Developing the embedded researcher role: Learning from the first year of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC), Doncaster, UK.

Background: Strategies to embed research knowledge into decision making contexts include the Embedded Research (ER) model, which involves the collocation of academic researchers in non-academic organisations such as hospitals and local authorities. A local authority in Doncaster, United Kingdom (UK) has adopted an embedded researcher model within the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC). This five-year collaboration enables universities and local authorities to work together to reduce health inequalities and target the social determinants of health. Building on previous embedded research models, this approach is unique due to its significant scale and long-term investment. In this opinion paper Embedded Researchers (ERs) reflect on their experiences of the first year of the collaboration. Study design: A reflective consultation exercise. Methods: Observation of HDRC delivery meetings, as well as informal discussions and a short proforma with ERs (N = 8). Results: ERs valued the five-year timeframe which provided a unique opportunity for strengthened relationships and to apply formative learning as the programme progressed. However, differences in knowledge of undertaking research across the HDRC team and between practitioners and academics require each to respect different professional experiences and to avoid potential power imbalances. Diverse projects required researchers to be generalists, applying their expertise to multiple topics. This requires careful priority setting alongside workload and expectation management. Conclusions: The significant scale and investment of the HDRC provides a unique opportunity for developing the ER role by applying formative learning as the programme progresses. However, success will require careful management of workload allocation and relationships between ERs and practitioners. Further learning on how to embed ERs within local authority contexts will emerge as the programme matures.

Factors associated with maternal mortality in Kazakhstan: a pre- and during-pandemic comparison.

Introduction: The maternal mortality indicator serves as a crucial reflection of a nation's overall healthcare, economic, and social standing. It is necessary to identify the variations in its impacts across diverse populations, especially those at higher risk, to effectively reduce maternal mortality and enhance maternal health. The global healthcare landscape has been significantly reshaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, pressing disparities and stalling progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in maternal mortality reduction. Methods: This study investigates the determinants of maternal mortality in Kazakhstan from 2019 to 2020 and maternal mortality trends in 17 regions from 2000 to 2020, employing data extracted from national statistical reports. Stepwise linear regression analysis is utilized to explore trends in maternal mortality ratios in relation to socioeconomic factors and healthcare service indicators. Results: The national maternal mortality ratio in Kazakhstan nearly tripled from 13.7 in 2019 to 36.5 per 100,000 live births in 2020. A remarkable decrease was observed from 2000 until around 2015 with rates spiked by 2020. Significant factors associated with maternal mortality include antenatal care coverage and the number of primary healthcare units. Additionally, socioeconomic factors such as secondary education enrollment and cases of domestic violence against women emerged as predictors of MMR. Moreover, the impact of the pandemic was evident in the shift of coefficients for certain predictors, such as antenatal care coverage in our case. In 2020, predictors of MMR continued to include secondary education enrollment and reported cases of domestic violence. Conclusion: Despite Kazakhstan's efforts and commitment toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in maternal mortality reduction, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic poses alarming challenges. Addressing these challenges and strengthening efforts to mitigate maternal mortality remains imperative for advancing maternal health outcomes in Kazakhstan.

Development and psychometric testing of the nutritional and social health habits scale (NutSo-HH): A methodological review of existing tools.

Habits represent repeated patterns of behavior over time that exert a significant influence on individual health. While specific tools exist to measure individual habits, the number of instruments capable of simultaneously exploring multiple dimensions of health is limited. This research had two main objectives: 1) to examine the literature to find existing tools for evaluating health habits, especially in the Spanish population; 2) through a methodological review, to develop and validate a tool capable of measuring multiple dimensions of health habits. The Nutritional and Social Health Habits Scale (NutSo-HH) was conceived, tested, and refined through pilot testing with cognitive interviews and expert content validation. Construct validity was explored through confirmatory factor analysis and known-group validity, while criterion validity was verified in comparison with the ``Healthy Nutrition Index for the Spanish Population.'' Reliability was assessed using omega coefficients. Confirmatory factor analysis yielded satisfactory fit indices. The final model included two second-order factors (nutritional habits and health habits) and two first-order factors (Mediterranean diet and alcohol consumption). Omega coefficients ranged from 0.521 to 0.815. The NutSo-HH Scale emerges as a valid and reliable tool to assess nutritional and social habits among Spanish young adults. This novel instrument fills a gap in the field, allowing exploration of various health determinants through a single scale and providing support for decision-making in the realm of public health nutrition.

