The impact of the 2021 Thrifty Food Plan benefit re-evaluation on SNAP participants' short-term food security and health outcomes.

Introduction: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest federal nutrition assistance program in the United States, and played a critical role in mitigating food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the updated Thrifty Food Plan (TFP), which provides the basis of SNAP benefit allotments, led to a 21% monthly benefit increase for SNAP participants. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of the TFP re-evaluation on food insecurity, diet quality, and mental health using a natural experiment design. Methods: A longitudinal, web-based study was conducted among 1,004 United States adults with incomes at or below $65,000 in September 2021 (prior to the policy change) and February 2022 (after the policy change). Outcomes of interest included household food security, diet quality, perceived stress, and anxiety/depression, assessed using validated instruments. We used difference-in-differences regression modeling to assess the effects of the policy change on participants' outcomes, adjusting for sociodemographic covariates. Qualitative responses to open-ended questions about the policy change were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Prior to the policy change, SNAP participants had significantly worse food insecurity, lower diet quality scores, and higher perceived stress and anxiety/depression when compared to non-participants (all Ps < 0.05). After adjustment for differences in sociodemographic characteristics, there were no significant effects of the TFP re-evaluation on food insecurity, diet quality, and mental health outcomes among SNAP participants relative to non-participants (all Ps > 0.05). Qualitative responses suggested that rising food prices and growing inflation potentially negated the benefits of the policy change; however, most SNAP participants described the added benefits as helpful in purchasing additional food supplies and offsetting other household costs during this period. Discussion: The TFP benefit increase may have helped to prevent inflation-related disparities in food insecurity and health outcomes from widening among SNAP participants and non-participants. Further research is needed to determine the long-term impacts of this policy change.

Analysis of the elaboration and proposal of a Brazilian intersectoral strategy for the prevention and care of childhood obesity / Análise do processo de construção e proposta de uma estratégia intersetorial brasileira para prevenção e atenção à obesidade infantil / Análisis del proceso de construcción y propuesta de una estrategia intersectorial brasileña para la prevención y atención de la obesidad infantil

Abstract: The Brazilian Strategy for the Prevention and Care of Childhood Obesity (PROTEJA) aims to implement a set of actions to prevent obesity in Brazil. As such, this qualitative and descriptive documentary study presents the Strategy's stages of the operational design, general proposal, evaluation and monitoring conducted by the Brazilian Ministry of Health's technical coordination. After analyzing the epidemiological data on children and the existing policies aimed at obesity prevention, and reviewing the scientific literature and recommendations, PROTEJA was formulated and approved by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, and 1,320 municipalities committed to implementing 20 essential and 5 complementary actions, from 41, including some structural to improve environments. Coordinated by the Brazilian Ministry of Health in partnership with subnational governments and universities, the Strategy also relies on a local team for implementation support, as well as implementation and impact evaluations. Actions will be monitored annually, and the indicators will impact financial incentives. As a strong, evidence-based and innovative strategy aiming to promote healthy environments in cities, PROTEJA has the potential to open a path to childhood obesity reversal, as well as add to the implementation science and contribute to the development and improvement of public policies for obesity prevention; however, its implementation remains a challenge.

Resumo: A Estratégia de Prevenção e Atenção à Obesidade Infantil (PROTEJA) visa promover a implementação de um pacote de ações para prevenção da obesidade no Brasil. Este estudo apresenta as etapas de desenho operacional, proposta geral, avaliação e monitoramento do PROTEJA realizadas pela coordenação técnica do Ministério da Saúde. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo baseado em análise descritiva documental. A formulação da estratégia envolveu análise de dados epidemiológicos de crianças brasileiras, análise de políticas existentes, e uma revisão da literatura científica e das recomendações O PROTEJA foi então formulado e aprovado pelo Ministério da Saúde e 1.320 municípios se comprometeram a implementar 20 ações essenciais e 5 complementares das 41 ações, incluindo algumas estruturais para melhoria dos ambientes. A estratégia é coordenada pelo Ministério da Saúde em parceria com governos subnacionais e universidades. Sua implementação conta com apoio de uma equipe em nível local, e prevê a avaliação da implementação e de impacto. As ações serão monitoradas anualmente, e os indicadores também implicarão nos incentivos financeiros. O PROTEJA é uma estratégia forte, baseada em evidências e inovadora que visa promover ambientes saudáveis nas cidades, mas sua implementação é desafiadora. Não obstante, apresenta um possível caminho para a reversão da obesidade infantil. Também pode agregar à ciência de implementação e contribuir para o desenvolvimento e aprimoramento de políticas públicas de prevenção da obesidade.

Resumen: La Estrategia Brasileña para la Prevención y Atención de la Obesidad Infantil (PROTEJA) tiene como objetivo promover la implementación de un conjunto de acciones para prevenir la obesidad en Brasil. Este estudio presenta las etapas del diseño operativo, la propuesta general, la evaluación y el seguimiento de PROTEJA realizadas por la coordinación técnica del Ministerio de Salud brasileño. Se trata de un estudio cualitativo basado en el análisis descriptivo de documentos. La formulación de la estrategia implicó el análisis de datos epidemiológicos de niños brasileños, el análisis de las políticas existentes y una revisión de la literatura científica y de las recomendaciones. PROTEJA fue entonces formulado y aprobado por el Ministerio de Salud, y 1.320 municipios se comprometieron a implementar 20 acciones esenciales y 5 complementarias de las 41 acciones, incluidas algunas estructurales para mejorar los entornos. La estrategia es coordinada por el Ministerio de Salud en colaboración con gobiernos subnacionales y universidades. Su implementación cuenta con el apoyo de un equipo a nivel local, y prevé una evaluación de la implementación y de impacto. Las acciones se monitorearán anualmente, y los indicadores también implicarán incentivos económicos. PROTEJA es una estrategia sólida, basada en evidencias e innovadora que busca promover entornos saludables en las ciudades, pero su implementación es un desafío. Sin embargo, presenta una posible vía para revertir la obesidad infantil. También puede agregar a la ciencia de implementación y contribuir al desarrollo y a la mejora de políticas públicas para prevenir la obesidad.

20 anos da comissão consultiva em avaliação psicológica: desafios da ADI 3481 / 20 years of the advisory committee on psychological assessment: challenges of ADI 3481 / 20 años de la comisión consultiva en evaluación psicológica: desafíos de la ADI 3481

A Comissão Consultiva em Avaliação Psicológica (CCAP) do Conselho Federal de Psicologia (CFP), em seu 20º aniversário, vem discutir os possíveis efeitos, ainda efetivamente desconhecidos, da Ação Direta de Inconstitucionalidade (ADI) 3481, instruída no Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF), a qual desestruturou o modo como os testes psicológicos eram comercializados no Brasil. A livre comercialização de testes psicológicos coloca em risco a segurança de avaliações psicológicas e cabe à categoria profissional pensar estratégias de enfrentamento desses riscos. Neste artigo, são discutidos possíveis efeitos da ADI 3481 para a categoria profissional da psicologia, bem como para a sociedade em geral, e são também elencadas possíveis estratégias de enfrentamento desses riscos, sem desconsiderar aspectos éticos relacionados a eles. Dessa forma, busca-se neste manuscrito, além da problematização dos efeitos derivados da ADI 3481, pensar soluções ou alternativas que venham a redirecionar a trajetória da área da avaliação psicológica no Brasil. Com isso, abre-se um espaço de discussão e encaminhamentos que a categoria profissional precisará tomar nos próximos anos.(AU)

