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Objectives: To estimate changes in the incidence of clinically diagnosed type 2 diabetes in Australia, overall and by age, sex, socio‐economic disadvantage, geographic remoteness, and country of birth. Study design: Population‐based study; analysis of National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) data (age–period–cohort models). Setting, participants: Data were extracted for incident cases of type 2 diabetes, 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2019, in residents of the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria aged 20 years or older registered with the NDSS. The numbers of people at risk were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Main outcome measures: Changes in the incidence of type 2 diabetes, 2005–2019, by age, postcode‐level socio‐economic disadvantage (Index of Relative Socioeconomic Disadvantage) and remoteness (major city, inner regional, outer regional/remote/very remote), and country of birth, stratified by sex. Results: During 2005–2019, 741 535 people aged 20 years or older with incident type 2 diabetes were registered with the NDSS; 421 190 were men (56.8%). Overall, the incidence of type 2 diabetes increased with age (until about age 70 years) and socio‐economic disadvantage for both sexes; it was higher in inner regional areas than in major cities or outer regional/remote/very remote areas during 2005–2015, but highest among people in major cities after 2015. The age‐standardised incidence of type 2 diabetes increased during 2005–2010, both among men (annual percentage change [APC], 4.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.6–5.2%) and women (APC, 2.9%; 95% CI, 2.2–3.7%); it declined during 2010–2019 among both men (APC, –5.2%; 95% CI, –5.4% to –4.9%) and women (APC, –6.5%; 95% CI, –6.8% to –6.2%). In general, similar patterns (but of differing magnitude) applied to all age, sex, socio‐economic disadvantage, and remoteness groups. However, the incidence of type 2 diabetes increased during 2011–2019 among people born in Asia, North Africa and the Middle East, and the Pacific Islands. Conclusions: The incidence of type 2 diabetes in Australian adults declined during 2010–2019 across all age, sex, socio‐economic disadvantage, and remoteness groups, but increased among people from Asia, North Africa and the Middle East, and the Pacific Islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A skilful data management is the heart of any cohort study as results of such studies have far reaching impact on development national policies which will improve public health. Methods: DERVAN cohort is a longitudinal study set up in KONKAN region of India. The study is expected to last at least 20 years. It plans to investigate impact of adolescent growth, diet and cognition on the risk of development of non-communicable diseases in the adulthood with diabetes as the main focus. The study will also investigate parents and investigate their contribution to the risk. We plan to recruit 1520 adolescent girls. MS Access was used to design data management system. Each family was given a unique identity number. At base line we have created 21 tables, 10 queries for adolescent data and 5 tables, 2 queries for parental data. The data is analysed using statistical software SPSS. Conclusion: Though our system may not be designed using high end data base systems, it still caters to our needs in the initial stage of the project but its skilful design is expected to make a smooth adaptation to new database environment in the subsequent stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: According to Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis the seeds of adult non communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cancer are sown in foetal life. DERVAN cohort is a longitudinal study and was launched in the Kokan region of Western Indian state of Maharashtra. It recruited 1520 adolescents girls aged (16-18y) as well as their parents. At base line it measured various analytes in the blood, saliva and urine which together with additional data such as body composition, cognition, and socioeconomics will provide the baseline health status of adolescent girls. We plan to follow the subjects systematically for next 20 years where more biological samples are expected to be collected. Hence the development of bio-repository formed a critical component of our study. We measured biochemical, nutritional (micronutrients), hormones, trace elements in adolescent girls from longitudinal DERVAN cohort and setup bio-repository. Methods: At base line 36 ml of blood, urine and saliva in fasting state was collected from girls. We also collected blood (20 ml), urine, saliva in random state from both the parents. In addition some analytes were measured immediately and remaining samples (30 aliquots for girls, 12 aliquotes for each parent) were stored in -80°C freezers. All the samples were collected at the research centre to ensure quality and longevity. External as well as internal quality control protocols were followed. The Bio-repository is now in place for long term storage. Conclusion: The protocol adopted by us has been found to be working smoothly and can guide many researchers working in resource limited settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context/Background: Diabetes Mellitus causes a global burden due to its systemic complications that affect different parts of the body especially eye. DR is a common micro vascular complication of DM, and which causes significant visual impairment and blindness worldwide. Hence, regular screening of the eye is mandatory to prevent visual impairment and blindness due to Diabetic Retinopathy Aims/Objectives: The Objective of the study is to assess the level of awareness and practices among the study participants attending Non Communicable Disease OPD at Tertiary Care centre. Methodology: The study period was six months from January 2021 to June 2021 with a sample size was 300. The study tool was Semi- structured Questionnaire to assess the level of awareness and practices among the study participants attending Non Communicable Disease OPD at Tertiary Care centre. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. p value Less than 0.05 was fixed as significant value. Results: A total of 300 participants 136 (45.3%) females and 164 (54.7%) males with Type 2 diabetes were interviewed. 281(93.7%) of the study participants knew that diabetes can have an impact on the eyes, and 207(69%), said that diabetic retinopathy can result in blindness. 231(77%) of the study population are well aware that the good diabetic control prevent diabetic retinopathy. 106 (35.3%) of the population visit for an annual eye checkups. Very minimal population 25(8.3%) undergoes eye check-up when newly diagnosed as DM. Conclusion: Preventive measures should be taken to create awareness among diabetic patients and also the general population [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Owing to epidemiological transition and factors like rapid urbanization, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases has risen to alarming levels instigating global attention. Early detection of risk factors is of paramount importance when it comes to combating non-communicable diseases. Risk factors for non-communicable diseases can be broadly classified into behavioural and metabolic risk factors. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of non-communicable disease risk factors and determine their association with sociodemographic variables among the adult population of rural Manipur. