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Abstract Background Bladder, kidney and prostate cancers make significant contributors to cancer burdens. Exploring their cross-country inequalities may inform equitable strategies to meet the 17 sustainable development goals before 2030. Methods We analyzed age-standardized disability-adjusted life-years (ASDALY) rates for the three cancers based on Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019. We quantified the inequalities using slope index of inequality (SII, absolute measure) and concentration index (relative measure) associated with national sociodemographic index. Results Varied ASDALY rates were observed in the three cancers across 204 regions. The SII decreased from 35.15 (95% confidence interval, CI: 29.34 to 39.17) in 1990 to 15.81 (95% CI: 7.99 to 21.79) in 2019 for bladder cancers, from 78.94 (95% CI: 75.97 to 81.31) in 1990 to 59.79 (95% CI: 55.32 to 63.83) in 2019 for kidney cancer, and from 192.27 (95% CI: 137.00 to 241.05) in 1990 to − 103.99 (95% CI: − 183.82 to 51.75) in 2019 for prostate cancer. Moreover, the concentration index changed from 12.44 (95% CI, 11.86 to 12.74) in 1990 to 15.72 (95% CI, 15.14 to 16.01) in 2019 for bladder cancer, from 33.88 (95% CI: 33.35 to 34.17) in 1990 to 31.13 (95% CI: 30.36 to 31.43) in 2019 for kidney cancer, and from 14.61 (95% CI: 13.89 to 14.84) in 1990 to 5.89 (95% CI: 5.16 to 6.26) in 2019 for prostate cancer. Notably, the males presented higher inequality than females in both bladder and kidney cancer from 1990 to 2019. Conclusions Different patterns of inequality were observed in the three cancers, necessitating tailored national cancer control strategies to mitigate disparities. Priority interventions for bladder and kidney cancer should target higher socioeconomic regions, whereas interventions for prostate cancer should prioritize the lowest socioeconomic regions. Additionally, addressing higher inequality in males requires more intensive interventions among males from higher socioeconomic regions.

Abstract Aims Assessing the global burden and health inequalities of Hypertension Heart Disease (HHD) during the period from 1990 to 2019. Methods Secondary analysis of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study in 2019, focusing on the burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors worldwide. Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) data related to HHD are extracted from the 2019 GBD. Inequality Slope Index (SII) and Concentration Index are calculated to assess health inequalities across regions and countries. Results The total DALYs for HHD reached 21.51 million, demonstrating a substantial increase of 54.25% compared to the figures recorded in 1990, while the age-standardized DALY rates per 100,000 population for HHD in 2019 showed a notable decline to 268.19 (95% UI 204.57, 298.07), reflecting a significant decrease of 26.4% compared to the rates observed in 1990. The DALYs rate of hypertensive heart disease increases with age. Countries with moderate SDI accounted for 38.72% of the global burden of HHD in terms of DALYs. The highest age-standardized DALY rates (per 100,000) are predominantly concentrated in underdeveloped areas. In 1990 and 2019, the SII (per 100,000 population) for DALYs were − 121.6398 (95% CI -187.3729 to -55.90684) and − 1.592634 (95% CI -53.11027 to 49.925) respectively. The significant decline suggests a reduction in the inequality of age-standardized burden of HHD between high-income and low-income countries during this period. Conclusion The unequal prevalence of HHD across different populations can hinder the achievement of the “health for all” objective. Persistent disparities in HHD have been observed globally over the past thirty years. It is crucial to prioritize efforts towards reducing avoidable health inequalities associated with hypertension-related heart disease, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries.

