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Search Results (2,374)

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Keywords = social inequalities

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27 pages, 1443 KiB  
Review
Governance in Crisis: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Global Health Governance During COVID-19
by Kadria Ali Abdel-Motaal and Sungsoo Chun
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(8), 1305; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22081305 - 20 Aug 2025
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed major structural deficiencies in global health governance, including stark inequities in vaccine access, intervention timing, and mortality outcomes. While economic resources played a role, the influence of governance performance remains insufficiently examined. This study addresses a significant gap [...] Read more.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed major structural deficiencies in global health governance, including stark inequities in vaccine access, intervention timing, and mortality outcomes. While economic resources played a role, the influence of governance performance remains insufficiently examined. This study addresses a significant gap by integrating governance metrics with pandemic response data to assess how governance quality, independent of income level, affected national outcomes. Although the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT) dataset has been widely used to document policy responses, this study offers a novel contribution by linking these policy interventions with governance performance and evaluating their joint effect on health outcomes and vaccine equity. Methods: This mixed-methods study combines quantitative analysis of global datasets with a qualitative literature review. Quantitative data were mainly obtained from the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT), the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGIs), and World Bank/WHO databases. A governance performance index was constructed using two WGI components: Government Effectiveness and Regulatory Quality. Countries were grouped into high, medium, or low governance categories. Statistical tests included ANOVA, Kaplan Meier survival analysis, and multivariable OLS regression. The qualitative component reviewed 45 academic and institutional sources on governance performance during COVID-19. Results: Countries with high governance performance had earlier public health interventions, lower mortality, and broader vaccine coverage, independent of income level. Kaplan Meier analysis revealed faster school closures in these countries (p < 0.01). Multivariable regression showed governance remained a significant predictor after adjusting for income and health spending. Qualitative findings highlighted recurring weaknesses in legal enforceability, intergovernmental coordination, and global financing mechanisms. Conclusion: Governance performance had a decisive impact on pandemic outcomes. The COVID-19 crisis revealed the need for robust governance systems capable of responding to complex emergencies that extend beyond the health sector into institutional, economic, and social spheres. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancing Health Equity: Challenges and Opportunities)
25 pages, 1852 KiB  
Article
Child Development Accounts in Jordan: Towards Innovative Social Policies for Economic Development
by Rasha Istaiteyeh
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 502; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080502 - 20 Aug 2025
Abstract
This paper examines a prospect scenario of adopting Child Development Accounts (CDAs) as a social welfare innovation in Jordan. CDAs are considered as an asset-building policy aimed at enhancing financial inclusion and socio-economic well-being. This paper discovers the feasibility of CDAs that have [...] Read more.
This paper examines a prospect scenario of adopting Child Development Accounts (CDAs) as a social welfare innovation in Jordan. CDAs are considered as an asset-building policy aimed at enhancing financial inclusion and socio-economic well-being. This paper discovers the feasibility of CDAs that have proven successful in several countries, as their potential in Middle Eastern countries, particularly in Jordan, remains unexplored. The application of CDAs in the social welfare system aims to support sustainable asset accumulation and improve the living standards of diverse segments in Jordan by integrating CDAs within the efforts made by Jordan to achieve financial inclusion, alleviate poverty, and supplement household income through asset development. There are opportunities to implement the program in Jordan, including expanding the scope of microfinance, public–private partnerships, and targeted programs for women, youth, and refugees. However, several challenges may hinder its application, including limited financial literacy, high unemployment rates, income inequality, regulatory obstacles, and difficulties in implementing social reforms. The paper contributes to the debate on social welfare policies adopted in developing countries by providing solutions based on global practices in CDA execution and has implications and recommendations for decision makers to achieve economic development. Future research in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries should target pilot projects and comparative studies to refine CDA strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Social Policy and Welfare)
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20 pages, 1130 KiB  
Review
Sustainable Housing as a Social Determinant of Health and Wellbeing
by Kritika Rana
Sustainability 2025, 17(16), 7519; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167519 (registering DOI) - 20 Aug 2025
Abstract
Sustainable housing is increasingly recognized as a crucial social determinant of health, intersecting environmental sustainability with affordability, safety, and inclusivity to shape population health and equity. This paper reviews the existing literature and presents that integrating sustainable housing into public health frameworks can [...] Read more.
