Global Incidence of Ovarian Cancer According to Histologic Subtype: A Population-Based Cancer Registry Study.

PURPOSE: Ovarian cancer can be categorized into distinct histologic subtypes with varying identifiable risk factors, molecular composition, clinical features, and treatment. The global incidence of ovarian cancer subtypes remains limited, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) without high-quality cancer registry systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used data from population-based cancer registries of the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents project to calculate the proportions of serous, mucinous, endometrioid, clear cell, and other histologic subtypes of ovarian cancer. Proportions were applied to the estimated numbers of patients with ovarian cancer from Global Cancer Observatory 2020. Age-standardized incidence rates were calculated. RESULTS: Globally, an estimated 133,818 new patients of serous cancer, 35,712 new patients of mucinous cancer, 29,319 new patients of endometrioid cancer, and 17,894 new patients of clear cell cancer were identified in 2020. The distribution of ovarian cancer histologic subtypes exhibited regional variation. Eastern Europe had the highest rate of serous and mucinous carcinomas, whereas Northern Africa and Eastern Asia had the highest burden of endometrioid and clear cell carcinomas, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study provides a global incidence landscape of histologic subtypes of ovarian cancer, particularly in LMICs lacking comprehensive registry systems. Our analysis offers valuable insights into disease burden and guidance for tailored strategies for prevention of ovarian cancer.

Survival After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Before and After Legislation for Bystander CPR.

Importance: The lack of evidence-based implementation strategies is a major contributor to increasing mortality due to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in developing countries with limited resources. Objective: To evaluate whether the implementation of legislation is associated with increased bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use and improved clinical outcomes for patients experiencing OHCA and to provide policy implications for low-income and middle-income settings. Design, Setting, and Participants: This observational cohort study analyzed a prospective city registry of patients with bystander-witnessed OHCA between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2022. The Emergency Medical Aid Act was implemented in Shenzhen, China, on October 1, 2018. An interrupted time-series analysis was used to assess changes in outcomes before and after the law. Data analysis was performed from May to October 2023. Exposure: The Emergency Medical Aid Act stipulated the use of AEDs and CPR training for the public and provided clear legal guidance for OHCA rescuing. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcomes were rates of bystander-initiated CPR and use of AEDs. Secondary outcomes were rates of prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), survival to arrival at the hospital, and survival at discharge. Results: A total of 13 751 patients with OHCA (median [IQR] age, 59 [43-76] years; 10 011 men [72.83%]) were included, with 7858 OHCAs occurring during the prelegislation period (January 1, 2010, to September 30, 2018) and 5893 OHCAs occurring during the postlegislation period (October 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022). The rates of bystander-initiated CPR (320 patients [4.10%] vs 1103 patients [18.73%]) and AED use (214 patients [4.12%] vs 182 patients [5.29%]) increased significantly after legislation implementation vs rates before the legislation. Rates of prehospital ROSC (72 patients [0.92%] vs 425 patients [7.21%]), survival to arrival at the hospital (68 patients [0.87%] vs 321 patients [5.45%]), and survival at discharge (44 patients [0.56%] vs 165 patients [2.80%]) were significantly increased during the postlegislation period. Interrupted time-series models demonstrated a significant slope change in the rates of all outcomes. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that implementation of the Emergency Medical Aid Act in China was associated with increased rates of CPR and public AED use and improved survival of patients with OHCA. The use of a systemwide approach to enact resuscitation initiatives and provide legal support may reduce the burden of OHCA in low-income and middle-income settings.

Regional variations in management and outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome in China: Evidence from the National Chest Pain Center Program.