The Advisory Commission for Psychological Assessment of the Federal Council of Psychology discusses, on its 20th anniversary, the possible and still effectively unknown effects of the Direct Action of Unconstitutionality (DAU) 3481, following the Supreme Federal Court, which interrupted how psychological tests were marketed in Brazil. The free trade of psychological tests puts the safety of psychological assessments at risk, and this professional category must think of strategies to face these risks. This study discusses the possible effects of DAU 3481 for professional psychology and for society in general, listing possible strategies for coping with these risks without disregarding its ethical aspects. Thus, this study seeks to problematize the effects derived from DAU 3481 and think of solutions or alternatives that may redirect the trajectory of the field of psychological assessment in Brazil, thus opening a space for discussion and referrals professional psychology will require in the coming years.(AU)

La Comisión Consultiva en Evaluación Psicológica (CCEP) del Consejo Federal de Psicología (CFP), en su 20.º aniversario, propone discutir los posibles efectos aún efectivamente desconocidos de la Acción Directa de Inconstitucionalidad (ADI) 3481, determinada por el Supremo Tribunal Federal (STF), por la cual trastornó la forma de comercializar las pruebas psicológicas en Brasil. La comercialización sin restricciones de las pruebas psicológicas pone en riesgo la seguridad de las evaluaciones psicológicas, y le corresponde a la categoría profesional pensar estrategias para enfrentar estos riesgos. En este artículo se discuten los posibles efectos de la ADI 3481 para la categoría profesional de la Psicología, así como para la sociedad en general, pero también se enumeran posibles estrategias para el enfrentamiento de estos riesgos, sin descuidar los aspectos éticos relacionados con ellos. Así, este manuscrito busca, además de problematizar los efectos derivados de la ADI 3481, pensar en soluciones o alternativas que puedan reconducir la trayectoria del campo de la evaluación psicológica en Brasil. Esto abre un espacio de discusión y derivaciones que la categoría profesional deberá tomar en los próximos años.(AU)

Ferrobotic swarms enable accessible and adaptable automated viral testing.

Expanding our global testing capacity is critical to preventing and containing pandemics1-9. Accordingly, accessible and adaptable automated platforms that in decentralized settings perform nucleic acid amplification tests resource-efficiently are required10-14. Pooled testing can be extremely efficient if the pooling strategy is based on local viral prevalence15-20; however, it requires automation, small sample volume handling and feedback not available in current bulky, capital-intensive liquid handling technologies21-29. Here we use a swarm of millimetre-sized magnets as mobile robotic agents ('ferrobots') for precise and robust handling of magnetized sample droplets and high-fidelity delivery of flexible workflows based on nucleic acid amplification tests to overcome these limitations. Within a palm-sized printed circuit board-based programmable platform, we demonstrated the myriad of laboratory-equivalent operations involved in pooled testing. These operations were guided by an introduced square matrix pooled testing algorithm to identify the samples from infected patients, while maximizing the testing efficiency. We applied this automated technology for the loop-mediated isothermal amplification and detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in clinical samples, in which the test results completely matched those obtained off-chip. This technology is easily manufacturable and distributable, and its adoption for viral testing could lead to a 10-300-fold reduction in reagent costs (depending on the viral prevalence) and three orders of magnitude reduction in instrumentation cost. Therefore, it is a promising solution to expand our testing capacity for pandemic preparedness and to reimagine the automated clinical laboratory of the future.

Brazilian Public Health System: history and profile of heart failure care and the impacts of COVID-19 / Sistema Público de Saúde Brasileiro: história e perfil dos cuidados com a insuficiência cardíaca e os impactos da COVID-19

Objective: The objective of this study is to describe the general and specific context of hospitalizations for Heart Failure (HF) in the Unified Health System and its main care indicators and economic aspects in the period before and during COVID-19. Methods: The economic indicators were evaluated between January 2011 and June 2022, comparing these indicators before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, using data from the DataSUS Health Information of the Ministry of Health of Brazil. The number of hospitalizations, length of stay, lethality and hospitalization costs were evaluated. The ARIMA method and the general regression model were used to analyze monthly results before and during COVID-19. Results: Hospitalization for HF has decreased in the last 11 years, with the most significant drop in the COVID-19 pandemic. After the pandemic, there was an increase in lethality in patients hospitalized for HF and also an increase in length of stay, despite the decrease in hospitalizations. When analyzing the economic aspects, more than US$ 725 million were spent. The average ticket showed a clear drop in per capita investment, with a real devaluation of 30.46% in the period from 2011 to 2022, which can be related to two main hypotheses: increased effectiveness and effectiveness of the analysis of service costs and/ or chronic underfunding of the Brazilian Public Health System. Conclusion: HF has its lethality worsened over time, especially in the COVID-19 period, also associated with a significant expense with the SUS and a tendency to decrease the allocation of resources.

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo é descrever o contexto geral e específico das internações por insuficiência cardíaca (IC) junto ao Sistema Único de Saúde e seus principais indicadores assistenciais e aspectos econômicos no período pré e durante a COVID-19. Métodos: Os indicadores econômicos foram avaliados no período entre janeiro de 2011 e junho de 2022, comparando esses indicadores antes e durante a pandemia por COVID-19, utilizando dados do DataSUS Informações de Saúde do Ministério da Saúde do Brasil. Foram avaliados o número de internações, tempo de internação, etalidade e custos de internação. O método ARIMA e o modelo de regressão geral foram usados para analisar os resultados mensais antes e durante a COVID-19. Resultados: A hospitalização por IC diminuiu nos últimos 11 anos, com queda mais significativa na pandemia da COVID-19. Após a pandemia, houve aumento da letalidade em pacientes internados por IC e também um aumento do tempo de permanência, mesmo diante da diminuição das internações. Ao analisar os aspectos econômicos, foram gastos mais de US$ 725 milhões. O ticket médio apresentou uma clara queda no investimento per capita, com desvalorização real de 30,46% no período de 2011 a 2022, o que pode estar relacionado a duas hipóteses principais: aumento da efetividade e efetividade da análise de custos do atendimento e/ou subfinanciamento crônico do Sistema Público de Saúde Brasileiro. Conclusão: A IC tem sua letalidade agravada ao longo do tempo, principalmente no período da COVID-19, associada também a um gasto relevante com o sistema público brasileiro e a uma tendência de diminuição da alocação de recursos.