Sustainable housing is increasingly recognized as a crucial social determinant of health, intersecting environmental sustainability with affordability, safety, and inclusivity to shape population health and equity. This paper reviews the existing literature and presents that integrating sustainable housing into public health frameworks can mitigate health risks, reduce inequities, and promote resilient urban futures. This review paper reframes sustainable housing through a holistic lens, emphasizing its potential to improve health through inclusive design, energy efficiency, green infrastructure, and affordability. Theoretically grounded in the Social Determinants of Health framework, Ecological Systems Theory, Environmental Health Theory, and Life Course Perspective, sustainable housing is shown to influence health outcomes across multiple levels and life stages. Empirical studies further validate these connections, demonstrating improved physical and mental health, particularly among vulnerable populations, when sustainable housing features are implemented. While these benefits span multiple health domains, persistent implementation challenges related to equity, financing, and policy coherence can limit their reach. Equity-centered approaches and cross-sector collaboration are essential to ensure the health benefits of sustainable housing are distributed fairly. Climate-resilient design strategies further underscore the role of housing in protecting communities against growing environmental threats. Furthermore, research priorities are required to strengthen the evidence base, including studies utilizing longitudinal study designs and participatory approaches. The findings of this review call for policy innovations that embed sustainable housing within broader public health and urban development agendas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Built Environment and One Health: Opportunities and Challenges)
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14 pages, 299 KiB  
Article
Del Dicho al Hecho, Hay Mucho Trecho: Employing Testimonio in SBYD Research
by A. Jaime Morales
Youth 2025, 5(3), 86; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth5030086 - 19 Aug 2025
Abstract
This conceptual paper advocates for the use of Testimonio as a critical methodological approach in sport-based youth development (SBYD) research, particularly with Latine youth. Recent scholarship has called for critical methodologies that center race, expose systemic inequities, and challenge entrenched power structures in [...] Read more.
This conceptual paper advocates for the use of Testimonio as a critical methodological approach in sport-based youth development (SBYD) research, particularly with Latine youth. Recent scholarship has called for critical methodologies that center race, expose systemic inequities, and challenge entrenched power structures in SBYD research. Testimonio does precisely that. Rooted in Latine ways of knowing, Testimonio has long been used to document the injustices faced by Latine communities in both Latin America and the United States. Defined by its five pillars—(1) bearing witness, (2) denouncing injustices, (3) consciousness-raising, (4) social justice orientation, and (5) transformational power—Testimonio is widely used in the fields of education, psychology and sociology, yet it remains absent in SBYD research. This paper argues that Testimonio offers a powerful means of capturing the lived realities of Latine youth that traditional research methods often overlook or erase. Preliminary considerations and best practices are offered for scholars and practitioners seeking to employ Testimonio within SBYD contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Critical Approaches to Youth Development through Sport)
13 pages, 775 KiB  
Article
Quality of Life and Environmental Degradation: An Empirical Assessment of Their Interactions and Determinants in Latin America and the Caribbean
by Ximena Morales-Urrutia, Romina Yépez-Villacis, Alex Mantilla Miranda, Rubén Nogales-Portero and Elsy Álvarez
Sustainability 2025, 17(16), 7479; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167479 - 19 Aug 2025
Abstract
This study examines the relationship between quality of life and environmental degradation in Latin America and the Caribbean by analyzing data from 24 countries over the period 2007–2020 from a multidimensional perspective that integrates economic, social, and ecological dimensions. Employing a quantitative methodological [...] Read more.
This study examines the relationship between quality of life and environmental degradation in Latin America and the Caribbean by analyzing data from 24 countries over the period 2007–2020 from a multidimensional perspective that integrates economic, social, and ecological dimensions. Employing a quantitative methodological approach based on panel data models and robust econometric tests, the research yields several significant findings. The reduction of forest areas is associated with a substantial negative impact on quality of life, as are elevated levels of air pollution, whereas access to sanitation services exhibits a highly significant positive relationship. These results underscore the extent to which environmental degradation constrains opportunities for human development, particularly among vulnerable populations. The study concludes that public policies must transcend traditional economic frameworks and adopt integrated strategies that simultaneously promote ecological conservation, improve basic infrastructure, and reduce persistent inequalities across the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability and Indoor Environmental Quality)
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23 pages, 2690 KiB  
Article
Harmonizing the Interplay Between SDG 3 and SDG 10 in the Context of Income Inequality: Evidence from the EU and Ukraine
by Zoriana Dvulit, Liana Maznyk, Natalia Horbal, Olga Melnyk, Tetiana Dluhopolska and Bartłomiej Bartnik
Sustainability 2025, 17(16), 7442; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167442 - 18 Aug 2025
Viewed by 133
Abstract
This paper investigates how Sustainable Development Goals SDG 3 (Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reducing Inequality) interacted during the period 2009–2021 within the context of income disparities in the European Union and Ukraine. The central assumption is that lowering income inequality improves [...] Read more.
