This study explored how individuals in an online anti-CWF community construct and sustain opposition narratives to inform evidence-based communication and policy engagement. A qualitative study was undertaken with adults who self-identified as not supportive of CWF. Fourteen participants from the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States of America were recruited via the Fluoride Action Network Facebook page, a prominent global hub for anti-fluoridation discourse. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom between January and July 2025. Data were analyzed using inductive qualitative content analysis. Codes were organized into main, generic, and sub-categories and quantified by endorsement frequency. Reporting followed SRQR and COREQ guidelines. Five main categories were identified: (1) Knowledge, Attitudes, Perceptions, and Policy Views; (2) Information Sources and Trust; (3) Reasons for Opposition; (4) Grassroots and Community Actions; and (5) Alternatives and Conditions for Acceptability. Opposition to CWF was shaped by ethical, health, and institutional concerns rather than by scientific disagreement alone. Eight generic categories captured key reasons for opposition, including perceptions of mass medication without consent, health and social harms, institutional distrust, concerns about industrial waste, ethical objections, skepticism about benefits, preference for individualized alternatives, and experiences of professional dismissal. Anti-fluoride networks and social media were the most trusted sources of information (86%), while trust in mainstream science and health authorities was very low (< 15%). Opposition to CWF is sustained through network-mediated information ecosystems and reinforced by behavioral economic mechanisms, including loss aversion, autonomy bias, and default framing effects. Effective public health responses must therefore move beyond evidence dissemination to incorporate network-aware communication and behavioral insights-informed strategies that prioritize transparency, public participation, and equitable framing of CWF within broader oral health policy.
Economy-wide efforts to achieve net-zero emissions offer climate and air quality-related public health benefits from reducing fossil fuel combustion. However, carbon dioxide removal (CDR) may be necessary to meet emissions targets cost-effectively, and relying on CDR would forego some air-quality benefits. Here, we systematically quantify the regional air quality and public health implications of six CDR portfolios for the U.S. using a coupled modeling approach and compare those to a no U.S. climate action scenario. While both high- and low-CDR deployment avoid about $2.5-5.8 trillion USD2020 (or 0.4-0.8% of cumulative GDP (CGDP)) in climate damages, the high-CDR pathway costs $11-13 trillion USD2020 (or 1.8-1.9% of CGDP) by 2050, whereas the low-CDR pathway costs $16-20 trillion USD2020 (or 2.6-2.9% of CGDP) due to deeper near-term fossil fuel reductions. Public health benefits reach $2.8-6.5 trillion USD2020 (or 0.5-0.9% of CGDP) under high-CDR and are $3.5-8 trillion USD2020 (0.6-1.2% of CGDP) under low-CDR, reflecting greater reductions in particulate matter and ozone exposure and preventing approximately 12,600 additional premature deaths by mid-century. However, heavy reliance on CDR technologies could generate $5-6 trillion USD2020 (∼0.8-0.9% of CGDP) in CDR revenues by 2050, exemplifying the trade-offs between public health, economy, and climate.
