European Journal Of Public Health[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Austerity policies and falling life expectancy in disadvantaged areas in Scotland: a pre-pandemic decomposition analysis.
Kaye-Bardgett M, Ramsay J, McCartney G … +2 more , Wyper G, Walsh D
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 42139297 · Full text
Previous decomposition analyses quantified the contribution of changes in age- and cause-specific mortality to the adverse changes in life expectancy observed in the UK since 2012. We extend those analyses by stratifying...
Previous decomposition analyses quantified the contribution of changes in age- and cause-specific mortality to the adverse changes in life expectancy observed in the UK since 2012. We extend those analyses by stratifying by socioeconomic deprivation. Between 2012-14 and 2017-19, changes in life expectancy were substantially worse in Scotland's 20% most deprived areas. Negative impacts on life expectancy were found for most age groups and causes of death, reversing improvements between 2001-03 and 2012-14. This is consistent with the evidence of the role of UK Government 'austerity' policies in reversing previous health improvements among the UK's poorest populations.
Epidemiological pattern of dengue infection in South Andaman: a 5-year analysis of primary and secondary infections.
Murugesan R, Thiruvengadam K, Pulikkottil S … +1 more , Paluru V
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 42128538 · Full text
Dengue fever remains a significant public health concern in endemic regions. This study examines the occurrence of primary and secondary dengue infections in South Andaman over a 5-year period (2018-22), mainly focusing...
Dengue fever remains a significant public health concern in endemic regions. This study examines the occurrence of primary and secondary dengue infections in South Andaman over a 5-year period (2018-22), mainly focusing on demographic and environmental factors influencing transmission. A total of 14 783 individuals with suspected dengue were tested using NS1 Antigen ELISA, IgM, and IgG antibody assays. Data on age, gender, location (urban vs. rural), household exposure, and clinical symptoms were analysed to identify patterns and risk factors related to dengue infections. Primary dengue infections were found in 6.6% of cases, while 2.5% had secondary infections, and 5.5% showed signs of past infections. Higher infection rates were observed among males and individuals aged 16-30 years, followed by those of <15 years. Urban areas reported higher rates of both primary and secondary infections compared to rural areas. Household exposure to dengue cases significantly influenced infection rates. Respiratory symptoms were also strongly linked to dengue infections. This study identifies key demographic and urban-rural risks for dengue in South Andaman. Our results dictate the need for targeted vaccination in the age group of <15 years, as per WHO criteria, intensified urban vector control, and preventive household interventions to effectively reduce the disease burden in this endemic region.
Overcoming barriers to the prescription/dispensation of take-home naloxone among French primary care professionals: a regional training initiative.
Aquizerate A, Duval M, Rousselet M … +9 more , Jaulin E, Kuhn E, Oger AC, Nicolleau I, Pele S, Herault T, Artarit P, Laforgue EJ, Victorri-Vigneau C
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 42105345 · Full text
Opioid-related mortality is a global issue, and France shows high opioid use disorder indicators. Despite recommendations for wider take-home-naloxone distribution, access remains limited in France, and many primary care...
Opioid-related mortality is a global issue, and France shows high opioid use disorder indicators. Despite recommendations for wider take-home-naloxone distribution, access remains limited in France, and many primary care professionals lack training. The SINFONI project aims to enhance naloxone education for these providers. A motion-design training program was created and sent to general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists. A total of 138 GPs and 207 pharmacists participated in the knowledge assessment before and after training. Post-training, significant improvements were observed, and the greatest knowledge gains were in understanding naloxone's safety (P < .001). Our findings primarily identified critical "red flags" that may hinder prescription and dispensing practices.
Gender inequalities and the burden of anorexia and bulimia in Europe, 1990-2023: findings from the global burden of disease study 2023.
Zamagni G, Fabbro E, Rapagnani MP … +13 more , Beghi M, Ayuso-Mateos JL, Armocida B, Bertuccio P, de Girolamo G, Gialluisi A, Haro JM, Kissimova-Skarbek K, Leonardi M, Maurel E, Raggi A, Monasta L, Castelpietra G
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 42095836 · Full text
Eating disorders (EDs), including anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), are severe mental health conditions affecting physical and psychosocial health. Structural gender inequality may shape the burden of EDs a...
