Search Results (43,182)

Background: As a crucial transitional period from campus to society, providing comprehensive undergraduate health psychological care is essential for addressing Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). Current global healthcare research is actively exploring innovative digital interventions, with a specific focus on leveraging Augmented Reality (AR) as a transformative auxiliary tool in clinical settings. Methods: This study investigates the factors influencing the acceptance of AR-assisted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) within student healthcare frameworks by developing a research model based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The framework incorporates key clinical and behavioral constructs: self-efficacy (SE), facilitating conditions (FC), and social influence (SI). Results: SE, FC, and SI significantly and positively impact the willingness to adopt AR technology for mental health purposes. Based on these findings, practical recommendations are provided for healthcare technology developers, therapists, and university psychological care providers to enhance the integration of AR-assisted CBT. Conclusions: Strengthening these digital pathways is vital for improving healthcare outcomes and enabling students to navigate future social and professional environments effectively. Because the sample consisted solely of Chinese undergraduate students, the findings should be interpreted within this specific cultural and educational context and require further validation in cross-cultural and multi-regional samples. Full article

Spirituality and religiosity are increasingly recognized as important factors influencing mental health, particularly among women exposed to diverse vulnerabilities such as interpersonal violence, trauma, HIV infection, homelessness, and socioeconomic disadvantage. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on the associations between spiritual or religious resources and mental health outcomes in these populations. A systematic search was conducted in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science to identify studies examining the association between spirituality, religiosity, and mental health outcomes in vulnerable women. A total of 28 studies were identified, including cross-sectional, longitudinal, and mixed-methods designs, which measured spirituality and religiosity using validated instruments such as SWBS, DUREL, FACIT-Sp-12, and Brief RCOPE, alongside standardized mental health measures. Narrative synthesis revealed that the majority of studies (n = 15) reported that higher spiritual well-being, intrinsic religiosity, and adaptive religious coping were associated with lower depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, and with higher resilience, quality of life, and post-traumatic growth. These associations appeared to be shaped by contextual factors, including the type and severity of trauma, cultural and religious frameworks, and the lived experiences of the populations studied. Negative associations were primarily linked to negative religious coping (n = 5 studies), rather than religiosity per se. Additional factors that attenuated or reversed the expected positive effects included higher trauma severity or ongoing adversity (n = 4), reactive patterns in which greater psychological distress was associated with increased use of religious coping (n = 3), maladaptive religious beliefs such as interpretations of trauma as divine punishment (n = 2), and cultural or contextual influences (n = 3). Overall, the evidence suggests that spirituality and specific dimensions of religiosity (e.g., intrinsic religiosity, religious coping) can support mental health among vulnerable women, though personal, cultural, and situational factors shape their impact. These findings suggest the potential value of integrating spiritual resources into interventions and the need for further longitudinal and culturally sensitive research. Full article

Climate change is significantly altering the distribution, seasonality, and transmission dynamics of vector-borne diseases, posing an increasing public health concern, particularly in regions previously considered at low risk. Key climatic variables, including temperature, precipitation, and humidity, strongly influence vector survival, reproduction, and pathogen transmission capacity. This review provides an overview of current evidence on the relationship between climate change, vector ecology, and vector-borne disease epidemiology in Europe, based on evidence extracted from peer-reviewed literature published between 2010 and 2024 and retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Particular attention is given to vector-borne diseases with current or potential relevance to Europe. This includes infections that are already endemic, such as leishmaniasis and tick-borne encephalitis, as well as diseases currently imported, such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Zika, yellow fever, and Chagas disease, that may pose a future risk of local transmission due to climate-driven changes in vector distribution and abundance. The analysis highlights potential health and economic impacts, and discusses implications for public health preparedness, environmental sanitation, surveillance, and vector control strategies. Strengthening adaptive and mitigation policies, alongside targeted research efforts, is essential to enhance resilience of health systems against climate-driven epidemic risks. Full article

