A ward level analysis of child pedestrian casualty frequencies in Greater London.

INTRODUCTION: Child pedestrian safety remains a challenge despite the remarkable progress that has been attained in recent years, particularly, in high income jurisdictions such as London. This study sought to identify and quantify the magnitude of the effects of various explanatory variables, from the domains of transport, built and natural environment, socio-demographic and economic factors, on ward level child pedestrian injury frequencies in Greater London. METHOD: We adopted a multilevel random parameters model to investigate the factors associated with child pedestrian injuries given the hierarchical nature of the data comprising of wards nested within boroughs. RESULTS: We found that crime, the Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) population, school enrollment, and the proportion of the population who walk five times a week had an increasing effect on the number of child pedestrian casualties. Conversely, the proportion of the population with a level 4 qualification and the number of cars per household had a decreasing effect. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified high child pedestrian injury frequency wards and boroughs: Stratford and New Town had the highest expected child pedestrian injury frequencies followed by Selhurst, Westend, and Greenford Broadway. Some inner London boroughs are among the highest injury frequency areas; however, a higher number of high child pedestrian injury boroughs are in outer London. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The paper provides recommendations for policy makers for targeted child pedestrian safety improvement interventions and prioritization to optimize the utilization of often constrained resources. The study also highlights the importance of considering social inequities in policies that aim at improving child traffic safety.

Mapping socio-geographical disparities in the occurrence of teenage maternity in Colombia using multilevel analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy (MAIHDA).

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of teenage pregnancy in Colombia is higher than the worldwide average. The identification of socio-geographical disparities might help to prioritize public health interventions. AIM: To describe variation in the probability of teenage maternity across geopolitical departments and socio-geographical intersectional strata in Colombia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study based on live birth certificates in Colombia. Teenage maternity was defined as a woman giving birth aged 19 or younger. Multilevel analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy (MAIHDA) was applied using multilevel Poisson and logistic regression. Two different approaches were used: (1) intersectional: using strata defined by the combination of health insurance, region, area of residency, and ethnicity as the second level (2) geographical: using geopolitical departments as the second level. Null, partial, and full models were obtained. General contextual effect (GCE) based on the variance partition coefficient (VPC) was considered as the measure of disparity. Proportional change in variance (PCV) was used to identify the contribution of each variable to the between-strata variation and to identify whether this variation, if any, was due to additive or interaction effects. Residuals were used to identify strata with potential higher-order interactions. RESULTS: The prevalence of teenage mothers in Colombia was 18.30% (95% CI 18.20-18.40). The highest prevalence was observed in Vichada, 25.65% (95% CI: 23.71-27.78), and in the stratum containing mothers with Subsidized/Unaffiliated healthcare insurance, Mestizo, Rural area in the Caribbean region, 29.08% (95% CI 28.55-29.61). The VPC from the null model was 1.70% and 9.16% using the geographical and socio-geographical intersectional approaches, respectively. The higher PCV for the intersectional model was attributed to health insurance. Positive and negative interactions of effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Disparities were observed between intersectional socio-geographical strata but not between geo-political departments. Our results indicate that if resources for prevention are limited, using an intersectional socio-geographical approach would be more effective than focusing on geopolitical departments especially when focusing resources on those groups which show the highest prevalence. MAIHDA could potentially be applied to many other health outcomes where resource decisions must be made.

Antemortem tooth loss as a biomarker of poverty: Dental evidence of "weathering" in a contemporary U.S. skeletal sample.

In societies where resources are unequally distributed, structural inequities can be physically embodied over lifetimes. Lived experiences including racism, sexism, classism, and poverty can lead to chronic stress that prematurely ages body systems. This study tests the hypothesis that members of structurally vulnerable groups will exhibit premature aging in the form of antemortem tooth loss (AMTL). Analyzing Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and white skeletal donors from the University of Tennessee, we predict that individuals from structurally vulnerable groups will exhibit more AMTL than individuals with more social privilege. We find some evidence for increased AMTL in BIPOC individuals, but significantly more AMTL in low-socioeconomic-status white individuals than either BIPOC or high-SES white individuals. We maintain that high rates of AMTL provide evidence of embodied consequences of social policies and utilize the violence continuum to theorize the ways in which poverty and inequity are normalized in U.S. society.

Rethinking Oral Health in Aging: Ecosocial Theory and Intersectionality.