Regional variations in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) management and outcomes have been an enormous public health issue. However, studies have yet to explore how to reduce the variations. The National Chest Pain Center Program (NCPCP) is the first nationwide, hospital-based, comprehensive, continuous quality improvement program for improving the quality of care in patients with ACS in China. We evaluated the association of NCPCP and regional variations in ACS healthcare using generalized linear mixed models and interaction analysis. Patients in the Western region had longer onset-to-first medical contact (FMC) time and time stay in non-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) hospitals, lower rates of PCI for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, and higher rates of medication usage. Patients in Central regions had relatively lower in-hospital mortality and in-hospital heart failure rates. Differences in the door-to-balloon time (DtoB) and in-hospital mortality between Western and Eastern regions were less after accreditation (ß = -8.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) -14.61 to -3.03; OR = 0.79, 95%CI 0.70 to 0.91). Similar results were found in differences in DtoB time, primary PCI rate for STEMI between Central and Eastern regions. The differences in PCI for higher-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients among different regions had been smaller. Additionally, the differences in medication use between Eastern and Western regions were higher after accreditation. Regional variations remained high in this large cohort of patients with ACS from hospitals participating in the NCPCP in China. More comprehensive interventions and hospital internal system optimizations are needed to further reduce regional variations in the management and outcomes of patients with ACS.

Factors associated with the delay in informed consent procedures of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and its influence on door-to-balloon time: a nationwide retrospective cohort study.

Background and Objectives: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is the deadliest and most time-sensitive acute cardiac event. However, failure to achieve timely informed consent is an important contributor to in-hospital delay in STEMI care in China. We investigated the factors associated with informed consent delay in patients with STEMI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and the association between the delay and door-to-balloon time. Methods: We conducted a nationally representative retrospective cohort study using patient data reported by hospital-based chest pain centers from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2020. We applied generalized linear mixed models and negative binomial regression to estimate factors independently predicting informed consent delay time. Logistic regressions were fitted to investigate the association of the informed consent delay time and door-to-balloon time, adjusting for patient characteristics. Results: In total, 257, 510 patients were enrolled in the analysis. Mean informed consent delay time was 22.4 min (SD = 24.0), accounting for 39.3% in door-to-balloon time. Older age (≥65 years) was significantly correlated with informed consent delay time (RR: 1.034, P = 0.001). Compared with ethnic Han patients, the minority (RR: 1.146, P < 0.001) had more likelihood to extend consent giving; compared with patients who were single, longer informed consent time was found in married patients (RR: 1.054, P = 0.006). Patients with intermittent chest pain (RR: 1.034, P = 0.011), and chest pain relief (RR: 1.085, P = 0.005) were more likely to delay informed consent. As for transfer modes, EMS (RR: 1.063, P < 0.001), transfer-in (RR: 1.820, P < 0.001), and in-hospital onset (RR: 1.099, P = 0.002) all had positive correlations with informed consent delay time compared to walk-in. Informed consent delay was significantly associated with prolonged door-to-balloon time (OR: 1.002, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Informed consent delay is significantly associated with the door-to-balloon time which plays a crucial role in achieving better outcomes for patients with STEMI. It is essential to shorten the delay time by identifying and intervening modifiable factors that are associated with shortening the informed consent procedure in China and other countries.

Progress towards health equity in Vietnam: evidence from nationwide official health statistics, 2010-2020.

INTRODUCTION: One of the ultimate goals of strengthening the health system is to achieve health equity. Vietnam is considered one of the 'fast-track countries' to achieve the health-related Millennium Development Goals, but research on its equity strategies remains inadequate. METHODS: Using Vietnamese official health statistics, we investigated inequity in four dimensions including health resources, service delivery, service utilisation and residents' health status from the perspectives of income levels, poverty rates and subnational regions. The Slope Index of Inequality, concentration curve/Concentration Index, absolute difference and Theil Index were used. RESULTS: Four indicators showed 'pro-poor' inequality in health resources, including the per capita health budget, per capita health personnel, per capita health personnel at the community level and per capita hospital beds at the community level, while provincial hospital beds showed 'pro-rich' inequality. Two health service delivery indicators (delivery of antenatal care ≥3 times and proportion of community health service centres with medical doctors) show 'pro-rich' inequality, although two health status indicators, mortality and malnutrition rates for children under five, showed 'pro-poor' inequality. The Northern Midlands and Mountain Areas, and the Central Highlands were disadvantaged regarding service delivery and health status. Intraregional differences were the main factors contributing to the inequalities in delivery of antenatal care ≥3 times, provincial hospital beds and percentage of community health centres with medical doctors, with the Red River Delta and the South East region experiencing the greatest inequalities. CONCLUSION: The overall level of health equity in Vietnam has increased over the past decade, although inequality in health service delivery has hindered progress towards health equity based on income, poverty and subnational regions. Targeted policies need to be introduced to reduce inequities relating to the health workforce and service delivery capacity.