Despite longstanding calls for standardized benchmarks in U.S. outpatient mental health care, none are widely adopted, limiting the ability to evaluate outcomes, compare providers, and advance measurement-based care (MBC). Benchmarks-defined as expected outcome distributions adjusted for diagnosis, severity, and treatment dose-would make care quality observable and actionable. Their absence reflects systemic barriers, including fragmented leadership, misaligned incentives, and limited adoption of routine outcomes monitoring, rather than technical constraints. This gap obscures variability in outcomes, weakens quality improvement efforts, and hinders enforcement of mental health parity. Drawing on field experience and international comparisons, this paper argues that benchmarking must be treated as public infrastructure, supported by federal leadership, aligned incentives, and safe data-sharing frameworks. Establishing national benchmarks is essential to improving transparency, accountability, and equity in outpatient mental health care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
To analyze two good practices of intersectoral coordination promoted by public health, including primary care and other health and non-health sectors, and to identify the strengths and weaknesses perceived by public health and primary care professionals for the development of effective coordination. A qualitative and participatory study was conducted based on the analysis of two well-established experiences: the mihsalud program (Valencia) and the Barcelona Action Plan on Drugs and Addictions (PADAB). The study combined a descriptive review of the practices with a participatory strategic analysis using the SWOT methodology. A total of 27 public health and primary care professionals from one autonomous community were purposively selected to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to coordination, as well as proposals for improvement. Both experiences show that shared governance, community participation, and intersectoral collaboration facilitate the integration of public health and healthcare services, contributing to the sustainability and effectiveness of interventions. Key strengths include professional expertise, the existence of supportive regulatory frameworks, and interinstitutional partnerships. Nevertheless, persistent weaknesses were identified, such as organizational fragmentation, lack of interoperability of information systems, limited joint training, and insufficient stable funding. The SWOT analysis made it possible to define strategies aimed at strengthening interdisciplinary training, improving interoperability, reducing bureaucracy, and consolidating stable governance frameworks. Effective coordination between public health and healthcare services is essential to improve equity, system efficiency, and health outcomes. The experiences analyzed provide transferable lessons that highlight the need for structural reforms, sustained investment, and the strengthening of collaborative governance to move toward integrated and sustainable models.
Active animal disease surveillance is essential for detecting zoonotic emerging infectious diseases. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), limited infrastructure, economic instability, and armed conflict constrain surveillance capability. This ongoing work to characterize the prevalence of zoonoses like Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus implements an in-country One Health approach to disease surveillance and capacity building in a limited-resource setting. Veterinarians and technicians from the DRC's Central Veterinary Laboratory with technical support from national and international partners completed 135 site visits across 9 provinces between June 2023 and July 2024 collecting bovine, porcine, and human serum samples along with attached and grossly engorged ticks. At each site, community animal health workers and local veterinarians were invited to participate for training in clinical competencies and emerging zoonosis identification. Facility survey data revealed that, while more than half of sites report using antibiotics (63% of sites with cattle; 75% of sites with swine), only a quarter of sites vaccinate livestock (18% of sites with cattle; 28% of sites with swine)-a larger trend of curative care outpacing preventative action. This disparity demonstrates a need for veterinary capacity strengthening to realize long-term gains in disease prevention and economic stability.
The youth mental health crisis in the United States has garnered increasing attention, stimulating calls for urgent, evidence-based action. To inform the development of effective solutions, this literature review synthesized current data on youth mental health challenges, youth perspectives on needs and priorities, and existing resources and gaps. Findings reveal significant increases in mental health concerns among youth; disparities in outcomes and access to care, particularly among marginalized populations; and the critical importance of youth engagement and leadership in co-developing solutions. Youth perspectives emphasized the need for mental health education, school- and community-based resources, and arts-based activities as key avenues for fostering social connection and engagement. The review describes three categories of existing resources (community-based services, national nonprofits, and government initiatives), notes the potential value of creative engagement, and identifies gaps and challenges-such as inadequate funding and barriers to access. Findings underscore the urgent need for equity-oriented, culturally responsive approaches, including modalities informed by the arts, to address the youth mental health crisis. Importantly, they indicate the value of co-learning and co-strategizing with youth to promote mental health and flourishing. Despite some limitations, this review offers a timely synthesis of key themes and priorities, providing actionable insights for intervention and research efforts that support the mental health and well-being of youth in the United States.
