The Chilean exposome-based system for ecosystems (CHiESS): a framework for national data integration and analytics platform.

The double burden of diseases and scarce resources in developing countries highlight the need to change the conceptualization of health problems and translational research. Contrary to the traditional paradigm focused on genetics, the exposome paradigm proposed in 2005 that complements the genome is an innovative theory. It involves a holistic approach to understanding the complexity of the interactions between the human being's environment throughout their life and health. This paper outlines a scalable framework for exposome research, integrating diverse data sources for comprehensive public health surveillance and policy support. The Chilean exposome-based system for ecosystems (CHiESS) project proposes a conceptual model based on the ecological and One Health approaches, and the development of a technological dynamic platform for exposome research, which leverages available administrative data routinely collected by national agencies, in clinical records, and by biobanks. CHiESS considers a multilevel exposure for exposome operationalization, including the ecosystem, community, population, and individual levels. CHiESS will include four consecutive stages for development into an informatic platform: (1) environmental data integration and harmonization system, (2) clinical and omics data integration, (3) advanced analytical algorithm development, and (4) visualization interface development and targeted population-based cohort recruitment. The CHiESS platform aims to integrate and harmonize available secondary administrative data and provide a complete geospatial mapping of the external exposome. Additionally, it aims to analyze complex interactions between environmental stressors of the ecosystem and molecular processes of the human being and their effect on human health. Moreover, by identifying exposome-based hotspots, CHiESS allows the targeted and efficient recruitment of population-based cohorts for translational research and impact evaluation. Utilizing advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain, this framework enhances data security, real-time monitoring, and predictive analytics. The CHiESS model is adaptable for international use, promoting global health collaboration and supporting sustainable development goals.

Vaccine effectiveness in reducing COVID-19-related hospitalization after a risk-age-based mass vaccination program in a Chilean municipality: A comparison of observational study designs.

BACKGROUND: Case-control studies involving test-negative (TN) and syndrome-negative (SN) controls are reliable for evaluating influenza and rotavirus vaccine effectiveness (VE) during a random vaccination process. However, there is no empirical evidence regarding the impact in real-world mass vaccination campaigns against SARS-CoV-2 using TN and SN controls. OBJECTIVE: To compare in the same population the effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on COVID-19-related hospitalization rates across a cohort design, TN and SN designs. METHOD: We conducted an unmatched population-based cohort, TN and SN case-control designs linking data from four data sources (public primary healthcare system, hospitalization registers, epidemiological surveillance systems and the national immunization program) in a Chilean municipality (Rancagua) between March 1, 2021 and August 31, 2021. The outcome was COVID-19-related hospitalization. To ensure sufficient sample size in the unexposed group, completion of follow-up in the cohort design, and sufficient time between vaccination and hospitalization in the case-control design, VE was estimated comparing 8-week periods for each individual. RESULTS: Among the 191,505 individuals registered in the primary healthcare system of Rancagua in Chile on March 1, 2021; 116,453 met the cohort study's inclusion criteria. Of the 9,471 hospitalizations registered during the study period in the same place, 526 were COVID-19 cases, 108 were TN controls, and 1,628 were SN controls. For any vaccine product, the age- and sex-adjusted vaccine effectiveness comparing fully and nonvaccinated individuals was 67.2 (55.7-76.3) in the cohort design, whereas it was 67.8 (44.1-81.4) and 77.9 (70.2-83.8) in the TN and SN control designs, respectively. CONCLUSION: The VE of a COVID-19 vaccination program based on age and risk groups tended to differ across the three observational study designs. The SN case-control design may be an efficient option for evaluating COVID-19 VE in real-world settings.

Trends in vasectomy and sexually transmitted diseases in Chile: findings from robust national databases.

A controversy about the increase or decline of vasectomy is emerging; however, the evidence is still scarce in Latin America. This ecological study analyzed the vasectomy and sexual transmitted diseases (STD) trends over a period of 10 years in Chile and determined if there is any relationship between them. We conducted a mixed ecological study using secondary and representative data on the number of vasectomies and STD cases from 2008 to 2017. Vasectomy rates were calculated for age-specific groups of men aged 20-59 years, and specific STD (HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and syphilis) for the same period. Multivariate negative binomial regression models were fitted to evaluate rate trends and relationships. The mean vasectomy age was 40.3 years, with no significant differences between the years of the study (p = 0.058). The overall vasectomy rate significantly increased from 2008 to 2017 (p < 0.001), with differences between age groups (p < 0.001). The most significant increase was observed in men aged 30-49 (p < 0.001). The STD rates significantly increased (p < 0.05) during the study period. A significant positive correlation was found between vasectomy and gonorrhea incidence rates (p = 0.008) and an inverse correlation was found with hepatitis B incidence rates (p = 0.002). Vasectomy trends and STD rates significantly increased from 2018 to 2017 in Chile. especially among men aged 30-49 years. The relationship between vasectomy and STD increments suggests a new risk factor for reproductive and sexual health policies to aid controlling the HIV and STD epidemic.