Poor oral health affects the health and well-being of older adults in many ways. Despite years of international research investigating poor oral health among older adults, it has remained a largely unresolved problem. The aim of this article is to explore the combination of 2 key frameworks, ecosocial theory and intersectionality, to guide our exploration and understanding of oral health and aging and help inform research, education, policy, and services. Proposed by Krieger, ecosocial theory is concerned with the symbiotic relationship among embodied biological processes and social, historical, and political contexts. Building on the work of Crenshaw, intersectionality explores how social identities such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, and age interconnect in ways that can enhance privilege or compound discrimination and social disadvantage. Intersectionality offers a layered understanding of how power relations reflected in systems of privilege or oppression influence an individual's multiple intersecting social identities. Understanding this complexity and the symbiotic relationships offers an opportunity to reconsider how inequities in oral health for older adults can be addressed in research, education, and practice and increase the focus on equity, prevention, interdisciplinary care, and use of innovative technology.

Barriers to accessing and receiving antenatal care: Findings from interviews with Australian women experiencing disadvantage.

AIM: To identify the barriers associated with inadequate antenatal attendance by disadvantaged women in Australia and to further explore how these barriers are experienced by this population group. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive study utilizing semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 11 pregnant women who self-identified as experiencing disadvantage, purposively sampled from a local government area of Victoria, Australia, characterized by socio-economic disadvantage. Data were collected from February to July 2019. RESULTS: Study participants reported a range of barriers to receiving timely and adequate antenatal care (ANC). For several women, a combination of personal (e.g., emotions, knowledge), health service provision (e.g., limited access to continuity of care provider and continuity of information, inflexible scheduling, difficulty travelling, staff attitudes), and broader social-contextual factors (e.g., financial situation, language, cultural norms) were ultimately insurmountable. Whereas some barriers were experienced as hassles or annoyances, others were unacceptable, overwhelming, or humiliating. CONCLUSION: Women experiencing disadvantage in Australia value ANC but face multiple and complex barriers that undermine timely and regular access. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/PATIENT CARE: A wide range of strategies targeting barriers across multiple levels of the social-ecological environment are required if ANC attendance rates are to improve and ultimately redress existing health disparities. Various continuity of care models are well-placed to address many of the identified barriers and should be made more accessible to women, and particularly those women experiencing disadvantage. IMPACT: Antenatal care appointments promote the health of women and their babies during pregnancy, but for many women, particularly those experiencing disadvantage, access is delayed or inadequate. ANC providers play a critical role in facilitating timely and adequate care. Health service practitioners and management, and health services policymakers need to understand the complexity of the barriers women encounter. These stakeholders can utilize the findings reported herein to develop more effective strategies for overcoming multiple and multi-level barriers. REPORTING METHOD: The study is reported in accordance with the relevant EQUATOR guidelines: the standards for reporting qualitative research (SRQR) and consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ). PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

Nowhere to go? A study of marginalization, social connection, and mental health outcomes among young adults experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic onset necessitated large-scale closures of third places, potentially exacerbating social barriers experienced by young adults in the United States. To better understand the role of urban form in facilitating socialization, we examine the effects of pandemic-based third place closures on mental health outcomes as mediated by changes in social connection. Because identifying as a racial, gender, or sexual minority can compound baseline disadvantages rooted in systemic inequities, we investigate outcome differences for non-white, woman/nonbinary, and LGBTQ+ young adults to disentangle identity-based nuances of the pandemic experience. Methods: In February 2021, we administered a web-based survey with retrospective name and place generators to 313 18-to-34-year-olds in California, Illinois, and Texas. A structural equation model is estimated showing the direct and indirect effects of physical and virtual mobility constraints on mental health. Results: Both the closure of third places and dissatisfaction with alternative social spaces are associated with the deterioration of social connections and mental health. The strongest direct predictor of mental health decline is dissatisfaction with virtual socialization (more significant for women and nonbinary respondents). Surprisingly, two distinct categories of third places (i.e., 'civic' and 'commercial') reveal different relationships with social connections and mental health outcomes. Asian, other non-white, and non-heterosexual young adults experienced greater 'civic' visit reduction, while those with intersecting identities of low income and woman/nonbinary or Black experienced greater 'commercial' visit reduction. Conclusions: Physical and virtual mobility reductions contributed to the inequitable mental health outcomes experienced by young adults during the pandemic. This highlights the potential for a careful redesign of physical and virtual social spaces to support feelings of belonging/safety and spontaneous 'weak tie' interactions, encourages further investigation of social infrastructure's role in facilitating the maintenance of social connections and mental health, and reveals the value of examining differences in mobility-related experiences across social identities.

