Public Health最新文献

{"title":"Corrigendum to “Inequalities in epilepsy mortality: A decade-long analysis of insured versus uninsured adults in Mexico” [Publ Health 242 (2025) 192–198]","authors":"Bayron Alexander Sandoval-Bonilla , Alvaro García-Pérez , Maria De la Cerda Vargas , Daniel San Juan , Alejandra Calderon Vallejo , Nelly Cisneros González , José Carrillo Ruiz , Maximo Leon Vazquez , Enrique De Font-Reaulx , David King Stephens","doi":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106119","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106119","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49651,"journal":{"name":"Public Health","volume":"251 ","pages":"Article 106119"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145835150","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":"Mental health profiles and correlates among Chinese adolescents: A latent profile analysis","authors":"Xiang Li ,&nbsp;Juntong Li ,&nbsp;Sheng Ye ,&nbsp;Hui Liu ,&nbsp;Yue Yang ,&nbsp;Xuelei Lu ,&nbsp;Heyue Jin ,&nbsp;Li Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106121","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106121","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Adolescent mental health issues have become a growing public health concern. This study seeks to identify potential profiles of mental health among Chinese adolescents and to detect high-risk groups for the formulation of targeted intervention strategies based on associated health risk behaviors (HRBs).</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>A cross-sectional study.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study was based on the Monitoring and Intervention Project for Common Diseases and Health Influencing Factors among Secondary School Students in Nanjing, involving 9,865 secondary school students as participants. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was employed to identify mental health (symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as sleep quality); categorical variables were analyzed by the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, whereas multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associations between HRBs and distinct mental health profiles.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Three profiles of mental health were identified among the adolescents, including “Low-risk Mental Health” (68.03 %), “Moderate-risk Mental Health” (26.19 %), and “High-risk Mental Health” (5.78 %). Compared with the “Low-risk Mental Health” profile, the “Moderate-risk Mental Health” profile was associated with behaviors such as drinking, injury, school bullying, unhealthy diet, internet addiction, physical activity, and outdoor activity time; and the “High-risk Mental Health” profile was associated with smoking, drinking, injury, school bullying, unhealthy diet, internet addiction, and outdoor activity time.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Several HRBs are associated with mental health among Chinese adolescents. Healthcare professionals should target these HRBs and implement comprehensive measures to protect adolescent mental health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49651,"journal":{"name":"Public Health","volume":"251 ","pages":"Article 106121"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145866186","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":"Epidemiology of child disadvantage and developmental vulnerability in Australia: Insights from linked administrative data","authors":"Sarah Gray ,&nbsp;Shuaijun Guo ,&nbsp;Cindy Pham ,&nbsp;Marnie Downes ,&nbsp;Katherine Lange ,&nbsp;Sue Woolfenden ,&nbsp;Gerry Redmond ,&nbsp;Naomi Priest ,&nbsp;Meredith O'Connor ,&nbsp;Hannah Badland ,&nbsp;Francisco Azpitarte ,&nbsp;Sharon Goldfeld","doi":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106111","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106111","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Cross-sectoral linked administrative data provides a powerful tool for population-level evaluations of child disadvantage. We examined individual-and area-level indicators of disadvantage in early childhood in Australia and estimated their associations with children's developmental outcomes at school entry.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>Cross-sectional study.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We drew on data from the Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA) involving children born in Australia from 01/01/2012 to 31/07/2013, who commenced full-time schooling in 2018 and participated in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) (N = 274,123). Individual-level disadvantage was measured using 22 early childhood indicators across four pre-determined social determinant lenses (sociodemographic, geographic, health conditions, and risk factors). Area-level disadvantage was assessed using the Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), based on each child's residential address. Teacher-reported poor developmental outcomes were assessed at school entry (4–6 years) in the AEDC.