Health at the ballot box: disease threat does not predict attractiveness preference in British politicians

According to disease avoidance theory, selective pressures have shaped adaptive behaviours to avoid people who might transmit infections. Such behavioural immune defence strategies may have social and societal consequences. Attractiveness is perceived as a heuristic cue of good health, and the relative importance of attractiveness is predicted to increase during high disease threat. Here, we investigated whether politicians' attractiveness is more important for electoral success when disease threat is high, in an effort to replicate earlier findings from the USA. We performed a cross-sectional study of 484 members of the House of Commons from England and Wales. Publicly available sexiness ratings (median 5883 ratings/politician) were regressed on measures of disease burden, operationalized as infant mortality, life expectancy and self-rated health. Infant mortality in parliamentary constituencies did not significantly predict sexiness of elected members of parliament ( p = 0.08), nor did life expectancy ( p = 0.06), nor self-rated health ( p = 0.55). Subsample analyses failed to provide further support for the hypothesis. In conclusion, an attractive leader effect was not amplified by disease threat in the UK and these results did not replicate those of earlier studies from the USA concerning the relationship between attractiveness, disease threat and voting preference.

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A cross-sectional study of self-rated health among older adults: a comparison of China and the United States

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027895 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. e027895 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dongjuan Xu ◽

Greg Arling ◽

Kefang Wang

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Older Americans ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Ordered Logistic Regression ◽

The Us ◽

The Usa

ObjectivesWe used nationally representative samples of China and the US older population to investigate (1) whether factors influencing self-rated health among older Chinese were similar to those among older Americans; and (2) whether there was a significant cross-national difference in self-rated health between China and the USA after controlling those available influencing factors.DesignA cross-sectional study. Data came from the 2014 Health and Retirement Study and China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study conducted from 2014 to 2015.ParticipantsOur final sample size totaled 8905 older adults in the USA and 4442 older adults in China.OutcomeThe response variable was self-rated health. Ordered logistic regression models were conducted to investigate factors influencing self-rated health among older adults.ResultsMore than three-fourths (78%) of older adults in China reported fair or poor health status, while almost 74% of older adults in the USA reported excellent, very good or good health status. In the overall ordered logistic regression model, when controlling statistically for sociodemographics, family structure, functional limitations, cognition, chronic conditions, mental health and health-related behaviours, the Chinese survey respondents were much more likely to rate their health as being poorer than the US respondents. The odds of having better versus poorer health was almost five times greater in American older adults than those in China (OR=4.88, 95% CI 4.06 to 5.86). Older adults in China living alone rated their health better than those living with spouse/partner; however, no significant difference was found between these two living arrangements in older Americans. In contrast, older adults in the USA living with others rated their health worse compared with those living with spouse/partner. In addition, older adults who had more activities of daily living limitations, poorer self-reported memory, worse mental health and chronic health conditions had lower self-rated health in both countries.ConclusionsWe found a striking difference in self-rated health between China and the USA even after controlling for measures of disease, functional status and other influencing factors. Relative to their American counterparts, Chinese elders were much more likely to report worse health.

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The Importance of the Political and the Social in Explaining Mortality Differentials among the Countries of the OECD, 1950–1998

International Journal of Health Services ◽

10.2190/r7ge-8dwk-yy6c-183u ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 419-494 ◽

Cited By ~ 75

Author(s):

Vicente Navarro ◽

Carme Borrell ◽

Joan Benach ◽

Carles Muntaner ◽

Agueda Quiroga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Infant Mortality ◽

Life Expectancy ◽

Political Parties ◽

Health Indicators ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

The Political ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Social Democratic ◽

The Impact ◽

Political Variables

This article analyzes (within the conceptual frame defined in the previous article) the impact of political variables such as time of government by political parties (social democratic, Christian democratic or conservative, liberal, and ex-dictatorial that have governed the OECD countries during the 1950–1998 period) and their electoral support on (1) redistributional policies in the labor market and in the welfare state; (2) the income inequalities measured by Theil and Gini indexes; and (3) health indicators, such as infant mortality and life expectancy. This analysis is carried out statistically by a bivariate and a multivariate analysis (a pooled cross-sectional study). Both analyses show that political variables play an important role in defining how public and social policies determine the levels of inequalities and affect the level of infant mortality. In general, political parties more committed to redistributional policies, such as social democratic parties, are the most successful in reducing inequalities and improving infant mortality. Less evidence exists, however, on effects on life expectancy. The article also quantifies statistically the relationship between the political and the policy variables and between these variables and the dependent variables—that is, the health indicators.

