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Background: Systematic counseling on behavioral health risk factors (HRFs) may be suitable to promote health among general hospital patients. This study aimed to investigate the openness of patients towards systematic screening and intervention of HRFs, its relation to actual participation in a multi-behavioral intervention, and whether socio-economic characteristics, HRFs and health indicators are related to approval. Methods: All 18- to 64-year-old patients hospitalized in five medical departments at the University Medicine Hospital Greifswald in Germany were asked between May and July 2022 to participate in a survey and in a subsequent pre-post intervention study. Among all eligible patients, 225 (78.9%) participated in the survey. Patients' approval of systematic screening and intervention of HRFs was assessed using five statements with a total sum score of 0–20 (i.e., scores of 0–6, 7–13, 14–20 referring to low, medium and high approval). Associations with intervention participation, socio-economic, behavioral and health-related patient characteristics were analyzed using logistic and multivariable linear regression analyses. Results: The mean total approval of screening and intervention was 13.8 (SD = 4.8). Of the 125/ 73/ 16 patients with high/ medium/ low approval, 88.0%/ 78.1%/ 50.0% participated in the subsequent intervention, respectively. Approval was independent of socio-demographic and -economic characteristics and self-rated general health. Current tobacco smoking was the only HRF negatively (p = 0.02) and diabetes mellitus was the only disease positively (p = 0.01) associated with approval. Conclusion: High approval of HRF screening, which was rather independent of socio-economic characteristics and worse self-rated general health, speaks in favor of proactively approaching and motivating all general hospital patients to participate in health behavior change intervention. Tobacco smokers might need higher efforts to motivate participation than non-smokers. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT05365269 on May 9, 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined sex differences for health risk factors as potential mediators in the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Secondary data from the 2012–2013 National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave 3 was used. This cross-sectional survey contains a nationally representative sample of 36,309 U.S. adults (n females = 20,447, M age = 47.16, 95% CI = [46.74, 47,57]; n males = 15,682, M age = 45.88, 95% CI = [45.42, 46.34]). Natural effect models and logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate health risk factors (smoking, substance use, low physical activity, high body mass index [BMI], binge eating, and multiple health risk factors) as potential mediators for the PTSD-CVD relationship in females and males. High BMI (indirect AOR = 1.05, 95% CI = [1.02, 1.07]) and substance use (indirect AOR = 0.93, 95% CI = [0.88, 0.98], p = 0.005) were potential mediators in females and males respectively. Binge eating, smoking, and low physical activity were not mediators in either sex. The number of health risk factors was also a potential mediator in females (indirect AOR = 1.12, 95% CI = [1.07, 1.19], p = <0.001) though not males (indirect AOR = 1.09, 95% CI = [1.00, 1.19], p =.059). The results inform prevention strategies, such as screening for health risk factors to mitigate the adverse effect of PTSD on CVD risk. Findings also inform important directions for future longitudinal research to establish causal pathways. • BMI and substance use were potential mediators in females and males, respectively. • Binge eating, smoking and low physical activity did not mediate the PTSD-CVD relationship. • The number of health risk factors was a potential mediator in females, though not males. • Screening for health risk factors may help to mitigate the adverse effect of PTSD on CVD risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following article focuses on health education in Bulgarian schools. A systematic health education was conducted during onе school term among 71 children on current health issues directly related to the health and health behavior of adolescents. The following methods were used: traditional (lectures, conversations, discussions, individual tasks), non-traditional (debate) and interactive (role-playing games, sports activities, educational films etc.) pedagogical methods aimed at developing skills in adolescents in order to recognize and avoid health risk factors. The application of non-traditional and interactive methods of health education in schools in accordance with children’s age and interests is effective, which was proven by a comparative analysis of the level of knowledge and point of view of the particular group before and after the classes. It is necessary to introduce the methods into the education process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Systematic counseling on behavioral health risk factors (HRFs) may be suitable to promote health among general hospital patients. This study aimed to investigate the openness of patients towards systematic screening and intervention of HRFs, its relation to actual participation in a multi-behavioral intervention, and whether socio-economic characteristics, HRFs and health indicators are related to approval. Methods All 18- to 64-year-old patients hospitalized in five medical departments at the University Medicine Hospital Greifswald in Germany were asked between May and July 2022 to participate in a survey and in a subsequent pre-post intervention study. Among all eligible patients, 225 (78.9%) participated in the survey. Patients’ approval of systematic screening and intervention of HRFs was assessed using five statements with a total sum score of 0–20 (i.e., scores of 0–6, 7–13, 14–20 referring to low, medium and high approval). Associations with intervention participation, socio-economic, behavioral and health-related patient characteristics were analyzed using logistic and multivariable linear regression analyses. Results The mean total approval of screening and intervention was 13.8 (SD = 4.8). Of the 125/ 73/ 16 patients with high/ medium/ low approval, 88.0%/ 78.1%/ 50.0% participated in the subsequent intervention, respectively. Approval was independent of socio-demographic and -economic characteristics and self-rated general health. Current tobacco smoking was the only HRF negatively (p = 0.02) and diabetes mellitus was the only disease positively (p = 0.01) associated with approval. Conclusion High approval of HRF screening, which was rather independent of socio-economic characteristics and worse self-rated general health, speaks in favor of proactively approaching and motivating all general hospital patients to participate in health behavior change intervention. Tobacco smokers might need higher efforts to motivate participation than non-smokers. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT05365269 on May 9, 2022.

Abstract Background Conflicts, natural disasters, and complex emergencies present substantial health challenges to United Nations (UN) peacekeepers deployed in mission areas. This scoping review aims at summarizing previous research on the health of UN peacekeepers and identifies issues for further investigation. Methods Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for Scoping Reviews, we systematically searched Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for English and Chinese literature published from April 1997 to November 2023. A data charting form was developed by two reviewers to extract relevant themes and provided narrative descriptions. Results We screened 1079 de-duplicated records and included 143 studies in this scoping review. There were 112 studies on the health status of UN peacekeepers, with more than half on mental health problems such as stress and anxiety. Many studies explored the health status of UN peacekeepers in African countries deployed from mainly U.S., Canada, U.K., China, Australia and Norway. There were 39 studies on the health risk factors of UN peacekeepers, including natural environmental, social environmental, psychological, behavioral lifestyle, biological factors and health service factors. There were 62 articles on the health protection of UN peacekeepers, mainly based on previous deployment experience, with a lack of theoretical guidance from global health perspectives. This scoping review found that health problems of UN peacekeepers are complicated, and whose impacts are cross-border. Social environmental factors were explored the most among health risk factors. Disease prevention measures, medical and health measures, and psychosocial measures were the main health protection for UN peacekeepers. Conclusions This scoping review highlighted that health problems of UN peacekeepers were typical global health issues with complicated and cross-border health risk factors. Therefore, comprehensive strategies could be taken from global health perspectives, including multi-phases (before-deployment, during-deployment, and post-deployment), multi-disciplines (public health, medicine, politics, health diplomacy, and others), and multi-levels (the UN, host countries, troop-contributing countries, the UN peacekeeping team, and UN peacekeepers).

