bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The added value of web listening understanding HIV risk, prevention and communication needs in Italy
Authors: Santolini G , Colucci A , Furiozzi F , Gallo P , Dalla Torre R , Maringhini G , Schwarz M , Valli R , Bertinato L , Iavicoli S 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Institutional communication on sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV requires a thorough understanding of the population's information needs and awareness on the subject.
Therefore, the National Institute of Health, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, conducted a web listening study to set up more effective communication campaigns.

Methods
The analysis of all conversations in Italian was conducted, from October 2021 to September 2022, through Blogmeter Suite, an integrated Social Listening platform.
Data extraction was done by analyzing a database of more than 2 billion indexed documents (sources: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, forums, blogs, news sites, and app reviews such as Google Play and App Store) and containing at least one keyword among AIDS, HIV, HIV testing, STI.

Results
The term AIDS constitutes 48% of the total posts on STI, and conversations about it take place 62.7% on Facebook. TikTok and Instagram are the sources where there is the most interaction. Spikes in conversations about AIDS and HIV occurred in conjunction with news events and dedicated events. Younger generations have limited awareness of HIV risks and prevention. The barrier to HIV testing is cost, and it is found that not everyone is aware of self-testing. Stigma is related to the problem of anonymity, especially in the work environment, due to fear of career repercussions.

Conclusions
Data analysis shows that among STIs, HIV, represents the area of greatest concern. Awareness among the population is low, discussions related to seasonality and news events, and people at the time of diagnosis try to avoid their general practitioner, especially if they live in small towns and take refuge in more secretive network locations.

Key messages
• The analysis highlights how crucial evolution in institutional communication is.
• Topics such as testing, stigma and, especially for young people, HIV risks and prevention need to be explored.
Future Dutch DALYs as part of the Dutch Public health Foresight Study
Authors: Hilderink H , Plasmans M , Poos R 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The Dutch Public Health Foresight Study (PHFS) provides insight into the most important societal challenges for public health and health care in the Netherlands. An important element of this study are the Burden of Disease indicators, among which the Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY). In the last editions of the PHFS future DALYs are also included. The methodology applied to obtain future projections varies. For around 100 diseases and health conditions, projections are obtained from demographic and epidemiological projections. For the projections of causes of death, a Poisson regression technique is used, based on historical data from 1996 onwards. These projections are made consistent with the population projections from the Nacional Statistical Office. The life tables from these population projections for the projection period till 2050 are also used to calculate the Years of Life Lost. Next, projections of a set of health determinants are used to allocate the future DALYs to the risk factors, making used of population attributable fractions. The results show an enormous increase in the burden of disease due to dementia. Where dementia ranked 10th in 2015, in the future this will be by far the major cause of the burden of disease - because of an increase in prevalence, but also because an increase as cause of death, partly due to further progress in survival from cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Arthrosis will also be gaining importance - due to the ageing of the population in combination with increasing overweight. Smoking and dietary risks will be among the main risks factors for the future burden. The projections of DALYs for the Dutch PHFS show a strong increase in disease that progress with age, such as dementia. These are partly due to successes in survival from other diseases. Policy makers should be prepared for these future development, and at the same time invest in prevention to reduce future disease burden of for example cancer and arthrosis.
The role of qualitative evaluation research in effect evaluation
Authors: Van Dale D , Rensen P , Jansen S 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
In the Netherlands six institutes representing prevention, health care and social welfare established an assessment system to evaluate the quality, effectiveness and feasibility of interventions. Together the institutes present in their portals 650 practices at three different assessment levels (well described, theoretically sound and effective). Ninety interventions are assessed as effective with only 15 interventions on the highest level (strong indications on effectiveness). In the assessment system the criteria for effectiveness have a strong focus on quantitative designs such as randomized-controlled trial, quasi -experimental and observational study designs. This favors ‘simple’ interventions and disadvantaged more complex intervention implemented in the domains of social welfare and health promotion. Not every intervention effect can be captured in a numerical outcome measure. To address this objection institutes decided to study the possibility to evaluate the effects of interventions also with qualitative research and to add criteria for qualitative research. To support the assessment of the validity and reliability of the qualitative evaluation studies a checklist for qualitative evaluation research and mixed methods was developed. With this checklist the external reviewer tests the extent to which methodological applications and analytical procedures have been followed. The result is a score of the validity/reliability of the relevant study to the effects of an intervention. This checklist supports the external reviewer in the decision for the effectiveness of an intervention. In this workshop we present this checklist for qualitative research and mixed methods, the addition of criteria in the assessment system of interventions and the first results of the pilot of the assessment of an intervention with a qualitative evaluation study.
Understanding excess mortality during COVID in Belgium: the influence of health and social factors
Authors: Van den Borre L , Devleesschauwer B , Gadeyne S , Vanthomme K , Willaert D 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
This study aims to investigate how pre-existing health status and social background contribute to excess mortality during the COVID-19 crisis in Belgium.

