The intersecting effects of race, wealth, and education on AIDS incidence, mortality, and case-fatality rate: a Brazilian cohort study of 28.3 million individuals.

The relationships between race, education, wealth, their intersections and AIDS morbidity/mortality were analyzed in retrospective cohort of 28.3 million individuals followed for 9 years (2007-2015). Together with several sensitivity analyses, a wide range of interactions on additive and multiplicative scales were estimated. Race, education, and wealth were each strongly associated with all of the AIDS-related outcomes, and the magnitude of the associations increased as intersections were included. A significantly higher risk of illness (aRR: 3.07, 95%CI:2.67-3.53) and death (aRR: 4.96, 95%CI:3.99-6.16) from AIDS was observed at the intersection of Black race, lower educational attainment, and less wealth. A higher case-fatality rate (aRR: 1.62, 95%CI:1.18-2.21) was also seen for the same intersectional group. Historically oppressed groups lying at the intersections of race, education, and wealth, had a considerably higher risk of illness and death from AIDS. AIDS-related interventions will require the implementation of comprehensive intersectoral policies that follow an intersectionality perspective.

A Cross-sectional Online Questionnaire-based Survey About the Use of Compounded Medications in Veterinary Ophthalmology.

The aims of this survey were to determine how veterinary ophthalmologists worldwide use compounded ophthalmic drugs to treat ocular diseases, define their attitudes regarding compounding pharmacies, and identify commonly dispensed veterinary ophthalmic formulations as well as the diseases for which those preparations are most often prescribed. Respondents voluntar i ly and anonymously completed a questionnaire that was sent to a total of 1014 veterinary ophthalmologists at universities, specialty colleges, and ophthalmology associations in 24 countries. One hundred thirty (12.83%) veterinary ophthalmologists replied. Of those, 87 (66.92%) had worked in  veterinary ophthalmology for more than 10 years. Ten to 30% of their total prescriptions were compounded ophthalmic drugs, the most common of which were tacrolimus and cyclosporine for the treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Reported advantages of treatment with a compound included the accessibility of preparations that were not commercially available and the ability to customize formulations; reported disadvantages included brief shelf life, delivery time, and cost.

[Assessing experiences with discrimination in multiple social groups: invariance analysis of the Explicit Discrimination Scale in university students]. / Aferindo experiências com discriminação em múltiplos grupos sociais: análise de invariância da Escala de Discriminação Explícita em estudantes universitários.

This study evaluated the ability of the Explicit Discrimination Scale (EDS) to produce comparable estimates among respondents according to gender, color/race, and socioeconomic status. Analysis was based on data from two studies with students from Brazilian public universities. An abridged version of the EDS with eight items was evaluated by the alignment method. Findings indicated violation of invariance between color/race and gender groups. Reports of discriminatory experiences had better comparability between socioeconomic status strata. This study showed that EDS should be used with caution, especially to compare discrimination estimates between respondents of different colors/races and genders. The observed violation of invariance reinforces the need for additional research examining whether such a scenario persists in larger and more diverse samples from Brazil.

O objetivo foi avaliar a capacidade da Escala de Discriminação Explícita (EDE) de produzir estimativas comparáveis entre grupos de gênero, cor/raça e posição socioeconômica. A análise se baseou em dados de dois estudos, realizados com estudantes de universidades públicas brasileiras. Uma versão abreviada da EDE com oito itens foi avaliada, utilizando o método alignment (alinhamento). Nossos achados indicaram violação de invariância entre grupos de cor/raça e gênero. Os relatos de experiências discriminatórias tiveram melhor comparabilidade entre estratos de posição socioeconômica. Este estudo demonstrou que a EDE deve ser utilizada com cautela, especialmente para fazer comparações de estimativas de discriminação entre respondentes de cor/raça e gênero distintos. A violação de invariância observada reforça a necessidade de pesquisas adicionais, examinando se tal cenário se mantém em amostras mais amplas e diversas do país.