Introduction: Health knowledge is a basis for building a positive attitude towards health and a prerequisite for the formation of healthy behavior in adolescents. The aim of the present study is to compare the results of the level of knowledge, skills and attitudes for a healthy lifestyle among school-children aged 10-19 years in the year of 2014 and the year of 2020, with a view to enhancing the efficacy of intervention activities for health promotion and prevention of chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Material and methods: Data were used from the National Survey of Health Risk Factors among the Population in the Republic of Bulgaria in 2014, with 530 children covered, and the National Survey from 2020 with 513 children. The samples are from all districts in the country, determined randomly on the basis of lists from the data sets of the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC). Students included in the nests were selected randomly; a WHO standardized questionnaire was used. The statistical processing of the data was performed with the software product SPSS. Results: An insufficient level of students‘ knowledge, skills and attitudes towards healthy lifestyle issues is established. In both surveys, over 80% of children believe that health information should be offered at school, 2/3 of students support the idea of having a lesson dedicated to health issues. More than half of respondents prefer to get reliable health information provided by a primary care doctor. Conclusion: The obtained data determine the need to undertake more effective intervention activities to improve the health knowledge, attitudes, skills and habits in adolescents in the context of family and school environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The review analyzes health risk behaviors of Russians in the ‘pre-pandemic’ (2018–2019), ‘pandemic’ (2020–2021) and ‘post-pandemic’ (2022) periods. Risk behaviors of Russians have been studied in dynamics relying on the secondary analysis of the longitudinal database of the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey of the National Research University Higher School of Economics; also, factors able to induce changes in them have been established. Evidence is provided to prove a multidirectional dynamics in risk behaviors among Russians during the COVID-19 pandemic: there was a decrease in medical and physical activities along with conditionally stable alcohol and tobacco consumption Men, people younger than 35, and those who did not have children were established to be less active in their interactions with official healthcare organizations and less concerned about their health. A size of a settlement where respondents resided had certain influence on their physical activity (more than 80 % of rural residents pointed out they did not do sports regularly). Addictive behaviors depended on sex, age, and having a partner: men and those respondents who were either married or cohabitated with a partner smoked and drank alcohol much more often. Certain socio-demographic groups tended to replace health protection practices with risky behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women, elderly people and single people tended to become less active as regards healthcare (and many of them remained non-active in the post-pandemic period). In addition to that, single respondents tended to become less physically active during eh pandemic. Addictive behaviors were more typical for men and employed people. Based on the obtained empirical data, the ‘pandemic’ period is described as a stage that does not facilitate occurrence and maintenance of greater adherence to health protection behavior among Russian citizens. Given low levels of trust in the public healthcare and high anxiety, lower medical activity of population has become an entrenched risk behavior pattern as regards health during the ‘post-pandemic’ period as well. It seems highly advisable to develop effective complex programs on health protection for different population groups including those aimed at making healthcare more available, conducting relevant preventing activities, and raising people’s awareness about value of health and ways to protect it.

Introduction: Physical activity is a health risk factor and an important public health issue. In childhood, low physical activity exerts a negative impact on normal physical and mental development, which is a prerequisite for diseases later in life. The aim of the present study is to perform a comparative analysis of the results for the physical activity levels in children aged 10-19 years in 2014 and in 2020, with a view to stepping up interventions in the field of health promotion and chronic NCD prevention. Material and methods: Data from both the National Survey of Health Risk Factors among the Population in the Republic of Bulgaria – 2014 and the National Survey – 2020 were used, comprising 530 and 513 children, respectively. The samples were from all state provinces, selected randomly on the basis of lists from the information array of the Ministry of Education and Science. The students included in the clusters were also randomly selected; a standardized WHO questionnaire was used. Statistical data processing was performed using SPSS software package. Results: Both studies found that every third student practiced sports once a week, while 29.7% and 31.3% - less often or not at all, with the share of the girls being almost twice as high as that of the boys. In both sexes, less physically active were the children aged 15- 19 years (34.5% and 39.9% for 2014 and 24.2% and 46% for 2020, respectively), being more evident among the girls. 7.6% of the respondents in 2014 and 9.6% in 2020 did not engage in sports or other physical activity during their leisure time, including due to illness or disability, with the proportion of the girls significantly exceeding that of the boys. Conclusion: The outcomes indicate the need to undertake more effective intervention activities to increase physical activity of adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Public health measures necessary to mitigate the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impacted lifestyles and health practices. This multiyear cohort analysis of U.S. working-aged adults aims to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on metabolic syndrome and explores contributing factors. Methods: This longitudinal study (n = 19,543) evaluated year-to-year changes in metabolic syndrome and cardiometabolic risk factors through employer-sponsored annual health assessment before and during the COVID-19 pandemic using logistic mixed-effects model. Results: From prepandemic to pandemic (2019 to 2020), prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased by 3.5% for men and 3.0% for women, across all ethnic groups. This change was mainly driven by increased fasting glucose (7.3%) and blood pressure (5.2%). The increased risk of metabolic syndrome was more likely to occur in individuals with an elevated body mass index (BMI) combined with insufficient sleep or physical activity. Conclusions: Cardiometabolic risk increased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with before the pandemic in a working-aged adult population, more so for those with a high BMI, unhealthy sleep, and low physical activity practices. Given this observation, identification of risk and intervention (including lifestyle and medical) is increasingly necessary to reduce the cardiovascular and metabolic risk, and improve working-aged population health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yi Zhang,1,2 Yulin Zhang,3,&ast; Li Zhu,4,&ast; Zixiang Yu,5 Fangting Lu,1 Zhen Wang,1 Qiu Zhang1 1Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China; 3The Second Clinical Medical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Endocrinology, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China; 5The First Clinical Medical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Qiu Zhang, Department of Endocrinology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, People’s Republic of China, Email zhangqiu@ahmu.edu.cnIntroduction: Obesity in adults is a problem, particularly when paired with other metabolic abnormalities. Previous research have linked various screening approaches to diabetes, but additional evidence points to the relevance of combining diabetes screening methods with obesity and its effects. This research examined the impact of thyroid hormones (TSHs) and health risk factors (HRFs) in screening for obesity and diabetes in Chinese populations, and whether age can modulate this association.Methods: From March to July 2022, the Hefei Community Health Service Center connected with the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University was chosen, and the multi-stage cluster sample approach was utilized to test adults aged 21– 90 in each community. Latent category analysis (LCA) was performed to investigate the clustering patterns of HRFs. A one-way ANOVA was used to examine waist circumference (WC), biochemical markers, and general data. Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to investigate the relationship between health risk variables and WC.Results: A total of 750 individuals without a history of major problems who had a community health physical examination were chosen, with missing data greater than 5% excluded. Finally, 708 samples were included in the study with an effective rate of 94.4%. The average WC was (90.0± 10.33) cm, the prevalence in the >P75, P50~P75, P25~P50, and ≤P25 groups were 24.7%, 18.9%, 28.7% and 27.7%, respectively. The average TSH was (2.76± 2.0) μIU/mL. Male (β=1.91), HOMA-IR (β=0.06), TyG (β=2.41), SBP (β=0.08), TG (β=0.94) and UA (β=0.03) were more likely to have a higher prevalence of WC level. The analyses revealed significant correlations between HRFs, TSH, age, other metabolic indexes and WC (P < 0.05).Discussion: Our findings suggest that the quality of metabolic-related indicators used to successfully decrease diabetes in Chinese individuals with high HRFs levels should be prioritized. Comprehensive indicators might be a useful and practical way for measuring the metabolic evolution of diabetes level levels.Keywords: health risk factors, diabetes mellitus, metabolic indicators, TSH, WC, diabesity

