Public Health & Health Equity
Peer-reviewed articles on population health, health services and health equity.
This page collects peer-reviewed articles on population health, health services and health equity: how disease and access to care differ by place, income, race and ethnicity, and what drives those differences. Articles come mainly from ASIDE Internal Medicine and related ASIDE journals, and include national trend studies, health-services research and policy analysis. Every article is free to read under a CC BY 4.0 licence, and authors pay no fee to publish. Articles are listed newest first; follow a title to read the abstract and full text.
Articles from ASIDE Cardiovascular, ASIDE Endocrinology, ASIDE Gastroenterology, ASIDE Health Sciences, ASIDE Internal Medicine and ASIDE Oncology, newest first.
Articles
-
Trends and Sociodemographic Differences in Mortality Among U.S. Adults with Mitral Regurgitation as the Underlying Cause and Heart Failure as a Contributing Cause of Death, 1999–2024
Background: The coexistence of heart failure (HF) and mitral regurgitation (MR) contributes substantially to cardiovascular mortality in the United States. Methods: We analyzed CDC WONDER multiple-cause-of-death data (1999–2024) for U.S. adults with MR listed as the underlying…
-
Trends in Mortality Involving Ischemic Heart Disease and Procedure-Related Conditions in U.S. Adults, 1999–2023
Background: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a leading cause of death in the United States, and death certificates may contain medical or surgical care-related codes among decedents with IHD. However, these codes do not establish procedural exposure, postoperative status, timing…
-
Trends in Alcoholic Liver Disease and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Underlying-Cause Mortality in the United States, 1999–2023
Background: Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are major drivers of liver-related mortality in the United States, but comparative long-term trends remain unclear. Methods: We analyzed U.S. mortality data (1999–2023) from the CDC WONDER…
-
National Trends in Pancreatic Cancer-Related Mortality: A Population-Based Analysis of Rural–Urban Disparities and the Distribution of Place of Death
Background: Pancreatic Cancer is the sixth deadliest cancer across the world, and its incidence has more than doubled in recent decades. The literature lacks comprehensive evidence on rural-urban and place-of-death mortality trends over the last two decades. This retrospective…
-
Temporal Trends and Disparities in Liver Cell Carcinoma and Hepatic Failure Mortality in the United States: A 24-Year Analysis from CDC WONDER, 1999-2023
Background: Liver cell carcinoma (LCC) and hepatic failure (HF) are significant contributors to liver-related mortality in the United States. This study assessed LCC- and HF-related mortality trends (1999–2023) using CDC WONDER data, stratified by demographics and geography…
-
Community-Based Harm Reduction Programs for Opioid Use Disorder: A Narrative Systematic Review of Effectiveness, Implementation Barriers, and Policy Implications
Background: This systematic review synthesizes evidence on community-based harm reduction programs and their role in addressing the opioid crisis. Methods: A narrative synthesis was conducted of 78 studies published between January 2012 and April 2023; meta-analysis was…
-
Racial and Ethnic Disparities Across the MASLD/MASH Care Continuum in the United States: A Narrative Review
Introduction: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects 25.6% of U.S. adults and is the fastest-growing indication for liver transplantation. The 2023 MASLD nomenclature change, 2024 FDA approval of resmetirom, and 2025 accelerated approval of…
-
Trends in Mortality Co-Reporting Heart Failure and Metabolic Syndrome–Related Conditions Among U.S. Adults Aged ≥25 Years, 1999–2023: A CDC WONDER Analysis
Background Heart failure frequently coexists with cardiometabolic conditions commonly associated with metabolic syndrome. Characterizing long-term mortality patterns involving these co-reported conditions may help identify populations with a disproportionate burden. Methods We…
-
Tuberculosis in People Experiencing Homelessness During the COVID-19 Era: A Narrative Review of Primary Observational Evidence
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global public health problem, disproportionately affecting people experiencing homelessness (PEH). During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare resources were redirected, potentially disrupting TB monitoring and care for this…
-
Perceived Roles of People Resource Groups in Cultural Awareness and Community Building: A Qualitative Interview Study in the U.S. Health System
Background: Persistent inequities and the underrepresentation of marginalized groups in healthcare have been described as undermining workforce inclusion and patient experiences. People Resource Groups (PRGs) aim to support peer connection and institutional engagement; however…
-
Telehealth and In-Person Mental Health Care for Underserved Populations: A Narrative Scoping Synthesis
Background: Mental health disparities disproportionately affect rural, low-income, and racially marginalized communities. Telehealth has emerged as a potentially important modality for expanding access to mental health care, yet comparative evidence on its clinical…
-
Cardiogenic Shock and Sepsis-Related Mortality in the United States, 1999-2025: National Trends, Disparities, and Forecasts to 2040
Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) complicated by sepsis is a life-threatening condition marked by circulatory collapse and systemic inflammation, with persistently high mortality despite critical care advances. National trends and disparities remain unclear. This study aimed to…
-
Ocular Trauma Patterns in the Middle East and North Africa: A Scoping Review with Emphasis on Iraq
Background: Ocular injury is one of the leading causes of preventable monocular blindness globally. These injuries have multiple etiologies, with socioeconomic factors and geopolitical instability as the main drivers. A unique combination of these factors can be seen in the MENA…
-
Trends and Disparities of CVD Underlying-Cause Deaths with Pneumonia and Influenza Mentioned on the Death Certificate in the United States: A CDC WONDER Analysis.