El objetivo fue evaluar la capacidad de la Escala de Discriminación Explícita (EDE) para producir estimaciones comparables entre grupos de género, color/raza y posición socioeconómica. El análisis se basó en los datos de dos estudios, realizados con estudiantes de universidades públicas brasileñas. Se evaluó una versión abreviada de la EDE con 8 ítems, utilizando el método alignment (alineación). Nuestros hallazgos indicaron una violación de la invariancia entre los grupos de color/raza y género. Los informes de experiencias discriminatorias fueron más comparables entre los estratos de posición socioeconómica. Este estudio demostró que la EDE debe usarse con precaución, especialmente para hacer comparaciones de estimaciones de discriminación entre encuestados distintos de color/raza y género. La violación de la invariancia observada refuerza la necesidad de investigaciones adicionales, examinando si tal escenario se mantiene muestras más amplias y diversas del país.

Discriminatory experiences among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, and transgender and non-binary individuals: a cross sectional analysis.

Background: Several systems of oppression combine in complex ways to impact the lives of minority populations. Following an intersectionality framework, we assessed the frequency and perceived reasons for discrimination among gay, bisexual, and other cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender and non-binary individuals (TGNB), stratified by race. Methods: Online survey among MSM and TGNB ≥18 years living in Brazil, between November/2021 and January/2022. We used the 18-item Explicit Discrimination Scale to assess day-to-day experiences of differential treatment, and perceived discrimination. For each item, participants indicated their perceived reasons for differential treatment using 14 pre-defined options. Negative binomial regression models assessed if race was a significant predictor of discrimination. Subsequent models, stratified by race, examined associations of perceived reasons and number of reasons with perceived discrimination. Findings: Of 8464 MSM and TGNB, 4961 (58.6%) were White, 2173 (25.7%) Pardo (Brazil's official term for admixed populations), and 1024 (12.1%) Black. Black participants' scores for perceived discrimination (mean, standard deviation) were higher (10.2, 8.8) [Pardo (6.5, 6.8), White (5.2, 5.7)], and race was both the main reason for and the strongest predictor of perceived discrimination. The number of reasons participants used to interpret their discriminatory experiences was also a predictor of discrimination score among White, Pardo, and Black participants. Interpretation: LGBTQIA+phobia was highly prevalent among all participants. Additionally, our results indicated that Black MSM and TGNB participants were more frequently discriminated against than other racial groups, with racial discrimination uniquely contributing these experiences. Funding: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro.

Antiracist ethos and the collective oral health as a pathway for life. / Ethos antirracista em saúde bucal coletiva como imperioso à vida.

This article proposes a reflection on the imperative of antiracism in collective oral health, which, as a science, field, core, and praxis, contributes significantly to the reconstruction of an ethos that considers equity and enables citizenship and democracy. As a paradigm, we assumed the concept of "Buccality" and the guidelines of the National Comprehensive Health Policy for the Black Population, emphasizing the defense of the right to health as a prerogative of the right to life and the combat against racism and all forms of discrimination systematically. As a critical exercise, we discussed the status quo of collective oral health. We pointed to adopting a racial pro-equity perspective as an intentional, political choice socially agreed upon with all of society for social justice. Finally, we propose recommendations for dismantling systemic racism in collective oral health.

Este artigo propõe uma reflexão sobre o imperativo do antirracismo na saúde bucal coletiva, a qual, como núcleo e práxis, pode contribuir de forma significativa para a (re)construção de um ethos que contemple a equidade e viabilize a cidadania e a democracia. Como paradigma, assumimos o conceito "Bucalidade" e as diretrizes da Política Nacional de Saúde Integral da População Negra, pela ênfase no direito à saúde como prerrogativa do direito à vida e no combate ao racismo e a todas as formas de discriminação, em quaisquer espaços, como indutor desse ethos. Como exercício crítico, abordamos o status quo da saúde bucal coletiva e apontamos para uma perspectiva pró-equidade racial como uma escolha intencional, política e pactuada socialmente em busca da justiça social. Por fim, trazemos proposições para a implementação desse ethos por assumir o enfrentamento do racismo sistêmico no campo da saúde bucal coletiva como inadiável para a preservação da vida-boca e aprimoramento da democracia.

Associations between psychological stress, discrimination, and oral health-related quality of life: the buffering effects of social support networks.

