Understanding the experiences of older adult participants and individuals involved in the delivery of a physical activity programme based on participatory approaches: A qualitative analysis.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to understand the experiences of older adult participants and service deliverers involved in a UK-based physical activity programme, developed using participatory approaches. METHODS: Focus groups and one-to-one interviews were conducted with 34 older adults (aged 55+ years) and 13 service providers. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted, structured using the framework approach. FINDINGS: Four themes were identified: (1) Co-designed activities met needs and encouraged attendance; (2) engagement and access of programme activities; (3) enjoyment and perceived benefits of sessions; and (4) support needs of individuals delivering activities. Co-designed activities appeared to meet participant needs and instil a sense of ownership of the programme. Feeling able to relate to other participants seemed important and of potential relevance to attracting older adults to the programme. Peer support may help to increase confidence in attending sessions; place-based approaches (using resources in local communities) and a flexible approach to involvement also seemed to facilitate engagement. Enjoyment of the programme appeared to be enhanced through activity variety and opportunity for socializing, with a sense of community being created through the support and encouragement of fellow participants. It was considered important that volunteers had appropriate recognition and ongoing support. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that using participatory approaches may facilitate enjoyment and sustained engagement of older adults. Provision based on local community assets may contribute to sustainability of services. However, providing ongoing support is imperative, requiring further costs and resources over the longer-term.

Evaluating the Let's Move It intervention programme theory for adolescents' physical activity: Theorized psychosocial mechanisms of behavioural changes.

OBJECTIVES: Behaviour change theories have extensively been used in health behaviour change interventions and their programme theories. However, they are rarely evaluated in randomized field studies. The Let's Move It intervention targeted various psychosocial constructs to increase adolescents' physical activity. A theory-based process evaluation aiming to illuminate the trial findings as well as to test the programme theory used is conducted. Specifically, we investigate whether the intervention influenced the theorized determinants of change immediately post-intervention and after 1 year, and whether these determinants were associated with changes in physical activity. DESIGN: A cluster-randomized controlled trial (n = 1166). METHODS: We measured theorized determinants with self-report, and physical activity (PA) with accelerometry and self-report. The effects are evaluated with repeated measures ANOVA and regression models. RESULTS: No changes were detected in most theorized determinants but intervention arm reported higher enactment of behaviour change techniques used during intervention immediately post-intervention and lower descriptive norms for PA throughout. Autonomous motivation was associated with PA immediately post-intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of intervention effects may be due to many factors, for example insensitive measures, ceiling effects. However, reporting these null effects advances understanding of behaviour change processes. We introduce methodologic possibilities for future intervention programme theory evaluation efforts.

Improving Maternal Health and Birth Outcomes Through FreshRx: A Food-Is-Medicine Intervention.

PURPOSE: Food insecurity has far-reaching consequences for health and well-being, especially during pregnancy and postpartum periods. This study examines a food-is-medicine approach that aimed to reduce food insecurity, maternal stress, depression, anxiety, preterm labor, and low birthweight. DESIGN: Pre-post interventional study of FreshRx: Nourishing Healthy Starts, a pregnancy focused food-is-medicine program led by a local hunger relief organization and obstetrics department. SETTING: St. Louis, Missouri, a Midwestern U.S. city with higher-than-average infant mortality, low birthweight, and preterm birth rates. SAMPLE: Participants (N = 125) recruited from a local obstetrics clinic had pregnancies earlier than 24 weeks gestation; spoke English; and were enrolled in Medicaid. At baseline, 67.0% reported very low food security and none reported high food security, while 34.7% indicated depressive symptoms. INTERVENTION: FreshRx included weekly deliveries of fresh food meal kits, nutrition counseling and education, care coordination, and supportive services. MEASURES: 18-Question U.S. Household Food Security Survey, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, birthweight, gestational age. ANALYSIS: Single arm pre-post analysis. RESULTS: Average gestational age of 38.2 weeks (n = 84) and birthweight of 6.7 pounds (n = 81) were higher than rates for the general population in the area. For study participants who completed a sixty-day post-partum assessment, 13% (n = 45) indicated maternal depression (P < .01). CONCLUSION: Food-is-medicine interventions may be an efficient, effective, and equitable tool for improving birth and maternal health outcomes.