Background: Bladder, kidney and prostate cancers make significant contributors to cancer burdens. Exploring their cross-country inequalities may inform equitable strategies to meet the 17 sustainable development goals before 2030., Methods: We analyzed age-standardized disability-adjusted life-years (ASDALY) rates for the three cancers based on Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019. We quantified the inequalities using slope index of inequality (SII, absolute measure) and concentration index (relative measure) associated with national sociodemographic index., Results: Varied ASDALY rates were observed in the three cancers across 204 regions. The SII decreased from 35.15 (95% confidence interval, CI: 29.34 to 39.17) in 1990 to 15.81 (95% CI: 7.99 to 21.79) in 2019 for bladder cancers, from 78.94 (95% CI: 75.97 to 81.31) in 1990 to 59.79 (95% CI: 55.32 to 63.83) in 2019 for kidney cancer, and from 192.27 (95% CI: 137.00 to 241.05) in 1990 to - 103.99 (95% CI: - 183.82 to 51.75) in 2019 for prostate cancer. Moreover, the concentration index changed from 12.44 (95% CI, 11.86 to 12.74) in 1990 to 15.72 (95% CI, 15.14 to 16.01) in 2019 for bladder cancer, from 33.88 (95% CI: 33.35 to 34.17) in 1990 to 31.13 (95% CI: 30.36 to 31.43) in 2019 for kidney cancer, and from 14.61 (95% CI: 13.89 to 14.84) in 1990 to 5.89 (95% CI: 5.16 to 6.26) in 2019 for prostate cancer. Notably, the males presented higher inequality than females in both bladder and kidney cancer from 1990 to 2019., Conclusions: Different patterns of inequality were observed in the three cancers, necessitating tailored national cancer control strategies to mitigate disparities. Priority interventions for bladder and kidney cancer should target higher socioeconomic regions, whereas interventions for prostate cancer should prioritize the lowest socioeconomic regions. Additionally, addressing higher inequality in males requires more intensive interventions among males from higher socioeconomic regions., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Aims: Assessing the global burden and health inequalities of Hypertension Heart Disease (HHD) during the period from 1990 to 2019., Methods: Secondary analysis of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study in 2019, focusing on the burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors worldwide. Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) data related to HHD are extracted from the 2019 GBD. Inequality Slope Index (SII) and Concentration Index are calculated to assess health inequalities across regions and countries., Results: The total DALYs for HHD reached 21.51 million, demonstrating a substantial increase of 54.25% compared to the figures recorded in 1990, while the age-standardized DALY rates per 100,000 population for HHD in 2019 showed a notable decline to 268.19 (95% UI 204.57, 298.07), reflecting a significant decrease of 26.4% compared to the rates observed in 1990. The DALYs rate of hypertensive heart disease increases with age. Countries with moderate SDI accounted for 38.72% of the global burden of HHD in terms of DALYs. The highest age-standardized DALY rates (per 100,000) are predominantly concentrated in underdeveloped areas. In 1990 and 2019, the SII (per 100,000 population) for DALYs were - 121.6398 (95% CI -187.3729 to -55.90684) and - 1.592634 (95% CI -53.11027 to 49.925) respectively. The significant decline suggests a reduction in the inequality of age-standardized burden of HHD between high-income and low-income countries during this period., Conclusion: The unequal prevalence of HHD across different populations can hinder the achievement of the "health for all" objective. Persistent disparities in HHD have been observed globally over the past thirty years. It is crucial to prioritize efforts towards reducing avoidable health inequalities associated with hypertension-related heart disease, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This article analyzes spatial hierarchies and geopolitical conflicts during the COVID-19 pandemic from a worldsystems perspective. Drawing on data on global vaccine production and distribution, we argue that the trimodal structure of the capitalist world-system--core, semi-periphery, and periphery--has been reproduced through unequal access to vaccines, constituting hierarchically structured "vaccine worlds". These vaccine worlds are geopolitically contested, as Chinese companies compete with American and European corporations for influence and markets. Against this background, we outline the Chinese state-led vaccine internationalization strategy with its focus on the global South, and discuss its achievements and contradictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an era of rapid technological advancement, decisions about the ownership and governance of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence will shape the future of both urban and rural environments in the Global North and South. This article explores how AI can move beyond the noise of algorithms by adopting a technological humanistic approach to enable Social Innovation, focusing on global inequalities and digital justice. Using a fieldwork Action Research methodology, based on the Smart Rural Communities project in Colombia and Mozambique, the study develops a framework for integrating AI with SI. Drawing on insights from the AI4SI International Summer School held in Donostia-San Sebastián in 2024, the article examines