Una mirada en un cuarto de siglo al Grupo de Apoyo Nutricional / A quarter-century look into the Nutritional Support Group

Me produce una sensación rara tener que escribir sobre la existencia del Grupo de Apoyo Nutricional (GAN) quien este año 2022 cumplirá 25 años de creado. Lo comparo como una criatura que se gesta, nace, se desarrolla y alcanza su edad adulta en medio de circunstancias disímiles, cambiantes, difíciles, pero siempre con una visión resiliente de la visión del cambio de paradigma. Los malos tiempos tienen un valor científico. Son ocasiones que un buen alumno no se perdería (Ralph Waldo Emerson). La nutrición clínica en el mundo y en nuestro país es un tema que se mueve esencialmente entre mitos, tabúes y prejuicios alimentarios, a pesar de constituir una ciencia integrada por múltiples disciplinas médicas y no médicas. Hoy la epidemiología mundial se mueve en dos polos, identificados como la Dobla carga de la Malnutrición, donde por un lado existen poblaciones con desnutrición importante por la presencia de inseguridad alimentaria de causas diversas socioeconómicas y presencia de enfermedades trasmisibles y no trasmisibles con repercusión deletérea sobre el estado nutricional, unido a poblaciones de países de altos, medianos y bajos ingresos económicos con un consumo desmedido de alimentos de alta densidad energética y bajo nivel de actividad física junto a otros factores psicosociales y genéticos que expresan un incremento de la distribución de la grasa corporal en forma de adiposidad y obesidad. Muchos países de ingresos bajos y medios se enfrentan ahora a una "doble carga" de mala nutrición. Mientras estos países siguen lidiando con los problemas de las enfermedades infecciosas y la desnutrición, también están experimentando un rápido aumento de los factores de riesgo de enfermedades no transmisibles, como la obesidad y el sobrepeso, especialmente en los entornos urbanos. Tampoco resulta extraño que la desnutrición y la obesidad coexistan en el mismo país, en la misma comunidad, en el mismo hogar y algunos individuos en particular. Esta problemática se traslada a los centros asistenciales, especialmente a los hospitales donde la frecuencia de pacientes con desnutrición asociada a enfermedades alcanza valores del 20 a más del 50 por ciento y los pacientes con exceso de peso corporal superan el 20 por ciento con la consiguiente repercusión sobre indicadores como complicaciones, muertes, infecciones, reingresos, estadía, y costos de atención, afectando la calidad de vida y del nivel de prestación de salud. Toda esta problemática tuvimos que enfrentar desde los inicios unidos a la resistencia creada en la mentalidad de muchos colegas y administrativos de que la atención nutricional se garantizaba solo con una "buena dieta" que casi nadie sabía prescribir de forma correcta. Y uno de los problemas mayores desde nuestro punto de vista lo constituyó la falta de conocimientos en el campo de la Nutrición Clínica y Dietética de la inmensa mayoría de los miembros de los equipos asistenciales en lo que constituía un verdadero analfabetismo funcional. A esta problemática es lo que le llamo Era Pre-GAN que era expresión de todo el país. El GAN desde los inicios se dio a la tarea de identificar el problema: casi un 40 % de los pacientes hospitalizados estaba con riesgo elevado según edad, cáncer, infecciones, falla orgánica crónica y estadía, una situación con impacto negativo sobre los resultados de los pacientes y los sistemas de salud. También se identificaron de forma explícita prácticas no deseables en la atención nutricional de los pacientes por o equipos asistenciales. Así se tuvo un diagnóstico de la magnitud del problema de la institución y como estos indicadores negativos podían afectar el cumplimiento del encargo estatal y objeto social asignado por el gobierno. La solución: Una intervención nutricional inmediatamente después del ingreso, ayuda a minimizar los efectos adversos de la desnutrición y recupera la capacidad de respuesta del paciente al tratamiento y su recuperación. Se instauró un Programa de Intervención Alimentario, Nutrimental y Metabólico (conocido como PRINUMA) con subsistemas de registro, control de calidad, educación continuada y costos. El trabajo multidisciplinario, interdisciplinario orientado al paciente permitió sentar las bases para la protocolización del Proceso de Atención Nutricional con la confección de Procedimientos Normalizados de Actuación, Guías prácticas que incluyen etapas básicas como el Tamizaje, Diagnóstico etiopatogénico y clínico, Clasificación y Registro, Guías de intervención dietoterapéuticas y de Terapia Nutricional Artificial. Un elemento cardinal en el trabajo del GAN en estos 5 lustros ha sido el de tener una presencia creciente en las actividades asistenciales, docentes e investigativas del centro, produciendo cambios importantes en el pensamiento y accionar de médicos, enfermeras, nutricionistas, farmacéuticos, psicólogos, equipos de salud de todas las especialidades médicas y quirúrgicas, el aparato administrativo y gerencial y una influencia creciente en pacientes y familiares. Nos quedan aún grandes desafíos por alcanzar. Uno de ellos es incorporar indicadores internacionalmente aceptados a los registros oficiales de reportes existentes en el MINSAP presentes en el Clasificador Internacional de Enfermedades. Somos el primer Servicio de Nutrición Clínica acreditados por el MINSAP en 2016 y debemos modificar nuestro manual de Procedimientos con objetivos dirigidos a alcanzar satisfacer las expectativas de los pacientes y familiares. Actualmente, existe La Declaración de Cartagena que trata sobre el derecho al cuidado nutricional, independiente del nivel de atención en salud, y sobre la lucha contra las diversas clases de malnutrición en particular la asociada a la enfermedad, por lo tanto, se limita al campo de la nutrición clínica. La nutrición clínica es una disciplina y una ciencia, interdisciplinaria y aplicada, preocupada por la malnutrición. El objetivo es aplicar los principios de la terapia nutricional (con alimentos naturales de administración ordinaria y nutrientes artificiales administrados por medio de suplementos, nutrición enteral y parenteral) en el marco del cuidado nutricional con el fin de garantizar el estado nutricional y modular otras funciones biológicas para influir de manera positiva en el tratamiento, la calidad de vida y el desenlace de los pacientes. Su basamento consiste en promover el respeto de la dignidad humana y proteger el derecho a la alimentación en el ámbito clínico, velando por el respeto de la vida de los seres humanos y las libertades fundamentales, de conformidad con el derecho internacional relativo a los derechos humanos, y la bioética. Nuestro país, debido al sistema sociopolítico y su sistema de salud inclusivo califica perfectamente para el cumplimiento y extensión de sus trece principios. Quiero también expresar mi profundo reconocimiento y agradecimiento a todas aquellas personas que nos precedieron, formaron parte del Grupo en sus diferentes etapas, creyeron en nosotros y nos apoyaron tanto espiritual como material y administrativamente, sin los cuales estoy convencido que no se hubiera llegado tan lejos. Mención especial a los actuales integrantes, quienes todavía contamos con fundadores y colegas de alto valor agregado. La repercusión del trabajo del Grupo de Apoyo Nutricional del Hospital "Hermanos Ameijeiras" rebasa el espacio físico de su localización para extender su influencia en numerosas instituciones del Sistema Nacional de Salud, y allende las fronteras nacionales. El trabajo realizado en todo este tiempo no se puede reflejar en el limitado espacio de un editorial. Todavía nos queda un largo trecho por recorrer(AU)

Antropometría nutricional en la España de mediados del siglo XX. Medidas comparadas de estudiantes y reclutas / Nutritional anthropometry in mid-20th century Spain. Comparativemeasurements of students and recruits