Socio-Demographic and Preoperative Clinical Factors Associated With 5-Year Weight Trajectories After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Objective: To determine whether socio-demographic and preoperative clinical factors contribute to the percent total body weight loss (%TBWL) after bariatric surgery (BS). Background: BS is the most effective long-term treatment for medically complicated obesity. More information is needed about the factors that contribute to postoperative %TBWL in large and ethnically diverse cohorts. Methods: This retrospective study conducted in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California region included 7698 patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) between January 2009 and March 2015. Trajectory analyses were conducted from 5-year follow-up data to assign patients to "low," "average," or "high" postoperative %TBWL groups. We then evaluated whether age, sex, race/ethnicity, neighborhood deprivation index and preoperative body mass index (BMI)/weight loss, diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea contributed to postoperative %TBWL using logistic regression models. Results: Of 7698 patients (83.2% women), 48.6% underwent a RYGB and 51.4% underwent a SG. Postoperative %TBWL trajectories over 5 years were obtained in 6229 (81%) of 7698 eligible patients. About 27.8% and 29.3% of patients followed the "low" postoperative %TBWL trajectory, for RYGB and SG, respectively. Men, older patients, and Asian, Black, and Hispanic/Latino patients were more likely to be classified in the low postoperative %TBWL group. Patients showing lower postoperative %TBWL had a lower preoperative BMI (but lost less weight before surgery) and were more likely to have preoperative comorbidities. Conclusions: This study confirms and extends prior findings of the effects of several demographic and preoperative clinical factors on postoperative weight loss. Findings could improve the support of patients to achieve desired surgical outcomes.

The Interplay Between Household Risk Perception of Parasitic Infections and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Practices: Evidence From an Urban Poor Community in the Philippines.

BACKGROUND: Parasitic diseases pose challenges in impoverished urban settlements with limited access to clean water, proper hygiene, and sanitation (WASH). This study assesses WASH practices and risk perceptions of parasitic infections among households in the Bataan Shipyard and Engineering Corporation (BASECO) Compound in Manila, an urban poor community in the Philippines. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was employed to collect data through a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed to assess the sociodemographic profile, household WASH practices, and respondents' risk perception of parasitic infections. Linear regression analysis was utilized to examine the relationship between these variables. RESULTS: A survey was conducted with 363 households, of which 237 (65.3%) used distilled and purified water from the water refilling stations in the community for drinking. Meanwhile, 120 households (33.10%) consumed tap water. Boiling water was a commonly used method (n=146; 56.60%) for treating drinking water. Most households had flush toilets with septic tanks (n=244; 67.20%), water sources for handwashing (n=307; 84.57%) and soap for handwashing (n=356; 98.10%). On average, they washed their hands 6-10 times daily (n=159; 43.80%). Most households were aware that drinking untreated water (n=318; 87.6%), improper food washing (n=309; 85.1%), using contaminated water sources (n=301; 82.9%), and consuming raw or undercooked meat (n=298; 82.1%) could lead to parasitic infections. 316 respondents (87.1%) identified diarrhea as the most common symptom of parasitic infection. Relationships were found between access to drinking water and the number of household members (B=0.191; p-value=0.001), personal hygiene and the respondents' knowledge of parasitic infections (B=0.112; p-value=0.047), and the overall WASH score with household income (B=0.105; p-value=0.045). CONCLUSIONS: The WASH conditions in BASECO, Manila need improvement. Factors associated with their WASH practices include risk perception of parasitic diseases, socioeconomic disparity, and household overcrowding. These factors play a crucial role in identifying areas for improvement and promoting health policies for urban poor communities in the Philippines.

Treatment Nonadherence among Multimorbid Chronic Disease Patients: Evidence from 3515 Subjects in Indonesia.