Asset Mapping Score Analysis (AMSA) is a standardized approach to organizing data on community assets. This study uses AMSA in two ways to quantify health equity efforts of the Communities Organizing to Promote Equity (COPE) project: (1) quantify community assets identified by COPE; and (2) apply AMSA methods in a novel way to evaluate the reach and depth of COPE interventions. COPE aimed to strengthen community-driven public health by establishing community coalitions, called Local Health Equity Action Teams, in 20 Kansas counties. LHEATs were tasked with: (1) identifying local organizations addressing health and social needs; (2) addressing needs through community-level interventions; and (3) addressing the needs of individual community members (clients). Using the AMSA framework, we assigned an asset score to organizational resources in each community and client-level interventions. We examined the relationship between asset scores and the level of area deprivation at the census block level. Of 1,786 organizations, 355 community-level interventions, and 3,241 individual clients supported, 63.4% (n = 1,133), 64.9% (n = 231), and 69.6% (n = 2,256) were in areas of high deprivation (Area Deprivation Index ≥ 7), respectively. Compared to lower ADI block groups, mean asset scores were significantly higher in block groups characterized by higher ADI for all three measures (organizations: 4.2 ± 9.06 vs 1.5 ± 4.85, p < .001; community activities: 0.7 ± 2.61 vs 0.2 ± 0.88, p < .001; individual client support: 55.7 ± 67.52 vs 26.7 ± 25.15, p < .001). In this study, community coalitions prioritized areas of greatest need. GIS-based asset mapping provides a valuable lens for assessing the distribution and intensity of public health efforts beyond traditional evaluation methods.
Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are at increased risk for oral-dental complications, yet there is limited evidence from Iran on whether theory-based educational interventions can produce sustained improvements in oral-dental self-care behaviors in this population. This non-blinded experimental study was conducted in 2023-2024 among patients with type 2 diabetes registered at the Fasa Diabetes Center. A total of 220 participants were randomly allocated to an intervention group (n = 110) or a control group (n = 110). Sample size was calculated using the formula for comparing two independent means with a 95% confidence level and 80% power, with allowance for attrition. The intervention group received six Health Belief Model based educational sessions (50-55 min each) delivered through group discussions, question-and-answer sessions, practical demonstrations, and educational materials; the control group received routine care. Data were collected at baseline and six months post-intervention using a validated questionnaire assessing knowledge, Health Belief Model constructs, and oral-dental health behaviors. At six months, the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements compared with the control group in knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, cues to action, and oral-dental health behaviors (all p < 0.05). These findings provide evidence that Health Belief Model-based education can improve oral-dental self-care behaviors in patients with type 2 diabetes and support using the Health Belief Model as a practical framework for designing integrated oral-dental health education programs within diabetes centers.
Screening tools are frequently used to assess symptoms of mental disorders in different settings before they worsen. They may theoretically be used in large-scale programs to support implementation of national action plans and mental health strategies in consideration of broader or more specific lines of action for support of individuals struggling with mental health issues. Although screening tools and programs are generally effective, there are inconsistencies in their design, planning, application, measurement of outcomes, mechanisms used for follow-up, and ethical considerations. These inconsistencies highlight the need for benchmarking efforts to guide the identification, assessment, and development of the most appropriate screening tools and early detection programs. A scoping review of literature related to mental health screening and early detection program frameworks, standards, protocols, practices, tools, techniques from around the world and evidence of effectiveness. Of the 2213 potential studies identified, 38 were selected for inclusion. The majority were from the USA (26.3%). Most studies utilized non-randomized study designs, and there was a wide range of settings, sample sizes, life stages, and mental disorders assessed. The most commonly used tools were the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), Kessler Scale, ProfScreen, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder assessment (GAD). Screening tools were found generally effective, but sensitivity and specificity varied. The Posttraumatic Symptoms Scale (PTSS-10), AC-OK, and Adolescent Psychotic-Like Symptom Screener (APSS) showed high diagnostic performance (98%, 96%, and 68%, respectively). Challenges faced included ease of use, additional resource requirements, and technological accessibility. Limited studies performed cost-effectiveness analyses. No single mental health screening tool is universally superior; each tool has advantages and limitations. The effectiveness of these tools depends on the population, settings, application, and integration with other care pathways. Future studies should include in-depth evaluations of screening tools and cost-effectiveness analyses to facilitate better comparison for diverse populations and settings, as well as the design and development of appropriate tools and programs for screening and early detection.