Introducción: La talla y el perímetro torácico son indica-dores del estado de salud y bienestar de una población.Dichas medidas antropométricas dependen de agentes socio-económicos, nutricionales y ambientales. Objetivos: Analizar la estatura y el perímetro del tórax delos reclutas de diferentes provincias españolas en la décadade los 50 del pasado siglo. Asimismo, comparar dichas medi-das corporales con las de los estudiantes del mismo períodode tiempo. Material y Métodos: Se parte de dos muestras, una de2421 sujetos de los reclutamientos de 1950 a 1953 de dife-rentes provincias españolas y la otra, de 957 estudiantes va-rones de 23 a 33 años. Se confrontaron talla y perímetro to-rácico de los reclutas de las diferentes regiones. Secompararon dichas medidas entre soldados y estudiantes uni-versitarios. Resultados: Las estaturas más elevadas de reclutas seencontraban en las zonas catalana y vasco-navarra y la me-nor correspondía a la castellano-leonesa. Los soldados galle-gos y vasco-navarros poseían un perímetro torácico estadísti-camente mayor que el de los andaluces y castellano-leoneses.Los estudiantes tienen un promedio de talla superior a la delos reclutas, tanto a nivel general como en la mayoría de lasregiones geográficas comparadas. Igualmente, el perímetrotorácico medio del alumnado universitario es mayor que el delos soldados, a nivel del conjunto de España y de todas las re-giones analizadas. Conclusiones: Los reclutas más altos eran los del norestey los de mayor tórax, los de la zona septentrional de España.Las medidas de estudiantes fueron mayores que las de los dereclutas.(AU)

Introduction: Stature and thoracic perimeter are indica-tors of health and wellbeing status of a population. These an-thropometric measures are affected by socioeconomic, nutri-tional and environmental factors. Objectives: To analyze the stature and thoracic perime-ter of the recruits of different Spanish provinces in the decadeof the ‘50s of the last century. Also to compare these bodymeasurements with those of the students of the same period. Methods: This study was based on two samples, one com-posed of 2421 recruits conscripted between 1950 and 1953from different Spanish provinces. The second one featured956 male students aged 23-33. We collected the stature andthoracic perimeter of the recruits from different regions. Wecompared said measures between recruits and students. Results: The tallest recruits were found in the Catalan andBasque-Navarre areas and the shortest in the Castilian-Leonese area. Galician and Basque-Navarrese soldiers had astatistically greater thoracic perimeter than Andalusian andCastilian-Leonese soldiers. The students have a higher aver-age stature than the recruits, both overall and in most of thegeographical regions compared. Likewise, the average tho-racic perimeter of university students is greater than that ofsoldiers, at the level of Spain as a whole and of all the regionsanalyzed. Conclusion: The tallest recruits belonged to the northeastwhilst those with the largest thoracic perimeters were fromnorthern Spain. The measurements from students werehigher than those from the recruits.(AU)

Unconditional cash transfers for reducing poverty and vulnerabilities: effect on use of health services and health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.

BACKGROUND: Unconditional cash transfers (UCTs; provided without obligation) for reducing poverty and vulnerabilities (e.g. orphanhood, old age, or HIV infection) are a social protection intervention addressing a key social determinant of health (income) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The relative effectiveness of UCTs compared with conditional cash transfers (CCTs; provided only if recipients follow prescribed behaviours, e.g. use a health service or attend school) is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of UCTs on health services use and health outcomes in children and adults in LMICs. Secondary objectives are to assess the effects of UCTs on social determinants of health and healthcare expenditure, and to compare the effects of UCTs versus CCTs. SEARCH METHODS: For this update, we searched 15 electronic academic databases, including CENTRAL, MEDLINE and EconLit, in September 2021. We also searched four electronic grey literature databases, websites of key organisations and reference lists of previous systematic reviews, key journals and included study records. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included both parallel-group and cluster-randomised controlled trials (C-RCTs), quasi-RCTs, cohort studies, controlled before-and-after studies (CBAs), and interrupted time series studies of UCT interventions in children (0 to 17 years) and adults (≥ 18 years) in LMICs. Comparison groups received either no UCT, a smaller UCT or a CCT. Our primary outcomes were any health services use or health outcome. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently screened potentially relevant records for inclusion, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. We obtained missing data from study authors if feasible. For C-RCTs, we generally calculated risk ratios for dichotomous outcomes from crude frequency measures in approximately correct analyses. Meta-analyses applied the inverse variance or Mantel-Haenszel method using a random-effects model. Where meta-analysis was impossible, we synthesised results using vote counting based on effect direction. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS: We included 34 studies (25 studies of 20 C-RCTs, six CBAs, and three cohort studies) involving 1,140,385 participants (45,538 children, 1,094,847 adults) and 50,095 households in Africa, the Americas and South-East Asia in our meta-analyses and narrative syntheses. These analysed 29 independent data sets. The 24 UCTs identified, including one basic universal income intervention, were pilot or established government programmes or research experiments. The cash value was equivalent to 1.3% to 81.9% of the annualised gross domestic product per capita. All studies compared a UCT with no UCT; three studies also compared a UCT with a CCT. Most studies carried an overall high risk of bias (i.e. often selection or performance bias, or both). Most studies were funded by national governments or international organisations, or both. Throughout the review, we use the words 'probably' to indicate moderate-certainty evidence, 'may/maybe' for low-certainty evidence, and 'uncertain' for very low-certainty evidence. Health services use We assumed greater use of any health services to be beneficial. UCTs may not have impacted the likelihood of having used any health service in the previous 1 to 12 months, when participants were followed up between 12 and 24 months into the intervention (risk ratio (RR) 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00 to 1.09; I2 = 2%; 5 C-RCTs, 4972 participants; low-certainty evidence). Health outcomes At one to two years, UCTs probably led to a clinically meaningful, very large reduction in the likelihood of having had any illness in the previous two weeks to three months (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.92; I2 = 53%; 6 C-RCTs, 9367 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). UCTs may have increased the likelihood of having been food secure over the previous month, at 13 to 36 months into the intervention (RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.45; I2 = 85%; 5 C-RCTs, 2687 participants; low-certainty evidence). UCTs may have increased participants' level of dietary diversity over the previous week, when assessed with the Household Dietary Diversity Score and followed up 24 months into the intervention (mean difference (MD) 0.59 food categories, 95% CI 0.18 to 1.01; I2 = 79%; 4 C-RCTs, 9347 participants; low-certainty evidence). Despite several studies providing relevant evidence, the effects of UCTs on the likelihood of being moderately stunted and on the level of depression remain uncertain. We found no study on the effect of UCTs on mortality risk. Social determinants of health UCTs probably led to a clinically meaningful, moderate increase in the likelihood of currently attending school, when assessed at 12 to 24 months into the intervention (RR 1.06, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.09; I2 = 0%; 8 C-RCTs, 7136 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). UCTs may have reduced the likelihood of households being extremely poor, at 12 to 36 months into the intervention (RR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.97; I2 = 63%; 6 C-RCTs, 3805 participants; low-certainty evidence). The evidence was uncertain for whether UCTs impacted livestock ownership, participation in labour, and parenting quality. Healthcare expenditure Evidence from eight cluster-RCTs on healthcare expenditure was too inconsistent to be combined in a meta-analysis, but it suggested that UCTs may have increased the amount of money spent on health care at 7 to 36 months into the intervention (low-certainty evidence). Equity, harms and comparison with CCTs The effects of UCTs on health equity (or unfair and remedial health inequalities) were very uncertain. We did not identify any harms from UCTs. Three cluster-RCTs compared UCTs versus CCTs with regard to the likelihood of having used any health services or had any illness, or the level of dietary diversity, but evidence was limited to one study per outcome and was very uncertain for all three. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: This body of evidence suggests that unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) may not impact a summary measure of health service use in children and adults in LMICs. However, UCTs probably or may improve some health outcomes (i.e. the likelihood of having had any illness, the likelihood of having been food secure, and the level of dietary diversity), two social determinants of health (i.e. the likelihoods of attending school and being extremely poor), and healthcare expenditure. The evidence on the relative effectiveness of UCTs and CCTs remains very uncertain.