Misinformation, Free Speech and Accountability in Health Communications.

Some have argued that nothing less than truth and freedom is on the ballot in the 2024 election. To be sure, fact checking politicians has become a commonplace element of vetting candidates for public service. This editorial reviews trends in the use of media to influence opinions and practices relating to health promotion and disease prevention. Has society been striking the right balance between protecting free speech while also holding individuals and organizations accountable when disinformation they promulgate causes harm? If we are to protect freedom of speech, one of America's hallmarks to democratic governance, health professionals need to develop more innovative and effective methods for curbing misinformation and for countering the ills created by super spreaders of misinformation.

Spinoza, Liberation From Causation, and Community Health Promotion.

What sense does it make to say that a new program implemented in a community with roots as old as evolution caused an observed health benefit? Evaluation of community approaches has often sought to isolate the causal roles of interventions. Central to this is the assumption that there are causes to be proven and isolated. Benedict Spinoza (1632-1677) dismissed the concept of cause, arguing that all things, "substances," are not caused but simply are. Actions of things in nature can influence each other, e.g., erosion of a mountain, but their substance, the mountains simply are. For Spinoza, satisfaction in life comes from realizing and acting in accord with our substance, but this requires communities that support such realization and action. Thus, communities and the vast influences they contain are central to human welfare. Interventions within them do not cause benefits but join with the history, culture, and numerous other features of the community in becoming part of how the community influences its members. Implications include a) expanding the social ecological model fully to embrace multiple influences - including innovative programs - and interactions among them, and c) varied research methods to identify practical lessons about how communities may adopt and incorporate innovations to engender change, rather than a catalogue of interventions that are supposed to change them.

A Family-Based Approach to Promoting Pediatric Mental Health Recovery in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this scoping review is to identify strategies from existing literature, for school-based professionals to share with parents, that may be used on a family-level to help the recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric mental health. DATA SOURCE: This scoping review consists of a comprehensive PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar database search. STUDY INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Studies published between 2020 and 2023 that were written in English, originated in the United States, and evaluated pediatric mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic were considered for inclusion in the scoping review. DATA EXTRACTION AND DATA SYNTHESIS: One researcher independently conducted the PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar literature search. Subsequently, results were reviewed independently by two additional researchers. RESULTS: Title and abstract review were conducted for 2563 articles. After excluding studies not written in English, studies with international origin, and studies which were not relevant to this scoping review, 101 studies remained for full-text review. After full-text review, 32 studies (31.68%) were deemed relevant and concordant with the inclusion criteria and were included in this scoping review. We identified five prominent themes: 1) maintaining daily life and routines, 2) the importance of physical activity and the pandemic's effect on student athletes' mental health, 3) the use of screen time, 4) the effect of parent and caregiver stress on their children's mental health, and 5) the effect of pandemic-related health disparities and racism on pediatric mental health. DISCUSSION: This scoping review focused on interventions and practices which can be implemented at the family level to help children and adolescents recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their mental health.

Fostering health behaviour change in overweight male football fans through the European Fans in Training (EuroFIT) program: A Self-Determination Theory perspective.

The European Fans in Training (EuroFIT) program integrated need-supportive motivational strategies from Self-Determination Theory (SDT) in the design of a healthy lifestyle program delivered to overweight or obese male football fans (n = 1113; mean age of 45.9 [SD = 9.0] years old and BMI of 33.2 kg/m2 [SD = 4.6]) in professional football club settings in the UK, Portugal, Norway and the Netherlands. With a critical realist approach, we developed a structured thematic framework analysis based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to investigate the process of change in men who participated in the EuroFIT randomized controlled trial (RCT). We examined whether men's experiences of the social context of EuroFIT, and whether their engagement with the program's motivational strategies supported or frustrated their basic psychological needs while attempting to change their lifestyle behaviours. We found that men in all countries perceived the social contexts of the EuroFIT program as mostly needs-supportive, and that they found engagement with most of the program components helpful in supporting their psychological needs when initiating health behaviour changes. However, some of the program elements in the EuroFIT program were perceived as needs-frustrating by some participants and need-supportive by others. Implications for the use of need-supportive motivational strategies in designing future lifestyle interventions in sport settings to promote health behaviour change among male football fans are discussed.

