Regional variations in management and outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome in China: Evidence from the National Chest Pain Center Program

Regional variations in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) management and outcomes have been an enormous public health issue. However, studies have yet to explore how to reduce the variations. The National Chest Pain Center Program (NCPCP) is the first nationwide, hospital-based, comprehensive, continuous quality improvement program for improving the quality of care in patients with ACS in China. We evaluated the association of NCPCP and regional variations in ACS healthcare using generalized linear mixed models and interaction analysis. Patients in the Western region had longer onset-to-first medical contact (FMC) time and time stay in non-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) hospitals, lower rates of PCI for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, and higher rates of medication usage. Patients in Central regions had relatively lower in-hospital mortality and in-hospital heart failure rates. Differences in the door-to-balloon time (DtoB) and in-hospital mortality between Western and Eastern regions were less after accreditation (β = -8.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) -14.61 to -3.03; OR = 0.79, 95%CI 0.70 to 0.91). Similar results were found in differences in DtoB time, primary PCI rate for STEMI between Central and Eastern regions. The differences in PCI for higher-risk non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) patients among different regions had been smaller. Additionally, the differences in medication use between Eastern and Western regions were higher after accreditation. Regional variations remained high in this large cohort of patients with ACS from hospitals participating in the NCPCP in China. More comprehensive interventions and hospital internal system optimizations are needed to further reduce regional variations in the management and outcomes of patients with ACS.

Global Cervical Cancer Incidence by Histological Subtype and Implications for Screening Methods

BACKGROUND

Cervical cancer is a major global health concern, disproportionately affecting women in developing countries. Cervical cancer has two primary subtypes, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC), each with distinct characteristics and screening effectiveness. In this study, we aimed to estimate the global incidence of cervical cancer according to histological subtype to inform prevention strategies.

METHODS

Using data from population-based cancer registries, we computed the rates of SCC, AC, and other specified histology among all cervical cancer cases by country and by 5-year age group. Proportions were subsequently applied to the estimated number of cervical cancer cases from the Global Cancer Observatory 2020. Age-standardized incidence rates were calculated.

RESULTS

SCC accounted for 82.72% of global cervical cancer cases, with AC contributing 12.18%. The highest SCC incidence was in Sub-Saharan Africa (29.79 per 100,000 population). The AC incidence was highest in South-Eastern Asia (3.67 per 100,000 population). Age-specific trends showed SCC peaking at approximately age 55 years and AC plateauing after age 45 years.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided a comprehensive estimate of cervical cancer incidence by histological subtype. SCC remained the dominant subtype globally, whereas the incidence of AC varied across regions. These findings highlighted the need for tailored prevention strategies, especially testing for human papillomavirus to detect AC in high burden areas.

Global burden, risk factors, and trends of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A worldwide analysis of cancer registries

BACKGROUND

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) accounts for 90% of all malignant lymphomas. This study aimed to evaluate the global incidence, mortality, associated risk factors, and temporal trends of NHL by sex, age, and country.

METHODS

Data from 185 countries globally were used for analysis. NHL incidence and mortality were collected via the GLOBOCAN (2020), CI5 series I-X, WHO mortality database, the Nordic Cancer Registries, and the SEER Program. The WHO Global Health Observatory provided country-level, age-standardized prevalence of lifestyle and metabolic risk factors. Trends were examined and reported based on average annual percentage change (AAPC) calculated using Joinpoint regression analysis. Incidence and AAPC are based on data for the last 10 years across countries.

RESULTS

Globally, age-standardized incidence and mortality rates for NHL were recorded at 5.8 and 2.6 per 100,000 individuals, respectively. At country-level, NHL incidence was significantly associated with various factors, including HDI (Human Development Index), GDP per capita, prevalence of tobacco and alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolaemia. Rising trend in NHL incidence was observed, with the highest increase recorded in Estonia (AAPCmale  = 4.15, AAPCfemale  = 5.14), Belarus (AAPCfemale  = 5.13), and Lithuania (AAPCfemale  = 4.68). While overall NHL mortality has been decreasing, certain populations experienced increased mortality over the decade. In Thailand, AAPC for mortality was 31.28% for males and 30.26% for females. Estonia saw an AAPC of 6.46% for males, while Slovakia experienced an AAPC of 4.24% for females. Colombia's AAPC was 1.29% for males and 1.51% for females.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates a rising trend of NHL incidence over the past decade- particularly in developed countries, older males, and younger populations. Further research should investigate deeper insights into specific etiology and prognosis of NHL across subtypes, and potential contributors towards these epidemiologic trends.

Incidence, risk factors, and temporal trends of penile cancer: a global population-based study

OBJECTIVES

To examine the global disease burden and country-specific trends of penile cancer incidence by age group and investigate its associations with several factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Global Cancer Observatory database was interrogated for penile cancer incidence. The 10-year cancer incidence rates were collected from the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Plus. The country-specific data were extracted from the World Health Organization Global Health Observatory and Global Burden of Disease databases for conducting risk factors analysis. The penile cancer incidence was presented using age-standardised rates. Its associations with various factors were examined by linear regression, while the incidence trend was estimated using joinpoint regression and presented as average annual percentage change with 95% confidence intervals in different age groups.

RESULTS

There were an estimated 36 068 new cases of penile cancer in 2020. There was a considerable geographical disparity in the disease burden of penile cancer, with South America reporting the highest incidence. Overall, alcohol drinking, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and unsafe sex were positively associated with a higher penile cancer incidence, while circumcision was found to be a protective factor. There has been a mixed trend in penile cancer incidence overall, but an increasing trend was found among younger males.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a global variation in the penile cancer burden associated with prevalence of alcohol drinking, HIV infection, unsafe sex, and circumcision. The increasing penile cancer incidence in the younger population is worrying and calls for early detection and preventive interventions.

Health policy competencies in regional organizations: a retrospective analysis for 76 regional organizations from 1945 to 2015

BACKGROUND

Health policy competencies of regional organizations include mandates to create regional health laws and policies, as well as authorities that allow member states to undertake collective actions in the health field. The examination of the health policy competencies of regional organizations is essential, as it constitutes an important prerequisite for regional organizations to govern regional health. This study aims to map the development trajectory of health policy competencies in regional organizations worldwide and investigate their potential correlates. This will contribute to the enhanced promotion of both existing and new regional health cooperation.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis utilized the health policy competencies of the 76 regional organizations worldwide from 1945 to 2015, as investigated in the Regional Organizations Competencies Database. By aggregating member state data from various sources such as the IHME Global Burden of Disease 2019, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization, we extracted the mean values and coefficients of variation for the covariates in regional organization characteristics, socioeconomic and demographic factors, health status and health-system capacity. The correlation between changes in the health policy scope of regional organizations and independent variables was analyzed using Poisson pseudo-likelihood regression with multiple levels of fixed effects.

RESULTS

From 1945 to 2015, the number of regional organizations with health policy competencies experienced a slow growth stage before 1991 and an explosive growth stage post-1991. By 2015, 48 out of the 71 existing regional organizations had developed their health policy competencies, yet 26 (54.2%) of these organizations possessed only 1-2 health policy competencies. An enhancement in the health policy scope of a regional organization correlated with its founding year, a greater number of policy fields, higher under-five mortality, and larger disparities in trade and healthcare access and quality indexes among member states. In contrast, larger disparities in population, under-five mortality and health worker density among member states, along with more hospital beds per capita, were negatively correlated with the expansion of a regional organization's health policy scope.

CONCLUSION

Since 1991, there has been a surge of interest in health among regional organizations, although health remains a secondary priority for them. The health policy competencies of regional organizations are pivotal for promoting social equity within regional communities. Its establishment is also closely linked to the level and disparities among member states in aspects such as trade, population, child mortality rates, and health system capacity.

Association between drinking water quality and mental health and the modifying role of diet: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Environmental factors play an important role in developing mental disorders. This study aimed to investigate the associations of metal and nonmetal elements in drinking water with the risk of depression and anxiety and to assess whether diets modulate these associations.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study including 24,285 participants free from depression and anxiety from the Yinzhou Cohort study in the 2016-2021 period. The exposures were measured by multiplying metal and nonmetal element concentrations in local pipeline terminal tap water samples and total daily drinking water intakes. Cox regression models adjusted for multi-level covariates were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs).

RESULTS

During an average follow-up period of 4.72 and 4.68 years, 773 and 1334 cases of depression and anxiety were identified, respectively. A 1 standard deviation (SD) increase in manganese exposure reduced the incidence of depression by 8% (HR 0.92, 95%CI 0.88 to 0.97). In contrast, with a 1 SD increase in copper and cadmium exposure, the incidence of depression increased by 6% (HR 1.06, 95%CI 1.01 to 1.11) and 8% (HR 1.08, 95%CI 1.00 to 1.17), respectively. The incidence of anxiety increased by 39% (HR 1.39, 95%CI 1.20 to 1.62), 33% (HR 1.33, 95%CI 1.03 to 1.71), and 14% (HR 1.14, 95%CI 1.03 to 1.25) respectively for a 1 SD increase in manganese, iron, and selenium exposure. Diets have a moderating effect on the associations of metal and nonmetal elements with the risk of anxiety. Stronger associations were observed in older, low-income groups and low-education groups.

CONCLUSIONS

We found significant associations between exposure to metal and nonmetal elements and depression and anxiety. Diets regulated the associations to some extent.

Updated disease distributions, risk factors, and trends of laryngeal cancer: a global analysis of cancer registries

BACKGROUND

Though the laryngeal cancer only has 1% of the total cancer cases and related deaths, it is a type of head and neck cancers with the highest prevalence. This study aims to investigate the epidemiological trend of laryngeal cancer with updated data on the global distribution of the disease burden.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The incidence and mortality rate of laryngeal cancer was extracted from GLOBOCAN (2020), Cancer Incidence in Five Continents series I-X, WHO mortality database , the Nordic Cancer Registries , and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. The Global Health data exchanges for the prevalence of its associated risk factors. A Joinpoint regression analysis was used to calculate Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC).