This paper investigates how Sustainable Development Goals SDG 3 (Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reducing Inequality) interacted during the period 2009–2021 within the context of income disparities in the European Union and Ukraine. The central assumption is that lowering income inequality improves overall population health. The research proposes a conceptual model with four main elements: classifying countries according to their Gini index along with their performance on SDG 3 and SDG 10; analyzing how income inequality and progress on SDG 10 influence health outcomes (SDG 3); categorizing countries based on the strength of links between inequality measures and well-being indicators; and interpreting these results in the context of Ukraine’s European integration aspirations. Methodologically, cluster analysis, correlation and regression models, and semantic differentiation are applied. The findings show that a reduction in income inequality positively affects health and well-being. Nonetheless, Ukraine continues to face considerable structural and institutional hurdles. From a governance standpoint, the study highlights the need for cohesive policies that integrate economic, health, and social dimensions. Effective public management should coordinate national reforms to match EU healthcare and social policy standards. Strengthening institutions, ensuring fair access to healthcare services, and adopting inclusive policy instruments remain crucial to advancing both SDG 3 and SDG 10 targets, as well as supporting Ukraine’s broader integration with the European Union. Full article
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22 pages, 6700 KiB  
Article
Promoting Sustainable Research Competence Through a Problem-Solving Method and a STEM Educational Kit: A Case Study with Nursing Students at a Newly Established Public University in Peru
by Ronald Paucar-Curasma, Richard Yuri Mercado Rivas and Pedro José García Mendoza
Sustainability 2025, 17(16), 7381; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167381 - 15 Aug 2025
Viewed by 293
Abstract
This study aims to explore the effectiveness of a problem-solving method, grounded in Pólya’s methodological proposal and complemented by a STEM electronic educational kit, in strengthening the research competences of newly admitted nursing students at a public university in Peru. The research followed [...] Read more.
This study aims to explore the effectiveness of a problem-solving method, grounded in Pólya’s methodological proposal and complemented by a STEM electronic educational kit, in strengthening the research competences of newly admitted nursing students at a public university in Peru. The research followed a quantitative approach using a quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-test measurements applied to a group of students who addressed real community health issues in their local context. The intervention was structured into four phases: understanding the problem, planning activities, execution, and reviewing the solution. The results showed significant improvements across all phases, particularly in problem analysis, autonomous planning, technological application, and critical thinking. The Wilcoxon test yielded p-values < 0.05 in all evaluated dimensions, allowing the rejection of the null hypothesis and confirming the effectiveness of the intervention. It is concluded that the problem-solving method, when integrated with relevant technological tools, is an effective strategy to promote formative research in vulnerable educational contexts. Moreover, it aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals—specifically SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)—by fostering inclusive, equitable, and contextually relevant education through socially and technologically meaningful innovation. Full article
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23 pages, 584 KiB  
Review
The Impact of Polycrisis on Healthcare Systems—Analyzing Challenges and the Role of Social Epidemiology
by Agata Wypych-Ślusarska, Karolina Krupa-Kotara, Jerzy Słowinski, Antoniya Yanakieva and Mateusz Grajek
Healthcare 2025, 13(16), 1998; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13161998 - 14 Aug 2025
Viewed by 161
Abstract
In response to contemporary challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, armed conflicts, and economic instability, healthcare systems worldwide are increasingly confronted with multifaceted and overlapping crises—collectively referred to as polycrisis. These interconnected threats amplify one another, placing unprecedented strain on healthcare [...] Read more.