Eating disorders (EDs), including anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), are severe mental health conditions affecting physical and psychosocial health. Structural gender inequality may shape the burden of EDs across sexes and regions. We analyzed Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 estimates to assess the relationship between gender inequality and ED burden in Europe. Years Lived with Disability (YLD) for AN and BN were extracted by sex and five-year age groups (10-39 years) from 1990 to 2023 across 35 countries. Gender inequality was measured using the Gender Inequality Index (GII). Mixed linear regression was applied with year, age group, sex, GII, and their interactions as fixed effects, and country and year as random intercept and slope, respectively. YLDs increased over time across most countries and age groups, with females consistently experiencing the highest burden. For AN, higher levels of GII were significantly associated with greater YLD rates in both males (β = 29.28; 95% CI: 22.2 to 36.4) and females (β = 85.3; 95% CI: 42.1 to 128.6), with a stronger effect for females. For BN, GII was inversely associated with YLDs among males (β = -645.6; 95% CI: -732.8 to -558.3), whereas a positive association was observed among females (β = 794.7; 95% CI: 659.1 to 930.2). Higher burden of AD and BN among young Europeans in more gender-equal settings coexisted with sex-specific patterns associated with increasing gender inequality, underscoring the complexity of gender-related factors and the need for gender-sensitive mental health strategies.
Telework perceptions in hospital workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic-the ADAPTAWORK2 study.
Mourgues C, Guiguet-Auclair C, Doplat C … +3 more , Baker JS, Pereira B, Dutheil F
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 42054081 · Full text
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed work organization in hospitals, notably with the expansion of telework. This study aimed to assess perceptions of telework among hospital workers throughout the pandemic and to identify...
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed work organization in hospitals, notably with the expansion of telework. This study aimed to assess perceptions of telework among hospital workers throughout the pandemic and to identify factors associated with telework perceptions in the post-pandemic period. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted from October to December 2023. All hospital workers, regardless of their occupation or status, were invited to participate in an online survey. Perceptions of telework were assessed using visual analog scales, ranging from 0 (very negative) to 100 (very positive), across three periods: before the COVID-19 pandemic, during the first French lockdown, and after the pandemic. A total of 882 hospital workers were included in the analysis. Throughout the pandemic, 41.4% reported adopting telework. Overall, perceptions of telework became significantly more positive over time, rising from a mean score of 54.3 ± 25.3 before the pandemic, to 62.7 ± 27.4 during the first lockdown, and to 66.0 ± 27.5 after the pandemic (P < .001). Experiencing telework for the first time was associated with more favorable perceptions, with high levels sustained among those who continued teleworking post-pandemic. Perceptions of telework improved significantly among hospital workers throughout the pandemic with notable shifts in work practices, with nearly one third of participants teleworking in the post-pandemic period. Experiencing telework was associated with more positive perceptions.
Assessing the impact of China's universal two-child policy on infant health: evidence from a quasi-experimental study.
Tang D, Shan ZL, Zhan WX … +3 more , Gao XD, Ma WL, Coyte PC
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 42054080 · Full text
China's "one-child policy" limited many households in China to only one child. This policy had an impact on birth outcomes due to the birth order effects, as firstborn infants typically have lower birth weights. This stu...
China's "one-child policy" limited many households in China to only one child. This policy had an impact on birth outcomes due to the birth order effects, as firstborn infants typically have lower birth weights. This study aimed to estimate the impact of the "universal two-child policy" on birth weight in China by analyzing individual-level data collected from a major tertiary obstetrics hospital located in Shanghai, the largest metropolitan area in China. Medical records for all births were obtained from a major metropolitan obstetrics hospital between 2013 and 2018. Using difference-in-differences (DID) and quantile DID (QDID) methods while controlling for maternal characteristics and socioeconomic factors, we examined the policy's impact on birth weight. Analyses included stratification by maternal migrant status, age, and delivery mode. Insurance was found to mediate the treatment effect significantly. Analysis of 133 358 live births showed the policy increased birth weight by 21 g, corresponding to approximately 0.04 standard deviations of birth weight in our sample, with effects varying across maternal age groups and residency status. Insurance coverage mediated 41.3% of the total effect on birth weight. The "universal two-child policy" demonstrated beneficial impact on birth weight in China during the study period, particularly affecting older women, Shanghai residents, and those with natural births.
