, Christina Isaxon, Pontus Roldin, Anna Oudin","doi":"10.1080/16549716.2024.2416291","DOIUrl":"10.1080/16549716.2024.2416291","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, reductions in air pollution were globally observed owing to decreased human activities, underscoring the potential for cleaner air through shifts in human behaviour.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The objective of the present study was to hypothetically estimate the resulting population health impacts in Malmö, Sweden, if these improvements in air quality were to become permanent.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We utilized air pollution data from two measurement campaigns conducted in the spring of 2019 and the spring of 2020 for our Health Impact Assessment, applying standard methods. This assessment involved making assumptions about baseline population risk and using established concentration-response functions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the spring of 2020, the NO2 concentrations exhibited an average decrease of 6.6 μg/m3 (42%) decrease and PM2.5 concentrations a 1.9 μg/m3 (22%) decrease, compared to the spring of 2019. If sustained, such improvements could lead to an estimated 1-3% decrease in premature deaths, a 2% decrease in preeclampsia cases, a 6% decrease in low birthweight children, a 4% decrease in bronchitis cases among children, a 2% decrease in asthma cases, a 0.2% decrease in hospital admissions for respiratory diagnoses, and an estimated 11% decrease in dementia cases annually.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings illustrate the potential for enhanced health in Malmö due to improved air quality. Efforts to combat air pollution and implement long-term strategies, such as those targeting urban mobility and commuting patterns, are essential for the health and well-being of both local and global populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":49197,"journal":{"name":"Global Health Action","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11497565/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142478821","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}