Towards closing socio-economic status disparities in COVID-19 premature mortality: a nationwide and trend analysis in Chile.

BACKGROUND: Socio-economic status (SES) disparities in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality have been reported but complete information and time trends are scarce. In this study, we analysed the years of life lost (YLL) due to COVID-19 premature mortality during the pandemic in Chile and its evolution according to SES and sex compared with a counterfactual scenario [cerebrovascular accidents (stroke)]. METHOD: We used Chile's national mortality databases from 2020 to 2022. YLL and age-standardized YLL and mortality rates by sex and by epidemic waves were determined. The 346 communes were stratified into SES groups according to their poverty index quintile. Negative binomial regression models were used to test trends. RESULTS: In >2 years of the pandemic, the COVID-19 YLL was 975 937, corresponding to 61 174 deaths. The YLL rate per 100 000 inhabitants was 1027 for males and 594 for females. There was a heterogeneous distribution of YLL rates and the regional level. Communes in the most advantaged SES quintile (Q5) had the highest YLL during the first wave compared with those in the lowest SES quintile (Q1) (P < 0.001) but the opposite was true during the second wave. COVID-19 YLL trends declined and differences between Q1 and Q2 vs Q5 converged from the second to the fourth waves (0.33 and 0.15, Ptrend < 0.001 and Ptrend = 0.024). YLL declined but differences persisted in stroke (-0.002, Ptrend = 0.979). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 deaths resulted in a higher impact on premature death in Chile, especially in men, with a heterogeneous geographic distribution along the territory. SES and sex disparities in COVID-19 premature mortality had narrowed by the end of the pandemic.

Trends in vasectomy and sexually transmitted diseases in Chile: findings from robust national databases / Tendencias de la vasectomía y las enfermedades de transmisión sexual en Chile: resultados de bases de datos robustas / Tendências em vasectomia e doenças sexualmente transmissíveis no Chile: resultados de bases de dados robustas

Abstract: A controversy about the increase or decline of vasectomy is emerging; however, the evidence is still scarce in Latin America. This ecological study analyzed the vasectomy and sexual transmitted diseases (STD) trends over a period of 10 years in Chile and determined if there is any relationship between them. We conducted a mixed ecological study using secondary and representative data on the number of vasectomies and STD cases from 2008 to 2017. Vasectomy rates were calculated for age-specific groups of men aged 20-59 years, and specific STD (HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and syphilis) for the same period. Multivariate negative binomial regression models were fitted to evaluate rate trends and relationships. The mean vasectomy age was 40.3 years, with no significant differences between the years of the study (p = 0.058). The overall vasectomy rate significantly increased from 2008 to 2017 (p < 0.001), with differences between age groups (p < 0.001). The most significant increase was observed in men aged 30-49 (p < 0.001). The STD rates significantly increased (p < 0.05) during the study period. A significant positive correlation was found between vasectomy and gonorrhea incidence rates (p = 0.008) and an inverse correlation was found with hepatitis B incidence rates (p = 0.002). Vasectomy trends and STD rates significantly increased from 2018 to 2017 in Chile. especially among men aged 30-49 years. The relationship between vasectomy and STD increments suggests a new risk factor for reproductive and sexual health policies to aid controlling the HIV and STD epidemic.

Resumen: Se viene surgiendo una controversia sobre el aumento o la disminución de la vasectomía; sin embargo, la evidencia aún es escasa en América Latina. Este estudio ecológico analizó las tendencias de la vasectomía y las enfermedades de transmisión sexual (ETS) durante un período de 10 años en Chile y determinó si existe alguna relación entre ellas. Este es un estudio ecológico mixto que utiliza datos secundarios representativos sobre el número de vasectomías y casos de ETS de 2008 a 2017. Las tasas de vasectomía se calcularon por grupos de edad teniendo en cuenta a hombres entre 20-59 años de edad y ETS específicas (VIH, clamidia, gonorrea, tricomoniasis y sífilis) para el mismo período. Los modelos de regresión binomial negativa multivariante se ajustaron para evaluar las tendencias y las relaciones entre las tasas. La edad media de la vasectomía fue de 40,3 años, sin diferencias significativas entre el período del estudio (p = 0,058). La tasa general de vasectomía tuvo un incremento significativo para el período de 2008 a 2017 (p < 0,001), con diferencias entre los grupos de edad (p < 0,001). El incremento más significativo se observó en hombres de entre 30-49 años (p < 0,001). Las tasas de ETS tuvieron una alza significativa (p < 0,05) durante el período de estudio. Hubo una correlación positiva significativa entre las tasas de vasectomía y las tasas de incidencia de gonorrea (p = 0,008) y una correlación inversa con las tasas de incidencia de hepatitis B (p = 0,002). Se concluye que las tendencias de la vasectomía y las tasas de ETS presentaron un incremento significativo en período de 2008 a 2017 en Chile, especialmente entre los hombres de entre 30-49 años. La relación entre la vasectomía y el incremento de las ETS puede ser un nuevo factor de riesgo para las políticas de salud sexual y reproductiva que puede ayudar a controlar la epidemia del VIH y las ETS.

