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        <title>International Journal of Public Health | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for International Journal of Public Health | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
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        <pubDate>2026-09-07T07:08:08.278+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610237</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610237</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Armed conflict: the “perfect storm” for One Health]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-04T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Commentary</category>
        <author>Oliver Razum</author><author>Jonas Rickermann</author><author>Andrea Sylvia Winkler</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610222</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610222</link>
        <title><![CDATA[The limits of awareness campaigns: persistent age-disparate relationships in KwaZulu-Natal more than a decade after the 2012 sugar daddies destroy lives campaign]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-03T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Commentary</category>
        <author>Sbonelo Charles Chamane</author><author>Lehlogonolo Makola</author><author>Sean Jooste</author><author>Sinothando Dlamini</author><author>Sizulu Moyo</author><author>Nompumelelo Zungu</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609855</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609855</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Biomonitoring of urban ultrafine particle exposure and associated health effects]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-01T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Elizabeth Miriam Fireman</author><author>Einat Fireman Klein</author><author>Mor Dabach</author><author>Emilia Hardak</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectiveTo assess the health impact of industrial and urban air pollution in the Haifa Bay area using biological monitoring of micro- and ultrafine particles (UFPs), and to examine their associations with functional, inflammatory, and clinical outcomes.MethodsThe study included 99 hospital staff members: 50 from Bnai Zion Medical Center in the Haifa Bay area and 49 from Tel Aviv Medical Center as controls. Participants underwent spirometry, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurement, exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and saliva collection, and completed a health questionnaire. Assessments were repeated after 1 year. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify homogeneous subgroups based on biological and clinical parameters.ResultsLCA identified a cluster characterized by higher body mass index, increased UFP concentrations in EBC, and elevated salivary LDH-calcium levels. This cluster consisted predominantly of participants from Haifa and showed higher salivary lymphocyte counts. Participants in this subgroup also reported more frequent respiratory symptoms, including cough, sputum production, and atopic complaints.ConclusionBiological monitoring of nanosized particles may provide early indicators of adverse health effects associated with urban-industrial air pollution exposure.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609739</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609739</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Threats and harassment of public health officials in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from the adaptive leadership framework]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-01T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Jeffrey Glenn</author><author>Mirabella A. Keogh</author><author>Katelyn N. Aldridge</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesMany public health officials faced threats and harassment while doing their jobs during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The Adaptive Leadership Framework (ALF) serves as a useful lens through which the dangers of exercising leadership in a crisis situation can be analyzed and understood.MethodsThis study employed a systematic qualitative media content analysis to examine U.S. newspaper coverage of public health officials during the COVID-19 pandemic. We identified articles using Newspaper Source Plus and Newswires (EBSCO) databases and then screened and coded them using a deductive approach guided by the ALF. A total of 50 articles were analyzed using directed thematic analysis.ResultsMedia coverage revealed widespread and multifaceted resistance to public health leadership during the pandemic. Opposition originated from both the public (e.g., harassment, threats, and protests) and authority figures (e.g., firing). Despite these challenges, public health officials demonstrated adaptive leadership behaviors, particularly maintaining stability and building strong partnerships.ConclusionThreats and harassment reflected broader institutional and political pressures, underscoring the importance of institutional protection and leadership preparation for future public health crises.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609841</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609841</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Deaths of despair in England, 2014–2022: trends by sex and socioeconomic deprivation before and after COVID-19]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-01T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Steven Wyatt</author><author>Jonathan Spencer</author><author>Paul Seamer</author><author>Andrew Jones</author><author>Alison Turner</author><author>Mai Stafford</author><author>Kathryn Marszalek</author><author>Mohammed Amin Mohammed</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesDeaths of despair—alcohol, substance use, suicide and non-organic mental health related—have attracted international attention, but English evidence remains limited. We examined trends in deaths of despair in England (2014–2022), including COVID-19 impacts and inequalities by sex