<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
    <rss version="2.0">
      <channel xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/">
        <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>
        <generator>Frontiers Feed Generator,version:1</generator>
        <pubDate>2026-07-28T04:40:47.970+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <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>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609524</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609524</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Mapping stakeholders’ positioning in the access and delivery partnership value chain: the case of the RTS,S malaria vaccine introduction in Ghana]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-24T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Xavier Bosch-Capblanch</author><author>Kaspar Wyss</author><author>Brian Asare</author><author>Christian Auer</author><author>Evelyn Ansah</author><author>Olumide Ogundahunsi</author><author>Tuoyo Okorosobo</author><author>Margaret Gyapong</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesAs population needs continuously evolve new technologies have to find ways to address healthcare challenges. Inputs of key stakeholders are critical when adopting new technologies. Our objective was to map stakeholders along the Access and Delivery Partnership value chain framework (ADP) in relation to the RTS,S malaria vaccine introduction in Ghana.MethodsStakeholders engaged with the SAVING consortium were identified and an online questionnaire distributed to map stakeholders positioning in relation to the ADP framework. A workshop was also held to validate findings and to examine the decision processes in adopting new interventions.Results31 stakeholders responded the questionnaire reporting their involvement in the ADP framework, most of them identified with stages close to “service delivery”, as opposed to the preceding research and regulatory stages. A few stakeholders were seen as having the highest interest and influence on vaccine introduction.ConclusionThere is an imbalance between Ghana’s high demand for vaccines and its Research and Development (R&D) capacity, similar to other African countries. Enhancing upstream R&D capacity and fostering more inclusive stakeholder contributions could strengthen the pathway to new technologies adoption.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609141</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609141</link>
        <title><![CDATA[From randomised trial to national implementation: employment outcomes from individual placement and support in english alcohol and drug treatment services]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-24T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Claire Shaw</author><author>Nishanthini Oppilamany</author><author>Paul Anders</author><author>Jez Stannard</author><author>Emma Knight</author><author>Amy Baxter</author><author>John Marsden</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesTo compare employment outcomes reported by a completed randomised controlled trial (IPS-AD: Individual Placement and Support - Alcohol and Drug Dependence) with those observed during the English national expansion of IPS services, and to identify factors associated with improved outcomes.MethodsThis was a secondary comparative analysis of five employment outcomes – employment rate, time to employment attainment, job tenure (longest single appointment duration), total time employed and job sustainment defined as ≥13 consecutive weeks employment, in two cohorts: the IPS-AD study intervention arm (n = 843) and IPS expansion participants (n = 3,182).ResultsCompared with the IPS-AD cohort, the expansion cohort showed a higher employment rate (52% versus 30%; p-value <0.001); faster employment attainment (143 versus 180 days; p-value <0.001); longer job tenure (254 versus 110 days; p-value <0.001); greater total time employed (300 versus 133 days; p-value <0.001); and higher job sustainment (76% versus 42%; p-value <0.001).ConclusionExpansion outcomes were consistently more favourable than those observed in the IPS-AD study. Factors that may have contributed to improved outcomes included implementation and delivery enhancements, broadened eligibility criteria, and favourable environmental and economic conditions.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610075</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610075</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Epidemics, Ebola and the dignity of goodbye: how public health could respect culture]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Commentary</category>
        <author>Janet Michel</author><author>Ntuli A. Kapologwe</author><author>Marcel Tanner</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609599</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609599</link>
