Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dani Jennifer Barrington, Hannah Jayne Robinson, Emily Wilson, Julie Hennegan
Summary: This study reviewed and synthesized existing research on menstrual experiences in high income countries (HICs), finding that socio-cultural context, resource limitations, physical factors, and healthcare conditions influence individuals' menstrual experiences. The study revealed the widespread presence of negative menstrual experiences, with occasional reports of positive experiences.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shagufta Perveen, Caroline Laurence, Mohammad Afzal Mahmood
Summary: Primary Health Care (PHC) has gained significant attention and achieved satisfactory outcomes in the past few decades. Community Health Worker Programs (CHWPs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are considered essential for incorporating PHC principles into healthcare provision to achieve health for all and sustainable development goals. However, there is evidence of incomplete implementation of PHC principles across national CHWPs in LMICs. This study aimed to identify a set of core/indicator activities that reflect the application of PHC principles by CHWPs in LMICs.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Luke N. Allen, Simon Wigley, Hampus Holmer
Summary: The study found that implementation of non-communicable disease policies varies among countries but is generally improving over time. Countries with low income and low democracy have the lowest policy implementation, while corporate permeation is negatively associated with policy implementation. On the other hand, NCD mortality burden has a positive impact on policy implementation.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Social Issues
Jing Wang, Yubing Xu
Summary: Based on panel data from 81 developing countries between 2002 and 2019, this study examines the impact of digitalization on public health and explores the mechanism through which it affects public health from the perspective of income inequality. The results show that digitalization significantly improves public health in developing countries, with the strongest effect observed in Africa and middle-income countries. The study also suggests that digitalization can enhance public health by reducing income inequality. This research contributes to the understanding of the relationship between digitalization and public health.
TECHNOLOGY IN SOCIETY
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kareem Mahmoud, Catalina Jaramillo, Sandra Barteit
Summary: This scoping review investigated the extent and acceptance of telemedicine in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that telemedicine improved healthcare access and reduced infection risk in LMICs. However, challenges such as technology, regulation, and economics need to be addressed for wider telemedicine implementation.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Steffen Flessa
Summary: Cataract is a major cause of blindness globally, with significant burden and economic cost in low-income countries. Cataract surgery has been found to be cost-effective, but limited resources hinder its implementation in reaching the rural poor.
Article
Economics
So Yoon Sim, Elizabeth Watts, Dagna Constenla, Shuoning Huang, Logan Brenzel, Bryan N. Patenaude
Summary: From 2011 to 2030, the total aggregate cost of immunization programs for ten vaccines in 94 low- and middle-income countries is estimated to be between $70.8 billion and $84.1 billion, with costs increasing over the two decades. The relative proportion of vaccine and delivery costs for certain vaccines like pneumococcal conjugate, human papillomavirus, and rotavirus vaccines is expected to increase as more countries introduce these vaccines. Moreover, uncertainty in vaccine prices for some self-financing countries could lead to total costs that are significantly higher than the base case scenario.
Review
Immunology
Bronte Davies, Jill Olivier, Edina Amponsah-Dacosta
Summary: Maternal vaccination is crucial for improving maternal and child health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where there is a high burden of vaccine-preventable diseases. This review examines the determinants of vaccine delivery and uptake in LMICs and identifies barriers such as lack of policy guidelines and effective monitoring systems, as well as enablers such as healthcare provider recommendations and higher levels of maternal education.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Wei Liu, Abbas Dostdar-Rozbahani, Fahime Tadayon-Zadeh, Mohsen Akbarpour-Beni, Mohammad Pourkiani, Fatemeh Sadat-Razavi, Vahid Barfi, Valiollah Shahedi
Summary: The number of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing in low- and middle-income countries, accounting for 80% of all NCD deaths. Insufficient physical activity is a major cause of these diseases, with the rate of physical inactivity in these countries increasing over the past 15 years. It is important to include physical activity in all policies to prevent further economic burden related to physical inactivity.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Hamam Hadi, Fatimatasari Fatimatasari, Winda Irwanti, Chahya Kusuma, Ratih Devi Alfiana, M. Ischaq Nabil Asshiddiqi, Sigit Nugroho, Emma Clare Lewis, Joel Gittelsohn
Summary: The study shows that exclusive breastfeeding can protect children under two years old against stunting in Indonesia, especially in low-income households. However, some mothers lack awareness of recommended breastfeeding practices, highlighting the importance of health promotion efforts to increase caregiver motivation for exclusive breastfeeding.
Review
Clinical Neurology
C. J. Arnbjerg, N. U. Rurangwa, E. Musoni-Rwililiza, D. Gishoma, J. Carlsson, P. Kallestrup
Summary: The treatment gap for bipolar disorder is exacerbated by economic inequality. Research on treatment in low-income and lower-middle-income countries is limited. Existing studies show that interventions such as pharmacotherapy, psychosocial interventions, and traditional medicine have a beneficial effect on symptom severity and medical adherence. However, there is a high risk of bias and heterogeneity in the studies, highlighting the need for further research to address the treatment gap.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Antonio Sanhueza, Janaina Calu Costa, Oscar J. Mujica, Liliana Carvajal-Velez, Sonja Caffe, Cesar Victora, Aluisio J. D. Barros
Summary: Latin America and the Caribbean have the second highest adolescent fertility rate in the world, with a high incidence of motherhood in adolescence. The study aimed to examine trends and inequalities in adolescent childbearing in the region.
LANCET CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Xiaofei Wang, Hayley M. Sanders, Yuchen Liu, Kennarey Seang, Bach Xuan Tran, Atanas G. Atanasov, Yue Qiu, Shenglan Tang, Josip Car, Ya Xing Wang, Tien Yin Wong, Yih-Chung Tham, Kevin C. Chung
Summary: This article discusses the potential use of ChatGPT as a tool to aid public health efforts in low- and middle-income countries. It highlights the benefits of ChatGPT in various domains such as health literacy, screening, remote healthcare support, and provides a balanced discussion on the opportunities and challenges.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Afzal Javed, Cheng Lee, Hazli Zakaria, Robert D. Buenaventura, Marcelo Cetkovich-Bakmas, Kalil Duailibi, Bernardo Ng, Hisham Ramy, Gautam Saha, Shams Arifeen, Paola M. Elorza, Priyan Ratnasingham, Muhammad Waqar Azeem
Summary: Mental health disorders present a growing global public health challenge, particularly affecting the poor; stigma associated with mental health leads to various negative impacts and is exacerbated by comorbidities with physical health issues; combating stigma requires a comprehensive approach involving policy-making, awareness programs, and improving access to mental health services.
ASIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kaung Suu Lwin, Adam D. Koon, Kumanan Rasanathan, Abdillah Ahsan, Daniel Erku, Melissa Mialon, Silvana Perez-Leon, Arti Singh, Zafar Mirza, Mario Zuleta, Shiva Raj Adhikari, Yubraj Acharya, Son The Dao, Sabrina Rasheed, Jeremias Paul Jr, Robert Marten
Summary: Health taxes are effective policy instruments for saving lives, raising government revenues, and improving equity. However, they conflict with commercial interests. Multiple frames exist in different settings, shaping discourse and policies related to health taxes. Understanding how to strategically position health taxes can empower policymakers and support broader coalitions for their advancement.
