{"title":"Spatial analysis of colorectal cancer outcomes: investigating the impact of place-specific factors using causal inference methods for spatial data.","authors":"Dajana Draganic, Knut R Wangen","doi":"10.1093/pubmed/fdaf044","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaf044","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Disparities in health outcomes across regions may arise from place-specific factors, encompassing both contextual elements such as healthcare accessibility and compositional factors tied to the unique population characteristics. This study seeks to investigate the impact of various place-specific factors on late-stage incidence and mortality rates within Norwegian municipalities.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Municipality-level data on colorectal cancer (CRC) late-stage diagnosis and mortality rates were acquired from the Cancer Registry of Norway and the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry. Screening utilization rates were obtained from the Norwegian Patient Registry. To explore the region-level effects of place-specific factors on CRC outcomes, a causal inference method for spatial data-neighborhood adjustment method via spatial smoothing (NA approach)-was employed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings indicate that a one-unit increase in screening rates (or a 1% rise in screening uptake) corresponds to a 2.9% decrease in late-stage incidence, with a 95% credible interval ranging from -0.055 to -0.003. However, no significant relationship between screening rates and mortality rates was observed.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study underscores the importance of maximizing the utilization of screening services to prevent advance-stage diagnosis. Moreover, the research underscores the significance of improving access to screening services, particularly in rural and medically underserved areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":94107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health (Oxford, England)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144063347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Classical Indian music for managing anxiety and pain among patients in a hospital setting: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.","authors":"Tara Rajendran, Akshay Patil, Subham Kumar Mohanta, Subbalakshmi Narasajjana Krishnadasa, Venkatesh Natarajan","doi":"10.1093/pubmed/fdaf048","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaf048","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The quantitative impact of classical Indian music (CIM) on pain and anxiety is relatively underexplored. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess whether music medicine (MM) using CIM improves anxiety and/or pain among patients of all ages in a hospital setting.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, PsychInfo, Embase, and Google Scholar from their inception until January 29, 2025. The pooled estimate of standardized mean differences (SMD) was calculated using the fixed and random-effects model and reported using Woolf's inverse variance. Data represented in standardized effect size with 95% CI. The risk of bias and the certainty of evidence were analyzed using RevMan v5.4 and GRADE.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nine RCTs were included in the systematic review and two RCTs (197 participants) in the meta-analysis. CIM was found not to have a significant benefit on anxiety (SMD 0.14 [-0.14 to 0.42]), systolic blood pressure (SMD -0.20 [-0.73 to 0.34]), diastolic blood pressure (SMD -0.03 [-0.39 to 0.34]), and pulse rate (SMD -0.96 [-2.50 to 0.57]). No substantial statistical heterogeneity was observed. The certainty of the evidence was very low.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our meta-analysis could not ascertain any positive relationship between CIM and anxiety, SBP, DBP, and PR. We recommend greater research efforts through robust RCTs and policies to develop a National Medical Commission-accredited CIM-based music therapy service in India.</p>","PeriodicalId":94107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health (Oxford, England)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144013518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Understanding the relations of social dominance orientation, right-wing authoritarianism, and vaccination outcomes: applying a multidimensional conceptualization of vaccine hesitancy.","authors":"Matt C Howard","doi":"10.1093/pubmed/fdaf051","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaf051","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Individuals with conservative political orientations are more hesitant toward vaccines, resulting in calls to explore individual differences that explain these relations. We heed these calls and investigate two individual differences known to relate to conservative political orientations: social dominance orientation (SDO) and right-wing authoritarianism (RWA). We test whether dimensions from a multidimensional conceptualization of vaccine hesitancy mediate the relations of SDO and RWA with vaccination outcomes.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We conduct a time-separated survey study with each wave separated by one week (n = 227).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>When tested together, RWA (all P < .01) but not SDO (all P > .05) significantly relates to vaccination willingness, receipt, and word-of-mouth (sharing of vaccine [dis]information). Two vaccine hesitancy dimensions mediated the relations between RWA and vaccination outcomes, the first reflecting perceptions that vaccines are dangerous (P < .05 for 6 of 7 outcomes) and the second reflecting perceptions that vaccines are not needed if healthy (P < .05 for 5 of 7 outcomes).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We utilize these findings to identify relevant theoretical perspectives that may guide research on the study of individual differences and vaccination outcomes, and we highlight that these two vaccine hesitancy dimensions may be key explanatory mechanisms in understanding vaccination outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":94107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health (Oxford, England)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144056866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sub-national landscape on the years of life lost due to COVID-19 pandemic in the major cities of Southern Philippines.","authors":"Zython Paul Lachica","doi":"10.1093/pubmed/fdaf047","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaf047","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In Southern Philippines, 5 697 COVID-19 deaths were reported in the major cities from March 2020 to June 2022. The pandemic's impact, despite the relatively modest death toll, was examined by analysing the Years of Life Lost (YLL) derived from disease surveillance datasets.