International journal of public health
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Int J Public Health · Jan 2008
Editorial Comparative StudySocial determinants of health - a cross-cultural perspective.
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Int J Public Health · Jan 2008
Comparative StudyAnalysis of parasuicide, psychiatric care and completed suicides, implications for intervention strategy (Czech Republic, 1996-2000).
This retrospective study analyses the differences between suicide with and without previous parasuicide. The Czech Republic was one of the countries with the traditionally highest level of suicide mortality. During collapse of the communist regime and deep societal changes in the Czech Republic after the year 1989 the escalation of suicides was expected. Mortality from suicides decreased, however the gender and age differences increased. ⋯ Implications for age specific primary and secondary prevention are discussed.
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Int J Public Health · Jan 2008
Comparative StudyAssociations of behavioural, psychosocial and socioeconomic factors with over- and underweight among German adolescents.
The prevalence of overweight and obesity has dramatically increased in western societies. This paper examines behavioural, psychosocial and socioeconomic factors associated with overweight and underweight among adolescents in Germany. ⋯ Despite several variables being associated with overweight and underweight in bivariate models, only three factors remained associated with overweight in multivariable analysis. Other considered variables did not have independent associations with the outcome, but still could be included in respective causal pathways. Our results suggest that preventive strategies focussing on students of low socio-economic status and the avoidance of sedentary behaviours could help to address issues of overweight and obesity.
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Int J Public Health · Jan 2008
Social epidemiology after the German reunification: East vs. West or poor vs. rich?
Social epidemiology has consistently demonstrated an association between socio-economic disadvantage and ill health. Seventeen years after reunification, economic disparities persist between former "East" and "West" Germany. We examine whether there are according health disparities and how they developed over time. ⋯ Small-area analyses are required to disentangle the association between socio-economic inequalities and health in Germany. In such analyses, not only individual but also contextual (e.g. area level) characteristics need to be included. Contextual variables can be used to group smaller areas such as counties into clusters with similar properties. Thus, individual survey data can be linked with contextual characteristics while maintaining data protection and at the same time achieving sufficiently large case numbers. Concurrently, theoretical models explaining health inequalities need to be further developed so that they embrace contextual characteristics.
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Int J Public Health · Jan 2008
Editorial Comparative StudyClosing the global health gaps in a generation - how is it possible?