Stress and discrimination negatively affect quality of life, but social support may buffer their effects. This study aims: (1) to examine the associations between psychological stress, discrimination, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL); and (2) to assess whether social support, stress and discrimination interact to modify their associations with OHRQoL. We used cross-sectional household-based data from a study including 396 individuals aged 14 years and over from families registered for government social benefits in a city in Southern Brazil. OHRQoL was measured with the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) scale; psychological stress was assessed with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); social support was assessed based on the number of close relatives or friends of the participant, and discrimination was assessed with a short version of the Everyday Discrimination Scale. Interactions were estimated using the relative excess of risk due to interaction (RERI). Adjusted effects were calculated with logistic regression. The prevalence of oral impacts among people with higher and lower PSS scores was 81.6% and 65.5%, respectively (p < 0.01). Social support was found to have no interactions with stress levels and discrimination. The association between social discrimination and OHRQoL (OIDP score > 0) was OR = 2.03 (95%CI: 1.23; 3.34) among people with a low level of stress, but was OR = 12.6 (95%CI: 1.31; 120.9) among those with higher levels (p = 0.09, for interaction). Individuals who reported experiencing higher levels of psychological stress and discrimination had worse OHRQoL; a synergistic effect with social support was not clear.

A partial habituation method to test for anterograde and retrograde amnestic treatment effects: Evidence that antagonism of the NMDA receptor can induce anterograde but not retrograde amnestic effects.

BACKGROUND: A progressive decrease in spontaneous locomotion with repeated exposure to a novel environment has been assessed using both within and between-session measures. While both are well-established and reliable measurements, neither are useful alone as methods to concurrently assess treatment effects on acquisition and retention of habituation. NEW METHOD: We report a behavioral method that measures habituation by combining the within and between measurements of locomotion. We used a 30 min session divided into 6 five min blocks. In the first novel environment session activity was maximal in the first 5 min block but was reduced to a low level by the sixth block, indicative of within-session habituation. Using 8 daily sessions, we showed that this terminal block low level of activity progressed incrementally to the first block to achieve complete habituation. RESULTS/COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: Within-session activity across sessions was used to identify different stages of between session habituation. It was then possible to assess drug treatment effects from partial to complete habituation, so that treatment effects on retention of the previously acquired partial habituation, expressed as a reversion to an earlier within session habituation pattern (retrograde amnesia assessment), as well as the effects on new learning by the failure in subsequent sessions to acquire complete between-session habituation (anterograde amnesia assessment). CONCLUSIONS: The use of spontaneous motor activity to assess learning and memory effects provides the opportunity to assess direct treatment effects on behavior and motor activity in contrast to many learning and memory models.

A novel application of interrupted time series analysis to identify the impact of a primary health care reform on intersectional inequities in avoidable hospitalizations in the adult Swedish population.

Primary health care (PHC) systems are a crucial instrument for achieving equitable population health, but there is little evidence of how PHC reforms impact equities in population health. In 2010, Sweden implemented a reform that promoted marketization and privatization of PHC. The present study uses a novel integration of intersectionality-informed and evaluative epidemiological analytical frameworks to disentangle the impact of the 2010 Swedish PHC reform on intersectional inequities in avoidable hospitalizations. The study population comprised the total Swedish population aged 18-85 years across 2001-2017, in total 129 million annual observations, for whom register data on sociodemographics and hospitalizations due to ambulatory care sensitive conditions were retrieved. Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Analyses (MAIHDA) were run for the pre-reform (2001-2009) and post-reform (2010-2017) periods to provide a mapping of inequities. In addition, random effects estimates reflecting the discriminatory accuracy of intersectional strata were extracted from a series MAIHDAs run per year 2001-2017. The estimates were re-analyzed by Interrupted Time Series Analysis (ITSA), in order to identify the impact of the reform on measures of intersectional inequity in avoidable hospitalizations. The results point to a complex reconfiguration of social inequities following the reform. While the post-reform period showed a reduction in overall rates of avoidable hospitalizations and in age disparities, socioeconomic inequities in avoidable hospitalizations, as well as the importance of interactions between complex social positions, both increased. Socioeconomically disadvantaged groups born in the Nordic countries seem to have benefited the least from the reform. The study supports a greater attention to the potentially complex consequences that health reforms can have on inequities in health and health care, which may not be immediate apparent in conventional evaluations of either population-average outcomes, or by simple evaluations of equity impacts. Methodological approaches for evaluation of complex inequity impacts need further development.