Methods
The study population consists of 1.4 million adult members of Solidaris, the second largest health insurance fund in Belgium. Pre-existing health status was identified using health care reimbursement data, including medication use. Social characteristics included financial support, migrant background, and household composition. Excess mortality during the COVID-19 crisis was measured as the relative difference between all-cause mortality in 2020 or 2021 versus the pooled yearly estimates in 2015-2019. Yearly age- and sex-adjusted mortality rate ratios (MRR) were estimated using Poisson regression to study potential differences by health status and social factors.

Results
Compared with healthy persons, all investigated health problems were associated with increased mortality, with most notably an MRR of 8.4 (CI 8.0-8.9) for persons with cancer in 2021. Compared with 2015-2019, MRRs for persons with mental disorders (anxiety, depression) and diabetes were significantly higher than expected in 2020. Interestingly, mortality for persons with mental disorders was significantly lower than expected in 2021. Significant mortality deficits were also observed for persons with cancer and chronic respiratory conditions (COPD, asthma) in 2020 and 2021. After controlling for social characteristics, only the mortality deficits for persons with cancer and chronic respiratory conditions remained significant (p &lt; 0.005), with respectively, 17% and 11% lower mortality in 2020, and 12% and 6% lower mortality in 2021.

Conclusions
Large mortality differences were observed by pre-existing health problem and social background during the COVID-19 crisis. A significant mortality deficit was observed for persons with cancer and chronic respiratory conditions in 2020 and in 2021.

Key messages
• Information on pre-existing health problems and social background are key to understanding excess mortality patterns.
• The already large health and social inequalities in mortality did not widen further during the COVID-19 crisis in Belgium.
Economic and health literacy inequalities in patient-reported experiences of cancer care
Authors: Jolidon V , Eicher M , Peytremann-Bridevaux I , Arditi C 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Patients’ economic status and level of health literacy may influence their experiences with healthcare services. However, few studies have examined how these factors shape inequalities in patient-reported experiences measures (PREMs), particularly in cancer care. Thus, we investigated whether experiences of cancer care differed according to patients’ economic status and level of health literacy.

Methods
We used data from 3,220 adult patients diagnosed with cancer collected by the Swiss Cancer Patient Experiences (SCAPE) study in eight Swiss hospitals from September 2021 to February 2022. Logistic regressions were used to investigate the association between patients’ economic status and health literacy and 30 different outcomes, in separate models for each outcome. The outcomes covered eight different areas of cancer care experiences. Models were adjusted for patients’ age, gender, education level and self-rated health. Since hospitals were located in two different linguistic regions of Switzerland, we tested interaction effects between the regions and economic status and health literacy.

Results
In the sample, 30.6% of patients experienced economic hardship and 25.7% had a low health literacy. Patients with low economic status and low health literacy had worse experiences of cancer care for 21 outcomes and 24 outcomes, respectively, compared to patients reporting higher economic status and higher health literacy. No differences were found between linguistic regions in the effects of these two predictors. Discussion: Our study showed that economic and health literacy factors generated inequalities in patients’ experiences of cancer care: patients with lower economic status and health literacy were negatively affected in their cancer care experiences. Hence, disadvantaged patients may require specific attention in order to enhance their experiences with healthcare services, and promote a more equal treatment of patients in cancer care.