and deprivation.MethodsWe analysed all registered deaths in England (2014–2022), identifying deaths of despair by ICD-10 code. Age-standardised mortality rates, years of life lost, and inequalities by sex and deprivation were calculated. Log-linear regression estimated pre-pandemic trends and deviations during COVID-19.ResultsThere were 133,600 deaths of despair (2.9% of all deaths). Age-standardised mortality rates rose 33%, from 22.6 to 30.1 per 100,000. Mortality was consistently higher in men and deprived areas, with widening inequalities. During COVID-19, mortality temporarily exceeded the pre-pandemic trend, particularly among women and deprived groups, before returning to trend. Deaths of despair accounted for a rising share of years of potential life lost (13.9%–16.6%).ConclusionDeaths of despair increased substantially in England, contributing a growing burden of premature mortality. Persistent, widening inequalities highlight a public health challenge requiring surveillance and interventions addressing immediate causes and social determinants.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609967</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609967</link>
        <title><![CDATA[The dominance of leisure-time physical activity research: implications for health inequalities]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Theory & Concept</category>
        <author>Ragna Stalsberg</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Physical activity research has substantially advanced our understanding of health benefits, yet it remains dominated by a narrow focus on leisure-time physical activity. This focus overlooks diverse physical activity practices in other domains and systematically misrepresents the experiences of low socioeconomic status groups. Methodological biases, including participant selection and physical activity assessment tools, further limit representativeness and weaken external validity, which contribute to epistemic injustice and persistent social health inequalities. This paper critically examines the conceptual, methodological, and ethical challenges in physical activity research that sustain inequities and argues for more inclusive, context-sensitive approaches. Adopting such approaches is essential for equitable health outcomes and to avoid reinforcing existing disparities through physical activity science.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609182</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609182</link>
        <title><![CDATA[“Work does change lives”: a qualitative study exploring employment specialists’ perspectives on assisting youth through supported employment in rural Canada]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-27T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Cassia Warren</author><author>Kirsten McCulloch</author><author>Jessica Su</author><author>Matthew Wenger</author><author>Skye Barbic</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesTo understand the strengths and limitations of implementing supported employment for youth (ages 16–24) in rural northern Canadian communities from the perspective of employment specialists.MethodsA purposive sample of 10 employment specialists was recruited from Northern British Columbia and interviewed. The qualitative data were analyzed thematically, guided by reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsThe analysis showed three themes which can be connected to three levels: (1) Societal factors influencing employment outcomes (macro level), (2) Organizational barriers and facilitators (meso level), and (3) Employment specialists’ capabilities (micro level).ConclusionRural northern communities offer unique strengths (e.g., close-knit social networks, community-driven values) and limitations (e.g., chronic under-resourcing, geographic isolation, access to integrated mental health services). To enhance the success and sustainability of supported employment for youth in rural northern settings, implementation strategies must be tailored to address the intersecting macro (e.g., policy and funding), meso (e.g., organizational capacity), and micro (e.g., individual level) factors that shape program delivery. Strong national and provincial emphasis should be on informing a rural-informed, context-sensitive approach that prioritizes collaboration, long-term investment, and system integration.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610017</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610017</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Mental health, coping strategies, and help-seeking behaviour during the ongoing war in Ukraine: a cross-sectional study]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-25T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Aneta Bednářová</author><author>Yana Kalymon</author><author>Pavol Mikula</author><author>Nataša Hlaváčová</author><author>Ingrid Obsuth</author><author>Dominika Jarčušková</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesThe war in Ukraine has had an impact on the population’s mental health. Displacement, economic instability, loss of loved ones, and shortages of basic resources have contributed to distress, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).MethodsThis study examined mental health symptoms and coping strategies in a sample of 100 Ukrainian adults (mean age = 35.5 ± 12.5; 73% female). Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD, along with stressors, coping, and help-seeking behaviour. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of mental health outcomes and service use.ResultsSymptoms of depression were reported by 70% of participants, anxiety by 80%, and 31% met criteria for probable PTSD. Despite this, only 15% sought psychological help. Women were more likely than men to report anxiety and PTSD. Perceived stress significantly predicted mental health outcomes and was associated with a greater likelihood of help-seeking.ConclusionThese findings highlight the urgent need to improve access to psychological and psychiatric care in Ukraine.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610220</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610220</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Correction: Eyecare health promotion in schools around the Free State Province, South Africa: school-based interventional study]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Correction</category>