Early dynamics of multimorbidity in 17.4 million people in Spain: onset patterns and prognostic value.
Ioakeim-Skoufa I, Vicente-Romero J, González-Rubio F … +14 more , Aza-Pascual-Salcedo M, Laguna-Berna C, Sempere-Verdú E, Vicens-Caldentey C, Palop-Larrea V, Arroyo-Aniés MP, Esteban-Jiménez Ó, Orueta-Sánchez R, Barrio-Díez I, Marín-Murillo P, Pearson SA, Gómez-Vaquero C, Gimeno-Miguel A, Hernández-Rodríguez MÁ
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 42044176 · Full text
Multimorbidity, the coexistence of two or more chronic diseases, has become a defining challenge for ageing societies. Yet evidence on when and how chronic diseases begin to cluster, and on the prognostic importance of t...
Multimorbidity, the coexistence of two or more chronic diseases, has become a defining challenge for ageing societies. Yet evidence on when and how chronic diseases begin to cluster, and on the prognostic importance of this timing, remains limited. We used nationwide primary care electronic health records covering 17.4 million people in Spain to reconstruct the onset and progression of chronic disease over the life course. The first recorded diagnosis was used to trace temporal trajectories of multimorbidity by age and sex. We examined how the first condition, age at diagnosis, and time since that diagnosis were associated with advanced (≥3 diseases), multisystem (≥2 organ systems), and complex multimorbidity (≥3 organ systems), as well as premature mortality (<50 and <65 years) and outcomes related to polypharmacy and high-risk prescribing, using multivariable regression and gradient boosting models. By 2021, more than one in three Spaniards lived with a chronic condition, and over half of adults aged 45 years or older had multimorbidity. Among them, nearly 60% had complex multimorbidity. The time elapsed since the first diagnosis showed the closest link to further accumulation, followed by age at first diagnosis and current age. Later onset, particularly after the mid-50s, was associated with faster decline once disease emerged. The timing of the first chronic condition is a powerful but often overlooked prognostic marker. Public health strategies delaying onset and integrating early management could substantially reduce the long-term burden of multimorbidity in European populations.
The interplay of parental and child-related characteristics on paediatric COVID-19 vaccine non-acceptance in Hungary.
Gács Z, Ligeti AS, Rudas S … +1 more , Koltai J
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 42015535 · Full text
As the rate of vaccine non-acceptance creates alarming public health challenges, it becomes essential to understand how the interplay between parental and child characteristics influences the uptake of voluntary vaccinat...
As the rate of vaccine non-acceptance creates alarming public health challenges, it becomes essential to understand how the interplay between parental and child characteristics influences the uptake of voluntary vaccinations among children. The experiences gained during the COVID-19 pandemic are crucial for developing more targeted communication strategies and increasing vaccination rates in the future. This research analyses data from 13 representative Hungarian surveys focusing on parents' attitudes towards vaccinating their children against COVID-19, giving information of 2482 respondents altogether. The reasons for vaccine non-acceptance are investigated using both quantitative and qualitative methods, with attention given to characteristics of both the parent and the child. The interplay of parental and child characteristics significantly shapes vaccination decisions on voluntary paediatric vaccination. Parental attributes-such as previous COVID-19 experience, sources of information about the virus and vaccination, socioeconomic status, and gender-and child attributes, including age, gender, and the presence of chronic illness, affected not only the likelihood of vaccine non-acceptance but also the underlying rationale. These rationales included, e.g. beliefs that the pandemic does not pose a threat, concerns about potential side effects, distrust, and arguments rooted in misinformation. The quantitative and qualitative results explain interactions of individual factors, proving that subgroup patterns may be modified by individual experience, and individualized information could further decrease the rate of non-acceptance.