Athletes need to consume a significant amount of energy during prolonged training and in high-intensity competition. It is necessary for them to take nutritional foods that recharge their bodies. However, in sporting events of recent years, both domestic and international, many positive drug tests are found to be caused by the ingestion of foods that contain performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). As a result, the prevention and control of PEDs in food supply have drawn increasing attention. For better prevention and control, the first step is to understand the food contaminants -- PEDs. This study has categorized PEDs through their presence in animal-derived foods, plant-derived foods, and synthetic nutritional supplements in competitive sports. It investigates the potential risks of foodborne doping using techniques such as external addition and endogenous component analysis. This research explored the causes of PEDs in food and their negative effects on athletes and proposed measures to ensure the safety of nutritional substances in competitive sports. PEDs in animal-derived foods include β-adrenergic agonists, anabolic steroids, and glucocorticoids, which can be found in meat and ox penis, amongst other food sources. In contrast, PEDs in plant-derived foods include alkaloids, higenamine, and zeranol, which can be found in coffee, tea, Sichuan pepper, custard apple, and cereal. Performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) that are often added to synthetic supplements include creatine, traditional Chinese herbs, 1, 3-dimethylbutylamine (DMAA), sibutramine, ephedrine, and methylhexanamine. Targeted anti-doping training should be provided to athletes. In addition, the latest domestic and international standards and regulations regarding PEDs or prohibited and restricted ingredients in foods should be tracked in real-time. The control list for performance-enhancing drugs in food should be continually updated and refined. Research on detection methods for performance-enhancing drugs in food should also be advanced. Moreover, market surveillance and law enforcement should be strengthened to ensure that sports foods meet national safety standards before they enter the market. This paper provides workable solutions to clarify the types and scope of performance-enhancing drugs in food, aiming to improve the prevention and control of PEDs in animal-derived foods, plant-derived foods, and supplements in major sporting events.

At the group level, children exposed to certain health and demographic risk factors, and who have delayed language in early childhood are, more likely to have language problems later in childhood. However, it is unclear whether we can use these risk factors to predict whether an individual child is likely to develop problems with language (e.g., be diagnosed with a developmental language disorder). We tested this in a sample of 146 children who took part in the UK-CDI norming project. When the children were 15-18 months old, 1,210 British parents completed: (a) the UK-CDI (a detailed assessment of vocabulary and gesture use) and (b) the Family Questionnaire (questions about health and demographic risk factors). When the children were between 4 and 6 years, 146 of the same parents completed a short questionnaire that assessed (a) whether children had been diagnosed with a disability that was likely to affect language proficiency (e.g., developmental disability, language disorder, hearing impairment), but (b) also yielded a broader measure: whether the child's language had raised any concern, either by a parent or professional. Discriminant function analyses were used to assess whether we could use different combinations of 10 risk factors, together with early vocabulary and gesture scores, to identify children (a) who had developed a language-related disability by the age of 4-6 years (20 children, 13.70% of the sample) or (b) for whom concern about language had been expressed (49 children; 33.56%). The overall accuracy of the models, and the specificity scores were high, indicating that the measures correctly identified those children without a language-related disability and whose language was not of concern. However, sensitivity scores were low, indicating that the models could not identify those children who were diagnosed with a language-related disability or whose language was of concern. Several exploratory analyses were carried out to analyse these results further. Overall, the results suggest that it is difficult to use parent reports of early risk factors and language in the first 2 years of life to predict which children are likely to be diagnosed with a language-related disability. Possible reasons for this are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older adult maltreatment (OAM) is a global problem that has attracted increasing attention due to the ageing population and its severe impact on victim health. Thus, this study aims to analyse the prevalence of certain health conditions in people ≥ 60 years old whom physicians from a local healthcare unit suspected to be victims of maltreatment. The specific objectives are to determine the prevalence rates of health-related risk factors, traumatic injuries and intoxications, mental disorders, and physical disorders. We conducted a real-world, retrospective, observational, and cross-sectional study based on secondary data analyses of electronic health records and healthcare registers of patients at the Local Healthcare Unit of Matosinhos (2001–2021). Information was obtained based on codes from the International Classification of Diseases, codes from the International Classification of Primary Care, and clinical notes (according to previously defined keywords). We identified 3092 suspected victims of OAM, representing 4.5% of the total population analysed. This prevalence is lower than the known rates. We also found that some health risk factors, traumatic injuries and intoxications, mental health disorders, and physical disorders presented higher rates in the suspected victims than among the total population. In this age group, we cannot assume that these health problems are only related to a possible current victimisation process; they could also be associated with adverse childhood experiences or intimate partner violence, among other forms of violence, all of which can lead to cumulative effects on the victim's health. This evidence increases healthcare providers' responsibility in detecting and reporting all cases of suspected maltreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Lockdown, as a measure implemented to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, left many domestic violence (DV) victims trapped with their abusers. This study intends to explore the links between perceived stress, substance use and socio-demographic factors with DV experiences during COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 1062 participants over 16 years old, residing in Portugal. Data were collected through an online survey conducted between April and October 2020. The associations between potential factors and DV were investigated using bivariable analysis and multivariable logistic regression. Results The prevalence of DV reported was 13.75% (n  = 146), disaggregated into psychological violence (13%, n  = 138), sexual violence (1.0%, n  = 11) and physical violence (0.9%, n  = 10). Multivariable analyses confirmed that perceived financial difficulties (OR = 1.608; P = 0.019), use of medications to sleep or calm down (OR = 1.851; P = 0.002) and perceived stress (OR = 2.443; P = 0.003) were responsible for DV exposure during COVID-19 pandemic. Younger age (<25 years old) and consumption of alcohol were associated with a higher risk of DV victimization. Conclusions Interventions aimed at preventing and confronting DV are necessary within the strategies to combat COVID-19 in Portugal, especially aimed at groups in vulnerable situations, during and after the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary school should create favorable conditions for schoolchildren. The aim of the study was to comparatively analyze risk factors related to the educational process in different schools and to develop a new approach to objective assessment of combined exposure to environmental factors and factors related to the educational process and its influence on schoolchildren’s health. The study focused on the following research objects: 1) five different secondary schools, the test ones providing profound educational programs and the reference ones being ordinary secondary schools with the same or lower levels of pollution in environmental objects; 2) quality of components in the school environment (organization of the educational process, quality of meals provided by school, quality of ambient air on a school territory and inside a school, quality of drinking water, socioeconomic conditions); 3) health of 756 schoolchildren. The study was conducted by using sanitary-epidemiological, sanitary-hygienic and sociological methods; clinical and laboratory examinations; chemical analytical tests. Fuzzy logic was applied to estimate combined influence exerted by factors related to the educational process and environmental factors. We established several determinants of negative effects produced by the educational process on schoolchildren’s health. They included elevated intensity and monotony of educational and intellectual loads, shorter breaks between classes and recovery index deficiency. Diet-related factors included excess consumption of fats and carbohydrates, overall caloric contents being too high, protein and micronutrient deficiency. Chemical factors were elevated levels of metals, aromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and chlorinated organic compounds in biological media. Risk-inducing factors of schoolchildren, regardless of a school and age, include organization of the educational process (Ipj = 0.45–0.58) and school meals (Ipj = 0.41–0.54); the group potential hazard index for these factors reached its peak values in primary school (Ipj = 0.49–0.58 and Ipj = 0.46–0.54). The maximum value of the integral potential hazard index (Ipdk = 0.41–0.46) caused by combined exposure to factors related to the educational process and environmental factors, regardless of a school type, was detected in senior schoolchildren in school with profound studies of natural sciences (Ipdk = 0.41); the minimum value was detected in a military school (Ipdk = 0.33).