Background: Inherited arrhythmic syndromes (IAS) are an important but under-recognized cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD), particularly in younger individuals. Understanding long-term mortality trends is essential to evaluate their public health impact. Objective: To assess temporal trends and demographic disparities of IAS-related sudden cardiac death among individuals aged 5–44 years in the United States using CDC WONDER data. Methods: This retrospective observational study utilized the CDC WONDER Multiple Cause-of-Death database from 1999 to 2024. Deaths were identified using ICD-10 codes for non-ischemic arrhythmogenic conditions (I42, I44, I45, I47, I49) in combination with sudden cardiac arrest or unexplained death (I46, R96). Ischemic heart disease (I20–I25) was excluded to enhance specificity for inherited causes. Crude and age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 1,000,000 population were calculated and stratified by age, sex, race/ethnicity, region, urbanization, and place of death. Joinpoint software helped us calculate the average annual percentage change (AAPC)/annual percent change (APC) in AAMRs and the 95% CIs for these changes. Results: A total of 8879 deaths were identified over the study period. The AAMR increased from 1.46 (95% CI: 1.27–1.64) in 1999 to 3.15 (95% CI: 2.89–3.42) in 2024, peaking at 4.54 in 2021, with an overall AAPC of 3.71% (p < 0.000001). Mortality was higher in males; however, females demonstrated a greater relative increase over time. Non-Hispanic Black individuals exhibited the highest mortality rates and fastest rise. The 25–44-year age group accounted for most deaths and showed the steepest increase. Regional and urban–rural disparities were observed, with higher mortality rates in the South and rural areas. Conclusions: It is concluded that mortality related to inherited arrhythmic syndromes and sudden cardiac death is rising among young individuals in the United States. The findings highlight a growing burden of potentially inherited arrhythmogenic conditions and underscore the need for early detection strategies, including genetic screening and targeted public health interventions, to reduce premature cardiovascular mortality. Full article

Public lighting can account for nearly 40% of municipal energy consumption in some European cities and plays a vital role in road safety, mobility, and the quality of public spaces. Despite notable efficiency gains from the widespread adoption of light-emitting diode (LED) technologies, the technical outputs of standards-based and installation-level assessment methods are not usually simple and communicable energy-performance labels for municipal decision-making. This study addresses this issue by introducing an algorithm-based framework for classifying energy performance in public lighting at the road-segment level. This approach translates existing lighting standards and efficiency indicators into a straightforward and understandable energy label, adapting the energy labelling concept, commonly used for buildings and appliances, to public space infrastructure. This framework is implemented through a national digital platform for public lighting classification, which has already attracted formal interest from more than 100 municipalities, indicating strong institutional uptake. The results indicate that road-segment-level energy classification is feasible and scalable as a voluntary tool to enhance municipal accountability and support informed decision-making. This study concludes that algorithmic energy labels for public lighting can support sustainable urban governance transparency, comparability and decision-making capacity, with future research aimed at building capacity for large-scale implementation and incorporating environmental, human health, and ecological impact considerations into the classification system. Full article

