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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>
        <generator>Frontiers Feed Generator,version:1</generator>
        <pubDate>2026-09-27T13:28:44.564+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609686</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609686</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Joint trajectories of health behaviors and their associations with healthcare utilization and expenditure]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-25T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Jeong Min Yang</author><author>Jang Mook Kim</author><author>Tae Su Jang</author><author>Jieun Hwang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesThis study identified sex-specific trajectories of key health behaviors among middle-aged and older adults and examined their longitudinal associations with healthcare utilization and expenditure.MethodsWe analyzed 167,343 Korean adults aged 40–79 years from 2002 to 2019 using the National Health Insurance Service Health Screening Cohort. Group-based multi-trajectory modeling identified joint trajectories of smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and BMI. Associations with healthcare outcomes were assessed using generalized estimating equations stratified by sex and age group.ResultsSix distinct health behavior trajectories were identified in both sexes. Among men, the higher moderate-risk trajectory showed fewer outpatient visits but longer hospital stays. Among women, the higher severe-risk trajectory was associated with increased expenditures and higher healthcare utilization. Age-stratified analyses revealed stronger associations for severe-risk trajectories in men aged <65 years and lower severe-risk trajectories in those aged ≥65 years.ConclusionSex- and age-specific behavioral trajectories were differentially associated with healthcare utilization and expenditure, underscoring the importance of multidimensional behavioral patterns in developing preventive strategies to reduce healthcare burdens.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610111</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610111</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Stress and coping among dual caregivers in China: a grounded theory study of intergenerational caregiving]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Han Hu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesTo examine how adults who simultaneously care for older adults and children aged 0–6 years experience competing demands, mobilize resources, and negotiate caregiving decisions in two Chinese cities.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative grounded theory study with 23 dual caregivers in Shanghai and Xi’an. Participants were recruited from an online questionnaire pool and interviewed using a semi-structured guide. Interview transcripts were analyzed through constant comparison and iterative coding.ResultsThe analysis generated a feedback process linking continuous and competing care demands, secondary strains, conditional resources, and negotiated outcomes. Overlapping, urgent, and difficult-to-substitute tasks extended strain into work, finances, psychological wellbeing, and family relationships. Family help, formal and market services, and self-regulation widened caregivers’ room for action only when they were accessible, reliable, affordable, and matched to specific tasks. Caregivers formed four changeable strategy configurations and made varied adjustments to work, further childbearing, and future planning.ConclusionDual caregiving is a dynamic process in which competing demands, resource allocation, and strategy adjustment reinforce one another. Continuous, affordable, and time-matched support may strengthen families’ capacity to sustain care.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610014</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610014</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Work ability literacy among managers in the health and social care sector – a qualitative study]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Eveliina Korkiakangas</author><author>Maria Paavolainen</author><author>Kirsikka Selander</author><author>Risto Nikunlaakso</author><author>Maarit Kaartinen</author><author>Tiina Koivisto</author><author>Nina Nevanperä</author><author>Jaana Laitinen</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Objectiveto deepen the understanding of the contents of work ability literacy among managers in the health and social care sector regarding both their own and their employees’ work ability.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted from June to October in 2024 with 49 managers in the health and social care sector in Finland.ResultsManagers’ knowledge about work ability and its promotion is shaped by organizational information, personal experience and education, and interactions within the work community. Their aim in supporting work ability is to ensure effective organizational operations, promote employee wellbeing, and fulfil their managerial responsibilities. Managers have varied understandings of work ability, which can focus on individual traits, personal life or adaptation and modification of work. Practical methods to support work ability include adjusting work content, referring employees to occupational health services, offering social support, enhancing professional skills, and promoting healthy lifestyles and recovery from work.ConclusionTo effectively support work ability, managers need adequate resources and more education on contents of work ability literacy. Especially skills and possibilities to prevent work disability are needed.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610020</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610020</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Deploying artificial intelligence for occupational and environmental health in waste management: a systematic review]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-21T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Wei Li</author><author>Zhengyan Ge</author><author>Hui Wang</author><author>Mingzi Yuan</author><author>Zhican Yin</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesThis systematic review examines how artificial intelligence (AI) mitigates occupational and environmental health risks in waste management, a sector where workers and communities face infectious, toxic, and physical hazards.MethodsFollowing PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched the SCOPUS database and reviewed 81 peer-reviewed articles. The analysis focused on the types of AI technologies applied, their deployment across waste management stages, and the specific health risks they address.ResultsThe analysis identifies five types of health risks targeted by AI applications. AI is deployed across five waste management stages and four technical paradigms (supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement, and deep learning). AI alleviates hazards via three primary pathways: automated risk-source isolation, robotic substitution for high-risk tasks, and macro-level exposure monitoring.ConclusionCurrent public health research has largely neglected health risk reduction gains from waste management technological innovation. Institutional innovations that can facilitate responsible AI deployment are discussed. This interdisciplinary perspective underscores the necessity of cross-sector collaboration to tackle public health issues.