The article dwells on climatic and chemical risk factors that influence health of people living in the RF arctic and sub-arctic regions on population and sub-population levels. We used a model describing cause-effect relations between environmental factors and life expectancy at birth based on an artificial neural network to predict a future medical and demographic situation in territories with arctic and sub-arctic climate in the RF. Children’s health was examined profoundly due to a participating representative sampling. We comparatively analyzed clinical, biochemical and general clinical indicators in the test and reference groups using standard statistical procedures and statistical software packages. We established that average monthly temperatures in July grew on average by 3.4 % over 2010–2019 on the examined territories in the RF; precipitations in January and July grew by 13.0–15.1 %. The article presents differentiated estimates of emerging influence on life expectancy at birth (LEB) exerted by weather and climatic conditions on the analyzed territories with arctic and sub-arctic climate. Losses in LEB vary from 164 days in Yakutia to 349 days in Chukotka. Aggregated influence of weather and climatic factors in the arctic and sub-arctic zones in 2010–2019 produced variable effects on LEB, starting from negative ones that resulted in its decline in the Magadan region, the Nenets Autonomous Area, Chukotka, and the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area (-254; -211; -109 and -8 days accordingly) and to positive ones that led to the growth in LEB by up to 111 days in Yakutia. Children who are simultaneously exposed to adverse weather and climatic factors in the sub-arctic zone and substantial chemical pollution in ambient air have more frequent and more apparent negative changes in their health indicators in comparison with children from the reference group. Thus, respiratory diseases and diseases of the nervous system were by 5.6 times more frequent in the test group; levels of leukocytes, ESR, TSH, Apo-B and Apo-B/ApoA1 in blood were by 1.3–1.7 times higher, р = 0.0001. Levels of Apo A1, hydrocortisone, and serotonin in blood were by 1.2–2.5 times lower, р = 0.0001–0.040, etc. A share contribution made by chemical factors to associated respiratory diseases and diseases of the nervous system amounted to 25–31 %; adverse climatic factors, 10–15 % .

At the group level, children exposed to certain health and demographic risk factors, and who have delayed language in early childhood are, more likely to have language problems later in childhood. However, it is unclear whether we can use these risk factors to predict whether an individual child is likely to develop problems with language (e.g., be diagnosed with a developmental language disorder). We tested this in a sample of 146 children who took part in the UK-CDI norming project. When the children were 15–18 months old, 1,210 British parents completed: (a) the UK-CDI (a detailed assessment of vocabulary and gesture use) and (b) the Family Questionnaire (questions about health and demographic risk factors). When the children were between 4 and 6 years, 146 of the same parents completed a short questionnaire that assessed (a) whether children had been diagnosed with a disability that was likely to affect language proficiency (e.g., developmental disability, language disorder, hearing impairment), but (b) also yielded a broader measure: whether the child’s language had raised any concern, either by a parent or professional. Discriminant function analyses were used to assess whether we could use different combinations of 10 risk factors, together with early vocabulary and gesture scores, to identify children (a) who had developed a language-related disability by the age of 4–6 years (20 children, 13.70% of the sample) or (b) for whom concern about language had been expressed (49 children; 33.56%). The overall accuracy of the models, and the specificity scores were high, indicating that the measures correctly identified those children without a language-related disability and whose language was not of concern. However, sensitivity scores were low, indicating that the models could not identify those children who were diagnosed with a language-related disability or whose language was of concern. Several exploratory analyses were carried out to analyse these results further. Overall, the results suggest that it is difficult to use parent reports of early risk factors and language in the first 2 years of life to predict which children are likely to be diagnosed with a language-related disability. Possible reasons for this are discussed.

The article discusses the health status of different age groups: children, adolescents and adults. Issues related to the development of pathological processes in terms of some occupational diseases are discussed. The influence of various factors on the state of health of the population, in particular, physical activity, conditions and nature of nutrition, is revealed. Attention is focused on the role of the health care system in maintaining the health of the population at the proper level. It is noted that the fundamental condition for the proper organization of a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a high level of health is the creation of a coordinated system of various state and public organizations that optimally interact with each other

Objectives: To investigate the co-occurrence of 4 behavioral health risk factors (BHRFs), namely tobacco smoking, alcohol at-risk drinking, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet and their association with sick days prior to hospitalization in general hospital patients.Methods: Over 10 weeks (11/2020-04/2021), all 18-64-year-old patients admitted to internal medicine, general and trauma surgery, and otorhinolaryngology wards of a tertiary care hospital were systematically approached. Among 355 eligible patients, 278 (78.3%) participated, and 256 (72.1%) were analyzed. Three BHRF sum scores were determined, including current tobacco smoking, alcohol use, physical inactivity and 1 of 3 indicators of unhealthy diet. Associations between BHRF sum scores and sick days in the past 6 months were analyzed using multivariate zero-inflated negative binomial regressions.Results: Sixty-two percent reported multiple BHRFs (≥2). The BHRF sum score was related to the number of sick days if any (p = 0.009) with insufficient vegetable and fruit intake as diet indicator.Conclusion: The majority of patients disclosed multiple BHRFs. These were associated with sick days prior to admission. The findings support the need to implement interventions targeting multiple BHRFs in general hospitals.