Background and Objectives: Multimorbid patients require intensive treatment for their diseases. However, little research has been given to their treatment adherence as part of its management. This study aims to determine the prevalence and characteristics of chronic disease multimorbidity in Indonesia, alongside its treatment nonadherence. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using the fifth Indonesian Family Life Survey database among adult subjects aged ≥ 15 years with multimorbidity. Our descriptive and multivariate analyses include sex, age, formal education, ethnicity, geographic residence, demographic residence, household size, insurance ownership, annual income, current self-perceived health status, missing active days, smoking behavior, and body mass index. Results: We identified 3515 multimorbid patients, constituting 30.8% prevalence across chronic disease patients. Hypertension was found to be a prevalent component of multimorbidity (61.2%), followed by digestive diseases (44.5%) and arthritis (30.3%). We identified that 36.4% of the subjects were nonadherent to their chronic disease treatment. Characteristics associated with nonadherence were found to be a good self-perception of health (aOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.54-2.08), active smoking behavior (aOR 1.51, 95% CI 1.14-1.99), no smoking behavior (aOR 1.44, 95% CI 1.08-1.90), missing seven active/productive days or less in the past month due to poor health (aOR 1.36, 95% CI 1.10-1.68), no insurance ownership (aOR 1.20, 95% CI 1.04-1.39), age of 15-65 years (aOR 1.25, 95% CI 1.01-1.55), income below IDR 40 million (aOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.04-1.46), and household size of 2-6 people (aOR 1.17, 95% CI 1.01-1.36). Conclusions: While the prevalence of multimorbidity in Indonesia is generally similar to that observed in previous studies, we have identified patient characteristics related to nonadherence. We suggest that patient's nonadherence was primarily dictated by their self-perception of health and treatment complexity. With the longstanding issue of nonadherence, this study indicated the need to consider creating patient-tailored treatment programs in clinical practice to improve adherence by considering individual patients' characteristics.

Association of factors with childhood asthma and allergic diseases using latent class analysis.

We hypothesize that children characterized by deprived factors have poorer health outcomes. We aim to identify clustering of determinants and estimate risk of early childhood diseases. This 1993-2019 longitudinal cohort study combines three Canadian pediatric cohorts and their families. Mothers and children are clustered using latent class analysis (LCA) by 16 indicators in three domains (maternal and newborn; socioeconomic status [SES] and neighbourhood; environmental exposures). Hazard ratios (HR) of childhood asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and eczema are quantified with Cox proportional hazard (PH) regression. Rate ratios (RR) of children's health services use (HSU) are estimated with Poisson regression. Here we report the inclusion of 15,724 mother-child pairs; our LCA identifies four mother-clusters. Classes 1 and 2 mothers are older (30-40 s), non-immigrants with university education, living in high SES neighbourhoods; Class 2 mothers have poorer air quality and less greenspace. Classes 3 and 4 mothers are younger (20-30 s), likely an immigrant/refugee, with high school-to-college education, living in lower SES neighborhoods with poorer air quality and less greenspace. Children's outcomes differ by Class, in comparison to Class 1. Classes 3 and 4 children have higher risks of asthma (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.11-1.37 and HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.22-1.59, respectively), and similar higher risks of AR and eczema. Children with AR in Class 3 have 20% higher all-cause physician visits (RR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.10-1.30) and those with eczema have 18% higher all-cause emergency department visits (RR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.09-1.28) and 14% higher all-cause physician visits (RR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.09-1.19). Multifactorial-LCA mother-clusters may characterize associations of children's health outcomes and care, adjusting for interrelationships.

The paradox of high greenness and poor health in rural Central Appalachia.

While many studies have found positive correlations between greenness and human health, rural Central Appalachia is an exception. The region has high greenness levels but poor health. The purpose of this commentary is to provide a possible explanation for this paradox: three sets of factors overwhelming or attenuating the health benefits of greenness. These include environmental (e.g., steep typography and limited access to green space used for outdoor recreation), social (e.g., chronic poverty, declining coal industry, and limited access to healthcare), and psychological and behavioral factors (e.g., perceptions about health behaviors, healthcare, and greenness). The influence of these factors on the expected health benefits of greenness should be considered as working hypotheses for future research. Policymakers and public health officials need to ensure that greenness-based interventions account for contextual factors and other determinants of health to ensure these interventions have the expected health benefits.