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The percentage of children exposed to different aspects of individual-level disadvantage ranged from 0.2 % (parental death) to 58.8 % (parental mental health issues). There was substantial variation in children's experiences of individual-level disadvantage by geography. The associations between individual-and area-level disadvantage and poor developmental outcomes varied, with the individual-level indicator ‘child not regularly read to at home’ having the strongest association (risk ratio = 4.06, 95 % CI: 4.00 to 4.11). A dose-response relationship was observed, with exposure to an increasing number of child disadvantage indicators associated with poorer developmental outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Addressing children's experiences of multidimensional disadvantage requires cross-sectoral strategies that combine universal and proportionately targeted supports responsive to both individual-and area-level needs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49651,"journal":{"name":"Public Health","volume":"251 ","pages":"Article 106111"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145841366","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":"Prevalence of infertility among nationally representative women in Japan: A cross-sectional survey using a two-stage stratified systematic sampling design","authors":"Eri Maeda ,&nbsp;Shoko Konishi ,&nbsp;Satoshi Sunohara ,&nbsp;Seung Chik Jwa ,&nbsp;Isao Yokota ,&nbsp;Jacky Boivin ,&nbsp;Kyoko Nomura ,&nbsp;Akiko Tamakoshi","doi":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106092","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106092","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>According to the 2021 Japanese National Fertility Survey, more than one-third of couples expressed concerns about infertility. However, no study in Japan has estimated the prevalence of infertility according to the World Health Organization definition (12 months of infertility). This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of infertility based on this definition.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>A cross-sectional study design.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The survey was conducted in 2024 using a two-stage stratified systematic sampling design (response rate: 40.0 %). Among 1200 women aged 25–49 years (total participants), 853 were married or cohabiting with a male partner (cohabiting participants). There were 35 women aged 25–44 years, at risk of pregnancy, and actively trying to conceive (current duration participants). Lifetime and period prevalence were estimated using direct (self-reported) and current duration methods.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among cohabiting participants, the lifetime and period prevalence of infertility were 37.8 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 35.4 %–40.4 %) and 6.5 % (95 % CI: 5.1 %–8.4 %), respectively. Period prevalence among current duration participants was 23.1 % (95 % CI: 12.1 %–43.9 %). Help-seeking behaviour was reported by 51.1 % of those with lifetime infertility. Older age groups exhibited higher lifetime prevalence and lower period prevalence of infertility. Higher educational attainment was associated with lower lifetime and period prevalence of infertility and a higher help-seeking rate.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>While period prevalence estimated using direct and current duration methods was consistent with international findings, lifetime prevalence estimated using direct method was higher, possibly due to older age distribution, delayed parenthood, shorter or ambiguous reproductive intention, and infrequent sexual activity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49651,"journal":{"name":"Public Health","volume":"251 ","pages":"Article 106092"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145791394","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":"Restricted access to GPs had limited effect on consultations for mental health problems in deprived areas during COVID-19: A cohort study","authors":"S. Sana ,&nbsp;T. Magnée ,&nbsp;S. van Pelt ,&nbsp;V. Premysl ,&nbsp;P.J.E. Bindels ,&nbsp;S. Denktaş ,&nbsp;E.I.T. de Schepper ,&nbsp;P.L. Kocken","doi":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106116","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106116","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Stringent COVID-19 lockdown measures with limited access to GP practices raised concerns about the primary mental care access for patients from deprived neighbourhoods. This study investigated the number of mental health GP consultations among patients in deprived neighbourhoods before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>Observational study from January 2018 to June 2022.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Medical records of 379,567 patients were analyzed. We applied segmented time-series Poisson regression analyses to compare monthly mental health consultations in the first lockdown phase (March–May 2020) and the period thereafter with the pre-pandemic period for the total sample and separately for patients in deprived and non-deprived neighbourhoods.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Analysis of 759,863 mental health consultations showed fewer consultations during the first lockdown phase, than pre-pandemic levels (RR = 0·955; 95 % CI = 0·919–0·993). This decrease was only significant among patients in non-deprived neighbourhoods Conversely, a significant increase in consultations during the post-lockdown phase was observed among patients in deprived neighbourhoods (RR = 1·074; 95 % CI = 1·002–1·152), returning to pre-pandemic levels for patients in non-deprived neighbourhoods. For the whole study population, patients had more consultations per month during the first lockdown phase and post-lockdown phase (RR = 1·095; 95 % CI = 1·079–1·111 and RR = 1·064; 95 % CI = 1·051–1·078 respectively).