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult population in rural areas of Bishnupur district, Manipur during February and March 2023.Multistage stratified random sampling technique was employed. Data were collected from 426 individuals using interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics like mean with standard deviation and percentage were used. Chi-square test was used for statistical significance. Results: The overall prevalence of current smoking was 22.3%, and 55.6% of respondents were currently using smokeless tobacco products. The prevalence of current alcohol consumption was 25.8%, 77.5% of the respondents had insufficient consumption of fruits and/or vegetables, 30% had insufficient physical activity, 21.4% were having daily salt intake of >5g, 58.2% were found to have overweight/obesity, and 47.4% were found with raised blood pressure. Occupation was found to be significantly associated with all non-communicable disease risk factors assessed in this study. Conclusion: Life-style behaviour modification interventions are a must to reduce risk factors of non-communicable diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non Communicable Diseases have been identified among top ten global threats by WHO. The role of Screening in Ice berg disease is pre-established. In India, Community Based Assessment Checklist is used to identify high-risk people for Non-Communicable Diseases. Methods: A cross sectional study done among 265 participants from households situated in field practice area attached to Government Medical College, Surat. Data was collected using World Health Organization Stepwise approach to surveillance. Results: Out of total participants 83 (31.32%) were classified high risk (CBAC>4) for Non-Communicable Diseases. Mean age of participants was 43.79 ± 9.36 years. One-tenth 25 (9.4%) of participants were on treatment. Those classified high risk were significantly associated with age (p<0.05), education (p=0.03), occupation (p<0.01). Predictors for Non-Communicable Diseases identified were smoking (aOR=4.7, p=0.003), alcohol (aOR= 2.3, p<0.001), higher Body Mass Index (aOR= 3.8, p=0.03) and higher waist size (aOR= 4.3, p<0.001). Sensitivity, Specificity of tool and Area under Curve were found to be 73.3%, 75.8% and 0.72 respectively. Conclusion: To prevent and control Non-Communicable Diseases key behavioral risk factors to be targeted include smoking, alcohol, higher Body Mass Index and waist size which could be due to unhealthy diet & absence of exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context/Background: Worldwide total population of geriatric was 703 million (9%) in year 2019 according to United Nation report. The geriatric population is estimated to increase to 198 million by 2030 in India. With advancing years, the incidence of communicable and non-communicable disease (NCD) increases. Most of the available studies on morbidity in India are disease specific and fail to provide comprehensive knowledge about NCD. Aims/Objectives: 1. To estimate prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCD) in elderly. 2. To assess the risk factor associated with non-communicable disease. Methodology: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among geriatric people in urban areas of Kalaburagi district, Karnataka. Study participants consisted of age ≥60 years were comprised in the study and a sample size of 185 was calculated. Pre-designed, pre-tested and semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on risk factor and morbidity status of study participants. Data was computed in excel sheets Microsoft 2013 and using SPSS version 25.0 for utilizing appropriate statistical method to calculate frequency and percentage. Results: Hypertension is the most prevalent morbidity NCD in the urban elderly population 26.49% of Kalaburagi CHC Rajapur. Then followed by diabetes 7.57% and myocardial infraction 1.62%. Chewing and Smoking tobacco found to be having significant association in disease causation in elderly population. Conclusions: Prevalence of NCD like Hypertension, Diabetes, MI etc can be prevented by reduction of the highrisk factor such as Life style changes, Diet Modification, Changing Habits of alcohol and tobacco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed the accessibility to health care services and treatment for people with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Northwest Syria after more than eleven years of the worst humanitarian crisis in Syria. Included in this cross-sectional study were people with one or more of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, or chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases; people from both Aleppo and Idleb governorates; and residents from both inside and outside the camp. Data were collected in November 2022 via face-to-face interviews. The findings were obtained from 674 respondents (52.8% female). Respondents in Idleb were 6.5 times more likely to access health care services than Aleppo (p = 0000). In-camp residents were 1.5 times more likely to access outreach health services (p = 0.020). Respondents with higher income were three times more likely to access health care services compared to respondents with lower income (p = 0.000). Having any of the surveyed NCDs made the respondents less likely to get the required services. The study findings added more evidence about the inequity in terms of accessing health care services in Northwest Syria and identified the barriers. It was clear that a perceived group of people with NCDs do not have access to the health care services, including outreach health services and free medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and associated factors in Brazilian adults that reported chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), mental disorders (MDs), and infectious diseases (IDs). This was a secondary analysis of the 3rd National Survey on Drug Use by the Brazilian Population in which the principal outcome was presence of AUD. Prevalence of AUD was estimated for three subgroups: individuals that reported NCDs, MDs, and IDs. Factors associated with AUD in each group were analyzed using logistic regression models. Of the 15,645 adults interviewed, 30.5% (95%CI: 29.4-31.5) reported NCDs, 17.6% (95%CI: 16.5-18.7) MDs, and 1.6% (95%CI: 1.2- 1.9) IDs. Considering comorbidities, the analytical sample was 6,612. No statistically significant difference was found in the prevalence of AUD between individuals with NCDs (7.5% [95%CI: 6.1- 8.7]), MDs (8.4% [95%CI: 6.7-10.2]), and IDs (12.4% [95%CI: 7.0-17.8]). The main factors associated with AUD in all the groups were male sex and young adult age. Considering the high prevalence of AUD in all the groups, systematic screening of AUD is necessary in health services that treat NCDs, MDs, and IDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Health literate self-management education is at stake for the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases in low resources settings and countries. Here we describe the Learning Nest in Ordinary Context (NA-CO in French, Nids d'Apprentissage en Contexte Ordinaire) aiming at the structuring of health education programs at the micro- (education sessions) and the meso-levels (adapted to context). The Learning Nest model was designed based on a combination on health literacy principles and on studies conducted with vulnerable people with non-communicable diseases. Observation of NA-CO active-learning sessions found them to be operational and relevant as they center on access, understanding, and use of health information while integrating the ordinary context of learners. The Learning Nest packages (including several adapted thematic sessions, training of trainers and development in context) were shown to be feasible and realistic in diverse locations (Reunion, Mali, Mayotte, Mauritius, Burundi). Qualitative and intervention studies have documented the potential usefulness of the Learning Nest model for context- and setting-specific health literacy interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indigenous peoples around the world bear a disproportionate burden of chronic respiratory diseases, which are associated with increased risks of morbidity and mortality. Despite the imperative to address global inequity, research focused on strengthening respiratory health in Indigenous peoples is lacking, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries. Drivers of the increased rates and severity of chronic respiratory diseases in Indigenous peoples include a high prevalence of risk factors (eg, prematurity, low birthweight, poor nutrition, air pollution, high burden of infections, and poverty) and poor access to appropriate diagnosis and care, which might be linked to colonisation and historical and current systemic racism. Efforts to tackle this disproportionate burden of chronic respiratory diseases must include both global approaches to address contributing factors, including decolonisation of health care and research, and local approaches, co-designed with Indigenous people, to ensure the provision of culturally strengthened care with more equitable prioritisation of resources. Here, we review evidence on the burden of chronic respiratory diseases in Indigenous peoples globally, summarise factors that underlie health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, propose a framework of approaches to improve the respiratory health of Indigenous peoples, and outline future directions for clinical care and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine learning models can use image and text data to predict the number of years since diabetes diagnosis; such model can be applied to new patients to predict, approximately, how long the new patient may have lived with diabetes unknowingly. We aimed to develop a model to predict self-reported diabetes duration. We used the Brazilian Multilabel Ophthalmological Dataset. Unit of analysis was the fundus image and its meta-data, regardless of the patient. We included people 40 + years and fundus images without diabetic retinopathy. Fundus