Coverage of primary and booster vaccination against COVID-19 by socioeconomic level: A nationwide cross-sectional registry study.

High and equitable COVID-19 vaccination coverage is important for pandemic control and prevention of health inequity. However, little is known about socioeconomic correlates of booster vaccination coverage. In this cross-sectional study of all Norwegian adults in the national vaccination program (N = 4,190,655), we use individual-level registry data to examine coverage by levels of household income and education of primary (≥2 doses) and booster (≥3 doses) vaccination against COVID-19. We stratify the analyses by age groups with different booster recommendations and report relative risk ratios (RR) for vaccination by 25 August 2022. In the 18-44 y group, individuals with highest vs. lowest education had 94% vs. 79% primary coverage (adjusted RR (adjRR) 1.15, 95%CI 1.14-1.15) and 67% vs. 38% booster coverage (adjRR 1.55, 95% CI 1.55-1.56), while individuals with highest vs. lowest income had 94% vs. 81% primary coverage (adjRR 1.10, 95%CI 1.10-1.10) and 60% vs. 43% booster coverage (adjRR 1.23, 95%CI 1.22-1.24). In the ≥45 y group, individuals with highest vs. lowest education had 96% vs. 92% primary coverage (adjRR 1.02, 95%CI 1.02-1.02) and 88% vs. 80% booster coverage (adjRR 1.09, 95%CI 1.09-1.09), while individuals with highest vs. lowest income had 98% vs. 82% primary coverage (adjRR 1.16, 95%CI 1.16-1.16) and 92% vs. 64% booster coverage (adjRR 1.33, 95%CI 1.33-1.34). In conclusion, we document large socioeconomic inequalities in COVID-19 vaccination coverage, especially for booster vaccination, even though all vaccination was free-of-charge. The results highlight the need to tailor information and to target underserved groups for booster vaccination.

A Conceptual Framework for Optimizing the Equity of Hospital-Based Emergency Care: The Structure of Hospital Transfer Networks.

Policy Points Current pay-for-performance and other payment policies ignore hospital transfers for emergency conditions, which may exacerbate disparities. No conceptual framework currently exists that offers a patient-centered, population-based perspective for the structure of hospital transfer networks. The hospital transfer network equity-quality framework highlights the external and internal factors that determine the structure of hospital transfer networks, including structural inequity and racism. CONTEXT: Emergency care includes two key components: initial stabilization and transfer to a higher level of care. Significant work has focused on ensuring that local facilities can stabilize patients. However, less is understood about transfers for definitive care. To better understand how transfer network structure impacts population health and equity in emergency care, we proposea conceptual framework, the hospital transfer network equity-quality model (NET-EQUITY). NET-EQUITY can help optimize population outcomes, decrease disparities, and enhance planning by supporting a framework for understanding emergency department transfers. METHODS: To develop the NET-EQUITY framework, we synthesized work on health systems and quality of health care (Donabedian, the Institute of Medicine, Ferlie, and Shortell) and the research framework of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities with legal and empirical research. FINDINGS: The central thesis of our framework is that the structure of hospital transfer networks influences patient outcomes, as defined by the Institute of Medicine, which includes equity. The structure of hospital transfer networks is shaped by internal and external factors. The four main external factors are the regulatory, economic environment, provider, and sociocultural and physical/built environment. These environments all implicate issues of equity that are important to understand to foster an equitable population-based system of emergency care. The framework highlights external and internal factors that determine the structure of hospital transfer networks, including structural racism and inequity. CONCLUSIONS: The NET-EQUITY framework provides a patient-centered, equity-focused framework for understanding the health of populations and how the structure of hospital transfer networks can influence the quality of care that patients receive.

COVID-19 in Pluralea Interactions: A Case Study in Santo Tomé (Corrientes, Argentina).