RESULTS

The age-standardised rate (ASR) of laryngeal cancer incidence and mortality were 2.0 and 1.0 per 100 000 worldwide. The Caribbean (ASR=4.0) and Central and Eastern Europe (ASR=3.6) had the highest incidence and mortality rate. Incidence and risk factors associated with laryngeal cancer included tobacco usage, alcohol consumption, poor diet, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and lipid disorders. There was an overall decreasing trend in incidence, especially for males, but an increasing incidence was observed in female populations and younger subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

As overall global trends of laryngeal cancer have been decreasing, especially for the male population, this could possibly be attributed to reduced tobacco use and alcohol consumption. Decrease in mortality may be due to improved diagnostic methods and accessibility to treatment, yet disparity in trend remains potentially because of differences in the level of access to surgical care. Disparities in temporal trends across countries may require further research and exploration to determine other underlying factors influencing this.

Disease burden, risk factors, and temporal trends of eye cancer: A global analysis of cancer registries

BACKGROUND

This study aims to investigate the global disease burden, risk factors, and temporal trends of eye cancer by sex and age group.

METHODS

Databases including Cancer Incidence in Five Continents volumes I-XI, the Nordic Cancer Registries, the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program and the WHO IARC mortality database were accessed to extract incidence and mortality data. Joinpoint regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the Average Annual Percentage Change of the incidence and mortality.

RESULTS

The age-standardised rates of eye cancer incidence and mortality were 0.49 and 0.08 globally in 2020. Higher incidence rates were observed in Sub-Saharan Africa (ASR = 4.06), Western Europe (ASR = 0.89), and Northern Europe (ASR = 0.84), but higher mortality was observed only in Sub-Saharan Africa (ASR = 1.59). Lower HDI, higher prevalence of UV exposure and lower prevalence of several lifestyle habits and metabolic syndromes were associated with higher incidence and mortality. There was an overall stable incidence trend and a decreasing mortality trend. Notably, all countries reporting decreasing trend in mortality were in the Asian or European region.

CONCLUSIONS

Although higher incidence was observed in both African and European regions, only the Sub-Saharan Africa region reported high mortality, indicating inequity in the access of healthcare and treatment resource. Higher prevalence of UV exposure was associated with both higher incidence and mortality. Education should be provided to increase the awareness of eye protection. An overall declining mortality trend was found, but it was limited to only Asian and European countries.

Global incidence, risk factors and trends of vulvar cancer: A country-based analysis of cancer registries

Vulvar cancer is an uncommon malignancy. Vulvar cancer alarmed the public health problem in terms of the cost of diagnostic and medical treatments and psychical health of females. Our study aims to provide a thorough analysis of the global disease burden, related risk factors and temporal incidence trends of vulvar cancer in population subgroups. Data from Global Cancer Observatory and the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Plus were used for the vulvar cancer incidence. Age-standardized rates (ASR) were used to depict the incidence of vulvar cancer. The 10-year trend of incidence was assessed using joinpoint regression with average annual percentage change and 95% confidence intervals in various age groups, while its correlations with risk factors were investigated using linear regression. Higher ASR were found in Western Europe (2.4), Northern America (1.9), Northern Europe (1.9), Australia and New Zealand (1.8) and Eastern Africa (1.4). The associated risk factors of higher vulvar cancer incidence were gross domestic product per capita, Human Development Index, higher prevalence of smoking, alcohol drinking, unsafe sex and human immunodeficiency virus infection. The overall trend of vulvar cancer incidence was increasing. An increasing trend was found in older females while a mixed trend was observed in younger females. The disease burden of vulvar cancer follows a bimodal pattern according to its two histologic pathways, affecting women in both developed and developing regions. Smoking cessation, sex education and human papillomavirus vaccination programs should be promoted among the general population. Subsequent studies can be done to explore the reasons behind the increasing trend of vulvar cancer.

Global Incidence, Mortality, Risk Factors and Trends of Melanoma: A Systematic Analysis of Registries

BACKGROUND

Melanoma of the skin is the most dangerous skin cancer in the world, though the numbers of reported new cases and melanoma-related deaths are low.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the global incidence, mortality, risk factors and temporal trends by age, sex and locations of melanoma skin cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5) volumes I-XI; the Nordic Cancer Registries (NORDCAN); the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program; and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) mortality database were accessed for worldwide incidence and mortality rates. Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) was calculated using a Joinpoint regression to examine trends.

RESULTS

Age-standardized rates of cancer incidence and mortality were 3.4 and 0.55 per 100,000 worldwide in 2020. Australia and New Zealand reported the highest incidence and mortality rates. Associated risk factors included higher prevalence of smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, obesity and metabolic diseases. Increasing incidence trends were observed mostly in European countries, whilst mortality displayed an overall decreasing trend. For both sexes in the age group 50 years and above, a significant increase in incidence trend was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Although mortality rates and trends were found to decrease, global incidence has increased, especially in older age groups and males. Whilst incidence increase may be attributed to improved healthcare infrastructure and cancer detection methods, the growing prevalence of lifestyle and metabolic risk factors in developed countries should not be discounted. Future research should explore underlying variables behind epidemiological trends.

Factors associated with the utilization of diagnostic tools among countries with different income levels during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Disparities in the utilization of essential medical products are a key factor contributing to inequality in health outcomes. We aimed to analyze the trends and influencing factors in using Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnostic tools and disparities in countries with different income levels.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study using open and publicly available data sources. Data were mainly collected from the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, "Our World in Data," and the Global Burden of Disease databases. Negative binomial regression model and generalized linear mixed model were employed to investigate into five sets of factors associated with the usage of diagnostics: severity of COVID-19, socioeconomic status, health status, medical service capacity, and rigidity of response. Dominance analysis was utilized to compare the relative importance of these factors. The Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition was used to decompose the difference in the usage of diagnostics between countries.

RESULTS

The total COVID-19 testing rate ranged from 5.13 to 22,386.63 per 1000 people from March 2020 to October 2022 and the monthly testing rate declined dramatically from January 2022 to October 2022 (52.37/1000 vs 5.91/1000).. The total testing rate was primarily associated with socioeconomic status (37.84%), with every 1 standard deviation (SD) increase in Gross Domestic Product per capita and the proportion of people aged ≥ 70, the total testing rate increased by 88% and 31%. And so is the medical service capacity (33.66%), with every 1 SD increase in health workforce density, the number increased by 38%. The monthly testing rate was primarily associated with socioeconomic status (34.72%) and medical service capacity (28.67%), and the severity of COVID-19 (21.09%). The average difference in the total testing rates between high-income and low-income countries was 2726.59 per 1000 people, and 2493.43 (91.45%) of the differences could be explained through the five sets of factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Redoubling the efforts, such as local manufacturing, regulatory reliance, and strengthening the community health workforce and laboratory capacity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) cannot be more significant for ensuring sustainable and equitable access to diagnostic tools during pandemic.

Sex Disparities in Management and Outcomes Among Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

Importance

Sex disparities in the management and outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have received increasing attention.

Objective

To evaluate the association of a quality improvement program with sex disparities among patients with ACS.

Design, Setting, and Participants

The National Chest Pain Centers Program (NCPCP) is an ongoing nationwide program for the improvement of quality of care in patients with ACS in China, with CPC accreditation as a core intervention. In this longitudinal analysis of annual (January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2020) cross-sectional data of 1 095 899 patients with ACS, the association of the NCPCP with sex-related disparities in the care of these patients was evaluated using generalized linear mixed models and interaction analysis. The robustness of the results was assessed by sensitivity analyses with inverse probability of treatment weighting. Data were analyzed from September 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022.

Exposure

Hospital participation in the NCPCP.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Differences in treatment and outcomes between men and women with ACS. Prehospital indicators included time from onset to first medical contact (onset-FMC), time from onset to calling an emergency medical service (onset-EMS), and length of hospital stay without receiving a percutaneous coronary intervention (non-PCI). In-hospital quality indicators included non-PCI, use of statin at arrival, discharge with statin, discharge with dual antiplatelet therapy, direct PCI for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), PCI for higher-risk non-ST-segment elevation ACS, time from door to catheterization activation, and time from door to balloon. Patient outcome indicators included in-hospital mortality and in-hospital new-onset heart failure.

Results

Data for 1 095 899 patients with ACS (346 638 women [31.6%] and 749 261 men [68.4%]; mean [SD] age, 63.9 [12.4] years) from 989 hospitals were collected. Women had longer times for onset-FMC and onset-EMS; lower rates of PCI, statin use at arrival, and discharge with medication; longer in-hospital delays; and higher rates of in-hospital heart failure and mortality. The NCPCP was associated with less onset-FMC time, more direct PCI rate for STEMI, lower rate of in-hospital heart failure, more drug use, and fewer in-hospital delays for both men and women with ACS. Sex-related differences in the onset-FMC time (β = -0.03 [95% CI, -0.04 to -0.01), rate of direct PCI for STEMI (odds ratio, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.06-1.17]), time from hospital door to balloon (β = -1.38 [95% CI, -2.74 to -0.001]), and rate of in-hospital heart failure (odds ratio, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.86-0.94]) were significantly less after accreditation.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this longitudinal cross-sectional study of patients with ACS from hospitals participating in the NCPCP in China, sex-related disparities in management and outcomes were smaller in some aspects by regionalization between prehospital emergency and in-hospital treatment systems and standardized treatment procedures. The NCPCP should emphasize sex disparities to cardiologists; highlight compliance with clinical guidelines, particularly for female patients; and include the reduction of sex disparities as a performance appraisal indicator.

