American journal of preventive medicine
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Salutogenic effects of volunteering and helping activities have been well recognized in the pre-COVID-19 era. This study examines associations between helping others as well as additional volunteer activities during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and 6 psychological distress and well-being outcomes one year later. ⋯ Helping and volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic likely led to positive experiences. However, a negative impact on psychological distress of the same activities was also noted.
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As one of the world's most populous countries, China persistently confronts a significant multimorbidity burden. This study aimed to elucidate the multimorbidity burden experienced by Chinese older adults, explore its interplay with socioeconomic disparity, and investigate potential correlations between these provincial disparities and health services availability. ⋯ This study demonstrates that multimorbidity burden in China is linked to provincial socioeconomic disparities and that inequality in health services availability may account for this, which would advocate for a need to reduce disparities in health services availability.
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The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in changes in prescription patterns and fillings for certain medications, but little is known about its impact on the dispensing of cardiovascular drugs. ⋯ Although the COVID-19 pandemic did not appear to result in significant changes in patterns of cardiovascular drug dispensing in Norway, continued access to cardiovascular drugs remains important to prevent further related morbidity.
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Investments in historically oppressed neighborhoods through food retail, housing, and commercial development are hypothesized to improve residents' health, nutrition, and perceptions of their neighborhood as a place to live. Although place-based development (e.g., housing, retail, business assistance) is happening in many communities, there is little evidence of the long-term correlates of multiple investments such as health and nutrition among residents. ⋯ Multiple place-based investments in neighborhoods can potentially induce positive change for residents in health and nutrition outcomes.
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This study evaluates the real-world impact of a lifestyle change program (LCP) on healthcare utilization in a large health system. ⋯ Compared with matched nonparticipants, LCP participation was associated with higher utilization of outpatient services post-participation. Additional research could assess whether this indicates an increase in preventive care that could lead to improved future outcomes.