International Journal for Equity in Health最新文献

{"title":"Social cure model: testing the link between identity centrality and body appreciation in diverse sexual orientation and gender identity groups","authors":"Nikola Komlenac, Kristina Stockburger, Jennifer Birke, Margarethe Hochleitner","doi":"10.1186/s12939-024-02268-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-024-02268-3","url":null,"abstract":"The level of experienced sociocultural pressure to have an idealized body can vary depending on a person’s gender identity and sexual orientation. The current study explored whether differences in levels of body appreciation among people with different sexual orientations and gender identities vary because of differing levels of experienced pressure by in-group members and varying levels of experienced hostile behaviors because of their looks or body. Thereby, the study tests the social cure model, according to which high levels of identity centrality are associated with better mental health. An online cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted with 1,587 people (51.3% cisgender women, 39.3% cisgender men, 9.5% non-binary; 52.9% identified as heterosexual, 27.7% identified as bisexual/pansexual, 11.2% identified as gay/lesbian, 8.2% identified as asexual/demi/queer; Mage = 32.9, SD = 12.6) from German-speaking countries. Variables were assessed with German-language versions of the Multidimensional and Multicomponent Measure of Social Identification, Body Appreciation Scale-2, the Perceived Stigmatization Questionnaire, and the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4, revised. A manifest-path model was calculated. Non-binary persons reported lower levels of body appreciation than did cisgender men and sexual minority persons reported lower levels of body appreciation than did heterosexual persons. Furthermore, sexual minority persons experienced more hostile behaviors directed towards them because of their looks or body than did heterosexual persons. Similarly, non-binary persons experienced more hostile behaviors than did men. Non-binary persons were subjected to lower levels of in-group pressure than were men. Gay/lesbian persons and asexual persons were subjected to lower levels of in-group pressure than were heterosexual persons. More hostile behaviors and stronger in-group pressure were related to lower body appreciation. In cisgender women and men indirect links revealed associations between strong identity centrality and low levels of body appreciation through the mediator of high in-group pressure. Data in sexual minority individuals or non-binary persons supported the social cure model, according to which persons can find support and validation for their looks and body from in-group members. In cisgender women and men, strong identification as a woman or man can be related to stronger in-group pressure and in turn to lower body appreciation.","PeriodicalId":13745,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Equity in Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142262423","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Health disparities and inequalities in prevalence of diabetes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia","authors":"Mohammed Khaled Al-Hanawi","doi":"10.1186/s12939-024-02265-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-024-02265-6","url":null,"abstract":"Over time, global health systems have witnessed significant improvements in the delivery and coverage of healthcare services. Nevertheless, the increasing prominence of non-communicable diseases remains a persistent challenge. Diabetes is one such non-communicable chronic disease that poses a threat with respect to both mortality and morbidity. This study investigated the socio-economic determinants and inequalities in the prevalence of diabetes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia according to data collected from the 2018 Saudi Family Health Survey conducted by the General Authority for Statistics. The analysis was limited to a sample of 11,528 respondents aged ≥ 18 years, selected across all 13 regions of Saudi Arabia, with complete responses for all variables of interest. Socio-economic determinants in diabetes prevalence were explored with univariate, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Furthermore, inequalities were visualised and quantitatively estimated according to construction of a concentration curve and calculation of the concentration index. The prevalence of diabetes among the 11,528 respondents was 11.20%. Age, education, income, and residence area were significant determinants of diabetes prevalence, with a greater risk of diabetes found in older participants (odds ratio [OR]: 12.262, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 9.820–15.313, p < 0.01) compared to younger participants. Inequality analysis showed a negative education-based concentration index (–0.235, p < 0.01), indicating that diabetes prevalence is concentrated among people with relatively less formal education. For males, the income-based concentration index was significantly positive, whereas the education-based concentration index was significantly negative, indicating a greater concentration of diabetes among Saudi men with higher incomes and less education. These findings emphasize the need to prioritize policies and strategies for diabetes prevention and control with considerations of the socio-economic inequalities in prevalence. Key areas of focus should include improving education levels across all regions, raising awareness about diabetes and implementing nutritional interventions.","PeriodicalId":13745,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Equity in Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142262422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rural–urban differences in health service utilization in upper-middle and high-income countries: a scoping review","authors":"Talis Liepins, Garry Nixon, Tim Stokes","doi":"10.1186/s12939-024-02261-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-024-02261-w","url":null,"abstract":"This scoping review aims to understand the extent and attributes of literature evaluating differences between rural and urban populations’ utilization of health services in upper-middle and high-income countries. The review was conducted in line with established scoping review methodology guidelines. We used the “Participants, Concept and Context” framework to guide the inclusion criteria and determination of the review’s scope. Studies published over a 15-year period (2008–2022) were identified using Embase, Medine, PubMed, and Scopus databases. Study attributes, areas of focus and findings