        <title><![CDATA[GlucoNeo Check in the community: feasibility of photoplethysmography-based non-invasive glucose screening]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Mahendro Prasetyo Kusumo</author><author>Slamet Riyadi</author><author>Karisma Trinanda Putra</author><author>Deasy Ardiany</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectiveThis study aims to determine accuracy of GlucoNeo Check, PPG-Based Non-Invasive Glucose Screening Device in interpreting patients’ blood glucose levels and to understand participants’ perspectives on their experiences.MethodThis study uses a mixed-methods with a cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy design to obtain a comprehensive overview through Clarke Error Grid Analysis using 660 participants with 3300 data sets, while incorporating qualitative components to assess feasibility and acceptance, using interviews and FGDs from 31 respondents, and analyzed thematically to understand user experience perspectives when using the device.ResultsGlucoNeo Check performance had a Mean Absolute Percentage Error of 3.6% ± 0.621 and classification accuracy of 89.2% ± 0.0515. Most data fell within Zone A, with a small amount in Zone B and no data in Zones C and D. Thematic analysis identified 4 themes: 1) device quality and practicality, 2) comfort of use, 3) facilitating technology, and 4) inclusive interface design.ConclusionGlucoNeo Check is accurate, innovative, and well-received tool for supporting community-based diabetes prevention but requires further validation to be adopted as a standard clinical monitoring tool.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609531</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609531</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Perception of infection risk and attitudes toward infection prevention and control measures among health sciences students in Morocco: a cross-sectional study]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Hajar El Alouani</author><author>Ousmane Traoré</author><author>Babacar Touré</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesTo assess infection risk perception, attitudes toward Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures, and knowledge related to Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) among health sciences students.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among students enrolled in medical, dental, pharmacy, paramedical, and other health-related programs. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Statistical analyses included chi-square, Mann–Whitney U, and Kruskal–Wallis tests, as appropriate. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha.ResultsA total of 270 students were included in the study. Most participants had heard about HAIs (80.7%) and correctly identified their definition (94.4%). Surgical site infections were the most frequently identified HAIs (75.6%). The mean knowledge score was 4.32 ± 1.30, while attitudes toward IPC measures showed a high overall score (4.31 ± 0.55). The overall risk perception score was (3.01 ± 0.68), with university hospitals perceived as the highest-risk setting. Knowledge scores differed significantly according to field of study and prior IPC training (p < 0.05).ConclusionFavorable attitudes were observed, but variations in knowledge and risk perception highlight the need to strengthen IPC training.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609458</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609458</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Population aging and divergent burden trajectories of fall-related spinal cord injury: a cross national analysis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-14T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Kong-Jun Yuan</author><author>Dan Zhu</author><author>Zeng-Jin Huang</author><author>Jia-Ming Zhong</author><author>Si-Xiong Shi</author><author>Lin Lin</author><author>Ji-Xiang Zhou</author><author>Gen-Long Jiao</author><author>Shuai Zheng</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesTo examine how population aging influences the burden of fall-related spinal cord injury (SCI) across countries at different demographic stages.MethodsUsing GBD 2023 data, we analyzed age-standardized incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLD) rates of fall-related SCI in India, China, the United States, and Japan. Trends and drivers were assessed using EAPC, joinpoint regression, age-period-cohort models, and demographic decomposition.ResultsChina showed a significant increase in incidence (AAPC = 1.62%, 95% CI: 0.89–2.36) with a rise-peak-decline-rebound pattern. The United States maintained stable incidence but achieved a marked reduction in YLD burden (AAPC = −2.58%, 95% CI: −3.13 to −2.03). India and Japan exhibited lower burdens and sustained improvements; India’s YLD rate declined by 1.58% annually (95% CI: −1.93 to −1.22). APC analysis identified an age-progressive risk pattern in China but age-regressive patterns in the United States and India. Population aging was the main driver of increased prevalence in China (39.53%).ConclusionFall-related SCI burden varies across demographic stages. Population aging is a key determinant in aging societies, highlighting the need for stage-specific prevention and care strategies.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610087</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610087</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Why public health needs evidence-informed guidelines for social media use]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-09T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Commentary</category>