This paper is an ethnographic case study of COVID-19 emergence in Santo Tomé (South America, NE Argentina, ≂25,000 inhabitants). Based on interviews with healthcare personnel, we describe local containment and prevention policies in a context of national lockdown measures. We reconstruct a tree diagram of infections, index cases and close contacts that spread infection locally. In parallel, fieldwork in a sample of impoverished subsistence agricultures and fishermen allows us to describe drought and fresh food production decline during confinement as convergent ecocrises (pluralea interactions) with the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak. The core idea of the article, which emerged from ethnographic fieldwork evidence, is that in the context of climate change, the sudden onset of an infectious disease interacts with convergent ecocrises.

Urinary cotinine and exposure to passive smoke in children and adolescents in Germany - Human biomonitoring results of the German Environmental Survey 2014-2017 (GerES V).

Passive smoking is a preventable and significant cause of many serious health problems, with children being particularly at risk. In the fifth German Environmental Survey (GerES V), conducted from 2014 to 2017, information reflecting the extent of passive smoke exposure in children and adolescents was collected by interview-based questionnaires and human biomonitoring (HBM) analyses of cotinine in urine from 2260 participants, aged 3-17 years. Based on these population-representative data, we describe current passive smoke exposure stratified by different subgroups and identify specific exposure determinants using multivariate logistic regression. The questionnaire data revealed that 42% of children and adolescents lived with at least one smoker in the household. Quantifiable concentrations of cotinine could be detected in 56% of the participants. The overall median concentration of cotinine was 0.2 µg/L, with children and adolescents of low socioeconomic status found to be a group particularly affected by passive smoke with higher cotinine concentrations (median = 1.2 µg/L). In the multiple analysis, the most significant predictor of cotinine levels derived from the questionnaire was passive smoking at home (odds ratio (OR) 13.07 [95CI: 4.65, 36.70]). However, parental smoking and passive smoking among friends and relatives could also be identified as independent factors influencing elevated cotinine levels. The comparison between the previous cycle GerES IV (2003-2006) on 3-14-year-olds and GerES V shows that tobacco smoke exposure of children decreased significantly. This decrease is likely an effect of extensive non-smoker protection laws being enforced 2007-2008 on federal and state level. This is reflected by a halving of urinary cotinine concentrations. Nevertheless, our results indicate that passive smoke is still a relevant source of harmful pollutants for many children and adolescents in Germany, and thus support the need for further efforts to reduce passive smoke exposure, especially in the private environment.

Prevalence of adult smokers in Brazilian capitals according to socioeconomic deprivation / Prevalência de fumantes adultos nas capitais brasileiras, segundo privação socioeconômica

ABSTRACT Objective: To estimate the prevalence of adult smokers in the 26 capitals and the Federal District according to the Brazilian Deprivation Index (Índice Brasileiro de Privação - IBP). Methods: Dataset on smoking were obtained from the Surveillance of Risk and Protective Factors for Noncommunicable Diseases by Survey (Vigitel) system for the 26 capitals and the Federal District, in the period from 2010 to 2013. The IBP classifies the census sectors according to indicators such as: income less than ½ minimum wage, illiterate population and without sanitary sewage. In the North and Northeast regions, the census sectors were grouped into four categories (low, medium, high and very high deprivation) and in the South, Southeast and Midwest regions into three (low, medium and high deprivation). Prevalence estimates of adult smokers were obtained using the indirect estimation method in small areas. To calculate the prevalence ratios, Poisson models are used. Results: The positive association between prevalence and deprivation of census sector categories was found in 16 (59.3%) of the 27 cities. In nine (33.3%) cities, the sectors with the greatest deprivation had a higher prevalence of smokers when compared to those with the least deprivation, and in two (7.4%) there were no differences. In Aracaju, Belém, Fortaleza, João Pessoa, Macapá and Salvador, the prevalence of adult smokers was three times higher in the group of sectors with greater deprivation compared to those with less deprivation. Conclusion: Sectors with greater social deprivation had a higher prevalence of smoking, compared with less deprivation, pointing to social inequalities.