The proliferation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in food processing is an escalating public health issue. This circumstance has intensified the quest for ecological alternatives to impede pathogen proliferation and avert food degradation. This study firstly investigated the chemical compositions of three essential oils (EOs) sourced from Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Lavender plants using GC-MS. Subsequently, the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of the tested EOs were assessed against MRSA strains. The effects of these EOs on the expression of antibiotic resistance-related (mecA), virulence regulatory (agrA and sarA), and enterotoxin (sea) genes in MRSA strains were also evaluated by real-time PCR. Concerning the composition analyses performed on the EOs, our results revealed a total of 82 compounds, which accounted for 99.20, 98.10 and 92.78% of Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Lavender EOs, respectively. The anti-staphylococcal activity showed that Eucalyptus EO had the greatest effect, with diameter of inhibition exceeding 41 mm. Moreover, the association between Rosemary EO and the antibiotic (cefoxitin) highlighted the enhancement of the antibacterial effect against the MRSA reference strain. Additionally, Eucalyptus EO showed the highest inhibitory effect against both strains, with MIC values ranging from 0.781 to 1.563 mg/mL, followed by the Rosemary and Lavender EOs. All the tested EOs displayed a bactericidal effect against the tested MRSA strains. Regarding the antibiofilm activity, Rosemary and Lavender EOs had varying impacts on the pre-formed biofilms, with percentage reduction values ranging from 36% to 73% and 37% to 68%, respectively. Finally, the mRNA expression of the MRSA gene A mecA and virulence genes agrA, sarA and sea declined following EO treatment compared with the control. The findings of this study highlighted the efficacy of locally tested EOs in reducing MRSA biofilm formation and the expression of virulence factors and suggested their potential use in food safety and culinary applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Refugee populations face significant barriers in accessing healthcare services, particularly in sexual and reproductive health (SRH), with important implications for menstrual health. Limited access to adequate menstrual products, safe sanitation facilities, and appropriate information contributes to period poverty among migrant and refugee women, exacerbating conditions of vulnerability and discrimination. The present study aims to explore the lived experiences, barriers, and facilitating factors in the management of menstrual health and menarche among refugee women and girls. Methods: A systematic meta-synthesis was carried out between January and May 2026 using the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus and LILACS databases and grey literature sources. The SPIDER framework was applied to guide the research question and search strategy. Qualitative and mixed-method primary studies and grey literature reports containing qualitative findings describing experiences of menstruation among refugee women and girls were included. Studies published in English, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese were eligible. Study quality was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. Data were analysed using a thematic synthesis approach as described by Thomas and Harden. Results: A total of 24 studies were included. Six analytical themes were identified: (1) structural constraints affecting access to resources and services; (2) context-dependent menstrual management practices; (3) female support networks; (4) menstruation as a socially constructed and learned experience; (5) constrained agency and compromised dignity under conditions of stigma; and (6) physical and psychological impacts. Overall, menstrual health was shaped by the interaction of structural barriers and socio-cultural norms, which limited safe and dignified management. Significant gaps in knowledge and preparedness were observed, particularly prior to menarche. Women and girls relied on coping strategies and informal support networks despite associated trade-offs for health and dignity. Conclusions: Menstrual health among refugee women and girls is shaped by structural inequalities, socio-cultural norms, and conditions of displacement. Addressing these challenges requires integrated, multisectoral approaches that go beyond product provision to tackle underlying determinants. Strengthening menstrual health literacy, engaging communities, and supporting the role of healthcare professionals such as midwives is essential to support more equitable and sustainable menstrual health interventions. Findings should be interpreted in light of the heterogeneity of study contexts and methodological quality. Full article

Sustainable urban transportation is fundamentally linked to public health outcomes, specifically the mitigation of fatal traffic risks under environmental stress. While stressors like adverse weather affect entire cities, traditional road safety models often assume uniform risk, thereby masking the spatial inequalities inherent in the urban fabric. This study addresses this gap by investigating the geographically heterogeneous impact of environmental stressors—including rainfall, surface moisture, and lighting conditions—on the conditional probability of fatal crash outcomes in Melbourne, Australia. Analyzing 43,075 severe crashes through a multi-stage geospatial framework (Getis-Ord Gi* and Geographically Weighted Logistic Regression), this research diagnoses how varying urban development patterns mediate the lethality of these stressors. The findings unmask a critical “threshold-crossing” pattern for wet surfaces, where risk transitions from protective to hazardous based on local infrastructure form and street geometry. Significant spatial inequalities are identified: high-density inner-urban cores and adjacent coastal corridors exhibit a heightened sensitivity to visibility failures and moisture, whereas newer industrial peripheries show stronger protective “risk compensation” effects. These results reveal a systemic mismatch between historical urban form and contemporary climate-driven public health risks. By identifying localized “lethality thresholds”, this study provides a robust evidence base for integrated planning and equitable resource allocation. It enables urban planners to move beyond generalized safety warnings toward targeted structural interventions, ensuring that sustainable transportation networks prioritize safety equity for all citizens regardless of their location within the urban environment. Full article

This study focuses on the thermal runaway (TR) risk of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and explores data-driven multi-sensor early warning and risk-oriented prognostics based on the intrinsic thermal behavior of batteries. A framework is proposed to support health information extraction using multi-sensor monitoring data, where data-driven approaches are adopted to address multicollinearity among parameters and explore their synergistic effects. The identified health-related features help characterize abnormal behavior and model health index propagation under TR evolution, which support the design of warning points and estimation of remaining time before TR (time-to-TR). The framework is validated through a designed experiment, where the Accelerating Rate Calorimeter (ARC) is employed to create adiabatic conditions for LIBs. The experiment helps minimize external impacts during TR evolution and validate the framework according to the intrinsic characteristics of batteries related to TR risks. The results from Leave-One-Sample-Out cross-validation preliminarily demonstrate the application potential of identified feature behavior patterns in early warning and risk-oriented prognostics. The integration of these functions can enhance the current TR risk management solutions, transforming monitoring data into decision support information for proactive risk mitigation. Full article