Systematic Review of Health Economic Evaluations Focused on Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: The Tortoise and the Cheetah.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to systematically review recent health economic evaluations (HEEs) of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in healthcare. The aim was to discuss pertinent methods, reporting quality and challenges for future implementation of AI in healthcare, and additionally advise future HEEs. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted in 2 databases (PubMed and Scopus) for articles published in the last 5 years. Two reviewers performed independent screening, full-text inclusion, data extraction, and appraisal. The Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards and Philips checklist were used for the quality assessment of included studies. RESULTS: A total of 884 unique studies were identified; 20 were included for full-text review, covering a wide range of medical specialties and care pathway phases. The most commonly evaluated type of AI was automated medical image analysis models (n = 9, 45%). The prevailing health economic analysis was cost minimization (n = 8, 40%) with the costs saved per case as preferred outcome measure. A total of 9 studies (45%) reported model-based HEEs, 4 of which applied a time horizon >1 year. The evidence supporting the chosen analytical methods, assessment of uncertainty, and model structures was underreported. The reporting quality of the articles was moderate as on average studies reported on 66% of Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards items. CONCLUSIONS: HEEs of AI in healthcare are limited and often focus on costs rather than health impact. Surprisingly, model-based long-term evaluations are just as uncommon as model-based short-term evaluations. Consequently, insight into the actual benefits offered by AI is lagging behind current technological developments.

Morbidade e mortalidade por covid-19 no Brasil e evidencias sobre saúde mental de profissionais da saúde e professores / Morbidity and mortality from covid-19 in Brazil and evidence on mental health of health professionals and teachers

A doença causada pelo novo coronavírus (COVID-19) é atualmente o mais grave problema de saúde pública no mundo. Considerando a magnitude da doença, bem como os impactos psicossociais e econômicos, avaliar a distribuição temporal e os fatores associados com a mortalidade por COVID-19 em públicos distintos pode fornecer evidências sobre a dinâmica temporal e os grupos com maior risco de óbito. Com as medidas adotadas para o enfrentamento da pandemia, foram verificadas mudanças na prática de profissionais de saúde e professores, sendo importante avaliar o impacto na saúde mental. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a morbidade e mortalidade por COVID-19 no Brasil e discutir evidencias sobre impacto da pandemia na saúde mental de profissionais de saúde e professores. Para responder a este objetivo, foram desenvolvidos quatro estudos. No primeiro, de corte transversal, foram incluídos 8.402 crianças e adolescentes de 0 a 19 anos com Síndrome Respiratório Aguda Grave (SRAG) por COVID-19. A taxa de incidência e de mortalidade foi 13,74 e 1,35 por 100.000, respectivamente, com letalidade de 9,81%. Na análise multivariada pela Regressão de Poisson com variância robusta, os fatores associados com maior risco de óbito foram faixa etária < 1 ano, cardiopatia, doenças imunossupressoras, doenças neurológicas e síndrome de Down. No segundo artigo, de revisão sistemática, foi identificado que os instrumentos Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), MNA-short form, o Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index, o Nutritional Risk Screening 2002, o Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, o modified Nutrition Risk in Critically Ill (NUTRIC) score e o Subjective Global Assessmen apresentam elevada sensibilidade para identificação de risco nutricional em idosos com COVID-19. No terceiro artigo, de revisão sistemática sobre a saúde mental de professores em tempos de COVID-19, foi verificado que a prevalência de ansiedade variou de dez a 49,4%, para depressão, de 15,9 a 28,9%, e, para estresse, de 12,6 a 50,6%. Atuar em escolas (em comparação com universidades), ser do sexo feminino e estar vivenciando o retorno às aulas presenciais foram fatores relacionados com maior risco de alterações emocionais. No quarto artigo, uma revisão sistemática com metanálise sobre a ansiedade em profissionais de saúde, foi identificada prevalência de 35% (IC95%: 29-40), sendo maior nas mulheres e nos enfermeiros. Atuar na linha de frente, estar infectado com coronavírus e apresentar doenças crônicas também foram fatores associados com maior risco de ansiedade. Os resultados desta tese evidenciam que apesar de menos prevalente que em idosos, a COVID-19 também acomete considerável quantidade de crianças e adolescentes no Brasil, com maior razão de prevalência para óbito nos que apresentam cardiopatia, doenças imunossupressoras, doenças neurológicas e síndrome de Down. Para os idosos, foi verificado que os instrumentos de triagem nutricional são úteis para a identificação de risco nutricional. Foi registrada elevada prevalência de alterações do estado emocional em profissionais de saúde e professores, havendo a necessidade de medidas em saúde coletiva que visem à prevenção destas alterações nestes profissionais. Há a necessidade de inclusão desta pauta em Vigilância em Saúde, especificamente Saúde do Trabalhador (AU).

The disease caused by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) is currently the most serious public health problem in the world. Considering the magnitude of the disease, as well as the psychosocial and economic impacts, assessing the temporal distribution and factors associated with mortality from COVID-19 in different publics can provide evidence about the temporal dynamics and the groups with the highest risk of death. With the measures adopted to face the pandemic, changes were observed in the professional practice of health professionals and teachers, and it is important to assess the impact on mental health. In this context, the aim of this study was to assess morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 in Brazil and the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of health professionals and teachers. To respond to this objective, four studies were developed. In the first, a cross-sectional study, 8,402 children and adolescents aged 0 to 19 years with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) due to COVID-19 were included. The incidence and mortality rates were 13.74 and 1.35 per 100,000, respectively, with a mortality rate of 9.81%. In the multivariate analysis using Poisson Regression with robust variance, the factors associated with a higher risk of death were age group < 1 year, heart disease, immunosuppressive diseases, neurological diseases and Down syndrome. In the second article, a systematic review, it was identified that the instruments Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), MNA-short form, the Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index, the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002, the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, the modified Nutrition Risk in Critically Ill (NUTRIC) score and the Subjective Global Assessmen have high sensitivity for identifying nutritional risk in older adults with COVID19. In the third article, a systematic review on the mental health of teachers in times of COVID-19, it was found that the prevalence of anxiety ranged from ten to 49.4%, for depression, from 15.9 to 28.9%, and, for stress, from 12.6 to 50.6%. Working in schools (compared to universities), being female and experiencing a return to face-to-face classes were factors related to a higher risk of emotional changes. In the fourth article, a systematic review with meta-analysis on anxiety in health professionals, a prevalence of 35% (95%CI: 29-40) was identified, being higher in women and nurses. Working on the front lines, being infected with the coronavirus and having chronic illnesses were also factors associated with a higher risk of anxiety. The results of this thesis show that despite being less prevalent than in the elderly, COVID-19 also affects a considerable number of children and adolescents in Brazil, with a higher prevalence ratio for death in those with heart disease, immunosuppressive diseases, neurological diseases and Down syndrome. A high prevalence of alterations in the emotional state was registered in health professionals and teachers, with the need for collective health measures aimed at preventing these alterations in these professionals. There is a need to include this agenda in Health Surveillance, specifically Occupational Health (AU).