RESUMO Objetivo: Estimar as prevalências de adultos fumante nas 26 capitais e no Distrito Federal segundo o Índice Brasileiro de Privação. Métodos: Os dados sobre tabagismo foram obtidos junto ao sistema de Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito (Vigitel) para as 26 capitais e o Distrito Federal, no período de 2010 a 2013. O Índice Brasileiro de Privação classifica os setores censitários segundo indicadores como: renda menor que meio salário mínimo, população não alfabetizada e sem esgotamento sanitário. Nas regiões Norte e Nordeste, os setores censitários foram agrupados em quatro categorias (baixa, média, alta e muito alta privação) e, nas regiões Sul, Sudeste e Centro-Oeste, em três (baixa, média e alta privação). As estimativas de prevalências de adultos fumantes foram obtidas pelo método indireto de estimação em pequenas áreas. Para o cálculo das razões de prevalências, empregram-se modelos de Poisson. Resultados: A associação positiva entre a prevalência e a privação das categorias de setores censitários foi encontrada em 16 (59,3%) das 27 cidades. Em nove (33,3%) cidades, os setores de maior privação apresentaram maior prevalência de fumantes quando comparados aos de menor privação e, em duas (7,4%), não apresentaram diferenças. Em Aracaju, Belém, Fortaleza, João Pessoa, Macapá e Salvador, as prevalências de adultos fumantes foram três vezes maiores no grupo de setores com maior privação em relação aos de menor privação. Conclusão: Setores de maior privação social apresentaram maiores prevalências de tabagismo, comparados com menor privação, apontando desigualdades sociais.

Desigualdades socioespaciais da mortalidade prematura por doenças crônicas não transmissíveis no município de São Paulo, Brasil, 2006-2019 / Spatial inequalities of premature mortality for chronic non-transmissible diseases in the municipality of São Paulo, Brazil, 2006 to 2019

Resumo Introdução Este estudo utiliza dados de mortalidade para monitorar as desigualdades sociais em saúde. Objetivo Analisar a tendência das taxas da mortalidade prematura (30-69 anos) por grupos selecionados de DCNT em áreas de inclusão e exclusão social no Município de São Paulo (MSP), entre 2006 e 2019, e avaliar a magnitude das desigualdades nos triênios de 2006-2008 e 2017-2019. Método Utilizou-se o Índice de Exclusão/Inclusão para delimitação das áreas, regressão de Prais-Winsten para análise das tendências e Razão entre Taxas (RT) para mensurar as desigualdades. Resultados As tendências apresentaram declínios, sendo maiores na área de inclusão social, no sexo masculino, para Doenças Isquêmicas do Coração (DIC), Doenças Crônicas das Vias Respiratórias Inferiores (DCR) e Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Ocorreram aumentos significativos das RT no sexo masculino para DIC (1,62 e 2,17), DCR (1,60 e 3,00) e DM (1,81 e 2,26), enquanto no feminino não se observou ampliação. Conclusão O declínio das taxas nas áreas de exclusão social, a não ampliação da desigualdade nas mulheres, e por doenças cerebrovasculares e hipertensivas nos homens, provavelmente se devem à existência de um sistema universal de saúde. A ampliação da desigualdade entre homens requer adequação dos serviços de saúde para assegurar a integralidade desse grupo.

Abstract Background This study uses mortality data to monitor social inequalities in health. Objective To analyze the trend in premature mortality rates (30 to 69 years) by selected groups of NCDs in areas of social inclusion and exclusion in the city of São Paulo, between 2006 and 2019, and to assess the magnitude of inequalities in the years 2006-2008 and 2017-2019. Method The Exclusion/Inclusion Index was used to delimit areas, Prais-Winsten regression to analyze trends, and rate ratio (RT) to measure inequalities. Results The trends showed declines, with greater social inclusion in males for ischemic heart diseases (IHD), chronic diseases of the lower respiratory tract (DLRT) and diabetes mellitus (DM). There were significant increases in RT in males for IHD (1.62 and 2.17), DCR (1.60 and 3.00) and DM (1.81 and 2.26), while in females there was no increase. Conclusion The decline in rates in areas of social exclusion, the non-expansion of inequality in women and, due to cerebrovascular and hypertensive diseases in men, is probably due to the existence of a universal health system. The expansion of inequality between men requires adequate health services to ensure the integrality of this group.

Operationalizing a Structural Vulnerability Profile for forensic anthropology: Skeletal and dental biomarkers of embodied inequity.