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>During the lockdown phase the GP seemed accessible for patients with mental health problems in deprived neighbourhoods. A general decline in consultations during first lockdown phase, only significant in non-deprived neighbourhoods, was followed by increase in deprived neighbourhoods only during post-lockdown. This can be explained by a higher frequency of mental health consultations per patient. Sufficient access to primary health care should be guaranteed to ensure mental health treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49651,"journal":{"name":"Public Health","volume":"251 ","pages":"Article 106116"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145866254","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":"Corrigendum to “The effect of Tai Chi exercise on physical and psychological health of college students with persistent fatigue after COVID-19 infection: A randomized controlled trial” [Public Health 251(2026) /106105]","authors":"Jingyu Sun,&nbsp;Ke Yao,&nbsp;Hang Chu,&nbsp;Jiajia Chen,&nbsp;Changhong Du,&nbsp;Bin Li,&nbsp;Zhijie Yu,&nbsp;Ziqi Zhang,&nbsp;Tao Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106120","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106120","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49651,"journal":{"name":"Public Health","volume":"251 ","pages":"Article 106120"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145835201","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":"Do the associations of sedentary time with colorectal cancer risk differ by physical activity level and vice versa? A cross-sectional study of two large population-based surveys","authors":"Yuansen Ma ,&nbsp;Xiaomei Wu ,&nbsp;Yu Sun ,&nbsp;Mouqian Wu ,&nbsp;Qihui Tian ,&nbsp;Jiahui Tian ,&nbsp;Duo Xu ,&nbsp;Meixi Gong ,&nbsp;Xuanbing Li ,&nbsp;Yefu Liu ,&nbsp;Bo Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106115","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106115","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Prolonged sedentary behavior increases colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, while physical activity (PA) may reduce it. However, whether PA can mitigate the adverse effects of sedentary time remains unclear. This study examines whether PA modifies the association between sedentary time and CRC risk, and vice versa, and estimates the joint associations of PA and sedentary time with CRC risk using two surveys.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>Cross-sectional study.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data were drawn from NHANES and KNHANES. PA and sedentary time were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Logistic regression with stratified analyses and restricted cubic splines was used to assess associations. Racial subgroup analyses were also performed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 338 CRC cases (NHANES: n = 103, weighted population: 1,282,253; KNHANES: n = 235, weighted population: 190,811), sedentary time greater than 8 h/day (reference 0-&lt;4 h/day) was associated with CRC risk only among those with inactive PA (&lt;600 MET-min/week) (NHANES: OR = 3.37, 95 % CI: 1.03–11.05; KNHANES: OR = 1.47, 95 % CI: 0.82–3.46). Black and Asian individuals with inactive PA showed a higher CRC risk associated with higher sedentary time. Among participants with &gt;8 h sedentary time, higher PA levels (≥2000 MET-min/week) were associated with significantly reduced CRC risk in both datasets (NHANES: 2000–3999 MET-min/week, OR = 0.13, 95 % CI: 0.02–0.77; ≥4000 MET-min/week, OR = 0.08, 95 % CI: 0.01–0.75; KNHANES: 2000–3999 MET-min/week, OR = 0.36, 95 % CI: 0.11–0.98; ≥4000 MET-min/week, OR = 0.33, 95 % CI: 0.04–2.39). Joint analyses showed that individuals with active PA and low sedentary time were associated with reduced CRC risk.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Sedentary time was associated with higher CRC risk but only in individuals with inactive PA (&lt;600 MET-min/week). Higher levels of PA showed greater benefit for CRC risk in those with sedentary time &gt;8 h/day. The combination of active PA and low sedentary time was strongly associated with reduced CRC risk.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49651,"journal":{"name":"Public Health","volume":"251 ","pages":"Article 106115"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145885054","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":"Comparing perceived and objective measures of neighbourhood built environments among youth and adults in Canada","authors":"Stephanie A. Prince ,&nbsp;Yina Shan ,&nbsp;Gregory P. Butler ,&nbsp;Justin J. Lang ,&nbsp;Gavin R. McCormack ,&nbsp;Rachel C. Colley","doi":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106110","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106110","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>To compare perceived and objective measures of the neighbourhood built environment among a representative sample of youth and adults in Canada.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>Cross-sectional study.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Two cycles (N = 7948) of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (2016–19) were linked to objectively-measured built environment data. Objective measures included walkability, cycling paths, recreation facilities, trails, and major roadways. Perceived built environment features were used to derive a composite measure of walkability. Perceived and objective measures were compared using age group- (12–17, 18–64, 65–79 years) and sex-stratified chi-square tests, Pearson correlations, and independent t-tests.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Although objective measures did not differ by age, youth and working-aged adults generally perceived more neighbourhood amenities than older adults. Adults were more likely than youth to report poorly maintained sidewalks and traffic as barriers to walking and cycling. No sex differences were observed. Across all age groups, the perceived presence of dense housing, shops, transit stops, sidewalks, cycling infrastructure, and low-cost recreation facilities increased with objectively-measured neighbourhood walkability. Perceived and objectively-measured walkability were moderately correlated; features such as transit, sidewalks, recreation facilities, and cycle paths were more common in neighbourhoods where residents reported perceiving them.