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Background During the first epidemic wave, COVID-19 surveillance focused on quantifying the magnitude and the escalation of a growing global health crisis. The scientific community first assessed risk through basic indicators, such as the number of cases or rates of new cases and deaths, and later began using other direct impact indicators to conduct more detailed analyses. We aimed at synthesizing the scientific community's contribution to assessing the direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on population health through indicators reported in research papers. Methods We conducted a rapid scoping review to identify and describe health indicators included in articles published between January 2020 and June 2021, using one strategy to search PubMed, EMBASE and WHO COVID-19 databases. Sixteen experts from European public health institutions screened papers and retrieved indicator characteristics. We also asked in an online survey how the health indicators were added to and used in policy documents in Europe. Results After reviewing 3891 records, we selected a final sample of 67 articles and 233 indicators. We identified 52 (22.3%) morbidity indicators from 33 articles, 105 severity indicators (45.1%, 27 articles) and 68 mortality indicators (29.2%, 51). Respondents from 22 countries completed 31 questionnaires, and the majority reported morbidity indicators (29, 93.5%), followed by mortality indicators (26, 83.9%). Conclusions The indicators collated here might be useful to assess the impact of future pandemics. Therefore, their measurement should be standardized to allow for comparisons between settings, countries and different populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical activity (PA) promotion in healthcare systems is one of the priority areas highlighted by the World Health Organization, which recognizes that progress has been slow largely due to a lack of awareness and investment while requiring a system-based approach. Community pharmacies are one of the health structures that are more easily accessible to populations, thus constituting an ideal venue for developing health promotion activities. This research aimed to describe PA-enabling interventions developed in community pharmacies by pharmacists. Methods: An electronic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane and reference lists of the different papers until June 2023. Studies were eligible if performed in community pharmacies by pharmacists, focused on interventions aimed at increasing PA levels and if at least one PA-specific outcome was measured at two different time points. Results: We identified 7076 publications in the initial search, plus 31 records identified through backward citation tracking from relevant studies. After an initial screening, 236 were selected for full-text analysis. Of the 29 selected papers, 10 presented a low risk of bias for the measurement of PA levels. PA outcomes were generally self-reported outcomes where the change in terms of the percentage of individuals considered active or who increased PA because of the intervention. Conclusion: Several interventions to improve PA through community pharmacies were found although with a high level of heterogeneity and with only few with a low risk of bias. More targeted research that aims to capture PA levels and support the training of healthcare professionals is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Following years of sustained pressure on the UK health service, there is recognition amongst health professionals and stakeholders that current models of healthcare are likely to be inadequate going forward. Therefore, a fundamental review of existing social models of healthcare is needed to ascertain current thinking in this area, and whether there is a need to change perspective on current thinking. Method Through a systematic research review, this paper seeks to address how previous literature has conceptualized a social model of healthcare and, how implementation of the models has been evaluated. Analysis and data were extracted from 222 publications and explored the country of origin, methodological approach, and the health and social care contexts which they were set. Results The publications predominantly drawn from the USA, UK, Australia, Canada and Europe identified five themes namely: the lack of a clear and unified definition of a social model of health and wellbeing; the need to understand context; the need for cultural change; improved integration and collaboration towards a holistic and person-centred approach; measuring and evaluating the performance of a social model of health. Conclusion The review identified a need for a clear definition of a social model of health and wellbeing. Furthermore, consideration is needed on how a model integrates with current models and whether it will act as a descriptive framework or, will be developed into an operational model. The review highlights the importance of engagement with users and partner organizations in the co-creation of a model of healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review investigates the bidirectional relationship between alcohol consumption and disrupted circadian rhythms. The goal of this study was to identify (i) the types of circadian rhythm disruptors (i.e. social jet lag, extreme chronotypes, and night shift work) associated with altered alcohol use and (ii) whether sex differences in the consequences of circadian disruption exist. We conducted a search of PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO exclusively on human research. We identified 177 articles that met the inclusion criteria. Our analyses revealed that social jet lag and the extreme chronotype referred to as eveningness were consistently associated with increased alcohol consumption. Relationships between night shift work and alcohol consumption were variable; half of articles reported no effect of night shift work on alcohol consumption. Both sexes were included as participants in the majority of the chronotype and social jet lag papers, with no sex difference apparent in alcohol consumption. The night shift research, however, contained fewer studies that included both sexes. Not all forms of circadian disruption are associated with comparable patterns of alcohol use. The most at-risk individuals for increased alcohol consumption are those with social jet lag or those of an eveningness chronotype. Direct testing of the associations in this review should be conducted to evaluate the relationships among circadian disruption, alcohol intake, and sex differences to provide insight into temporal risk factors associated with development of alcohol use disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Dual sensory impairment (DSI), the combination of visual and hearing impairments, is associated with increased risk for age-related cognitive decline and dementia. Administering cognitive tests to individuals with sensory impairment is challenging because most cognitive measures require sufficient hearing and vision. Considering sensory limitations during cognitive test administration is necessary so that the effects of sensory and cognitive abilities on test performance can be differentiated and the validity of test results optimized. Objective To review empirical strategies that researchers have employed to accommodate DSI during cognitive testing of older adults. Methods Seven databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Global Health and the Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews databases) were searched for relevant articles integrating the three concepts of cognitive evaluation, aging, and DSI. Given the inclusion criteria, this scoping review included a total of 67 papers. Results Twenty-eight studies reported five categories of strategies for cognitive testing of older adult participants with DSI: the assistance of experts, the modification of standardized test scoring procedures, the use of communication strategies, environmental modifications, and the use of cognitive tests without visual and/or auditory items. Conclusions The most used strategy reported in the included studies was drawing on the assistance of team members from related fields during the administration and interpretation of cognitive screening measures. Alternative strategies were rarely employed. Future research is needed to explore the knowledge-to-practice gap between research and current clinical practice, and to develop standardized testing strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]