were reviewed and extracted. The search identified 179 studies. The number of studies published looking at rural–urban differences in health service utilization has increased over time. The focus of these studies is relatively evenly split between primary and secondary sectors. The majority of studies observed less service utilization by rural populations than urban—especially so in primary-sector services. When higher rural utilization of secondary services was observed this was frequently attributed to poor access to other services that would have had the potential to mitigate the secondary demand. Studies were not commonly grounded in principles of equity or fairness and rarely offered value judgements on observed differences in utilization. There were limited system-level studies – the vast majority being disease- or service-specific analyses. We consider this a notable gap in the literature. This scoping review identifies key parameters of studies on rural–urban variation in health service utilization. The finding that most studies observed rural populations utilized comparatively less services is concerning, in the context of general evidence about high levels of health need in rural communities. Future system-level research considering the combined variations in need and utilization appears a priority.","PeriodicalId":13745,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Equity in Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142262420","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"\"No Papers, No Treatment\": a scoping review of challenges faced by undocumented immigrants in accessing emergency healthcare","authors":"Sezer Kisa, Adnan Kisa","doi":"10.1186/s12939-024-02270-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-024-02270-9","url":null,"abstract":"Undocumented immigrants face many obstacles in accessing emergency healthcare. Legal uncertainties, economic constraints, language differences, and cultural disparities lead to delayed medical care and thereby exacerbate health inequities. Addressing the healthcare needs of this vulnerable group is crucial for both humanitarian and public health reasons. Comprehensive strategies are needed to ensure equitable health outcomes. This study aimed to identify and analyze the barriers undocumented immigrants face in accessing emergency healthcare services and the consequences on health outcomes. We used a scoping review methodology that adhered to established frameworks. Utilizing MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsychoInfo, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), we identified 153 studies of which 12 focused on the specific challenges that undocumented immigrants encounter when accessing emergency healthcare services based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results show that undocumented immigrants encounter significant barriers to emergency healthcare, including legal, financial, linguistic, and cultural challenges. Key findings were the extensive use of emergency departments as primary care due to lack of insurance and knowledge of alternatives, challenges faced by health professionals in providing care to undocumented migrants, increased hospitalizations due to severe symptoms and lack of healthcare access among undocumented patients, and differences in emergency department utilization between irregular migrants and citizens. The findings also serve as a call for enhanced healthcare accessibility and the dismantling of existing barriers to mitigate the adverse effects on undocumented immigrants' health outcomes. Undocumented immigrants' barriers to emergency healthcare services are complex and multifaceted and therefore require multifaceted solutions. Policy reforms, increased healthcare provider awareness, and community-based interventions are crucial for improving access and outcomes for this vulnerable population. Further research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of these interventions and exploring the broader implications of healthcare access disparities.","PeriodicalId":13745,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Equity in Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142262560","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"“Economic exclusion and the health and wellbeing impacts of the oil industry in the Niger Delta region: a qualitative study of Ogoni experiences”","authors":"Augusta C. Nkem, Susan Devine, Daprim S. Ogaji, Stephanie M. Topp","doi":"10.1186/s12939-024-02248-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-024-02248-7","url":null,"abstract":"When managed effectively, oil wealth can drive economic development and improve wellbeing. Conversely, as has been the experience in Ogoniland in the Niger Delta, the presence of the oil industry can lead to environmental degradation and social and economic vulnerabilities with negative impacts on health and wellbeing. Few studies have explored the experiences and perceptions of these impacts among residents of host communities themselves. This qualitative study explored Ogoni residents’ experiences and perceptions of oil-industry related economic exclusion and associated impacts on health and wellbeing. In-depth interviews with 22 participants from four Local Government Areas (LGAs) were analyzed with open (inductive) coding. Guided by constructivist philosophy, interpretation of emerging themes was informed by the concept of social exclusion which recognizes that multi-dimensional processes can deprive individuals or groups of resources, rights, goods, and services, thus limiting broader societal participation. Findings highlight the exclusionary impacts of the oil industry at the intersection of i) damaged livelihoods and family income, that increased economic vulnerability and reduced participants’ ability to meet basic needs including ability to pay for healthcare; ii) lack of progress on environmental remediation and non-transparent benefit sharing schemes that exacerbate economic displacement and contribute to ongoing exposures to air and water pollution; and iii) insufficient of investment in economic development and essential health services, limiting employment opportunities and ability to access adequate healthcare. Addressing these issues requires integrated policy interventions focusing on equitable resource distribution, environmental restoration, and inclusive economic development to promote sustainable community resilience.