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Age differences in perceived environmental supports and barriers highlight the need to address age-related disparities to improve walkability. Future research should consider the relationship between perceived and objective built environment features and their impact on physical activity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49651,"journal":{"name":"Public Health","volume":"251 ","pages":"Article 106110"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145792032","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":"Sex differences in care for acute coronary syndrome in patients under 60 years: Primary care presentation, referral patterns, hospitalizations and clinical outcomes","authors":"Jasper W.A. van Egeraat ,&nbsp;Julie A.E. van Oortmerssen ,&nbsp;Jeanine E. Roeters van Lennep ,&nbsp;Maryam Kavousi ,&nbsp;Robert T.A. Willemsen ,&nbsp;Tobias N. Bonten ,&nbsp;Annelieke H.J. Petrus ,&nbsp;the IMPRESS consortium","doi":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106094","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106094","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) incidence and mortality rates have risen among women &lt;60 years. This study sought to examine sex differences in healthcare pathways for first-time ACS in young patients, focusing on pre-ACS care, diagnosis and in-hospital management, and post-discharge outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>Observational cohort study.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study uses linked data from primary care, hospital records and national mortality datasets to assess ACS care pathways among Dutch patients aged 30–60 years between 2013 and 2022. Continuous variables were compared with Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and categorical variables with Chi-square tests. Multiple testing is addressed by controlling the false discovery rate.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Women more often had at least one comorbidity (57.6 % vs 51.3 %, p = 0.024) and more primary care consultations in the month preceding ACS (1.37 vs 1.00, p &lt; 0.001). Men were more frequently diagnosed with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), while women were more often diagnosed with non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) or unstable angina (UA), p &lt; 0.001. In-hospital interventions were similar between sexes for STEMI but were different and less frequently performed in women with NSTEMI (p = 0.001) or UA (p = 0.005) compared with men. Post-discharge, women were less likely to receive antithrombotic (87.7 % vs 91.5 %, p = 0.024) and lipid-lowering therapies (82.6 % vs 88.5 %, p = 0.002). Mortality rates before hospitalization, at 30 days, and at 1 year were comparable between sexes.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Sex differences exist in healthcare pathways for individuals aged 30–60 years with first-time ACS regarding prevalence of comorbidities, ACS subtype, in-hospital interventions, and post-discharge medication use. However, 30-day and 1-year survival rates after discharge were comparable between women and men.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49651,"journal":{"name":"Public Health","volume":"251 ","pages":"Article 106094"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145783544","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":"Understanding hazardous drinking: The role of anxiety sensitivity and mediating drinking motives","authors":"Maragda Puigcerver ,&nbsp;Lucía Hipólito ,&nbsp;Miguel-Ángel Serrano","doi":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106104","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106104","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Anxiety sensitivity (AS)—the tendency to fear anxiety-related sensations—has been consistently associated with risky drinking, yet the motivational mechanisms underlying this link remain unclear. This study examined whether specific drinking motives (DMs) mediate the association between AS and hazardous drinking, and explored the moderating effects of age and gender.</div></div><div><h3>Study design</h3><div>A cross-sectional, survey-based design was used.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data were collected through an anonymous online questionnaire completed by 372 adults (69 % women; mean age = 25.3 years), including the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3), and four single-item DMs assessing social, avoidance, pleasure, and need-related motives. Analyses were restricted to participants with AUDIT &gt;0. Correlation and regression analyses examined associations among AS, age, gender, and alcohol use. Structural equation modelling (SEM) tested AS as a latent construct (ASI-3 subscales as indicators) and the four DMs as parallel mediators of the AS–AUDIT relationship.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Higher AS was associated with greater alcohol use, even after controlling for age and gender. SEM confirmed that AS formed a coherent latent factor and that motives operated in parallel. AS was positively linked to avoidance motives; however, this pathway did not mediate the AS–alcohol link. Only the social motive uniquely predicted higher AUDIT scores, while younger age—but not gender—was consistently associated with greater consumption.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Hazardous drinking was mainly explained by social motives and younger age. AS contributed indirectly through its influence on drinking motives rather than a direct effect.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49651,"journal":{"name":"Public Health","volume":"251 ","pages":"Article 106104"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145791395","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}