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The individual YLLs were calculated using the global disease burden approach applying 7% discounting rate and adjusting for sex, age-at-death, and the individual's city-location. The YLLs were then aggregated on a monthly basis. Descriptive analytics were used to characterise the dynamic nature over time of the YLLs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 51 749.07 YLLs due to COVID-19 were estimated, i.e. 9.09 YLLs per death or 969.49 YLLs per 100 000 population. The monthly YLL ranged from 68.55 to 7 641.12. On average, the age-at-death is 59.68 years with males having younger age-at-death than females. Notably, the weekly COVID-19 incidences and deaths in Southern Philippines showed synchronous peaks.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The average age-at-death in Southern Philippines is at least 10 years younger than both international age-at-death estimates and the Philippine life expectancy. The synchronous weekly peaks may highlight distinct pandemic dynamics for a low- and middle-income country. The YLL due to COVID-19 in Southern Philippines, at a sub-national level, is comparable to some country-level estimates, highlighting the impact of the pandemic on this island region alone.</p>","PeriodicalId":94107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health (Oxford, England)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144056878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Saarah Khalid, Sivapriya K R Sundararajan, Libby Kelsey, Stephen Gunther, Padmanabhan Badrinath
{"title":"Comparative insights into suicide prevention: a cross-sectional analysis of English local authority audit reports and action plans.","authors":"Saarah Khalid, Sivapriya K R Sundararajan, Libby Kelsey, Stephen Gunther, Padmanabhan Badrinath","doi":"10.1093/pubmed/fdaf042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaf042","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Suicide rates in the UK are rising, highlighting the need for effective local interventions. This study examined whether English local authorities (LAs) have conducted suicide audits, key findings and whether these were used to develop their action plans.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study assessed suicide audits and action plans from 153 LAs, using data collected from Freedom of Information requests, using statistical (Chi-square test) and thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 153 LAs, 8 did not respond. Of the remaining 145 LAs, 60% conducted audits. Data from 88 suicide audits and 113 action plans were analysed. Males between 45 and 64 years old were found to have the highest incidence of suicide; coastal LAs reported significantly higher suicide rates than the national average (P = .009). Locations (60.2%) and methods of suicide (62.5%) were recognized as key factors for intervention.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The aim and scope of suicide audits and action plans vary significantly. Identified risk factors were higher in coastal LAs, and support for men remains inadequate. Standardized guidelines could improve the impact and consistency of data collection and assist in the development of robust strategies to tackle suicide prevention initiatives.</p>","PeriodicalId":94107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health (Oxford, England)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144061314","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ana M Recio-Vivas, Isabel Font-Jiménez, L Lorenzo-Allegue, Montserrat González-Pascual, Angel Belzunegui-Eraso, José M Mansilla-Domínguez
{"title":"Influence of social determinants of health on gambling in adolescents. Analysis of the results of the ESTUDES 2022 survey.","authors":"Ana M Recio-Vivas, Isabel Font-Jiménez, L Lorenzo-Allegue, Montserrat González-Pascual, Angel Belzunegui-Eraso, José M Mansilla-Domínguez","doi":"10.1093/pubmed/fdaf046","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaf046","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>There is globally proliferation of pathological gambling among the adolescent population. This public health problem requires the development of effective preventive strategies based on the risk factors. The aim of this study is to analyse the social determinants of health which may be predictors of online and face-to-face gambling in young people.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out using the Survey on Drug Use in Secondary Education in Spain, ESTUDES (2021), as the main data collection tool. The selected sample consisted of N = 22 321.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Gender, age, academic performance and compulsive internet use were found to be predictors of online and face-to-face gambling. Gambling with money was statistically significantly related to male gender, age, presence of truancy, low academic achievement, compulsive internet use, mother's educational level and mother's employment status.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study offers a detailed analysis of connection between social and demographic factors that precede gambling beginning and the presence of problem behaviours. Academic achievement and gender differences appear to relate to the pathological gambling in adolescents. These should be taken as a reference when generating preventive strategies that allow us to focus on the most vulnerable population.</p>","PeriodicalId":94107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health (Oxford, England)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144061317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Does the name of a disease matter? Chinese people's public perception of the renaming of COVID-19.","authors":"Mengru Han, Yan Gu","doi":"10.1093/pubmed/fdaf045","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaf045","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>On 7 December 2022, China discontinued its 3-year zero-COVID strategy, and on 26 December 2022, changed the name of COVID-19 from [novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP)] to [novel coronavirus infection (NCI)]. This study examined whether the renaming influenced public perception of COVID-19's severity right after the change, despite the Omicron variant itself remaining unchanged.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A survey was conducted immediately following the renaming in China. Participants were asked to directly compare the two names, and indirectly questioned about their perceptions of the virus. Responses were compared to assess whether linguistic framing with NCP or NCI influenced perceptions.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Direct comparisons showed that 65% of respondents (N = 1256) perceived the new name as less serious and frightening than the old one. However, one-third of participants did not perceive such differences, which was associated with their education level, age, and relationship status. Indirect comparisons revealed that perceived severity of COVID-19 was influenced by an interaction between wording in names and participants' intensity of COVID-19 experience.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Linguistic framing, personal experience, and sociodemographic factors can all influence disease perceptions during health crises. Optimizing naming strategies can reduce public anxiety and enhance health communication.</p>","PeriodicalId":94107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health (Oxford, England)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144063391","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yujia Liu, Xudong Ya, Linlin Zhou, Tong Chen, Fei Shen, Yu Chen, Xingqi Wang