Human societies create and maintain structures in which individuals and groups experience varying degrees of inequity and suffering that may be skeletally and dentally embodied. It is necessary to foreground these social and structural impacts for forensic anthropologists to eschew biologically deterministic interpretations of human variation and overly individualistic interpretations of health and disease. We thus propose a 'Structural Vulnerability Profile' (SVP), akin to the Structural Vulnerability Assessment Tool of medical anthropology [1], to be considered along with the traditional 'biological' profile estimated by forensic anthropologists. Assembling an SVP would involve examining and assessing skeletal/dental biomarkers indicative of embodied social inequity-the lived experiences of social marginalization that can get 'under the skin' to leave hard-tissue traces. Shifting our emphasis from presumably hereditary variation to focus on embodied social marginalization, the SVP will allow forensic anthropologists to sensitively reconstruct the lived experiences of the people we examine.

Fatores associados à não realização do exame clínico das mamas em São Leopoldo, RS, 2015: estudo de base populacional / Factors associated with not performing clinical breast exams in São Leopoldo, RS, 2015: a population-based study

Resumo Introdução No Sul do Brasil, a principal causa de mortalidade por neoplasias entre as mulheres está ocupada pelo câncer de mama. O exame clínico anual das mamas está recomendado como medida de rastreamento. Objetivo Investigar a prevalência de não realização do exame clínico de mamas nos últimos 12 meses e fatores associados em mulheres de 20 a 69 anos residentes no município de São Leopoldo/RS em 2015. Método Estudo transversal de base populacional, no qual foram incluídas na análise variáveis demográficas e socioeconômicas. Foram calculadas as razões de prevalência (RP) por regressão de Poisson. Resultados Entre 1.128 mulheres, a prevalência de não realização de exame clínico das mamas foi de 52,6% (IC95%: 51,1-57,2); na análise ajustada, a não realização do exame mostrou-se associada à classe econômica D/E (RP = 1,58; IC95%: 1,16-2,15) e escolaridade de 0 a 4 anos de estudo (RP = 2,16; IC95%: 1,33-3,53). Conclusão As mulheres em situação de vulnerabilidade social apresentaram maior probabilidade de não realização do exame, demonstrando a iniquidade do sistema.

Abstract Background In southern Brazil, the main cause of mortality from cancer among women is breast cancer. Annual clinical breast examination is recommended as a screening measure. Objective To investigate the prevalence of patients that did not perform breast exams in the last 12 months and its associated factors in women aged 20 to 69 years living in São Leopoldo/RS in 2015. Method The present research is a population-based, cross-sectional study; demographic and socio-economic variables were included in the analysis; prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated by Poisson regression. Results Among the 1128 women sampled, the prevalence of not performing clinical breast exams was of 52.6% (95%CI: 51.1-57.2); in the adjusted analysis, not performing clinical breast exams was associated with having a D/E socio-economic status (PR = 1.58; 95%CI: 1.16-2.15), as well as with having an educational level of 0 to 4 years of study (PR = 2.16; 95%CI: 1.33-3.53). Conclusion Women in social vulnerability were more likely to not perform the exams, demonstrating the inequity of the system.

Prevalence and predictors of anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology in a highly vulnerable population of Rio de Janeiro: A population-based serosurvey.

Background: COVID-19 serosurveys allow for the monitoring of the level of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and support data-driven decisions. We estimated the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a large favela complex in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods: A population-based panel study was conducted in Complexo de Manguinhos (16 favelas) with a probabilistic sampling of participants aged ≥1 year who were randomly selected from a census of individuals registered in primary health care clinics that serve the area. Participants answered a structured interview and provided blood samples for serology. Multilevel regression models (with random intercepts to account for participants' favela of residence) were used to assess factors associated with having anti-S IgG antibodies. Secondary analyses estimated seroprevalence using an additional anti-N IgG assay. Findings: 4,033 participants were included (from Sep/2020 to Feb/2021, 22 epidemic weeks), the median age was 39·8 years (IQR:21·8-57·7), 61% were female, 41% were mixed-race (Pardo) and 23% Black. Overall prevalence was 49·0% (95%CI:46·8%-51·2%) which varied across favelas (from 68·3% to 31·4%). Lower prevalence estimates were found when using the anti-N IgG assay. Odds of having anti-S IgG antibodies were highest for young adults, and those reporting larger household size, poor adherence to social distancing and use of public transportation. Interpretation: We found a significantly higher prevalence of anti-S IgG antibodies than initially anticipated. Disparities in estimates obtained using different serological assays highlight the need for cautious interpretation of serosurveys estimates given the heterogeneity of exposure in communities, loss of immunological biomarkers, serological antigen target, and variant-specific test affinity. Funding: Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, Royal Society, Serrapilheira Institute, and FAPESP.