Health policy competencies in regional organizations: a retrospective analysis for 76 regional organizations from 1945 to 2015.

BACKGROUND: Health policy competencies of regional organizations include mandates to create regional health laws and policies, as well as authorities that allow member states to undertake collective actions in the health field. The examination of the health policy competencies of regional organizations is essential, as it constitutes an important prerequisite for regional organizations to govern regional health. This study aims to map the development trajectory of health policy competencies in regional organizations worldwide and investigate their potential correlates. This will contribute to the enhanced promotion of both existing and new regional health cooperation. METHODS: This retrospective analysis utilized the health policy competencies of the 76 regional organizations worldwide from 1945 to 2015, as investigated in the Regional Organizations Competencies Database. By aggregating member state data from various sources such as the IHME Global Burden of Disease 2019, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization, we extracted the mean values and coefficients of variation for the covariates in regional organization characteristics, socioeconomic and demographic factors, health status and health-system capacity. The correlation between changes in the health policy scope of regional organizations and independent variables was analyzed using Poisson pseudo-likelihood regression with multiple levels of fixed effects. RESULTS: From 1945 to 2015, the number of regional organizations with health policy competencies experienced a slow growth stage before 1991 and an explosive growth stage post-1991. By 2015, 48 out of the 71 existing regional organizations had developed their health policy competencies, yet 26 (54.2%) of these organizations possessed only 1-2 health policy competencies. An enhancement in the health policy scope of a regional organization correlated with its founding year, a greater number of policy fields, higher under-five mortality, and larger disparities in trade and healthcare access and quality indexes among member states. In contrast, larger disparities in population, under-five mortality and health worker density among member states, along with more hospital beds per capita, were negatively correlated with the expansion of a regional organization's health policy scope. CONCLUSION: Since 1991, there has been a surge of interest in health among regional organizations, although health remains a secondary priority for them. The health policy competencies of regional organizations are pivotal for promoting social equity within regional communities. Its establishment is also closely linked to the level and disparities among member states in aspects such as trade, population, child mortality rates, and health system capacity.

Global Cervical Cancer Incidence by Histological Subtype and Implications for Screening Methods.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is a major global health concern, disproportionately affecting women in developing countries. Cervical cancer has two primary subtypes, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC), each with distinct characteristics and screening effectiveness. In this study, we aimed to estimate the global incidence of cervical cancer according to histological subtype to inform prevention strategies. METHODS: Using data from population-based cancer registries, we computed the rates of SCC, AC, and other specified histology among all cervical cancer cases by country and by 5-year age group. Proportions were subsequently applied to the estimated number of cervical cancer cases from the Global Cancer Observatory 2020. Age-standardized incidence rates were calculated. RESULTS: SCC accounted for 82.72% of global cervical cancer cases, with AC contributing 12.18%. The highest SCC incidence was in Sub-Saharan Africa (29.79 per 100,000 population). The AC incidence was highest in South-Eastern Asia (3.67 per 100,000 population). Age-specific trends showed SCC peaking at approximately age 55 years and AC plateauing after age 45 years. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided a comprehensive estimate of cervical cancer incidence by histological subtype. SCC remained the dominant subtype globally, whereas the incidence of AC varied across regions. These findings highlighted the need for tailored prevention strategies, especially testing for human papillomavirus to detect AC in high burden areas.