Given wide spread of nanomaterials, it seems vital to estimate and predict changes in internal organs tissues under exposure to metal-containing nanoparticles that are risk factors causing negative effects occurring in critical organs and systems. It requires revealing objective procedures that can be used to quantitatively assess risks of pathologic changes in tissues that at present have only qualitative properties. Our research goal was to quantitatively assess risks of lung diseases occurrence in rats exposed to metal-containing nanoparticles (exemplified by nano-sized CuO) using image analyzing procedures. We examined toxic effects produced by nano-disperse CuO (45.86 nm) under inhalation (a single and 14-day multiple) exposure and oral exposure (for 20 days); the experiment was performed on male Wistar rats (60 animals). Exposed animals were divided into 5 groups, 12 animals in each (group 1, a single inhalation exposure; group 2, multiple inhalation exposure; group 3, oral exposure; groups 4 and 5 were exposed to bi-distilled water in a similar way, via inhalation and orally). When analyzing tissue images, we estimated first-, second- and third-order elements. Statistical significance of differences was estimated with Mann-Whitney U-test. Quantitative risk assessment (R) was performed taking into account probability (p) and severity (q) of pathomorphological changes in tissues. We established that pathomorphological disorders might occur in lung tissue taking into account identification of all elements in all images for all experimental groups; the probability varied from 0.16 to 1.2. The total risk of lung diseases amounted to 1.0⋅10-3 (average risk) under single inhalation exposure to a concentration equal to 0.001СL50; multiple inhalation exposure, 8.1⋅10-3 (high risk, oral exposure to a dose equal to 0.1LD50, 2.5⋅10- 2(high risk). Therefore, image analysis allows quantitatively assessing risks of diseases in critical organs and systems caused by exposure to metal-containing nanoparticles.

Introduction: Interventions to reduce risky alcohol use are a priority in all clinical settings, including the hospital setting. Objectives: To describe the sociodemographic, family, and clinical characteristics of people who drink at risky levels in a university hospital, and to evaluate the association between these factors and their intention to reduce alcohol use, measured according to the stage of behavioral change they are at, which is referred to in this study as “intention to change”. Materials and methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in 176 patients between 19 and 64 years-old classified as risky drinkers (according to AUDIT score) who underwent a surgical or a diagnostic procedure in a quaternary care hospital in Bogotá, Colombia, between April 2018 and March 2020. Bivariate (chi-square) and multivariate (ordinal logistic regression) analyses were performed to evaluate associations between independent variables (sociodemographic, family, clinical, and alcohol use-related characteristics) and intention to change. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were calculated, and a significance level of p

Background: Though quarantine is a pertinent control measure for the spread of COVID-19, it is equally important to consider its negative impacts, as it causes severe psychological, emotional, and financial problems not only for those who are quarantined but also for many others who are directly or indirectly connected to those who are quarantined. There appears to be a need to synthesise the available literature evidence on the psychological impact of quarantine experience, especially the multilevel risk factors that make individuals vulnerable to psychological impact and the protective factors to deal with the negative effects of quarantine. Objective: This systematic review attempted to identify the various psychological impacts associated with the experience of quarantine, the risk and protective factors and list out various psycho-social interventions that can minimise the risks and facilitate the protective factors associated with the experience of quarantine. Methods: A systematic search adhering to the PRISMA guidelines was performed in four databases PubMed, Scopus, PsycNet, Web of Science and 10518 articles related to COVID-19 and quarantine were obtained. After screening processes and quality assessment using standard checklist 74 articles that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were chosen for the final review. Findings: Individuals subjected to quarantine had anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms, sleep problems, and somatic difficulties. Some of the key risk factors during quarantine are young age, female gender, low money, fear of infection, poor sleep quality, reduced physical activity, increased sedentary behaviours, and a lack of social support. Financial difficulties and stigma remained risk factors even after the quarantine period had ended. Key protective factors were coping skills, home based exercise, leisure, recreational activities, maintaining relationships using social media and availability of mental health services. The findings also highlight the necessity for tele mental health interventions to address the psychological effects of quarantine. Conclusion: Multilevel interventions are required to minimise the impact of risk factors and enhance protective factors.

Organizational changes, such as downsizing, can have profound implications for organizations, working conditions, and individual well-being. Similarly, rapid expansion also carries potential risks to individual health. During the Covid-19 pandemic, airlines experienced substantial organizational changes, such as downsizing and furloughs, followed by rapid expansion during the ramp-up phase of flying, posing risks to the health and safety of aviation personnel in the new post-pandemic aviation landscape. This cross-sectional and mixed-method survey study aimed to identify what post-pandemic challenges pilots (N = 6379) and cabin crew (N = 2679) face regarding working conditions, health, and flight safety. The results indicate deteriorated working conditions, health, and perceived safety among crew in the new aviation landscape. One in two cabin crew and one in three pilots report a decline in mental health. Whilst most pilots and cabin crew report no change in overall safety, 29% of cabin crew and 36% of surveyed pilots state that safety has deteriorated since the onset of the pandemic. This development is connected to an increased sense of industry instability, job insecurity, imbalanced job design, and management distrust among aviation crew. Furthermore, the uncertainties surrounding the industry have not only impacted job security and induced job-related worry but have also intensified operational pressures, with perceived impacts on flight and passenger safety. The organizational framework, e.g., financial pressures, may have an effect on safety, either directly or indirectly by financial worry impeding crew performance. Hence, safety cannot be examined in isolation from employee health but must be understood in relation to the complex dynamics and competing objectives within aviation. Further, crew experiences across Europe are largely homogeneous, suggesting that identified risks may not be airline specific. Therefore, it is important to further examine the industry framework for inherent risk factors that could impact employee health and flight safety. • Crew report deteriorated work conditions, health, and safety post-pandemic. • Financial uncertainty, job imbalances, and management distrust impact crew health. • Financial pressure influence safety directly and, indirectly through crew ill-health. • Safety should not be analyzed in isolation from airlines' organizational context. • Homogenous crew experiences in Europe highlight systematic industry issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Energy drink consumption has been increasing among youth. In this study, we aimed to examine the patterns of energy drink consumption and their relationships with the use of sweetened beverages such as soda and packaged fruit juice as well as alcohol consumption and smoking among college students. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study in which data were collected during the 2018-2019 academic year for 9 months from October to July. Our sample was a random selection of 373 students attending Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. We used logistic regression analysis, chi-square, and independent t-tests for data analysis. Results: Overall, 31.6% of men and 27% of women had consumed energy drinks. Men consumed energy drinks 1.3 times more than women did. Preferring the taste was the most frequent reason (30.8%) for energy drink consumption. Having energy drinks was associated with consumption of sweetened beverages and alcohol (p < .001). The mean consumption of sweetened beverages and alcoholic drinks, and smoking was significantly higher among men than women (p < .05). Conclusion: A sizable percentage of students consumed energy drinks because of the taste. This indicates that they should be informed about the harmful ingredients in these drinks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has demonstrated justice-involved adolescents are at high risk for substance use, acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and engaging in risky sexual practices. Substance use and risky sexual practices have public health consequences and may place youths at risk for other long-term outcomes, such as recidivism. This study utilized data collected at two juvenile assessment centers (JACs) for 4033 adolescents criminally arrested/charged to explore gender (male vs. female) and location (urban JAC vs. rural JAC) group differences in health risk and recidivism. Results indicated a single factor of health risk comprised of biological assay test results for marijuana use and STIs and self-reported number of sexual partners fit the data for each of the groups. This health risk factor significantly predicted recidivism (return to JAC) for urban males and rural females, and near significantly predicted recidivism for rural males. Age and race differences were found in associations with the health risk factor and recidivism. The results confirm that marijuana use and sexual behavior reflect a risk propensity and should be considered when assessing needs for intervention services for justice-involved youths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite significant prevention efforts, the numbers of physically inactive individuals, chronic illnesses, exhaustion syndromes and sick leaves are increasing. A still unresolved problem with exercise promotion is the low participation of sedentary persons. This collective term covers heterogeneous subgroups. Their engagement with movement campaigns and resistance to change are influenced by numerous factors. Our aim was to analyse survey data on health, performance, lifestyle habits and the approachability to physical activity campaigns obtained from the Germany-wide ActIv survey. From 2888 study participants aged 50-60 years, 668 persons were categorised into the subgroups "never-athletes", "sports-dropouts", "always-athletes" and "sports-beginners". Large and significant group differences were found for BMI, assessment of quality of life, health and fitness, risk factors and health problems. In total, 42.5% of "never-athletes" and 32.5% of "sports-dropouts" did not state any barriers to sport. There are substantial disparities between the non-athlete groups in terms of their motivation to exercise. In contrast, there are comparatively minor differences in motivation between "sports-dropouts" and "sports-beginners", whose health and fitness are the primary motivators for sport. Our analyses suggest that (i) negative health and performance trends cannot be compensated for by appeals for voluntary participation in exercise programmes and (ii) powerful incentive systems are required.

