Aligning with the 2026 World Population Day theme that emphasizes "Realizing the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People - Today and for the Future," the Chinese national theme specifically focuses on "Caring for Early Pregnancy, Empowering Healthy Beginnings" (he hu zao yun, guan ai fu neng) to address declining birth rates. Early pregnancy is the critical golden window for preventing birth defects and mitigating maternal risks, yet historical care models disproportionately focus on later gestational stages. This article examines structural gaps in early pregnancy care, including unequal resource distribution, insufficient mental health services, and limited social support networks. These challenges are closely interconnected and collectively limit the effectiveness, accessibility, and continuity of early pregnancy care. To address these challenges, we propose reconstructing a multidimensional collaborative support network. Key strategies include establishing standardized multidisciplinary clinics, leveraging digital health technologies for equitable access, and integrating medical care with supportive national social policies. Strengthening early pregnancy care through coordinated physiological, psychological, and social support can not only improve pregnancy outcomes but also help alleviate fertility anxiety among young couples, contributing to healthier families and high-quality population dynamics during China's demographic transition.
What is already known about this topic?:Sodium-potassium balance is important for health. The Na/K ratio among Chinese adults has declined but remains above the World Health Organization-recommended level of <1.0. What is added by this report?:The median Na/K ratio among Chinese adults was 5.2 in 2022-2024, lower than in 1991 but higher than in 2018. Despite the overall downward trend, the proportion with an achieving Na/K ratio <1.0 did not increase significantly. What are the implications for public health practice?:Continued population-level monitoring is needed. Public health efforts should reduce sodium intake and increase potassium intake to achieve the recommended Na/K ratio level.
What is already known about this topic?:This is the first report of Corynebacterium belfantii (C. belfantii) in Fujian; genomic characterization confirms misidentification by routine methods and reveals regional phylogenetic characteristics. What is added by this report?:This report adds the first local occurrence evidence, new genomic sequences, a distinct phylogenetic sub-branch, and a reinforced surveillance strategy for Fujian Province. What are the implications for public health practice?:It emphasizes that laboratories should adopt molecular methods to accurately distinguish C. belfantii, strengthen surveillance of non-toxigenic strains, update MALDI-TOF databases, and monitor virulence and resistance genes despite the absence of diphtheria toxin.
What is already known about this topic?:Human infections with influenza A(H1N2)v viruses of swine origin have been sporadically reported in several countries, usually following direct or indirect exposure to pigs or contaminated environments. However, sustained human-to-human transmission has not yet been documented. What is added by this report?:This report describes the first laboratory-confirmed human infection with the influenza A(H1N2)v virus in China. Whole-genome sequencing showed that all eight gene segments were closely related to influenza viruses of swine origin circulating in China. No secondary human cases were identified among the close contacts, and no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission was detected. What are the implications for public health practice?:This highlights the importance of routine influenza-like illness surveillance, timely whole-genome sequencing, and systematic investigation of unusual influenza A infections. Strengthened surveillance at the human-animal interface and cross-sector collaboration under the One Health framework are essential for early detection and risk assessment of variant influenza viruses.
In this study, cohort studies retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were systematically evaluated to clarify the link between long-term ozone exposure and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality and morbidity, addressing gaps in previous reviews that were not comprehensive or did not distinguish specific CVD types. For every 10 µg/m3 increase in ozone concentration, the relative risk (RR) of CVD mortality was 1.0105 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0027, 1.0185], and that of CVD morbidity was 1.0578 (95% CI: 1.0289, 1.0874). In different exposure windows, the CVD mortality risk associated with warm-season ozone exposure (RR=1.0186, 95% CI: 1.0119, 1.0253) was higher than that associated with annual average ozone exposure (RR=0.9971, 95% CI: 0.9781, 1.0164). The RRs for CVD mortality were 1.1135 (95% CI: 1.0057, 1.2328) for females and 1.0707 (95% CI: 0.9855, 1.1633) for males. By region, the RRs were 1.0129 (95% CI: 1.0085, 1.0173) in Europe and the USA, and 1.0326 (95% CI: 0.9323, 1.1436) in Asia. Long-term ozone exposure is associated with a modest increase in the risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. However, evidence regarding the long-term effects of ozone exposure on cardiovascular disease-related health outcomes remains sparse, and further studies covering a broader range of regions and vulnerable populations are urgently required.