Background: Pneumonia and influenza (P&I) may precipitate cardiovascular decompensation, yet long-term U.S. mortality patterns of P&I co-mention at death among cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths are not well described across sociodemographic and geographic strata. Methods…
-
Long-Term Shifts and Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Mortality in the United States: A Population-Based Analysis (1999–2023)
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States despite advances in screening and treatment. Prior national studies have documented long-term declines in CRC mortality; however, emerging demographic and disparities…
-
Cardiac Arrest and Cardiomyopathy Related Mortality in the United States, 1999-2025: Trends and Disparities
Background: Cardiac arrest and cardiomyopathy are major contributors to cardiovascular mortality and sudden death. However, long-term national mortality trends and demographic disparities remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate U.S. mortality trends from 1999 to 2025 and…
-
Long-Term Trends in Sepsis Mortality Among Older U.S. Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease, 1999–2023
Background: Sepsis causes 1 in 3 U.S. hospital deaths, especially deadly among adults ≥65 with CKD, affecting over 30% of over-70s. Long-term trends in this group are understudied. This study examines the national mortality trends (1999–2023) among older U.S. adults with sepsis…
-
Cross-Cultural Application of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-I/II) for Assessing Adolescent Depression in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Critical Review of Evidence from the Last Quarter-Century
Background: The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-I/II) versions are widely used for identifying depression among adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Nevertheless, their global usage depends on the questionable assumption that symptoms are expressed the same…
-
HIV in Egypt: from Silent Emergence to Concentrated Epidemic - A Narrative Review of Past, Present, and Future
Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to represent one of the most significant public health challenges, with Egypt facing a rapidly and silently growing epidemic masked by its low-prevalence classification. This narrative review tracks the historical…
-
Mortality Trends and Disparities in Hypertensive Heart and Renal Disease: A 25-Year Analysis (1999–2023) Using the CDC WONDER Database
Background: Hypertensive heart and renal disease remain major contributors to mortality in the United States. Tracking long-term mortality patterns is essential for identifying high-risk populations and guiding public health strategies. Methods: We conducted a nationwide…
-
Sepsis Mortality Among Patients with Myeloid Leukemia in the United States, 1999–2023: Insights, Trends, and Disparities
Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that complicates major diseases like myeloid leukemia. Both conditions can lead to morbidity and mortality. Despite its clinical significance, trends in sepsis among myeloid leukemia patients remain understudied. Methods…
-
Long-Term Mortality Trends in Atrial Fibrillation and Renal Disease in the United States, 1999–2023: A Retrospective Analysis
Background: The coexistence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and renal disease is a significant contributor to mortality and morbidity. However, comprehensive national mortality trends for AF among older adults with renal disease, including demographic and geographic variations…
-
Demographic Factors of Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Patients with Paralytic Ileus Among Adults in the United States: A Retrospective Study for Mortality Trends
Background: Paralytic ileus is a serious postoperative complication among individuals with colorectal cancer (CRC). Although mortality trends for CRC and paralytic ileus have been described separately, long-term national patterns involving both conditions have not been examined…
-
Multiple Myeloma and Chronic Kidney Disease–Related Mortality, 1999–2023: A Population-Based Time-Trend Analysis
Background: Multiple Myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological cancer, with chronic kidney disease (CKD) representing a major complication. This study aims to analyze national mortality trends, demographic differences, and geographic variation related to MM and CKD…
-
National-Level Outcomes of Diabetic Ketoacidosis with and without Coma: A Retrospective Analysis of 2.3 Million U.S. Hospitalizations
Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) remains a significant complication of diabetes associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. We aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes among patients with DKA, both with and without coma, using a nationally representative database and…
-
Twenty-Five Years of Angina–Related Mortality in Elderly Adults Aged ≥ 65 Years: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using Real-World Data from the USA