Aferindo experiências com discriminação em múltiplos grupos sociais: análise de invariância da Escala de Discriminação Explícita em estudantes universitários / Assessing experiences with discrimination in multiple social groups: invariance analysis of the Explicit Discrimination Scale in university students / Evaluación comparativa de experiencias de discriminación en múltiples grupos sociales: análisis de invariancia de la Escala de Discriminación Explícita en estudiantes universitarios

Resumo: O objetivo foi avaliar a capacidade da Escala de Discriminação Explícita (EDE) de produzir estimativas comparáveis entre grupos de gênero, cor/raça e posição socioeconômica. A análise se baseou em dados de dois estudos, realizados com estudantes de universidades públicas brasileiras. Uma versão abreviada da EDE com oito itens foi avaliada, utilizando o método alignment (alinhamento). Nossos achados indicaram violação de invariância entre grupos de cor/raça e gênero. Os relatos de experiências discriminatórias tiveram melhor comparabilidade entre estratos de posição socioeconômica. Este estudo demonstrou que a EDE deve ser utilizada com cautela, especialmente para fazer comparações de estimativas de discriminação entre respondentes de cor/raça e gênero distintos. A violação de invariância observada reforça a necessidade de pesquisas adicionais, examinando se tal cenário se mantém em amostras mais amplas e diversas do país.

Abstract: This study evaluated the ability of the Explicit Discrimination Scale (EDS) to produce comparable estimates among respondents according to gender, color/race, and socioeconomic status. Analysis was based on data from two studies with students from Brazilian public universities. An abridged version of the EDS with eight items was evaluated by the alignment method. Findings indicated violation of invariance between color/race and gender groups. Reports of discriminatory experiences had better comparability between socioeconomic status strata. This study showed that EDS should be used with caution, especially to compare discrimination estimates between respondents of different colors/races and genders. The observed violation of invariance reinforces the need for additional research examining whether such a scenario persists in larger and more diverse samples from Brazil.

Resumen: El objetivo fue evaluar la capacidad de la Escala de Discriminación Explícita (EDE) para producir estimaciones comparables entre grupos de género, color/raza y posición socioeconómica. El análisis se basó en los datos de dos estudios, realizados con estudiantes de universidades públicas brasileñas. Se evaluó una versión abreviada de la EDE con 8 ítems, utilizando el método alignment (alineación). Nuestros hallazgos indicaron una violación de la invariancia entre los grupos de color/raza y género. Los informes de experiencias discriminatorias fueron más comparables entre los estratos de posición socioeconómica. Este estudio demostró que la EDE debe usarse con precaución, especialmente para hacer comparaciones de estimaciones de discriminación entre encuestados distintos de color/raza y género. La violación de la invariancia observada refuerza la necesidad de investigaciones adicionales, examinando si tal escenario se mantiene muestras más amplias y diversas del país.

Associations between psychological stress, discrimination, and oral health-related quality of life: the buffering effects of social support networks / Associações entre estresse psicológico, discriminação e qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal: os efeitos amortecedores das redes de apoio social / Asociaciones entre estrés psicológico, discriminación y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud bucal: los efectos atenuantes de las redes de apoyo social

Stress and discrimination negatively affect quality of life, but social support may buffer their effects. This study aims: (1) to examine the associations between psychological stress, discrimination, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL); and (2) to assess whether social support, stress and discrimination interact to modify their associations with OHRQoL. We used cross-sectional household-based data from a study including 396 individuals aged 14 years and over from families registered for government social benefits in a city in Southern Brazil. OHRQoL was measured with the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) scale; psychological stress was assessed with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); social support was assessed based on the number of close relatives or friends of the participant, and discrimination was assessed with a short version of the Everyday Discrimination Scale. Interactions were estimated using the relative excess of risk due to interaction (RERI). Adjusted effects were calculated with logistic regression. The prevalence of oral impacts among people with higher and lower PSS scores was 81.6% and 65.5%, respectively (p < 0.01). Social support was found to have no interactions with stress levels and discrimination. The association between social discrimination and OHRQoL (OIDP score > 0) was OR = 2.03 (95%CI: 1.23; 3.34) among people with a low level of stress, but was OR = 12.6 (95%CI: 1.31; 120.9) among those with higher levels (p = 0.09, for interaction). Individuals who reported experiencing higher levels of psychological stress and discrimination had worse OHRQoL; a synergistic effect with social support was not clear.