        <author>Xolani Nyathela</author><author>Urvashni Nirghin</author><author>Naimah Ebrahim Khan</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609472</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609472</link>
        <title><![CDATA[AI powered patient records analysis for injury surveillance in children and adolescents – a feasibility study from Switzerland]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Sonja Feer</author><author>Felix Matthias Saaro</author><author>Annina Zysset</author><author>Mirjam Bächli</author><author>Steffen Nieman</author><author>Delphine Meier</author><author>Michelle Seiler</author><author> Jasmina Bogojeska</author><author>Julia Dratva</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectiveThis study investigates the feasibility of using an automated approach to extract injury-related information from narrative text in a paediatric emergency department to improve data basis on injuries among children and adolescents in Switzerland.MethodsThe dataset comprises paediatric injury cases treated between 2018 and 2022 at the University Children’s Hospital Zürich emergency department (N = 30,876). Model development involved (1) adapting EU-IDB, a domain-specific hierarchical coding-system; (2) manual data annotation; and (3) fine tuning and (4) evaluation of a transformer-based model for multi-label text span classification.ResultsInterrater reliability improved from moderate (κ = 0.45) to substantial (κ = 0.73) following adaptation of the coding system. Variable level classification performance was encouraging across three training variants (macro F1: ALL = 0.57, IND = 0.64, VAR = 0.63). Performance declined at lower levels, particularly at level 3 (macro F1: ALL = 0.08, IND = 0.23). Automated prevalence estimates correlated strongly with manual annotations (ρ = 0.948).ConclusionAutomated text span classification of injury-relevant information from electronic patient records shows promising first results to provide valuable information for injury surveillance and prevention, missing in Switzerland. However, more annotated data and detailed validation are needed to draw robust conclusions.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610040</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610040</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Implementing individual placement and support in autistic and other intellectually and developmentally disabled adults: lessons learned in California]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Commentary</category>
        <author>Marjorie Solomon</author><author>Jo Ann Yon-Hernández</author><author>Megan M. Smith</author><author>Maggie Zheng</author><author>Christopher Llorente</author><author>Amanda Downing</author><author>Steve Ruder</author><author>Aubyn C. Stahmer</author><author>Susan R. McGurk</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609777</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609777</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Beyond legalisation: why assisted dying needs global monitoring]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Young Researcher Editorial</category>
        <author>Paola Sillitti</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609819</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609819</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Strengthening health promotion at the local level: insights from Swiss municipalities (canton of Vaud) across urban and rural contexts]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Maria Lagomarsino</author><author>Loreene Casteyde</author><author>Emilie Obert</author><author>Emmanuelle Garcia</author><author>Karin Zürcher</author><author>Stéphanie Pin</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesIn response to growing interest in local action to promote public health, this study explores how municipalities perceive their role in health promotion (HP), how far HP is integrated into municipal policies, and what support is needed to strengthen local action.MethodsAn online survey was distributed to 300 municipalities in the Canton of Vaud (February - April 2025). Complete responses from 110 municipalities (39% response rate) were included in the analyses. An adaptation of the Maturity Model of Health in All Policies (MM-HiAP) guided the cluster analysis used to identify profiles of municipal engagement in HP.ResultsFour clusters were identified: Not engaged (39%), Relying on others (26%), Engaged but isolated (19%), and Engaged and somewhat structured (16%). Among the key factors influencing HP integration, municipal size and the presence of committed local leadership emerged greatly. Moreover, clusters revealed specific resources and needs, suggesting that support should be adapted to these specific needs.ConclusionThe study provides a framework for strengthening municipal engagement in HP along a maturity continuum, with implications for policy, practice, and future research across diverse local contexts.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609726</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609726</link>