Incidence, Risk Factors, and Temporal Trends of Small Intestinal Cancer: A Global Analysis of Cancer Registries

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Small intestinal cancer is a rare cancer, with limited studies exploring its epidemiology. To our knowledge, this study is the first effort to comprehensively analyze the incidence, risk factors, and trends for small intestinal cancer by sex, age, and country.

METHODS

Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Plus, and Global Burden of Disease were accessed to estimate the age-standardized rates of small intestinal cancer incidence (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification: C17) and prevalence of lifestyle risk factors, metabolic risk factors, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Risk factor associations were assessed by linear and logistic regressions. Average annual percent change was calculated using joinpoint regression.

RESULTS

A total of 64,477 small intestinal cancer cases (age-standardized rate, 0.60 per 100,000) were estimated globally in 2020, with a higher disease burden found in North America (1.4). Higher small intestinal cancer incidence was associated with higher human development index; gross domestic product; and prevalence of smoking, alcohol drinking, physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes, lipid disorder, and IBD (β = 0.008-0.198; odds ratios, 1.07-10.01). There was an overall increasing trend of small intestinal cancer incidence (average annual percent change, 2.20-21.67), and the increasing trend was comparable among the 2 sexes but more evident in the older population aged 50-74 years than in the younger population aged 15-49 years.

CONCLUSION

There was a substantial geographic disparity in the burden of small intestinal cancer, with higher incidence observed in countries with higher human development index; gross domestic product; and prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle habits, metabolic disorders, and IBD. There was an overall increasing trend in small intestinal cancer incidence, calling for the development of preventive strategies.

Global incidence and mortality trends of corpus uteri cancer and associations with gross domestic product, human development index, lifestyle, and metabolic risk factors

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the worldwide distribution, risk factors, and temporal trends of corpus uteri cancer for different countries and age groups.

METHOD

Data relating to corpus uteri cancer in 2020 were retrieved from the Global Cancer Observatory database. Data from Cancer Incidence in Five Continents and the WHO mortality database were used for trend analysis. Age-standardized rates (ASR, per 100 000 persons) were calculated for incidence and mortality. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to estimate the 10-year annual average percent change (AAPC).

RESULTS

A total of 417 367 new cases and 97 370 new deaths of corpus uteri cancer were reported globally in 2020. The highest incidence was observed in high-income countries. Higher ASR of mortality of corpus uteri cancer was associated with a higher gross domestic product per capita, higher Human Development Index, and higher prevalence of smoking, alcohol drinking, physical inactivity, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and lipid disorders. There was a substantial increasing trend of corpus uteri cancer, with the largest AAPC in incidence found in Japan, followed by India, Chile, Korea, and Thailand.

CONCLUSION

The incidence and mortality of corpus uteri cancer have been increasing substantially for the past 10 years. Intensive lifestyle modifications are needed, especially among younger women.

The association of cervical cancer screening and quality of care: A systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background

Improving the quality of care is vital to enhance outcomes for cervical cancer patients. However, the inequality of cervical cancer care was seldomly assessed.

Methods

We collected the data of cervical cancer burden from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 database, and constructed the Quality of Care Index (QCI) using principle component analysis. Then the disparity of QCI across regions and populations were evaluated. The association between cervical cancer screening coverage and QCI weas also explored.

Results

Quality of cervical cancer care was of disparity across regions with different development levels, with a widening gap between low-income regions and others. Cervical cancer QCI dropped rapidly after the age of 35. Cervical cancer screening coverage was positively associated with QCI, and this association was stronger in countries with low- and middle-development levels.

Conclusions

Regions with a low development level and the middle-aged women were vulnerable in QCI improvement. Higher screening coverage was associated with better cervical cancer QCI, implying that expanding cervical cancer screening coverage may be an effective strategy to improve the quality of cervical cancer care.

Inequity of maternal-child health services in ASEAN member states from 1993 to 2021

INTRODUCTION

Inequity in maternal-child health services is a challenge to global health as it hinders the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Universal Health Coverage. Though the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has made remarkable achievements in maternal-child health, there remain gaps in reaching global goals. This study aimed to compare and investigate the inequity in maternal-child health (MCH) services in ASEAN member states to help guide policy decisions to improve equitable health services in the SDG era and beyond.

METHODS

Using the WHO Health Inequality Monitor, we identified inequity summary measures for five MCH services in ASEAN member states from 1993 to 2021: antenatal care, births attended by skilled health personnel, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP3) immunization, measles immunization, and polio immunization. We divided the analysis dimension of inequity into urban-rural inequity, economic status inequity, and sub-regional inequity. Trends of absolute and relative inequity in every dimension of MCH services in ASEAN member states were examined with the principal component analysis (PCA).

RESULTS

The mean coverages of MCH services are 98.80% (Thailand), 86.72% (Cambodia), 84.54% (Viet Nam), 78.52 (Indonesia), 76.94% (Timor-Leste), 72.40% (Lao PDR), 68.10% (Philippines) and 48.52% (Myanmar) in 2021. Thailand have the lowest MCH services absolute inequity indexes of -1.945, followed by Vietnam (-1.449). Lao PDR and Myanmar have relatively higher MCH services absolute inequity indexes of 0.852 and 0.054 respectively. The service in Cambodia, Indonesia, and the Philippines is pro-specific regions (with subnational region absolute inequity indexes of -0.02, 0.01, and 1.01 respectively). The service in Myanmar is pro-rich (with economic status absolute inequity index of 0.43). The service in Lao PDR and Timor-Leste is pro-urban areas, pro-rich, and pro-specific regions.

CONCLUSION

The inequity of MCH services in ASEAN persists but is in a declining trend. Thailand and Vietnam have performed well in ensuring MCH services equity, while Laos and Myanmar are still facing serious inequity dilemmas. The progress of MCH service equity in Myanmar, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Indonesia is uneven. It is acceptable to learn from the successful experiences of Thailand and Vietnam to improve the equities in other ASEAN countries. Policies should be developed according to the specific types of MCH inequity in member states to improve equity levels.

Global Trends of Prostate Cancer by Age, and Their Associations With Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Human Development Index (HDI), Smoking, and Alcohol Drinking

BACKGROUND

We aimed to examine the global disease burden and trends of prostate cancer incidence and mortality by age, and their associations with gross domestic product (GDP), human development index (HDI), smoking, and alcohol drinking.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrieved the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) database for the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in 2020; the World Bank for GDP per capita; the United Nations for HDI; the WHO Global Health Observatory for prevalence of smoking and alcohol drinking; the Cancer Incidence in 5 Continents (CI5), WHO mortality database, for trend analysis. We presented the prostate cancer incidence and mortality using age-standardized rates. We examined their associations with GDP, HDI, smoking, and alcohol drinking by Spearman's correlations and multivariable regression. We estimated the 10-year trend of incidence and mortality by joinpoint regression analysis with average annual percent change with 95% confidence intervals in different age groups.

RESULTS

A wide variation in the burden of prostate cancer with the highest mortality found in low-income countries while the highest incidence was observed in high-income countries. We found moderate to high positive correlations for GDP, HDI, and alcohol drinking with prostate cancer incidence, whilst a low negative correlation was observed for smoking. Globally, there was an increasing incidence but decreasing mortality of prostate cancer, and such trends were particularly prominent in Europe. Notably, the incidence increase was also found in the younger population aged <50 years.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a global variation in the burden of prostate cancer associated with GDP, HDI, smoking, and alcohol drinking.

[Analysis of healthy life expectancy and related socioeconomic influencing factors among the middle-aged and elderly in China, the United States, and the European Union]

Objective: To calculate and compare the healthy life expectancy (HLE) of the middle-aged and elderly in China, the United States, and developing and developed countries in the European Union(EU) and analyze the impact of socioeconomic factors on HLE in different countries or regions. Methods: Four surveys from 2010 to 2019 were brought into the research. The data were collected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, Health and Retirement Study, and the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe. Developed and developing countries in the EU were divided into two groups for calculation. Education level, total family wealth, and work retirement status were selected to measure socioeconomic status, and activities of daily living were used as health status indicators. We used the multi-state life cycle table method to calculate the transition probability between different health states and estimate life expectancy and HLE. Results: A total of 69 544 samples were included in the study. In terms of age, the middle-aged and elderly in the United States and developed countries of the EU have higher HLE in all age groups. In terms of gender, only Chinese women have lower HLE than men. Regarding socioeconomic factors, the middle-aged and elderly with higher education levels and total family wealth level have higher HLE. In China, working seniors have higher HLE, while for USA women and developed countries of the EU, retired or unemployed seniors have higher HLE. Conclusions: Demographic and socioeconomic factors impact HLE in different countries or regions. China should pay more attention to the health of women and the middle-aged and elderly retired with lower education and less total family wealth.

Drinking water quality and inflammatory bowel disease: a prospective cohort study

Environmental factors, such as drinking water and diets, play an important role in the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aimed to investigate the associations of metal elements and disinfectants in drinking water with the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to assess whether diet influences these associations. We conducted a prospective cohort study including 22,824 participants free from IBD from the Yinzhou cohort study in the 2016-2022 period with an average follow-up of 5.24 years. The metal and disinfectant concentrations were measured in local pipeline terminal tap water samples. Cox regression models adjusted for multi-level covariates were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). During an average follow-up period of 5.24 years, 46 cases of IBD were identified. For every 1 standard deviation (SD) increase in the concentration of manganese, mercury, selenium, sulfur tetraoxide (SO₄)_, chlorine, and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃_N) were associated with a higher risk of IBD with the HRs of 1.45 (95% CI: 1.14 to 1.84), 1.51 (95% CI: 1.24-1.82), 1.29 (95% CI: 1.03-1.61), 1.52 (95% CI: 1.26-1.83), 1.26 (95% CI: 1.18-1.34), and 1.66 (95% CI: 1.32-2.09), whereas zinc and fluorine were inversely associated with IBD with the HRs of 0.42 (95% CI: 0.24 to 0.73) and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.54-0.84), respectively. Stronger associations were observed in females, higher income groups, low education groups, former drinkers, and participants who never drink tea. Diets have a moderating effect on the associations of metal and nonmetal elements with the risk of IBD. We found significant associations between exposure to metals and disinfectants and IBD. Diets regulated the associations to some extent.