O estresse e a discriminação afetam negativamente a qualidade de vida, mas o apoio social pode amortecer seus efeitos. Os objetivos deste estudo são: (1) examinar as associações entre estresse psicológico, discriminação e qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal (QVRSB); e (2) avaliar se apoio social, estresse e discriminação interagem para modificar suas associações com QVRSB. Os dados são de uma pesquisa transversal de base domiciliar de um estudo que incluiu 396 indivíduos com 14 anos ou mais de famílias registradas para benefícios federais em uma cidade no sul do Brasil. A QVRSB foi mensurada pelo Impactos Orais no Desempenho Diário (OIDP), enquanto o estresse psicológico foi avaliado pela Escala de Estresse Percebido (PSS). Além disso, o apoio social foi avaliado pelo número de parentes ou amigos próximos e a discriminação por meio da Escala de Discriminação Diária (EDS). As interações foram estimadas por meio do excesso relativo de risco devido à interação (RERI). Os efeitos ajustados foram calculados por meio de regressão logística. A prevalência de impactos bucais entre as pessoas com maior e menor escores de PSS foi de 81,6% e 65,5%, respectivamente (p < 0,01). O apoio social mostra interações inclusivas com níveis de estresse e discriminação. A associação entre discriminação social e QVRSB (escore OIDP > 0) foi OR = 2,03 (IC95%: 1,23; 3,34) dentre pessoas com baixo nível de estresse, mas foi de OR = 12,6 (IC95%: 1,31; 120,9) dentre aqueles com níveis mais altos (p = 0,09, para interação). Indivíduos que relataram níveis mais elevados de estresse psicológico e discriminação apresentaram pior QVRSB; o efeito sinérgico com o apoio social não foi evidente.

El estrés y la discriminación afectan negativamente a la calidad de vida, pero el apoyo social puede mitigar sus efectos. Los objetivos de este estudio son: (1) examinar las asociaciones entre el estrés psicológico, la discriminación y la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud bucal (CVRSB); y (2) evaluar si el apoyo social, el estrés y la discriminación interactúan para modificar sus asociaciones con la CVRSB. Los datos provienen de una encuesta transversal de hogares cuyo estudio incluyó a 396 individuos de 14 años o más de familias registradas en beneficios del gobierno en una ciudad del Sur de Brasil. La CVRSB se midió mediante el Impactos Orales en el Rendimiento Diario (OIDP), mientras que el estrés psicológico se evaluó mediante la Escala de Estrés Percibido (PSS). El apoyo social se basó en el número de familiares o amigos cercanos, y la discriminación en la Escala de Discriminación Cotidiana (EDS). Las interacciones se estimaron mediante el excesivo de riesgo relativo debido a la interacción (RERI). Los efectos ajustados se calcularon mediante regresión logística. La prevalencia de impactos orales entre las personas con puntajes de PSS más altas y más bajas fue del 81,6% y del 65,5%, respectivamente (p < 0,01). El apoyo social presenta interacciones inclusivas con niveles de estrés y discriminación. La asociación entre discriminación social y OHRQoL (puntuación OIDP > 0) fue OR = 2,03 (IC95%: 1,23; 3,34) entre personas con un nivel bajo de estrés, pero fue OR = 12,6 (IC95%: 1,31; 120,9) entre aquellos con niveles más altos (p = 0,09, para interacción). Las personas que informaron tener niveles más elevados de estrés psicológico y discriminación tuvieron una peor CVRSB; el efecto sinérgico con el apoyo social no estaba claro.

Ethos antirracista em saúde bucal coletiva como imperioso à vida / Antiracist ethos and the collective oral health as a pathway for life

Resumo Este artigo propõe uma reflexão sobre o imperativo do antirracismo na saúde bucal coletiva, a qual, como núcleo e práxis, pode contribuir de forma significativa para a (re)construção de um ethos que contemple a equidade e viabilize a cidadania e a democracia. Como paradigma, assumimos o conceito "Bucalidade" e as diretrizes da Política Nacional de Saúde Integral da População Negra, pela ênfase no direito à saúde como prerrogativa do direito à vida e no combate ao racismo e a todas as formas de discriminação, em quaisquer espaços, como indutor desse ethos. Como exercício crítico, abordamos o status quo da saúde bucal coletiva e apontamos para uma perspectiva pró-equidade racial como uma escolha intencional, política e pactuada socialmente em busca da justiça social. Por fim, trazemos proposições para a implementação desse ethos por assumir o enfrentamento do racismo sistêmico no campo da saúde bucal coletiva como inadiável para a preservação da vida-boca e aprimoramento da democracia.

