To compare and analyze COVID-19 control outcomes, including case severity, vaccination, and excess mortality, across 6 nations (USA, UK, China, Russia, Japan, and South Africa) from January 2020 to December 2022.

This study utilized data from the “Our World in Data” dataset to characterize the epidemiological features of COVID-19 across 6 countries. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were employed to examine the associations between Stringency Index (SI), vaccination coverage, and epidemiological outcomes.

The USA had the highest median cases per million and the UK the highest deaths per million, while China reported the lowest for both. Hospitalization and ICU rates were highest in the UK and the USA, respectively, and lowest in Japan. Vaccination coverage was highest in China and lowest in South Africa. Excess mortality was highest in Russia and lowest in Japan. Generalized linear models indicated a negative association between the SI and cases in China (β = −40, P = 0.015), which became stronger after adjusting for vaccination (β = −311, P < 0.001), but positive associations were observed in the USA, UK, and South Africa. SI was negatively associated with excess mortality in most countries.

Effective pandemic control is highly context-dependent. The relationships among vaccination, variant prevalence, and health care burden were complex, shaped by implementation context, public compliance, and health care capacity.

To assess the prevalence and identify sociodemographic predictors of regular fast-food consumption (R-FFC) among UAE adults to inform public health nutrition responses to growing diet-related ill-health in the region.

A descriptive cross-sectional study using purposive, convenience sampling. Data was collected using an online survey adapted from two validated surveys and distributed via social media platforms. R-FFC was defined as visiting a fast-food restaurant to eat ≥2 times/week. Pearson chi-squared tests and multiple binary logistic regression models were used to investigate prevalence and predictors of R-FFC. All statistical significance was considered at p-value <0.05.

Community, adults living in the UAE.

UAE residents, ≥18 years, who consumed fast-food ≥once during the previous month.

320 respondents met the inclusion criteria (age [mean± SD] = 23.7± 7.7 years). The prevalence of R-FFC was 46.6%. Based on results from the regression model, predictors of R-FFC were (AOR; 95% CI) being female (2.47; 1.06- 5.79), married (3.11; 1.25-7.77), BMI ≥25.0 (2.09; 1.10-4.00) and residing outside Abu Dhabi (32.79; 12.06-89.16). None of the remaining variables reached statistical significance. Taste was the most common reason for FFC (56.9%), followed by convenience (21.6%). Regular fast food consumers were more likely to “super-size” meals (p=0.011), eat alone (p=0.009), and not have regular meal patterns (p=0.004).

The study revealed a high prevalence of R-FFC among UAE adults, and novel cultural predictors and characteristics of FFC in this context, highlighting the importance of socially and culturally informed research and public health strategies in this region.

Canadian front-of-package (FOP) labelling regulations aim to improve dietary patterns by identifying foods high in sodium, sugars and/or saturated fat with a ‘high in’ FOP nutrition symbol. However, child-appealing marketing on product packaging may undermine these efforts. Therefore, this study (1) compared the prevalence of FOP symbols between products with child-appealing and non-child appealing packaging in the Canadian food supply and (2) identified the number and types of FOP symbols on products with child-appealing packaging (CAP).

Using the University of Toronto’s Food Label Information and Price 2017 database, 5850 packaged foods were analysed, 746 of which had CAP. Products were assessed against FOP labelling regulations.

Large grocery retailers by market share in Canada.

Foods and beverages available in 2017. Results: 74·4 % of products with CAP would require a ‘high in’ FOP symbol, significantly higher than the 65·7 % of products with non-CAP. Notably, 54·4 % of products with CAP exceeded FOP labelling thresholds for sugars compared with 37·8 % of products with non-CAP.

Findings highlight a policy gap in Canadian nutrition regulations, as CAP remains a major source of marketing of unhealthy foods to children, undermining the impact of FOP labelling. To address this, food packaging should be included in Canada’s marketing restrictions, and products displaying a ‘high in’ FOP symbol should be automatically restricted from marketing to children. This study underscores the urgent need to harmonise Canadian nutrition regulations to synergistically promote healthier food choices among children and improve their health.

This research evaluated Australian governmental disaster inquiries to identify evidence of application of the social determinants of health within their recommendations.