\u0000","PeriodicalId":13745,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Equity in Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142179794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Equity considerations for the implementation of health insurance benefit package in Ethiopia: result of expert Delphi exercise","authors":"Solomon Tessema Memirie, Muluken Argaw, Mieraf Taddesse Tolla, Frehiwot Abebe, Wubaye Walelgne Dagnaw, Ole F. Norheim, Amanuel Yigezu","doi":"10.1186/s12939-024-02226-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-024-02226-z","url":null,"abstract":"Efficiency, equity and financial risk protection are key health systems objectives. Equitable distribution of health care is among the priority strategic initiative of the government of Ethiopia. However, data on the distribution of interventions benefits or on disease burden disaggregated by subpopulations to guide health care priority setting is not available in Ethiopia. Aligned with policy documents, we identified the following groups to be the worse off in the Ethiopian context: under-five children, women of reproductive age, the poor, and rural residents. We used the Delphi technique by a panel of 28 experts to assign a score for 253 diseases/conditions over a period of two days, in phases. The expert panel represented different institutes and professional mix. Experts assigned a score 1 to 4; where 4 indicates disease/condition predominantly affecting the poor and rural residents and 1 indicates a condition more prevalent among the wealthy and urban residents. Subsequently, the average equity score was computed for each disease/condition. The average scores ranged from 1.11 (for vitiligo) to 3.79 (for obstetric fistula). We standardized the scores to be bounded between 1 and 2; 1 the lowest equity score and 2 the highest equity score. The scores for each disease/condition were then assigned to their corresponding interventions. We used these equity scores to adjust the CEA values for each of the interventions. To adjust the CEA values for equity, we multiplied the health benefits (the denominator of the cost-effectiveness value) of each intervention by the corresponding equity scores, resulting in equity adjusted CEA values. The equity adjusted CEA was then used to rank the interventions using a league table. The Delphi method can be useful in generating equity scores for prioritizing health interventions where disaggregated data on the distribution of diseases or access to interventions by subpopulation groups are not available.","PeriodicalId":13745,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Equity in Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142179795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Building a healthy generation together: parents’ experiences and perceived meanings of a family-based program delivered in ethnically diverse neighborhoods in Sweden","authors":"Lisette Farias, Mai-Lis Hellenius, Gisela Nyberg, Susanne Andermo","doi":"10.1186/s12939-024-02271-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-024-02271-8","url":null,"abstract":"Ethnically diverse neighborhoods encounter pronounced inequalities, including housing segregation and limited access to safe outdoor spaces. Residents of these neighborhoods face challenges related to physical inactivity, including sedentary lifestyles and obesity in adults and children. One approach to tackling health inequalities is through family-based programs tailored specifically to these neighborhoods. This study aimed to investigate parents’ experiences and perceptions of the family-based Open Activities, a cost-free and drop-in program offered in ethnically diverse and low socioeconomic neighborhoods in Sweden. Researchers’ engagement in 15 sessions of the Open Activities family-based program during the spring of 2022, and individual interviews with 12 participants were held. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis resulted in three main themes and seven sub-themes representing different aspects of the program’s meaning to the participants as parents, their families, and communities. The main themes describe how parents feel valued by the program, which actively welcomes and accommodates families, regardless of cultural differences within these neighborhoods. The themes also show how cultural norms perceived as barriers to participation in physical activity can be overcome, especially by mothers who express a desire to break these norms and support girls’ physical activity. Additionally, the themes highlight the importance of parents fostering safety in the area and creating a positive social network for their children to help them resist criminal gang-related influences. The program’s activities allowed parents to connect with their children and other families in their community, and (re)discover physical activity by promoting a sense of community and safety. Implications for practice include developing culturally sensitive activities that are accessible to and take place in public spaces for ethnically diverse groups, including health coordinators that can facilitate communication between groups. To enhance the impact of this program, it is recommended that the public sector support the creation of cost-free and drop-in activities for families who are difficult to reach in order to increase their participation in physical activity, outreach, and safety initiatives.","PeriodicalId":13745,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Equity in Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142179797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Consideration of inequalities in effectiveness trials of mHealth applications – a systematic assessment of studies from an umbrella review","authors":"Nancy Abdelmalak, Jacob Burns, Laura Suhlrie, Michael Laxy, Anna-Janina Stephan","doi":"10.1186/s12939-024-02267-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-024-02267-4","url":null,"abstract":"The growing use of mobile health applications (apps) for managing diabetes and hypertension entails an increased need to understand their effectiveness among different population groups. It is unclear if efficacy and effectiveness trials currently provide evidence of differential effectiveness, and if they do, a summary of such evidence is missing. Our study identified to what extent sociocultural and socioeconomic inequalities were considered in effectiveness trials of mobile health apps in diabetic and hypertensive patients and if these inequalities moderated app effectiveness. We built on our recent umbrella review that synthesized systematic reviews (SRs) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of health apps. Using standard SR methodologies, we identified and assessed all primary RCTs from these SRs that focused on diabetes and/or hypertension and reported on health-related outcomes and inequality-related characteristics across intervention