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Loneliness and Its Associated Factors Nine Months after the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cross-National Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18062841 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 2841

Author(s):

Tore Bonsaksen ◽

Mariyana Schoultz ◽

Hilde Thygesen ◽

Mary Ruffolo ◽

Daicia Price ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

National Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Daily Lives ◽

Emotional Loneliness ◽

The Usa ◽

The Uk ◽

Cross National Study ◽

The Impact

COVID-19 has been a global healthcare concern impacting multiple aspects of individual and community wellness. As one moves forward with different methods to reduce the infection and mortality rates, it is critical to continue to study the impact that national and local “social distancing” policies have on the daily lives of individuals. The aim of this study was to examine loneliness in relation to risk assessment, measures taken against risks, concerns, and social media use, while adjusting for sociodemographic variables. The cross-sectional study collected data from 3474 individuals from the USA, the UK, Norway, and Australia. Loneliness was measured with the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Multiple linear regression was used in the analysis of associations between variables. The results showed that concerns about finances were more strongly associated with social loneliness, while concerns about the future was more strongly associated with emotional loneliness. Longer daily time spent on social media was associated with higher emotional loneliness. In conclusion, pandemic-related concerns seem to affect perceptions of loneliness. While social media can be used productively to maintain relationships, and thereby prevent loneliness, excessive use may be counterproductive.

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Comparative, cross-sectional study of the format, content and timing of medication safety letters issued in Canada, the USA and the UK

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020150 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. e020150 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Lise M Bjerre ◽

Simon Parlow ◽

David de Launay ◽

Matthew Hogel ◽

Cody D Black ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Outcome Measures ◽

Medication Safety ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health Authorities ◽

The Usa ◽

The Subject ◽

The Uk

ObjectivesTo assess consistency in the format and content, and overlap of subject and timing, of medication safety letters issued by regulatory health authorities to healthcare providers in Canada, the USA and the UK.DesignA cross-sectional study comparing medication safety letters issued for the purpose of alerting healthcare providers to newly identified medication problems associated with medications already on the market.SettingOnline databases operated by Health Canada, the US Food and Drug Administration and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency were searched to select medication safety letters issued between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2014. Format, content and timing of each medication safety letter were assessed using an abstraction tool comprising 21 characteristics deemed relevant by consensus of the research team.Main outcome measuresMain outcome measures included, first, characteristics (format and content) of medication safety letters and second, overlap of subject and release date across countries.ResultsOf 330 medication safety letters identified, 227 dealt with unique issues relating to medications available in all three countries. Of these 227 letters, 21 (9%) medication problems were the subject of letters released in all three countries; 40 (18%) in two countries and 166 (73%) in only one country. Only 13 (62%) of the 21 letters issued in all three countries were released within 6 months of each other.ConclusionsSignificant discrepancies in both the subject and timing of medication safety letters issued by health authorities in three countries (Canada, the USA and the UK) where medical practice is otherwise comparable, raising questions about why, how and when medication problems are identified and communicated to healthcare providers by the authorities. More rapid communication of medication problems and better alignment between authorities could enhance patient safety.

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Clinical Elective Course and Its Effects on Medical Students and Graduates of Jordanian Medical Schools

10.21203/rs.3.rs-624901/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Raed Al-Taher ◽

Ruba Al-Ani ◽

Abdullah Al-Ani ◽

Mohammad Rashdan ◽

Abderrahman Manasrah ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Medical Schools ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Usa ◽