        <author>Jean-Philippe Chaput</author><author>Gary S. Goldfield</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609591</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609591</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Multimodal risk profiles reveal shared and disease-specific risks of major non-communicable diseases: a prospective cohort study of 42,666 individuals ]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-09T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Qiaoyi Xu</author><author>Zhenqiu Liu</author><author>Renjia Zhao</author><author>Zixuan Cui</author><author>Xufei Xing</author><author>Xingdong Chen</author><author>Chen Suo</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesEvaluate whether circulating blood biomarker profiles identify shared and disease-specific risks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).MethodsWe considered 42,666 participants from Taizhou, China. After exclusions, discovery (n = 14,478; recruited 2011.9–2014.1) and temporal validation (n = 25,018; recruited 2018.7–2021.11) cohorts were defined. We integrated 54 blood biomarkers and 26 questionnaire/physical indicators. Predictors were selected after Cox pre-screening based on concordant inclusion across stepwise regression, regularized regression, and Boruta random forest.ResultsThe final score included 15 biomarkers plus age, smoking, hypertension, and vegetable intake. In the temporal validation cohort, high-risk individuals (25.0% of participants) accounted for 53.9% of incident major NCD cases, with a 6.29-fold (4.83–8.19) higher risk than the low-risk group. Similar gradients were observed for all-cause mortality. Compared with disease-specific scores, the combined score effectively stratified both composite and individual outcomes and revealed shared risks: 56.1% of disease-specific high-risk individuals were also high risk for other NCDs.ConclusionA score integrating blood biomarkers with epidemiological and physical measures achieved clear risk stratification in the temporal validation cohort and may support priority population identification for major NCDs.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1608949</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1608949</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Inclusion through technology: findings from a public engagement approach]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-07-08T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Barbara Catherine Wortmann</author><author>Iris de Boer</author><author>Vanessa Grand</author><author>Heiner Baur</author><author>Anja Maria Raab</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesMany people with disabilities in Switzerland face exclusion, especially in mobility, work, and leisure. Assistive technologies can support participation and wellbeing, particularly when developed with user involvement. This study explored societal perspectives on inclusion through technology using a public engagement approach.MethodsThe study took place at the Swiss Abilities Fair 2024 in Lucerne. At an interactive booth, visitors tested assistive technologies like a robotic arm and a recumbent trike. They shared their views in semi-structured interviews conducted by physiotherapists and a wheelchair-using researcher. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The sample included people with and without disabilities.ResultsForty-one people participated. Non-disabled participants emphasized equality and acceptance, while those with mobility impairments focused on barriers and support. Assistive technologies were seen as key to independence, though gaps in innovation, access, and affordability remain.ConclusionInclusion is a shared societal responsibility that requires awareness, participation, and adaptable solutions. While assistive technologies support independence and participation, interviewees emphasized that true inclusion also depends on affordability, access, user involvement, and broader structural change.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609473</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609473</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Mapping the availability of climate and health education in European schools of public health: a baseline assessment for indicator development]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-26T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Eric Phillip Twomey</author><author>Fadilah Fitri Arsy</author><author>Robert Otok</author><author>Laurent Chambaud</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesClimate and health education is increasingly recognised as essential for preparing a climate-competent public health workforce, yet reliable European baseline data remain limited. This cross-sectional study assessed the availability of climate and health education in degree-granting Schools of Public Health across the World Health Organization European Region.MethodsA survey of Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region member institutions was combined with a large-language-model-assisted web scan and manual verification of institutional websites, curricula, syllabi, and programme descriptions.ResultsOverall, 268 Schools of Public Health were identified across 53 countries, including 131 ASPHER members and 137 non-members. Of these, 111 institutions (41.4%) offered at least one verified climate and health education programme or course in 2024/2025. Availability was similar among ASPHER members (41%) and non-members (43%). Most identified programmes were offered at master’s level, while vocational, bachelor, doctoral, and continuing professional development opportunities were less frequent.ConclusionClimate and health education is present across much of Europe but remains uneven and concentrated at postgraduate level. The findings provide a verifiable baseline for future monitoring and policy action.