Abstract This article proposes a reflection on the imperative of antiracism in collective oral health, which, as a science, field, core, and praxis, contributes significantly to the reconstruction of an ethos that considers equity and enables citizenship and democracy. As a paradigm, we assumed the concept of "Buccality" and the guidelines of the National Comprehensive Health Policy for the Black Population, emphasizing the defense of the right to health as a prerogative of the right to life and the combat against racism and all forms of discrimination systematically. As a critical exercise, we discussed the status quo of collective oral health. We pointed to adopting a racial pro-equity perspective as an intentional, political choice socially agreed upon with all of society for social justice. Finally, we propose recommendations for dismantling systemic racism in collective oral health.

Research on racial/ethnic inequities in oral health over the past 80 years: The role of racism.

AIM: This study aims to (1) describe trends in explanations provided for racial/ethnic inequities in dental caries and periodontitis, and (2) explore the patterns of relatedness among explanations for these inequities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Highly cited publications based on studies indexed in the Scopus database were retrieved and assessed for eligibility. Explanations for racial/ethnic inequities were classified into eight different, but interrelated domains. We assessed trends and examined the relations among explanations using multiple correspondence analysis. RESULTS: A total of 200 articles among the most cited publications were selected. The proportion of studies invoking racism as an explanation for racial inequities in oral health increased from 0% to 14.3%, from 1937 to 2020. The proportions of individual socio-economic factors increased from 52.0% to 82.9%, and dental care from 28.0% to 62.9%. The remaining explanations were stable: psychological/behavioural processes (62.5%), biological factors (49.5%), contextual/area-level effects (24.0%) and immigrant paradox (4.0%). Multiple correspondence analysis revealed a smaller axial distance between racism and the following categories: studies from Brazil, recent publications and Blacks/Hispanics/mixed-race groups. Publications about immigrants were axially closer to the high-income countries category. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings call on dental researchers to consider racism as a cause for existing racial/ethnic inequities in oral health.

The Global Prevalence and Severity of Dental Caries among Racially Minoritized Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Racially minoritized children often bear a greater burden of dental caries, but the overall magnitude of racial gaps in oral health and their underlying factors are unknown. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to fill these knowledge gaps. We compared racially minoritized (E) children aged 5-11 years (P) with same-age privileged groups (C) to determine the magnitude and correlates of racial inequities in dental caries (O) in observational studies (S). Using the PICOS selection criteria, a targeted search was performed from inception to December 1, 2021, in nine major electronic databases and an online web search for additional grey literature. The primary outcome measures were caries severity, as assessed by mean decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) among children and untreated dental caries prevalence (d > 0%). The meta-analysis used the random-effects model to calculate standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Subgroup analysis, tests for heterogeneity (I2, Galbraith plot), leave-one-out sensitivity analysis, cumulative analysis, and publication bias (Egger's test and funnel plots) tests were carried out. The New Castle Ottawa scale was used to assess risk of bias. This review was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42021282771. A total of 75 publications were included in the descriptive analysis. The SMD of dmft score was higher by 2.30 (95% CI: 0.45, 4.15), and the prevalence of untreated dental caries was 23% (95% CI: 16, 31) higher among racially minoritized children, compared to privileged groups. Cumulative analysis showed worsening caries outcomes for racially marginalized children over time and larger inequities in dmft among high-income countries. Our study highlights the high caries burden among minoritized children globally by estimating overall trends and comparing against factors including time, country, and world income. The large magnitude of these inequities, combined with empirical evidence on the oral health impacts of racism and other forms of oppression, reinforce that oral health equity can only be achieved with social and political changes at a global level.

Ruminal fermentation pattern of acidosis-induced cows fed either monensin or polyclonal antibodies preparation against several ruminal bacteria.

