Simulation as a key training method for inculcating public health leadership skills: a mixed methods study.

Background: Successful management of public health challenges requires developing and nurturing leadership competencies. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of training simulations to assess public health leadership and decision-making competencies during emergencies as an effective learning and training method. Methods: We examined the effects of two simulation scenarios on public health school students in terms of their experience (compared to face-to-face learning) and new skills acquired for dealing with similar emergent situations in the future. A mixed-methods design included developing a validated and pre-tested questionnaire with open-and closed-ended questions that examined the simulation impact and the degree of student satisfaction with the conditions in which it was conducted. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with the students after going through the simulations. The questionnaire results were evaluated using descriptive analytics. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analyses. All data were collected during June 2022. Results: The questionnaire results indicate that students strengthened their interpersonal communication skills and learned about the importance of listening to the opinions of others before formulating their positions. Four themes emerged from 16 in-depth interviews, according to Kolb's experimental learning cycle. Students emphasized the effectiveness of experiential learning versus traditional classroom learning. The simulation scenarios were felt to realistically convey critical issues regarding leadership, decision-making, and teamwork challenges. They effectively conveyed the importance of building a culture of conducting substantive and respectful discussions. Conclusion: Simulation is a powerful pedagogical training tool for public health leadership competencies. Simulations were seen to be advantageous over face-to-face learning in imparting a range of leadership skills and hands-on practice. We recommend integrating simulations in all public health leadership training programs.

Disparities of obesity and non-communicable disease burden between the Tibetan Plateau and developed megacities in China.

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including risk factors, e.g., obesity, are the major causes of preventable deaths in China, yet NCD disparities in China remain under-studied. Objective: This study aimed to compare the determinants and burden of NCDs within four selected provinces in mainland China: the least developed Qinghai-Tibet Plateau group (PG, Tibetan Autonomous Region [TAR] and Qinghai Province) and most developed megacity group (MCG, Shanghai, and Beijing). Methods: Studies, reports, and other official sources with comparable data for NCD burden and related determinants for the four provinces were searched. Geographic, demographic, socioeconomic, and dietary characteristics and selected health indicators (e.g., life expectancy) were extracted from the China Statistical Yearbook and China Health Statistics Yearbook. Data on NCD burdens were extracted from the National Chronic Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance Study and other nationally representative studies. Results: The overall NCD mortality rates and prevalence of metabolic risk factors including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes in mainland China have increased in the past 20 years, and this trend is expected to continue. The PG had the highest level of standardized mortality rates (SMRs) on NCDs (711.6-896.1/100,000, 6th/6-level); the MCG had the lowest (290.6-389.6/100,000, 1st/6-level) in mainland China. The gaps in SMRs were particularly high with regard to chronic respiratory diseases (PG 6th/6-level, MCG 1st/6-level) and cardiovascular diseases (6th/6 and 4th/6 in TAR and Qinghai; 1st/6-level and 2nd/6-level in Shanghai and Beijing). In contrast, the prevalence rates of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes were generally higher or comparable in MCG compared to PG. Diabetes prevalence was particularly high in MCG (5th/5-level, 13.36-14.35%) and low in PG (1st/5-level, 6.20-10.39%). However, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension were poor in PG. Additionally, PG had much lower and severely inadequate intakes of vegetables, fruits, and dairy products, with additional indicators of lower socioeconomic status (education, income, etc.,) compared with MCG. Conclusion: Evidence showed large disparities in NCD burden in China's provinces. Socioeconomic disparity and dietary determinants are probably the reasons. Integrated policies and actions are needed.

Metabolic syndrome and its relation to dietary patterns among a selected urbanised and semi-urbanised Tibetan population in transition from nomadic to settled living environment.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the scope of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its relationship to the major dietary patterns among an urbanised and semi-urbanised Tibetan population in transition from nomadic to settled settings. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Community-based. PARTICIPANTS: Urbanised and semi-urbanised Tibetan adults (n 920, aged 18-90 years), who have moved from nomadic to settled living environments, answered questionnaires on food consumption frequency and lifestyle characteristics through structured face-to-face interviews and completed anthropometric measurement and metabolic biomarker tests. RESULTS: MetS prevalence was 30·1 % in males and 32·1 % in females. Low HDL-cholesterol and central obesity were the leading metabolic abnormalities (86·3 and 55·8 %, respectively). Three major dietary patterns - urban, western and pastoral - were identified. Beef/mutton was an important food group for all three identified dietary patterns. In addition, the urban dietary pattern was characterised by frequent consumption of vegetables, tubers/roots and refined carbohydrates; the western pattern was characterised by sweetened drinks, snacks and desserts; and the pastoral pattern featured tsamba (roasted Tibetan barley), Tibetan cheese, butter tea/milk tea and whole-fat dairy foods. Individuals in the highest quintile of urban dietary pattern scores were found to be at a higher risk of developing MetS (OR 2·43, 95 % CI 1·41, 4·18) and central obesity (OR 1·91, 95 % CI 1·16, 3·14) after controlling for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: MetS was common among urbanised and semi-urbanised Tibetan adult population in transition. The urban dietary pattern, in particular, was a risk factor for MetS. To prevent MetS, nutrition interventions need to be tailored to address the variety of local diet patterns to promote healthy eating.

The University-Public Health Partnership for Public Health Research Training in Quebec, Canada.

Enhancing effective preventive interventions to address contemporary public health problems requires improved capacity for applied public health research. A particular need has been recognized for capacity development in population health intervention research to address the complex multidisciplinary challenges of developing, implementing, and evaluating public health practices, intervention programs, and policies. Research training programs need to adapt to these new realities. We have presented an example of a 2003 to 2015 training program in transdisciplinary research on public health interventions that embedded doctoral and postdoctoral trainees in public health organizations in Quebec, Canada. This university-public health partnership for research training is an example of how to link science and practice to meet emerging needs in public health.

Perceived social support at different times after myocardial infarction and long-term mortality risk: a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Previous research has explored the association between social support (SS), cardiovascular disease, and mortality. Perceived SS (PSS) refers to an individual's attitude toward received SS. This study aimed to: (1) assess the association between PSS levels and long-term mortality among first myocardial infarction (MI) survivors, (2) compare the effect of PSS measured shortly after the first MI to PSS measured 10-13 years after MI, and (3) compare the prognostic role of different PSS components: family, friends, and significant others. METHODS: Patients were drawn from the longitudinal prospective Israel Study of First Acute Myocardial Infarction (ISFAMI). PSS, sociodemographic and health variables were assessed in two subcohorts during initial hospitalization from 1992 to 1993 (T1, n = 660) and in 2002-2005 (T2, n = 969). Vital status was determined through 2011. Cox regression models assessed mortality risk associated with PSS. RESULTS: By the end of follow-up, 212 (32%) of the T1 and 229 (24%) of T2 subcohorts had died. Higher PSS levels were associated with lower mortality risk at both T1 and T2 (per one standard deviation [1SD] increase hazard ratio [HR] = 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.75-0.96; HR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.66-0.83, respectively). These associations were attenuated on adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical variables (HR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.80-1.07; HR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.77-1.00, respectively). PSS from friends was significantly associated with lower mortality risk at both T1 and T2 and remained significant only at T2 after adjustment (HR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.73-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Higher PSS levels were significantly associated with reduced mortality risk post-MI. This should encourage clinicians to assess post-MI psychosocial status to identify high-risk patients.