Evaluating Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-Alpha Pro-inflammatory Cytokines in Healthy and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients With and Without Diabetes.

Background Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) has a pivotal role in the pathogenesis and prognosis of cancer as well as diabetes mellitus (DM). Many oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients are reported to have associated comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Furthermore, T2DM exaggerates inflammation due to a lack of insulin action. Therefore, OSCC patients with T2DM may progress to the advanced stage more rapidly resulting in reduced survival even after glycemic control creating a challenge to oncologists in managing these patients. Unfortunately, it is difficult to predict the course of disease in these patients just based on clinical and radiological parameters. Considering the impact of TNF alpha in both disease progression, it is an interesting biological marker to explore. Further, saliva being a noninvasive biological fluid can help measure the TNF-α levels, thereby predicating the prognosis of OSCC. Unfortunately, there is limited information about the salivary TNF-αnf levels in OSCC patients with DM. Aim The aim of this study was to compare the salivary TNF-α in OSCC patients with and without DM. Methods Saliva samples were obtained from healthy individuals, OSCC patients with DM, and OSCC patients without DM. The quantification of TNF-α levels was performed using the EliKine™ Human TNF-α ELISA Kit, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The data were reported as means and standard deviations. To assess variations in salivary TNF-α levels among these groups, the Kruskal- Wallis test was employed. Results The study included a total of 30 participants with 10 in each group. There were 18 males and 12 females with a mean age of 37.2± 4.7 years. The TNF-α levels between the control group (51+42±1.4 pg/ml), OSCC patients without DM (67.43 ±1.7 pg/ml), and OSCC patients with DM (268±8.5 pg/ml) were noted. The mean salivary TNF-α level was statistically higher in OSCC with DM compared to the control and OSCC without DM group.  Conclusion The investigation compared the salivary TNF-α in OSCC patients with and without DM and has uncovered substantial differences in TNF-α concentrations within the examined cohorts, providing insights into the potential involvement of TNF-α in the context of OSCC, especially in patients with DM. Nevertheless, additional research is imperative to establish associations between TNF-α levels, the prognosis of OSCC, and the impact of DM.

Health-Oriented Environmental Categories, Individual Health Environments, and the Concept of Environment in Public Health.

The term 'environment' is not uniformly defined in the public health sciences, which causes crucial inconsistencies in research, health policy, and practice. As we shall indicate, this is somewhat entangled with diverging pathogenic and salutogenic perspectives (research and policy priorities) concerning environmental health. We emphasise two distinct concepts of environment in use by the World Health Organisation. One significant way these concepts differ concerns whether the social environment is included. Divergence on this matter has profound consequences for the understanding of health and disease, for measures derived from that understanding targeting health promotion and disease prevention, and consequently, for epistemic structures and concept development in scientific practice. We hope to improve the given situation in public health by uncovering these differences and by developing a fruitful way of thinking about environment. Firstly, we side with the salutogenic conception of environment as a health resource (as well as a source of health risks). Secondly, we subdivide the concept of environment into four health-oriented environmental categories (viz., natural, built-material, socio-cultural, and psychosocial) and we link these with other theoretical notions proposed in the health sciences literature. Thirdly, we propose that in public health 'environment' should be understood as consisting of all extrinsic factors that influence or are influenced by the health, well-being, and development of an individual. Consequently, none of the four categories should be excluded from the concept of environment. We point out the practical relevance and fruitfulness of the conception of environment as a health source and frame this in causal terms, representing individual health environments as causal networks. Throughout, we side with the view that for the design of human health-promoting settings, increased attention and consideration of environmental resources of salutogenic potential is particularly pressing.

Rare diseases: still on the fringes of universal health coverage in Europe.

