Suchergebnisse

Abstract Background This study aimed to examine the longitudinal contributions of four political and socioeconomic factors to the increase in life expectancy in less developed countries (LDCs) between 1970 and 2004. Methods We collected 35 years of annual data for 119 LDCs on life expectancy at birth and on four key socioeconomic indicators: economy, measured by log10 gross domestic product per capita at purchasing power parity; educational environment, measured by the literacy rate of the adult population aged 15 years and over; nutritional status, measured by the proportion of undernourished people in the population; and political regime, measured by the regime score from the Polity IV database. Using linear mixed models, we analyzed the longitudinal effects of these multiple factors on life expectancy at birth with a lag of 0-10 years, adjusting for both time and regional correlations. Results The LDCs' increases in life expectancy over time were associated with all four factors. Political regime had the least influence on increased life expectancy to begin with, but became significant starting in the 3rd year and continued to increase, while the impact of the other socioeconomic factors began strong but continually decreased over time. The combined effects of these four socioeconomic and political determinants contributed 54.74% - 98.16% of the life expectancy gains throughout the lag periods of 0-10 years. Conclusions Though the effect of democratic politics on increasing life expectancy was relatively small in the short term when compared to the effects of the other socioeconomic factors, the long-term impact of democracy should not be underestimated.

Global high-tech manufacturers are mainly located in newly industrialized countries, raising concerns about adverse health consequences from industrial pollution for people living nearby. We investigated the ecological association between respiratory mortality and the development of Taiwan's high-tech manufacturing, taking into account industrialization and socioeconomic development, for 19 cities and counties—6 in the science park group and 13 in the control group—from 1982 to 2007. We applied a linear mixed-effects model to analyze how science park development over time is associated with age-adjusted and sex-specific mortality rates for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asthma and female COPD mortality rates decreased in both groups, but they decreased 9%–16% slower in the science park group. Male COPD mortality rates increased in both groups, but the rate increased 10% faster in the science park group. Science park development over time was a significant predictor of death from asthma (p ≤ 0.0001) and COPD (p = 0.0212). The long-term development of clustered high-tech manufacturing may negatively affect nearby populations, constraining health advantages that were anticipated, given overall progress in living standards, knowledge, and health services. National governments should incorporate the long-term health effects on local populations into environmental impact assessments.

Abstract
The agriculture, animal husbandry, and healthcare workers, due to frequent exposure to prophylactic antibiotic use in their work environments, face an increased risk of workers developing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), leading to biological hazards and occupational infection risks.
This study collecting data from the Taiwan Labor Insurance and National Health Insurance databases. The investigation period from 2004 to 2020, and the study sample consisted of high-risk exposed groups, including those in agriculture, animal husbandry, and healthcare workers. The study aimed to compare antibiotic resistance, tuberculosis prevalence, and the risk ratio for hospital-acquired infections associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Research findings showed higher AMR infection rates in agriculture and animal husbandry (8.33 per 100,000 person-years) compared to healthcare (4.71 per 100,000 person-years). Tuberculosis rates were notably higher in agriculture and animal husbandry (31.74 per 100,000 person-years) than in healthcare (18.95 per 100,000 person-years). The AMR infection risk ratio between the two sectors was 1.77, while for tuberculosis, it was 1.67. Among individuals aged over 65 in agriculture and animal husbandry, the risk of tuberculosis was significantly elevated compared to healthcare (RR = 2.00).
Global AMR research highlights high-risk jobs in healthcare, veterinary medicine, slaughterhouses, farming, and aquaculture. Aquaculture presents unique risks, such as marine vibrio infections due to sunburn and fish stings, necessitating the need for protection and education. Raising awareness in these sectors is crucial for controlling the spread of pathogens. Integrating AMR monitoring into disaster planning for these roles is vital. Physicians should expand data collection (Travel, Occupation, Contact, Cluster) during checkups to facilitate early AMR detection and data gathering.