Key messages
• Few studies have investigated inequalities in patients’ experiences with cancer care, while factors such as economic status and health literacy may affect care experiences.
• Patients who face economic hardship and with low health literacy showed a worse cancer care experience. These disadvantaged patients may require specific attention to improve their care experience.
Health & healthcare needs among refugees from Ukraine arriving in Norway during 2022
Authors: Hansen T M , Skogheim T S , Helland Y 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The full-scale invasion of Ukraine has led to a surge in refugees coming to Norway. Systematic information about the health and healthcare needs of the group, which may differ significantly from that of other refugees, is lacking. This study aimed to measure self-reported health and healthcare needs in a sample of adult refugees from Ukraine. Data were collected via a digital questionnaire (UKR-R survey, n = 731) in a cross-sectional study design between 28.10.22-31.01.23, via multiple physical contact points, including asylum reception centres, municipalities, non-profit organisations, as well as Facebook groups for refugees in Norway. Several survey items were from existing Norwegian population surveys, such as a short version of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-5). Data from these surveys (NOR surveys, n = 256 920) formed a comparison group. Results were weighted by age and sex against all Ukrainian refugees registered with collective protection in Norway. Respondents were 83% female, 65% aged 30-49 years, and 69% with higher education. Fewer in UKR-R survey rated their overall health as good or very good compared to NOR surveys (48% vs. 73%, p &lt; 0.001). Fewer in UKR-R survey rated their dental health as good or very good compared to NOR surveys (31% vs. 74%, p &lt; 0.001). More UKR-R survey respondents reported long-term illnesses or health problems compared to NOR surveys (58% vs. 44%, p &lt; 0.001). UKR-R respondents had a mean weighted HSCL-5 score of 2.24 (95% CI: 2.18, 2.29), compared to 1.60 (95% CI: 1.595, 1.601) in NOR surveys, indicating psychological distress. Refugees from Ukraine arrived thus far, compared to the Norwegian general population, rate their overall health and dental health poorer, and report higher levels of psychological distress. These findings may help to inform planning of health services and information to refugees from Ukraine, especially in municipalities and areas receiving large numbers of refugees.
From policy to practice: What factors influence GP's provision of health assessments to Ukrainian refugees in Denmark?
Authors: Castaner M , Vereshchakina V , Iserlohe M , Norredam M 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Denmark has received over 30,000 displaced people from Ukraine since February 2022 and has implemented certain accommodations specific for this population. Not bound by the EU Temporary Protection Directive, a special Act has been introduced, whereby Ukrainians have been offered streamlined access to temporary resident permits with faster access to health services than what is granted in the asylum-seeking population, for whom parallel systems often exist to provide care. While other refugee groups receive health screenings in the asylum centers during the asylum process, Ukrainian have received quick access to general practitioners (GP's) in the public system. Danish health authorities have recommended that GPs provide a detailed examination of chronic diseases, vaccination status, infectious diseases, and mental health for Ukrainian refugees. Provision of this recommendation is necessary to meet the health needs of Ukrainian refugees. However, how these recommendations have been received and implemented remains unknown. We will present results from a survey sent to 3000 general practitioners in Denmark (expected response rate 30%) investigating how GPs implement the health assessment recommendations and what factors influenced the provision (or not) of health assessment to newly arrived Ukrainian refugees. The survey, which has been developed after conducting a review of the guidelines and conducting interviews with GPs and refugees (n = 11), examines knowledge of the health recommendations; implementation of guidelines; structural (i.e. time, interpretation) and individual factors (i.e. experience with war exposed patients) affecting health assessments and care; and cooperation among different parts of the health system. This presentation will shed light on how, in the context of large numbers of refugees entering EU countries, health policies are translated to practice and what factors affect the provision of adequate care for Ukrainian refugees in Denmark.
The World Health Organization endeavours to put forward Integrated Approaches to Food and Diet Risk-Benefit Assessment
Authors: Oliveira Mota J 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
WHO has identified five pathways that outline how food systems can impact health, including unhealthy diets and food insecurity, zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance, unsafe and adulterated foods, environmental contamination and degradation, and occupational hazards. The WHO carried out studies on the global burden of foodborne illnesses in 2015, indicating that vulnerable people, particularly those in developing nations, are the most concerned. Unhealthy diet and malnutrition remain at the top ten of the identified risk factors for the global diseased burden. WHO provides science-based food safety risk assessments and evidence-based guidelines on foodborne hazards and nutrient requirements throughout life stages. WHO is currently developing food-based guidelines, covering meat, dairy, and fish intake, as well as scientific opinions on food processing levels. However, the issue of how to combine all of the guidelines into global recommendations for a healthy and sustainable diet remains unanswered. There is a need to develop a more integrated approach to risk and benefit that takes into account the wide range of the populations concerned as well as the new and future foods and food production systems. In this regard, WHO is focusing on developing integrated methodologies and frameworks based on the most recent advances in the risk-benefit assessment for foods and diets, as well as other advancements in decision-making and communication models.
11.H. Round table: Moving the agenda forward on the Commercial Determinants of Health
Authors:   Organised by: WHO/Europe,   Chair persons: Carina Ferreira-Borges (WHO EURO)
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Commercial actors play a vital role in society, yet there is growing evidence that they are responsible for escalating levels of avoidable ill health, planetary damage and social and health inequity. These problems are increasingly referred to as the ‘commercial determinants of health’ (CDOH). A recent Lancet Series on CDOH brought together a global intergenerational and multidisciplinary team of researchers and thought leaders to help consolidate thinking around the CDOH. It defined the CDOH as “the systems, practices and pathways through which commercial actors drive health and equity”. This workshop brings together one of the three lead authors from the CDOH Lancet series, with leading members of the civil society and intergovernmental organisations (including the WHO CDOH Lead and WHO European lead for NCDs) to discuss and engage with the audience on this complex and urgent issue. By bringing together these experts, this workshop explores the role that different agencies can play in tackling the CDOH. The workshop will consist of a presentation based on the lessons from the Lancet Series on Commercial Determinants of Health followed by a panel discussion among participants enabled by the workshop chair who will encourage audience discussion and participation. Discussants will be asked to comment on challenges and considerations for addressing CDOH in the WHO European Region, the role of civil society in the EU policy making context and the way forward in a global agenda. By convening these experts, the workshop aims to engage the audience in a discussion that builds their understanding of the CDOH and what they can do to respond to this problem. While much of the Lancet series is quite conceptual in its approach to CDOH, this workshop supports the public health community to move beyond simply understanding the systematic nature of the CDOH. In particular, the workshop aims to support researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to collaboratively develop possible solutions to CDOH and practical next steps to drive the CDOH agenda forward in the European Region. We recognise that this is a large amount of content to discuss in this workshop; however, we see this workshop (and the lancet CDOH series) as initiating a larger and ongoing conversation within the public health community.