The Role of Smoking, Obesity, and Physical Inactivity in Cognitive Performance and Decline: A Multicohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Unhealthy lifestyles are recognized contributors to cognitive decline, yet limited evidence focuses on their roles in cognitive decline rate. This study examined the role of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity in cognitive performance and rate of cognitive decline by birth cohort on a global scale. METHODS: Utilizing data from 4 prospective cohort studies (China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, English Longitudinal Study on Ageing, Health and Retirement Study, and Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe) across 14 countries, a multicohort study was performed. Eligible participants were aged 50 years and older. Linear mixed models were employed to detect the role of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity in cognitive function domains (epidemic memory, working memory, and time orientation). RESULTS: Higher scores of cognitive functions were found in participants who engaged in more vigorous physical activity, were noncurrent smokers, and maintained underweight (eg, for episodic memory scores in females at 60 years, vigorous physical activity: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.49). In addition, a slower rate of cognitive decline was also found in individuals who engaged in moderate or vigorous physical activity, were noncurrent smokers, and maintained not being underweight (eg, for episodic memory scores changing from 50 to 70 years old in females, vigorous physical activity: from 0.54 (95% CI: 0.51, 0.57) to 0.40 (95% CI: 0.37, 0.44) and in males from 0.33 (95% CI: 0.30, 0.36) to 0.11 (95% CI: 0.08, 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the beneficial impact of healthy lifestyles in preventing cognitive decline and promoting healthy aging. Urgent measures are needed to identify and encourage healthy lifestyles, such as strengthening tobacco control, developing policy on physical activity promotion, and preventing underweight, to minimize worldwide levels of cognitive decline.

Global, regional, and national burden of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancers attributable to high fasting plasma glucose: A systematic analysis of global burden of disease 2019.

BACKGROUND: Tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL) cancer is the third most common and lethal type of cancer worldwide. Glucose metabolism disorders, as represented by high fasting plasma glucose (HFPG), increase the risk of development and worsen the prognosis of TBL cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the global disease burden of TBL cancer attributable to HFPG. METHODS: The TBL cancer burden attributable to HFPG was estimated based on a modeling strategy using the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The disease burden globally and by regions, countries, development levels, age groups, and sexes were also evaluated with the indicators of death, disability-adjusted life years, years of life lost, and years lived with disability. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated by regression model to show the temporal trend. RESULTS: In 2019, approximately 8% of the total TBL cancer burden was attributable to HFPG. The HFPG-attributable TBL cancer burden increased globally from 1990 to 2019 with the EAPC of 0.98% per year. The burden was positively associated with social development levels, and the global burden was three times greater in men than in women. HFPG-attributable TBL cancer burden increased with age and peaked at above 70 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the effect and burden of glucose disorders, as represented by HFPG on TBL cancer burden. Integrated cancer prevention and control measures are needed, with control of glucose disorders as one of the key elements.

Building quality primary health care development in the new era towards universal health coverage: a Beijing initiative.

Primary health care (PHC) is the most effective way to improve people's health and well-being, and primary care services should act as the cornerstone of a resilient health system and the foundation of universal health coverage. To promote high quality development of PHC, an International Symposium on Quality Primary Health Care Development was held on December 4-5, 2023 in Beijing, China, and the participants have proposed and advocated the Beijing Initiative on Quality Primary Health Care Development. The Beijing Initiative calls on all countries to carry out and strengthen 11 actions: fulfill political commitment and accountability; achieve "health in all policies" through multisectoral coordination; establish sustainable financing; empower communities and individuals; provide community-based integrated care; promote the connection and integration of health services and social services through good governance; enhance training, allocation and motivation of health workforce, and medical education; expand application of traditional and alternative medicine for disease prevention and illness healing; empower PHC with digital technology; ensure access to medicinal products and appropriate technologies; and last, strengthen global partnership and international health cooperation. The Initiative will enrich the content of quality development of PHC, build consensus, and put forward policies for quality development of PHC in China in the new era, which are expected to make contributions in accelerating global actions.