Consumer versus expert opinions on bowel cancer screening videos: Findings from a co-design study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe compare and assess expert and consumer evaluations of videos the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program in Australia to inform the future development of effective promotional materials. METHODS: From July to November, 2022 consumers (n = 487) were randomly assigned to see 3 of 15 videos and 34 "experts" (i.e., researchers, clinicians, and health promotion specialists) viewed all 15 videos. Participants completed 22 items reflecting positive and negative perceptions and perceived efficacy in encouraging screening participation. Multiple analyses of covariance assessed mean differences in expert and consumer ratings controlling for age and gender differences. RESULTS: Experts and consumers reported similar perceptions about videos, with no difference in the degree to which each would encourage kit completion. However, compared to those containing personal stories, experts rated instructional and informational videos significantly lower than consumers in terms of encouraging actions that facilitate kit completion. CONCLUSIONS: Experts may underestimate the degree to which information and personal narratives resonate with consumers viewing bowel cancer screening videos. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: It is valuable to consult consumers when designing bowel cancer screening promotion and education videos as opposed to relying solely on expert opinion especially in the context of encouraging actions that lead to kit completion.

Provisions Related to Health, Nutrition, and Healthy Beverage Promotion in University Pouring Rights Contracts: A Content Analysis.

PURPOSE: Many universities maintain pouring rights contracts (PRCs) with beverage companies wherein one company exchanges sponsorship payments for exclusive beverage marketing rights. Separately, universities may have healthy beverage initiatives (HBIs) to encourage healthier choices on campus. This study aimed to assess how and how frequently PRCs included provisions related to health and nutrition to examine how PRCs may support or undermine HBIs. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: U.S. public universities with >20,000 students. SAMPLE: 131 PRCs obtained from 124 of 143 universities in 2019-2020. MEASURES: Primary outcomes were the presence of provisions that could encourage or discourage promotion of healthy beverages (water, diet soda, unsweetened coffee or tea, and 100% juice), and any other provisions explicitly or implicitly referencing health or nutrition. ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Twelve contracts (9%) had explicit commitments from the company or university to promote healthy beverages or adhere to nutrition standards, including five committing to support HBIs, four committing to healthy vending policies, and three describing activities to promote healthy beverage brands. Ten (8%) had provisions explicitly inhibiting water promotion and 55 (42%) had provisions that could be interpreted that way. Eleven (8%) included other health and nutrition provisions, such as funding for unspecified wellness activities. CONCLUSION: Most university beverage contracts did not expressly aim to support healthy choices, and more than half had provisions potentially limiting universities' ability to implement HBIs. When present, nutrition standards were weak.

Misaligned Supports: Differences in Reported Health Care Worker Well-being Supports Provided and Needed During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

PURPOSE: To describe the well-being supports provided to health care workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in health centers and hospitals. DESIGN: Cross-sectional qualitative interviews before and after implementation of a peer-based support intervention. SETTING: Purposively sampled hospitals and health centers across the US. PARTICIPANTS: 28 site leaders and 56 HCWs sampled from 16 hospitals and 12 health centers. METHOD: Site leaders and HCWs were asked to describe supports available to HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic and content coding and analysis of interview responses were conducted using Dedoose. RESULTS: Both site leaders and HCWs identified a range of support resources available. Communication resources were the most frequently cited in both groups. Health care workers reported bi-directional communication, while one-way communication was emphasized by site leaders. Hospitals highlighted counseling support, particularly Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), while health centers prioritized community support. Wellness activities were more prevalent in hospital settings, while health centers offered specific workplace-provided training for HCWs. Health care workers encountered barriers when accessing support, including limited time, fear of stigma, and disruptions to their existing support networks attributable to the pandemic. CONCLUSION: While there are resources for HCWs, the available supports may not align with their needs and barriers to access may limit the effectiveness of these supports. Continued engagement between leaders and HCWs could help better align resources with needs.