Despite general advancements in population health indicators and universal health coverage, people living with rare diseases and their families still experience considerable unmet needs, including prolonged diagnostic journeys, limited treatment options, and a huge psychosocial burden due to the lack of coordinated, integrated care. Attainment of universal health coverage for rare diseases is dependent on fundamentally different health determinants and demands for different solutions. This involves consolidating expertise through Centers of Excellence, establishing efficient care pathways, fostering extensive collaboration at European and global levels in research and healthcare, and putting patients at the center of care. Furthermore, development of specific indicators and coding systems is crucial for monitoring progress. Only in this way Europe can strive towards a future where people living with rare diseases receive the same level of equitable, safe, high-quality healthcare as other members of the society, in alignment with the overarching goal of leaving no one behind.

Household Food Insecurity Is Associated With Physical Activity in Youth and Young Adults With Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) is essential for optimal diabetes management. Household food insecurity (HFI) may negatively affect diabetes management behaviors. The purpose of this study was to cross-sectionally examine the association between HFI and PA in youth and young adults (YYA) with type 1 (N = 1998) and type 2 (N = 391) diabetes from the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study. METHODS: HFI was measured with the US Household Food Security Survey Module. PA was measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form. Walking, moderate-intensity PA (excluding walking), vigorous-intensity PA, moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA, and total PA were estimated as minutes per week, while time spent sitting was assessed in minutes per day. All were modeled with median regression. Meeting PA guidelines or not was modeled using logistic regression. RESULTS: YYA with type 1 diabetes who experienced HFI spent more time walking than those who were food secure. YYA with type 2 diabetes who experienced HFI spent more time sitting than those who were food secure. CONCLUSIONS: Future research should examine walking for leisure versus other domains of walking in relation to HFI and use objective PA measures to corroborate associations between HFI and PA in YYA with diabetes.

Evaluation of a Clinic-Based, Electronic Social Determinants of Health Screening and Intervention in Primary Care Pediatrics.

OBJECTIVE: Social determinants of health (SDOH) significantly affect individuals' health outcomes, yet universal electronic SDOH screening is not standard in primary care. Our study explores the implementation of an electronic SDOH screening in the electronic health record (EHR) and follow-up intervention among primary care pediatric patients within an academic clinic. METHODS: Beginning in August of 2022, patients and their families determined to have at least one SDOH need qualified for an in-clinic referral to a coordinated care team member. We assessed the overall efficacy and feasibility of the implementation. RESULTS: Over the 4-month pilot, 1473 of 2064 (71.4%) eligible patients were screened, with 472 (32%) patients screening positive on at least one SDOH domain. Of the 472 screened positive, 48 (10.2%) declined a referral. Two hundred and forty-seven of the 424 (58.3%) received a referral to a care coordination team member. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the feasibility of a universal electronic SDOH screening tool within the EHR within an urban, academic-based clinic.

Vulnerabilidad y determinantes sociales en diabetes / Vulnerability and social determinants in diabetes

Los determinantes sociales de la salud influyen significativamente en el desarrollo y en la progresión de enfermedades crónicas como la diabetes tipo2 (DM2). Este artículo examina los determinantes sociales clave, incluidos la educación, la estabilidad económica, el vecindario, así como la procedencia, la raza o la religión, que afectan a las personas con DM2. También se explora el papel del género como determinante social, enfatizando la necesidad de consideraciones específicas de género en la gestión y en la investigación de la DM2. Además, se analiza el impacto de la pobreza en los resultados de salud, destacando la relación bidireccional entre pobreza y enfermedad. Las medidas integrales que abordan estos determinantes son cruciales para mejorar la salud y el bienestar de las personas con DM2. Abordar las desigualdades sociales a través de intervenciones específicas puede contribuir a mejores resultados de tratamiento y a una atención médica equitativa (AU)

Social determinants of health significantly influence the development and progression of chronic diseases such as type2 diabetes (T2DM). This article examines key social determinants including education, economic stability, neighborhood, and factors such as ethnicity, race, or religion that impact individuals with T2DM. The role of gender as a social determinant is also explored, emphasizing the need for gender-specific considerations in T2DM management and research. Additionally, the impact of poverty on health outcomes is analyzed, highlighting the bidirectional relationship between poverty and disease. Comprehensive measures addressing these determinants are crucial to improving the health and well-being of individuals with T2DM. Addressing social inequalities through targeted interventions can contribute to better treatment outcomes and equitable healthcare (AU)

Exploring the Impact of Mining on Community Health and Health Service Delivery: Perceptions of Key Informants Involved in Gold Mining Communities in Burkina Faso.

