International Journal of Public Health最新文献

Objectives: This study examined the association between social isolation and mortality outcomes in a large Swedish cohort.

Methods: A cohort study was conducted among 36,490 men and women aged 56-95 years based on linking the Swedish Mammography Cohort (SMC) and the Cohort of Swedish Men (COSM) with Swedish national registers. Cox regression models were used to estimate associations between social isolation and mortality.

Results: Participants with high social isolation had a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to those with low social isolation (HR 1.17, 95% CI: 1.09-1.27). This association was observed in both women (HR 1.18, 95% CI: 1.02-1.37) and men (HR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.05-1.27). For cause-specific mortality, social isolation was significantly associated with deaths from ischemic heart disease (HR 1.55, 95% CI: 1.12-2.14) and prostate cancer (HR 1.44, 95% CI: 1.02-2.04).

Conclusion: Our study found a significant association between social isolation and both all-cause and cause-specific mortality, such as ischemic heart disease and prostate cancer, among older adults.

Objectives: This meta-analysis examined the association between electronic cigarette (e-cig) use and biomarkers related to lung inflammation and carcinogenesis.

Methods: A systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library (2014-April 2024) identified 16 studies including 24,079 adults. Biomarkers from urine, saliva, and plasma-cotinine, NNAL, NAT, and interleukins-were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests. The GRADE framework assessed evidence certainty and risk of bias.

Results: Among participants, 27.2% were smokers, 2.7% e-cig users, 66.0% non-smokers, and 4.1% dual users. E-cig users showed higher salivary cotinine than non-smokers (p = 0.033) but not smokers (p = 0.99). NNAL was significantly elevated in smokers (p = 0.035). E-cig users had increased inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α) compared with non-smokers but lower than smokers. Carcinogenic biomarkers were present in e-cig users at reduced concentrations versus smokers. GRADE indicated low to high certainty with no or moderate bias.

Conclusion: E-cigarette use is associated with biomarker alterations indicating inflammation and potential carcinogenesis, paralleling some effects of traditional smoking. Standardized longitudinal studies are needed to establish causality and long-term risks.

Objective: We examined whether family functioning relates to multisite and chronic musculoskeletal pain in adolescents, a key etiological stage for chronic pain, considering socioeconomic and childhood adversity factors (ACEs).

Methods: Data from 1,473 participants were analyzed using the Luebeck Pain Screening Questionnaire at 18 years. Multisite pain was defined as pain in ≥2 sites; chronic musculoskeletal pain as pain in any musculoskeletal site lasting >3 months. Family functioning was assessed via the Brief Family Relationship Scale and categorized as poor, fair, or good. Socioeconomic indicators were collected at baseline, and ACEs at age 13.

Results: The prevalence of multisite pain was 43%, and chronic pain was 23%. Logistic regression analyses showed that good family functioning was associated with lower odds of multisite pain (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.37, 0.65) and chronic musculoskeletal pain (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.45, 0.86). Socioeconomic indicators had limited effects, though higher maternal occupation was linked to greater multisite pain (OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.02, 1.87). Stratified analyses revealed no significant interactions.

Conclusion: Good family functioning was associated with a lower risk of adolescent pain across socioeconomic contexts.

Objectives: In January 2025, federal executive orders introduced sweeping changes to healthcare, public health infrastructure, and research funding. These shifts raised concern within the lung cancer (LC) community, which depends on early detection, timely care, and continued innovation. This study examined community perceptions of these policy changes.

Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods national survey (March 2025) guided by the Social Ecological Model. A 12-item online survey collected responses from individuals with personal or professional ties to LC. Descriptive statistics and inductive thematic analysis were performed.

Results: Among 497 respondents, 239 met inclusion criteria. Most reported a personal (69.5%), professional (20.0%), or combined (10.5%) connection to LC. Over half cited emotional distress, disrupted care, and research-funding concerns. Thematic analysis of 81 responses revealed six themes: fear and uncertainty; reduced access; research loss; and mixed views, with some supporting or opposing the executive orders. Patients and caregivers most often reported fears regarding Medicaid cuts, delayed diagnostics, and stalled innovation.

Conclusion: Findings highlight emotional, operational, and research-related disruptions perceived by LC communities and reinforce the urgency of centering affected voices in health-policy decisions.

Objectives: To investigate the causal relationship between workplace violence and health outcomes among healthcare workers, addressing gaps in evidence on its mechanisms and heterogeneous effects.