Factors related to participation in colorectal cancer screening in a Southern European region: a prevalence survey.
Martín-García P, Pichiule-Castañeda M, Domínguez-Berjón MF … +1 more , Gandarillas-Grande A
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41999638 · Full text
The colorectal cancer screening programme was fully implemented in the Community of Madrid in 2019. This study aimed to analyse factors related to participation during the subsequent 4 years. We conducted a cross-section...
The colorectal cancer screening programme was fully implemented in the Community of Madrid in 2019. This study aimed to analyse factors related to participation during the subsequent 4 years. We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Community of Madrid's Noncommunicable Disease Risk-Factor Surveillance System (SIVFRENT) (2020-23). Study population included individuals aged 50-69 years. We analysed the association between faecal occult blood test (FOBT) performance and demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle variables. Crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were calculated using Poisson regression models, stratified by sex. Among 3813 participants, 52.1% were women. Overall, 55.3% (95% CI: 53.6-57.0) underwent an FOBT for screening purposes, with a greater proportion of men (57.8%) than women (53.1%) (P < .05). The highest participation occurred during 2023. Among men, being separated or divorced (aPR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.67-0.94) and being aged 50-59 years old (aPR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.85-0.99) were associated with a lower likelihood of undergoing an FOBT. Among women, lower participation was associated with being underweight (aPR: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.40-0.97), widowed (aPR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.66-0.93), born outside Spain (aPR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.72-0.95), a current smoker (aPR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.75-0.95), and being under 60 years of age (aPR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.79-0.94). Overall, a gradual improvement in colorectal cancer screening participation was observed, with men participating at higher rates than women. The associated factors differ between men and women and need to be accounted for when strategies to increase programme coverage are implemented.
20-Year labor market histories of 66-year-old women and men: a nationwide retrospective cohort study from Sweden.
Gémes K, Martikainen A, Farrants K … +4 more , Alexanderson K, Bergström J, Mittendorfer-Rutz E, Virtanen M
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41986880 · Full text
A health-promoting, supportive, and inclusive labor market is essential to sustainable working life. However, knowledge is warranted on working life patterns from midlife on. We aimed to map 20-year histories of labor ma...
A health-promoting, supportive, and inclusive labor market is essential to sustainable working life. However, knowledge is warranted on working life patterns from midlife on. We aimed to map 20-year histories of labor market and healthcare use among women and men aged 66. A 20-year retrospective cohort study of 52 920 women and 51 823 men aged 66 in 2019 who lived in Sweden 2000-19, using microdata on type of economic activity, income, secondary healthcare use, and prescribed medications, linked from nationwide registers. Sequence and cluster analysis were performed on yearly dominant labor market states, separately for women and men. Women spent more time in "low-income" and "sickness absence/disability pension (SA/DP)" and less time in "high-income" states than men. Time spent in "unemployed," "no/minimal income," "social assistance" and "retired" states were similar in both sexes. Probabilities of transitioning from "SA/DP," "social assistance," and "retired" to other states were low (<.09). The largest sequence cluster in men (68%) was mostly characterized by sequences with "high-income" and in women by "low-" and "high-" income states (74%). Other clusters were represented by "unemployed" (14% of women, 17% of men), "no/minimal income" (10%, 11%), and "SA/DP" (3%, 3%) states. Most women and men were active in the labor market when aged 46-66, nevertheless, around 30% followed less active paths, dominated by long-term SA/DP, social assistance, or unemployment. Transitions from these states were unlikely. The most pronounced sex-difference in working life was time spent in "low"- and "high-income" states.
Getting better or worse? How trends in healthy life expectancy within working age are shaped by diverging trends among age groups.
Tetzlaff J, Mond L, Safieddine B … +3 more , Sperlich S, Steffens S, Tetzlaff F
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41985053 · Full text
Against the backdrop of population ageing and growing labour shortage, Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE) in working age represent a key resource for individual wellbeing and economic growth. This study investigates how age-s...