Sub-Saharan Africa is rich in natural resources but also faces widespread poverty. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals brought increased attention to resource extraction projects, emphasizing their development potential in extraction regions. While mining companies are required to conduct environmental impact assessments, their effect on the project-affected communities' health mostly lacks systematic management, and their consideration of community perspectives is insufficient. Between March and May 2019, qualitative research was conducted at three industrial gold mines in Burkina Faso. Thirty-six participants, including community leaders, healthcare providers, and mining officials, were interviewed through key informant interviews about their perceptions on the impacts of mining operations on health, health determinants, and health service delivery. Disparities in perceptions were a key focus of the analysis. Mining officials reported mainly positive effects, while healthcare providers and community leaders described enhancing and adverse health impacts without clear trends observed regarding the extent of the impacts on health determinants. The perception of predominantly positive health impacts by mining officials represents a potential risk for insufficient acknowledgement of stakeholders' concerns and mining-related effects on community health in affected populations. Overall, this study enhances comprehension of the complex interplay between mining operations and health, emphasizing the need for comprehensive assessments, stakeholder involvement, and sustainable practices to mitigate negative impacts and promote the well-being of mining communities.

A novel approach to risk exposure and epigenetics-the use of multidimensional context to gain insights into the early origins of cardiometabolic and neurocognitive health.

BACKGROUND: Each mother-child dyad represents a unique combination of genetic and environmental factors. This constellation of variables impacts the expression of countless genes. Numerous studies have uncovered changes in DNA methylation (DNAm), a form of epigenetic regulation, in offspring related to maternal risk factors. How these changes work together to link maternal-child risks to childhood cardiometabolic and neurocognitive traits remains unknown. This question is a key research priority as such traits predispose to future non-communicable diseases (NCDs). We propose viewing risk and the genome through a multidimensional lens to identify common DNAm patterns shared among diverse risk profiles. METHODS: We identified multifactorial Maternal Risk Profiles (MRPs) generated from population-based data (n = 15,454, Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)). Using cord blood HumanMethylation450 BeadChip data, we identified genome-wide patterns of DNAm that co-vary with these MRPs. We tested the prospective relation of these DNAm patterns (n = 914) to future outcomes using decision tree analysis. We then tested the reproducibility of these patterns in (1) DNAm data at age 7 and 17 years within the same cohort (n = 973 and 974, respectively) and (2) cord DNAm in an independent cohort, the Generation R Study (n = 686). RESULTS: We identified twenty MRP-related DNAm patterns at birth in ALSPAC. Four were prospectively related to cardiometabolic and/or neurocognitive childhood outcomes. These patterns were replicated in DNAm data from blood collected at later ages. Three of these patterns were externally validated in cord DNAm data in Generation R. Compared to previous literature, DNAm patterns exhibited novel spatial distribution across the genome that intersects with chromatin functional and tissue-specific signatures. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, we are the first to leverage multifactorial population-wide data to detect patterns of variability in DNAm. This context-based approach decreases biases stemming from overreliance on specific samples or variables. We discovered molecular patterns demonstrating prospective and replicable relations to complex traits. Moreover, results suggest that patterns harbour a genome-wide organisation specific to chromatin regulation and target tissues. These preliminary findings warrant further investigation to better reflect the reality of human context in molecular studies of NCDs.

Quality of Life and Health Determinants of Informal Caregivers Aged 65 Years and Over.