the role of decentralized Web3 technologies—such as Blockchain, Decentralized Autonomous Organizations, and Data Cooperatives—in enhancing data sovereignty and fostering inclusive and participatory governance. The results demonstrate how decentralization can empower marginalized communities in the Global South by promoting digital justice and addressing the imbalance of power in digital ecosystems. The conclusion emphasizes the potential for AI and decentralized technologies to bridge the digital divide, offering practical recommendations for scaling these innovations to support equitable, community-driven governance and address systemic inequalities across the Global North and South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A conceptualisation of the COVID-19 pandemic through the analytic lens of a 'necropolitics as evil' brings to the fore Hannah Arendt's theorisation that evil is both an expression of, and a threat to, humanity and its plurality as an intersectional assemblage, and by extension as freedom in political action. Arendt accepts that while evil—as an expression of our humanity—can never be eradicated, it must—as a threat to our common humanity—be confronted. From this perspective, the functioning of race, gender, and wider structural inequalities as operational hinges of COVID-19 capitalism required spaces for resistance and change within the political economy of global inequalities during the recent pandemic. This (concept) paper explores such a conceptualisation through stories of the pandemic and with a particular focus on Indigenous people, marginalised groups such as migrants and asylum seekers, as well as the homeless. It is through the viral logics of cytopathic COVID-19 capitalisms that we confront and resist theoretical pathologies by re-theorising evil as conceptual currency to confront this conjuncture, critique limitations, and meaningfully translate the current societal landscape through this lens. This allows for engaging in a particular kind of reading of Arendt that is contextualised in terms of the stakes of the paper: the importance of thinking about convivialising solidarities in the ongoing pandemic that has been perpetuated by 'evil political formations/evil governance' under capitalism, and as such, the structural pathologies that exacerbate COVID-19's deathly effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This editorial titled "Enhancing the right to science: the triple planetary crisis and the need for comprehensive approaches" emphasizes the importance of the right to science in addressing global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. It discusses the role of the right to science in promoting access to scientific knowledge, protecting against harm, and ensuring academic freedom. The editorial also highlights the need to address global inequalities in scientific practice, decolonize scholarship, and address gender inequalities in the field. It calls for international cooperation and the protection of scientific integrity in the face of disinformation and anti-science sentiment. The article acknowledges the efforts of organizations like UNESCO and the UN Human Rights Council in promoting the right to science but recognizes the obstacles and inequalities that need to be addressed for effective implementation. [Extracted from the article]

This article argues that a contributing factor to the rise of the far right is a lack of knowledge and understanding of neoliberalism among the general population, specifically how neoliberalism is a leading cause of global inequalities and injustices. Drawing on the work of Fricker (2007), Medina (2012; 2013) and Spiegel (2022), I suggest that the absence of a sustained public discourse addressing the root causes of social and economic inequality can be understood as a form of epistemic injustice, as knowers are restricted in their capacity to make sense of their lives. In turn, they are more susceptible to far right rhetoric and disinformation that seems to offer them a narrative that explains their struggles. In the final section of the article, I look at one way that development education (DE) can help to address this aspect of the problem. I argue that DE needs to return to its radical roots, and refocus on its commitment to explore 'the root causes of local and global injustices and inequalities in our interdependent world' (IDEA, 2020: 13). Additionally, DE ought to go further still and empower people to see that neoliberalism is a choice, and not an unwavering natural condition. DE must foster pedagogy of hope in opposition to the lingering Thatcherite legacy that 'there is no alternative'. We must dare to imagine that another world is possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The properties of the unique nontrivial analytic solution, defined implicitly by a functional equation, are pointed out. This work provides local estimations and global inequalities for the involved solution. The corresponding operatorial equation is studied as well. The second part of the paper is devoted to the full classical moment problem, which is an inverse problem. Two constraints are imposed on the solution. One of them requires the solution to be dominated by a concrete convex operator defined on the positive cone of the domain space. A one-dimensional operator is valued, and a multidimensional scalar moment problem is solved. In both cases, the existence and the uniqueness of the solution are proved. The