This study was designed to evaluate a spray-dried multivalent polyclonal antibody preparation (PAP) against lactate-producing bacteria as an alternative to monensin (MON) to control ruminal acidification. Holstein cows (677 ± 98 kg) fitted with ruminal cannulas were allocated in an incomplete Latin square design with two 20 days period. Cows were randomly assigned to control (CTL), PAP, or MON treatments. For each period, cows were fed a forage diet in the first 5 days (d-5 to d-1), composed of sugarcane, urea and a mineral supplement, followed by a 74% concentrate diet for 15 days (d 0 to d 14). There were no treatment main effects (P > 0.05) on dry matter intake (DMI) and microbial protein synthesis. However, there was a large peak (P < 0.01) of intake on d 0 (18.29 kg), followed by a large decline on d 1 (3.67 kg). From d2, DMI showed an increasing pattern (8.34 kg) and stabilized around d 8 (12.96 kg). Higher mean pH was measured (P < 0.01) in cattle-fed MON (6.06 vs. PAP = 5.89 and CTL = 5.91). The ruminal NH3-N concentration of CTL-fed cows was lower (P < 0.01) compared to those fed MON or PAP. The molar concentration of acetate and lactate was not affected (P > 0.23) by treatments, but feeding MON increased (P = 0.01) propionate during the first 4 days after the challenge. Feeding MON and PAP reduced (P = 0.01) the molar proportion of butyrate. MON was effective in controlling pH and improved ruminal fermentation of acidosis-induced cows. However, PAP was not effective in controlling acidosis. The acidosis induced by the challenge was caused by the accumulation of SCFAs. Therefore, the real conditions for evaluation of this feed additive were not reached in this experiment, since this PAP was proposed to work against lactate-producing bacteria.

Conceptualizing inequities and oppression in oral health research.

Major sociohistorical processes have profound effects on oral health, with impacts experienced through structural oppression manifested in policies and practices across the lifespan. Structural oppression drives oral health inequities and impacts population-level oral health. In this global perspective paper, we challenge old assumptions about oral health inequities, address misleading conceptualizations in their description and operation and reframe oral health through the lens of intersecting systems of oppression. Furthermore, we emphasize the need for oral health researchers to explore causal pathways through which oppression harms oral health and engage in social science concepts to understand the root causes of oral health inequities fully. Finally, we call on policymakers, dental scholars and decision makers to consider health equity in all policies and to take a systems-oriented approach to effectively address oral health inequities.

Challenges in operationalizing conceptual models in aetiological research.

Conceptual or theoretical models are crucial in developing causal hypotheses and interpreting study findings, but they have been underused and misused in aetiological research, particularly in dentistry and oral epidemiology. Good models should incorporate updated evidence and clarify knowledge gaps to derive logical hypotheses. Developing models and deriving testable hypotheses in operational models can be challenging, as seen in the four examples referred to in this commentary. One challenge concerns the theoretical validity of the model, while another relates to difficulties in operationalizing abstract concepts. A third challenge refers to the lack of sufficient information in the dataset to test partially or even the whole model. Finally, a common challenge is the application of a conceptual model to different contexts. Among the existing methodological approaches to operationalize conceptual models, causal graphs may be helpful, especially when combined with approaches from diverse disciplinary fields via triangulation.

The more you need, the less you get: Intersectionality and the inverse care law in the Brazilian depression care cascade.

Substantial research has shown that the population distribution of major depressive disorder (MDD) is strongly influenced by race, gender, and socioeconomic position. However, a deeper understanding of inequities in access to care for MDD according to these social markers is yet to be reached. We use data from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey, which includes 87,187 respondents aged 18 years and over, to test two hypotheses derived from the inverse care law: women, Black, and low-education respondents have higher frequencies of MDD, but lower access to each step of the depression care cascade, including diagnosis by a health professional, regular healthcare visits, and access to specialised treatment (H1); low-education Black women show the highest MDD frequency and the lowest access to care across the entire cascade (H2). Partially supporting H1 and H2, our results reveal a bottleneck in the first step of the depression care cascade. While no racial inequities were observed in the MDD prevalence, Black individuals were less likely than whites to be diagnosed by a health professional (OR 0.74). Women (OR 2.64) and low-education (OR 1.18) were more likely to have probable MDD in relation to men and high-education respondents, respectively, but only women (OR 1.58) were more likely to be diagnosed. Low-education Black women were equally more likely to have probable MDD (OR 3.11) than high-education white men. Conversely, high-education white women emerged as the most likely to be diagnosed with MDD (OR 1.63). Our findings suggest the inverse care law applies to the depression care cascade in Brazil through indication that its healthcare system perpetuates a multilayered system of oppression that overlooks multiply marginalised individuals. We also show that adequate screening by health care professionals should mitigate the complex patterns of inequity revealed by our study.