Those working within the South African (SA) District Health System (DHS) have various roles in addressing population health and wellbeing needs. These include motivating and co-ordinating local providers offering community, primary healthcare facility and district hospital services, including prevention and promotion services, and facilitating whole-of-government and whole-of-society collaboration with other government and social actors. These roles cannot be fulfilled by exercising traditional, command-and-control public sector managerial authority. Instead, distributed system leadership is required: a form of leadership practised by individuals and teams that enables the collective action needed to address complex health needs, and that is supported by wider organisational structures and processes. Based on a range of experience, this in-practice article presents the rationale for, and description of, system leadership within the DHS; appraises current approaches to leadership and management development in South Africa from this perspective; and outlines a system leadership development approach that offers promise for DHS and health system strengthening.
Informal payments (IPs) remain a persistent challenge across health systems worldwide and may undermine equity, transparency, and public trust in healthcare delivery. Despite a growing body of research, evidence regarding the determinants of IPs and the strategies proposed to address them remains fragmented and lacks a comprehensive synthesis. This scoping review aimed to: (1) map and synthesize existing evidence on the key determinants of IPs in health systems globally; and (2) identify, categorize, and summarize the range of strategies proposed to curb them. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology, we conducted a systematic search across five databases-PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, and ScienceDirect-from database inception through January 2025. Two reviewers independently screened all records against predefined eligibility criteria. Data from the included studies were extracted using a standardized form and thematically analyzed. This review synthesized evidence from 68 studies. Determinants of IPs were categorized into five interconnected levels: (1) patient-level factors (e.g., fear of poor-quality care, desire for faster services, and limited knowledge); (2) structural/contextual factors (e.g., underfunding, weak regulation, and type of service); (3) provider-level factors (e.g., low salaries and shortages of supplies); (4) cultural/ethical factors (e.g., norms of gratitude and social acceptance of informal payments); and (5) organizational-level factors (e.g., corruption and lack of accountability). Proposed interventions were grouped into five strategic categories: patient empowerment (education and patient-rights mechanisms); cultural-normative strategies (shifting social norms and fostering trust); financial strategies (improving provider remuneration, formalizing payments, and expanding insurance coverage); structural strategies (strengthening health systems and improving service accessibility); and governance and regulatory strategies (legal frameworks, oversight mechanisms, and sanctions). An analytical framework was developed to illustrate the mechanisms of action and key contextual considerations associated with each strategy, highlighting that implementation processes and outcomes are highly context dependent. IPs are a multifactorial phenomenon rooted in systemic weaknesses, economic incentives, and sociocultural norms. Isolated interventions are unlikely to be effective. Addressing IPs requires integrated, multi-pronged strategies that reduce financial pressures on providers, strengthen governance and transparency, improve service quality and accessibility, empower patients, and reshape cultural norms. This review provides a foundational evidence map to support the design of context-sensitive, system-level policies aimed at reducing and ultimately eliminating informal payments. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of interventions across diverse health system contexts, particularly in underrepresented settings, and further examine the institutional and contextual factors that perpetuate informal payment practices. Not applicable.
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Glucocorticoids (GCs) are used as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs in many immune mediated diseases, but their use in sepsis and shock is controversial. This is caused in part by a lack of information regarding the responding cell types and GC-regulated genes in vivo. We used large collections of public blood transcriptomic datasets and different GC-induced query genes to obtain 2 robust gene expression correlation signatures of GC induction, either in the absence or in the presence of severe inflammation. GC signature 1 originated from circadian cortisol with biases for gene expression in NK cells and neutrophils. GC signature 2 originated from GC in severe inflammation, mainly with biases for gene expression in monocytes and neutrophils. Many genes upregulated by GC treatment in septic shock and burn shock were also present as high-ranking genes in GC signatures, which pointed to their direct regulation by GC. Robust GC signatures were also obtained from dataset collections of different tissues for comparison, and of monocytes and neutrophils, separately. Gene induction by GC was put into a wider framework of gene expression in circulating monocytes and neutrophils in health and during systemic inflammation, which included macrophage-like cells and a hypoxia-related gene expression signature in monocytes in severe inflammation. We present and interpret a large number of GC-regulated genes in different blood cells and tissues in vivo, and select 2 whole blood transcriptomic biomarker gene sets, GC-1 and GC-2, for monitoring cortisol action in health, and in severe inflammation, respectively.