images and meta-data (sex, age, comorbidities and taking insulin) were passed to the MedCLIP model to extract the embedding representation. The embedding representation was passed to an Extra Tree Classifier to predict: 0–4, 5–9, 10–14 and 15 + years with self-reported diabetes. There were 988 images from 563 people (mean age = 67 years; 64 % were women). Overall, the F1 score was 57 %. The group 15 + years of self-reported diabetes had the highest precision (64 %) and F1 score (63 %), while the highest recall (69 %) was observed in the group 0–4 years. The proportion of correctly classified observations was 55 % for the group 0–4 years, 51 % for 5–9 years, 58 % for 10–14 years, and 64 % for 15 + years with self-reported diabetes. The machine learning model had acceptable accuracy and F1 score, and correctly classified more than half of the patients according to diabetes duration. Using large foundational models to extract image and text embeddings seems a feasible and efficient approach to predict years living with self-reported diabetes. • The onset of diabetes-related complications is correlated with disease duration. • Accurate quantification of diabetes duration can guide management and care. • We developed a machine learning (ML) model to predict diabetes duration. • We used fundus images and patient's meta-data. • The model can quantify how long a new patient has had diabetes unknowingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the hypothesis that periodontal disease is associated with chronic non-communicable diseases. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the periodontal health condition of the population, based on the community periodontal index, as well as the number of missing teeth and the presence of systemic health conditions. We quantified the association between oral health and the presence of chronic diseases using simple logistic regression, adjusting for confounding factors including age, smoking, and overweight. Results: The study population consisted of 334 volunteers, aged between 19 and 81 years. In patients over 45 years old, periodontal disease was found to be significantly associated with hypertension and diabetes. Furthermore, in female patients, periodontal disease was significantly associated with hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that periodontal disease is positively and significantly associated with both arterial hypertension and diabetes, independent of potential confounding factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are experiencing a surge in non-communicable diseases, with a resultant increase in the demand for palliative care. However, there is a wide gap between the demand for palliative care and its availability in LMIC. On the pretext of bridging this gap, the present study aims to explore factors that facilitate or hinder palliative care provision in the healthcare system in West Bengal, India. The study employed a qualitative focus group discussion to explore the perspectives of Chief Medical Officers of Health (CMOH), medical officers, nurses, and epidemiologists. The participants were responsible for making health care and policy decisions in their organisation. The data were analysed using Charmaz's constructivist grounded theory. A total of six focus group discussions were undertaken, two each at two sites and one each at two other sites. Three themes and subthemes were generated inductively from the study: 1. clinical teams' disposition was further influenced by self-actualisation needs, emotionally burdensome care, and perceived patient and family expectations; 2. organisational factors included interprofessional collaboration, reassurance from administration, the need for better infrastructure, community outreach, and the scarcity of opioids; 3. palliative care training and awareness impacting palliative care delivery. Factors that could facilitate better implementation of the programme include good interprofessional collaboration, comprehensive care, continuing education, an uninterrupted supply of essential medications, and engaging patients, their families, and the community in palliative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Salud Uninorte is the property of Fundacion Universidad del Norte and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases with multifactorial and non-infectious characteristics in their origin have been a matter of growing concern for society and governments, as they put people at greater risk of complications, disability, and death. They are the leading cause of death worldwide, i.e. a global threat to health. Modern medicine relies heavily on a variety of biochemical, behavioral, clinical, etc. data to advance the chronic diseases field. Machine learning techniques have a wide range of applications, for example for diabetes classifications, phenotypic resistance of whole genomic sequences and heart disease. These approaches, in general, concentrate efforts on a single Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases. Thus, identifying multiple chronic diseases simultaneously is an open challeng. Our study demonstrated that the intelligent risk prediction platform for non-communicable chronic diseases using Multi-Label Classification methods can be used to model multiple Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases. We use ensemble methods developed on top of algorithm adaptation techniques, including Random Forest, Extra Trees and Decision Tree Classifiers. Among the models in the experiment, the Random Forest achieved the best accuracy and F1-score performance with 96.16% and 90.48%, respectively. Our results suggest that the platform is promising and can be used to support medical teams in the early diagnosis of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, allowing them to provide adequate treatment options to patients in a timely manner in primary care, as well as contributing to reducing the risk of complications, disability, and deaths by Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among all non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Vietnam. The objectives of the present study were to analyse contemporary gaps in CVD control studies, which were published in Vietnam between 2013 and 2017. A systematic literature review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses. Research articles written in English or Vietnamese, published between 2013 and 2017, and focused on the four main WHO themes of CVD control were identified. Among 11,385 Vietnamese-based CVD studies published during this period, only 119 studies (1.0%) were relevant to public health CVD control outcomes, and only 17 of 20 CVD indicators were addressed in these studies. Most studies were published in Vietnamese journals (73.9%), focused on disease and intermediate risk factors (73.9%), were cross-sectional (84.8%) and hospital-based (54.6%). We observed a lack of studies, many of which suffered design and analysis limitations, focused on several WHO themes for effective CVD control. Future Vietnamese-based CVD control studies should focus on the WHO-recommended themes and health indicators in broader community settings to provide better data to inform effective public health policies to control CVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Gaceta Médica de México is the property of Publicidad Permanyer SLU and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between access to fluoridated drinking water and area‐level socio‐economic status in Queensland. Study design: Ecological, geospatial data linkage study. Setting: Queensland, by statistical area level 2 (SA2), 2021. Main outcome measures: Proportion of SA2s and of residents with access to fluoridated drinking water (natural or supplemented); relationship at SA2 level between access to fluoridated water and socio‐economic status (Index of Relative Socio‐economic Advantage and Disadvantage, IRSAD; Index of Economic Resources, IER). Results: In 2021, an estimated 4 050 168 people (79.4% of the population) and 397 SA2 regions (72.7%) in Queensland had access to fluoridated water. Access was concentrated in the southeastern corner of the state. After adjusting for SA2 population, log area, and population density, the likelihood of access to fluoridated drinking water almost doubled for each 100‐rank increase in IRSAD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59–2.36) or IER (aOR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.50–2.11). Conclusions: The 2012 decision to devolve responsibility for water fluoridation decisions and funding from the Queensland government to local councils means that residents in lower socio‐economic areas are less likely to have access to fluoridated water than those in more advantaged areas, exacerbating their already greater risk of dental disease. Queensland water fluoridation policy should