Parental Reminder Strategies and the Cost Implication for Improved Immunisation Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

EMR-Based Interventions on HPV Vaccination Initiation, Completion, and Receiving the Next Dose: A Meta-Analytic Review

Despite the acknowledged importance of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in reducing HPV-related diseases, the influence of electronic medical records (EMR) on HPV vaccination uptake (HVU) remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of EMR-based interventions on HVU. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials were performed, focusing on studies that primarily used EMR-based interventions to measure initiation rates, completion rates, and receipt of the next required vaccine dose. Subgroup analyses were conducted to assess the differential effects of supplementary strategies, provider feedback, and parental education or reminders on these outcomes. The results of the comprehensive analysis provided robust evidence for the significant role of EMR interventions, demonstrating an average increase of 4.7% in vaccine initiation, 6.6% in vaccine completion, and 7.2% in receipt of the next HPV vaccine dose. Additionally, the subgroup analyses indicated that provider feedback and parental education could further enhance the effectiveness of EMR-based interventions. These findings support the broader adoption of digital health technologies in vaccination programs, offering vital insights for healthcare providers, policymakers, and researchers, and emphasizing the need for continued technological innovation to improve public health outcomes.

Nudging oral habits; application of behavioral economics in oral health promotion: a critical review

Background

Oral health disorders significantly contribute to the global incidence of chronic diseases. Nudge interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing people's decision-making and self-management capacities in a cost-efficient manner. As a result, these interventions could be valuable tools for fostering improved oral care habits. This critical review explores potential behavioral nudges applicable to promoting oral health.

Methods

A thorough electronic literature search was conducted on Scopus, Embase, and PubMed databases for papers published post-2008. The search focused on empirical evidence concerning the direct and indirect application of Nudge theory in oral health enhancement. In addition, the investigation included the nudge intervention's role in managing common non-communicable disease risk factors (tobacco, alcohol, and sugar) and their use in other health sectors.

Results and conclusion

There is a dearth of studies on behavioral economics, particularly those involving reward and reminder techniques. However, various successful nudge interventions have been identified in other sectors that aim to improve health decisions. These include strategies encouraging healthier nutritional choices, tobacco and alcohol cessation, medication compliance, routine physical activity, and regular health check-ups. Such interventions can also have direct or indirect positive impacts on oral health. Implementing these interventions within an oral care framework could promote oral health due to similar underlying cognitive mechanisms. However, different types of nudge interventions have varying degrees of effectiveness. Furthermore, factors such as the method of delivery and the characteristics of the targeted population significantly influence the outcome of the intervention. Hence, it is imperative to conduct extensive studies in diverse socioeconomic settings to fully understand the potentials, limitations, and impacts of nudge interventions in promoting oral health.