Objective: To explore sequential steps of employee engagement in wellness interventions and the impact of wellness interventions on employee health. Methods: Using previously collected survey data from 23,667 UK employees, we tabulated intervention availability, awareness, participation, and associated health improvement and compared engagement by participation and risk status. Results: Employees' awareness of wellness interventions at their workplaces was often low (mean 43.3%, range 11.6%-82.3%). Participation was highest in diet/nutrition initiatives (94.2%) and lowest in alcohol counseling and smoking cessation interventions (2.1%). Employees with health risks were less likely than lower-risk employees to report awareness, participation, and health improvements from wellness interventions addressing the relevant health concern. Conclusion: Employers and policymakers should consider variation in intervention engagement as they plan and implement wellness interventions. Engaging employee populations with higher health risks requires a more targeted approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Carbonated soft drinks consumption is associated with weight gain and other chronic diseases. Aim: To examine whether socio-demographic factors, health risk factors and psychological distress are associated with carbonated soft drink consumption among adolescents in selected senior high schools in Ghana. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2012 Ghana Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS). Participants consisted of 1756 school-going adolescents sampled using a two-stage cluster sampling method. Binomial logistic regression was used to determine whether socio-demographic factors, health risk factors and psychological distress were associated with consumption of soft drinks. Results: The prevalence of carbonated soft drinks consumption was 34.9%. Males (odds ratio (OR) = 0.73 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.59–0.92); p = 0.007), and participants with high socio-economic status (OR = 0.76 (95% CI 0.48–0.97); p = 0.033) had smaller odds for consumption of soft drinks. Also, adolescents in Senior High School (SHS) 3 (OR = 0.72 (95% CI 0.53–0.97); p = 0.034) and SHS 4 (OR = 0.63 (95% CI 0.43–0.91); p = 0.014) had smaller odds for soft drinks intake compared to those in SHS 1. Health risk factors associated with greater odds of high soft drink consumption were tobacco use (OR = 1.68, (95% CI 1.07–2.65); p = 0.025), fast food consumption (OR = 1.88, (95% CI 1.47–2.41); p = 0.011) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.43, (95% CI 1.02–1.99); p = 0.039). Consuming adequate fruit (OR = 0.19 (95% CI 0.15–0.24); p = 0.000) and adequate vegetable (OR = 0.55 (95% CI 0.34–0.87); p = 0.011) were associated with lower odds for soft drink consumption. Adolescents who reported feeling anxious had smaller odds for soft drink intake (OR = 0.65, (95% CI 0.47–0.91); p = 0.011). Conclusions: The findings from this study show that socio-demographic characteristics, health risk factors and psychological distress are associated with the soft drink consumption among adolescents in Ghana. Interventions aimed at reducing soft drink consumption and other health risk factors are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have long been associated with health risk behaviors, but they are poorly studied in Brazilian university students. To estimate the prevalence of ACEs and investigate their association with sociodemographic data, health risk factors and self-related health in a sample of university students. A cross-sectional study conducted with 546 students from a Brazilian public university. The self-reported 10-ACE Study questionnaire (ACE-Q) and sociodemographic information (age, sex, family income), health risk factors (body mass index, physical exercise, alcohol and tobacco use) and self-related health were assessed. Chi-square Test and multivariate logistic regression were used to evaluate the association between the cumulative occurrence of ACE (ACE ≥4) and the studied factors. Of the 546 participants, 464 responded to all ACE-Q questions; 74.4% reported at least one ACE, and 13.1 % reported four or more. Lower family income (OR = 2.02; 95%CI = 1.13–3.61; p = 0.01) and self-related poor health (OR = 2.29; 95%CI = 1.28–4.08; p = 0.00) were associated with the occurrence of ACE ≥4. Most students reported at least one ACE, while a minority reported ≥4 ACEs associated with lower family income and poor self-health. The data suggest that preventive actions should be considered to mitigate the problem, with lower-income students being treated as a priority. • Brazil is among the countries with the highest estimates of child abuse. • The prevalence of ACE in Brazilian university students is little studied. • Our results, based on a sample of Brazilian university students, showed that the occurrence of at least one ACE was high. • An accumulation of ACEs was associated with low family income and self-related poor health. • Universities should foster strategies to mitigate the negative effects of ACEs previously experienced by students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectivesPeople with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia are at greater risk for obesity and other cardio-metabolic risk factors, and several prior studies have linked these risk factors to poorer cognitive ability. In a large ethnically homogenous outpatient sample, we examined associations among variables related to obesity, treated hypertension and/or diabetes and cognitive abilities in these two patient populations.MethodsIn a study cohort of outpatients with either bipolar disorder (n = 341) or schizophrenia (n = 417), we investigated the association of self-reported body mass index and current use of medications for hypertension or diabetes with performance on a comprehensive neurocognitive battery. We examined sociodemographic and clinical factors as potential covariates.ResultsPatients with bipolar disorder were less likely to be overweight or obese than patients with schizophrenia, and also less likely to be prescribed medication for hypertension or diabetes. However, obesity and treated hypertension were associated with worse global cognitive ability in bipolar disorder (as well as with poorer performance on individual tests of processing speed, reasoning/problem-solving, and sustained attention), with no such relationships observed in schizophrenia. Obesity was not associated with symptom severity in either group.ConclusionsAlthough less prevalent in bipolar disorder compared to schizophrenia, obesity was associated with substantially worse cognitive performance in bipolar disorder. This association was independent of symptom severity and not present in schizophrenia. Better understanding of the mechanisms and management of obesity may aid in efforts to preserve cognitive health in bipolar disorder.