Disease burden, risk factors, and trends of primary central nervous system (CNS) cancer: A global study of registries data

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the global incidence, mortality, associated risk factors, and temporal trends of central nervous system (CNS) cancer by sex, age, and country.

METHODS

We extracted incidence and mortality of CNS cancer from the GLOBOCAN (2020), Cancer Incidence in Five Continents series I-X, WHO mortality database, the Nordic Cancer Registries, and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. We searched the Global Health data exchanges for the prevalence of its associated risk factors. We tested the trends by Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) from Joinpoint regression analysis with 95% confidence intervals in different age groups.

RESULTS

The age-standardized rates (ASRs) of CNS cancer incidence and mortality were 3.5 and 2.8 per 100,000 globally. Southern Europe (ASR = 6.0) and Western Asia (ASR = 4.2) had the highest incidence and mortality, respectively. The incidence was associated with Human Development Index, Gross Domestics Products per capita, prevalence of traumatic brain injuries, occupational carcinogens exposure, and mobile phone use at the country level. There was an overall stable and mixed trend in the CNS cancer burden. However, increasing incidence was observed in younger male population from five countries, with Slovakia (AAPC = 5.40; 95% CI 1.88, 9.04; P = .007) reporting the largest increase.

CONCLUSIONS

While the overall global trends of cancer have been largely stable, significant increasing trends were found in the younger male population. The presence of some higher-HDI countries with increasing mortality suggested an ample scope for further research and exploration of the reasons behind these epidemiological trends.

Global burden of hepatitis B attributable to modifiable risk factors from 1990 to 2019: a growing contribution and its association with socioeconomic status

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B is a global public health concern, and modifiable risk factors can accelerate progression of this disease. The burden of hepatitis B attributable to modifiable risk factors has not been well evaluated. We aimed to estimate the disease burden of hepatitis B attributable to tobacco, alcohol use, and a high body mass index (BMI) to guide lifestyle interventions in the management of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

RESULTS

In 2019, 33.73% of hepatitis B age-standardized deaths and 34.52% of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were attributable to tobacco, alcohol use, and a high BMI. The proportion showed an increasing trend that 28.23% of deaths and 27.56% of DALYs were attributable to the three modifiable risk factors in 1990. The hepatitis B burden attributable to modifiable risk factors was disparate across regions and countries. Countries with a low socioeconomic status have a high burden of hepatitis B owing to modifiable risk factors. Countries with a high-level sociodemographic index also had an increasing burden of hepatitis B attributable to a high BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Lifestyle interventions are warranted in hepatitis prevention strategies and plans of action. Countries with low and middle socioeconomic development should be prioritized, and countries with high socioeconomic development should be aware of the novel challenge of a high BMI-related disease burden.

Global Incidence, Risk Factors, and Temporal Trends of Mesothelioma: A Population-Based Study

INTRODUCTION

Mesothelioma is an uncommon type of cancer which has received little attention. This study aims to evaluate the global disease burden; trends of mesothelioma by age, sex, and geographic locations; and its risk factors on the population level.

METHODS

The Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Plus, and Global Burden of Disease were accessed for mesothelioma incidence and its risk factors worldwide. The associations between mesothelioma incidence and asbestos were evaluated for each country by multivariable linear regression analysis by sex and age. Average annual percentage change (AAPC) was calculated using Joinpoint regression to evaluate the epidemiologic trends of mesothelioma.

RESULTS

The age-standardized rate of mesothelioma was 0.30 per 100,000 persons with Northern Europe reporting the highest incidence rates. The incidence rate of the male population was much higher than that of the females. Countries with higher human development index (β = 0.119, confidence interval [CI]: 0.073-0.166, p < 0.001), gross domestic product per capita (β = 0.133, CI: 0.106-0.161, p < 0.001), and asbestos exposure (β = 0.087, CI: 0.073-0.102, p < 0.001) had higher mesothelioma. The overall trend of mesothelioma incidence was decreasing, although an increase was observed in Bulgaria (AAPC: 5.56, 95% CI: 2.94-8.24, p = 0.001) and Korea (AAPC: 3.24, 95% CI: 0.08-6.49, p = 0.045).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a substantial declining incidence trend of mesothelioma in the past decade possibly related to the restriction of the use of asbestos in some countries. Meanwhile, the increasing trend in mesothelioma incidence observed in females might be indicative of an increase in environmental exposure to mineral fibers.

Incidence and mortality of thyroid cancer in 50 countries: a joinpoint regression analysis of global trends

PURPOSE

To evaluate the incidence and mortality trend of thyroid cancer, and compare its global incidence trends among different countries by age group and sex.

METHODS

Data on age-standardized incidence and mortality rate of thyroid cancer among 50 countries were collected from the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Volume XI; the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER), the National Cancer Institute; the Nordic Cancer Registries (NORDCAN), and the WHO mortality database. The Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC) of the incidence and mortality trends was calculated by joinpoint regression analysis.

RESULTS

The age-standardized incidence of thyroid cancer was 3.1 and 10.1 cases per 100,000 persons in men and women, respectively. The incidence of thyroid cancer increased in most countries among individuals irrespective of age groups, and increased in populations aged <40 years in several countries, including Korea (male: AAPC 25.3, 95% C.I. 22.3-28.4, p < 0.001; female: AAPC 18.5, 95% C.I. 16.2-20.9, p < 0.001), Poland (male: AAPC 19.1, 95% C.I. 1.4-39.7, p = 0.036; female: AAPC 13.7, 95% C.I. 7.6-20.2), and China (male: AAPC 18.6, 95% C.I. 12.1-25.5, p < 0.001; female: AAPC 13.3, 95%C.I. 11.5-15.1, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

An increasing incidence of thyroid cancer was observed in younger subjects in a majority of countries, highlighting the need for more preventive strategies in this population and possible avoidance of over-diagnosis.

"Needed but lacked": Exploring demand- and supply-side determinants of access to cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for the lay public in China

Background

Despite years of public cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training efforts, the training rate and survival following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have increased modestly in China. Access is imperative to increase the public CPR training rate, which is determined by both demand- (e.g., the lay public) and supply-side (e.g., CPR trainers) factors. We aimed to explore the demand and supply determinants of access to CPR training for the lay public in China.

Methods

Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 77 laypeople (demand side) and eight key stakeholders from CPR training institutions (supply side) in Shanghai, China. The interview guide was informed by Levesque et al. healthcare access framework. Data were transcribed, quantified, described, and analyzed through thematic content analysis.

Results

On the demand side, the laypeople's ability to perceive their need and willingness for CPR training was strong. However, they failed to access CPR training mainly due to the lack of information on where to get trained. Overestimation of skills, optimism bias, and misconceptions impeded laypeople from attending training. On the supply side, trainers were able to meet the needs of the trainees with existing resources, but they relied on participants who actively sought out and registered for training and lacked an understanding of the needs of the public for marketing and encouraging participation in the training.

Conclusion

Insufficient information and lack of initiative on the demand side, lack of motivation, and understanding of public needs on the supply side all contributed to the persistently low CPR training rate in China. Suppliers should integrate resources, take the initiative to increase the CPR training rate, innovate training modes, expand correct publicity, and establish whole-process management of training programs.

Factors associated with weight gain during COVID-19 pandemic: A global study

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in changes in lifestyle habits and experiences of mental health outcomes, some of which were possibly related to weight gain, leading to an increase in the prevalence of obesity, which is associated with the development of several severe diseases. Concerns regarding weight gain and its impact on health outcomes are prevalent worldwide, with obesity being one of the highest causes of mortality in current society.

METHODS

A self-reported questionnaire collected data from participants aged 18 years of age and above from 26 countries and regions worldwide. Post-hoc multiple logistic regression analyses have been done to evaluate the association between demographic and socioeconomic factors, and the perspectives that were identified to be associated with weight gain.

RESULTS

Participants belonging to a younger age group; with a higher level of education; living in an urban area; living with family members; employed full-time; and had obesity were found to be more vulnerable to weight gain. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors, participants who were quarantined; exercised less prior to the pandemic; consumed unhealthy foods; and reported negative thoughts such as helplessness and the perceived risk of COVID-19, were more likely to experience weight gain; while negative thoughts such as having no means of control over the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic will have great personal effect were associated with females, students, and people living in the rural area.

CONCLUSIONS

Weight gain risk during the pandemic was significantly associated with certain socio-demographic and COVID-19 related factors. To improve public health outcomes, future research should conduct a longitudinal evaluation on the effects of COVID-19 experiences upon health choices. Streamlined mental support should also be provided to the vulnerable groups which were prone to negative thoughts that were associated with weight gain.

Inequities in ambulance allocation associated with transfer delay and mortality in acute coronary syndrome patients: evidence from 89 emergency medical stations in China

BACKGROUND

Allocation of healthcare resources has a great influence on treatment and outcome of patients. This study aimed to access the inequality of ambulance allocation across regions, and estimate the associations between ambulance density and pre-hospital transfer time and mortality of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) patients.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was based on an integrated database of electronic medical system for 3588 ACS patients from 31 hospitals, ambulance information of 89 emergency medical stations, and public geographical information of 8 districts in Shenzhen, China. The primary outcomes were the associations between ambulance allocation and transfer delay and in-hospital mortality of ACS patients. The Theil index and Gini coefficient were used to assess the fairness and inequality degree of ambulance allocation. Logistic regression was used to model the associations.