Water resources are essential for human well-being. However, water pollution is a major global problem with significant implications for the environment and public health. To address these challenges, this study presents an integrated perspective on water pollution by correlating pollution sources, transport pathways, exposure routes, and associated risks to human health. The methodology combined a systematic review conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines with a bibliometric analysis performed by using VOSviewer version 1.6.19, a software tool for constructing and visualizing bibliometric networks. A total of 332 publications published between 2015 and 2025 were retrieved from the Scopus and Google Scholar databases and met the PRISMA eligibility criteria. The findings indicate that both natural and anthropogenic sources contribute to water contamination, introducing pollutants such as heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceutical residues, microplastics, and pathogenic microorganisms with potential human health impacts. Bibliometric analysis revealed a transition from conventional water quality assessments toward integrated approaches emphasizing health risks and environmental interactions. The study further identified important knowledge gaps regarding contaminant mixture effects and synergistic toxicity, which remain insufficiently addressed in current scientific and regulatory frameworks. These findings highlight the need for strengthened regulatory strategies, advanced treatment technologies, and evidence-based water governance to support environmental sustainability and public health protection. Full article

Background: Stigma toward people with mental illness remains a major barrier to quality care, persisting even among mental health professionals. This study evaluated the effectiveness and feasibility of a structured anti-stigma intervention for psychiatry trainees. Methods: Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up using a knowledge quiz, the Attitudes to Addressing Stigma and Discrimination Scale (ASTAD), and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Feasibility outcomes were also evaluated. Results: Significant improvements were observed across all measures immediately after training, with medium to large effect sizes. Knowledge scores increased post-intervention (+6.68; 95% CI 5.86–7.50) and remained significantly higher at follow-up (+6; 95% CI 4.99–7.01). Total ASTAD scores improved post-intervention (+5; 95% CI 3.26–6.74) but did not maintain at follow-up. OSCE scores increased by 0.95 points (95% CI 0.62–1.28) post-training. The intervention reached 40% of eligible trainees, with high satisfaction and perceived relevance to clinical practice. Participants reported increased awareness of stigma, improved communication skills, and greater confidence in addressing stigma in patient interactions. Experiential learning methods, including role-play and case discussions, were identified as the most impactful components. Barriers to participation included workload, scheduling constraints, and limited institutional support. Participants recommended integrating the intervention into formal training curricula. Conclusions: The intervention was feasible, acceptable, and effective in improving stigma-related knowledge, attitudes, and clinical skills among psychiatry trainees. While knowledge gains were sustained, attitudinal and behavioral changes were only partially maintained, highlighting the need for longitudinal integration and ongoing reinforcement. Full article

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids offer a cost-effective solution for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, whereas their market penetration remains low despite regulatory support and technological advancements. In this paper, we analyze OTC hearing aid patients’ behavior and experiences of integrating them into sustainable healthcare logistics across China. As an econometric toolkit, we use multiple linear regression models for the purpose of predictive modeling and hearing aid policy formulation. The focus is on patient awareness and attitudes towards the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in shaping sustainable purchase decisions. This study also examines the challenges related to insufficient Chinese hearing-impaired patients’ understanding of some trusted sales channels (TSCs) like digitization-driven platforms. The outcomes show that CSR initiatives increase purchase intention. In contrast, we observe that reliance on non-traditional TSCs may be associated with failure to build patient confidence in comparison with hospital-recommended brands of OTC hearing aids. From a strategic healthcare economic perspective, we highlight the potential of the healthcare market with a growing aging population and rising demand for equitable hearing solutions. The transferable framework provides insights for policymakers regarding healthcare accessibility and affordability in China to bridge the gap between market offerings and patient needs. Full article

