Objectives To synthesize the available evidence concerning Aedes mosquito ecology and potential establishment, climatic and environmental suitability, epidemiological and urban determinants, and public health surveillance and preparedness relevant to dengue emergence in Tehran, Iran. The review also aimed to distinguish environmental receptivity and potential vector establishment from documented autochthonous dengue transmission and to identify key evidence gaps and surveillance priorities. Study design Structured narrative/integrative review. Methods A structured literature search was conducted covering publications and relevant publicly available information from January 2000 to March 2025. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and selected Iranian institutional sources were searched. Evidence was synthesized across four predefined domains Aedes vector ecology and potential establishment; climatic and environmental suitability; epidemiological, population-level, urban, and infrastructural determinants; and vector surveillance, control, and public health preparedness. Twelve core studies were selected for focused qualitative and integrative analytical synthesis. Evidence was interpreted according to its geographical relevance and methodological basis, distinguishing direct Tehran-specific findings from Iranian, regional, international, and model-based evidence. Results Available evidence did not demonstrate sustained establishment of Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus populations or sustained autochthonous dengue transmission in Tehran. However, climatic variability, warming trends, urban environmental conditions, potential breeding habitats, population mobility, and regional entomological evidence indicate potentially relevant conditions for future environmental receptivity. Climate and spatial models suggest possible expansion of environmental suitability for Aedes vectors and dengue-related transmission under warming scenarios, although these projections do not establish local vector populations or demonstrate dengue transmission in Tehran. Important limitations in standardized longitudinal entomological surveillance and integrated epidemiological and laboratory monitoring remain. Conclusions Tehran is best characterized as a setting of potential and evolving dengue receptivity rather than established dengue transmission. The available evidence does not justify concluding that persistent Aedes populations or sustained local dengue transmission are established in the city. Standardized longitudinal entomological surveillance, integrated epidemiological and laboratory monitoring, environmental assessment, and coordinated public health preparedness are warranted to reduce uncertainty and facilitate early detection of potential dengue emergence.
Objectives To introduce the PoCID-H Model, a multilevel framework conceptualizing political participation as a fundamental determinant of health and a potential lever for reducing health inequalities in the European Union and beyond. Study design The short communication presents a conceptual framework that integrates psychosocial mechanisms, political participation, and health outcomes within the broader context of social inequality. Methods The short communication develops a theoretical perspective linking psychosocial mechanisms, including stress, self-efficacy, and cognition, with political participation and health outcomes. It examines the interactions between individual behaviors, policy contexts, and health systems, emphasizing cyclical feedback loops that may reinforce or mitigate social and health inequalities. Results The PoCID-H Model highlights the interconnected relationships between psychosocial processes, political participation, and health outcomes. It underscores how social inequality may contribute to political disengagement and polarization, particularly among socioeconomically vulnerable populations, and identifies the potential role of political participation in shaping health-related policies and outcomes. Conclusions An activist public health approach is needed to address the structural and psychosocial dimensions of health inequalities. Integrating psychosocial indicators into preventive public health practices and recognizing political participation as a fundamental determinant of health may help strengthen health equity across the European Union and beyond.
Background The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents needed information about the size and constitution of populations who may need services and supports. The purpose of this study is to estimate the statewide and county-level prevalence of ASD in one large, northeastern state. Study design Retrospective cohort to estimate administrative period prevalence. Methods Statewide health and education data from Pennsylvania were linked to generate statewide period prevalence of ASD, stratified by age, county, and race/ethnicity. Results The statewide prevalence of ASD for ages 3-21 in 2022 was 2.65% (PR = 2.65; 95% CI: 2.63, 2.66). The median county-level prevalence was 3.2% (PR = 3.22; 95% CI: 2.70, 3.85). The highest prevalence statewide was seen in seven-year-olds (PR = 3.66; 95% CI: 3.57, 3.76) and in youth who were multiracial (PR = 4.17; 95% CI:4.06, 4.28) or Hispanic (PR = 3.34; 95% CI: 3.28, 3.39). Conclusions Administrative prevalence estimates provide a less intensive method to estimate statewide ASD prevalence, which can support resource allocation aligned with service system use.
Objectives: We conducted a 12-week pilot study in Nepal, nested within the Chitwan Valley Family Study, to assess the feasibility and quality of parent-administered daily diaries for acute illness symptoms among children under five years of age. Study design: We enrolled 56 children in 40 households. Households were 1:1 randomized to receive a daily reminder text message (versus none). Parents were instructed to complete a set of daily checklists of seven symptoms with specified definitions (yes/no): diarrhea, fever, runny nose, cough, difficulty breathing or wheezing, fatigue, and loss of appetite for each child under five in the household. Trained interviewers called respondents weekly to collect reports of symptom diary data. Methods: We analyzed indicators of diary completion, symptom reporting prevalence and incidence, and qualitative feedback to assess feasibility. Results: Overall, 88.7% of weekly diary periods were fully completed for all seven days. Each week, at least 90% of respondents completed the symptom diary for one or more days. Receiving a reminder text message did not significantly affect symptom diary completion, though all respondents receiving text reminders reported it helpful and the majority that did not reported that they would prefer a text reminder (73.7%). Conclusion: In conclusion, our pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of this data collection protocol, though it is possible we will observe greater dropout over time in a longer study period.