[Spatio-temporal distribution of COVID-19 in Cologne and associated socio-economic factors in the period from February 2020 to October 2021]. / Die zeitlich-räumliche Verteilung von COVID-19 in Köln und beeinflussende soziale Faktoren im Zeitraum Februar 2020 bis Oktober 2021.

BACKGROUND AND GOALS: Even in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, which took a very different course globally, there were indications that socio-economic factors influenced the dynamics of disease spread, which from the second phase (September 2020) onwards particularly affected people with a lower socio-economic status. Such effects can also be seen within a large city. The present study visualizes and examines the spatio-temporal spread of all COVID-19 cases reported in Cologne, Germany (February 2020-October 2021) at district level and their possible association with socio-economic factors. METHODS: Pseudonymized data of all COVID-19 cases reported in Cologne were geo-coded and their distribution was mapped in an age-standardized way at district level over four periods and compared with the distribution of social factors. The possible influence of the selected factors was also examined in a regression analysis in a model with case growth rates. RESULTS: The small-scale local infection process changed during the pandemic. Neighborhoods with weaker socio-economic indices showed higher incidence over a large part of the pandemic course, with a positive correlation between poverty risk factors and age-standardized incidence. The strength of this correlation changed over time. CONCLUSION: The timely observation and analysis of the local spread dynamics reveals the positive correlation of disadvantaging socio-economic factors on the incidence rate of COVID-19 at the level of a large city and can help steer local containment measures in a targeted manner.

Posición social y obesidad en población chilena: mediadores y moderadores psicológicos / Social position and obesity in Chilean population: Psychological mediators and moderators

Resumen Introducción: la obesidad es un problema de salud mundial que ha sido vinculada con la posición social de las personas. Si bien la evidencia que relaciona estas variables es clara, se ha puesto menos atención a los mecanismos por medio de los cuales estas variables pueden asociarse. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar si la posición social se relacionaba directamente con obesidad abdominal e indirectamente vía percepción de discriminación, afectividad negativa y calidad de la dieta, y el rol moderador del apoyo social. Método: 420 funcionarios de una universidad chilena. Se midió el perímetro de cintura como proxy de obesidad, se utilizaron instrumentos de autorreporte para variables psicológicas y conductuales. Resultados: análisis de ecuaciones estructurales revelaron que la posición social no se asoció directamente con obesidad abdominal, pero sí a través de una secuencia de mediación que incluyó la percepción de discriminación, afectividad negativa y calidad de la dieta. El apoyo social no moderó estas relaciones. Conclusión: se identifican mecanismos que median el nexo entre posición social y obesidad abdominal. Se destaca la relevancia de considerar variables psicológicas y conductuales subyacentes en esta relación.

Abstract Introduction: Obesity is a health problem worldwide that has been linked to social position. Although the evidence linking these variables is sound, little attention has been paid to the mechanisms by which these variables can be associated. We sought to determine whether social position is directly related to abdominal obesity and indirectly via perceived discrimination, negative affectivity and diet quality, and the moderating role of social support. Method: Four hundred and twenty participants from a Chilean University were selected. Obesity was measured through waist circumference and self-reported measures were used to asses psychological and behavioral variables. Results: Structural equation modeling allowed us to estimate that social position was not directly related to abdominal obesity, but indirectly via a sequenced mechanism that included perceived discrimination, negative affectivity and diet quality. Social support did not moderate these associations. Conclusion: We identified underlying mechanisms that mediate the association between social position and abdominal obesity. We highlight the relevance that psychological and behavioral variables has in obesity.