RESULTS

There was a significant inequality in ambulance allocation in Shenzhen (Theil index: 0.59), and the inequality of inter-districts (Theil index: 0.38) was greater than that of intra-districts (Theil index: 0.21). The gap degree of transfer delay, ambulance allocation, and mortality across districts resulted in a Gini coefficient of 0.35, 0.53, 0.65, respectively. Ambulance density was negatively associated with pre-hospital transfer time (OR = 0.79, 95%CI: 0.64,0.97, P = 0.026), with in-hospital mortality (OR = 0.31, 95%CI:0.14,0.70, P = 0.005). The ORs of Theil index in transfer time and in-hospital mortality were 1.09 (95%CI:1.01,1.10, P < 0.001) and 1.80 (95%CI:1.15,3.15, P = 0.009), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Regional inequities existed in ambulance allocation and has a significant impact on pre-hospital transfer delay and in-hospital mortality of ACS patients. It was suggested to increase the ambulance accessibility and conduct health education for public.

Quality of healthcare and admission rates for acute cardiac events during COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort study on ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction in China

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate changes in admission rates for and quality of healthcare of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) during the period of the COVID-19 outbreak and postoutbreak.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study among patients with STEMI in the outbreak time and the postoutbreak time.

DESIGN

To examine the changes in the admission rates and in quality of healthcare, by comparison between periods of the postoutbreak and the outbreak, and between the postoutbreak and the corresponding periods.

SETTING

Data for this analysis were included from patients discharge diagnosed with STEMI from all the hospitals of Suzhou in each month of the year until the end of July 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

1965 STEMI admissions.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the number of moecondary outcomnthly STEMI admissions, and the secondary outcomes were the quality metrics of STEMI healthcare.

RESULTS

There were a 53% and 38% fall in daily admissions at the phase of outbreak and postoutbreak, compared with the 2019 corresponding. There remained a gap in actual number of postoutbreak admissions at 306 and the predicted number at 497, an estimated 26 deaths due to STEMI would have been caused by not seeking healthcare. Postoutbreak period of 2020 compared with corresponding period of 2019, the percentage of cases transferred by ambulance decreased from 9.3% to 4.2% (p=0.013), the door-to-balloon median time increased from 17.5 to 34.0 min (p=0.001) and the rate of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) therapy declined from 71.3% to 60.1% (p=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The impact of public health restrictions may lead to unexpected out-of-hospital deaths and compromised quality of healthcare for acute cardiac events. Delay or absence in patients should be continuously considered avoiding the secondary disaster of the pandemic. System delay should be modifiable for reversing the worst clinical outcomes from the COVID-19 outbreak, by coordination measures with focus on the balance between timely PCI procedure and minimising contamination of cardiac catheterisation rooms.

Disparities in cardiovascular disease prevalence among middle-aged and older adults: Roles of socioeconomic position, social connection, and behavioral and physiological risk factors

Introduction

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of premature death globally and a major contributor to decreasing quality of life. In the present study, we investigated the contribution of social, behavioral, and physiological determinants of CVD and their different patterns among middle-aged and older adults.

Methods

We used harmonized data from 6 nationally representative individual-level longitudinal studies across 25 countries. We restricted the age to ≥50 years and defined cases as a self-reported history of CVD. The exposure variables were the demographic status (age and sex), socioeconomic position (education level, employment, and household income level), social connections (marital status and family size), behavioral factors (smoking, alcohol drinking, and frequency of moderate to vigorous physical activity), and physiological risk factors (obesity, presence of hypertension, and presence of diabetes). Mixed logistic regression models were fitted to investigate the associations, and dominance analysis was conducted to examine the relative contributions.

Results

In total, 413,203 observations were included in the final analysis, with the CVD prevalence ranging from 10.4% in Mexico to 28.8% in the United States. Physiological risk factors were the main driver of CVD prevalence with the highest dominance proportion, which was higher in developing countries (China, 57.5%; Mexico, 72.8%) than in developed regions (United States, England, 10 European countries, and South Korea). Socioeconomic position and behavioral factors also highly contributed but were less significant in developing countries than in developed regions. The relative contribution of socioeconomic position ranged from 9.4% in Mexico to 23.4% in the United States, and that of behavioral factors ranged from 5.7% in Mexico to 26.1% in England.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated the different patterns of determinant contributions to CVD prevalence across developing and developed countries. With the challenges produced by different risk factors, the implementation of tailored prevention and control strategies will likely narrow disparities in the CVD prevalence by promoting health management and enhancing the capacity of health systems across different countries.

Global trends and regional differences in the burden of cancer attributable to secondhand smoke in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019

Background

To describe the status quo and trends in the global burden of all cancers caused by secondhand smoke during 1990–2019.

Methods

Data on cancer associated with secondhand smoke were extracted from the Global Heath Data Exchange. Cancer burden was measured by cancer-related deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and years of life lost (YLLs).

Results

In 2019, age-standardized rates of death, DALYs and YLLs among the cancer population globally caused by secondhand smoke were 1.60, 38.54 and 37.77, respectively. The proportions of these in the total cancer burden for all risk factors combined decreased slightly from 1990 to 2003 and then increased from 2004 to 2019. In 2019, >50% of the cancer burden was concentrated in men aged 55–75 years and women aged 50–70 years. Between 1990 and 2019, there was an increase in age-standardized rates of death, DALYs, YLDs and YLLs among those aged ≥70 years. The age-standardized YLDs rate attributable to secondhand smoke was higher among women; it decreased in men but increased in women, causing a wider gap between the sexes. A greater cancer burden was mainly seen in North America in 1990 and Europe in 2019. Reductions in the annual rate change of cancer burden were found mainly in North America and Oceania, while increases were found in Africa and Asia. In 2019, high–middle- and middle-SDI countries had higher age-standardized rates of deaths, DALYs, YLDs and YLLs than the global level. During 1990 and 2019, the largest decline in cancer burden was seen in high-SDI countries, while middle- or low-SDI countries experienced increases in all age-standardized rates.

Conclusions

Cancer burden attributable to secondhand smoke is concerning given the increasing health loss and differences in distribution of cancer burden worldwide. Further studies are needed to investigate the causes of disparities in cancer burden attributable to secondhand smoke and to improve understanding of the contribution of secondhand smoke to the burden of different types of cancer.

The epidemiological landscape of multiple myeloma: a global cancer registry estimate of disease burden, risk factors, and temporal trends

BACKGROUND

Multiple myeloma accounted for 176 404 (14%) of 1 278 362 the incidence cases leukaemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma in 2020. Identifying its geographical distribution, risk factors, and epidemiological trends could help identify high-risk population groups. We aimed to examine the worldwide incidence, mortality, associated risk factors, and temporal trends of multiple myeloma by sex, age, and geographical region.

METHODS

The incidence and mortality of multiple myeloma were extracted from Global Cancer Observatory (2020), Cancer Incidence in Five Continents, WHO mortality database, Nordic Cancer Registries, and Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (1980-2019). The WHO Global Health Observatory data repository was searched for the age-standardised prevalence of lifestyle and metabolic risk factors (2010). Associations with risk factors were examined by multivariable regression. The temporal trends were evaluated by average annual percentage change (AAPC) using joinpoint regression.

FINDINGS

The age-standardised rate (ASR) of multiple myeloma incidence was 1·78 (95% UI 1·69-1·87) per 100 000 people globally and mortality was 1·14 (95% UI 1·07-1·21) per 100 000 people globally in 2020. Increased incidence and mortality were associated with higher human development index, gross domestics product, prevalence of physical inactivity, overweight, obesity, and diabetes. Australia and New Zealand (ASR 4·86 [4·66-5·07]), northern America (4·74 [4·69-4·79]), and northern Europe (3·82 [3·71-3·93]) reported the highest incidence. The lowest incidences were observed in western Africa (0·81 [0·39-1·66]), Melanesia (0·87 [0·55-1·37]), and southeastern Asia (0·96 [0·73-1·27]). Overall, more countries had an increase in incidence, especially in men aged 50 years or older. The countries with the highest incidence increase in men older than 50 years were Germany (AAPC 6·71 [95% CI 0·75-13·02] p=0·027), Denmark (3·93 [2·44-5·45] p=0·00027), and South Korea (3·25 [0·69-5·88] p=0·019). For women aged 50 years or older, Faroe Islands (21·01 [2·15-43·34] p=0·032), Denmark (4·70 [1·68-7·82], p=0·0068), and Israel (2·57 [0·74-4·43] p=0·012) reported the greatest increases. Overall, there was a decreasing trend for multiple myeloma mortality. The highest mortality was observed in Polynesia (ASR 2·69 [0·74-9·81]), followed by Australia and New Zealand (1·84 [1·73-1·96]) and northern Europe (1·80 [1·73-1·88]). The lowest mortalities were reported in southeastern Asia (ASR 0·82 [0·62-1·09]), eastern Asia (0·76 [0·71-0·81]), and Melanesia (0·73 [0·61-0·87]). Men (1·41 [1·29-1·53]) were found to have mortality higher than women (0·93 [0·85-1·02]).

INTERPRETATION

There was an increasing trend of multiple myeloma incidence globally, particularly in men, people aged 50 years or older, and those from high-income countries. The overall decreasing global trend of multiple myeloma mortality was more evident in women. Lifestyle habits, diagnosis capacity, and treatment availability should be improved to control the increasing trends of multiple myeloma in high-risk populations. Future studies should explore the reasons behind these epidemiological transitions.

FUNDING

None.