The Mouth as a Site of Compound Injustices: A Structural Intersectionality Approach to the Oral Health of Working-Age US Adults.

Knowledge of and practice around health inequities have been limited by scarce investigations on intersecting forms of structural oppression, including the extent to which their effects are more severe among multiply marginalized groups. We addressed these insufficiencies by adopting a structural intersectionality approach to the study of edentulism (i.e., complete tooth loss), the dental equivalent of mortality. While individual information was gathered from approximately 200,000 adult (ages 18-64 years) respondents to the 2010 US Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, state-level data for 2000 and 2010 were obtained from a 2021 study by Homan et al. (J Health Soc Behav. 2021;62(3):350-370) and the US Census. These 3 sources provided information on edentulism, race, sex, structural racism, structural sexism, and income inequality, in addition to multiple covariates. Analyses showed that the intersections between structural sexism and state-level income inequality and structural racism were associated with 1.4 (95% confidence interval: 1.1, 1.9) and 1.5 (95% confidence interval: 1.1, 2.2) times' increased odds of complete tooth loss, respectively. The frequency of edentulism was highest among non-Hispanic Black men residing in states with high structural racism, high structural sexism, and high economic inequality. Based on these and other findings, we highlight the importance of a structural intersectionality approach to research and policy related to health inequities in the United States and elsewhere.

A disponibilidade de cirurgiões-dentistas na rede de atenção de Florianópolis, SC: examinando a Lei dos Cuidados Inversos / The availability of dentists in the healthcare network of Florianópolis, SC: examining the Inverse Care Law

Objetivo: O presente estudo analisou a Lei dos Cuidados Inversos na distribuição de cirurgiões-dentistas e de suas cargas horárias pelos territórios da Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF) de Florianópolis, sul do Brasil. Materiais e métodos: Trata-se de um estudo ecológico, que analisou a cobertura odontológica e as necessida-des em saúde bucal da população nos territórios dos 49 centros de saúde do município. Enquanto informações relativas aos cirurgiões-dentistas foram obtidas da Se-cretaria Municipal de Saúde e do Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde, as necessidades de saúde da população foram indiretamente estimadas pelo nível de privação socioeconômica dos territórios adstritos da ESF no município. A relação entre as variáveis foi examinada por meio de mapas sinópticos e pelo coeficiente de cor-relação de Spearman, considerando-se significativos os resultados com valores de probabilidade menores do que 5%. Resultados: Nenhum dos dois indicadores de cober-tura odontológica apresentou relação estatisticamente significativa com o nível de privação socioeconômica dos territórios adstritos da ESF, não estando vinculados às necessidades de saúde da população. Discussão: Tais achados podem ser atribuídos ao maior poder político/simbólico de segmentos abastados da população, bem como à preferência dos profissionais por atuar em lo-cais menos afetados pela privação. Conclusão: Gestores e outros profissionais devem estar atentos à equidade no Sistema Único de Saúde, uma vez que esta pode não estar sendo contemplada na organização das redes de atenção à saúde.

Aim: This study analyzed the Inverse Care Law in the distribution of dentists and their workload across the Family Health Strategy (FHS) territories of Florianópo-lis, southern Brazil. Materials and methods: This is an ecological study, which analyzed the population coverage by dental professionals and the population's oral health needs across the territories of the 49 healthcare centers in the municipality. While dentist-related information was obtained from the Municipal Health Department and the National Registry of Health Establishments, the population's oral health needs were indirectly estimated by the level of socioeconomic deprivation pertaining to each FHS territory. The relationship between studied variables was examined with synoptic maps and the Spearman's correlation coefficient, taking as statistically significant those results with p-values smaller than 5%. Results: Neither the distribution of dentists across the FHS territories nor their workload had a statistically significant relationship with socioeconomic depriva-tion, measured at the level of FHS territories; coverage of dental care was not related to the health needs of the population. Discussion: Such findings may be attribu-ted to the greater political/symbolic power of wealthy segments of the population, as well as the preference of professionals to be placed in less deprived territories. Conclusion: Health care planners and other professionals must pay attention to the principle of equity, as outlined by the Brazilian Unified Health System, since it may not be informing the organization of healthcare networks.