Presença do acompanhante em tempo integral em maternidades brasileiras vinculadas à Rede Cegonha / Presence of a full-time companion in Brazilian maternities linked to the Rede Cegonha

Resumo Objetivou-se estimar a proporção de mulheres com acompanhante em tempo integral em maternidades brasileiras vinculadas à Rede Cegonha (RC) e compará-las entre as macrorregiões no Brasil. Estudo de abrangência nacional, realizado no período de dezembro de 2016 a outubro de 2017. Participaram do estudo 10.665 puérperas de todas as regiões do Brasil, que pariram em uma das 606 maternidades com plano de ação regional aprovado na RC. Foram estimadas proporções e respectivos intervalos de confiança a 95%, ajustados para o efeito do cluster, comparando-se as macrorregiões pelo teste Qui-quadrado de Wald. A presença do acompanhante em tempo integral ocorreu em 71,2% das maternidades, sendo maior entre puérperas com idade de 20-35 anos, de cor parda, com maior escolaridade, casadas e assistidas em parto vaginal. Quase 30% das puérperas não tiveram acompanhante em tempo integral. Nas regiões Sudeste e Centro-Oeste, mulheres pretas autodeclaradas, de menor escolaridade e solteiras foram menos acompanhadas. O momento do parto teve menor presença do acompanhante (29,2%). Apesar dos avanços, este direito ainda não é cumprido integralmente, apontando para a ocorrência de iniquidades sociais entre as macrorregiões brasileiras.

Abstract The objective was to estimate the proportion of women with a full-time companion in Brazilian maternities linked to the Rede Cegonha (RC) and to compare them between the macro-regions in Brazil. A nationwide study, carried out from December/2016 to October/2017. 10,665 puerperal women from all regions of Brazil participated in the study, who gave birth at one of 606 maternity hospitals with a regional action plan approved by RC. Proportions and respective 95% confidence intervals were estimated, adjusted for the cluster effect, by comparing the macro-regions using Wald's chi-square test. The presence of a full-time companion occurred in 71.2% of maternities, being higher among women aged 20-35 years, brown-skinned, with higher education, married, and assisted in vaginal delivery. Almost 30% of puerperal women did not have a full-time companion. In the Southeast and Midwest regions, self-declared black women, with less schooling and unmarried women were less accompanied. The moment of delivery had less presence of the companion (29.2%). Despite the advances, this right is still not fully fulfilled, pointing to the occurrence of social inequities among Brazilian macro-regions.

Direito humano à alimentação adequada: fome, desigualdade e pobreza como obstáculos para garantir direitos sociais / Human right to adequate food: hunger, inequality and poverty as obstacles to guaranteeing social rights

Resumo: Este ensaio tem como objetivo refletir sobre o direito humano à alimentação adequada, de forma universal e permanente, ante a pobreza e a desigualdade social. Expressa a dificuldade das sociedades para eliminar o espectro da fome. Argumenta-se que o direito humano à alimentação adequada dificilmente será materializado sem a superação da fome, da pobreza e da desigualdade social, fenômenos interdependentes e que se inter-relacionam, inerentes e necessários à sociabilidade capitalista.

Abstract: This essay aims to reflect on the human right to proper food, in an universal and permanent way, in the face of poverty and social inequality. It expresses the difficulty of societies to eliminate the spectrum of starvation. It is argued that the human right to adequate food is unlikely to be materialized without overcoming hunger, poverty and social inequality, interdependent and interrelated phenomena, inherent and necessary to capitalist sociability.

Analyzing COVID-19's impact on the travel mobility of various social groups in China's Greater Bay Area via mobile phone big data.

The COVID-19 outbreak has significantly impacted people's mobility in terms of travel, which is directly related to regional economic vitality and individuals' well-being. This study conducted research on the COVID-19 epidemic's impact on travel mobility in China's Greater Bay Area, utilizing mobile phone big data. The overall influence of COVID-19 was measured by investigating the impact between different income and migration groups in three core cities: Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Foshan. Individuals' weekly travel frequency and activity space area between December 2019 and May 2020 were calculated, and the average values between the different cities and various social groups were compared. The results showed that travel mobility declined during the epidemic's peak, followed by a recovery based on the overall trend. The start and end of strict law enforcement had a significant impact on the initial decline and subsequent recovery of travel mobility in the core cities. COVID-19 had a larger impact on core cities than peripheral areas, and on non-commute travel frequency, compared to commute travel frequency. Compared to advantaged groups, socially disadvantaged groups experienced a steeper decline in travel mobility during the epidemic's peak, but a more significant recovery afterwards. These findings indicate that discretionary activities have not yet recovered and remain below the pre-epidemic level, and that disadvantaged social groups had limited access to superior precautionary measures for avoiding infection. Based on the findings, we provide several policy suggestions regarding the recovery of travel mobility.