be revised so that all residents can benefit from this evidence‐based public health intervention for reducing the prevalence of dental caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart disease and diabetes have a high mortality rate, which inspired governments to develop plans to manage NCDs. The Malaysian government produced the National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases 2016-2025 (NSPNCD 2016-2025) and various brochures to enhance NCD prevention and management, and to inform the public about heart disease and diabetes. However, healthcare is one of the most prevalent contexts where stigmatization occurs. Unequal power relations in health discourse exists where language tends to tacitly blame chronic disease patients for poor health conditions. Motivated by these linguistic issues, the present article performs a critical discourse analysis of the National Strategic Plan and health brochures using the Discourse-Historical Approach (DHA). Strategies in the DHA were chosen to deconstruct how social actors are linguistically referred to and predicated, and how argumentation transpires in the texts. While heart disease is represented as a lethal NCD, diabetes is represented as an NCD and a risk factor for heart disease. The former is caused by hereditary factors and unhealthy lifestyles, but the latter is manageable yet uncurable. However, the two NCDs are depicted as a threat to the economy and country. Moreover, the government and citizens are contrasted. The government is given a positive evaluation because it helps to control the two NCDs while Malaysian NCD patients seem to burden the health services, and they need to endeavor to avoid NCDs. The contrast is exemplified by the topoi of threat and urgency to justify actions and decisions regarding health. The National Strategic Plan and various brochures convey a consistent ideology that the two NCDs should be prevented, and individual responsibility is required. This study sheds light on the underlying ideologies that shape the texts, particularly the portrayal of NCDs as an individual responsibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Physical activity is beneficially associated with longevity, non-communicable diseases, and mental health. • Causal links are supported by randomized controlled trials (RCTs), but RCTs are limited by low exposure contrasts, healthy volunteer biases, and struggle to capture real-world complexity. • Studies with device-measured physical activity suggest health benefits from light, moderate, and vigorous intensities. • More pronounced health benefits are observed for vigorous-intensity physical activity at lower volumes, although the specific contributions to achieving equivalent health benefits across intensities remain to be established. • Future guidelines may emphasize the importance of vigorous-intensity activity and incorporate other metrics like steps per day to ease communication and assessment. Physical activity is consistently associated with reduced mortality, decreased risk for non-communicable diseases, and improved mental health in observational studies. Randomized controlled trials and observational Mendelian randomization studies support causal links between physical activity and health outcomes. However, the scarcity of evidence from randomized controlled trials, along with their inherent challenges like exposure contrasts, healthy volunteer biases, loss to follow-up, and limited real-world dose–response data, warrants a comprehensive approach. This review advocates synthesizing insights from diverse study designs to better understand the causal relationship between physical activity, mortality risk, and other health outcomes. Additionally, it summarizes recent research since the publication of current physical activity recommendations. Novel observational studies utilizing device-measured physical activity underscore the importance of every minute of activity and suggest that all intensity levels confer health benefits, with vigorous-intensity potentially requiring lower volumes for substantial benefits. Future guidelines, informed by device-measured physical activity studies, may offer refined age-specific recommendations, emphasize vigorous-intensity physical activity, and include daily step counts as a simple, easily assessable metric using commercial wearables. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muslims constitute approximately 20% of the world's population. In South Africa, Muslims constitute just under 2% of the total population. Fasting is one of the mandatory activities of adherents of the Islamic faith, where all healthy adult Muslims abstain from food, drink, and sexual activities between dawn and dusk during the month of Ramadhan. Medical doctors are frequently required to provide advice to their Muslim patients about the safety or other health impacts of this type of fasting. This narrative review provides an overview of research conducted on Muslim populations during the fasting period, with special reference to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that are prevalent in the Muslim community. In the absence of evidence-based clinical guidelines, this article summarises the latest published research on this topic, providing a resource for clinicians and researchers. This paper provides an evidence summary to clinicians when engaging with their patients who may be engaging in Ramadhan fasting, while also identifying gaps in the body of evidence that could inform future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual health is an integral aspect of overall health and well-being and is fundamental to the sustainable development of societies worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines sexual health as 'a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality'. However, addressing sexual health has been afforded low priority in primary healthcare systems. Primary care practitioners (PCPs), who play a crucial role in providing comprehensive care to communities, receive little training on screening and managing individuals with sexual health problems. The scope of services ranges from education, prevention and screening, to management of sexual health matters. Patients with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as stroke, cancer, heart disease and diabetes, are at increased risk for sexual dysfunction, possibly because of common pathogenetic mechanisms, such as inflammation. This is of considerable importance in the sub-Saharan African context where there is a rapidly increasing prevalence of NCDs, as well as a high burden of HIV. Strategies to improve the quality of sexual health services in primary care include creating a safe and non-judgemental practice environment for history-taking among gender-diverse populations, utilising effective screening tools aligned with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria for sexual dysfunctions. In particular, the International Consultation on Sexual Medicine (ICSM -5) diagnostic and treatment algorithm can empower primary care providers to effectively address sexual dysfunctions among patients and improve the quality of care provided to communities regarding sexual and reproductive health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The captivity and use of native psittacine birds is prohibited in Mexico. However, as these birds are among the groups most affected by illegal trafficking, they are commonly found as companion animals. Nevertheless, it is difficult to obtain information on their health. Therefore, a retrospective study was conducted of the clinical histories and necropsy reports of native psittacines that had been submitted to the Bird Disease Diagnostic and Research Laboratory of the Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, from 2006 to 2017. The lesions were classified according to type and anatomical location and the diseases were classified as infectious or non-infectious. During this period, 252 psittacines were submitted, the most frequent of which were the red-lored parrot (Amazona autumnalis), orange-fronted parakeet (Eupsittula canicularis) and scarlet macaw (Ara macao). The lesions were primarily located in the digestive and respiratory systems. By integrating the clinical histories and post-mortem findings, we concluded that nutritional disorders were the most frequent non-infectious diseases, systemic bacterial infections were the most frequent infectious conditions, the primary parasite was Sarcocystis spp and the most frequent neoplasm was multicentric lymphoma. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to compare changes in risk and protective behaviors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), self-reported morbidity, and preventive cancer tests prior to and at the end of the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. This study analyzes a historical series from the Surveillance System of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (VIGITEL) for the years 2006 and 2021. Trends were analyzed using linear regression, and the Student’s t test was used to calculate differences between years. A decline in the prevalence of leisure-time physical activity (PA) and PA while commuting; and increased prevalence of adults with insufficient PA practice, sedentary behavior, and physical inactivity were observed. A worsening of the indicators of overweight, obesity, and diabetes was also observed during the pandemic. Hypertension was stable during the period from 2009 to 2019 and increased during the years of the pandemic. There was a reduction in the coverage of preventive mammograms and cervical cytology exams, differing from the previous trend. In conclusion, the findings point to the worsening of NCD indicators. Therefore, health promotion actions are a priority in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compare levels of cardiometabolic risk factors in young and old adults with diabetes. Pooled analysis of 42 STEPS Surveys (n = 133,717). Diabetes was defined as self-reported diagnosis or fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dl. There were two age groups: < 40 and ≥ 40 years. We summarized the mean levels of four cardiometabolic risk factors by country, sex and age group. In 11 (men) and seven countries (women), the mean BMI seemed higher in young versus old adults; largest difference was found in men in Qatar (∼6 kg/m2). For waist circumference, such pattern was observed in two (men) and in three (women) countries; largest difference in men in Tuvalu (∼7 cm). Regarding systolic blood pressure, in one country (Myanmar) the mean was higher in young men with ∼8 mmHg difference. Women in the oldest group always had higher mean systolic blood pressure. For total cholesterol, in 13 (men) and five (women) countries the mean was higher in young adults (difference was always <1 mmol/l). Levels of cardiometabolic risk factors in young versus old adults with diabetes were heterogenous across 42 countries and depended on the risk factor. This calls to monitor cardiometabolic risk factors in young adults with diabetes. • Most often levels of the cardiometabolic factors were higher in the oldest group. • There were many countries where the opposite trend was seen. • In 11 countries the BMI was higher in the youngest group in men • In 5 countries the total cholesterol was higher in the youngest group in women. • Levels of cardiometabolic factors in young/old diabetic adults are heterogenous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Studies determined that age and associated comorbidities are associated with worse outcomes for COVID-19 patients. The aim of the present study is to examine previous electronic health records of SARS-CoV-2 patients to identify which chronic conditions are associated with in-hospital mortality in a nationally representative sample. Materials and Methods: The actual study is a cross-sectional analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients who were treated in repurposed hospitals. The study includes a cohort of patients treated from 06-11-2020 to 15-03-2021 for COVID-19 associated pneumonia. To examine the presence of comorbidities, electronic health records were examined and analyzed. Results: A total of 1486 in-patients were treated in the specified period, out of which 1237 met the criteria for case. The median age of the sample was 65 years. The overall in-hospital mortality in the sample was 25.5%, while the median length of stay was 11 days. From whole sample, 16.0% of the patients did not have established diagnoses in their electronic records, while the most prevalent coexisting condition was arterial hypertension (62.7%), followed by diabetes mellitus (27.3%). The factors of age, male gender, and the number of diagnoses showed a statistically significant increase in odds ratio (OR) for in-hospital mortality. The presence of chronic kidney injury was associated with the highest increase of OR (by 3.37) for in-hospital mortality in our sample. Conclusion: The study reaffirms the findings that age, male gender, and the presence of comorbidities are associated with in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 treated and unvaccinated patients. Our study suggests that chronic kidney injury showed strongest association with the outcome, when adjusted for age, gender, and coexisting comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Most patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have at least one additional, clinically relevant chronic disease. Those with the most severe airflow obstruction will die from respiratory failure, but most patients with COPD die from non-respiratory disorders, particularly cardiovascular diseases and cancer. As many chronic diseases have shared risk factors (eg, ageing, smoking, pollution, inactivity, and poverty), we argue that a shift from the current paradigm in which COPD is considered as a single disease with comorbidities, to one in which COPD is considered as part of a multimorbid state—with co-occurring diseases potentially sharing pathobiological mechanisms—is needed to advance disease prevention, diagnosis, and management. The term syndemics is used to describe the co-occurrence of diseases with shared mechanisms and risk factors, a novel concept that we propose helps to explain the clustering of certain morbidities in patients diagnosed with COPD. A syndemics approach to understanding COPD could have important clinical implications, in which the complex disease presentations in these patients are addressed through proactive diagnosis, assessment of severity, and integrated management of the COPD multimorbid state, with a patient-centred rather than a single-disease approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is an original article that addresses the healthcare workforce (HW) in Brazil, as well as comorbidities and mental health changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation and collected data through an online questionnaires from a total of 36,612 participants, health professionals (HP, with higher education level), and invisible healthcare workers (IHW, with a technical mid-level education). The overall prevalence of comorbidities in Brazil was 26.1% and 23.9%; the highest was arterial hypertension (27.4% and 31.9%), followed by obesity (18.4% and 15.1%), chronic respiratory diseases (15.7% and 12.9%), diabetes mellitus (10.3% and 10.4%), and depression/anxiety (9.1% and 11.7%), in the HW and IHW, respectively. The region with the highest frequency was the southeast, where the largest contingent of workers is located. The HW, affected with a high burden of non-communicable chronic diseases and exposed to SARS-CoV-2, proved to be vulnerable to illness and death. Mental symptoms and intense psychological suffering have been reported. These results allow us to estimate the impacts upon physical and mental health, as well as upon living and working conditions of the HW. The health and life of workers, leading role in facing health challenges of the pandemic, are a high priority in public policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A good health financing system is crucial for the effective performance of a country's health system. Many health systems around the world, especially in lower- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria, grapple with perennial challenges such as chronic underfunding, wastefulness, and lack of accountability rendering these systems inefficient. Nigeria's health system faces additional extraneous challenges such as a huge and rapidly growing population, a stagnant economy, and worsening insecurity of lives and property. Furthermore, recent disease outbreaks such as the Ebola epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic and an evolving disease demography evidenced by an increasing prevalence of chronic, noncommunicable diseases asphyxiate an already floundering health system. To address these challenges and to bolster its efforts in attaining universal health coverage (UHC) and meeting the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Nigerian government launched a new health policy in 2017. A review of the health financing section of this policy shows a focus on improving funding for health care by all levels of government and guaranteeing affordable and equitable access to health services by all Nigerians, albeit with insufficient clarity on how these will be achieved. A more critical review of the country's health financing system also reveals deep-seated systemic issues. Its out-of-pocket payments for funding health care are among the highest in the world, with abysmally low government contributions to health. Successive governments seem to lack the political will to address these shortfalls. Critical gaps exist in the country's health laws, making it difficult to implement the strategies proposed in the new policy. Nigeria must strengthen its health laws to, among other things, mandate health insurance and provide adequate funding for the health system by the government. It should also formulate a dedicated, more precise health financing policy with specific, measurable aims targeting identified problems to enable it to attain universal health coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The global prevalence of psychiatric disturbances is rising, detrimentally affecting the quality of care and treatment outcomes for individuals, particularly those with diabetes. This study investigated the association of risk factors for psychiatric disturbances among productiveage patients with diabetes (ages 30-59 years), considering sociodemographic characteristics and co-existing diseases. The risk factors considered included sociodemographic factors (e.g., residence, age, sex, marital status, education, and occupation) and co-existing diseases (e.g., hypertension, heart disease, stroke, renal failure, rheumatism, asthma, and cancer). Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2018 Indonesian National Health Survey (Riskesdas). The study population comprised respondents aged between 30 and 59 years who had diabetes and had completed the 20-question self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ-20). After the exclusion of incomplete SRQ-20 data, the sample included 8,917 respondents. Data were analyzed using logistic regression. Results: Approximately 18.29% of individuals with diabetes displayed symptoms indicative of psychiatric disturbances. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors such as age, sex, education level, occupation, marital status, and place of residence, patients with diabetes who had co-existing conditions such as hypertension, heart diseases, rheumatic disorders, asthma, or cancer had a higher risk for developing psychiatric disturbances than those with diabetes alone (adjusted odds ratio, 6.67; 95% confidence interval, 4.481-9.928; p<0.001). Conclusion: The elevated risk of psychiatric disturbances among patients with diabetes who had comorbidities underscores the importance of addressing mental health issues in the management of diabetes, especially in patients with concurrent disease conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Globally, overweight and obesity affect over one-third of the global population and it is projected that by 2030 obesity will affect more than half of the world population. The current burden of overweight and obesity is attributed to high rates of unhealthy eating and physical inactivity as it had also been revealed in Tanzania. The substantially increased prevalence of malnutrition at young ages is associated with a high incidence of non-communicable diseases in the young population and ultimately increased premature deaths. Objectives: This study aimed to assess eating habits, physical exercise patterns, and the overweight/obesity status among undergraduate students at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS). Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2022 by employing a stratified sampling technique to recruit 232 undergraduate nursing students. A selfadministered questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were used to obtain data which were finally analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 20.2%. Approximately 43% of the participants were physically inactive, with a higher proportion among females compared to males p=0.001. Male participants were more likely to perform physical exercises for a longer duration (≥ 30 minutes per day) compared to female participants, p=0.008. The consumption of more than three meals per day was associated with an increased odds of being overweight/obese than the consumption of three meals or less per day (OR: 3.11; 95%CI: 1.11-8.73). Similarly, the average long duration of sleeping per day (eight hours or more) was associated with an increased odds of being overweight/obese than sleeping less than eight hours per day (OR: 2.08; 95%CI: 1.06-4.11). Conclusions: The findings revealed high rates of unhealthy eating habits, physical inactivity patterns and a significant prevalence of overweight/obesity. This indicates a need for developing actionable interventions and national health programs to promote healthy eating habits and physical activity, particularly among university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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• This is the first study in Thailand to report on the correlates of sport and exercise participation in a nationally representative sample of Thai adolescents aged 14–17 years within a socioecological framework. • Multiple factors at different levels influencing Thai adolescents' sport and exercise participation were generally similar to those found in developed countries, despite some differences. • Screen and sitting time, parents' coparticipation, support from parents and peers, the amount of home sport/exercise equipment, school grass areas, and community physical activity facilities were the strongest positive correlates. • Age and body mass index were independently significant correlates. Understanding factors influencing adolescents' sport/exercise participation (S/EP) is vital to developing effective interventions, but currently, evidence from less developed countries is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine correlates of S/EP across individual, interpersonal, and environmental levels in a nationally representative sample of Thai adolescents. Data from 4617 Thai adolescents aged 14–17 years old were obtained from recruited schools across Thailand. Data on S/EP (outcome variable), and psychosocial, home, and community environment covariates were collected from individual adolescents using the Thailand Physical Activity Children Survey, Student Questionnaire. School environmental data were collected at the school level using a School Built Environment Audit. Hierarchical regressions taking into account school clustering effects were applied for data analysis. At the individual level, age and body mass index were independently and strongly correlated with S/EP. Adolescents with high preference for physical activity (PA) (odd ratio (OR) = 1.71, p < 0.001) and at least a moderate level of self-efficacy (OR = 1.33, p = 0.001) were more likely to have high S/EP. At the interpersonal level, adolescents whose parents joined their sports/exercise at least 1–2 times/week (OR = 1.36, p = 0.003) received ≥3 types of parental support (OR = 1.43, p = 0.005) and who received siblings' (OR = 1.26, p = 0.004) and friends' (OR = 1.99, p < 0.001) support had a greater chance of high S/EP. At the environmental level, adolescents' S/EP was greater when there were at least 3–4 pieces of home sport/exercise equipment (OR = 2.77, p = 0.003), grass areas at school (OR = 1.56, p < 0.001), and at least 1–2 PA facilities in the community (OR = 1.30, p = 0.009). Multiple factors at different levels within an ecological framework influencing Thai adolescents' S/EP were generally similar to those found in developed countries, despite some differences. For those interested in promoting and supporting Thai adolescents' engagement in sports/exercise, further exploration of the influence of self-efficacy and attitude toward PA is required at the individual level; parental and peer support at the interpersonal level; and home sport equipment, school grass areas, and neighborhood PA facilities at the environment level. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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A major public health challenge facing local administrations is reducing the preventable burden of non-communicable diseases making cities more resilient against environmental threats. The objective of this work was to conduct a synthesis of scientific evidence relating to the local context and implement a translational process to support the Department of the Environment in order to improve integration with concurrent policy sectors to urban health and sustainability goals. The first phase reviewed the studies on the association between environmental risk factors and human health and on the contamination levels of the environmental matrices; the second phase synthesised the data in key messages according to the concerns formulated with the collaboration of the Environmental Department. A total of 31 studies were assessed: 21 investigated environmental risk factors, and 9 measured the presence of pollutants in the environmental matrices. The findings identified air and noise pollution as the most important threats associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, together with significant contamination levels of the urban environment from microplastics and hydrocarbons. Based on the review findings, a layman's report for the City Council and the citizens, explicitly addressing emerging issues, was made publicly accessible. A lack of specific, updated and exchangeable data for city health profiling in a deteriorated environmental context represented the main barrier to a resilient community. The suggested recommendation for the local administration was to adopt an environmental policy integration framework to strengthen the monitoring of the impact on citizens' health. • Systematic review in environmental health was promoted to improve local decision-making. • Air and noise pollution were identified as the most important environmental risk factors in Pisa. • Collaboration between researchers and policymakers leveraged the adoption of an EPI framework. • Scientific evidence drove the sustainable transition in urban governance. • Strategic environmental action should be based on citizen health-related indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomathematics has become one of the most significant areas of research as a result of interdisciplinary study. Chronic diseases sometimes referred to as non-communicable and communicable diseases, are conditions that develop over an extended period as a result of different factors like genetics, lifestyle, and environment. The most important common types of disease are cardiovascular, alcohol, cancer, and diabetes. More than three-quarters of the world's (31.4 million) deaths occur in low- and middle-income nations, which are disproportionately affected by different infections. Fractional Calculus is a prominent topic for research within the discipline of Applied Mathematics due to its usefulness in solving problems in many different branches of science, engineering, and medicine. Recent researchers have identified the importance of mathematical tools in various disease models as being very useful to study the dynamics with the help of fractional and integer calculus modeling. Due to the complexity of the underlying connections, both deterministic and stochastic epidemiological models are founded on an inadequate understanding of the infectious network. Over the past several years, the use of different fractional operators to model the problem has grown, and it is now a common way to study how epidemics spread. Recently, researchers have actively considered fractional calculus to study different diseases like COVID-19, cancer, TB, HIV, dengue fever, diabetes, cholera, pine welts, smoking and heart attacks, etc. With the help of fractional operator, we modified a mathematical model for the dynamical transmission, analysis, treatment, vaccination, and precaution leveling necessary to mitigate the negative impact of illness on society in the long run, overcoming the memory effect without defining or considering others parameters. In this review paper, we considered all the recent studies based on the fractional modeling of infectious and non-infectious diseases with different fractional operators such as Caputo, Caputo Fabrizio, ABC, and constant proportional with Caputo, etc. This review paper aims to bring all the information together by considering different fractional operators and their uses in the field of infectious disease modeling. The steps taken to accomplish the goal were developing a mathematical model, identifying the equilibrium point, figuring out the minimal reproductive number, and assessing the stability around the equilibrium point. For future direction, we consider the cancer model to study the growth cells of cancer and the impact of therapy to control infections. An equilibrium solution and an analysis of the behavior dynamics of the cell spread with treatment in the form of chemotherapy were obtained. The simulation shows that the population of cancer cells is influenced by the pace of cancer cell growth with the Caputo fractional derivative. The acquired results show how effective and precise the suggested approach is in helping to better understand how chemotherapy works. Chemotherapy medications have been found to increase immunity against particular cancer by reducing the number of tumor cells. Further, we suggested some future work directions with the help of the new hybrid fractional operator. Our innovative methodology might have significant effects on global stakeholders, policymakers, and national health systems. The current strategies for controlling outbreaks and the vaccination and prevention policies that have been implemented would benefit from a more accurate representation of the dynamics of contagious diseases, which necessitates the development of highly complex mathematical models. Microorganisms, interactions between individuals or groups, and environmental, social, economic, and demographic factors on a broader scale are all examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodontitis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are two prevalent non-communicable diseases affecting people worldwide. The delicate interplay between oral microbiome, intestinal barrier, immune system, and liver is susceptible to disruption by environmental and genetic factors which could result in the onset of systemic diseases. The oral-liver and liver-gut axes have been proposed as the possible mechanisms to explain the links among these factors. Many evidences are mounting to support the role of imbalanced interactions between microbiota and immune system in the development of immune-mediated diseases. The emerging concept of the oral-gut-liver axis is gaining recognition as a means to explore the interconnections among NAFLD, periodontitis, and gut dysbiosis. There is substantial evidence indicating that oral and gut dysbiosis are the significant risk factors for liver disease. Therefore, the role of inflammatory mediators in linking these organs cannot be overlooked. Understanding these complex relationships is crucial in the development of effective strategies for the prevention and management of liver diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The present study analyzed trends in premature mortality from Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) between 1990 and 2019, the projections up to 2030, and the risk factors (RFs) attributable to these diseases in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). Estimates from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study and the analysis of the burden of premature mortality due to NCDs were used for nine CPLP countries, applying age-standardized rates, using RStudio. Portugal, Brazil, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, and Guinea Bissau showed declining premature mortality rates caused by NCDs, while East Timor, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Mozambique showed an increase in rates. Projections indicate that none of the countries is expected to achieve the goals of reducing premature mortality due to NCDs by one third by 2030. The attributable burden of disease showed that the most important RFs in 2019 were: high systolic blood pressure (SBP), tobacco, dietary risks, high body mass index (BMI), and air pollution. It can therefore be concluded that there are profound differences in the burden of NCDs among the countries, with better results in Portugal and Brazil, and that no CPLP country is likely to reach the NCD reduction target by 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As countries around the globe enforce social distancing and self-isolation to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine is emerging as a critical tool to connect physicians and other healthcare professionals with patients dealing with chronic cardiovascular conditions. Technology assisted healthcare delivery is virtually imperative especially in India with a large part belonging to rural and remote regions. The Information and Communication technology (ICT) which is the fundamental part of this technology is the ability to locally connect to a global network. The current pandemic caused by corona has highlighted the importance of this technology even more with patients showing apprehension to go to hospitals for routine check-ups. The emergence of Internet of Things (IoT) has further ensured that a continuum in care can be maintained, with patients having the opportunity to have wearable devices at their homes and using the Telemedicine platform for transmission of medical data from these devices for consultations. Methods: Literary search on the various applications of Telemedicine in healthcare with specific reference to Cardiology. Results: This article highlights our experience in the utilization of this technology for various cardiac conditions, comprehending the challenges of this technology at the practical level and the impact of making healthcare