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609386</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609386</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Individual placement and support (IPS) integrated with specialized substance use disorder treatment: a socioeconomic analysis based on a randomized controlled trial]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-25T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Kristoffer Andreas Aamodt Andersen</author><author>Linn Nathalie Støme</author><author>Erlend Marius Aas</author><author>Espen Ajo Arnevik</author><author>Marianne Riksheim Stavseth</author><author>Eline Borger Rognli</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesTo conduct a socioeconomic analysis of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) integrated with specialized substance use disorder treatment. Additionally, we explored group differences in the use of social and welfare services and assessed the validity of a previous simulation model.MethodsWe used Early Health Technology Assessment (eHTA) to estimate socioeconomic gain using data extracted from a completed randomized controlled trial comparing IPS and enhanced treatment as usual (enhanced TAU) for patients in specialized substance use disorder treatment.ResultsIPS was socioeconomically beneficial compared to enhanced TAU during the first year after end of the intervention (€992,224 for IPS, and €778,121 for enhanced TAU), equal to a group difference of €214,103 (modelled for 100 patients). During the trial period, IPS participants showed a total cost saving of €157,593 due to less use of social and welfare services, compared to participants receiving enhanced TAU. These estimates are comparable to our previous eHTA simulation.ConclusionOur estimates indicate a net socioeconomic gain of IPS starting during the intervention year, which exceeds that of enhanced TAU in the first year following the intervention. Additional cost savings were found in favor of IPS. Our early simulated eHTA proved valid in one scenario.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609165</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609165</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Effects of a family home-based intervention on global health and 24h movements: an exploratory family cluster-based approach to childhood obesity]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-25T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Julie Siroux</author><author>Juliette Lemay</author><author>Inès Ramos</author><author>Vicky Drapeau</author><author>Jean-Phillipe Chaput</author><author>Elodie Vedrine</author><author>Carla Dalmais</author><author>Victoria Rousset-Thiry</author><author>David Thivel</author><author>Yves Boirie</author><author>Magalie Miolanne</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesThis study aimed at (i) exploring the effects of a 12-month home-based family intervention on perceived global health and 24 h movement patterns among children with overweight/obesity (OW/OB) and their family members; (ii) identifying intra-family behavioral clusters and their influence on the intervention’s effectiveness.Methods142 families (n = 223 legal guardians) with at least one child with OW/OB were included. At baseline and 12 months, perceived health, sleep, physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors (SB) were assessed.ResultsChildren with OW/OB showed poorer physical and mental quality of life (QoL) than normal weight (NW) ones (p < 0.001), and decreased body mass index (BMI) z-score over time (p = 0.001). Guardians with OW/OB improved physical QoL at the end of the program (p = 0.002). For all outcomes, clusters analysis suggested a distinction between NW children and those with OW/OB. Children tended to resemble their guardians of same weight status (WS). Changes in BMI z-scores among children with OW/OB might vary by QoL and behavioral profiles with greatest reductions in clusters having higher baseline global health or PA.ConclusionThis study suggests the potential of family-centered strategies addressing childhood obesity.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609624</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609624</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Concurrent utilisation of cancer screening tests in the general population aged 50–69: an analysis of the 2017 Swiss Health Survey]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Audrey Butty Dettwiler</author><author>Jessica Nakiyingi-Miiro</author><author>Jean-Luc Bulliard</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesThis study assessed the extent and factors of concurrent utilisation of cancer screenings in Switzerland.MethodsData from the 2017 Swiss Health Survey, representing 1,091,813 females and 1,072,940 males aged 50–69, were analysed. Weighted descriptive analyses estimated sex-specific proportions of individuals concurrently up to date with recommended screening for cervical, breast, colorectal, prostate and skin cancer. Multivariable binomial weighted logistic regressions examined