bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Applications of AI in public health: Improving access to high-quality evidence syntheses
Authors: Dobbins M , Rogers K , Miller A , Kostopoulos A , Husson H 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Issue
Using the best available evidence is crucial for effective public health practice. Health Evidence™ provides access to high-quality synthesis evidence relevant to public health. As the volume of peer-reviewed published literature grows, maintaining a database of this magnitude is increasingly resource-intensive. Artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to reduce the maintenance burden thereby ensuring decision makers can easily access high-quality synthesized public health evidence. These innovative strategies may be transferable to enhance efficient maintenance of large curated databases of published literature.

Description of the problem
In 2020, The Health Evidence™ team conducted extensive training and testing of a supervised machine learning application to explore the accuracy of AI-assisted reference de-duplication and relevance screening. Finding promising results, the team implemented these AI-assisted strategies in August 2020. To assess the impact on the overall screening burden and time saved, implementation data was analyzed between November 2020 to 2023.

Results
For these 3+ years, AI assisted de-duplication and relevance screening was applied to 394,903 search results. The AI assisted de-duplication application removed 31% (n = 123,903) of references as duplicates. From the remaining reference sets (n = 272,253), the AI assisted screening application removed 70% (n = 190,966) of references as not relevant. Quality assurance spot testing found minimal classification errors (n = 1). In total, AI assisted approaches reduced the need for manual screening by 80%, saving approximately 626 hours of manual screening time over three years (or approximately 17 hours/month).

Lessons
With the reality of limited public health resources, continued access to high-quality synthesis evidence is critical. Innovative strategies using AI-assisted applications improves the feasibility of maintaining a large database of quality-appraised public health synthesis evidence.

Key messages
• Access to high quality synthesis evidence is critical for evidence-informed decision making.
• Artificial Intelligence can be used to efficiently identify evidence syntheses relevant for public health.
An integrated work health intervention among cleaners in Denmark
Authors: Mortensen O S 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Work-related diseases are increasing and considered a global health challenge. Meanwhile, work-related risk factors and diseases are not equally distributed across occupational groups. Previous work health interventions have not succeeded in reducing the prevalence of work-related diseases. Therefore, integrated approaches combining prevention of disease and promotion of health in work health interventions have been developed. The aim of the Integrated Approach to Health, Wellbeing, and Productivity at Work (ITASPA) intervention was to prevent work-related injuries and diseases and promote the health, safety and wellbeing of cleaners.

Methods
The ITASPA intervention was implemented at two Danish workplaces among cleaners. At each workplace a committee of employees was established to develop their own initiatives to promote the health of the workers. By use of the British Medical research Council’s framework, a process evaluation was conducted. Qualitative data (focus group interview and field notes) and quantitative data (questionnaires) of participants evaluated the implementation.

Results
A total of 91 cleaners participated in health checks, and three workshops were held at each workplace. The development and implementation of activities was affected by mechanisms, such as lack of information about the intervention, new power dynamics, and lack of motivation for behavior changes, and contextual factors, such as many replacements, time pressure and absence of managers.

Conclusions
Integrated approaches in work health interventions among employees with short or no education may positively impact employees’ health, wellbeing and safety if comprehensively implemented. However, attention should be drawn to interventions that adapt a participatory design, as unintended power dynamics may occur when employees are given the tasks of implementing behavior changes among colleagues. The role of managers to obtain successful implementation should be highlighted.
11.D. Scientific session: Participatory approaches and co-creation in complex interventions to reduce inequity in health
Authors:   Organised by: SItI Working group of Community mental health (Italy), EUPHA-URB,   Chair persons: Giuseppe Di Martino (Italy), Laurent Chambaud (France)
Published: October 2024