Applications of bacterial cellulose in the food industry and its health-promoting potential.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a naturally occurring biomaterial with a wide range of potential applications in the food industry because of its exceptional mechanical qualities, unique nanofiber structure, high purity, and outstanding biocompatibility. Beyond its physical attributes, BC has gained interest recently due to research demonstrating its potential health benefits as a functional food ingredient. This article examines the many uses of BC in the food business, with a focus on how it may enhance food texture, operate as a bioactive carrier, and have promise in the packaging sector. Further research was done on the health-promoting properties of BC in functional foods, particularly with regard to its functions as a blood glucose regulator, and gastrointestinal health. This review seeks to bring fresh ideas for the study of bioactive components in the food industry by providing a summary of the existing research and demonstrating the possible role of BC in food. It also suggests future paths for research.

1. Improving Care and Promoting Health in Populations: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2025.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, an interprofessional expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations and a full list of Professional Practice Committee members, please refer to Introduction and Methodology. Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

Investigating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male health and wellbeing programs and their key elements: A scoping review.

ISSUE ADDRESSED: This scoping review aims to explore the size and scope of the body of literature relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male health and wellbeing programs and describe key program elements. METHODS: This review considered unpublished and published literature from electronic peer-reviewed databases and grey literature sources. Included articles must refer to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male health and wellbeing program. Descriptive data synthesised, and seven key program elements were analysed: (1) Origin of Design, (2) Governance, (3) Leads/Facilitators, (4) Funding, (5) Length and Frequency, (6) Outcomes and Measures, and (7) Monitoring and Evaluation. RESULTS: The review identified 54 programs described in 49 publications that were published between 1998 and 2022. Only 20 publications were peer-reviewed articles. Most programs (n = 44) were instigated, co-designed or adapted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to suit cultural and community needs. Reporting on key program elements varied, with only n = 25 of the included publications reporting governance systems. CONCLUSIONS: This work is the first to synthesise the literature and describe the key elements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male health and wellbeing programs. Relatively few publications were found describing programs designed specifically for this population group. SO WHAT?: While the descriptive findings of the programs and their key elements in this review can assist health promotion and primary care practitioners, further investment and research are required to strengthen the evidence base and achieve the best health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males.

Prospective relationship between electronic health literacy and health-promoting lifestyle among Chinese older adults: A three-wave longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Improving older people's health-promoting lifestyle (HPL) may slow the progression of health conditions and improve quality of life. Electronic health (eHealth) literacy is increasingly important for individuals managing health in the digital age. Previous cross-sectional studies have shown a positive association between eHealth literacy and HPL among older adults. However, no longitudinal studies have examined the association over time, their temporal relationship, and the potential underlying mechanisms. OBJECTIVES: To examine the longitudinal association and temporal relationship between eHealth literacy and HPL among older adults, and to explore their underlying mechanisms based on the Integrated Model of eHealth Use (iMeHU). METHODS: This longitudinal study was conducted among older adults in Jiangxi Province, China, from February to November 2022. Data were collected at baseline (T1) and 3-month (T2) and 6-month follow-up (T3), using online self-reported questionnaires. Older people's eHealth literacy and HPL were measured using the Digital Health Literacy Instrument and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II. Statistical analyses included Linear mixed model (LMM), cross-lagged panel model (CLPM), longitudinal mediation analysis, and multi-group analysis. RESULTS: 611 participants were included at T1; 464 (75.9%) completed the follow-ups at T2 and T3. The LMM results suggested that older individuals with higher eHealth literacy levels showed better HPL over time (adjusted ß = 0.31, 95%CI: 0.27-0.35, p < 0.001), after adjusting for covariates. CLPMs supported that eHealth literacy could predict older people's improved HPL subsequently, but not the reverse. Attitude towards eHealth mediated the relationship from eHealth literacy to improved HPL, with a mediated proportion of 17.2%. In addition, the prospective relationships were stronger and only significant in older patients. CONCLUSIONS: From a longitudinal perspective, this study highlighted the important roles of eHealth literacy and attitude towards eHealth in improving older people's HPL, especially for the patients. The findings provide robust evidence and practical implications to develop targeted interventions.