Methods: A nationally representative cohort of 4,255 Chinese healthcare workers was surveyed via four-stage stratified sampling. Causal effects were estimated using multiple linear models and ordered logit model, with robustness checks via propensity score matching and instrumental variables to mitigate endogeneity.

Results: Workplace violence reduces the probability of healthcare workers experiencing improved health by 12.9% (p = 0.000), with this effect persisting even after considering endogeneity. Physical violence had the most substantial impact, while psychological and verbal violence also contributed. Professional values mediated the effect. Vulnerable subgroups included women, younger workers, lower-ranking staff, and non-tertiary hospital employees.

Conclusion: This study provides causal evidence that workplace violence undermines the health of healthcare workers, with implications for hospital policies and occupational safety standards. Interventions should prioritize physical violence prevention, support for high-risk groups, and value-based resilience training.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to qualitatively explore the experiences of immigrants in Spain using the internet for health-related purposes, while identifying the barriers, needs, and opportunities within the context of digital health literacy.

Methods: 24 individuals with immigrant backgrounds in Spain participated in semi-structured interviews guided by a participatory framework. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results: Immigrants perceive digital health literacy as a valuable tool for empowering them to take a more active role in managing their health. However, socio-economic and cultural barriers such as language limitations and low levels of education were identified. Key needs included improvements in health platforms, particularly regarding access, content and security. Participants advocate for greater involvement from healthcare providers and strategic stakeholders to better adapt services to immigrant communities.

Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights for policymakers, offering evidence-based approaches for inclusive strategies to enhance digital health literacy. It also emphasizes the necessity of policies tailored to the specific health needs of immigrant populations, aiming to reduce health inequalities.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2024.1607774.].

Objectives: This study addressed the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) formulated with excess of energy/fats/sugars (hence deemed as unhealthy) and factors associated with it in children and adolescents living in 5 Mediterranean countries participating to the DELICIOUS (UnDErstanding consumer food choices & promotion of healthy and sustainable Mediterranean diet and LIfestyle in Children and adolescents through behavIOUral change actionS) project.

Methods: A total of 2011 parents of children and adolescents (6-17 years) participated in a survey exploring their children's frequency consumption of unhealthy UPFs and demographic, eating, and lifestyle habits.

Results: Most children consumed unhealthy UPFs daily: higher intake was associated with being older and with obesity, as well as higher parental education and younger age. Children eating more frequently out of home and with a higher number of meals were also more likely to consume unhealthier UPF. Moreover, more screen time and a lower healthy lifestyle score were associated with higher unhealthy UPF consumption.

Conclusion: consumption of unhealthy UPFs seems to be preeminent in children and adolescents living in the Mediterranean area and associated with an overall unhealthy lifestyle.

Objectives: Prior work has identified an inverse relationship between depression and cognition in older adults, but the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. This study investigated whether internet use mediates this relationship in middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: Data were drawn from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) from 2015 to 2020 (n = 9,610). The Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model (RI-CLPM) with mediation analysis was used; subgroup analyses were conducted for middle-aged (45-64) and older (65+) adults.

Results: At the between-person level, a significant negative correlation was found between cognitive function and depressive symptoms. Within-person analysis revealed a bidirectional relationship: poorer cognitive function predicted increased depressive symptoms (β* = -0.080, p < 0.001), and conversely, increased depressive symptoms predicted poorer cognitive function (β* = -0.019, p < 0.05). Internet use partially mediated this relationship, accounting for 8.58% and 9.69% of the total effects, respectively. This mediating effect was stronger in middle-aged adults than in older adults.

Conclusion: These results emphasize the continued importance of exploring multidisciplinary interventions to mitigate depressive symptoms and delay cognitive decline in middle-aged and older adult populations.

Objectives: With the rising prevalence of depression and its growing disease burden, and given that few studies have examined the link between subjective social status (SSS) and depression among the labor force, this study aimed to explore the association between SSS and depression in the workforce and to examine potential mediating factors.

Methods: We analyzed data from the 2018 China Labor-force Dynamic Survey, with a final sample of 10,065 participants. Depression was assessed using the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale. SSS was measured via the MacArthur Scale. Linear regression models examined the association between SSS and depression, while structural equation modeling tested the mediating effect of sense of social equity.

Results: In total, 12.37% of participants were identified as having probable depression. SSS was significantly associated with depression (β = -0.08, P < 0.05). Sense of social equity accounted for approximately 33% of the total effect.

Conclusion: Among China's labor force population, SSS is independently related to depression, and sense of social equity plays an important mediating role. Depression in the labor force - those with low SSS - warrants greater attention.