Against the backdrop of population ageing and growing labour shortage, Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE) in working age represent a key resource for individual wellbeing and economic growth. This study investigates how age-specific trends shape the development of HLE within working age and whether these trends differ between health indicators. We used the German Socioeconomic Panel to calculate HLE between age 18 and 64 for three periods between 2002 and 2022 (N = 232 393) based on Self-rated Health (SRH), mental and physical Health-related Quality of Life (p/mHRQoL). We decomposed changes in HLE over time into the contributions by age group and distinguished between morbidity and mortality contributions. For men, HLE increased in terms in SRH but remained largely unchanged in terms of mHRQoL and pHRQoL. For women, HLE decreased in terms of SRH and pHRQoL while it remained stable for mHRQoL. Deteriorating health in younger working-age groups strongly contributed to decreases in HLE while improving health at older working age fostered increases in HLE. Mortality contributions were minor. We found divergent contributions to trends in HLE by age group with the younger working-age population fostering decreases in HLE while older age groups fostered an increase. Furthermore, trends differed by health indicator, which underlines the importance of analysing more than one indicator whenever possible. The findings are worrying and suggest that the labour force may decline not only due to population ageing, but also due to the deteriorating health, posing growing challenges for both health and labour market policies.
Predicting childhood overweight and obesity at school entrance using healthcare, demographic, and socioeconomic data in Wales, UK.
Ziauddeen N, Fraser SDS, Stannard S … +5 more , Berrington A, Chiovoloni R, Akbari A, Owen RK, Alwan NA
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41974166 · Full text
In Wales, 24.8% of children aged 4-5 years live with overweight/obesity. Obesity is linked to developing multiple long-term conditions. We aimed to predict childhood obesity using healthcare and wider demographic, socioe...
In Wales, 24.8% of children aged 4-5 years live with overweight/obesity. Obesity is linked to developing multiple long-term conditions. We aimed to predict childhood obesity using healthcare and wider demographic, socioeconomic, and area-level data. The Secure Anonymized Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank in Wales contains routinely collected individual-level anonymized data from health records and administrative data. Two subsamples were created. The first restricted to singleton births between 15 March 2010 and 28 March 2012 to include Census 2011 data. The second included births after 1 January 2014 to include early-life measurements. Age- and sex-adjusted body mass index (BMI) at 4-5 years was used to define outcome of overweight/obesity (≥91st centile). Backward stepwise logistic regression models with multivariable fractional polynomials were used to develop models in stages. Data were available on 53 815 children at 4-5 years in census and 60 990 children in early-life subsample. Maternal BMI, smoking, marital status, birthweight, ethnic group, gender, and breastfeeding at birth were retained in all models. Additional variables were retained on adding census and area-level factors but increase in discrimination (Area Under the Curve, AUC) was marginal (0.66-0.67). In the second subsample, AUC improved from 0.67 to 0.79 as factors up to weight at 27 months were incorporated. Factors from healthcare records were largely consistent with existing literature. Additional insights were provided by including census data, though increase in model discrimination was marginal. Childhood obesity can act as a mediator on the pathway to multiple long-term conditions, and risk identification tools may target early prevention.
Cardiovascular disease risk across subsectors and occupations in the transportation and storage industry: a national cohort study.
Oh J, Park H, Lee J … +3 more , Lee J, Yun B, Yoon JH
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41968760 · Full text
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality. While the transportation industry is recognized as high-risk for CVD, variation across subsectors and occupations remains unclear. We...
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality. While the transportation industry is recognized as high-risk for CVD, variation across subsectors and occupations remains unclear. We evaluated CVD risk across subsectors and occupations in South Korea's transportation industry. This retrospective cohort study used linked data from Korean National Health Insurance Service and Employment Insurance databases. Male workers aged 35-54 years in 2013 who remained in the same occupation during 2012 and underwent health screening in 2012-2013 were included. Follow-up continued through 2022. We calculated age-standardized incidence rates, standardized incidence ratios (SIRs), and population-attributable fractions across industries, with stratified analyses by subsector, occupation and lifestyle factors. Among 2 300 512 workers, transportation industry exhibited the highest age-standardized CVD incidence rate (558.9 per 100 000 person-years) and population-attributable fraction (1.49%) of all industries. Within 182 551 transportation workers, driving-related occupations showed the highest SIRs, especially in land and freight subsectors. Aviation subsectors had lower CVD incidence and more favorable health indicators. These patterns remained consistent after stratification by obesity and smoking status. Substantial heterogeneity exists in CVD risk across transportation subsectors and occupations. Targeted prevention strategies are needed for high-risk groups, particularly drivers.