Abstract

The escalating challenges posed by climate change and rapid urbanization demand an integrated understanding of how our natural and built environments influence health outcomes. This workshop aims to dissect the complex associations between the environment-both natural and constructed-and physical and mental health. The urgency and breadth of these issues necessitate a multidisciplinary approach, leveraging insights from environmental science, public health, and urban planning. The primary objective of this workshop is to elucidate the multifaceted relationships between environmental conditions and health, identifying actionable strategies to mitigate adverse health outcomes and enhance well-being. Specific goals include: i) to assess the current scientific evidence linking various environmental factors with health, highlighting the role of climate change; ii) to explore innovative methodologies for studying environmental impacts on health; and iii) to foster collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners for integrated health and environmental planning. Organizing this workshop presents several unique added values. First, it serves as a platform for experts from diverse fields to share findings and refine research methodologies. Second, by synthesizing current knowledge, the workshop will inform more coherent and science-based public health and urban policy. Lastly, it could facilitate networking among stakeholders, fostering collaborations that bridge gaps between research and policy implementation. The workshop is structured to ensure thematic coherence and maximally beneficial interactions among participants. Presentations will be grouped into four thematic blocks: 1. effects of climate change on health; 2. healthy design and public mental health; 3. Planetary health challenges to human health; 4. Climate change perception and mental health.
During the workshop, each speech will be built on the previous one in a sequential way. At the end of the workshop, audience members could join the discussion offering their point of view and directly interacting with the speakers. This workshop stands as a crucial endeavor to integrate diverse perspectives on how environmental conditions impact health and to catalyze significant strides in public health and urban planning. It promises to not only advance scientific understanding but also to translate this knowledge into practical, scalable solutions for health resilience in our communities.

Key messages
• Urban health is foundational for sustainable cities, integrating health into all policies ensures inclusive, safe, resilient communities as outlined in SDG 11.
• Public health influenced by environmental and local government strategies highlights the need for multidisciplinary approaches to adapt urban planning and health policies.
Meal timing and risk of metabolic syndrome in the prospective French NutriNet-Santé biobank
Authors: Obeid E , Le Folcalvez X , Ezzedine K , Palomar-Cros A , Péneau S , Bellicha A , Deschasaux-Tanguy M , Touvier M , Andreeva V A , Srour B 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Circadian rhythm disruption has been associated with higher risks of cardiometabolic diseases and several cancers. Mistimed eating patterns can desynchronize circadian rhythms, and could therefore influence metabolic health. However, long-term associations between meal timing and the metabolic syndrome remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prospective associations between meal timing and the risk of developing metabolic syndrome.

Methods
We used measured biological and clinical data from 16 353 adults (51 years ± 13.72) in the NutriNet-Santé biobank (2011-2014), and examined the associations between meal timing, assessed with repeated 24-hour dietary records during the first two years of follow-up (starting 2009), and the risk of metabolic syndrome, using modified Poisson regression models, adjusted for main confounders.

Results
At the end of follow-up (mean 2.1 years (SD = 1.2)), a later timing of the first meal of the day was associated with a moderately higher risk of metabolic syndrome (1,788 cases; RR per 1-hour delay = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.00-1.10). However, after adjusting for overall diet quality, this association was attenuated (RR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.99-1.09). Overall, we found no evidence of an association between the occurrence of metabolic syndrome and the time of the last meal (RR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.95-1.05), the number of eating occasions (RR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.98 - 1.03), or night-time fasting duration (RR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.99 1.07).

Conclusions
In this large prospective study, timing of the first meal showed modest associations with metabolic syndrome. Further investigations using a longer follow-up are needed to elucidate how meal timing influences metabolic health.

Key messages
• Beyond the nutritional quality of meals, meal timing, particularly time of first meal, may be an accessible prevention strategy for metabolic health.
• More largescale prospective and intervention studies are needed to better understand the links between meal timing and metabolic health.
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food choices among the working-age adult residents of Lithuania
Authors: Arlauskas R , Austys D , Stukas R 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic affected the nutrition of various populations. Assuming that the majority of the population of working-age residents of Lithuania know healthy nutrition recommendations and that food selection criteria might serve as an indicator of the following them, we aimed to assess the food selection criteria during and after the COVID-19 pandemic among working-age adult residents of Lithuania.

Materials and methods
Three cross-sectional surveys among working-age adult residents of Lithuania were carried out: in 2019 (before the pandemic), in 2021 (during the pandemic), and in 2022 (after the pandemic). In 2019, this study included 1007 residents, 1600 residents were surveyed in 2021, also, 1600 residents were surveyed in 2022. Distribution of the respondents by food selection criteria was compared between the samples according to gender, age, marital status, education level, place of residence, employment, income.

Results
The COVID-19 pandemic affected the food choices of Lithuanian residents (p &lt; 0.05). In 2019, products’ benefits for health criterion was in the third place when choosing foods. It was indicated by 22% of the respondents. In 2019, the most prevalent criterion for selecting foods was taste. It was indicated by 37% of the respondents. The second most prevalent food selection criterion was the price. It was indicated by 24% of the sample. In 2021 selection of foods because of products’ health benefits became the most prevalent and accounted for 31% of the sample. In 2022, it returned back to the prepandemic level and accounted for 19% of the sample. In all social and demographic groups changes in food selection criteria remained as well (p &lt; 0.05).

Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the food choices of working-age adult residents of Lithuanian. Changes of food selection criteria were observed within the different groups of gender, age, marital status, education level, place of residence, employment, income.

Key messages
• The COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the food choices of working-age adult residents of Lithuanian.
• Less than a year after the pandemic food selection according to its health benefits rapidly decreased and returned back to the prepandemic level.
11.H. Round table: Making the case for public investment in health
Authors:   Organised by: European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies,   Chair persons: Rebecca Forman (UK), Jonathan Cylus (WHO)
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Across the European Union (EU), public budgets are facing pressures and policy makers are becoming increasingly concerned about how to adequately and sustainably fund their health systems to keep up with need and demand. In recognition of this, in 2022 a Technical Support Instrument (TSI) project funded by the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM) was launched together with three European Union (EU) Member States with the goal of strengthening capacity to make the case for public investments in health. To support these efforts, the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies (OBS) conducted an exercise to map relevant analytical approaches and tools for making the case for public investment in health. As a contribution to this workshop, OBS will present the key results from this exercise, including a framework that has been designed to support health policy makers, advisors and advocates by providing five key lines of argument and selected examples of tools, data, indicators and methods that can be used to successfully make the case for public funding for health. This will be complemented by two presentations on country experiences (in Austria and Malta) of navigating negotiations between health and finance and securing public funding for health. These will highlight both successes and challenges in practice. By looking at examples from MS on making the case for public investment in health, these presentations will frame the panel discussion that follows. The chairs will facilitate a discussion closely engaging the audience on how to build better narratives and exchanges which facilitate trust and alignment between health and finance stakeholders in the pursuit of strengthening the capacity to make the case for public investment in health. The workshop will highlight five lines of argument and practical examples of tools, data, indicators and methods that can be used to support the case for public investment in health. It will also focus on the important enablers (e.g. cooperation, communication, transparency, accountability, trust) for successful budget negotiations and discuss how these can be facilitated.

Key messages
• Budget cases for public funds for health tend to be most successful when they align well with the goals and objectives of finance stakeholders, and certain narratives and arrangements can foster this.
• Data and evidence can help steer decision makers to make good choices (or at least avoid bad ones), but other factors serve as the fuel to push the budget case for health forward successfully.

Speakers/Panelists
Rebecca Forman
European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, London, UK
Jonathan Cylus
European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, London, UK
Stefan Eichwalder
Ministry of Health, Vienna, Austria
Neville Calleja
Department of Health Information and Research, G’Mangia, Malta
The 2021-2023 Italian influenza pandemic plan: a critical evaluation of its regional implementation
Authors: Riccio M , Migliara G , Baccolini V , Amicosante AMV , Eugeni E , Guglielmi E , De Vito C , Baglio G 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Influenza pandemic preparedness plans should be adopted, regularly updated in every country, and comply with international guidelines to ensure proper management of public health emergencies. In Italy, each region develops its pandemic plan based on a National Plan. This study, conducted within a project funded by the Italian Ministry of Health, aims to assess the level of compliance of these plans with the national guidelines.

Methods
The assessment was based on a checklist of 192 items reporting the actions prescribed by the national plan. The items were divided into macro-areas by pandemic phase: general, alert, inter-pandemic, pandemic, and transition. The compliance regarding the presence and contextualization of each item in the regional plans was evaluated. Each macro-area was further assessed for easy identification of actions, congruence with the National Plan, and contextualization in the regional healthcare system. Some analyses grouped the regions into North, Centre, and South/Islands.

Results
Some macro-areas, such as ‘Communication’ and ‘Prevention and Control measures,’ showed some weaknesses in all phases, especially in the northern regions, which reached levels of full compliance below 50%. Central regions were highly compliant in almost all macro-areas, especially in ‘Strategy/Governance’ (100%), ‘Supplying’ (75-100%), and ‘Surveillance’ (75-100%). Overall, contextualization was the weakest aspect in all phases, while easy identification and congruence were mainly better achieved. Only three regions fully met all the assessed parameters.

Conclusions
A strict surveillance and monitoring process of planned activities is necessary to strengthen the country’s preparedness. This study identified critical issues and key areas for improvement at the regional level. This might allow us to verify the correct implementation of national guidelines and define the best strategies for improving readiness for public health emergencies in the future.

