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There is limited qualitative research on the experience of loneliness in adolescence, meaning key facets of the loneliness experience that are important in adolescence may have been overlooked. The current study addresses that gap in the literature and explores how loneliness is experienced in the context of adolescence from the perspective of adolescents. About 67 online counseling conversations between Childline counselors and adolescents (ages 12–18 years; 70% females) who had contacted Childline to talk about loneliness were analyzed using Thematic Framework Analysis to establish commonalities and salient issues involved in adolescent experiences of loneliness. Young people considered loneliness to be an intense experience that negatively impacted their daily lives. Experiences of loneliness revolved around difficulties with peer relationships, but turmoil at home worsened those experiences. Young people often employed short-term coping strategies that distracted them from loneliness. Issues with trusting others and self-worth acted as barriers to seeking long-term help. Recommendations include (1) the training of teachers and parents to recognize and support young people experiencing loneliness and (2) further research to establish the coping strategies that are used by adolescents who successfully overcome loneliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of adults aged 60 years and over who work is growing. However, there has been relatively limited research assessing the determinants of wellbeing in this cohort. Given the known relationship between loneliness and socioeconomic disadvantage, the present analysis assessed the role of working conditions and food security on loneliness among employed Indians aged 60 years and over (N = 9035), using data from wave 1 of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India. Just over 11% of participants reported being lonely most or all of the time. Food insecurity and work that involved exposure to unpleasant conditions was associated with increased loneliness, while work requiring more mental effort was associated with lower loneliness. Policies that ensure skills training to support job transitions for older adults working in unpleasant conditions, and greater food security in later life are important to ensure wellbeing in this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To describe HIV testing among clients in the Targeted Highly Effective Interventions to Reverse the HIV Epidemic (THRIVE) demonstration project and evaluate testing frequency. Methods. We identified factors associated with an average testing frequency of 180 days or less compared with more than 180 days using adjusted Poisson regression models. We performed the Kaplan–Meier survival analysis to compare time to diagnosis by testing frequency. Results. Among 5710 clients with 2 or more tests and no preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prescription, 42.4% were tested frequently. Black/African American clients were 21% less likely and Hispanic/Latino clients were 18% less likely to be tested frequently than were White clients. Among 71 Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino cisgender men who have sex with men and transgender women with HIV diagnoses, those with frequent testing had a median time to diagnosis of 137 days, with a diagnostic testing yield of 1.5% compared with those tested less frequently, with 559 days and 0.8% yield. Conclusions. HIV testing at least every 6 months resulted in earlier HIV diagnosis and was efficient. Persons in communities with high rates of HIV who are not on PrEP can benefit from frequent testing, and collaborative community approaches may help reduce disparities. (Am J Public Health. 2023;113(9):1019–1027. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307341) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Overcoming language barriers to health care is a global challenge. There is great linguistic diversity in the major cities in the UK with more than 300 languages, excluding dialects, spoken by children in London alone. However, there is dearth of data on the number of non-English speakers for planning effective interpreting services. The aim was to estimate the number of people requiring language support amongst the minority ethnic communities in England. Methods Secondary analysis of national representative sample of subjects recruited to the Health Surveys for England 1999 and 2004. Results 298,432 individuals from the four main minority ethnic communities (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Chinese) who may be unable to communicate effectively with a health professional. This represents 2,520,885 general practice consultations per year where interpreting services might be required. Conclusion Effective interpreting services are required to improve access and health outcomes of non-English speakers and thereby facilitate a reduction in health inequalities.