Disease Burden, Risk Factors, and Trends of Leukaemia: A Global Analysis

Leukaemia accounted for approximately 2.5% of all new cancer incidence and 3.1% of cancer-related mortality. The investigation of its risk factors and epidemiologic trends could help describe the geographical distribution and identify high-risk population groups. This study aimed to evaluate the global incidence, mortality, associated risk factors, and temporal trends of leukaemia by sex, age, and country. We extracted incidence and mortality of leukaemia from GLOBOCAN, CI5, WHO mortality database, NORDCAN, and SEER. We searched the WHO Global Health Observatory data repository for the age-standardised prevalence of lifestyle and metabolic risk factors. We tested the trends by calculating Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) from Joinpoint regression. The age-standardized rate of incidence and mortality were 5.4 and 3.3 per 100,000 globally. The incidence and mortality of leukaemia were associated with Human Development Index, Gross Domestics Products per capita, prevalence of smoking, physical activity, overweight, obesity, and hypercholesterolaemia at the country level. Overall, more countries were showing decreasing trends than increasing trends in incidence and mortality. However, an increasing trend of leukaemia incidence was found in Germany, Korea, Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom (AAPC, 2.32-0.98) while its mortality increased in the Philippines, Ecuador, Belarus, and Thailand (AAPC, 2.49-1.23). There was a decreasing trend of leukaemia for the past decade while an increase in incidence and mortality was observed in some populations. More intensive lifestyle modifications should be implemented to control the increasing trends of leukaemia in regions with these trends. Future studies may explore the reasons behind these epidemiological transitions.

Worldwide Distribution, Risk Factors, and Temporal Trends of Testicular Cancer Incidence and Mortality: A Global Analysis

BACKGROUND

Testicular cancer is a common malignancy among young males in western countries.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the global disease burden and trends of testicular cancer incidence and mortality by age and country, and their associations with human development index (HDI), gross domestic product (GDP), lifestyle habits, and metabolic risk factors.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

We retrieved the Global Cancer Observatory database for the testicular cancer incidence and mortality in 2020; the World Bank for GDP per capita; the United Nations for HDI; the WHO Global Health Observatory for prevalence of smoking and alcohol drinking; and the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents, WHO mortality database, Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results programme and Nordic Cancer Registries (NORDCAN) for trend analysis.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

We presented the testicular cancer incidence and mortality using age-standardised rates. We examined their associations with HDI, GDP, smoking, alcohol drinking, physical inactivity, overweight, obesity, and medical conditions including diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolaemia by linear regression. We estimated the 10-yr trend of incidence and mortality by joinpoint regression with average annual percentage change with 95% confidence intervals in different age groups.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

There was a wide variation in the testicular cancer burden with the highest mortality found in low-income countries, and the regions of Central America and South America, while the highest incidence was observed in high-income countries, especially in Western and Northern Europe. We found a positive association for HDI, GDP, alcohol drinking, inactivity, overweight, obesity, and hypercholesterolaemia with testicular cancer incidence, while a negative correlation was observed between GDP and mortality of testicular cancer. Globally, there was an overall increasing incidence trend of testicular cancer for the past decade, particularly in younger males; the mortality trends of testicular cancer were relatively stable. However, we did not analyse the trend of different stages and subtypes of testicular cancer due to data unavailability.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a global variation in the testicular cancer burden associated with HDI, GDP, alcohol drinking, inactivity, overweight, obesity, and hypercholesterolaemia. Testicular cancer had an increasing incidence but decreasing mortality. The increasing testicular cancer incidence in the younger population is of concern and calls for early detection and preventive interventions.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Globally, testicular cancer incidence had been increasing particularly in the younger population, although its deaths rates had been decreasing. Socioeconomic indices, alcohol drinking, inactivity, overweight, obesity, and high plasma lipid levels are associated with testicular cancer incidence and mortality.

Barriers and enablers in the implementation of a quality improvement program for acute coronary syndromes in hospitals: a qualitative analysis using the consolidated framework for implementation research

Background

Ischemic heart disease causes a high disease burden globally and numerous challenges in treatment, particularly in developing countries such as China. The National Chest Pain Centers Program (NCPCP) was launched in China as the first nationwide, hospital-based, comprehensive, continuous quality improvement (QI) program to improve early diagnosis and standardized treatment of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and improve patients’ clinical outcomes. With implementation and scaling up of the NCPCP, we investigated barriers and enablers in the NCPCP implementation process and provided examples and ideas for overcoming such barriers.

Methods

We conducted a nationally representative survey in six cities in China. A total of 165 key informant interviewees, including directors and coordinators of chest pain centers (CPCs) in 90 hospitals, participated in semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, translated into English, and analyzed in NVivo 12.0. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to guide the codes and themes.

Results

Barriers to NCPCP implementation mainly arose from nine CFIR constructs. Barriers included the complexity of the intervention (complexity), low flexibility of requirements (adaptability), a lack of recognition of chest pain in patients with ACS (patient needs and resources), relatively low government support (external policies and incentives), staff mobility in the emergency department and other related departments (structural characteristics), resistance from related departments (networks and communications), overwhelming tasks for CPC coordinators (compatibility), lack of available resources for regular CPC operations (available resources), and fidelity to and sustainability of intervention implementation (executing). Enablers of intervention implementation were inner motivation for change (intervention sources), evidence strength and quality of intervention, relatively low cost (cost), individual knowledge and beliefs regarding the intervention, pressure from other hospitals (peer pressure), incentives and rewards of the intervention, and involvement of hospital leaders (leadership engagement, engaging).

Conclusion

Simplifying the intervention to adapt routine tasks for medical staff and optimizing operational mechanisms between the prehospital emergency system and in-hospital treatment system with government support, as well as enhancing emergency awareness among patients with chest pain are critically important to NCPCP implementation. Clarifying and addressing these barriers is key to designing a sustainable QI program for acute cardiovascular diseases in China and similar contexts across developing countries worldwide.

Trial registration

This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR 2100043319), registered 10 February 2021.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13012-022-01207-6.

Incidence, mortality, risk factors, and trends for Hodgkin lymphoma: a global data analysis

Background

Hodgkin lymphoma is a lymphatic malignancy commonly found in cervical lymph nodes. This study evaluated the worldwide incidence, mortality, associated risk factors, and temporal trends of Hodgkin lymphoma by sex, age, and country.

Methods

The age-standardised Hodgkin lymphoma incidence and mortality were retrieved from the GLOBOCAN, CI5 volumes I-XI, WHO mortality database, the NORDCAN and SEER Program. The age-standardised prevalence of smoking, alcohol drinking, obesity, and hypertension was also extracted for each country. Trends were tested using Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) from Joinpoint regression analysis.

Results

The Hodgkin lymphoma incidence and mortality were 0.98 and 0.26 per 100,000 in 2020. A higher incidence was observed in high-income countries, while higher mortality was found in low-income countries. Incidence and mortality were associated with GDP per capita, prevalence of smoking, obesity, and hypertension at the population level. Despite the decreasing mortality trend, there was an increasing incidence, especially among females, younger population, and subjects from Asian countries.

Conclusions

There was an increasing trend in Hodgkin lymphoma incidence, especially among subjects who were female, younger population, and from Asian countries. Further studies are needed to investigate the reasons for these epidemiologic trends.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13045-022-01281-9.

Distribution, Risk Factors, and Temporal Trends for Lung Cancer Incidence and Mortality: A Global Analysis

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer ranks second for cancer incidence and first for cancer mortality. Investigation into its risk factors and epidemiologic trends could help describe geographical distribution and identify high-risk population groups.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What is the global incidence, mortality, associated risk factors, and temporal trends of lung cancer by sex, age, and country?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Data on incidence and mortality were retrieved from the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), Cancer Incidence in Five Continents series I-X, World Health Organization (WHO) mortality database, the Nordic Cancer Registries (NORDCAN), and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER). We searched the WHO Global Health Observatory data repository for age-adjusted prevalence of current smoking. The Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) of the trends were obtained by Joinpoint Regression.

RESULTS

The age-standardized rate of incidence and mortality were 22.4 and 18.0 per 100,000 globally. The lung cancer incidence and mortality were associated with Human Development Index (HDI), Gross Domestic Products (GDP), and prevalence of smoking. For incidence, more countries had increasing trends in females but decreasing trends in males (AAPC, 1.06 to 6.43 for female; -3.53 to -0.64 for male). A similar pattern was found in those 50 years or older, whereas those aged younger than 50 years had declining incidence trends in both sexes in most countries. For mortality, similar to incidence, 17 of 48 countries showed decreasing trends in males and increasing trends in females (AAPC, -3.28 to -1.32 for male, 0.63 to 3.96 for female).

INTERPRETATION

Most countries had increasing trends in females but decreasing trends in males and in lung cancer incidence and mortality. Tobacco related measures and early cancer detection should be implemented to control the increasing trends of lung cancer in females, and in regions identified as having these trends. Future studies may explore the reasons behind these epidemiological transitions.

Factors Associated With Medical Staff's Engagement and Perception of a Quality Improvement Program for Acute Coronary Syndromes in Hospitals: A Nationally Representative Mixed-Methods Study in China

Background Medical staff represent critical stakeholders in the process of implementing a quality improvement (QI) program. Few studies, however, have examined factors that influence medical staff engagement and perception regarding QI programs. Methods and Results We conducted a nationally representative survey of a QI program in 6 cities in China. Quantitative data were analyzed using multilevel mixed-effects linear regression models, and qualitative data were analyzed using the framework method. The engagement of medical staff was significantly related to knowledge scores regarding the specific content of chest pain center accreditation (β=0.42; 95% CI, 0.27-0.57). Higher scores for inner motivation (odds ratio [OR], 1.79; 95% CI, 1.18-2.72) and resource support (OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.02-2.24) and lower scores for implementation barriers (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.67-0.98) were associated with improved treatment behaviors among medical staff. Resource support (OR, 4.52; 95% CI, 2.99-6.84) and lower complexity (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.65-1.00) had positive effects on medical staff satisfaction, and respondents with improved treatment behaviors were more satisfied with the QI program. Similar findings were found for factors that influenced medical staff's assessment of QI program sustainability. The qualitative analysis further confirmed and supplemented the findings of quantitative analysis. Conclusions Clarifying and addressing factors associated with medical staff's engagement and perception of QI programs will allow further improvements in quality of care for patients with acute coronary syndrome. These findings may also be applicable to other QI programs in China and other low- and middle-income countries. Registration URL: https://www.chictr.org.cn/; Unique identifier: Chi-CTR2100043319.