Objectives. Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential for worker safety, but many employees fail to use it correctly due to limited knowledge, negative attitudes and low perceived control. This study assessed the effectiveness of a health belief model (HBM)-based educational intervention on PPE use among factory workers in Yasuj. Methods. This quasi-experimental study (2022-2023) randomly assigned 109 workers were to experimental (n = 56) and control (n = 53) groups. The intervention included six 60-min in-person sessions delivered by a researcher and an occupational health expert. Data were collected via an HBM-based questionnaire before and 2 months after the intervention. Statistical analyses included paired t tests, independent t tests and χ2 tests using SPSS version 27. Results. Pre-intervention assessments showed no significant differences between groups (p > 0.05). Post intervention, the experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in all HBM constructs - knowledge, attitudes, perceived susceptibility and severity, perceived benefits and barriers, self-efficacy, guidance for action - as well as PPE-related behavior (p = 0.001). Conclusion. HBM-based educational interventions effectively enhance PPE usage by improving knowledge, shaping positive attitudes and addressing perceived barriers and benefits. These findings support structured educational programs as a key strategy for promoting workplace health and safety.
The European Commission's first Civil Society Strategy (2025) marks a significant step toward strengthening democratic resilience in the EU, with important implications for the health sector. Civil society organizations (CSOs) are central to advancing health equity, countering commercial determinants of health, and supporting evidence-informed policymaking. The Strategy's priorities-protecting civic space, ensuring sustainable funding, and enhancing participation in EU decision-making-recognize civil society as essential to effective governance. Yet, recent funding decisions in key sectoral programmes-made jointly by sectoral Directorates-General and Member States-recognize civil society as essential to effective governance. The discontinuation of operating grants in the EU4Health 2025 Work Programme, alongside reduced structural support in the LIFE Programme, weakens the independence and continuity CSOs need to contribute to public health, environmental action, and democratic processes. While project-based funding supports valuable activities, it cannot replace the long-term functions enabled by core funding, such as policy monitoring, community engagement, and sustained dialogue with institutions. These capacities were especially visible during COVID-19 when CSOs played a crucial role in reaching underserved populations and combating misinformation. Ensuring alignment between the Civil Society Strategy and sectoral funding decisions-including reinstating operating grants-is essential for maintaining resilient health systems, advancing public interest objectives, and realizing the promise of a more participatory and equitable Europe.
Antimicrobial stewardship emphasizes the timely transition from intravenous to oral antibiotic therapy to reduce the risk of catheter-associated infections and shorten hospital stays. However, the overuse of intravenous antibiotics remains a significant issue in China. Understanding the factors that influence patients' willingness to accept intravenous-to-oral switch (IVOS) therapy from their perspective is essential. This study aims to explore inpatients' willingness to accept IVOS therapy and its potential influencing factors, based on the Health Belief Model (HBM), providing evidence for the development of more effective intervention strategies. Between June and July 2025, a qualitative study guided by the HBM was conducted at a tertiary hospital in China. Fifteen inpatients receiving antibiotic therapy from five wards with high rates of intravenous antibiotic use were purposively selected for semi-structured interviews. Data were thematically analyzed and reported in accordance with the COREQ guidelines. The study identified two themes and nine subthemes: (1) motivators to accept IVOS therapy (perceived benefits, high perceived severity, concerns about infusion safety, and action cues), (2) barriers to accept IVOS therapy (concerns about oral antibiotic effectiveness, low perceived susceptibility, low perceived severity, the "anti-inflammatory drug" label, and self-efficacy). This study indicates that patients lack sufficient awareness of the efficacy of oral antibiotics and the severity of antimicrobial resistance. Targeted interventions, particularly public education initiatives, can improve patient understanding of these issues, encourage more informed therapy decisions, and potentially increase acceptance of IVOS therapy.