Key messages
• Implementation of the Italian influenza pandemic plan was uneven across regions.
• Identification of lacking areas of the regional implementation is essential to improving national preparedness.
Empirically exploring the association of health literacy with schoolchildren’s health behaviours
Authors: Marchant E , Davies N , James M , Brophy S , Crick T 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Health literacy (HL) is a modifiable factor contributing to the promotion and maintenance of health and well-being throughout an individual’s life. Identified as a priority in Wales, UK in 2010, progress has since stalled despite health and education as national policy priorities and international policy growth. There is a gap in understanding of children in Wales’ HL needs, particularly below adolescent age ( &lt; =11 years).

Methods
This study aimed to scope a measure of children’s HL to be integrated into the existing HAPPEN Cohort Study survey, which collects self-reported health behaviours of children aged 8-11. A review identified the Health Literacy of School-Aged Children (HLSAC) tool which conceptualises health literacy as a learning outcome. A convenience sample of n = 15 primary schools were recruited in April 2023 through HAPPEN and n = 669 school children n = 669 completed the online survey between May-June 2023.

Results
Preliminary data using sum HLSAC scores show a proportion of children with low (20.5%), moderate (52.8%) and high HL (26.8%). Independent samples t-tests comparing mean HLSAC scores with binary self-reported health behaviours show higher HL scores for weekly behaviours (p &lt; 0.05); feeling less tired (0-4 days: 15.1+-4.1, &gt; =5 days 14.5+-3.4), can concentrate (0-4 days: 14.3+-3.6, &gt; =5 days: 15.5+-4.0) and consume less fizzy drinks (0-4 days: 15.0+-3.9, &gt; =5 days: 14.0+-3.8). Further, for can ride a bike (no: 14.3+-4.0, yes: 15.0+-3.9), can swim 25m (no: 14.6+-3.7, yes: 15.1+-4.0), someone active in the household (no: 14.3+-3.8, yes: 15.2+-4.0) and higher health well-being (&lt;7/10: 13.9+-3.5, &gt; =7/10: 15.3+-3.9). This preliminary data will be strengthened with further analyses including regression.

Conclusions
Associations appear between various important health behaviours spanning physical activity, nutrition, cognition and wellbeing. Capturing children’s HL and health behaviour needs enables targeted health promotion and education activities.
Parental leave benefit levels and postpartum maternal mental health: a Swedish cohort study
Authors: Heshmati A , Honkaniemi H , Fritzell S , Juárez S P 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
While generous parental leave benefits are protective for postpartum maternal mental health, not all mothers qualify for these benefits due to strong work requirements. Sweden offers paid parental leave to all residents, but the benefit level depends on their salary and labour market attachment.

Objectives
To evaluate the association between parental leave benefit levels and maternal mental health in the postpartum period.

Methods
Using total population register data, we studied 210 800 first-time mothers, aged 18-52 years, who gave birth to a live singleton offspring in Sweden between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2011. We performed multivariable logistic regression to compare odds of mental health outcomes from different levels of severity (prescribed anti-depressants or anxiolytics, specialist outpatient care and hospitalisation) between mothers receiving higher-level benefits (i.e., qualified for earnings-related benefits) and those with basic benefits (i.e., a low flat-rate level). We also performed decomposition analyses using the Karlson-Holm-Breen method, and subgroup analyses by region of birth.

Results
Mothers receiving basic benefits had increased odds of prescribed antidepressants or anxiolytics (OR 1.44 95% CI 1.37-1.51), specialist outpatient care (OR 2.27 95% CI 2.13-2.44), and hospitalisations (OR 2.47 95% CI 2.97) compared with mothers receiving higher-level benefits. Increased odds remained after adjustment for pre-existing mental health. After further adjustment for income and employment status, the odds remained elevated for specialist outpatient care (OR 1.13, 95%CI 1.02-1.24) and hospitalisation (OR 1.34, 95%CI 1.03-1.76).

Conclusions
Mothers with basic benefits are more likely to experience moderate-to-severe mental disorders compared to mothers with higher-level benefits, independent of pre-existing mental health, income and employment status.

Key messages
• Labour market attachment prior to childbirth affects parental leave benefit levels and plays an important role in determining mental health outcomes in the postpartum period.
• The work requirements for more generous parental leave benefits may prevent mothers from benefiting from the protective mental health advantages of parental leave.