In response to contemporary challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, armed conflicts, and economic instability, healthcare systems worldwide are increasingly confronted with multifaceted and overlapping crises—collectively referred to as polycrisis. These interconnected threats amplify one another, placing unprecedented strain on healthcare infrastructure, governance, and equity. The COVID-19 pandemic alone led to an estimated 16.3 million missed hospitalizations in 2020 and 14.7 million in 2021, revealing systemic vulnerabilities and deepening social inequalities. Armed conflicts, such as in Syria and Gaza, have devastated healthcare access. In Gaza, by mid-2024, 85% of the population had been forcibly displaced, with only 17 of 36 hospitals partially functioning and over 885 healthcare workers killed. Climate change further exacerbates health burdens, with over 86% of urban residents globally exposed to harmful air pollution, contributing to 1.8 million deaths annually. This study introduces a novel perspective by applying social epidemiology to the analysis of polycrisis. While the existing literature often emphasizes political or economic dimensions, our approach highlights how overlapping crises affect population health, social vulnerability, and systemic resilience. By integrating sociodemographic and environmental data, social epidemiology supports crisis-resilient care models, targeted interventions, and equitable health policies. We argue for a stronger mandate to invest in data infrastructure, enhance surveillance, and embed social determinants into health system responses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Health Assessments)
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15 pages, 301 KiB  
Article
Assessment of the Syndemic Relationship Between Individual, Social, and Structural Determinants of Tuberculosis Among People Living in Johannesburg, South Africa
by Fiona Tsungirai Tanyanyiwa, Renay Helouise Van Wyk and Keitshepile Geoffrey Setswe
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(8), 1272; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22081272 - 14 Aug 2025
Viewed by 165
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a critical public health issue in Johannesburg, South Africa, driven by a complex interplay of individual, social, and structural factors. This study assessed the syndemic relationship between these determinants to understand their collective impact on TB burden and treatment outcomes. [...] Read more.
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a critical public health issue in Johannesburg, South Africa, driven by a complex interplay of individual, social, and structural factors. This study assessed the syndemic relationship between these determinants to understand their collective impact on TB burden and treatment outcomes. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among TB patients attending selected clinics, examining behavioural risks (e.g., smoking, alcohol use, HIV co-infection), social conditions (poverty, overcrowding, stigma), and structural challenges (access to healthcare, migration status). The results revealed a significant co-occurrence of TB and HIV (56.1%), alongside high rates of smoking (33.1%) and alcohol use (45.2%). Unemployment (50.2%), inadequate housing, and limited healthcare access, particularly for undocumented migrants (26.2%), were also prominent. Factor analysis demonstrated a syndemic interaction between behavioural and social determinants, underscoring the compounded vulnerability of affected populations. The findings highlight the necessity of integrating medical interventions with social and structural reforms. Recommendations include TB-HIV co-management, substance abuse programmes, improved housing, and inclusive healthcare access. A multisectoral approach addressing both health and socioeconomic inequalities is critical for comprehensive TB control in urban South African contexts. Full article
11 pages, 849 KiB  
Article
Prevalence of Preterm Birth in a Marginalized Roma Population—Quantitative Analysis in One of the Most Disadvantaged Regions of Hungary
by Kinga Pauwlik and Anita R. Fedor
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(8), 1270; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22081270 - 14 Aug 2025
Viewed by 344
Abstract
Preterm birth is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality and is particularly prevalent among socially disadvantaged female populations. This quantitative, cross-sectional study aimed to explore the prevalence of preterm birth in three segregated Roma communities in Hungary and to identify health [...] Read more.
Preterm birth is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality and is particularly prevalent among socially disadvantaged female populations. This quantitative, cross-sectional study aimed to explore the prevalence of preterm birth in three segregated Roma communities in Hungary and to identify health behavior and care factors associated with its occurrence. In our study, preterm birth was defined as delivery before 37 completed weeks of gestation (i.e., <259 days). Data were collected from 231 Roma women living in three municipalities of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County, one of Hungary’s most disadvantaged regions, using a structured interview questionnaire. The participants were women aged 18–65 years. Of these, 209 had been pregnant at least once in their lifetime. The questionnaire covered socio-demographic characteristics (age, level of education, employment status, housing conditions, marital status), health behaviors (smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use, vitamin supplementation, other substance use), antenatal care attendance, and birth outcomes (preterm birth, gestational age, low birth weight, newborn status). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression with significance set at p < 0.05. Preterm birth was significantly more common among women who smoked, consumed alcohol or drugs during pregnancy, or had vaginal infections. Drug use showed the strongest association with a 22-fold increase in risk, followed by alcohol (nearly fivefold), smoking (over threefold), and infections (threefold). Although non-attendance at antenatal care was associated with increased risk, this relationship was not statistically significant. In the multivariate logistic regression model, alcohol consumption (OR = 1.744, p < 0.01), smoking (OR = 2.495, p < 0.01), drug use (OR = 25.500, p < 0.001), and vaginal infections (OR = 4.014, p < 0.01) during pregnancy were independently associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, whereas folic acid supplementation (OR = 0.448, p < 0.05) showed a significant protective effect. These findings highlight that preterm birth is intricately linked to socioeconomic disadvantage and adverse health behaviors. Culture-specific, community-based prevention strategies are essential to reduce perinatal risks in marginalized populations. Full article
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22 pages, 315 KiB  
Article
Respiratory Infections in Adults and Inequality: An Analysis of Deaths and Their Socioeconomic Determinants in Brazil
by Nikolas Lisboa Coda Dias, Pedro Henrique Santos Serafim Ferraz, Rayssa Lopes de Souza, Mariana Felix Maccari, Manoel Reverendo Vidal, Wallisen Tadashi Hattori and Stefan Vilges de Oliveira
Hygiene 2025, 5(3), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/hygiene5030034 - 13 Aug 2025
Viewed by 291
Abstract
Introduction: Respiratory infections cause serious complications responsible for a significant number of deaths in Brazil. In addition, the causes of death can be influenced by social and economic inequalities in Brazilian regions. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile and the influence of demographic [...] Read more.