Introduction: Angina is one of the ischemic heart diseases (IHD) that contributes to major cardiovascular complications up to death. We aim to assess angina-related mortality among adults aged ≥65 years in the U.S. Methods: Nationwide mortality records were obtained from the…
-
Disparities and Trends in Polycythemia Vera–Related Mortality in U.S. Adults Aged ≥45 Years from 1999 to 2023
Background: Polycythemia vera (PV) is a rare myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by excessive red blood cell production, leading to increased risk of thrombosis and other complications. Despite its clinical significance, trends in PV mortality across demographic groups in…
-
Trends in Mortality from Leukemia and Ischemic Heart Disease: A 22-Year Analysis in the U.S. (1999-2020)
Introduction: Leukemia and ischemic heart disease (IHD) are major U.S. mortality causes. This study analyzes national mortality trends from 1999 to 2020 to assess the impact of public health efforts in leukemia-associated IHD mortality rates. Methods: This retrospective study…
-
Lifestyle Practices in Reducing Cardiovascular Diseases: A Prospective Cohort Study from Pakistan
Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the leading cause of global mortality, especially in individuals with comorbidities like type II diabetes and hypertension. While pharmacological therapies are vital, lifestyle interventions may offer additional benefits in…
-
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Fluvoxamine in COVID-19 Patients: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
Introduction: Fluvoxamine is an agonist for the sigma-1 receptor, through which it controls inflammation. It helps reduce the cytokine storm associated with the COVID-19 virus by regulating the production of IL-6 and gene expression. This review of systematic reviews (SRs) aims…
-
Epidemiological Assessment of Risk Factors for Inguinal Hernia Among Male Patients in Iraq: A Case-Control Study
Introduction: Inguinal hernia is one of the most common surgical conditions, particularly among males. Despite its prevalence, limited regional data exist on the associated risk factors in Iraq. This study aimed to identify socio-demographic, lifestyle, and clinical risk factors…
-
Bridging the Gap: Addressing Language Barriers to Advance Equity in Internal Medicine
Language barriers in healthcare are a persistent challenge that disproportionately affect patients with limited English proficiency (LEP), contributing to disparities in care, poor health outcomes, and patient dissatisfaction. In internal medicine, where effective communication…
-
Development and Preliminary Evaluation of a Behavioral Lifestyle Assessment Tool: A Methodological Case Study with Graduate-Level Women
Introduction: Obesity in adults remains a pressing public health issue in the United States, closely linked to modifiable behaviors such as diet, physical activity, stress, sleep, and substance use. This study aimed to develop and pilot a brief, multidimensional assessment tool…
-
Probiotics: A Promising Ally in Burn Treatment
This review explores the potential therapeutic benefits of probiotics in the treatment of burn injuries, with the aim of addressing the limitations of traditional therapeutic approaches. It offers a comprehensive analysis of burn pathophysiology, including a wide range of burn…
-
Antibiotic Knowledge, Perception, and Practice of Intern Doctors in Turkey: A Survey Study
Background: This study aimed to measure intern doctors' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about antibiotic treatment and determine the situation on the subject. Methods: A 34-question questionnaire was prepared for the study, and volunteers were administered the…
-
Investigating the Impact of Primary Education on Birth Control Practices in Bangladesh: A Primary Study
Introduction: Bangladesh faces significant challenges due to overpopulation, impacting essential resources such as healthcare, employment, and education. This study investigates the role of primary education in influencing contraceptive adoption and examines the socio-economic…
-
Epidemiological Patterns of Diabetes Mellitus in The United States of America: An Observational Multicenter Analysis From 1990 to 2024
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus represents a significant public health challenge, however, the current trends in its epidemiology remain incompletely characterized. This study aimed to analyze epidemiological changes and demographic patterns in diabetes incidence and prevalence…
-
Epidemiological Patterns, Treatment Response, and Metabolic Correlations of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A United States-Based Study From 1990 to 2024
Introduction: Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) presents an increasing health burden with changing demographic patterns. We studied nationwide trends in IIH epidemiology, treatment patterns, and associated outcomes using a large-scale database analysis within the United…