The Combined Effects of Hourly Multi-Pollutant on the Risk of Ambulance Emergency Calls: A Seven-Year Time Series Study.

BACKGROUND: Ambulance emergency calls (AECs) are seen as a more suitable metric for syndromic surveillance due to their heightened sensitivity in reflecting the health impacts of air pollutants. Limited evidence has emphasized the combined effect of hourly air pollutants on AECs. This study aims to investigate the combined effects of multipollutants (i.e., PM2.5, PM10, Ozone, NO2, and SO2) on all-cause and cause-specific AECs by using the quantile g-computation method. METHODS: We used ambulance emergency dispatch data, air pollutant data, and meteorological data from between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2019 in Shenzhen, China, to estimate the associations of hourly multipollutants with AECs. We followed a two-stage analytic protocol, including the distributed lag nonlinear model, to examine the predominant lag for each air pollutant, as well as the quantile g-computation model to determine the associations of air pollutant mixtures with all-cause and cause-specific AECs. RESULTS: A total of 3,022,164 patients were identified during the study period in Shenzhen. We found that each interquartile range increment in the concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, Ozone, NO2, and SO2 in 0-8 h, 0-8 h, 0-48 h, 0-28 h, and 0-24 h was associated with the highest risk of AECs. Each interquartile range increase in the mixture of air pollutants was significantly associated with a 1.67% (95% CI, 0.12-3.12%) increase in the risk of all-cause AECs, a 1.81% (95% CI, 0.25-3.39%) increase in the risk of vascular AECs, a 1.77% (95% CI, 0.44-3.11%) increase in reproductive AECs, and a 2.12% (95% CI, 0.56-3.71%) increase in AECs due to injuries. CONCLUSIONS: We found combined effects of pollutant mixtures associated with an increased risk of AECs across various causes. These findings highlight the importance of targeted policies and interventions to reduce air pollution, particularly for PM, Ozone, and NO2 emissions.

Sex Disparities in Management and Outcomes Among Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Importance: Sex disparities in the management and outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have received increasing attention. Objective: To evaluate the association of a quality improvement program with sex disparities among patients with ACS. Design, Setting, and Participants: The National Chest Pain Centers Program (NCPCP) is an ongoing nationwide program for the improvement of quality of care in patients with ACS in China, with CPC accreditation as a core intervention. In this longitudinal analysis of annual (January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2020) cross-sectional data of 1 095 899 patients with ACS, the association of the NCPCP with sex-related disparities in the care of these patients was evaluated using generalized linear mixed models and interaction analysis. The robustness of the results was assessed by sensitivity analyses with inverse probability of treatment weighting. Data were analyzed from September 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022. Exposure: Hospital participation in the NCPCP. Main Outcomes and Measures: Differences in treatment and outcomes between men and women with ACS. Prehospital indicators included time from onset to first medical contact (onset-FMC), time from onset to calling an emergency medical service (onset-EMS), and length of hospital stay without receiving a percutaneous coronary intervention (non-PCI). In-hospital quality indicators included non-PCI, use of statin at arrival, discharge with statin, discharge with dual antiplatelet therapy, direct PCI for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), PCI for higher-risk non-ST-segment elevation ACS, time from door to catheterization activation, and time from door to balloon. Patient outcome indicators included in-hospital mortality and in-hospital new-onset heart failure. Results: Data for 1 095 899 patients with ACS (346 638 women [31.6%] and 749 261 men [68.4%]; mean [SD] age, 63.9 [12.4] years) from 989 hospitals were collected. Women had longer times for onset-FMC and onset-EMS; lower rates of PCI, statin use at arrival, and discharge with medication; longer in-hospital delays; and higher rates of in-hospital heart failure and mortality. The NCPCP was associated with less onset-FMC time, more direct PCI rate for STEMI, lower rate of in-hospital heart failure, more drug use, and fewer in-hospital delays for both men and women with ACS. Sex-related differences in the onset-FMC time (ß = -0.03 [95% CI, -0.04 to -0.01), rate of direct PCI for STEMI (odds ratio, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.06-1.17]), time from hospital door to balloon (ß = -1.38 [95% CI, -2.74 to -0.001]), and rate of in-hospital heart failure (odds ratio, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.86-0.94]) were significantly less after accreditation. Conclusions and Relevance: In this longitudinal cross-sectional study of patients with ACS from hospitals participating in the NCPCP in China, sex-related disparities in management and outcomes were smaller in some aspects by regionalization between prehospital emergency and in-hospital treatment systems and standardized treatment procedures. The NCPCP should emphasize sex disparities to cardiologists; highlight compliance with clinical guidelines, particularly for female patients; and include the reduction of sex disparities as a performance appraisal indicator.