general idea of the paper is to provide detailed information on solutions which are not expressible in terms of elementary functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in terms of incidence and mortality among women worldwide, including in Africa, and a rapid increase in the number of new cases of breast cancer has recently been observed in sub-Saharan Africa. Oncology is a relatively new discipline in many West African countries, particularly Mali; thus, little is known about the current state of cancer care infrastructure and oncology practices in these countries. Methods: To describe the challenges related to access to oncology care in Mali, we used a qualitative approach, following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). Thirty-eight semistructured interviews were conducted with health professionals treating cancer in Mali (n = 10), women with breast cancer (n = 25), and representatives of associations (n = 3), and 40 participant observations were conducted in an oncology unit in Bamako. We used the theoretical framework on access to health care developed by Levesque et al. a posteriori to organise and analyse the data collected. Results: Access to oncology care is partly limited by the current state of Mali's health infrastructure (technical platform failures, repeated strikes in university hospitals, incomplete free health care and the unavailability of medicines) and exacerbated by the security crisis that has been occurring the country since 2012. The lack of specialist doctors, combined with limited screening campaigns and a centralised and fragmented technical platform in Bamako, is particularly detrimental to breast cancer treatment. Women's lack of awareness, lack of information throughout the treatment process, stereotypes and opposition to amputations all play a significant role in their ability to seek and access quality care, leading some women to therapeutically wander and others to want to leave Mali. It also leaves them in debt and jeopardises the future of their children. However, the high level of trust in doctors, the involvement of international actors, the level of social support and the growing influence of civil society on the issue of cancer also represent great current opportunities to fight cancer in Mali. Conclusion: Despite the efforts of successive Malian governments and the commitment of international actors, the provision of health care is still limited in the country, entrenching global inequalities in women's bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of immigration institutions has mainly focused on the effects these entities have on migrants and refugees' lives. Much less research has been produced from the unique perspective of the people who comprise these institutions. Drawing from work experiences and ethnographic research on the operation of detention centers for migrant and refugee children in southern Mexico, this article reflects on the daily work in these centers and on the personnel who reproduce the government and execute immigration policy. The article builds on feminist postcolonial perspective by focusing on the uniqueness of the bureaucrat-ethnographer viewpoint. Keypoints of this article are how axes of race, gender, and nationality hinder and/or favor access to these institutions either for work or study, and how this contributes to global inequalities in knowledge production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cervical cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women globally. The condition is both preventable and treatable yet remains a leading cause of cancer death in Ghana. This study aims to explore the unique experiences of women living with cervical cancer with a focus on the challenges and coping strategies., Methods: The study employed a qualitative approach with an exploratory, descriptive design. This study was conducted among women with cervical cancer aged 18 years and above who have been diagnosed with the disease for at least 3 months. A total of 16 participants were purposively sampled based on the eligibility criteria and individually interviewed using a semi-structured guide. The six-step technique for qualitative analysis by Braun and Clarke guided data analysis., Results: Most participants resorted to self-medication, over-the-counter drugs and herbal preparations as a first line of defense against the disease. The presence of cervical cancer affected participants' physical and mental well-being. Other challenges included financial burden and frequent equipment breakdowns which affected patients' treatment. Participants adopted different coping strategies such as taking blood tonic, increased rest and sleep, spiritual prayers and recreational activities. Family members, friends, the church and health workers provided support in the area of finance, advice, meal preparation and house chores, prayers and counseling to participants., Conclusions: Cervical cancer affects the quality of life of many women and their significant others. The condition puts a lot of financial burden on its victims and there is the need for a system to reduce the burden on patients. It is recommended that the treatment of cervical cancer should be covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme to ease the financial burden on patients. There is a need for expansion of access to cervical cancer treatment across the country to reduce patients' burden and relieve the pressure on the few pieces of equipment at the current treatment centres., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: Ethical approval was obtained from the KATH Institutional Review Board (KATHIRB/AP/072/23) and written informed consent was obtained from each participant before inclusion in the study. Participants were assured of confidentiality and their right to withdraw from the study at any point without consequence. The privacy of the participants was ensured during the data collection stage of the research. Additionally, no personal identifying information was used and pseudonyms were used in describing the participants’ responses. The participants were also given a detailed explanation of the study, its methodology, data analysis, and procedural guidelines. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The monstrous pendulum of inequality in the twenty-first century swings sideways amid welfare economics and egalitarianism. Horizontal inequalities embodied by pro-poor policy on grounds such as gender, race, and disability, have long been core international human rights concerns. Yet, gross inequalities in economic status, nationally and globally, are still poorly conceptualized by legal scholars, policymakers, and practitioners. In search of a policy lever, this Article argues that as far as economic theory goes, neither theoretical nor empirical economic research adequately correlates economic inequalities and growth. That is, beyond horizontal inequalities concerning the extreme poor. As economic research remains inept in offering efficiency policy justifications, international human rights law, as the primary legal alternative for poverty-related social justice, could fill the gap. In the backdrop of neoliberal welfare economic policy confines, vertical inequalities between societal groups and global inequalities between countries substantively add to a novel realization of human rights and the achievement of United Nations-led sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Around the world, societies are aging. Most governments have not prepared well for this demographic change, which requires a recalibration of existing social support programs like state pension and health care systems. Piecemeal state solutions have generated a reliance on migrant workers in elder care. This has worsened global inequalities in health care, subjected migrants to poor working conditions and exploitation, and revived racialized forms of domestic service for wealthy households in high-income countries. Finding fairer and more sustainable solutions to the demographic transition calls for innovative thinking and creative adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the difficulties faced by individuals with movement disorders in accessing diagnostic methods and therapies. There are significant global inequalities in healthcare, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where most people with movement disorders are concentrated. Access to care is limited in low-income countries, while in middle-income areas, healthcare professionals and services are usually available but tend to be concentrated in big centers, leaving the remaining individuals reliant on underfunded public health systems. Disparities in care also exist in wealthy regions, with economic issues, geographic location, and ethnicity playing a role. The article emphasizes the need for action to address these disparities and highlights the role of organizations like the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society in providing education and advocacy to fight for equal access to diagnostic methods and therapies. [Extracted from the article]

The COVID-19 pandemic presented unmatched challenges for citizen participation worldwide in local government budgeting processes. Zimbabwe in particular was grappling with the pandemic's effects and pre-existing governance issues. The pandemic ignited the central government to put COVID-19 public restrictions militating on citizen engagement in the budgeting process. The implemented measures were aimed at curbing the spread of the virus. While these measures were necessary for public health, they unintentionally constrained citizens' ability to be unreservedly involved in local government decision-making. The paper employed a qualitative case study research design, employing interviews, Google Forms, and document analysis, to gather data exploring the experiences and perspectives of citizens, civil society organizations, and local government officials regarding the repercussions of constrained citizen participation in local government budgeting during the pandemic. The argument was hinged on the participatory theory based on two broad views: the normative and the instrumentalist perspectives. The paper notes that COVID-19 restrictions severely constrained citizen participation, limiting public input, deliberation, and accountability opportunities. The inability to convene public meetings, consultations, and workshops weakened the citizen-government engagement process, hindering transparency and the ability of citizens to influence resource allocation and stewardship. Furthermore, the restricted participation by marginalized communities exacerbates existing inequalities due to the technological divide hindering their ability to voice their concerns and interests in the budgeting processes. The paper calls for the exigent need for inventive methodologies to guarantee comprehensive and evocative