Background: While the consumer experience of psychosis has received significant attention in Western research, a substantial gap exists regarding the experiences of women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). In this context, religious, cultural, familial, and gender-specific factors uniquely shape the experience of psychosis, help-seeking behaviors, and recovery. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of Saudi women with psychosis across three phases: first-episode onset, hospitalization or follow-up, and community living after discharge. Methods: This hermeneutic phenomenological study, guided by van Manen’s methodology, employed all six lifeworld existentials: lived space, lived body, lived time, lived self-other, lived thing, and lived cyborg. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 women diagnosed with psychosis at two hospitals in Riyadh, KSA. Data collection included 13 audio-recorded interviews and eight documented via field notes, supplemented by creative methods such as drawings, poems, and written texts analyzed using van Manen’s vocative method. All Arabic data were professionally translated and verified for accuracy. Results: Three overarching themes emerged. First, women’s lived experiences of first-episode psychosis highlighted the process of understanding causes and developing insight during onset. Second, experiences during admission and follow-up revealed the impact of clinical encounters, nursing care, and the critical need for therapeutic healing spaces. Third, living with psychosis in the community emphasized the complexities of medication adherence, family dynamics, and the pursuit of recovery through education, employment, and religious practice. Conclusions: The participants articulated user-based recovery perspectives, including empowerment, shared decision-making, and hope, which contrasted sharply with the service-based approaches they received. Culturally specific stressors and pervasive stigma shaped every phase of their journey. To the authors’ knowledge, no prior study has examined this population using a hermeneutic phenomenological framework; these findings provide a women-focused, culturally situated evidence base for developing gender-specific recovery models and enhanced discharge planning within the KSA mental health system. Full article

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease characterised by a heterogeneous clinical presentation and variable disease course. Despite low mortality, the burden of sarcoidosis extends beyond organ involvement, with many patients reporting significant impairment in quality of life (QoL). Fatigue, chronic cough, and small fibre neuropathy (SFN) are among the most prevalent and debilitating symptoms reported by patients, often demonstrating poor correlation with conventional markers of disease activity and frequently persisting despite apparent disease control. This review examines the impact of sarcoidosis on QoL and highlights the limitations of traditional assessment tools, including imaging and pulmonary function testing, in capturing the full extent of disease burden. The role of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) is discussed, including generic instruments and sarcoidosis-specific tools such as the King’s Sarcoidosis Questionnaire (KSQ), Sarcoidosis Health Questionnaire (SHQ), and Sarcoidosis Assessment Tool (SAT), alongside symptom-specific measures targeting fatigue, neuropathic symptoms, and cough. Current and emerging management strategies aimed at improving QoL are reviewed, including immunosuppressive therapies, biologic agents, and non-pharmacological interventions. Despite increasing recognition of QoL as a key outcome, its integration into clinical trials remains inconsistent. Incorporating PROMs into routine clinical practice and research is essential to enable comprehensive assessment and support patient-centred care. Greater emphasis on QoL outcomes may improve therapeutic decision-making and overall disease management in sarcoidosis. Full article

The growing aging population is a primary driver of chronic, long-term health conditions. The rising prevalence of cognitive decline in older populations is a pressing public health issue due to its impact on health and social care and its emotional toll on family members. A lesser-known condition is sarcopenia—the age-related debilitating loss of skeletal muscle mass and function which leads to weakness and loss of mobility, quality of life and social independence. Neither health condition has a clear pharmacological treatment pathway. Diet and nutrition have therefore received the most attention for disease prevention. This review evaluates the research on the association between sarcopenia and cognitive decline and how both conditions may be linked to protein intake. While findings can be inconclusive or contradictory, a higher consumption of protein may protect against declines in physical and cognitive health, either acting separately or synergistically with exercise. The evidence supports the recommendation for a daily intake of protein higher than the current guideline of 0.8 g/kg/d for older people. Evidence suggests that healthy dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet appear to positively influence cognitive health in older people. Furthermore, the impact of specific high-protein foods, including egg, soy and dairy foods, on cognitive health has been reviewed, again with a suggestion that their consumption may mitigate against cognitive decline. Functional foods aimed at the aging population who wish to increase their protein intake and avert or delay the onset of these health conditions could play an important role in preventive nutrition, especially if they are formulated around the protein-rich foods which appear to positively impact cognitive health. Full article