Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Agung Dwi Laksono, Wahyu Pudji Nugraheni, Nikmatur Rohmah, Ratna Dwi Wulandari
Summary: This study analyzed the impact of socioeconomic status on health insurance ownership among female workers in Indonesia. The findings suggest that the poorest female workers are less likely to have national health insurance, while richer female workers have a higher likelihood. Additionally, all socioeconomic statuses have a lower possibility than the richest of having other health insurance.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
John Tayu Lee, Barbara McPake, Likke Prawidya Putri, Kanya Anindya, Diah Ayu Puspandari, Tiara Marthias
Summary: This study examines the influence of the Indonesia national health insurance programme (JKN) on women's choice for childbirth. It found that JKN coverage increased the use of higher-level health providers and facilities, and decreased the likelihood of deliveries at primary health facilities and attendance by midwives/nurses.
Article
Oncology
Cathy J. Bradley, Jennifer L. Stevens, Lindsey Enewold, Joan L. Warren
Summary: A national data source is needed to evaluate cancer care for low-income, publicly insured patients. This study compared characteristics and outcomes of cancer patients enrolled in Medicaid with those who were not enrolled. The study found that Medicaid patients had a higher proportion of racial/ethnic minorities, more late-stage diagnoses, and higher mortality rates compared to non-Medicaid patients.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Thomas Piggott, Artur Nowak, Romina Brignardello-Petersen, Graham S. Cooke, Benedikt Huttner, Holger J. Schunemann, Nav Persaud, Nicola Magrini, Lorenzo Moja
Summary: Monitoring the availability of essential medicines is crucial for achieving universal health coverage. Discrepancies were found between national essential medicine lists and the WHO Model List, highlighting the need for countries to invest in effective medicines and improve alignment with WHO recommendations.
Article
Surgery
Dane R. Scantling, Daniel N. Holena, Elinore J. Kaufman, Allyson M. Hynes, Justin Hatchimonji, James P. Byrne, Douglas Wiebe, Mark J. Seamon
Summary: This study aims to identify modifiable factors related to firearm homicide. The study found that certain types of socioeconomic support and firearm restrictive legislation are associated with reduced firearm death rates.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Preshit Nemdas Ambade, Joe Gerald, Tauhidur Rahman
Summary: Since 2005, health insurance coverage in India has increased significantly due to government-funded programs. However, disparities among social groups still exist.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mery Bolivar-Vargas, Eduardo Alfonso-Sierra, Janet Bonilla, Martha Herrera, Haydee Rodriguez, Manuela Villar-Uribe, Kerry Scott, Inke Mathauer
Summary: This study examines the functionality of health insurance user associations in Colombia and their influence on citizen empowerment and health insurance responsiveness. The study found that the public was widely unaware of the existence of user associations and many associations were weak or inactive. Limited market competition and policies about user associations made insurers indifferent to community involvement. Policy recommendations are warranted to strengthen user associations and truly enable them to effect change.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dosithee Ngo Bebe, Fulbert Nappa Kwilu, Arlette Mavila, Eric Musalu Mafuta, Jose Mobhe Mangalu, Nasreen S. Jessani, Bart Criel
Summary: This study assessed the performance of mutual health organizations (MHOs) in handling member complaints in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The findings revealed a lack of communication between MHOs and their members, resulting in limited awareness about the grievance redressal measures. However, those members who were aware of the procedures showed satisfaction with the response provided.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Gwen Lemey, Ynke Lariviere, Tresor Matuvanga Zola, Vivi Maketa, Junior Matangila, Patrick Mitashi, Peter Vermeiren, Severine Thys, Jessie De Bie, Hypolite Mavoko Muhindo, Raffaella Ravinetto, Pierre Van Damme, Jean-Pierre Van Geertruyden
Summary: When implementing an Ebola vaccine trial in a remote area in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ethical considerations on ancillary care obligations were made due to a dysfunctional health care system and unmet health needs of participants. A joint algorithm and policy were developed by the Universities of Antwerp and Kinshasa to address issues related to non-related (serious) adverse events, providing structured and consistent support and management. Approved by the relevant ethics committee, the algorithm will be implemented in November 2021, with lessons learned to be shared with stakeholders within and outside DRC.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Xiaochen Zhang, Quanquan Guan, Qiurun Yu, Wenwen Xiao, Ziyu Chen, Chao Dong, Siting Deng, Yin Zhuang, Yankai Xia
Summary: Infertility has been a global issue that has long been ignored. Governments play a significant role in promoting infertility-related policies that provide services and support for infertile individuals. Economic support policies have a crucial role in reducing female infertility prevalence, while a gradual-promotion pattern is more effective for male infertility relief.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Won Seok Lee, Jae Kyoon Hwang, Jiin Ryu, Young-Jin Choi, Jae-Won Oh, Chang-Ryul Kim, Man Yong Han, In Hwan Oh, Kyung Suk Lee
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the associations between socioeconomic status and asthma exacerbation and hospital utilization factors among children with asthma in Korea. The study found that children with lower socioeconomic status were more likely to experience asthma exacerbation, hospital admission, and receive treatment for severe asthma symptoms compared to those with higher socioeconomic status.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Mi Jung Kwon, Joo-Hee Kim, Ji Hee Kim, Hye-Rim Park, Nan Young Kim, Sangkyoon Hong, Hyo Geun Choi
Summary: This study verifies the impact of statin use on the risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using a large-scale nationwide database. The results suggest that prior use of any statins, especially long-term use of lipophilic statins, may lower the likelihood of developing RA.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jacob Bigio, Emma Hannay, Madhukar Pai, Bachti Alisjahbana, Rishav Das, Huy Ba Huynh, Uzma Khan, Lalaine Mortera, Thu Anh Nguyen, Muhammad Aamir Safdar, Suvesh Shrestha, A. Venkat Raman, Sharat Chandra Verma, Vijayashree Yellappa, Divya Srivastava
Summary: The Lancet Commission on Diagnostics highlighted the lack of access to diagnostic testing, especially at the primary care level, and emphasized the need for countries to include diagnostics in their universal health coverage benefits packages. We analyzed seven Asian low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to understand the inclusion of diagnostics in their health benefit packages. We found heterogeneity among the countries and a lack of clear policy rationale and detailed information on the covered diagnostics.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Charlotte Probst, Shannon Lange, Carolin Kilian, Celine Saul, Juergen Rehm
Summary: The study found that individuals with lower socioeconomic status are at increased risk of alcohol-attributable mortality, and this risk increases with greater socioeconomic deprivation, particularly when education levels decrease. The dose-response relationship between socioeconomic deprivation and alcohol-attributable mortality risk can guide priorities in targeting public health initiatives.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Adam Ahmat, Sunny C. Okoroafor, Isabel Kazanga, James Avoka Asamani, Jean Jacques Salvador Millogo, Mourtala Mahaman Abdou Illou, Kasonde Mwinga, Jennifer Nyoni
Summary: This study conducted by the WHO Regional Office for Africa aimed to present the status of the health workforce in 47 countries in the African Region. The results showed uneven distribution of health workers within the region, with the majority concentrated in the public sector.