Corrigendum to "Digital exclusion and functional dependence in older people: findings from five longitudinal cohort studies" eClinical Medicine 54 (2022) 101708.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101708.].

Infectious disease control: from health security strengthening to health systems improvement at global level.

Since the twenty first century, the outbreaks of global infectious diseases have caused several public health emergencies of international concern, imposing an enormous impact on population health, the economy, and social development. The COVID-19 pandemic has once again exposed deficiencies in existing global health systems, emergency management, and disease surveillance, and highlighted the importance of developing effective evaluation tools. This article outlines current challenges emerging from infectious disease control from the perspective of global health, elucidated through influenza, malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases. The discordance among government actors and absent data sharing platforms or tools has led to unfulfilled targets in health system resilience and a capacity gap in infectious disease response. The current situation calls for urgent action to tackle these threats of global infectious diseases with joined forces through more in-depth international cooperation and breaking governance barriers from the purview of global health. Overall, a systematic redesign should be considered to enhance the resilience of health systems, which warrants a great need to sustain capacity-building efforts in emergency preparedness and response and raises an emerging concern of data integration in the concept of One Health that aims to address shared health threats at the human-animal-environment interface.

The association of cervical cancer screening and quality of care: A systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

Background: Improving the quality of care is vital to enhance outcomes for cervical cancer patients. However, the inequality of cervical cancer care was seldomly assessed. Methods: We collected the data of cervical cancer burden from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 database, and constructed the Quality of Care Index (QCI) using principle component analysis. Then the disparity of QCI across regions and populations were evaluated. The association between cervical cancer screening coverage and QCI weas also explored. Results: Quality of cervical cancer care was of disparity across regions with different development levels, with a widening gap between low-income regions and others. Cervical cancer QCI dropped rapidly after the age of 35. Cervical cancer screening coverage was positively associated with QCI, and this association was stronger in countries with low- and middle-development levels. Conclusions: Regions with a low development level and the middle-aged women were vulnerable in QCI improvement. Higher screening coverage was associated with better cervical cancer QCI, implying that expanding cervical cancer screening coverage may be an effective strategy to improve the quality of cervical cancer care.

Inequity of maternal-child health services in ASEAN member states from 1993 to 2021.