associations between concurrent utilisation and sociodemographic, lifestyle, health, health services utilisation, security and social support factors.ResultsApproximately one in three Swiss residents were concurrent screening users. Concurrent utilisation increased with age and frequent medical visits. Among females, concurrent utilisation was positively associated with living in French- or Italian-speaking Switzerland and having tertiary education, and negatively associated with being divorced, separated or widowed, and with non-European origin. Among males, concurrent utilisation was positively associated with income, and negatively associated with unhealthy lifestyles, low health concern, and higher health insurance deductibles.ConclusionFurther research is needed to clarify the factors underlying differences in screening behaviours. Given the temporal instability of these behaviours, the findings should be interpreted cautiously.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609856</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609856</link>
        <title><![CDATA[COVID-19 disrupted patterns of cause-specific mortality in Switzerland]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Anthony Hauser</author><author>Moritz Wagner</author><author>Anna Fesser</author><author>Karim Abawi</author><author>Anne Laube</author><author>Garyfallos Konstantinoudis</author><author>Julien Riou</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesTo understand disruptions in mortality patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic beyond deaths directly attributed to SARS-CoV-2.MethodsWe analysed Swiss weekly deaths (2011–2021) by age, sex, region, and nine cause groups. For each age group, a Bayesian multivariate Poisson model was fitted to 2011–2019 data, accounting for seasonality, long-term trends, and cross-cause dependence. Comparing predictions with 2020–2021 observations revealed age- and cause-specific excesses.ResultsCardiovascular deaths peaked during the autumn 2020 wave, while no cause showed sustained excess across 2020–2021. In individuals aged ≥80 years, non-COVID respiratory (−25%) and mental/neurological (−12%) deaths declined, largely offset by COVID-19 deaths, leaving a modest +4.5% all-cause excess. Cardiovascular and mental/neurological excesses correlated with COVID-19 and other respiratory excesses, reflecting strong pre-pandemic cross-cause correlations (ρ>0.80).ConclusionThese patterns likely reflect three overlapping mechanisms: reduced circulation of non-COVID-19 respiratory pathogens, unrecognized COVID-19 deaths (especially cardiovascular), and mortality displacement, pointing to possible underestimation of the true respiratory burden.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609281</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609281</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Rising clustering of metabolic risk factors and behavioral-metabolic profiles in Viet Nam, 2015–2021: repeated cross-sectional surveys]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Duy Quang Pham</author><author>Thi Tu Quyen Bui</author><author>Hung Minh Nguyen</author><author>Minh Van Hoang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesEvidence on the burden and clustering of metabolic non-communicable disease risks and on data-driven risk profiles remains limited. This study assessed trends in the clustering of metabolic risk factors in Viet Nam from 2015 to 2021 and identified behavioral–metabolic profiles in 2021.MethodsA repeated cross-sectional design was used, using national STEPS data from 2015 (n = 3,074) and 2021 (n = 3,712), both of which included participants who completed all survey components. Behavioral risk factors (smoking, alcohol use, physical inactivity, and low fruit and vegetable intake) and metabolic risk factors (elevated blood pressure, fasting glucose, body mass index (BMI), and total cholesterol) were defined using Asian-calibrated cutoffs. Clustering was defined as the co-occurrence of two or more metabolic risk factors within an individual. Weighted analyses estimated prevalence and clustering, and latent class analysis (LCA) identified behavioral–metabolic profiles.ResultsAll metabolic risks increased between 2015 and 2021, most sharply for raised fasting glucose (12.0% → 37.7%). This increase was a major contributor to intensified clustering, with the prevalence of ≥2 risk factors increasing from 27.6% to 46.6% and ≥3 risk factors increasing from 8.7% to 20.1%. LCA revealed three profiles: “Health-Conscious” (38.1%, low behavioral and metabolic risks), “Metabolic Risk-Aware” (34.6%, low behavioral but high metabolic risks, linked to older age), and “High Behavioral Risk with Moderate Metabolic Comorbidity” (27.3%, characterized by high smoking and alcohol use together with moderate metabolic abnormalities, concentrated among socioeconomically disadvantaged men).ConclusionMetabolic risks in Viet Nam increased markedly between 2015 and 2021, with elevated glucose levels playing an important role in multi-risk clustering. These distinct profiles underscore the need for integrated, multi-risk screening and management in primary care, especially targeting older adults and socioeconomically disadvantaged men.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609990</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609990</link>