An analysis was conducted of recommendations from published Australian disaster inquiry reports between 2007 and 2020 against the Social Determinants of Health framework’s three overarching principles of action as described by the Commission on Social Determinants of Health, 2005-2008.

Between 2007 and 2020, eight disaster inquiries were conducted, yielding 612 recommendations. Of these reports, 120 recommendations (19.6%) showed alignment with the social determinants of health principles of action. Of these, 48 recommendations (7.8%) demonstrated action on overarching recommendation “Improve daily living conditions”; 59 recommendations (9.6%) demonstrated action on overarching recommendation “Tackle the inequitable distribution of power, money, and resources”; and 13 recommendations (2.1%) demonstrated action on overarching recommendation “Measure and understand the problem and assess the impact of action.”

This low alignment underscores a critical gap in current Australian disaster inquiry practices, which historically prioritize emergency management and response over holistic health outcomes. There are opportunities to examine what roles the social environment and public health practice have in shaping disaster management policy and practice in ways that are conducive to strengthening more healthy, resilient societies.

Button batteries are a common household item that are, unfortunately, attractive to young children. If ingested, they are corrosive and potentially fatal. Button battery ingestion is frequently unwitnessed, delaying the diagnosis. In the USA, approximately 6,000 accidental ingestions occur annually (2.2 deaths per year over a decade on average). Community awareness of this danger appears to be low.

We conducted a 22-question online questionnaire-based study to assess and raise awareness of this exceptional childhood risk.

A total of 561 survey responses were analysed; 77 per cent were female, and 60 per cent were aged 30–50. Despite 87 per cent using button batteries, 65 per cent did not consider their safety, and 68 per cent found existing packaging warnings inadequate. Notably, 80 per cent recognised the potential for fatality, but 88 per cent were unaware that a spoonful of honey could delay this corrosive process.

Challenges persist regarding the design and marketing of button batteries and public awareness of their ingestion. Action is required to prevent further tragedies.

The first year of life is a critical period when nutrient intakes can affect long-term health outcomes. Although household food insecurity may result in inadequate nutrient intakes or a higher risk of obesity, no studies have comprehensively assessed nutrient intakes of infants from food insecure households. This study aimed to investigate how infant nutrient intakes and BMI differ by household food security.

Cross-sectional analysis of the First Foods New Zealand study of infants aged 7–10 months. Two 24-h diet recalls assessed nutrient intakes. ‘Usual’ intakes were calculated using the multiple source method. BMI z-scores were calculated using WHO Child Growth Standards.

Dunedin and Auckland, New Zealand.

Households with infants (n 604) classified as: severely food insecure, moderately food insecure or food secure.

Nutrient intakes of food insecure and food secure infants were similar, aside from slightly higher free and added sugars intakes in food insecure infants. Energy intakes were adequate, and intakes of most nutrients investigated were likely to be adequate. Severely food insecure infants had a higher mean BMI z-score than food secure infants, although no significant differences in weight categories (underweight, healthy weight and overweight) were observed between groups.

Household food insecurity, in the short term, does not appear to adversely impact the nutrient intakes and weight status of infants. However, mothers may be protecting their infants from potential nutritional impacts of food insecurity. Future research should investigate how food insecurity affects nutrient intakes of the entire household.

Rural and urban environments are exposed to the same types of climate-induced disasters, but rural populations are considered particularly vulnerable to the adverse health effects associated with these disasters. This study compares individual-level public health preparedness for climate-induced disasters in rural versus urban environments and examines the impact of rurality on variables that influence preparedness attitudes and behaviors.

A national, online survey was conducted from April to June 2024. Chi-squared tests and multiple logistic regression models with interaction terms were used to compare the preparedness attitudes and behaviors reported by rural and urban populations.

Rural and urban populations generally shared preparedness attitudes and behaviors, but several significant differences were observed. Regression analysis suggested that rurality interacted with age and income to play a significant role in modifying the odds of having an evacuation plan and reporting concern about the severity of future climate-induced disasters.

Rurality appears to influence certain attitudes and behaviors related to preparedness for climate-induced disasters. Should climate-induced behaviors become more frequent and severe in the future, dedicated efforts should be taken to ensure that these events do not exacerbate health disparities between rural and urban environments.