The association between individual and neighbourhood-level measures of socioeconomic disadvantage and severe maternal morbidity, in the Netherlands, a retrospective cohort study.
Geddes-Barton D, Klootwijk A, Ramakrishnan R … +3 more , Goldacre R, Kiefte-de Jong JC, Knight M
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Mar · PMID 41954921 · Full text
Socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with severe maternal morbidity (SMM), across high-income countries. However, neighbourhood-level measures of disadvantage, often used in population-based studies, may underestimat...
Socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with severe maternal morbidity (SMM), across high-income countries. However, neighbourhood-level measures of disadvantage, often used in population-based studies, may underestimate the effect of individual socioeconomic disadvantage. This study aimed to compare the strength of the associations between individual- and neighbourhood-level measures of socioeconomic disadvantage and SMM risk in a high-income country. We conducted a nationwide, population-based cohort study using the Dutch Data InfrAstructure for ParEnts and childRen (DIAPER). The cohort consisted of 832 866 women who gave birth in the Netherlands between 1 January 2012, and 31 December 2021. Multilevel multivariable Poisson regression was used to calculate adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for individual and neighbourhood-level measures of socioeconomic disadvantage. The role of pre-existing physical and mental health conditions in this association was examined using causal mediation analysis. Individual-level measures of socioeconomic disadvantage showed the strongest association with SMM, with the largest risk ratio of SMM between women with individual low educational attainment compared to those with high educational attainment (aRR 1.41, 95% CI 1.33-1.50), whereas the aRR for low compared to high neighbourhood education was 1.21 (95% CI 1.14-1.28). Physical health conditions mediated between 11% and 29% of the association with SMM across the different measures of disadvantage. Individual measures of socioeconomic position are more strongly associated with SMM than neighbourhood-level measures and pre-existing physical health conditions are important factors in this association. Future research should recognize the potential underestimation of risk when using neighbourhood-level disadvantage as a proxy for individual disadvantage.
Secular trends of incidence and prevalence of Parkinsonism subtypes: a cohort study in the United Kingdom.
Chen X, Barclay NL, Pineda-Moncusí M … +7 more , Català M, Molina-Porcel L, Man WY, Delmestri A, Prieto-Alhambra D, Jödicke AM, Newby D
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Mar · PMID 41954920 · Full text
To evaluate secular trends of incidence and prevalence of Parkinson's Disease (PD), Vascular Parkinsonism (VP), and Drug-induced Parkinsonism from 2007 to 2021 in the UK. We used primary care data, Clinical Practice Rese...
To evaluate secular trends of incidence and prevalence of Parkinson's Disease (PD), Vascular Parkinsonism (VP), and Drug-induced Parkinsonism from 2007 to 2021 in the UK. We used primary care data, Clinical Practice Research Datalink GOLD, from the UK. Individuals were included if they were registered from January 2007 to December 2021 with at least one year of prior observation. Age-standardized and crude incidence and prevalence were calculated annually; age-standardized rates were stratified by sex, and crude rates by age and sex. From 2007 to 2019, the age-standardized incidence of PD decreased from 35.61 (95% confidence interval: 33.97-37.30) to 31.27 (29.27-33.37) per 100 000 person-years. The prevalence of PD increased from 0.21% (0.21%-0.22%) in 2007, peaking in 2016 at 0.23% (0.23%-0.24%). The number of VP diagnoses has increased since 2010, whereas the incidence and prevalence of DIP remained stable. Incidence and prevalence increased with age and were generally higher in males, except for DIP, which was slightly higher in females. Crude rates showed similar trends. Though Parkinson Disease incidence has declined, prevalence has risen, suggesting improved survival. VP rates have increased, possibly due to improvements in diagnostic screening. Drug-induced Parkinsonism rates remained stable. With an aging UK population, Parkinsonism subtypes pose a growing burden.