arms. We used the PROGRESS-Plus framework to define inequality-related characteristics that affect health opportunities and outcomes. We used harvest plots to summarize the subgroups (stratified analyses or interaction terms) on moderating effects of PROGRESS-Plus. We assessed study quality using the Risk of Bias 2 tool. We included 72 published articles of 65 unique RCTs. Gender, age, and education were the most frequently described PROGRESS-Plus characteristics at baseline in more than half of the studies. Ethnicity and occupation followed in 21 and 15 RCTs, respectively. Seven trials investigated the moderating effect of age, gender or ethnicity on app effectiveness through subgroup analyses. Results were equivocal and covered a heterogenous set of outcomes. Results showed some concerns for a high risk of bias, mostly because participants could not be blinded to their intervention allocation. Besides frequently available gender, age, and education descriptives, other relevant sociocultural or socioeconomic characteristics were neither sufficiently reported nor analyzed. We encourage researchers to investigate how these characteristics moderate the effectiveness of health apps to better understand how effect heterogeneity for apps across different sociocultural or socioeconomic groups affects inequalities, to support more equitable management of non-communicable diseases in increasingly digitalized systems. https://osf.io/89dhy/ .","PeriodicalId":13745,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Equity in Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142179796","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A realist impact evaluation of a tool to strengthen equity in local government policy-making","authors":"Schultz Sally, Beissmann Felicity, Zorbas Christina, Yoong Serene, Peeters Anna, Backholer Kathryn","doi":"10.1186/s12939-024-02266-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-024-02266-5","url":null,"abstract":"Local governments have a critical role to play in addressing health inequities. Health equity impact assessments are recommended to help governments apply an equity lens to the development and implementation of policies and programs. Despite evidence of equity-positive benefits of such tools, adoption remains limited, prompting calls for evaluations to assess their impact and identify factors that will promote uptake across various contexts. We conducted a mixed method study to evaluate the impact of an equity impact assessment (EIA) tool and process on policies and organisational capacity in a local government in Victoria, Australia, and identify factors that influenced this impact. We analysed 33 documents related to 18 EIAs, and conducted surveys (n = 40) and in-depth interviews (n = 17) with staff involved in EIAs. Almost all (17 of 18) EIAs resulted in equity-positive changes to policies and programs, most frequently addressing individual-level factors, such as making community communications and consultations more accessible to under-represented or under-served groups. Structural-level recommendations from one EIA, such as increasing diversity in decision-making panels, were found to impact both the current policy and a broad range of future, related projects and services. Improvements in equity-centric organisational culture and capacity (including staff awareness, skills and confidence) and increased engagement with under-represented communities were also reported. Factors perceived to influence the impact of EIA’s related to organisational commitment and capacity to prioritise equity, process-level factors related to the type and timing of EIAs, and extent of implementation support. Our study supports wider uptake of health equity impact assessments in local government policies and programs. Legislation, leadership and resources from upper-tiers of government can help increase the adoption of equity tools to reduce disparities in population health.","PeriodicalId":13745,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Equity in Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142179637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Temporal trends in lower extremity amputation in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region: analysis of the GBD dataset 1990-2019.","authors":"Yazan A Al-Ajlouni, Mohamed Abouzid, Mohammad Tanashat, Ahmed Ahmed Basheer, Omar Al Ta'ani, Naciye Bilgin-Badur, Mohammad Islam","doi":"10.1186/s12939-024-02264-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12939-024-02264-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Lower extremity amputations (LEAs) significantly contribute to mortality and morbidity, often resulting from peripheral artery disease and diabetes mellitus (DM). Traumatic injuries also account for many LEAs. Despite the global burden, the epidemiology of LEAs, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, remains underexplored. This study utilizes the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) dataset to analyze temporal trends in LEAs in the MENA region from 1990 to 2019.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study utilized the 2019 GBD dataset, which includes estimates for incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) across 369 diseases. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) for LEAs were extracted for 21 MENA countries. Trends were analyzed using percentage change calculations and Joinpoint regression to identify significant shifts in LEA rates over time.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From 1990 to 2019, male LEA rates generally decreased, while female rates increased. Significant increases in LEA rates were observed in Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan, correlating with periods of conflict and instability. Conversely, countries like Iraq, Palestine, Sudan, Lebanon, Iran, and Kuwait saw marked decreases. The study highlighted a complex interplay of socio-political factors, natural disasters, and chronic diseases like DM in shaping LEA trends across the region.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study reveals variable LEA trends in the MENA region, influenced by conflicts, natural disasters, and chronic diseases. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions, improved healthcare access, and robust data collection systems to reduce the burden of LEAs and improve patient outcomes in the MENA region.</p>","PeriodicalId":13745,"journal":{"name":"International Journal for Equity in Health","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11370275/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142125658","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}