European journal of public health
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Eur J Public Health · Apr 2016
ReviewPolicy on palliative care in the WHO European region: an overview of progress since the Council of Europe's (2003) recommendation 24.
With the goal of achieving greater unity and coherence, the Council of Europe developed a national palliative care (PC) policy framework-Recommendation (2003) 24. Although directed at member states, the policy spread to the wider World Health Organisation (WHO) European Region. This article aims to present the current situation relating to national PC health policies in European countries. ⋯ An improvement in national PC policy in both EU and non-EU countries was observed. Future priorities include potential initiatives to improve relationships with policymakers, establish quality control programmes and ensure financial support for PC.
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Eur J Public Health · Feb 2016
ReviewCost-effectiveness of screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography: a systematic literature review.
On 31 December 2013, the US Preventive Services Task Force rated low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for lung cancer screening as level 'B' recommendation. Yet, lung cancer screening implementation remains controversial, particularly when considering its cost-effectiveness. The aim of this work is to investigate the cost-effectiveness of LDCT screening program for lung cancer by performing a systematic literature review. ⋯ Cost-effectiveness of LDCT screening for lung cancer is an highly debatable issue. Currently available economic evaluations suggest the cost-effectiveness of LDCT for lung cancer screening compared with no screening and indicate that the implementation of LDCT should be considered when planning a national lung cancer screening program. Additional economic evaluations, especially from a societal perspective and in an EU-setting, are needed.
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The aim of this study was to determine sex differences in the prevalence of cardiovascular health (CVH) metrics according to the CVH status. ⋯ Significant differences in the prevalence of CVH metrics between men and women in the Republic of Srpska should be considered in cardiovascular disease prevention.
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Eur J Public Health · Dec 2015
Health inequality between immigrants and natives in Spain: the loss of the healthy immigrant effect in times of economic crisis.
The immigrant population living in Spain grew exponentially in the early 2000s but has been particularly affected by the economic crisis. This study aims to analyse health inequalities between immigrants born in middle- or low-income countries and natives in Spain, in 2006 and 2012, taking into account gender, year of arrival and socioeconomic exposures. ⋯ Between 2006 and 2012, immigrants who arrived in Spain before 2006 appeared to worsen their health status when compared with natives. The loss of the healthy immigrant effect in the context of a worse impact of the economic crisis on immigrants appears as potential explanation. Employment, social protection and re-universalization of healthcare would prevent further deterioration of immigrants' health status.
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Eur J Public Health · Dec 2015
Prenatal stress and childhood asthma in the offspring: role of age at onset.
Asthma is a heterogeneous disorder with different phenotypes, and age at onset may define part of them. Little is known about possible association between prenatal stress and asthma phenotypes according to age at onset. We aim to investigate whether there is an association between prenatal stress and asthma, and if so, whether such an association differs according to age at asthma onset. ⋯ Prenatal stress is possibly associated with asthma events in children aged 0-3 years, but not with asthma in children aged 4-15 years irrespective of age at asthma onset.