        <title><![CDATA[The impact of residential segregation on life satisfaction among rural-urban migrants in China: the mediating role of social capital]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-06T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Jingyao Hou</author><author>Zhongshan Yue</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesRapid urbanization in China has been accompanied by residential segregation, which may influence wellbeing of rural-urban migrants (RUMs). This study aims to investigate the impact of residential segregation on life satisfaction among RUMs, with particular attention to the mediating role of social capital.MethodsWe screened 1,255 participants who met the inclusion criteria from the 2016 China Labor-force Dynamics Survey to investigate the relationship between residential segregation and life satisfaction using ordinary least squares regression and instrumental variable estimation. The mediating role of social capital was evaluated by mediation analysis.ResultsResidential segregation has a significant negative impact on life satisfaction of RUMs. This effect is partially mediated by cognitive social capital, whereas no mediating effect is observed for structural social capital. Among the dimensions of cognitive social capital, neighborhood trust and reciprocity are more significant mediators than familiarity.ConclusionResidential segregation undermines life satisfaction among RUMs partly through weakening cognitive social capital. Policies aimed at reducing residential segregation and promoting trust as well as reciprocity within neighborhoods may help improve the life satisfaction of migrants.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609525</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609525</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Divergent trends in Alzheimer’s disease burden: a comparative analysis of the US and G20 nations]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Yuexiao Zou</author><author>Qingxian Wang</author><author>Qingxiang Zhang</author><author>Xiaorui Cheng</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectiveAlzheimer’s disease and other dementias (ADOD) impose growing systemic stress. This study compared epidemiological trends and risk factors between the US and G20 to guide resource allocation.MethodsUsing GBD 2023 data, we analyzed incidence, mortality, and DALY rates with Joinpoint regression (1990–2023) and ARIMA forecasting (to 2040).ResultsIn 2023, US age-standardized incidence rate was 130 (95% CI: 110.5–147.3), mortality rate 30 (7.4–73.2), and DALY rate 510 (224.8–1059.6), all declining from 1990. G20 rates remained lower but showed an upward inflection after 2020. Joinpoint analysis revealed overall downward trends, with a transient US resurgence (1998–2004); projections suggest continued deceleration. Smoking and high fasting plasma glucose burdens in the US were disproportionately elevated compared to G20.ConclusionThe US achieved morbidity compression yet faced rising absolute caseloads due to demographic momentum. G20’s post-2020 upturn signals an emerging burden. A shift from smoking to metabolic drivers necessitates primary prevention for G20 and targeted metabolic management for the US.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609553</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609553</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Plasma levels of zinc, selenium, and copper among incarcerated men in Switzerland]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-04T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Marie Bettex</author><author>Audrey Dettwiler</author><author>Bastien Trachsel</author><author>Constantin Bondolfi</author><author>Julia Spaltenstein</author><author>Mette M. Berger</author><author>Aurélien Thomas</author><author>Sébastien Lenglet</author><author>Serge Rezzi</author><author>Nadia Fucina</author><author>Didier Delessert</author><author>Patrick Bodenmann</author><author>Murielle Bochud</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesIncarcerated people carry many health problems. While prisons provide structured healthcare and meals, micronutrient status remains unclear. We assessed plasma zinc, selenium, and copper status in incarcerated men in Vaud (French-speaking canton in Switzerland) and explored prevention-relevant patterns.MethodsCross-sectional study (May-September 2023) of incarcerated men in three prisons. Participants (n = 206) completed a health-related questionnaire and provided venous blood. Plasma trace elements were measured by inductively coupled-plasma-mass spectrometry. Associations with individual characteristics were examined and differences between-prisons were assessed. Micronutrient concentrations were compared with community-men, adjusting for age and body mass index.ResultsPrevalence of men with micronutrient plasma level below the normal range did not differ between incarcerated and community men. Adjusted means showed modestly lower selenium and higher zinc and copper in men experiencing incarceration. Within prisons, lower selenium was associated with older age, lower pre-incarceration income, and smoking. Zinc was lower with age and in one facility.ConclusionOverall micronutrient status was reassuring, yet the heterogeneity, possibly reflecting individual vulnerabilities and institutional conditions, supports continued, facility-aware monitoring to identify at-risk groups and protect health.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609140</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609140</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Effective adaptations in Individual Placement and Support delivery: lessons from the drug and alcohol treatment context]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-08-03T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Madeline Nightingale</author><author>Joanna Hofman</author><author>Kankan Zhang</author><author>Natalie Picken</author><author>Joanne Neale</author><author>Andrew Perkins</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesGuided by the Model for Adaptation Design and Impact (MADI), this paper explores how the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model has been adapted for delivery in drug and alcohol treatment services in England.MethodsInterviews, focus groups and surveys with IPS practitioners, commissioners of drug and alcohol services, treatment service managers and experts.ResultsEfforts to publicize the IPS service and sharing client ‘success stories’ with treatment staff are perceived to facilitate effective integration as a key implementation outcome. These adaptations also strengthen referrals to the IPS service, alongside changes to the referral process and schemes to incentivize referrals. Employer engagement is supported by careful framing of IPS and sharing client experiences and outcomes. Flexible and supportive communication with clients, adjusting the pace and taking breaks where needed, is perceived as crucial to achieving employment outcomes. Adaptations are shaped by the local and national context, including the scale of IPS delivery across England, which enables peer-to-peer networking and information sharing.ConclusionEffective adaptations in IPS are those that strengthen integration, tackle stigma, tailor support, and enable learning networks.