Key messages
• CDOH is a complex and systematic issue that is hurting the health of people in Europe with low awareness of how they manifest and impact public health issues.
• Despite the complexity of CDOH, there are practical measures that the public health community can implement at local, national, regional, and global level to tackle them.

Speakers/Panelists
Anna Gilmore
University of Bath, Bath, UK
Gauden Galea
WHO, Beijing, China
Monika Kosinska
WHO, Guildford, UK
Florence Berteletti
EuroCare, Brussels, Belgium
Defining key indicators for migrant health outcomes and health policy: a suite of systematic reviews
Authors: Seedat F , Bouaddi O , Maatoug T , Elafef E , Edries H , Ouahchi A , Abdellatifi M , Evangelidou S , Requena Mendez A , Hargreaves S 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
46 million migrants reside in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, a proportion of whom will transit to Europe. Yet little is known about policy and practice in relation to data collection and healthcare provision. We synthesised evidence on health indicators, policies, and provision for migrants in the MENA to inform the development of a new tool to strengthen data collection around key diseases.

Methods
We did 12 systematic reviews (18 countries) to explore the burden, clinical outcomes, policies, and access for the following disease areas in migrants: TB, HIV and hep B/C, malaria and neglected tropical diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health, maternal and neonatal health, and vaccine-preventable diseases. We searched electronic databases (PubMed/Embase) from 2000 to April 2023, with no exclusion criteria. Migrants were defined as persons who move away from their place of residence within or across a country.

Preliminary results
Most studies on migrants in the MENA are descriptive or cross-sectional, focus on disease burden, and few have counterfactual host population groups. We found data on multiple outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in migrant populations, particularly in conflict-stricken areas. Data show that prevalence for TB may be higher among migrants in certain contexts, which is largely due to reactivation of latent TB potentially due to poor living conditions. Diabetes and hypertension are the most common NCDs in migrant populations. There is a paucity of data on clinical outcomes in migrants, and on the coverage and uptake of interventions. Of the studies that do report interventions, majority assess acceptability, perceptions, or knowledge.

Conclusions
This suite of systematic reviews syntheses evidence from across the MENA to address key evidence gaps. We found there is a need to strengthen data and surveillance around migrant health as an urgent next step to informing policy for disease elimination.

Key messages
• Migrants in the Middle East and North Africa may be at an increased risk of communicable and non-communicable diseases compared with host populations.
• To better inform public health policy, stronger and more comprehensive surveillance on migrant populations and more robust research is needed.