Journal of Public Health Policy最新文献

Measuring health inequalities is essential to inform policy making and for monitoring implementation to reduce avoidable and unfair differences in health status. We conducted a geospatial analysis of child mortality in Iran using death records from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education from 2016 to 2018 stratified by sex, age, province, and district, and household expenditure and income survey data from the Statistical Center of Iran collected in 2017. We applied multilevel mixed-effect models and detected significant inequality in child mortality and the impact of socioeconomic factors, especially household income. We advocate for using mortality rate for young children (< 5 years old) as an indicator for assessing the impact of interventions to reduce inequalities among various socioeconomic groups. We also recommend to design and implement comprehensive and longitudinal data collection systems for accurate, regular, and specific monitoring of health inequalities.

Patient surgical registries are essential tools for public health specialists, creating research opportunities through linkage of registry data with healthcare outcomes. However, little is known regarding data error sources in the management of surgical registries. In June 2022, we undertook a scoping study of the empirical literature including publications selected from the PUBMED and EMBASE databases. We selected 48 studies focussing on shared experiences centred around developing surgical patient registries. We identified seven types of data specific challenges, grouped in three categories- data capture, data analysis and result dissemination. Most studies underlined the risk for a high volume of missing data, non-uniform geographic representation, inclusion biases, inappropriate coding, as well as variations in analysis reporting and limitations related to the statistical analysis. Finally, to expand data usability, we discussed cost-effective ways of addressing these limitations, by citing aspects from the protocols followed by established exemplary registries.

This Viewpoint presents a case study that explored the effects of using a performance-based Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in public health donor programs to enhance health metrics, program efficiency, and accountability. The MoU between Kebbi State Government in Nigeria and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) focused on strengthening primary healthcare. It covered Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) indicators, overseen by an Operations Committee (OC) and a high-level Steering Committee (SC). Quarterly and biannual reviews tracked indicators through a dashboard developed by the Integrated Health Program (IHP). Results suggest that the MoU led to better monitoring of primary healthcare (PHC) revitalization, health sector work plan harmonization, and data quality. Dashboard tracking showed improved health facility financing, immunization, antenatal care, and skilled attendants at births. The use of the MoU demonstrated potential for boosting program efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and political commitment for resource mobilization in public health initiatives. Results support recommending MoUs as valuable tools for effective outcome-driven public health funding.

Understanding the socioeconomic and health impacts of the pandemic and their consequences on immigrants necessitates consideration of how they have perceived the global threat. By applying agenda-setting theory to Turkish-speaking immigrants in Germany as a case study, I investigated what issues created a sense of urgency for them during the initial lockdown and how they approached the government's COVID-19-related agenda. I used purposeful sampling and video comments on COVID-19-related news created by three journalists on YouTube channels and applied qualitative content analysis to interpret the comments. Analysis of 118 comments and 68 replies showed that social media played an important role in immigrants' awareness of COVID-19, especially about authorities' responses, pandemic-related measures, and economic aid packages. Immigrants perceived the information as cause for concern and reactions varied by socioeconomic status. Comments not only supported authorities pandemic strategies but also indicated doubts caused by lack of transparency, certain recommendations, regulations, and aid.

To determine multifaceted determinants of household vulnerability to food insecurity in Afghanistan before and after the Taliban takeover, we randomly selected 555 households from 13 provinces, conducted in-person surveys, and applied the Household Food Insecurity Assess Scale (HFIAS) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). We collected data from January to April 2022. We observed an increase in both prevalence and severity of food insecurity among Afghan households after the Taliban takeover. Approximately, 98% and 70% of interviewed households were food insecure after and before the Taliban takeover, respectively. Similarly, households were more likely to be severely food insecure (81%) than before (40%). Our results showed that policy and political conditions contributed substantially to the food insecurity of Afghan households after the Taliban takeover. We recommend that the Taliban forces facilitate the presence of humanitarian organizations and NGOs to improve low-income households' food security, especially for women and children. We also recommend that international organizations enhance their attempts to negotiate with the Taliban to ensure freedom for women.

There is a pressing need to develop and evaluate culturally tailored, community-based interventions that address hypertension management among low-income African American women. We employed a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of the Prime Time Sister Circles® Program in reducing blood pressure and body mass index among low-income African American women ages with hypertension. Study participants (N = 339) were African American women aged 40-75 years who were diagnosed with hypertension and received their primary care at government funded health centers in Washington, D.C. Compared to the usual care group, Prime Time Sister Circles® participation was associated with a reduction in systolic BP by - 2.45 (CI - 6.13, 1.23) mmHg, a reduction in diastolic BP by - 3.66 mmHg (CI - 6.32, - 0.99), and a change in BMI by - 0.26 (CI - 2.00, 1.48) from baseline to 15 months. The results suggest that culturally tailored community-based interventions can improve hypertension management in low-income women.