Socio-spatial inequalities in healthy life expectancy in the elderly, Brazil, 2013 and 2019 / Desigualdades socioespaciais na esperança de vida saudável entre idosos, Brasil, 2013 e 2019 / Desigualdades socioespaciales en la esperanza de vida saludable en ancianos, Brasil, 2013 y 2019

The growth in longevity in Brazil has drawn attention to more useful population health measures to complement mortality. In this paper, we investigate socio-spatial differences in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy based on information from the Brazilian National Health Survey (PNS), 2013 and 2019. A three-stage cluster sampling with stratification of the primary sampling units and random selection in all stages was used in both PNS editions. Healthy life expectancy was estimated by Sullivan's method by sex, age, and Federated Units (UF). Severe limitations to at least one noncommunicable chronic disease (NCD) or poor self-rated health were used to define the unhealthy state. Inequality indicators and a Principal Component analysis were used to investigate socio-spatial inequalities. From 2013 to 2019, both life expectancy and healthy life expectancy increased. The analysis by UF show larger disparities in healthy life expectancy than in life expectancy, with healthy life expectancy at age 60 varying from 13.6 to 19.9 years, in 2013, and from 14.9 to 20.1, in 2019. Healthy life expectancy in the wealthiest quintile was 20% longer than for those living in the poorest quintile. Wide socio-spatial disparities were found with the worst indicators in the UF located in the North and Northeast regions, whether considering poverty concentration or health care utilization. The socio-spatial inequalities demonstrated the excess burden of poor health experienced by older adults living in the less developed UF. The development of strategies at subnational levels is essential not only to provide equal access to health care but also to reduce risk exposures and support prevention policies for adoption of health behaviors.

O aumento da longevidade no Brasil tem chamado atenção para a necessidade de medidas mais úteis de saúde populacional, para complementar o índice de mortalidade. Os autores investigam diferenças socioespaciais na expectativa de vida e na esperança de vida saudável, com base em dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS), edições de 2013 e 2019. Em ambas as edições da PNS, foi utilizada amostragem de clusters em três estágios, com estratificação das unidades amostrais primárias e seleção randômica em todos os estágios. A esperança de vida saudável foi estimada pelo método de Sullivan, de acordo com o sexo, idade e Unidade da Federação (UF). Limitações graves em função de pelo menos uma doença crônica não transmissível (DCNT) ou autoavaliação de saúde ruim foram utilizadas para definir o estado não saudável. Foram usados indicadores de desigualdade e análises de componentes principais para investigar as desigualdades socioespaciais. Entre 2013 e 2019, houve aumento na expectativa de vida e na esperança de vida saudável. A análise por UF mostrou disparidades maiores na esperança de vida saudável comparada com a expectativa de vida, onde a esperança de vida saudável aos 60 anos variava de 13,6 a 19,9 anos em 2013, e de 14,9 a 20,1 em 2019. A esperança de vida saudável no quintil mais rico foi 20% maior, comparado com o quintil mais pobre. Foram identificadas disparidades socioespaciais grandes, com os piores indicadores nas UFs localizadas nas regiões Norte e Nordeste, tanto de acordo com a concentração de pobreza ou pela utilização de serviços de saúde. As desigualdades socioespaciais demonstraram o excesso de carga de vida não saudável vivenciada por idosos vivendo nas UFs brasileiras menos desenvolvidas. O desenvolvimento de estratégias nos níveis subnacionais é essencial, não apenas para prover acesso igualitário aos cuidados de saúde, como também, para reduzir a exposição aos riscos e para apoiar políticas de prevenção, voltadas para a adoção de comportamentos de saúde.

El crecimiento de la longevidad en Brasil ha atraído la atención sobre medidas de salud más útiles para la población, con el fin de complementar la mortalidad. En este trabajo, investigamos diferencias socioespaciales en la esperanza de vida y esperanza de vida saludable, basadas en la información de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud (PNS), de 2013 y 2019. Se utilizó en ambas ediciones de la PNS un muestreo por conglomerados en 3 etapas con estratificación de las unidades de muestreo primarias y una selección aleatoria en todas las etapas. La esperanza de vida saludable se estimó por el método de Sullivan por sexo, edad, y Unidades Federadas (UF). Se usaron limitaciones graves para al menos una enfermedad crónica no transmisible (ECNT) o mala salud autoevaluada para definir un estado de mala salud. Los indicadores de Desigualdad y el análisis de Componente Principal se usaron para investigar desigualdades socioespaciales. De 2013 a 2019, hubo un incremento tanto en la esperanza de vida, como en la esperanza de vida saludable. El análisis por UF mostró disparidades mayores en la esperanza de vida saludable que en la esperanza de vida, con una esperanza de vida saludable a la edad de 60 años, variando desde los 13.6 a los 19.9 años, en 2013, y desde los 14.9 a los 20.1, en 2019. La esperanza de una vida saludable en el quintil más rico fue un 20% más larga que aquellos que vivían en el quintil más pobre. Se encontraron grandes disparidades socioespaciales con los peores indicadores en las UF localizadas en las regiones Norte y Nordeste, teniendo en consideración concentración de la pobreza o utilización de los servicios de salud. Las desigualdades socioespaciales demostraron la carga excesiva de la mala salud vivida por los ancianos que vivían en UF menos desarrolladas. El desarrollo de estrategias a niveles subnacionales es esencial no solo para proporcionar un acceso igualitario a la salud, pero también para reducir el riesgo de exposición y apoyar las políticas de prevención para la adopción de comportamiento de salud.

Iniquidades socioeconômicas associadas aos diferentes domínios da atividade física: resultados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019 / Inequidades socioeconómicas asociadas a diferentes dominios de la actividad física: resultados de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2019, Brasil / Socioeconomics inequities associated with different domains of physical activity: results of the National Health Survey 2019, Brazil

Objetivo: Analisar os indicadores sociodemográficos associados ao engajamento em atividade física (AF) nos domínios do lazer, do deslocamento, doméstico e do trabalho, em adultos brasileiros. Métodos: Estudo transversal com dados secundários da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS) de 2019. Os fatores associados ao engajamento em AF foram analisados por regressão logística. Resultados: O estudo envolveu 88.500 adultos brasileiros com idade média de 45 ± 17,5 anos. Jornadas de trabalho mais longas [odds ratio (OR) = 0,74; IC95% 0,66;0,82; > 40h vs. ≤ 20h)] e sexo feminino (OR = 0,67; IC95% 0,63;0,71) associaram-se a menores chances de engajamento em AF no lazer. Maior renda (OR = 3,20; IC95% 2,79;3,67; > 5 vs. ≤ salário mínimo) e escolaridade (OR = 3,01; IC95% 2,74;3,32 - superior completo vs. fundamental incompleto) foram positivamente associadas à AF no lazer. Conclusão: Determinantes socioeconômicos foram fortemente relacionados ao engajamento em AF, sugerindo um padrão de iniquidade marcado pela necessidade de sobrevivência, que se reproduz socialmente.

Objetivo: Analizar indicadores sociodemográficos asociados a realización de actividad física (AF) en dominios del ocio, desplazamientos, casa y trabajo, en adultos brasileños. Métodos: Estudio transversal con análisis secundario de datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud (PNS) de 2019. Factores asociados al compromiso en AF se analizaron mediante regresión logística. Resultados: Estudio involucró 88.500 adultos brasileños con edad promedio de 45 ± 17,5 años. Horas de trabajo más largas [odds ratio (OR) = 0,74; IC95% 0,66;0,82; > 40h vs. ≤ 20h], sexo femenino (OR = 0,67; IC95% 0,63;0,71) se asociaron con menores posibilidades de realizar AF en ocio. Mayor ingreso (OR = 3,20; IC95% 2,79;3,67; > 5 vs. ≤ salario mínimo) y nivel educacional (OR = 3,01; IC95% 2,74;3,32 - superior completo vs. fundamental incompleto) se asociaron positivamente con AF en ocio. Conclusión: determinantes económicos y sociales estuvieron fuertemente relacionados con la participación en AF, lo que sugieres un patrón de inequidad marcado por la necesidad de supervivencia, que se reproduce socialmente.