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1608594</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1608594</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Pharmacy academicians’ perception towards public health: a qualitative study]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-18T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Şeyma Halaç</author><author>Muhammed Yunus Bektay</author><author>Hasan Hüseyin Eker</author><author>Mustafa Öztürk</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesThis qualitative study explored pharmacy academics’ perceptions of pharmacists’ public health roles, the adequacy of pharmacy education, and barriers to public health practice in Türkiye.MethodsEleven pharmacy academics from Faculties of Pharmacy in Istanbul participated in online, in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.ResultsParticipants viewed public health as a multidimensional field centred on prevention and collaboration. Community pharmacies were considered accessible entry points to healthcare with substantial potential to provide preventive services, support health literacy, and contribute to chronic disease management. This potential remained underutilised due to insufficient public health competencies in pharmacy education, limited societal health literacy, and inadequate systemic recognition of pharmacists’ roles.ConclusionStrengthening public health education in pharmacy curricula and establishing policies that recognise pharmacists as frontline public health practitioners may enhance their contribution to population health.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609991</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609991</link>
        <title><![CDATA[From evidence to action: expert perspectives on stakeholder dialogues in Swiss health policy]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-18T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Sara Rubinelli</author><author>Cristina Mesa-Vieira</author><author>Isabelle Peytremann-Bridevaux</author><author>Nicola Diviani</author><author>Sarah Mantwill</author><author>Natalie Gray Messerli</author><author>Maddalena Fiordelli</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesStakeholder dialogues are increasingly used to link research evidence with policy and practice in health systems. Yet little is known about the practical reasoning behind their design, conduct, and use. This study investigated how researchers and public-health professionals conceptualise and operationalise stakeholder dialogues, with a primary focus on Switzerland’s federal, multilingual health system and broader relevance to other settings.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews with fourteen experts involved in designing, facilitating, or implementing stakeholder dialogues in Switzerland and internationally. Interview data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsStakeholder dialogues emerged as structured, evidence-informed discussions linking research to implementation. Success depended on high-quality evidence briefs, skilled neutral facilitation, and inclusive formats enabling equal participation. Consensus was not required; clarified disagreement and transparent reasoning were legitimate outcomes. Impact ranged from mutual learning to policy uptake, shaped by federalism and linguistic diversity.ConclusionStakeholder dialogues function as boundary infrastructures that integrate evidence, experience, and values. When deliberately designed, they enhance the quality of reasoning, trust, and coordination, transforming evidence use from a technical exercise into a relational practice in health policymaking.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609313</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609313</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Burden of chronic kidney disease among children and adolescents in the South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions, 1990 to 2021]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-16T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Yang Yang</author><author>Yujie Xu</author><author>Xiaoran Xue</author><author>Mingyi Zhao</author><author>Qingnan He</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesThere is little comprehensive or updated evidence on the burden of CKD among children and adolescents in Asia-Pacific. We aimed to report the CKD burden among people under 20 years from 1990 to 2021 using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021 (GBD).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis using GBD 2021 data for individuals aged <20 years in the South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions. We assessed age-standardized rates (ASRs) of CKD prevalence, incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from 1990 to 2021, and examined their associations with the Socio-demographic Index (SDI).ResultsIn 2021, the ASR of CKD incidence was 26.72 per 100,000 in South-East Asia and 20.92 per 100,000 in the Western Pacific. From 1990 to 2021, overall ASRs of CKD incidence, deaths, and DALYs declined in both regions (AAPC for DALYs: −2.43 in South-East Asia and −2.87 in Western Pacific). Children aged <5 years had the highest incidence rates (53.97 and 49.29 per 100,000), whereas adolescents aged 15–19 years had the highest burden in terms of prevalence (2,630.63 and 1,445.9 per 100,000), deaths (1.03 and 0.91 per 100,000), and DALYs (93.33 and 76.65 per 100,000). Males experienced higher death and DALY rates than females in both regions (death rate: 0.79 and 0.51 vs. 0.55 and 0.42 per 100,000; DALY rate: 73.25 and 44.64 vs. 52.65 and 38.69 per 100,000). CKD burden declined more markedly in high-SDI countries. However, several Pacific Island countries, despite being classified as middle- or high-SDI, exhibited disproportionately high CKD burden due to geographic and healthcare access challenges.ConclusionCKD burden in children and adolescents in Asia-Pacific decreased from 1990 to 2021. Gender- and age-specific interventions and early treatment of CKD-related complications may help improve patient care, especially in regions with lower SDI and Pacific Island countries.