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PharmacoEconomics Jul 2016The terms health, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and quality of life (QoL) are used interchangeably. Given that these are three key terms in the literature,...
The terms health, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and quality of life (QoL) are used interchangeably. Given that these are three key terms in the literature, their appropriate and clear use is important. This paper reviews the history and definitions of the terms and considers how they have been used. It is argued that the definitions of HRQoL in the literature are problematic because some definitions fail to distinguish between HRQoL and health or between HRQoL and QoL. Many so-called HRQoL questionnaires actually measure self-perceived health status and the use of the phrase QoL is unjustified. It is concluded that the concept of HRQoL as used now is confusing. A potential solution is to define HRQoL as the way health is empirically estimated to affect QoL or use the term to only signify the utility associated with a health state.
Topics: Health Status; Humans; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires; Terminology as Topic
PubMed: 26892973
DOI: 10.1007/s40273-016-0389-9 -
Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism 2008Food-drug interactions are defined as alterations of pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of a drug or nutritional element or a compromise in nutritional status as a... (Review)
Review
Food-drug interactions are defined as alterations of pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of a drug or nutritional element or a compromise in nutritional status as a result of the addition of a drug. Elderly patients are particularly at risk because more than 30% of all the prescription drugs are taken by this population. Failure to identify and properly manage drug-nutrient interactions can lead to serious consequences. For instance, drug-nutrient interactions can result in reduced absorption of certain oral antibiotics and may lead to suboptimal antibiotic concentrations at the site of infection. This predisposes the patient to treatment failure. Induction or inhibition of enzymes in the gut by nutrients may lead to a significant change in oral bioavailability of drugs or vice versa. For example, grapefruit juice is a selective intestinal CYP3A4 inhibitor. The overall exposure of some drugs can be increased by more than fivefold when taken with grapefruit juice and increase the risk of adverse effects. The use of certain drugs may affect GI tract function and may lead to a loss of bodily electrolytes and fluid. Limiting drug prescriptions to essential medications for as short a period as possible and periodic re-evaluations of the treatment chosen are essential to minimize adverse drug-nutrient interactions.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological Availability; Female; Food-Drug Interactions; Health Status; Humans; Intestinal Absorption; Male; Nutritional Status; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Pharmacokinetics
PubMed: 18382075
DOI: 10.1159/000115345 -
Annals of Epidemiology May 2019The weathering hypothesis states that chronic exposure to social and economic disadvantage leads to accelerated decline in physical health outcomes and could partially...
PURPOSE
The weathering hypothesis states that chronic exposure to social and economic disadvantage leads to accelerated decline in physical health outcomes and could partially explain racial disparities in a wide array of health conditions. This systematic review summarizes the literature empirically testing the weathering hypothesis and assesses the quality of the evidence regarding weathering as a determinant of racial disparities in health.
METHODS
Databases (Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and Embase) were searched for studies published in English up to July 1, 2017. Studies that tested the weathering hypothesis for any physical health outcome and included at least one socially or economically disadvantaged group (e.g., Blacks) for whom the weathering hypothesis applies were assessed for eligibility. Threats to validity were assessed using the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool.
RESULTS
The 41 included studies were rated as having overall good methodological quality. Most studies found evidence in support of the weathering hypothesis, although the magnitude of support varied by the health outcome and population studied.
CONCLUSIONS
Future evaluations of the weathering hypothesis should include an examination of additional health outcomes and interrogate mechanisms that could link weathering to poor health.
Topics: Ethnicity; Health Status Disparities; Healthcare Disparities; Humans; Population Groups; Social Determinants of Health
PubMed: 30987864
DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2019.02.011 -
Revista Espanola de Salud Publica 2014
Topics: Emigrants and Immigrants; Emigration and Immigration; Health Services Accessibility; Health Status; Healthcare Disparities; Humans; Spain
PubMed: 25418559
DOI: 10.4321/S1135-57272014000600001 -
Ethnicity & Disease 2021
Topics: Health Status Disparities; Healthcare Disparities; Humans; Racism
PubMed: 34045829
DOI: 10.18865/ed.31.S1.285 -
International Dental Journal Apr 2022
Topics: Happiness; Health Status; Humans; Oral Health; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 35303970
DOI: 10.1016/j.identj.2022.02.006 -
Lakartidningen Jan 2018The understanding of health inequalities requires further development of epidemiological capacity and must have a broad focus on social determinants of health The...
The understanding of health inequalities requires further development of epidemiological capacity and must have a broad focus on social determinants of health The article by Agardh et al (1) in this issue of Läkartidningen compares the trend of population health in Stockholm county versus the rest of the country. The article represents an important attempt to monitor and understand the driving forces of geographical inequalities in health. However, such inequalities also depend heavily on migration patterns and how these are linked to social determinants of health. Therefore it is important to include determinants from a broad range of policy sectors (e.g. education, labour market, family welfare, as well as health care services) in order to interpret the deeper causes of geographic inequalities in health. Monitoring population health and health inequalities should be linked to a general follow-up of Agenda 2030 and a sustainable development.
Topics: Educational Status; Health Equity; Health Status Disparities; Healthcare Disparities; Humans; Social Determinants of Health; Sweden; Urbanization
PubMed: 29360134
DOI: No ID Found -
Globalization and Health Nov 2019
Topics: Global Health; Health Status Disparities; Humans; Politics; Social Determinants of Health; Universal Health Insurance
PubMed: 31775774
DOI: 10.1186/s12992-019-0514-6 -
The Lancet. Healthy Longevity Dec 2021As the demographic transition enters a new stage of a longevity transition, focus needs to extend beyond an ageing society towards a longevity society. An ageing society... (Review)
Review
As the demographic transition enters a new stage of a longevity transition, focus needs to extend beyond an ageing society towards a longevity society. An ageing society focuses on changes in the age structure of the population, whereas a longevity society seeks to exploit the advantages of longer lives through changes in how we age. Achieving a longevity society requires substantial changes in the life course and social norms, and involves an epidemiological transition towards a focus on delaying the negative effects of ageing. The broad changes required to achieve healthy longevity include an increased focus on healthy life expectancy, a shift from intervention towards preventive health, a major public health agenda to avoid increases in health inequality, the establishment of longevity councils to ensure coordinated policy across government departments, and intergenerational assessment of policies, to ensure that in adapting to longer lives, policies are not skewed towards older people. A longevity society represents a new stage for humanity and requires deep-seated notions about age and ageing to be challenged if society is to make the best use of the additional time that longevity brings.
Topics: Aged; Aging; Health Status; Health Status Disparities; Humans; Longevity; Public Health
PubMed: 36098038
DOI: 10.1016/S2666-7568(21)00247-6 -
Health Economics Nov 2016
Topics: Cost of Illness; Economics, Medical; Health Status; Humans; Models, Econometric; Quality of Life; Time Factors
PubMed: 27723174
DOI: 10.1002/hec.3427