Objective: To examine the socioeconomic indicators associated with engagement in physical activity (PA) in the leisure-time, transportation, domestic and occupational domains, in Brazilian adults. Methods: Cross-sectional study with secondary data from the National Health Survey (PNS), conducted in 2019. The factors associated with engagement in PA were analyzed using logistic regression. Results: The study involved 88,500 Brazilian adults with mean age of 45 ± 17.5 years old. Longer working hours [odds ratio (OR) = 0.74; 95%CI 0.66;0.82; > 40h vs. ≥ 20h] and female sex (OR = 0.67; 95%CI 0.63;0.71) were associated with lower chances of engaging in leisure-time PA. Higher income (OR = 3.20; 95%CI 2.79;3.67; > 5 vs. ≥ minimum wage) and education level (OR = 3.01; 95%CI 2.74;3.32 - complete higher education vs. incomplete elementary school) were positively associated with leisure-time PA. Conclusion: Socioeconomic correlates were strongly related to engagement in PA in Brazilian adults, suggesting a pattern of inequity marked by the need for survival, which is socially reproduced.

Access to high-priced medicines: inequalities in the organization and the results among Brazilian states. / Acesso a medicamentos de alto preço: desigualdades na organização e resultados entre estados brasileiros.

This case study aimed to characterize the Specialized Component of Pharmaceutical Services (CEAF) organization in four Brazilian states from diverse regions of the country. Data were collected with representatives of CEAF management from states in different regions, who answered a 21-question questionnaire on scope, organization, financing, hurdles, and facilitators. This information was complemented with data from national health surveys, DataSUS, the applied resources, and socioeconomic indicators. Differences were observed between states on issues such as the proportion of users and the decentralization of services. These characteristics seem to be related to the level of development concerning the socioeconomic indicators used. Advances in access to medicines were highlighted, despite the difficulties complying with the CEAF's objectives, such as insufficient resources, the qualification of human resources, and the provision of necessary visits and exams. The results point to advances, different forms of organization and highlight the need for more in-depth studies on the clinical and economic outcomes achieved as a strategy to outline solutions to achieve the comprehensive and equal care for users.

Este estudo de caso visou caracterizar a organização do Componente Especializado da Assistência Farmacêutica (CEAF) em quatro estados, de diferentes regiões do país. A coleta de dados foi realizada junto a representantes da gestão do CEAF, os quais responderam um questionário com 20 perguntas sobre: abrangência, organização, financiamento, barreiras e facilitadores. Essas informações foram complementadas com dados de inquéritos nacionais de saúde, do DataSUS, os valores investidos e indicadores socioeconômicos. Observaram-se diferenças entre os estados em questões como a proporção de usuários e a descentralização dos serviços. Estas características parecem estar relacionadas com o grau de desenvolvimento em termos dos indicadores socioeconômicos utilizados. Destacaram-se avanços no acesso a medicamentos, apesar das dificuldades para o cumprimento dos objetivos do CEAF, como a insuficiência de recursos, de qualificação da força de trabalho e da oferta de consultas e exames necessários. Os resultados indicam avanços, diferentes formas de organização e destacam a necessidade de estudos mais aprofundados relativos aos resultados clínicos e econômicos alcançados, como uma estratégia para traçar soluções para o atendimento integral e equânime dos usuários.

Acesso a medicamentos de alto preço: desigualdades na organização e resultados entre estados brasileiros / Access to high-priced medicines: inequalities in the organization and the results among Brazilian states

Resumo Este estudo de caso visou caracterizar a organização do Componente Especializado da Assistência Farmacêutica (CEAF) em quatro estados, de diferentes regiões do país. A coleta de dados foi realizada junto a representantes da gestão do CEAF, os quais responderam um questionário com 20 perguntas sobre: abrangência, organização, financiamento, barreiras e facilitadores. Essas informações foram complementadas com dados de inquéritos nacionais de saúde, do DataSUS, os valores investidos e indicadores socioeconômicos. Observaram-se diferenças entre os estados em questões como a proporção de usuários e a descentralização dos serviços. Estas características parecem estar relacionadas com o grau de desenvolvimento em termos dos indicadores socioeconômicos utilizados. Destacaram-se avanços no acesso a medicamentos, apesar das dificuldades para o cumprimento dos objetivos do CEAF, como a insuficiência de recursos, de qualificação da força de trabalho e da oferta de consultas e exames necessários. Os resultados indicam avanços, diferentes formas de organização e destacam a necessidade de estudos mais aprofundados relativos aos resultados clínicos e econômicos alcançados, como uma estratégia para traçar soluções para o atendimento integral e equânime dos usuários.

Abstract This case study aimed to characterize the Specialized Component of Pharmaceutical Services (CEAF) organization in four Brazilian states from diverse regions of the country. Data were collected with representatives of CEAF management from states in different regions, who answered a 21-question questionnaire on scope, organization, financing, hurdles, and facilitators. This information was complemented with data from national health surveys, DataSUS, the applied resources, and socioeconomic indicators. Differences were observed between states on issues such as the proportion of users and the decentralization of services. These characteristics seem to be related to the level of development concerning the socioeconomic indicators used. Advances in access to medicines were highlighted, despite the difficulties complying with the CEAF's objectives, such as insufficient resources, the qualification of human resources, and the provision of necessary visits and exams. The results point to advances, different forms of organization and highlight the need for more in-depth studies on the clinical and economic outcomes achieved as a strategy to outline solutions to achieve the comprehensive and equal care for users.

Inclusion of participants from low-income and middle-income countries in core outcome sets development: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to describe differences or similarities in the scope, participant characteristics and methods used in core outcome sets (COS) development when only participants from high-income countries (HICs) were involved compared with when participants from low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) were also involved. DESIGN: Systematic review. DATA SOURCES: Annual Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials systematic reviews of COS which are updated based on SCOPUS and MEDLINE, searches. The latest systematic review included studies published up to the end of 2019. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: We included studies reporting development of a COS for use in research regardless of age, health condition or setting. Studies reporting the development of a COS for patient-reported outcomes or adverse events or complications were also included. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data were extracted in relation to scope of the COS study, participant categories and the methods used in outcome selection. RESULTS: Studies describing 370 COS were identified in the database. Of these, 75 (20%) included participants from LMICs. Only four COS were initiated from an LMIC setting. More than half of COS with LMIC participants were developed in the last 5 years. Cancer and rheumatology were the dominant disease domains. Overall, over 259 (70%) of COS explicitly reported including clinical experts; this was higher where LMIC participants were also included 340 (92%). Most LMIC participants were from China, Brazil and South Africa. Mixed methods for consensus building were used across the two settings. CONCLUSION: Progress has been made in including LMIC participants in the development of COS, however, there is a need to explore how to enable initiation of COS development from a range of LMIC settings, how to ensure prioritisation of COS that better reflects the burden of disease in these contexts and how to improve public participation from LMICs.