        <title><![CDATA[The emergency events database, EM-DAT, must be preserved as a global public good]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-15T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Commentary</category>
        <author>Niko Speybroeck</author><author>Ilan Noy</author><author>Albert Kettner</author><author>Regina Below</author><author>Gabriele Messori</author><author>Wim Thiery</author><author>Valentin Wathelet</author><author>Aglaé Jézéquel</author><author>Damien Delforge</author><author>Dewald Van Niekerk</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609152</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609152</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Substance use among second-generation immigrants in France: heritage language as a protective factor]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-15T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Stéphane Legleye</author><author>Myriam Khlat</author><author>Damien Bricard</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesStudy substance use among second-generation immigrants in France (G2) in comparison with first-generation immigrants (G1) and majority population, and particularly the variation according to practice of heritage language.Methodsin a nation-wide probability sample, we focused on the two largest groups (from Maghreb and Southern-Europe: n = 2,736), analysing their use of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis. The main factor of interest was practice of heritage language at home at age 15 (vs. exclusive use of French), and we also considered type of parentage: homogenous (two immigrant parents from the same country) vs. mixed (only one, the other being French).ResultsIn comparison with the majority population (neither G1 nor G2: n = 19,185), G1 had lower levels of substance use, followed by G2 speaking the heritage language and by G2 with homogeneous parentage. The other G2 reported higher levels of substance use, close to those of the majority population (even higher for tobacco among Maghrebins and cannabis among South-Europeans). These associations remained robust after adjusting for potential individual and contextual confounding variables.ConclusionIntegrating those specificities may help in designing culturally grounded prevention policies benefitting the population at large.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609906</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609906</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Closing the implementation gap: the Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes (JACARDI) as a proof of-concept for Europe’s Safe Hearts Plan]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-15T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Commentary</category>
        <author>Benedetta Armocida</author><author>Beatrice Formenti</author><author>Albert Aszalos</author><author>Hector Bueno</author><author>Ewelina Chawłowska</author><author>Hanna Elonheimo</author><author>Mounia El Yamani</author><author>Irati Erreguerena</author><author>Sinikka Kyto</author><author>Matilde Leonardi</author><author>Jaana Lindström</author><author>Agnes Makai</author><author>Bernardino Morillo</author><author>Luigi Palmieri</author><author>Roberta Papa</author><author>Markku Peltonen</author><author>Helena Safadi</author><author>Natalia Skogberg</author><author>Anna Tarhanchuk</author><author>Hanna Tolonen</author><author>Edwin Wouters</author><author>Jelka Zaletel</author><author>Katarzyna Zukowska</author><author>Graziano Onder</author>
        <description></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1608979</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1608979</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Assessing Unmet Need for Mental Healthcare Among Adults in Germany – Results from a Nationwide Study with Data Linkage]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Diana Peitz</author><author>Felicitas Vogelgesang</author><author>Heike Hölling</author><author>Thomas G. Grobe</author><author>Timm Frerk</author><author>Ursula Marschall</author><author>Julia Thom</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesTo estimate the prevalence of self-reported (un)met need for mental healthcare and associated barriers among adults in Germany and to compare this information with documented mental healthcare use in order to assess the suitability of this indicator for mental health surveillance.MethodsSelf-report survey and routine data documented by healthcare providers from 6,558 randomly sampled adults insured with a major German health insurance company built the basis of bivariate and multivariate analyses, also examining influences of sociodemographic determinants and mental health literacy. Prevalence estimates were additionally replicated with representative data from two national health surveys (n = 10,676 and n = 27,102).Results57% of individuals with perceived need reported no mental healthcare use in the previous 12 months. Unmet need was associated with younger age, but not with sex or education. Most individuals with an unmet need reported internal barriers in terms of low mental health literacy. Self-report corresponds with documented mental healthcare use.ConclusionMonitoring self-reported met and unmet need can inform healthcare planning from a patient perspective and addresses the mental health treatment gap.]]></description>
      </item>
      </channel>
    </rss>