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610164</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610164</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Burden trends and disparities of metabolic risk-attributable peripheral arterial disease in China (1990–2035): a comparative analysis with G20 countries]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-15T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Jie Yuan</author><author>Baolei Guo</author><author>Fan Li</author><author>Qianchuan Yi</author><author>Likuan Tu</author><author>Bo Tang</author><author>Zhirong Li</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivePeripheral arterial disease (PAD) presents a significant clinical and public health challenge. This study aimed to comprehensively analyze and compare the burden trends and disparities of PAD attributable to metabolic risks in China and G20 countries.MethodsDisability-adjusted life years (DALYs), age-standardized rates, population-attributable fractions, and average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) were used as the burden metrics. Decomposition analysis was conducted to quantify the contributions of population growth, aging, and epidemiological changes. The autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model was applied to project future burden trends.ResultsIn 2023, China and G20 countries had 100 298 and 704 214 DALYs of PAD attributable to metabolic risks, respectively. Compared to 1990, these figures increased by 210.9% and 114.6%, respectively. Population growth and aging were major drivers of the increasing PAD burden. Significant disparities were observed across ages and sexes. Moreover, projections indicate an increasing DALYs in China and G20 countries by 2035.ConclusionOur findings reveal a substantial and growing absolute PAD burden attributable to metabolic risks in China and G20 countries, with China exhibiting a distinct epidemiological pattern.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609928</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1609928</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Social disparities, navigational health literacy, and unmet needs in Germany: results of a population survey]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-14T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Till Werner Ulrich</author><author>Jens Klein</author><author>Olaf von dem Knesebeck</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectivesNavigational health literacy is increasingly important in the German health system. While social disparities have been reported, less is known about its association with unmet needs and whether it attenuates the associations between social characteristics and unmet needs.MethodsThis cross-sectional online survey in Germany included a random sample of 2,201 adults. Participants completed the validated HLS19-NAV instrument and reported unmet needs during the past 12 months. Associations were examined using descriptive and multiple Poisson regression analyses.ResultsOverall, 70% of participants showed inadequate navigational health literacy. Lower navigational health literacy was associated with lower income, lower education, statutory health insurance, and age 41–59 years. Unmet needs were more common among younger adults, women, and lower-income or statutorily insured participants. Better navigational health literacy was associated with lower prevalence of unmet needs. After adding navigational health literacy to the model, associations between social characteristics and unmet needs remained largely unchanged.ConclusionNavigational health literacy was unequally distributed across groups and strongly associated with unmet needs but did not reduce the observed social disparities in access to care.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610026</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610026</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Artificial intelligence and computational methods in the Asia-Pacific pharmacovigilance landscape: a systematic review]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Gita Kusnadi</author><author>Grace Wangge</author><author>Arif Perdana</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectiveTo examine the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in pharmacovigilance across the Asia-Pacific and identify reported methodological implementation challenges.MethodsMEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched using terms related to artificial intelligence, computational signal detection, pharmacovigilance, and Asia-Pacific countries. Peer-reviewed original studies published in English were included. PRISMA 2020 guideline was followed.ResultsWe included 64 studies in 14 countries primarily focused on 1) Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) identification, 2) ADR prediction and risk factor modelling, 3) Drug safety, monitoring, and evaluation, 4) Predictive modelling, and 5) Data information management. Machine Learning (ML) techniques were the most commonly applied AI methods in pharmacovigilance, followed by natural language processing, deep learning, neural networks, and symbolic and explainable AI. Disproportionality analysis methods were also commonly used across studies. Some challenges reported were relevant to data quality issues, generalizability, clinical workflow integration, implementation technicalities, and cultural barriers.ConclusionTo overcome the challenges of AI application in the Asia-Pacific, a tiered implementation strategy can be employed through establishing a regional collaboration framework and taking into account disparities in technological maturity across countries.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610073</guid>
        <link>https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2026.1610073</link>
        <title><![CDATA[AI competency misalignment in preventive medicine: a multi-stakeholder survey with latent profile analysis in Sichuan and Chongqing]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-09-10T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Article</category>
        <author>Qiuyu Pan</author><author>Nian Liu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[ObjectiveEvaluate supply-demand misalignment in public health artificial intelligence (AI) workforce education in Sichuan and Chongqing, inland Western China.MethodsSurveyed 1,031 stakeholders (150 employers, 680 students, 201 educators) using Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) and Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to quantify skill deficits. Multivariate models assessed collaborative training and faculty transfer factors, guided by a conceptual framework integrating demand, supply, and training perspectives. All coefficients are associational, not causal.ResultsIPA showed employers prioritised risk assessment; students focused on algorithmic construction. LPA on six practical skills identified two profiles: High-Order Application Group (23.2%) and Foundation-Weak Group (76.8%); the weighted combination of profile means reconciled with the overall sample mean. Employers’ deficit perception was positively associated with their collaboration willingness (β = 0.235, 95% CI [0.061, 0.410], p < 0.01). Institutional innovation negatively moderated the link between faculty AI proficiency and research mentorship (β = −0.120, [-0.216, −0.024], p < 0.05).ConclusionAI education may overemphasize computational skills relative to frontline operational demands. Mitigation may require stratified pedagogy, real-world data, and less administration. Multi-stakeholder framework is valuable; causality requires further research.]]></description>
      </item><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.2026.1609841</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.2026.1609739</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.2026.1609855</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.2026.1609967</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>
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