Increasing trends in obesity prevalence from 2013 to 2019 and associated factors in Brazil / Aumento nas prevalências de obesidade entre 2013 e 2019 e fatores associados no Brasil

Objective: To investigate the variation of anthropometric indicators from 2013 to 2019 and the factors associated with obesity in Brazil, using information from the National Health Survey. Methods: Cross-sectional study with cluster sampling and simple random sampling in the three stages. Measurements of weight and height among participants in 2013 (n=59,592) and in 2019 (n=6.672) were used. Differences in obesity prevalence were tested by Student's t test for independent samples. To identify the sociodemographic factors and health problems associated with obesity, we used Poisson regression models with robust variance and crude and age-adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) to test the associations.  Results: From 2013 to 2019, prevalence of obesity increased significantly, from 20.8% to 25.9%. Among men, the greatest increases were found in the 40-59 age group (9.1%) and in the median income category (8.3%). Among women, the greatest rises were found among those with low education (8.7%) and non-white ones (6.0%). For both males and females, factors associated with obesity were age, to live with a partner, level of instruction directly associated among men, and inversely associated among women. In 2019, for males, the crude and adjusted PRs were significant for high cholesterol, high blood pressure and at least one chronic non-communicable disease (NCD) and, for females, for poor self-rated health, high blood pressure, diabetes, and at least one NCD. Conclusion: It is necessary to implement intersectoral policies to promote changes in eating habits and encourage the practice of physical activity, taking into account economic, social, cultural, and environmental aspects.

Objetivo: Investigar as variações de indicadores antropométricos entre 2013 e 2019 e os fatores associados à obesidade no Brasil, utilizando as informações da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde. Métodos: Estudo transversal com amostra por conglomerados e seleção aleatória simples nos 3 estágios. Foram usadas as medidas aferidas de peso e altura em 2013 (n=59.592) e em 2019 (n=6.672). As diferenças nas prevalências de obesidade entre 2013 e 2019 foram testadas pelo teste t de Student para amostras independentes. Para identificar os fatores sociodemográficos e problemas de saúde associados à obesidade, foram usados modelos de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta e razões de prevalência (RP) brutas e ajustadas por faixa etária para testar as associações. Resultados: De 2013 a 2019, a prevalência de obesidade aumentou significativamente, de 20,8% para 25,9%.  Entre os homens, os maiores aumentos ocorreram no grupo etário 40-59 anos (9,1%) e faixa de renda mediana (8,3%) e, entre as mulheres de baixa escolaridade (8,7%) e não brancas (6,0%).  Para ambos os sexos, os fatores associados à obesidade foram idade, viver com companheiro e escolaridade, diretamente entre homens e inversamente entre mulheres. Em 2019, para o sexo masculino, as RP brutas e ajustadas foram significativas para colesterol alto, hipertensão arterial e alguma doença crônica não transmissível (DCNT) e, para o feminino, para autoavaliação de saúde não boa, hipertensão arterial, diabetes, alguma DCNT. Conclusão: É preciso implementar políticas intersetoriais para promover mudanças nos hábitos de alimentação e incentivar a prática de atividade física, levando em consideração os aspectos econômicos, sociais, culturais e ambientais. 

Hypertension among South African children in disadvantaged areas and associations with physical activity, fitness, and cardiovascular risk markers: A cross-sectional study.

Childhood hypertension drives hypertension in later life; hence, assessing blood pressure in children is an important measure to determine current and future cardiovascular health. There is, however, a paucity of childhood blood pressure data, particularly for sub-Saharan Africa. This study explores blood pressure and associations with age, sex, socioeconomic status, physical activity, fitness, and cardiovascular risk markers. In the 'Disease, Activity and Schoolchildren's Health' (DASH) study, a cross-sectional analysis was conducted in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Assessments included blood pressure, accelerometer-measured physical activity, physical fitness, and cardiovascular risk markers. The study consisted of 785 children (383 boys, 402 girls, M = 12.4±0.9 years). Overall, 18% of the children were classified as hypertensive, while 20% were either overweight/obese, and almost four out of ten children did not meet global daily physical activity recommendations. Hypertensive children were more likely to be overweight/obese, χ2 (2,785) = 14.42, p < 0.01, but only if they did not meet physical activity recommendations, χ2 (2,295) = 11.93, p < 0.01. Considering the moderating effect which sufficient activity has on the relationship between hypertension and body weight, more emphasis should be placed on early primary health intervention and education strategies.

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection in Europe: Results of 1000 Neoplastic Lesions From the German Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Registry.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) enables the curative resection of early malignant lesions and is associated with reduced recurrence risk. Due to the lack of comprehensive ESD data in the West, the German ESD registry was set up to evaluate relevant outcomes of ESD. METHODS: The German ESD registry is a prospective uncontrolled multicenter study. During a 35-month period, 20 centers included 1000 ESDs of neoplastic lesions. The results were evaluated in terms of en bloc, R0, curative resection rates, and recurrence rate after a 3-month and 12-month follow-up. Additionally, participating centers were grouped into low-volume (≤20 ESDs/y), middle-volume (20-50/y), and high-volume centers (>50/y). A multivariate analysis investigating risk factors for noncurative resection was performed. RESULTS: Overall, en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates of 92.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90-0.94), 78.8% (95% CI, 0.76-0.81), and 72.3% (95% CI, 0.69-0.75) were achieved, respectively. The overall complication rate was 8.3% (95% CI, 0.067-0.102), whereas the recurrence rate after 12 months was 2.1%. High-volume centers had significantly higher en bloc, R0, curative resection rates, and recurrence rates and lower complication rates than middle- or low-volume centers. The lesion size, hybrid ESD, age, stage T1b carcinoma, and treatment outside high-volume centers were identified as risk factors for noncurative ESD. CONCLUSION: In Germany, ESD achieves excellent en bloc resection rates but only modest curative resection rates. ESD requires a high level of expertise, and results vary significantly depending on the center's yearly case volume.

Short- and Long-term Health Care Resource Utilization and Costs Following Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the short- and long-term resource use and costs associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) taken from an entire population. We in addition sought to evaluate the association of oral anticoagulation (OAC) and health care costs. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients (≥18 years) with ICH in the entire population of Ontario, Canada (2009-2017). We captured outcomes through linkage to health administrative databases. We used generalized linear models to identify factors associated with total cost. Analysis of OAC use was limited to patients ≥66 years of age. The primary outcome was total 1-year direct health care costs in 2020 US dollars. RESULTS: Among 16,248 individuals with ICH (mean age 71.2 years, male 52.3%), 1-year mortality was 46.0%, and 24.2% required mechanical ventilation. The median total 1-year cost was $26,886 (interquartile range [IQR] $9,641-$62,907) with costs for those who died in hospital of $7,268 (IQR $4,031-$14,966) vs $44,969 (IQR $20,264-$82,414, p < 0.001) for survivors to discharge. OAC use (analysis limited to individuals ≥66 years old) was associated with higher total 1-year costs (cost ratio 1.06 [95% confidence interval 1.01-1.11]). Total 1-year costs for the entire cohort exceeded $120 million per year over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: ICH is associated with significant health care costs, and the median cost of a patient with ICH is roughly 10 times the median inpatient cost in Ontario. Costs were higher among survivors than deceased patients. OAC use is independently associated with increased costs. To maximize cost-effectiveness, future therapies for ICH must aim to reduce disability, not only improve mortality.