Informal caregivers' own quality of life, health status, and determinants are poorly understood despite their concern for the health of the individuals they assist. To compare the quality of life and the health determinants of older informal caregivers with those of older adults without caregiving responsibilities. An online survey was designed to investigate the quality of life and the health determinants of people aged 65 years and over, with a focus on informal caregivers. In addition to socio-demographic data, the number of informal caregivers was ascertained and the Zarit scale of caregiver burden was applied. Quality of life (SF-12) and health determinants (access to technology and level of physical activity (IPAQ)) were assessed and compared between informal caregivers and non-caregivers. A total of 111 participants were included in the study (70 ± 3.83 years, 71.2% women). The majority of respondents (91.8%) were Belgian. One-third of the respondents identified themselves as informal caregivers and declared themselves as having a severe burden (61.9 ± 15.2/88). Socio-demographic characteristics and access to technology were similar between informal caregivers and non-caregivers (p > 0.05). However, informal caregivers had a lower SF-12 score in the mental score domain (44.3 ± 10.2 vs. 50.7 ± 7.0; p = 0.004) and a lower level of physical activity (434 ± 312 METS/min/week vs. 1126 ± 815 METS/min/week; p = 0.01) than their peers. Informal caregivers reported a lower quality of life and a lower level of physical activity than their peers. Given the recognized importance of physical activity for overall health, this survey highlights the need to promote physical activity among older informal caregivers.

Cognitive reserve and other determinants of cognitive function in older adults: Insights from a community-based cross-sectional study.

Background: India will be the home of 323 million elderly persons by 2050. This means a surge in the dependent population primarily due to age-related cognitive decline. Evidence suggests that life course factors may have a modulatory role on cognitive function. The present study explores such potential influence by investigating the effect of cognitive reserve (a latent construct using education and occupation) and physical, psychological, and social determinants on cognitive function in community dwelling elderly. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in urban areas of West Bengal (India) among elderly aged ≥60 years. Data was collected by personal interviews for socio-demographic and medical profile. Cognitive function was assessed using Bangla Adaptation of Mini-Mental State Examination (BAMSE). Educational level and occupational complexity were used as proxy indicators for calculating cognitive reserve. Results: Of the 370 elderlies interviewed (mean age = 68.9 years), cognitive function was abnormal in 13.5%. The cognitive function had a significant inverse relationship with depression symptoms, loneliness, hypertension, anemia, and basic activities of daily living. There was a significant difference in the cognitive reserve of the elderly with normal and abnormal cognitive function (mean 33.7 and 26.8, respectively). In the presence of covariates like sleep quality, depression, hypertension, and hemoglobin levels, the effect of age on cognitive function had a significant mediation influence of cognitive reserve - total effect = -0.2349; 95% CI = (-0.2972 to -0.1725) and direct effect = -0.2583; 95% CI = (-0.3172 to -0.1994). Conclusion: The quantum of effect of the age on cognitive function decreases with good cognitive reserve as a cognitive reserve has a significant mediation effect on the relationship between age and cognitive function.

The Impact of the Social Determinants of Health on Athletic Trainer Availability in Indiana Secondary Schools.

CONTEXT: The Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are circumstances individuals are born, work, and live, that influence health outcomes. Previous research has examined one determinant of economic stability and found disparities in socioeconomic status and athletic trainer availability (AT availability). OBJECTIVE: Examine SDOH characteristics of Indiana secondary schools and AT availability. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Database secondary analysis. PARTICIPANTS: 426 secondary schools. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All data was collected from publically available databases. The independent variable was AT availability, schools were classified as having a full-time AT (full-time AT), a part-time AT only (part-time AT), or no AT (no AT). The SDOH variables were gathered for each school (school and county-level). Data were summarized using measures of central tendencies, one-way ANOVAs, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: School enrollment was larger in schools with greater AT availability (p<.001). The proportion of non-white students was greater in schools with more AT availability (p=0.002). There was greater AT availability in counties with higher graduation rates (p=0.03). Post-hoc comparisons revealed significant differences in graduation rate between part-time AT and no AT schools (p=0.04). Schools with less AT availability were located in counties with a slightly higher percentage of the population uninsured (p=0.02). Schools with greater AT availability were located in counties with a higher ratio of population to primary care physicians (p=0.03). Schools with less AT availability were located in counties with higher population experiencing severe housing problems (p=0.02). There were no significant differences in AT availability based on the three social and community context variables (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found differences in AT availability and a different SDOH characteristics at the secondary school-level. There was less AT availability where high school graduation rates and population of primary care providers are lower. Strategies should be implemented to improve access to athletic health care in under-resourced communities.