citizen participation, by leveraging digital technologies and promoting alternative channels for engagement to augment citizen participation in local government budgeting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of a Just Energy Transition (JET) has gained prominence in sustainable development discussion, with impact assessment serving as a key foundation for advancing global energy justice. Currently, the primary assessment frameworks encompass distributional justice, procedural justice, and restorative justice. However, these dimensions exhibit a certain degree of overlap, and a standardized set of metrics for their evaluation remains conspicuously lacking. To address this research gap, this study employs a literature review and logical reasoning to construct a comprehensive framework consisting of four distinct assessment dimensions: cognitive justice, distributional justice, procedural justice, and redistributive justice. The framework delineation the boundaries and logical relationships among these dimensions. This study emphasizes the foundational role of cognitive justice, positioning it as the cornerstone upon which other dimensions of justice rely. Moreover, it puts forth a constructive argument that future generations, as direct beneficiaries, should bear additional responsibility to uphold intergenerational justice. This multi-dimensional framework deepens our understanding of the complexities of JET and encourage critical discourse on the subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cervical cancer, though one of the most common cancers affecting women globally, holds immense potential for prevention through screening. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to assess the rate of cervical cancer screening in Arab countries and identify barriers among those who did not participate. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted from January 1st to June 1st,2024, including all observational studies that reported cervical cancer screening uptake in any Arab country. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to estimate the pooled prevalence, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to test the robustness of the findings. The study followed PRISMA guidelines. Results: This meta-analysis, covering 55 studies and 204,940 Arab women, found an overall cervical cancer screening uptake rate of 18.2% (95% CI: 13.9–23.6), with sensitivity analysis confirming the reliability of this estimate. Country disparities were evident, with Bahrain having the highest uptake at 44.1%, while Somalia had the lowest at 8.9%. Among women who underwent screening, the majority were ever-married (94.7%) and held positive attitudes towards screening (91.0%). Barriers to screening were common among women who did not participate, with the most frequent reasons being a lack of information (25.1%), the misconception of feeling healthy (24.5%), fear of the procedure (19.3%), and feelings of embarrassment (13.2%). Additionally, women who were screened had lower perceived barrier scores (SMD = -0.466) and higher perceived benefits scores (SMD = 0.379) than those who were not (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This meta-analysis reveals a low overall cervical cancer screening uptake (18.2%) among Arab women. Key barriers such as lack of information, fear, the misconception of feeling healthy, and embarrassment hinder uptake. This alarmingly low rate underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to address these barriers and promote awareness of early detection's life-saving potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to understand the vision health status of adolescents in the Western Pacific Region (WPR) using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data from 1990 to 2019. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of blindness and vision loss using GBD data from 1990 to 2019, analyzed trends in the prevalence and burden of blindness and vision loss over time using joinpoint regression, and analyzed their independent effects on blindness and vision loss in three dimensions using age-period-cohort (APC) modeling. Results: The prevalence of blindness and vision loss among adolescents in the WPR showed an increasing trend between 1990 and 2019 (AAPC: 0.56%) and a slight increase in YLD (AAPC: 0.11%). The joinpoint regression showed a decreasing trend after 2017 (AAPC: -2.45%). The prevalence and burden trended downward in most Western Pacific countries, with only China rising significantly (AAPC prevalence: 0.57%). Refractive disorders had the highest prevalence among the subgroups. The risk of blindness and vision loss in adolescents reduced with age but grew later in time and at later birth. In addition, prevalence and burden were generally higher in females than males. Conclusions: In the context of a declining global trend in the prevalence and burden of blindness and vision loss among adolescents, there is an increasing trend among adolescents in WPR, with the most pronounced rise in China. This finding has important implications for WPR, suggesting that more attention should be given to adolescent eye health in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The bioeconomy, an evolving concept promoting sustainable use of renewable biological resources, confronts the challenge of balancing growth and sustainability across sectors like biotechnology, agriculture, and forestry. This study aims to elucidate