Objective: To describe lifestyle behaviors (fruit and vegetable intake, alcohol intake, physical activity, sitting time, smoking, drug use, sleep, sexual health) and health risk factors (body mass index, food insecurity, mental health) in a sample of Australian university students. Participants: 3,077 students from the University of Newcastle (UON), Australia (mean age 27.1 ± 9.8 years, 69.4% female) were surveyed in September–October 2017. Methods: Cross-sectional self-report survey, the UON Student Healthy Lifestyle Survey 2017. Results: Participants with unhealthy lifestyle behaviors included; 89.5% not meeting vegetable recommendations, 50.3% exceeding lifetime risk guidelines for alcohol intake, and 38.1% insufficiently physically active. Rates of health risk factors included; 39.6% overweight/obese, 37.6% high or very high risk of psychological distress, and 22.0% food insecure. Conclusions: Rates of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and related health risk factors were high within the study population, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and prioritization of effective strategies to improve university student health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to estimate the causal effect of health conditions and risk factors on social and socioeconomic outcomes in UK Biobank. Evidence on socioeconomic impacts is important to understand because it can help governments, policy makers and decision makers allocate resources efficiently and effectively.Methods: We used Mendelian randomization to estimate the causal effects of eight health conditions (asthma, breast cancer, coronary heart disease, depression, eczema, migraine, osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes) and five health risk factors [alcohol intake, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, smoking] on 19 social and socioeconomic outcomes in 336 997 men and women of White British ancestry in UK Biobank, aged between 39 and 72 years. Outcomes included annual household income, employment, deprivation [measured by the Townsend deprivation index (TDI)], degree-level education, happiness, loneliness and 13 other social and socioeconomic outcomes.Results: Results suggested that BMI, smoking and alcohol intake affect many socioeconomic outcomes. For example, smoking was estimated to reduce household income [mean difference = -£22 838, 95% confidence interval (CI): -£31 354 to -£14 321] and the chance of owning accommodation [absolute percentage change (APC) = -20.8%, 95% CI: -28.2% to -13.4%], of being satisfied with health (APC = -35.4%, 95% CI: -51.2% to -19.5%) and of obtaining a university degree (APC = -65.9%, 95% CI: -81.4% to -50.4%), while also increasing deprivation (mean difference in TDI = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.02 to 2.44, approximately 216% of a decile of TDI). There was evidence that asthma decreased household income, the chance of obtaining a university degree and the chance of cohabiting, and migraine reduced the chance of having a weekly leisure or social activity, especially in men. For other associations, estimates were null.Conclusions: Higher BMI, alcohol intake and smoking were all estimated to adversely affect multiple social and socioeconomic outcomes. Effects were not detected between health conditions and socioeconomic outcomes using Mendelian randomization, with the exceptions of depression, asthma and migraines. This may reflect true null associations, selection bias given the relative health and age of participants in UK Biobank, and/or lack of power to detect effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular diseases could be characterized as a modern-day epidemic; they rank first on the list of diseases that lead to fatality percentages in both developed and developing countries. Greece holds one of the highest positions on the list of the most affected countries. On an international level, the medical research community carries out a vigorous action concerning those diseases as well as concerning the ways of limiting their incidence, and the attributed risk factors, e.g., lifestyle. It has been identified that the risk factors increasing the cardiovascular disease appearances relate to people's lifestyle and daily habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, and exercise, and can lead to increased possibilities of cardiovascular disease appearance, most commonly cerebrovascular episodes, and coronary artery disease. Given that lifestyle plays a determining role in cardiovascular diseases' prevention and combat, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests mainly behavioral changes that can, in turn, lead to a decrease in those diseases' incidence. This research study aims at examining and analyzing young people's everyday habits related to the risk factors of the diseases in question. It consists of a print questionnaire that was completed by a random sample student of Hellenic Academic in situations during the academic year 2017-2018. The data was collected in print form; the answers were electronically registered and then statistically analyzed with the help of SPSS. The result obtained by the student sample was that they had a high possibility of developing cardiovascular issues. Therefore, we must form the appropriate preventive actions - interventions aiming at a change in our lifestyle and daily habits, aim to decrease the risk of developing obesity, cancer or cardiovascular diseases in the coming years. The findings are also confirmed by the health researches of the Greek Statistics Authority (ELSTAT) in 2014 and 2017 and of the international literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: To investigate the urban‐rural disparities in health risk factors, health status and outcomes in Tianjin, China and to make an international comparison with urban‐rural health in Australia. Design: A descriptive analytical cross‐sectional survey. Setting: Mobile research teams conducted door‐to‐door field surveys of each house or department. The teams included local administrative staff and Tianjin Center for Disease Control and Prevention's epidemiologists, clinicians and laboratory technicians. Participants: A total of 25 288 residents were interviewed and clinically observed, including 8583 urban residents and 16 705 rural residents. Main outcome measure: Health risk factors, health status and outcomes. Results: The age structure in urban areas of Tianjin was growing older. Rural residents received less high school education and university education than did urban residents. Urban residents had higher medical insurance coverage and paid more out‐of‐pocket medical expenditures than did rural residents. The prevalence of smoking and the crude alcohol consumption rate were higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Rural residents had feelings of higher self‐satisfaction concerning their health status than did urban residents. The prevalence of hypertensive disease, type 2 diabetes and heart, stroke and vascular diseases were significantly lower in rural areas than in urban areas. The incidence rate of serious injuries resulting from traffic accidents was significantly higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Conclusion: Contrary to Australian urban‐rural survey outcomes, the health status and outcomes of residents in rural areas of Tianjin seemed to be better than those of their counterparts in urban areas. The underlying determinants of these outcomes need to be explored with further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health indicators are used for general population health research and for determining health priorities and decision-making in health policy. Reliable health indicators depend on effective recording and processing of health data on both a national and a global level. In this article a comparative analysis of the main causes of death and health risk factors between Greece and the other European countries is presented, based on the health indicators and data in the databases of World Health Organization (WHO), European Commission (EC) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The major causes of death, both in Greece and Europe are circulatory diseases, malignant neoplasms and respiratory diseases. Over time, the mortality rate, across all causes and per mortality cause, is declining throughout Europe. Risk factors vary widely between countries; Greece is ranked first in consumption of tobacco products and child overweight-obesity, and last in adult alcohol consumption. The evaluation of relevant policies, in combination with the design and implementation of prevention programs in the context of an integrated framework of public interventions, should receive high priority. In this context, the reduction of health risks should be addressed, targeting change in the current behavioral patterns which constitute health hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic disease burden and its related health risk factors are especially concentrated among the poor. Community health centres reach the nation's most vulnerable population. This study explored the prevalence, racial/ethnic, and gender disparities of five modifiable health risk factors and the receipt of related counselling and treatment among patients in U.S. federally qualified health centres. The 2014 Health Center Patient Survey was used for this study. We performed a cross‐sectional study. Measures included tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, obese/overweight, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and five related counselling/treatment measures. Logistic regression models were conducted to examine the multivariable‐adjusted putative associations of several sociodemographic and health‐related factors with modifiable health risk and counselling/treatment measures. Preliminary findings revealed differences in modifiable health risk factors across different racial/ethnic groups, while few racial/ethnic differences existed in related counselling/treatment measures. In the multivariable‐adjusted logistic regression models, these differences in health risk factors were still apparent, while associations between race/ethnicity status and counselling/treatment measures were not detected. Gender was also a predictor for four types of health risk measures and two types of counselling/treatment measures. Health centre patients had high rates of modifiable health risk factors. The rates were different across race/ethnicity groups, and the differences found did not always favour non‐Hispanic Whites. However, the findings reveal equitable access to related counselling/treatment service among patients across race/ethnicity groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective The objectives of this study were to analyze factors associated with outcomes and missing data in women with epithelial ovarian cancer using institutional, state and national databases. Methods Data were abstracted from the University of Virginia cancer registry, Virginia Department of Health (VDH) database, and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program and analyzed for correlations with demographics, cancer characteristics, and outcomes. Statewide spatial associations between health risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and missing grade/stage were evaluated using bivariate LiSA in Geoda. Results There were 524 institutional, 3544 VDH, and 44,464 SEER cases of epithelial ovarian cancer. Institutional cases were younger, most often of white race, had increased grade 1, and decreased unknown grade and stage (all p < 0.001). Significant predictors of unknown grade were non-white race, older age, no surgery, unknown stage/stage IV, and unknown histology/adenocarcinoma. Unknown grade correlated with a significant survival disadvantage. Missing stage and grade correlated with county-level obesity and smoking, as rural regions in Southwest and Southside Virginia had high rates of health risk factors and missing stage/grade compared to urban, affluent regions in Northern Virginia. Conclusions Over a third of nationally reported cases have an unknown grade and 10–20% have an unknown stage which correlates with the worst survival. Predictors of unknown grade include insurance, age, race, smoking status, obesity, and rural setting. Missing data may represent geographical differences or disparities in cancer care available as significantly fewer cases had an unknown grade/stage at a tertiary academic medical center compared to VDH and SEER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study integrates several aspects of a parasitological survey in a rural community village combining community knowledge of parasites, their potential transmission routes and health risk factors. A rural community located in Northern Thailand was surveyed for intestinal parasites, and an overall prevalence of 45.2% for helminths and 4.8% for protozoan infections was identified. Socio-demographic characteristics, customs and perceptions were compiled using individual questionnaires and interviews for participants surveyed for parasitic screening. The results allowed us to determine the knowledge and perception of local people concerning helminthic infection and transmission. Despite the fact that the participants in this community were aware of parasitic transmission routes, their widespread custom of eating raw fish and meat render the reduction of helminthiasis difficult. A detailed study on the infection of fish-borne parasitic trematodes, the most prevalent helminth, allowed us to determine that the distance from a given household to the river is a determinant of infection intensity. Health education activities organised in the local community resulted in a change in perception of risks associated with parasite transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data of researches of the consequences for health after the Chernobyl accident of 1986 are generalized. All these years all over the world and especially in our country the basic parameters were studied describing type and the reason of the accident, doses levels for various groups of persons and a condition of their physical and sincere health. Accumulation of the extensive information allows returning to the initial concepts which have arisen directly after the accident, to estimate critically reliability accepted at that time criteria and adequacy of measures for overcoming and minimization of the consequences of the accident for health. In a basis of an assessment of the exposure levels and possible consequences for health in early timeframes have been put the information on the capacity of doses scale-radiation on various distances from the damaged reactor both total activity and structure of emission of radioactive substances. Three basic groups of the persons involved in the emergency with a various combination of risk factors for their health are allocated: the personnel of emergency changes, participants of liquidation of the accident consequences, the population of emergency emission zones. Consequences for health for these groups and principles of the further supervision over them are estimated. The increase of leukemia among the reasons for death (5 of 21) attracts attention. The group of patients transferred acute radiation syndrome in connection with the Chernobyl accident differs for the reasons for death in the remote timeframes from participants of other radiating accidents. By retrospective consideration there is a question on a possibility of the insufficient account of toxic influences accompanying the exposure. Comparison of urgent decisions and the retrospective analysis of assessments during the early period of accident allow considering these early decisions adequate to volume of the information available during this period.