Introduction: Respiratory infections cause serious complications responsible for a significant number of deaths in Brazil. In addition, the causes of death can be influenced by social and economic inequalities in Brazilian regions. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile and the influence of demographic and socioeconomic factors on deaths from respiratory infections in the adult population between 2014 and 2023 in Brazil. Methods: This was an analytical ecological study using data from the Death Information System. Death incidences were calculated. Multinomial logistic regressions and correlation tests were used to analyze the influence of socioeconomic factors on deaths. Results: There were high incidences of deaths from unspecified pneumonia, unconfirmed tuberculosis and complicated influenza. Deaths from pneumonia and the Gini index were positively correlated, considering the variables black ethnicity (R = 0.894), age over 90 (R = 0.869) and no schooling (R = 0.818) before the pandemic. The odds ratio of death from tuberculosis and influenza in the 70–79 age group (OR = 3.97) and black ethnicity (OR = 1.24), respectively, were higher in the pandemic and post-pandemic periods compared to the previous period. Conclusions: Deaths from respiratory infections were mainly influenced by demographic variables and socioeconomic inequalities in Brazil. Full article
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24 pages, 833 KiB  
Article
Food Security Strategy for Mercosur Countries in Response to Climate and Socio-Economic Challenges
by Yuliia Zolotnytska, Julian Krzyżanowski, Marek Wigier, Vitaliy Krupin and Adrianna Wojciechowska
Sustainability 2025, 17(16), 7280; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167280 - 12 Aug 2025
Viewed by 305
Abstract
In the face of growing climate, economic, and social challenges, an integrated strategy is required to ensure the resilience of food systems in vulnerable regions is strengthened. This study aims to formulate strategies for increasing food security in Mercosur countries amid extreme climate [...] Read more.
In the face of growing climate, economic, and social challenges, an integrated strategy is required to ensure the resilience of food systems in vulnerable regions is strengthened. This study aims to formulate strategies for increasing food security in Mercosur countries amid extreme climate events and socio-economic and environmental crises. These strategies are based on an analysis of the following: (i) changes in food security levels (Global Food Security Index); (ii) self-sufficiency in major agricultural products; (iii) key economic and environmental drivers between 2012 and 2022; and (iv) an assessment of the effectiveness of public policies aimed at alleviating the effects of poverty and drought between 2022 and 2023. A SWOT analysis was conducted to identify the strengths and weaknesses of food systems, as well as the opportunities and threats facing Mercosur countries. Significant differences in food systems’ availability and resilience have been revealed by the results, and the need for integrated regional policies in the countries studied has been highlighted. Recommendations for the region include developing infrastructure and logistics; investing in research and innovation; combatting poverty and inequalities; adapting to the effects of climate change; promoting the local production of fertilisers and biofuels; and implementing coherent monitoring mechanisms (GFSI). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Security, Food Recovery, Food Quality, and Food Safety)
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27 pages, 971 KiB  
Review
Improving Work–Life Balance in Academia After COVID-19 Using Inclusive Practices
by Eva O. L. Lantsoght
Societies 2025, 15(8), 220; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc15080220 - 11 Aug 2025
Viewed by 643
Abstract
Work–life balance (WLB) in academia remains a challenge as a result of increasing workloads, precarious employment, and expectations of constant availability. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed these structural barriers to work–life balance in academia and also clearly showed the inequities related to hybrid and [...] Read more.