deliver accessible and cost-effective. Conclusions: Information and communication technology (ICT) and the advent of Internet of Things for Medical Devices (IoT-MD) has empowered telemedicine as a powerful model for healthcare delivery in an effective manner. Immense data generated from these devices have further encouraged development of algorithms based on Artificial Intelligence thereby improving clinical effectiveness and ensuring continuity of care. Though possibilities of improving clinical efficacy and healthcare outcomes through AI are enormous, we need to be aware of the associated risks and challenges and try to minimize those through multidisciplinary research, and renewed legal and ethical policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension and diabetes are major causes of disability and mortality in the US-Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI). Control of these conditions has the potential to avert much of the burden of non-communicable diseases in the region. To realize this potential, people living with hypertension and diabetes must be identified and receive treatment of sufficient intensity to control their blood pressure and blood glucose. Data from recent cross-sectional surveys conducted in 5 jurisdictions--Pohnpei, Palau, Kosrae, Marshall Islands and American Samoa--were used to estimate the adult prevalence of hypertension and diabetes as well as diagnosis awareness, treatment, and control status of the adults with these conditions. In addition to traditional prevalence indicators, the authors provide a novel presentation of non-communicable disease (NCD) data, using the concept of "protection gaps", defined as the number of people living in a community who have an NCD for which effective control is not attained. The protection gap is determined by applying survey-derived population prevalence estimates to the community's population size using census data. The protection gap is further divided into 3 groups: (1) case-finding gap--those who are unaware of their conditions; (2) tracking and outreach gap--those who are aware of their condition but not receiving treatment; and (3) treatment efficacy gap--those who are receiving treatment but whose disease is not under control. The findings show a large protection gap, with a majority of adults living with hypertension (80.8%) and diabetes (91.6%) not having their condition under control. The case-finding gap accounts for more than half of these, followed by treatment efficacy, and tracking and outreach gaps. These findings can guide public health strategies and monitoring for control of hypertension and diabetes in the USAPI region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) are a leading global health challenge, causing 41 million deaths per year. Risk factors include genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices. Adopting healthy lifestyles can prevent or delay the onset of NCDs, but health misinformation can lead people to make poor decisions about their health. To combat this, it is proposed to develop an Intelligent System using Artificial Intelligence techniques to collect and analyze data from social media about health topics to combat misinformation in public health and forecast NCDs, providing guidelines to prevent their spread. Methods: A system´s overall architecture is presented... An innovative and novel solution that addresses the spread of information concerning health and NCDs contributes to inform public policies and infodemic management strategies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine and assess causes of mortality of kiwi (Apteryx spp.) submitted to Massey University between 2010 and 2020 across the five recognised species according to location, age group and captivity status in New Zealand. Post-mortem reports were obtained from the Massey University/Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa School of Veterinary Science/Wildbase Pathology Register. Inclusion criteria were all species of kiwi with a date of post-mortem examination between August 2010 and August 2020. Data from each report was exported, categorised and compared using Microsoft Excel. Of a total of 1,005 post-mortem reports, there were 766 North Island brown kiwi (NIBK; A. mantelli), 83 tokoeka (A. australis), 73 rowi (A. rowi), 49 great spotted kiwi (A. haastii), and 34 little spotted kiwi (A. owenii). This comprised 19 eggs/embryos, 125 neonatal, 473 juvenile, 153 subadult, and 235 adult kiwi. There were 615 kiwi from wild populations, 148 from sanctuary populations, 238 from captivity, and four from unspecified locations. The leading cause of death was trauma, affecting 322 (32.0 (95% CI = 29.2–35.0)%) kiwi including 289 (37.3 (95% CI = 26.0–31.7)%) NIBK. Nearly half of these died from predation by mustelids, with losses recorded from neonates to adults and clustered in the central to southern North Island. Predation by dogs was the second most common cause of death, killing 84 (8.4 (95% CI = 6.7–10.2)%) kiwi, of which 65.5% came from the northern districts of the North Island. Non-infectious disease killed 214 (21 (95% CI = 18.8–24.0)%) kiwi, and included developmental deformities, gastrointestinal foreign bodies and predator trap injuries. Infectious disease killed 181 (18.0 (95% CI = 15.7–20.5)%) kiwi and the proportion decreased with age, with common diagnoses including coccidiosis, bacterial septicaemia, avian malaria, and fungal respiratory disease. Starvation affected 42 (4.2 (95% CI = 3.0–5.6)%) kiwi, comprised of mainly neonatal or juvenile individuals from wild or sanctuary populations, with a higher percentage seen in tokoeka (11/83; 13.3%) compared to other species (min 0%, max 5.9%). The cause of death was undetermined in 246 (24.5 (95% CI = 21.8–27.3)%) cases, which was most often due to poor preservation of remains. This included 33/73 (46%) rowi and 32/83 (39%) tokoeka, and affected mainly birds from sanctuary and wild populations. This study enhances our understanding of causes of mortality in captive, wild and sanctuary populations of all kiwi species and age groups within contemporary New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insights in Public Health is a recurring column from the public health community and is coordinated by HJH&SW Contributing Editor Mapuana Antonio DrPH from the Office of Public Health Studies in the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health at the at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and Contributing Editor Nichole J. Fukuda MS from the Hawai‘i Department of Health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the association between heat health alerts and emergency department presentations by people aged 65 years or older in Victoria, Australia, from 2010 to 2022. The study found that the odds of presenting with volume depletion or heat- or sunstroke were higher on days with heat health alerts, while the odds of presenting with hypertensive disease were lower. Additionally, the odds of presenting with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes-related conditions, organic mental disorders, or acute renal failure were higher on case days. The findings highlight the importance of heatwave forecasting, warning systems, and health service preparedness for the increasing demands on emergency departments related to heat. However, the study has limitations, and the findings may not be generalizable to other parts of Australia. [Extracted from the article]

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Endogenous lipid pneumonia is a rare inflammatory, non-infectious lung disease characterized by the accumulation of endogenous lipids in alveolar macrophages. It has been associated with bronchial obstruction, chronic lung inflammation, alveolar proteinosis and lipid storage disorders. A 14-year-old female blue-fronted Amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva) presented with intermittent dyspnoea, neurological signs and persistent lipaemia of unknown aetiology. At necropsy, the most relevant gross findings were increased rigidity of the great vessels, lungs with diffuse grey to whitish discolouration of the parenchyma and multifocal small yellowish nodules. Microscopic examination revealed typical lesions of atherosclerosis and severe multifocal accumulation of foamy macrophages filling the parabronchi, which led to a diagnosis of endogenous lipid pneumonia. Although the relationship between dyslipidaemia, atherosclerosis and endogenous lipid pneumonia in birds is not well established, the chronic dyslipidaemia of unknown origin could be involved in the pathogenesis of both the atherosclerosis and the endogenous lipid pneumonia. The present case highlights the need to better understand the relationships between various disorders of lipid metabolism in psittacine birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]