Quantity and Quality of Healthcare Professionals, Transfer Delay and In-hospital Mortality Among ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Mixed-Method Cross-Sectional Study of 89 Emergency Medical Stations in China

Background

Transfer delay provokes prolongation of prehospital time, which contributes to treatment delay that endangers patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). A key constraint in reducing transfer delay is the shortage of emergency healthcare workers. This study was to explore the influence of the quality and quantity of healthcare professionals at emergency medical stations on transfer delay and in-hospital mortality among STEMI patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using mixed methods was conducted at 89 emergency stations in 9 districts in China's Shenzhen province. Based on a sample of 31 hospitals, 1,255 healthcare professionals, and 3,131 patients with STEMI, a generalized linear model was used to explore the associations between the quality and quantity of healthcare professionals and transfer delay and in-hospital mortality among STEMI patients. Qualitative data were collected and analyzed to explore the reasons for the lack of qualified healthcare professionals at emergency medical stations.

Results

The analysis of the quantity of healthcare professionals showed that an increase of one physician per 100,000 individuals was associated with decreased transfer delay for patients with STEMI by 5.087 min (95% CI −6.722, −3.452; P &lt; 0.001). An increase of one nurse per 100,000 individuals was associated with decreased transfer delay by 1.471 min (95% CI −2.943, 0.002; P=0.050). Analysis of the quality of healthcare professionals showed that an increase of one physician with an undergraduate degree per 100,000 individuals was associated with decreased transfer delay for patients with STEMI by 8.508 min (95% CI −10.457, −6.558; P &lt; 0.001). An increase of one nurse with an undergraduate degree per 100,000 individuals was associated with decreased transfer delay by 6.645 min (95% CI −8.218, −5.072; P &lt; 0.001). Qualitative analysis illustrated that the main reasons for low satisfaction of healthcare professionals at emergency medical stations included low income, limited promotion opportunities, and poor working environment.

Conclusions

The quantity and quality of emergency healthcare professionals are key factors influencing transfer delay in STEMI patients. The government should increase the quantity of healthcare professionals at emergency medical stations, strengthen the training, and improve their performance by linking with clinical pathways to enhance job enthusiasm among emergency healthcare professionals.

Shared Genetic Architecture and Causal Relationship Between Asthma and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Large-Scale Cross-Trait Analysis

Background: Accumulating evidence has suggested that there is a positive association between asthma and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), implying a common architecture between them. However, the shared genetic architecture and causality of asthma and CVDs remain unclear.

Methods: Based on the genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics of recently published studies, our study examined the genetic correlation, shared genetic variants, and causal relationship between asthma (N = 127,669) and CVDs (N = 86,995–521,612). Statistical methods included high-definition likelihood (HDL), cross-trait meta-analyses of large-scale GWAS, transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS), and Mendelian randomization (MR).

Results: First, we observed a significant genetic correlation between asthma and heart failure (HF) (Rg = 0.278, P = 5 × 10⁻⁴). Through cross-trait analyses, we identified a total of 145 shared loci between asthma and HF. Fifteen novel loci were not previously reported for association with either asthma or HF. Second, we mapped these 145 loci to a total of 99 genes whose expressions are enriched in a broad spectrum of tissues, including the seminal vesicle, tonsil, appendix, spleen, skin, lymph nodes, breast, cervix and uterus, skeletal muscle, small intestine, lung, prostate, cardiac muscle, and liver. TWAS analysis identified five significant genes shared between asthma and HF in tissues from the hemic and immune system, digestive system, integumentary system, and nervous system. GSDMA, GSDMB, and ORMDL3 are statistically independent genetic effects from all shared TWAS genes between asthma and HF. Third, through MR analysis, genetic liability to asthma was significantly associated with heart failure at the Bonferroni-corrected significance level. The odds ratio (OR) is 1.07 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–1.12; p = 1.31 × 10⁻³] per one-unit increase in log_e odds of asthma.

Conclusion: These findings provide strong evidence of genetic correlations and causal relationship between asthma and HF, suggesting a shared genetic architecture for these two diseases.

Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Asian Countries: A Trend Analysis

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the updated burden and temporal trends of cancer incidence and mortality in Asian countries.

Methodology

The data used in this study were retrieved from the Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer Incidence in Five Continents volumes I-XI, and the World Health Organization mortality database. These data were used to calculate the Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC), with a 95% confidence interval (CI) by joinpoint regression analysis to determine the epidemiological trend in the past decade.

Results

In 2020, the cancer incidence in Asia was 169.1 per 1 00 000, accounting for 49.3% of the global cancer incidence. The most common cancers included lung (13.8%), breast (10.8%) and colorectal (10.6%) cancers. Its mortality was 101.6 per 1 00 000 (58.3% of the global cancer death) with lung (19.2%), liver (10.5%) and stomach (9.9%) cancers being the most common causes of cancer death. The cancer incidence had been increasing in female population, with Korea (AAPC = 5.73, 95% CI [5.30, 6.17], P < .001), Japan (AAPC = 2.67, 95% CI [2.12, 3.23], P < .001) and Kuwait (AAPC = 2.08, 95% CI [.49, 3.69], P = .016) showing the most significant increases in the past decade. The incidence increase was also observed among population aged <40 years old, with Korea (female AAPC = 8.42, 95% CI [7.40, 9.45], P < .001; male AAPC = 5.28, 95% CI [4.23, 6.33], P <.001), China (female AAPC = 2.94, 95% CI [2.07, 3.81], P < .001; male AAPC = 1.37, 95% CI [.57, 2.18], P = .004) and Japan (female AAPC = 2.88, 95% CI [1.88, 3.88], P = .016; male AAPC = 1.59, 95% CI [.40, 2.78], P = .015) showing the most significant increases. However, there was an overall decreasing trend of cancer mortality.

Conclusions

There was a substantial burden of cancer incidence and mortality in Asia. Although there was a decreasing trend in cancer mortality, its incidence had been increasing especially among female and younger populations. Future studies could be done to further investigate the potential reasons for these epidemiologic trends.

PAGEANT: personal access to genome and analysis of natural traits

GWASs have identified numerous genetic variants associated with a wide variety of diseases, yet despite the wide availability of genetic testing the insights that would enhance the interpretability of these results are not widely available to members of the public. As a proof of concept and demonstration of technological feasibility, we developed PAGEANT (Personal Access to Genome & Analysis of Natural Traits), usable through Graphical User Interface or command line-based version, aiming to serve as a protocol and prototype that guides the overarching design of genetic reporting tools. PAGEANT is structured across five core modules, summarized by five Qs: (i) quality assurance of the genetic data; (ii) qualitative assessment of genetic characteristics; (iii) quantitative assessment of health risk susceptibility based on polygenic risk scores and population reference; (iv) query of third-party variant databases (e.g. ClinVAR and PharmGKB) and (v) quick Response code of genetic variants of interest. Literature review was conducted to compare PAGEANT with academic and industry tools. For 2504 genomes made publicly available through the 1000 Genomes Project, we derived their genomic characteristics for a suite of qualitative and quantitative traits. One exemplary trait is susceptibility to COVID-19, based on the most up-to-date scientific findings reported.

Socioeconomic status and depressive symptoms in older people with the mediation role of social support: A population-based longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Depressive symptoms has become an increasingly important public health issue, contributing to disability and disease burden around the world. Higher socioeconomic status (SES) has been found to be associated with lower prevalence of depression, but there are few studies about the older Chinese adults with long-term follow up and rigorous prospective design. Meanwhile, there is little conclusive evidence about the mechanisms through which SES influences the onset of depressive symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively examine the association of baseline socioeconomic factors with the risks of developing depressive symptoms during 7-year follow up in older Chinese population, and to study the mechanism by which SES impacts the prevalence of depressive symptoms.

METHODS

A total of 5677 individuals over 45 years who participated in an ongoing nationally representative prospective cohort study, China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, were free from depressive symptoms at baseline, and completed 7-year follow-up were included. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale score. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the association of SES and the incidence of depressive symptoms in 2011 to 2018. Generalized structural equation model was used to analyze the mediation effects of social support on the relation between SES and depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

During the 7-year follow-up, 2398 (42.2%) cases were identified as depressive symptoms. Compared with the lowest level of household income, participants with the highest level of household income had a 20% reduction in risk (95% CI, 0.70-0.92, P < 0.001). Participants who had junior high school or above education had a 41% lower risk of depressive disorders compared with illiterate participants (95% CI, 0.52-0.69, P < 0.001). The relationship between SES and depressive symptoms was partially mediated by the social support, where higher social support was negatively associated with depressive symptoms. The proportion of mediation effect was even larger for women compared with men.

CONCLUSION

Socioeconomic factors were independently associated with the development of depressive symptoms, and the relationship was partially mediated by social support. Social support could be an effective intervention to alleviate the negative effects of lower SES on mental health. Multiple-level policies should precisely target low-SES groups, and timely intervention to promote social support for this group should be used to reduce the influence of depression on individuals, family as well as the whole society.

Health priority-setting for official development assistance in low-income and middle-income countries: a Best Fit Framework Synthesis study with primary data from Ethiopia, Nigeria and Tanzania

BACKGROUND

Decision making process for Official Development Assistance (ODA) for healthcare sector in low-income and middle-income countries involves multiple agencies, each with their unique power, priorities and funding mechanisms. This process at country level has not been well studied.