Social Media Platforms ◽

Elective Course ◽

Unique Experience ◽

The Uk ◽

Hashemite University

Abstract Background: Elective course is one of 6th-year medical schools curriculum in Jordan. Students choose the specialty they wish to spend 8 weeks in and choose the place even if it is outside their universitys' affiliated hospitals. In this study, we try to understand students' choices regarding the country of elective, their specialty, type of placements (observership/ clerkship), and participants' perspectives about the elective course and its general value.Methods: Cross-sectional study. The survey distributed through social media platforms (mainly Facebook and Whatsapp) targeting 6th-year medical students and doctors who graduated from one of the 5 Jordanian medical schools (the University of Jordan, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Mutah University, Yarmouk University, Hashemite University). Results: The majority of participants had international elective (69.6%), mainly in the USA followed by the UK. Internal medicine was the field of interest for 14.8%, followed by general surgery 11.2%. 241 (62.6%) actively participated in the elective as they had a clerkship/ hands-on experience. In contrast, 142 (36.9%) were observers. The majority indicated that the elective is worth time, money, and effort. Moreover, they had adequate supervision throughout the course and could achieve their preset objectives. Conclusions: the elective course gives a unique experience to our students. The general satisfaction is an indicator of the success of the course in exposing medical students to clinical practice actively.

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Discrimination at work: A cross-sectional study among Nepalese workers in the UK

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e573012012-094 ◽

2008 ◽

Author(s):

K. R. Regmi

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Uk

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Quality of Life and Associated Factors in Young Workers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18042153 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 2153

Author(s):

José Andrade Louzado ◽

Matheus Lopes Cortes ◽

Márcio Galvão Oliveira ◽

Vanessa Moraes Bezerra ◽

Sóstenes Mistro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Young Workers ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

Significance Level ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

Assess Quality

Background: This study aimed to identify the factors associated with the quality of life of young workers of a Social Work of Industry Unit. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 1270 workers. Data were collected using a digital questionnaire built on the KoBoToolbox platform that included the EUROHIS-QOL eight-item index to assess quality of life. Demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and clinical variables were considered explanatory. The associations were analyzed using the ordinal logistic regression model at a 5% significance level. Results: Men and women had a mean quality of life of 31.1 and 29.4, respectively. Workers that rated their health as “very good” had an odds ratio of 7.4 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.17–10.81), and those who rated it as “good” had an odds ratio of 2.9 (95% CI = 2.31–3.77). Both these groups of workers were more likely to have higher levels of quality of life as compared to workers with “regular”, “poor”, or “very poor” self-rated health. Physically active individuals were 30% more likely to have higher levels of quality of life (odds ratio = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.08–1.65). After adjusting the model by gender, age group, marital status, socioeconomic class, self-rated health, nutritional status, and risky alcohol consumption, the odds ratio of active individuals remained stable (odds ratio = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.05–1.66). Conclusions: In the present study, self-rated health, physical activity, and gender were associated with young workers’ quality of life.

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Self-rated health among undocumented and newly regularized migrants in Geneva: a cross-sectional study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11239-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Julien Fakhoury ◽

Claudine Burton-Jeangros ◽

Idris Guessous ◽

Liala Consoli ◽

Aline Duvoisin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Social Networks ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Future Research ◽

Undocumented Migrants ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Residence Permit ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Self Rated Health

Abstract Background In Europe, knowledge about the social determinants of health among undocumented migrants is scarce. The canton of Geneva, Switzerland, implemented in 2017–2018 a pilot public policy aiming at regularizing undocumented migrants. We sought to test for associations between self-rated health, proven eligibility for residence status regularization and social and economic integration. Methods This paper reports data from the first wave of the Parchemins Study, a prospective study whose aim is to investigate the effect of residence status regularization on undocumented migrants’ living conditions and health. The convenience sample included undocumented migrants living in Geneva for at least 3 years. We categorized them into those who were in the process of receiving or had just been granted a residence permit (eligible or newly regularized) and those who had not applied or were ineligible for regularization (undocumented). We conducted multivariate regression analyses to determine factors associated with better self-rated health, i.e., with excellent/very good vs. good/fair/poor self-rated health. Among these factors, measures of integration, social support and economic resources were included. Results Of the 437 participants, 202 (46%) belonged to the eligible or newly regularized group. This group reported better health more frequently than the undocumented group (44.6% versus 28.9%, p-value < .001), but the association was no longer significant after adjustment for social support and economic factors (odds ratio (OR): 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67–1.87). Overall, better health was associated with larger social networks (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.04–2.64). This association remained significant even after adjusting for health-related variables. Conclusion At the onset of the regularization program, access to regularization was not associated with better self-rated health. Policies aiming at favouring undocumented migrants’ inclusion and engagement in social networks may promote better health. Future research should investigate long-term effects of residence status regularization on self-rated health.

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