Resumo: Uma controvérsia sobre o aumento ou declínio da vasectomia está surgindo; no entanto, as evidências ainda são escassas na América Latina. Este estudo ecológico analisou as tendências de vasectomia e doenças sexualmente transmissíveis (DST) em um período de dez anos no Chile e determinou se há alguma relação entre elas. Este é um estudo ecológico misto utilizando dados secundários e representativos sobre o número de vasectomias e casos de DSTs de 2008 a 2017. As taxas de vasectomia foram calculadas por grupos etários, considerando homens de 20-59 anos de idade e DSTs específicas (HIV, clamídia, gonorreia, tricomoníase e sífilis) para o mesmo período. Modelos de regressão binomial negativa multivariada foram ajustados para avaliar tendências e relações entre taxas. A média de idade da vasectomia foi de 40,3 anos, sem diferenças significativas entre os anos do estudo (p = 0,058). A taxa geral de vasectomia aumentou significativamente de 2008 a 2017 (p < 0,001), com diferenças entre grupos etários (p < 0,001). O aumento mais significativo foi observado em homens de 30-49 anos (p < 0,001). As taxas de DST aumentaram significativamente (p < 0,05) durante o período de estudo. Houve correlação positiva significativa entre as taxas de vasectomia e as taxas de incidência de gonorreia (p = 0,008) e uma correlação inversa com as taxas de incidência de hepatite B (p = 0,002). As tendências de vasectomia e as taxas de DST aumentaram significativamente de 2008 para 2017 no Chile, especialmente entre homens de 30-49 anos. A relação entre vasectomia e incrementos de DST sugere um novo fator de risco para políticas de saúde sexual e reprodutiva para auxiliar no controle da epidemia de HIV e DST.

Geographical disparities in obesity prevalence: small-area analysis of the Chilean National Health Surveys.

BACKGROUND: Previous representative health surveys conducted in Chile evidenced a high obesity prevalence rate among adults, especially in female and urban areas. Nevertheless, these have limited utility for targeted interventions and local source allocation for prevention. This study analyzes the increments in obesity prevalence rates in populations ≥15 years of age and the geographic variation at the regional level. We also assessed whether the obesity rates have different patterns on a smaller geographic level than national and regional ones. METHODS: This ecological study analyzed data from two representative national samples of adolescents and adults ≥15 years old, who participated in the last Chilean health surveys, 2009 (n = 5412) and 2016 (n = 6233). Obesity (body mass index≥30 kg/m2) rates were calculated on the national, regional, and Health service (HS) levels, being HS the smallest unit of analysis available. Obesity rates and relative increase to early identify target populations and geographic areas, with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), were calculated using the sampling design of the national surveys, at the national and regional level, and by gender, age groups, and socioeconomic status. The Fay-Herriot (FH) models, using auxiliary data, were fitted for obesity rate estimates at the HS level. RESULTS: The relative increase in obesity rate was 37.1% (95%CI 23.3-52.9) at the national level, with a heterogeneous geographic distribution at the regional one. Southern regions had the highest obesity rates in both surveys (Aysén: 35.2, 95%CI 26.9-43.5 in 2009, 44.3 95%CI 37-51.7 in 2016), but higher increases were predominantly in the northern and central areas of the country (relative increase 91.1 95%CI 39.6-110.1 in Valparaiso and 81.6 95%CI 14.4-196.2 in Tarapacá). Obesity rates were higher in females, older age, and lower socioeconomic groups; nevertheless, relative increases were higher in the opposite ones. The FH estimates showed an obesity rates variation at the HS level, where higher rates tend to converge to specific HS areas of each region. CONCLUSION: Obesity rates and relative increase are diverse across subnational levels and substantially differ from the national estimates, highlighting a pattern that converges to areas with low-middle income households. Our results emphasize geographical disparities in obesity prevalence among adults and adolescents.