Gestational diabetes and spousal health: the Finnish gestational diabetes study.
Taskila T, Vääräsmäki M, Mustaniemi S … +5 more , Leppänen S, Laivuori H, Kajantie E, Keikkala E, FinnGeDi Study Group
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Mar · PMID 41954919 · Full text
The spouses of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) seem to be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We comparatively analysed the risk factors, lifestyle, socioeconomic fact...
The spouses of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) seem to be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We comparatively analysed the risk factors, lifestyle, socioeconomic factors, and health of the spouses of women with (cases, n = 599) and without (controls, n = 586) GDM. This cross-sectional study utilized data from the Finnish Gestational Diabetes study. Data of the spouses were collected using a structured questionnaire: socioeconomic factors, smoking, alcohol consumption, health, own perinatal health, and family history of diabetes and CVDs. Age-adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. The mean ages of the cases and the controls were 33.5 years and 31.2 years, respectively [mean difference: 2.4 years, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.68-3.02]. The mean body mass index of the cases (26.9 kg/m2) was 0.78 kg/m2 (95% CI: 0.34-1.21) higher than that of the controls. Fewer cases attained the highest educational level (13.5% vs. 16.9%, aOR 0.64, 95% CI: 0.46-0.90). The cases reported more often alcohol consumption (85.4% vs. 78.7%, aOR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.16-2.17); chronic disease, impairment, or disability (17.4% vs. 12.6%, aOR 1.43, 95% CI: 1.03-2.00); or mental disorder (8.0% vs. 5.1%, aOR 1.63, 95% CI: 1.01-2.64). The cases reported more risk factors for adverse health outcomes, more chronic diseases and mental disorders than the controls. Therefore, lifestyle counselling should also be provided to the spouses of women with GDM.
Maternal and child nutrition insecurity, microbiome, and early neurodevelopment: an intricate interplay. Results from a systematic review.
Specchia ML, Beccia F, Cacciuttolo MG … +6 more , Petrella L, Mungo T, Thiella S, Lucarelli A, Zace D, Di Pietro ML
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Mar · PMID 41954918 · Full text
Emerging research suggests nutrition insecurity influences microbiome composition, which in turn affects early neurodevelopment through the gut-brain axis. This systematic review aimed to evaluate evidence on these relat...
Emerging research suggests nutrition insecurity influences microbiome composition, which in turn affects early neurodevelopment through the gut-brain axis. This systematic review aimed to evaluate evidence on these relationships. A comprehensive search of the scientific literature was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies investigating the links between nutrition insecurity in mothers and children, microbiome, and early neurodevelopment were included. Data on maternal characteristics, microbiota composition, neurodevelopmental outcomes, and nutritional status were extracted from eligible studies. The review included 11 studies, primarily cohort studies, conducted in various countries. According to the study findings, gut maternal and infant microbiota composition in early life appear to be closely connected to early neurodevelopment both in terms of cognitive/motor skills and temperament. Nutrition insecurity has a significant influence in shaping these outcomes as it can alter microbiota balance and contribute to gut dysbiosis and delayed neurodevelopmental milestones. Breastfeeding emerges as a crucial factor in modulating the infant microbiome and supporting neurodevelopment. Also, other factors such as pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and environment seem to influence offspring gut colonization and neurodevelopmental outcomes. This systematic review highlights the intricate interplay between maternal and child nutrition insecurity, microbiota, and early neurodevelopment. These findings underscore the critical need for targeted interventions addressing maternal and child nutrition to mitigate the adverse effects of nutrition insecurity and support optimal early-life neurodevelopment. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to explore the causal pathways and to develop nutrition-based strategies to prioritize microbiome health in vulnerable and at-risk populations.
Spatial resolution of exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) and the impact on the burden of disease in Germany.