Using nudges to promote health among older adults: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Nudge is an attempt to easily and cheaply influence an individual's health judgments, decisions, or behaviors in nuanced and predictable ways. To date, there are no published reviews of the evidence for or against nudges as health promotion strategies in older adults. OBJECTIVE: This review aims to summarize what is known about the impact of various nudges that target different kinds of health behavior in older adults. DESIGN: A scoping review. REVIEW METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search across the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCOhost, and the Cochrane Library databases from the earliest available date to March 2024. To gain a broad understanding of this field, we used relevant search terms related to 'nudge' and 'older adult'. All articles selected and data extracted were double-checked. Nudges were summarized and analyzed according to Thaler's dual-systems theory taxonomy. RESULTS: Overall, 18 articles were selected. Nudges have been applied to reduce overuse in healthcare (n = 7), enhance vaccination uptake (n = 4), raise dietary intake (n = 3), increase physical activity (n = 1), improve lifestyle management (n = 1), improve hand hygiene (n = 1), and improve terminal treatment (n = 1). Twelve nudges were used to promote health for older adults. Type I nudges included environmental cues, reminders, default options, and feedback. Type II nudges were framing, social norms, social comparison, highlighted suggested choices, pre-commitment, accountability justification, expert authority, and gamification. Most, but not all, nudges have proven to be feasible and effective for health promotion among older adults. CONCLUSIONS: This encouraging evidence suggests there is potential for nudges to promote health among older adults. Future research should tailor nudges to individual and cultural characteristics, explore the most effective nudges and long-term effects, expand nudges to more health domains, implement age-friendly digital nudges, and analyze the nursing economics of nudges. REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework websites (OSF.IO/PGY25).

"Plastic Surgery Program Leadership Perspectives on Wellness and Professional Development Curricula-Where are we Now?"

BACKGROUND: Burnout is common amongst surgical trainees and its consequences can be detrimental to both mental health and patient care. As such, wellness and professional development have moved to the forefront of discussion in surgical education. The purpose of this study is to describe the current landscape of wellness and professional development education, as well as barriers to initiation of dedicated curricula. METHODS: Electronic surveys were distributed to 115 publicly available program director (PD) or coordinator emails for integrated and independent plastic surgery programs. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 40%. Burnout was a problem within 28.6% of respondent's programs. An additional 50% reported "they had dealt with burnout, but it was not a problem." Thus, 78.6% of respondents reported burnout issues amongst their trainees. While all respondents believed that prioritizing resident wellness was 1 of their many roles, 78.6% felt that this role should be shared. Forty percent of programs did not have wellness programming with 84.2% indicating that the addition of a dedicated curriculum would benefit their trainees. Common barriers to implementation included: lack of interest, impingement upon free time, lack of resources, onerous initiation, and concern regarding a shift from academic focus. Eighty three percent of respondents would be interested in adopting curricula from another program. CONCLUSIONS: Burnout remains a major issue, affecting over 75% of plastic surgery programs; however, the current landscape of wellness and professional development curricula is highly variable. Adopting curricula from other programs may address commonly cited barriers.

ABC Grow Healthy Practices and Obesity-Related Health Behaviours in Family Child Care Homes in South Carolina.

BACKGROUND: Many states throughout the United States have introduced Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) to address childhood obesity in preschool-age children, but few have examined the impact of these standards in Family Child Care Homes (FCCHs). In South Carolina, the ABC Grow Healthy Practices are specific QRIS items that include diet, physical activity and sleep practices. METHODS: The purposes of this cross-sectional study are to (1) describe physical activity levels, sleep duration and diet quality of children attending FCCHs in South Carolina and (2) compare physical activity levels, sleep duration and diet quality between children attending FCCHs that were enrolled versus not enrolled in the ABC programme. Means and percentages were used to summarize child- and parent-level descriptive characteristics, physical activity levels, diet quality and sleep behaviours overall and by sex, race/ethnicity and ABC participation. t tests and chi-square analyses were used to compare child- and parent-level demographic characteristics as well as child-level behaviours by ABC status. RESULTS: Results revealed low physical activity levels (11.2 ± 4.1 min/h of total physical activity and 5.5 ± 2.6 min/h of moderate and vigorous physical activity) and poor diet quality (Healthy Eating Index 56.0 ± 10.3) in all children. There were statistically significant differences in fat and protein consumption between ABC and non-ABC FCCHs, as well as differences in demographic characteristics. CONCLUSION: Future research is recommended to assess whether strengthening guidelines and improving implementation of obesity prevention standards will improve physical activity levels and diets of children attending FCCHs.

Consolidating the evidence on the effectiveness of strategies to promote vegetable intake in priority settings: An overview of systematic reviews.