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609505</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609505</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Legitimacy, embedding, and learning framework: lessons from individual placement and support for analyzing sustainment and scale-up of complex psychosocial interventions]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Jaakko Harkko</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesTo develop a framework of policy-level domains for analyzing the sustainment and scale-up of Individual Placement and Support and, tentatively, other complex evidence-based psychosocial interventions.MethodsIntegrative review of 41 empirical studies on contextual determinants of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) sustainment and scale-up was conducted. The results were synthesized inductively and interpreted abductively using implementation science, policy implementation research, and welfare policy literature.ResultsThe LEL framework organizes recurring external-context patterns into three policy-level domains: Policy Legitimacy addresses policy legitimization and decision chains linking high-level policy decisions to implementation; Policy Embedding addresses multi-level and cross-sector implementation structure; and Policy Learning addresses implementation evidence infrastructure through which implementation experience informs practice, policy, and model refinement.ConclusionThe Legitimacy–Embedding–Learning (LEL) framework proposes policy-level domains for analyzing IPS sustainment and scale-up. It functions as an integrative analytical framework that supports cumulative evidence-building and comparative research within IPS, with testable relevance for other evidence-based complex psychosocial interventions.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609710</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609710</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Epidemiological trends of type 2 diabetes in Middle East and North Africa, 1990–2023: global burden of disease data analysis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Awad Alshahrani</author><author>Raed Aldahash</author><author>Badr F. Al-Khateeb</author><author>Noof Alwatban</author><author>Maryam Alhabas</author><author>Seema Nasser</author><author>Lubna Alnaim</author><author>Ashraf El-Metwally</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectiveThis study systematically evaluating temporal trends of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) prevalence, mortality, and DALY estimates from countries in MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.MethodsThe involved a secondary analysis of Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 data regarding age-standardized prevalence, mortality, and DALY rates are calculated for men and women by country and sub-region using 1990 and 2023.ResultsOverall, prevalence of T2DM increased from 5.6% in 1990 to 11.5% in 2023. Diabetes-related deaths, peaked between 2010 and 2015, declined to approximately 30 per 100,000 by 2023, disability burdens (DALY rates) rose, among men. Regional variations include rapid increases in Turkey, high rates in Levant, upward trends in North Africa (notably Egypt and Tunisia), and highest DALYs in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain (2,600 to 3,400 per 100,000). Iran and Yemen reported low but increasing disability burdens.ConclusionT2DM has been consistently increasing over last 30 years in MENA region and has presented itself as a more debilitating and lethal chronic disease over this period. There is a wide range of variation between countries within the MENA region.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609229</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609229</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Eyecare health promotion in schools around the Free State Province, South Africa: school-based interventional study]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-27T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Xolani Nyathela</author><author>Urvashni Nirghin</author><author>Naimah Ebrahim Khan</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesSchool-based health promotion is critical for enhancing health literacy and academic performance. In South Africa, preventable visual impairment among school children may be exacerbated by the absence of structured eyecare promotion interventions. The objective of the study was to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of eyecare health promotion in the Thabo Mofutsanyane district, Free State province.MethodsA school-based cross-sectional interventional study was conducted. Following a simple randomised assignment, 10 schools received the intervention while the remaining 10 received no intervention. An adopted and piloted questionnaire was administered at baseline and readministered 6 months after the intervention. The McNemar’s chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.ResultsThe baseline study included 199 participants, and following attrition, stood at 136 learners, parents, and teachers. The learner experimental arm demonstrated a statistically significant change in eyecare knowledge (p < 0.05). While no statistically significant changes were noted among teachers, parents and learners had statistically significant variables.ConclusionDespite limitations, this study demonstrated that targeted eye health promotion can improve eyecare knowledge.]]></description>
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