{"title":"Dose-response association of total and leisure-time physical activity with the risk of different subtypes of stroke: a systematic-review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Yujia Liu, Xudong Ya, Linlin Zhou, Tong Chen, Fei Shen, Yu Chen, Xingqi Wang","doi":"10.1093/pubmed/fdaf043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaf043","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the dose-response relationship of total physical activity (TPA), leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), and occupational physical activity (OPA) with the risk of stroke.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science were searched to collect relevant studies on PA and stroke risk up to December 2024, and cohort research was considered to include. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of included studies. Egger's test and sensitive analysis were conducted. Dose-response meta-analysis and methodological quality evaluation were performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 23, 15, and 10 studies assessed the relationship between TPA, LTPA, and OPA with stroke. Meta-analyses results showed that higher levels of TPA, LTPA, and OPA were associated with a lower stroke risk. A nonmonotonic non-linear dose-response relationship was detected between TPA and the risk of total, hemorrhagic, and ischemic stroke. An inverse linear dose-response relationship between LTPA and the risk of total, hemorrhagic stroke, and ischemic stroke.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Stroke risk is significantly reduced with increasing levels of TPA when it is lower, and has an inverse linear dose-response relationship with LTPA. A higher level of OPA is associated with lower stroke risk, but inconsistent data result in high heterogeneity.</p>","PeriodicalId":94107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health (Oxford, England)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144047492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prevalence of tobacco use, legal awareness and control attitudes among healthcare students, professionals and staff: a multicentric study in India.","authors":"Bijit Biswas, Saurabh Varshney, G Jahnavi, Venkata Lakshmi Narasimha, Santanu Nath, Vinayagamoorthy Venugopal, Sudip Bhattacharya, Arshad Ayub, Benazir Alam, Ujjwal Kumar, Niwedita Jha","doi":"10.1093/pubmed/fdaf041","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaf041","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Tobacco use poses a significant global health challenge, particularly within the healthcare sector. This study assessed tobacco use prevalence, legal awareness, control attitudes and the need for greater emphasis on tobacco control in healthcare curricula among professionals, students and staff in Eastern India, specifically in Bihar and Jharkhand.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In July and August 2023, an extensive online survey was conducted across 24 tertiary healthcare institutions involving medical, dental and nursing students, as well as faculty, resident physicians, nursing professionals and support staff.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study revealed that 15.9% of participants currently use tobacco, with 9.6% reporting daily use. Notably, non-users demonstrated higher awareness of tobacco-related laws compared to users. Multifactor logistic regression analysis identified several determinants of tobacco use including age, sex, marital status, occupation, family income and geographic origin. A significant finding was that less knowledge about tobacco laws correlated strongly with higher rates of tobacco use. Furthermore, regional variations were observed, with a lower prevalence of tobacco use in participants from southern states.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings underscore the necessity of integrating comprehensive tobacco education into healthcare curricula and reinforcing awareness campaigns to effectively mitigate tobacco use within this critical sector.</p>","PeriodicalId":94107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health (Oxford, England)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144015996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Pandemic treaty textual analysis: ethics and public health implications.","authors":"Emma M R Anderson, Elizabeth Fenton, John A Crump","doi":"10.1093/pubmed/fdaf040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaf040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The World Health Organization's convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, often referred to as the 'pandemic treaty', was established with principles to guide implementation. The treaty's underlying ethic was cosmopolitan in intent, emphasizing equal value of all people with obligations stemming from shared humanity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The principles of the working draft of 13 July 2022 and the proposed agreement of 22 April 2024 were compared by textual analysis for content and sequence. Changes were analysed using the ethical framework of cosmopolitanism and associated public health implications identified.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Compared with the working draft, the proposed agreement consolidated principles such as solidarity and reduced specific obligations, weakening ethical demands. Sovereignty was elevated to the cardinal principle, while obligations tied to equity and human rights were less specific, reflecting a shift from cosmopolitan intentions and a reduced emphasis on cooperation for shared public health goals.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Changes made through the pandemic treaty negotiation process suggest ethical amnesia, undermining global equity, justice, and solidarity with consequences for public health and pandemic preparedness. Strengthening obligations in the treaty text is essential to embed a collective motivation for cooperation necessary for effective public health before the next pandemic.</p>","PeriodicalId":94107,"journal":{"name":"Journal of public health (Oxford, England)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144061209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}