Work–life balance (WLB) in academia remains a challenge as a result of increasing workloads, precarious employment, and expectations of constant availability. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed these structural barriers to work–life balance in academia and also clearly showed the inequities related to hybrid and remote work for women, caregivers, and underrepresented minorities. This paper highlights the key factors that pose challenges to WLB in academia, how these challenges have been worsened by COVID-19, and what we can learn from pandemic times solutions to devise inclusive practices for long-term structural change. The methodology used in this paper is a critical review of 298 published articles. This review is structured as follows: The structural barriers, inequities, and workplace policies that impact academic WLB are first inventoried. Then, the lessons learned from the pandemic are studied by dividing the short-term disruptions from the permanent shifts. Finally, inclusive solutions, focusing on institutional boundary-setting, workload redistribution, hybrid work policies, and mental health support are presented. This paper makes three key contributions: (1) it provides an intersectional understanding of WLB, accounting for gender, caregiving, ethnicity, migration, and social class; (2) it frames COVID-19 as a driver for structural reform, rather than an anomaly; (3) it bridges WLB research and policy design, proposing actionable strategies for universities and policymakers. By placing equity and inclusion at the core of the analysis, this work advocates for systemic solutions that promote a sustainable academic environment aligned with principles of social justice. Full article
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19 pages, 1099 KiB  
Article
Generators of Inequality and Inequity Affecting Dental Patient Safety: A Grounded Theory Approach
by Diego A. Gil-Alzate, Isabel C. Posada-Zapata and Andrés A. Agudelo-Suárez
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(8), 1248; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22081248 - 9 Aug 2025
Viewed by 283
Abstract
This study aimed to understand, through the voices of patients, the factors that contribute to inequality and inequity in oral healthcare and their implications for patient safety. A qualitative study was performed using a Grounded Theory approach (GT) through 13 in-depth interviews with [...] Read more.
This study aimed to understand, through the voices of patients, the factors that contribute to inequality and inequity in oral healthcare and their implications for patient safety. A qualitative study was performed using a Grounded Theory approach (GT) through 13 in-depth interviews with a flexible design, recorded and transcribed verbatim for study purposes. Open and axial coding and analysis categories were generated, and a conceptual and explicative framework was established. Ethical approval was obtained. The main findings highlighted how individual, social, and contextual factors significantly influence the materialization of risks and failures in oral healthcare, ultimately affecting patient safety in dental practice. These factors include individual factors, the relationship between professionals and patients, and failures in healthcare service provision. Participants’ discourses showed examples of inequities, such as gender, socioeconomic gradient, educative level, type of healthcare system, discrimination, stigmatization, and othering-otherness, and their effect on dental care and dentistry safety. Health inequities should be tackled in a preventive and proactive manner through the effective integration of intersectoral policies and strategies. This approach would enhance oral health, make patient safety a fundamental pillar of dental care, uphold human dignity, and strengthen trust in the healthcare system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oral Health Surveillance and Care)
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12 pages, 276 KiB  
Review
Period Poverty in Brazil: A Public Health Emergency
by Maurício Fonseca Ribeiro Carvalho de Moraes, Rui Nunes and Ivone Duarte
Healthcare 2025, 13(16), 1944; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13161944 - 8 Aug 2025
Viewed by 195
Abstract
Period poverty is a broad and complex issue that intersects with various areas, including health, education, infrastructure, and human rights, among others, affecting countless women and girls around the world. Despite remarkable technological, social, and economic advances this century, menstruation remains a taboo [...] Read more.
Period poverty is a broad and complex issue that intersects with various areas, including health, education, infrastructure, and human rights, among others, affecting countless women and girls around the world. Despite remarkable technological, social, and economic advances this century, menstruation remains a taboo subject, which leads to widespread misinformation and stigma. Prejudice and a lack of access to knowledge and essential sanitation resources, such as clean water, hygiene products, and safe private spaces, heighten the vulnerability of those affected. Integrated and multisectoral approaches that involve legislature, health, education, and sanitation are necessary to face this public health issue effectively. These efforts involve developing and implementing comprehensive plans that unite government, society, and the private sector. Some examples of these actions include making information about menstruation and menstrual health available in schools, cutting taxes on feminine hygiene products, improving basic sanitation, building decent public restrooms, and providing free sanitary pads in schools and workplaces. These initiatives have the potential to promote menstrual health and dignity, ensuring that people who menstruate can manage their periods in healthy, safe, and supportive environments. This review aims to shed light on menstrual poverty in Brazil as a global issue and a human rights violation, especially when it comes to the rights to health, education, and dignity. It stresses that efforts to end this social stigma and align with the 2030 Agenda, which seeks to eliminate poverty and inequality worldwide, and provides a plan of action to tackle this stigma. Full article
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