INTRODUCTION: Inequity in maternal-child health services is a challenge to global health as it hinders the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage. Though the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has made remarkable achievements in maternal-child health, there remain gaps in reaching global goals. This study aimed to compare and investigate the inequity in maternal-child health (MCH) services in ASEAN member states to help guide policy decisions to improve equitable health services in the SDG era and beyond. METHODS: Using the WHO Health Inequality Monitor, we identified inequity summary measures for five MCH services in ASEAN member states from 1993 to 2021: antenatal care, births attended by skilled health personnel, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP3) immunization, measles immunization, and polio immunization. We divided the analysis dimension of inequity into urban-rural inequity, economic status inequity, and sub-regional inequity. Trends of absolute and relative inequity in every dimension of MCH services in ASEAN member states were examined with the principal component analysis (PCA). RESULTS: The mean coverages of MCH services are 98.80% (Thailand), 86.72% (Cambodia), 84.54% (Viet Nam), 78.52 (Indonesia), 76.94% (Timor-Leste), 72.40% (Lao PDR), 68.10% (Philippines) and 48.52% (Myanmar) in 2021. Thailand have the lowest MCH services absolute inequity indexes of -1.945, followed by Vietnam (-1.449). Lao PDR and Myanmar have relatively higher MCH services absolute inequity indexes of 0.852 and 0.054 respectively. The service in Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Philippines is pro-specific regions (with subnational region absolute inequity indexes of -0.02, 0.01, and 1.01 respectively). The service in Myanmar is pro-rich (with economic status absolute inequity index of 0.43). The service in Lao PDR and Timor-Leste is pro-urban areas, pro-rich, and pro-specific regions. CONCLUSION: The inequity of MCH services in ASEAN persists but is in a declining trend. Thailand and Vietnam have performed well in ensuring MCH services equity, while Laos and Myanmar are still facing serious inequity dilemmas. The progress of MCH service equity in Myanmar, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Indonesia is uneven. It is acceptable to learn from the successful experiences of Thailand and Vietnam to improve the equities in other ASEAN countries. Policies should be developed according to the specific types of MCH inequity in member states to improve equity levels.

Cardiometabolic multimorbidity, lifestyle behaviours, and cognitive function: a multicohort study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effect of lifestyle factors on cognitive decline related to cardiometabolic multimorbidity. We aimed to examine the association between cardiometabolic multimorbidity and cognitive decline, and the role of lifestyle factors in this association. METHODS: We did a pooled multi-cohort study using pooled data from four cohort studies (the Health and Retirement Study; the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing; the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe; and the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study) across 14 countries. Eligible participants were age 50 years and older, and those who were missing information on exposure and outcomes, or who had been diagnosed with dementia or Parkinson's disease, were excluded. Cardiometabolic multimorbidity was defined as the co-occurrence of two or three cardiometabolic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The primary outcome of cognitive function was measured in three domains, on the basis of the mean and SD of the corresponding tests: memory, numeracy, and orientation, in all participants with available data. A global cognitive score was created by summing the individual scores. FINDINGS: The final sample consisted of 160 147 individuals across all four studies (73 846 [46·1%] men and 86 301 [53·9%] women) and participants had a mean age of 67·49 years (SD 10·43). An increasing number of cardiometabolic diseases was dose-dependently associated with the decline in cognitive function score (one disease, ß=-0·15 [95% CI -0·17 to -0·13]; two diseases, ß=-0·37 [-0·40 to -0·34]; three diseases, ß=-0·57 [-0·64 to -0·50]), with comorbid diabetes and stroke (ß=-0·23 [-0·29 to -0·17]) contributing most strongly to cardiometabolic disease-associated cognitive decline. Cognitive decline associated with cardiometabolic disease was accelerated with physical inactivity (one cardiometablic disease, p=0·020; two cardiometablic diseases, p=0·42; and three cardiometablic diseases, p=0·24), excessive alcohol use (one cardiometablic disease, p=0·016; two cardiometablic diseases, p=0·65; and three cardiometablic diseases, p=0·50), and the higher number of unhealthy lifestyle factors (one cardiometablic disease, p=0·79; two cardiometablic diseases, p=0·0050; and three cardiometablic diseases, p=0·888). INTERPRETATION: These findings indicated a targeted approach for simultaneously developing preventative interventions on lifestyles and integrated treatment for cardiometabolic comorbidities to delay cognitive decline in older people. FUNDING: Major Project of the National Social Science Fund of China, National Natural Science Foundation of China, China Medical Board, and Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CAST.

Associations Between Hourly Ambient Particulate Matter Air Pollution and Ambulance Emergency Calls: Time-Stratified Case-Crossover Study.