METHODS

This paper developed and applied a new framework to analyze decision-making process for priority setting in Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tanzania, and collected primary data to validate and refine the model. The framework was developed following a scoping review of published literature. Interviews were then conducted using a pre-determined interview guide developed by the research team. Transcripts were reviewed and coded based on the framework to identify what principles, players, processes, and products were considered during priority setting. Those elements were further used to identify where the potential capacity of local decision-makers could be harnessed.

RESULTS

A framework was developed based on 40 articles selected from 6860 distinct search records. Twenty-one interviews were conducted in three case countries from 12 institutions. Transcripts or meeting notes were analyzed to identify common practices and specific challenges faced by each country. We found that multiple stakeholders working around one national plan was the preferred approach used for priority setting in the countries studied.

CONCLUSIONS

Priority setting process can be further strengthened through better use of analytical tools, such as the one described in our study, to enhance local ownership of priority setting for ODA and improve aid effectiveness.

Global distribution, risk factors, and recent trends for cervical cancer: A worldwide country-level analysis

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the most updated worldwide distribution, risk factors, and temporal trends of cervical cancer for different countries and age groups.

METHODS

The Global Cancer Observatory database was retrieved for the age-standardized rates (ASRs, per 100,000 persons) for incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in 2018. The associations with risk factors were examined by multivariable regression analysis, adjusting for human development index (HDI) and gross domestic products (GDP) per capita. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to calculate the 10-year annual average percent change (AAPC) for incidence and mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 568,847 new cases (ASR, 13.1) and 311,365 deaths (ASR, 6.9) of cervical cancer were reported globally in 2018. The highest incidence and mortality were observed in Southern Africa (ASRs, 43.1 and 20.0) and countries with low HDI (ASRs, 29.8 and 23.0). Countries with higher incidence and mortality had lower HDI (β = -8.19, 95% CI -11.32 to -5.06, p < 0.001; β = -7.66, CI -9.82 to -5.50; p < 0.001) but higher alcohol consumption (β = 1.89, 95% CI 0.59 to 3.19, p = 0.005; β = 0.98, CI 0.08 to 1.88; p = 0.033). An increasing trend of incidence was also observed in younger populations, with Cyprus (AAPC, 6.96), Sweden (AAPC, 4.88), and Norway (AAPC, 3.80) showing the most prominent.

CONCLUSIONS

The burden of cervical cancer was highest in regions with low and medium HDI and was associated with higher prevalence of alcohol consumption. There was an overall decreasing burden of cervical cancer; however, an increase in incidence and mortality was observed in some populations. More intensive preventive strategies are recommended for these populations.

Short-Term Association of Air Pollutant Levels and Hospital Admissions for Stroke and Effect Modification by Apparent Temperature: Evidence From Shanghai, China

The epidemiological evidence on relationships between air pollution, temperature, and stroke remains inconclusive. Limited evidence is available for the effect modification by apparent temperature, an indicator reflecting reactions to the thermal environment, on short-term associations between air pollution and hospital admissions for stroke. We used a generalized additive model with Poisson regression to estimate the relative risk (RR) of stroke admissions in Shanghai, China, between 2014 and 2016 associated with air pollutants, with subgroup analyses by age, sex, apparent temperature, and season. During the study period, changes in the daily number of stroke admissions per 10 μg/m³ increase in nitrogen dioxide (at lags 0, 1, 0–1, and 0–2) ranged from 1.05 (95% CI: 0.82%, 2.88%) to 2.24% (95% CI: 0.84%, 3.65%). For each 10 μg/m³ increase in sulfur dioxide concentrations at lags 1, 2, 0–1, and 0–2, the RR of daily stroke admissions increased by 3.34 (95% CI: 0.955%, 5.79%), 0.32 (95% CI: −1.97%, 2.67%), 3.33 (95% CI: 0.38%, 6.37%), and 2.86% (95% CI: −0.45%, 6.28%), respectively. The associations of same-day exposure to nitrogen dioxide with stroke admissions remained significant after adjustment for ozone levels. These associations were not modified by sex, age, apparent temperature, or season. More research is warranted to determine whether apparent temperature modifies the associations between air pollution and stroke admissions.

Global Gender Disparities in Premature Death from Cardiovascular Disease, and Their Associations with Country Capacity for Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control

This study aimed to describe the prevalence of gender disparity in cardiovascular disease and explore its association with a country’s capacity for controlling noncommunicable diseases. Study data were extracted from the Global Health Estimates, and the Noncommunicable Disease Country Capacity Survey. Age-standardized premature death rates from cardiovascular disease, defined as any death occurring from ages 30 to 70 years, were calculated. Univariate and multivariate general linear regression models were fitted to estimate the correlations between gender disparity and country capacity for noncommunicable disease control. Globally, the premature death rate from cardiovascular diseases was 35.6% higher among men than women in 2000, and the figure hardly changed from 2000 to 2016. The highest gender differences were observed in Europe and high-income countries. The existence of dedicated and multisectoral noncommunicable disease governance bodies and the availability of cardiovascular disease stratification in primary healthcare facilities were positively correlated with gender differences. Conclusively, gender disparities in premature death rates from cardiovascular diseases differed with economic conditions and across geographic regions, with higher relative differences observed in more developed countries. The effects of existing control measures may have plateaued in men but are ongoing among women, especially in more developed countries, widening the gender disparity.

Economic burden of comorbid chronic conditions among survivors of stroke in China: 10-year longitudinal study

Background

The coexistence of chronic diseases among people with stroke is common. However, little is known about the extent of incremental healthcare expenditures associated with having physically and psychologically chronic conditions among stroke survivors.

Methods

We used the nationally representative data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, including 36,076 participants enrolled as our analytic cohort of ten years of follow-up visits (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015). Chronic conditions include hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and impaired cognitive function. Two-part models were used to estimate the effect of comorbid chronic conditions on total annual healthcare expenditure, out-of-pocket (OOP) healthcare expenditure, and incidence of catastrophic healthcare expenditure (CHE).

Results

Among survivors of stroke during 2006 to 2015, the prevalence rates of hypertension, diabetes, obesity and impaired cognitive function were 75.5, 9.8, 12.7 and 65.1%, significantly higher than those among adults without stroke history (27.9, 2.7, 10.0 and 41.2%). Having hypertension ($794.5, p = 0.004), diabetes ($3978.5, p < 0.001) were associated with the largest incremental total healthcare expenditures. Stroke survivors with diagnosed hypertension and diabetes had additional 5.7 (p < 0.001) and 10.4 (p < 0.001) percentage point of CHE rate, respectively. Total healthcare expenditures were $2413.0 (P < 0.001) and $5151.7 (P < 0.001) higher among patients with 2, and ≥ 3 chronic conditions, respectively, than those individuals with no chronic conditions.

Conclusions

Excess expenditures associated with chronic diseases were substantial among stroke survivors. These results highlight the needs for both prevention and better management of multimorbidity among stroke survivors, which in turn may lower the financial burden of treating these concurrent comorbidities.

Worldwide distribution, associated factors, and trends of gallbladder cancer: A global country-level analysis

This study aimed to evaluate the global distribution, associated factors, and epidemiologic trends of gallbladder cancer (GBC) by country, sex, and age groups. The Global Cancer Observatory was interrogated for the disease burden of GBC using age-standardized rates (ASR). The prevalence of different potential risk factors for each country was extracted from Global Health Observatory and their associations with GBC incidence and mortality were examined by linear regression analysis using beta coefficients (β). The Cancer Incidence in Five Continents I-XI and the WHO Mortality database were searched and Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC) was generated from joinpoint regression analysis. The incidence (ASR = 2.3) and mortality (ASR = 1.7) of GBC varied globally in 2018 and were higher in more developed countries and among females. Countries with higher incidence had higher human development index (βmale = 0.37; βfemale = 0.27), gross domestic products (βmale = 0.13) and higher prevalence of current smoking (βfemale = 0.05), overweight (βmale = 0.02), obesity (βmale = 0.03), and hypercholesterolaemia (βmale = 0.07). Similar patterns of associations were also observed for mortality with an additional association found for diabetes (βfemale = 0.07). Although there was an overall decreasing trend in mortality, an increasing trend in incidence was observed among some populations, particularly in males (AAPCs, 8.97 to 1.92) and in younger individuals aged <50 years (AAPCs, 12.02 to 5.66). The incidence of GBC varied between countries and was related to differences in the prevalence of potential risk factors. There was an increasing incidence trend among males and younger individuals. More intensive lifestyle modifications and disease surveillance are recommended for these populations.

Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination among Low-, Middle-, and High-Income Countries: The Mediating Role of Vaccination Policy

Inequity in the access to and deployment of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines has brought about great challenges in terms of resolving the pandemic. Aiming to analyze the association between country income level and COVID-19 vaccination coverage and explore the mediating role of vaccination policy, we conducted a cross-sectional ecological study. The dependent variable was COVID-19 vaccination coverage in 138 countries as of May 31, 2021. A single-mediator model based on structural equation modeling was developed to analyze mediation effects in different country income groups. Compared with high-income countries, upper-middle- (β = -1.44, 95% CI: -1.86--1.02, p < 0.001), lower-middle- (β = -2.24, 95% CI: -2.67--1.82, p < 0.001), and low- (β = -4.05, 95% CI: -4.59--3.51, p < 0.001) income countries had lower vaccination coverage. Vaccination policies mediated 14.6% and 15.6% of the effect in upper-middle- (β = -0.21, 95% CI: -0.39--0.03, p = 0.020) and lower-middle- (β = -0.35, 95% CI: -0.56--0.13, p = 0.002) income countries, respectively, whereas the mediation effect was not significant in low-income countries (β = -0.21, 95% CI: -0.43-0.01, p = 0.062). The results were similar after adjusting for demographic structure and underlying health conditions. Income disparity remains an important cause of vaccine inequity, and the tendency toward "vaccine nationalism" restricts the functioning of the global vaccine allocation framework. Stronger mechanisms are needed to foster countries' political will to promote vaccine equity.