the bioeconomy's dynamic nature, constructing a comprehensive theoretical model addressing these complexities. Methodology: Through an extensive literature review, foundational elements for this model were identified: defining the core concept, delineating relevant variables, specifying assumptions and parameters, and depicting relationships through equations or diagrams. Special attention was given to integrating Georgescu-Roegen's insights, emphasizing causal links, state variables, measurement scales, and validation plans. Results: The model incorporates Georgescu-Roegen's insights, highlighting the importance of clearly defining the bioeconomy for a comprehensive understanding. The proposed model leverages variables, assumptions, and equations within Georgescu-Roegen's framework, serving as a crucial tool for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders. This approach facilitates research structuring, informed decision-making, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Conclusion: By addressing the bioeconomy's evolution, and cross-sectional boundaries, and adopting a broader perspective, this study contributes to policy development for a more sustainable and integrated bioeconomy. Based on empirical knowledge, this model provides not only a solid theoretical framework but also practical guidelines for advancing toward a balanced and resilient bioeconomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial for the 30th anniversary edition of the journal "Environment & History." The editorial reflects on the history and achievements of the journal since its founding in 1994. It highlights the journal's global coverage, commitment to interdisciplinary research, and efforts to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in the field of environmental history. The editorial also introduces the contents of the special anniversary issue, which includes articles on various regions and topics, showcasing the scope and range of environmental history. The document concludes with a discussion of the future direction of the journal, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives and interdisciplinary collaboration. [Extracted from the article]

This article examines coloniality of research and discusses the theoretical foundations, ethical imperatives, and practical ways for conducting decolonial research for justice. It emphasises the need to shift away from research paradigms and approaches that perpetuate coloniality to a commitment to embracing the complexities and challenges of conducting decolonial research. The article contributes to the broader discourse on decolonising knowledge production. Drawing on the works of scholars addressing disobedient and defiant research, the article advocates for transformative decolonial praxis, suggesting the need to reimagine research and displace the hegemony and dominance of Western knowledge systems, which marginalise and delegitimise other epistemological traditions. Beyond critiquing coloniality embedded within research, the article proposes practical ways to inform anti-colonial, anti-racist and anti-oppressive research practice. It argues that decolonial research requires defiance and resistance against non-relational, hierarchical, and extractive practices, involving critical examination of assumptions and values, centring non-Western voices and perspectives, dismantling coloniality and working towards social and epistemic justice in solidarity with Indigenous and other historically marginalised and oppressed groups. It calls researchers to integrate decolonial principles and frameworks into their research practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In order to attain the ambitious 95-95-95 UNAIDS goals, HIV testing serves as the pivotal starting point and plays a crucial role in preventing, treating, and managing HIV. Equal access to HIV testing is crucial to stop the spread of the virus. Measuring healthcare disparities is vital for promoting fairness in health services and achieving global goals for HIV prevention and treatment. Ethiopia is actively engaged in efforts to achieve these goals and is dedicated to combating HIV/AIDS. To the best of our knowledge, no previous systematic review or meta-analysis has been conducted on sociodemographic inequalities in prenatal HIV testing in Ethiopia. Hence, this study aims to assess sociodemographic inequalities in prenatal HIV testing in Ethiopia. Methods: We conducted an extensive search across various databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Embase, to collect articles and reports. The data we gathered was then exported to R software for further analysis. Our analysis involved performing a meta-analysis of proportions using a random effect model. To assess the variability among the included studies, we used statistical measures such as I2 statistics and the Cochran's Q test. The results of the pooled prenatal HIV testing, along with its corresponding 95% confidence interval, were presented using a forest plot. Results: A comprehensive analysis of 20 research papers on prenatal HIV testing in Ethiopia revealed that the overall pooled prevalence of testing was 69% (95% CI [60.0–80.0]). Factors such as higher education, urban residence, income, a positive attitude towards testing, marriage, and discussions about testing during antenatal care (ANC) were found to positively influence testing rates. Conclusion: The prevalence of prenatal HIV testing among