Wallek S, Langner M, Plass D … +2 more , Kienzler S, Sauter T
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Mar · PMID 41934675 · Full text
Accurate estimation of the disease burden attributable to ambient particulate matter (PM2.5) requires reliable exposure data with an adequate spatial resolution. While coarse-resolution models are commonly used for natio...
Accurate estimation of the disease burden attributable to ambient particulate matter (PM2.5) requires reliable exposure data with an adequate spatial resolution. While coarse-resolution models are commonly used for national assessments, the impact of spatial resolution on environmental burden of disease (EBD) estimates remains understudied. We compared two modelling approaches for PM2.5 exposure in Germany: a chemical transport model (REM-CALGRID [RCG], 2 × 2 km² resolution) and a high-resolution hybrid geostatistical land-use regression model (PMR, 100 × 100 m² resolution). EBD estimates were calculated for five health outcomes using established concentration-response functions. Across all outcomes, the PMR model consistently produced slightly higher EBD estimates-approximately 2%-3% higher disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) than the coarser RCG model. The difference is due to improved detection of local pollution hotspots and more accurate exposure assignments in the high-resolution model. A larger share of the population was classified into higher exposure categories under the PMR model. Although the added value of high-resolution modelling is limited at national level, it offers clear benefits for small-area analyses and applications in environmental justice and health equity. Our findings support the integration of fine-scale exposure data into public health surveillance and burden of disease (BoD) assessments where feasible.
COVID-19 and its short- and long-term effects on the operations of the EMA: fostering innovation in the EU during and beyond time of crisis.
Gillini L, Sevilla-Hernández C, Cavaleri M
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Mar · PMID 41934674 · Full text
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) played a crucial role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing various innovations that facilitated the development and approval of vaccines and treatments. This article...
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) played a crucial role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing various innovations that facilitated the development and approval of vaccines and treatments. This article analyses some of those innovations on the agency's operations through literature on innovation in the public sector using a literature review, publications on EU policy along with internal knowledge by the authors. The agency's innovative approaches such as the establishment of the COVID-19 Emergency Task Force and the effective use of real-world evidence enabled the agency to provide rapid advice to developers and ensure the provision of scientific feedback to the authorities and the public during crisis. The changes implemented led to new legislation allowing long-term effects within the agency. The EMA has emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic strengthened by innovative approaches leading to new legislation enabling an expanded mandate of the agency. To sustain innovation at the EMA, the agency might have to consider a structured and comprehensive approach to innovation, including the importance of fostering an innovation culture within the organization.
Trauma, distress, and resilience among Ukrainian migrants: mental health and cultural contexts in Europe.
Szkup M, Krsnik S, Fedortsiv O … +10 more , Stanisavljević S, Rousou E, Burbela E, Kleszcz A, Fernandes R, Mikła M, Ellina P, Zabielska P, Melo P, Erjavec K
Eur J Public Health · 2026 Mar · PMID 41934225 · Full text
The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused unprecedented displacement across Europe, yet evidence on the psychological adaptation of Ukrainian migrants in different institutional contexts remains limited. This...
The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused unprecedented displacement across Europe, yet evidence on the psychological adaptation of Ukrainian migrants in different institutional contexts remains limited. This study examines how traumatic exposure, resilience, and cultural trauma symptoms, and perceived social support interact to shape mental health outcomes among Ukrainian migrants residing in eight countries: Slovenia, Poland, Cyprus, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Serbia, and Ukraine. Using validated psychometric instruments (RHS-15, HSCL-25, DSM-5 trauma clusters, Cultural Symptoms of Trauma, RS-25), the study employs a cross-sectional design to analyze individual and contextual determinants of psychological distress. The traumatic exposure is consistently associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms, while resilience serves as a robust protective factor across all mental health indicators. Cultural trauma symptoms emerged as a key mediator linking trauma exposure to distress, whereas perceived social support neither mediated nor moderated this relationship. These findings highlight the multidimensional nature of refugee mental health, underscoring the need for long-term, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive psychosocial support, alongside improvements in integration infrastructures and service accessibility. The study advances theoretical understanding of forced migration by demonstrating how cultural meaning-making and institutional structures jointly shape mental health trajectories among displaced populations.
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