Introduction Treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances requires the application of adhesive systems to enable secure fastening of brackets and retainers to the surface of tooth enamel. The orthodontic bonding systems are similar in terms of chemical composition to dental filling materials, the chemical stability of which is not satisfactory. Particularly alarming is the release of bisphenol A and its derivatives to the external environment, which has been well-documented for materials used in conservative dentistry. Material and Methods The aim of the study was an in vitro assessment of the release of biologically harmful bisphenol A and its derivatives from orthodontic adhesives available on the European market, as a potential health risk factor for orthodontic patients. [b]Material and methods[/b]. The study assessed levels of BPA, BPA polymers and Bis-GMA resin in eluates of six commonly used orthodontic adhesives: Light Bond, Transbond XT, Resilence, Aspire, GrĕnGloo and ConTec LC, obtained after one hour, 24 hours, 7 days and 31 days of material sample storage in water. The presence and concentration of the studied chemicals in the obtained solutions were identified using the HPLC method. Results The highest (p≤0.05) concentration of BPA at 32.10µg/ml was observed in the Resilence material eluates. The highest concentration of poly-bisphenol A was found in solutions obtained after incubation of ConTec LC adhesive at 371.90µg/ml, whereas the highest amount of Bis-GMA resin (425.07µg/ml) was present in Aspire material eluates. Conclusions 1) In conditions of the current experiment it was demonstrated that most of the assessed orthodontic adhesive resins available on the European market and released into the outside environment – biologically harmful bisphenol A or its derivatives, posing a potential threat to the patients’ health. 2) Release of BPA and its derivatives into aqueous solutions is the highest in the early stages of sample incubation.