antenatal care attendees in Ethiopia falls short of the UNAIDS target. In order to enhance the testing rates, it is advised to implement targeted initiatives within Ethiopia's public health programs. To ensure effectiveness, these initiatives should adopt a sustainable and customized approach that takes into account the specific needs and circumstances of women, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged. Ethiopia can make significant strides in enhancing the prenatal HIV testing landscape by effectively implementing policies and programs that prioritize the welfare of the less privileged. Limitations: As limitation this systematic review did not include longitudinal and qualitative studies that might have provided different results. Clinical trial registration: Trial registration in PROSPERO with ID: CRD42024550564. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have shown potential to improve maternal and child health outcomes in Africa, but their effectiveness depends on specific interventions, context, and implementation quality. Challenges such as limited infrastructure, low digital literacy, and sustainability need to be addressed. Further evaluation studies are essential to summarize the impact of mHealth interventions. Thus, this synthesis focuses on qualitative evidence of the impact of mHealth on maternal and child health in Africa to summarize such evidence to help policy decisions. Methods: A qualitative systematic review guided by the concepts of Intervention, Context, Mechanism, and Outcome (ICAMO) was employed in this study. The GRADE CERQual assessment and methodological constraints tools were utilized in the review to ascertain the level of confidence in the evidence and to examine the methodological limitations. The JBI checklist for qualitative research appraisal was also consulted during the review. Results: The current review contains 32 eligible studies from databases such as CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, HINARI, and Cochrane Library. The review demonstrated substantial improvements in the HCP-woman relationship, communication system, maternal and child healthcare uptake, health-seeking behavior, and HCP skills. Economic capacities, maternal education, and the low quality of existing services challenged participants. Conclusion: mHealth significantly improves maternal and child health outcomes in Africa. This review showed it can improve healthcare access, empower women, and contribute to the region's goal of universal health coverage. However, the challenges such as low partner support, high costs for services, and poor quality of current care as narrated by women need commitment from health authorities in the continent. The evidence from this review suggests that mHealth can be implemented to improve maternal and child health in Africa. Trial registration: PROSPERO: CRD42023461425. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Childhood malnutrition is a complex issue with a range of contributing factors. The consequences of malnutrition are severe, particularly for children. This study aims to identify the factors contributing to inequality gaps in childhood malnutrition. Our study provides insights into modifiable elements to inform interventions targeted at distinct contexts and populations to improve child nutrition. Methods: This study utilized data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) of 27 countries. First, the risk differences (RDs) between the prevalence of childhood malnutrition among the determinant variables, household income, and maternal education categories were calculated. The Blinder‒Oaxaca decomposition was subsequently used to determine the extent to which the difference in childhood malnutrition prevalence between low-income and high-income groups and maternal education levels results from the contributory effects of the explanatory variables: child and maternal individual-level compositional factors. Results: We examined data from 138,782 children in 27 countries from 2015 to 2020. The prevalence of childhood malnutrition (10.5%) varied across countries, ranging from 6.5% in Burundi to 29.5% in Timor Leste. On average, the prevalence of childhood malnutrition was 11.0% in low-income households and 10.7% among mothers without education. Some nations had pro-low-income (i.e., malnutrition concentrated among children from poor households) or pro-no-maternal education (i.e., malnutrition concentrated among children from mothers with no formal education) inequality in childhood malnutrition, but most did not. We found a complex interplay of compositional effects, such as the child's age, maternal education, maternal health behavior, and place of residence, that influence the inequality in childhood malnutrition rates across 10 pro-low-income countries. In addition, we also found that a complex mix of compositional effects, such as the household wealth index, maternal health behavior, and maternal age, contribute to childhood malnutrition inequality between educated and uneducated mothers across the 7 pro-no maternal education countries. Conclusion: The prevalence of childhood malnutrition varies among low-income, high-income, and no maternal education-maternal education groups. This study highlights the need for a country-specific approach to addressing childhood malnutrition, with policies and interventions tailored to each country's specific context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]