BACKGROUND: Associations between short-term exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) air pollutants and mortality or hospital admissions have been well-documented in previous studies. Less is known about the associations of hourly exposure to PM air pollutants with ambulance emergency calls (AECs) for all causes and specific causes by conducting a case-crossover study. In addition, different patterns of AECs may be attributed to different seasons and daytime or nighttime periods. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we quantified the risk of all-cause and cause-specific AECs associated with hourly PM air pollutants between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2019, in Shenzhen, China. We also examined whether the observed associations of PM air pollutants with AECs for all causes differed across strata defined by sex, age, season, and the time of day. METHODS: We used ambulance emergency dispatch data and environmental data between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2019, from the Shenzhen Ambulance Emergency Centre and the National Environmental Monitor Station to conduct a time-stratified case-crossover study to estimate the associations of air pollutants (ie, PM with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm [PM2.5] or 10 µm [PM10]) with all-cause and cause-specific AECs. We generated a well-established, distributed lag nonlinear model for nonlinear concentration response and nonlinear lag-response functions. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios with 95% CIs, adjusted for public holidays, season, the time of day, the day of the week, hourly temperature, and hourly humidity, to examine the association of all-cause and cause-specific AECs with hourly air pollutant concentrations. RESULTS: A total of 3,022,164 patients were identified during the study period in Shenzhen. Each IQR increase in PM2.5 (24.0 µg/m3) and PM10 (34.0 µg/m3) concentrations over 24 hours was associated with an increased risk of AECs (PM2.5: all-cause, 1.8%, 95% CI 0.8%-2.4%; PM10: all-cause, 2.0%, 95% CI 1.1%-2.9%). We observed a stronger association of all-cause AECs with PM2.5 and PM10 in the daytime than in the nighttime (PM2.5: daytime, 1.7%, 95% CI 0.5%-3.0%; nighttime, 1.4%, 95% CI 0.3%-2.6%; PM10: daytime, 2.1%, 95% CI 0.9%-3.4%; nighttime, 1.7%, 95% CI 0.6%-2.8%) and in the older group than in the younger group (PM2.5: 18-64 years, 1.4%, 95% CI 0.6%-2.1%; ≥65 years, 1.6%, 95% CI 0.6%-2.6%; PM10: 18-64 years, 1.8%, 95% CI 0.9%-2.6%; ≥65 years, 2.0%, 95% CI 1.1%-3.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of all-cause AECs increased consistently with increasing concentrations of PM air pollutants, showing a nearly linear relationship with no apparent thresholds. PM air pollution increase was associated with a higher risk of all-cause AECs and cardiovascular diseases-, respiratory diseases-, and reproductive illnesses-related AECs. The results of this study may be valuable to air pollution attributable to the distribution of emergency resources and consistent air pollution control.

Global burden of hepatitis B attributable to modifiable risk factors from 1990 to 2019: a growing contribution and its association with socioeconomic status.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B is a global public health concern, and modifiable risk factors can accelerate progression of this disease. The burden of hepatitis B attributable to modifiable risk factors has not been well evaluated. We aimed to estimate the disease burden of hepatitis B attributable to tobacco, alcohol use, and a high body mass index (BMI) to guide lifestyle interventions in the management of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. RESULTS: In 2019, 33.73% of hepatitis B age-standardized deaths and 34.52% of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were attributable to tobacco, alcohol use, and a high BMI. The proportion showed an increasing trend that 28.23% of deaths and 27.56% of DALYs were attributable to the three modifiable risk factors in 1990. The hepatitis B burden attributable to modifiable risk factors was disparate across regions and countries. Countries with a low socioeconomic status have a high burden of hepatitis B owing to modifiable risk factors. Countries with a high-level sociodemographic index also had an increasing burden of hepatitis B attributable to a high BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Lifestyle interventions are warranted in hepatitis prevention strategies and plans of action. Countries with low and middle socioeconomic development should be prioritized, and countries with high socioeconomic development should be aware of the novel challenge of a high BMI-related disease burden.