Introduction:Epidemic models commonly assume unlimited healthcare resources and overlook a critical operational reality: healthcare system overload reduces recovery rates and amplifies outbreak severity. We propose an enhanced susceptible-exposed-infected-mutant-quarantined-recovered (SEIMQR) model that explicitly links the recovery process to time-varying hospital-bed availability, and thereby better reflects practical healthcare constraints. Methods:The model integrates a saturating, resource-dependent recovery function and uses the quarantine rate as the primary control parameter. We performed a systematic dynamic analysis using bifurcation theory and validated the model through numerical simulations and empirical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) surveillance data from the United Kingdom. These data covered distinct phases of the pandemic. Results:Our analysis identified a precise quarantine threshold ([Formula: see text]) that distinguishes disease elimination from endemic persistence. Simulation results show that strengthening quarantine measures effectively suppresses the epidemic scale. Furthermore, the model fit the reported cumulative case data with high accuracy across different variant-dominant periods and policy regimes, which demonstrates its adaptability. Conclusion:These findings quantify a critical intervention threshold and illustrate the synergistic relationship between medical capacity and quarantine intensity. This study provides a theoretically grounded, resource-aware framework for guiding integrated public health strategies when healthcare resources are finite. Therefore, it supports more realistic epidemic preparedness and response planning.
Introduction:This study explored the distribution of carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) in high-risk individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD) across four ethnic groups: the Han, Yi, Dai, and Lisu. Methods:The China-PAR model was used to estimate 10-year CVD risk. Participants with a 10-year risk score of 10% or higher underwent carotid ultrasonography, biochemical tests for blood glucose, lipids, homocysteine, and a standardized physical examination. Results:The Han had the lowest remnant cholesterol (Remnant-C) levels but the highest atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), triglyceride-glucose (TyG), and lipid accumulation product (LAP) levels. The Dai had the highest prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), and Remnant-C. The Lisu had the lowest prevalence of diabetes and HHcy but the highest rates of obesity, central obesity, and dyslipidemia. Yi had the lowest burden of overweight, obesity, dyslipidemia, and the continuous metabolic syndrome score (cMetS), AIP, TyG, and LAP.Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) differed minimally among ethnic groups (range: 0.81-0.85 mm). The Dai had the lowest prevalence of carotid plaque (CP) 15.27% (341/2,233), yet the highest prevalence of carotid stenosis (CS) 46.22% (1,032/2,233). In contrast, Lisu had the highest prevalence of CP 57.29% (495/864) and the lowest prevalence of CS 3.13% (27/864). The Han population had the highest prevalence of multiple CP 31.82% (6,081/19,109) and CAS 74.79% (14,291/19,019), while the Yi population had the lowest prevalence 70.53% (3,453/4,896). Conclusion:The marked ethnic differences in CAS and metabolic status should be taken into account in future CVD prevention and control strategies.
What is already known about this topic?:Low bone mineral density increases fall risk in older adults; however, the age-specific effects of abdominal obesity remain unclear. What is added by this report?:In China, from 1990 to 2023, deaths due to low bone density-related falls and disability-adjusted life-years increased by 3.66-fold and 3.01-fold, respectively. Mendelian randomization analysis suggested an inverse association between genetically predicted waist circumference and bone density in the 30-44- and ≥60-year groups. What are the implications for public health practice?:Age- and sex-specific bone health screenings and weight-related metabolic management may help reduce the low bone density-related fall burden.