BACKGROUND: Effective interventions to increase vegetable intake are urgently needed. This systematic rapid review aimed to summarise the effectiveness of interventions targeting increased vegetable intakes across diverse settings. METHODOLOGY: The review was guided by the conduct of rapid reviews from the Cochrane Handbook. The literature was searched in February 2024 across PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Central for systematic review articles published since 2014. The Risk of Bias In Systematic Reviews tool was used and characteristics of reviews synthesised narratively with intervention effectiveness results were summarised. RESULTS: A total of 20 systematic reviews met the eligibility criteria. Most targeted school-based settings (n = 7) or community/home-based settings (n = 4). Early childhood education and workplaces had one review each, with none in retail, secondary or tertiary education, food service, food relief or aged care. The mean change in vegetable consumption was +0.12 serves per day, with increases of up to +0.42 serves reported (range -0.09 to +0.42). By setting, the largest increases were reported for interventions in school settings (+0.42 serves/day), followed by home (+0.38 serves/day). Almost half the studies reporting effect sizes suggested no effect on intake (46%), 41% suggested a small effect and 13% suggested a medium effect. Greater effect sizes were achieved in interventions implemented across multiple settings. CONCLUSIONS: Review findings indicate that the average increase in vegetable intake following interventions is about one-eighth of a serve but up to almost half a serve in some settings. An increase of this magnitude could have a substantial population impact, particularly in population groups with persistently low intakes.

Mapping oral medicine (stomatology) and oral and maxillofacial pathology international organizations: a scoping review of global data and historical analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the historical evolution and dissemination of the Oral Medicine and Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology international societies and associations across the globe, and to provide insights into their significant contributions toward oral health promotion. STUDY DESIGN: This review was conducted in accordance with the JBI Scoping Review Methodology Group guidance. The reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). RESULTS: Search strategy was applied to 5 databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences (LILACS)) and grey literature (Google Scholar, Open Grey and ProQuest), as well as additional sources, such as organization websites. Eighty-nine sources were included in this review. Forty-six professional associations/societies were identified, of which 39 represented a country or geopolitical region, 2 represented continents, 2 represented multinational organizations and 3 multinational study groups. CONCLUSIONS: Documentation of the historical establishment and development of Oral Medicine and Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology organizations worldwide is limited and describing these processes remains challenging. Analysis of global data reveals heterogeneous development and distribution, resulting in disparities in accessibility and standardization. Further efforts toward oral health promotion should be implemented.

Pay Attention to Hypertension (PAtH): Findings from a cardiovascular health promotion intervention for adults with intellectual disabilities participating in Special Olympics programming.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects adults globally. People with intellectual disabilities (PWID) may be at higher risk of CVD and associated risk factors (e.g. obesity, hypertension, and diabetes). We developed Pay Attention to Hypertension (PAtH), a cardiovascular health promotion intervention, and tested its impact on changes in blood pressure (BP), lifestyle behaviours and health-related empowerment among PWID. METHODS: PAtH was developed with a Special Olympics community organisation that supports PWID in developing self-confidence and social skills through participation in sports. The 6-month intervention consisted of 1-h individualised virtual sessions delivered monthly by nursing students/novice nurses. Sessions covered specific themes, including monitoring BP, adopting healthy lifestyles and managing stress, and were individually tailored to the capacities and needs of participants. A single group pre-post-intervention design was used to assess the intervention's effects among participants who completed the intervention and data collection. Data included baseline and follow-up BP measurements from 7-day logbooks and questionnaires assessing lifestyle behaviours [physical activity (PA), screen time and diet], and health-related empowerment. RESULTS: Seventy-four participants were included in the analyses. Between baseline and follow-up, there were no changes in systolic and diastolic BP, PA or leisure screen time. The proportion of participants who reported adding salt when cooking decreased from baseline to follow-up (19.7% vs. 12.7%, P = 0.034), and we found improvements for several items measuring health-related empowerment (P ≤ 0.003). CONCLUSION: Improvements in health-related empowerment were found following PAtH. More intensive interventions may be needed to result in changes in lifestyle behaviours and BP. The integration of adapted cardiovascular health promotion initiatives within well-established community organisations such as Special Olympics is a promising avenue to contribute to cardiovascular health promotion among PWID.