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a global challenge, exacerbated by multidrug-resistant pathogens. This study systematically maps antimicrobial surface formulations (1995-2024), analyzing gaps in regulatory readiness, toxicological validation, and sustainability. Using the Espacenet database and PRISMA guidelines, 49 patents were analyzed. Innovation surged post-2015, led by private corporations (72.09%) in the USA, Canada, and China (67.35%). Synthetic actives, primarily quaternary ammonium compounds, dominated (71.43%), while natural (16.33%) and hybrid (10.20%) approaches were less frequent. Key targets included S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, and E. coli. Although 38.77% of patents claimed sustainability (biodegradability/low toxicity), only 40.82% disclosed mechanisms of action, and 34.69% provided toxicological data. A significant gap exists between technological innovation and regulatory/safety validation. Future developments must integrate life-cycle assessments and robust toxicological testing. Harmonized regulatory pathways and public-private partnerships are essential to translate these innovations into scalable, sustainable, and safer disinfectant solutions for healthcare environments. This systematic review maps the global patent landscape of antimicrobial surface formulations from 1995 to 2024.Innovation output has accelerated significantly since 2015, primarily driven by private corporations in the USA, Canada, and China.Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) remain the dominant active ingredients, despite rising concerns regarding environmental persistence and resistance.A significant gap exists in patent disclosures: nearly 60% of patents lack mechanistic data, and 65% lack toxicological validation.Sustainability claims are predominantly qualitative; no analyzed patents employed quantitative metrics like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).Future innovation should prioritize metabolism-targeting systems (e.g., gallium-based) and standardized environmental reporting to bridge the translational gap.
Alcohol consumption is a significant and growing public health concern in Ghana, where it contributes to rising rates of non-communicable diseases, social dysfunction, and economic burden. Despite its impact, municipality-level data on alcohol use among the general adult population remains scarce, creating an evidence gap that limits the development of targeted, context-specific interventions. Prior studies in Hohoe Municipality have been restricted to youth and tertiary student populations, leaving the broader adult population unexamined. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of current and lifetime alcohol consumption, assess knowledge of the long-term health effects of alcohol, and identify sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with alcohol consumption among adults in Hohoe Municipality, Volta Region, Ghana. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used among 318 adults aged 18 years and above in Hohoe Municipality. Participants were recruited from residential households and alcohol-selling points in Hohoe Municipality using stratified random sampling and a balloting procedure. A structured questionnaire was administered face-to-face by trained interviewers. Current alcohol consumption was defined as consuming at least one standard drink in the 30 days preceding the survey. Knowledge of the long-term effects of alcohol was assessed, scored dichotomously and summed into a composite score, with the sample median used to classify participants into high and low knowledge groups Data were analyzed using Stata Version 17. Descriptive statistics summarized the sample, and chi-square tests examined bivariate associations. Binary and multivariable logistic regression were used for inferential analysis, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05 and 95% confidence intervals reported. Of the 318 participants, 122 (38.4%) were current alcohol consumers; those who had consumed alcohol in the past 30 days while an additional 48 (15.1%) were former consumers. Combined, 170 participants (53.5%, 95% CI: 48.0-59.0%) reported any lifetime alcohol exposure, representing the study's overall lifetime prevalence. Among the 56.2% of male participants and 50.6% of female participants who were consumers, sex was not a statistically significant predictor of consumption (p = 0.323). Local gin (akpeteshie) was the most consumed beverage (47.6%). Knowledge of the long-term effects of alcohol was low, as only 53.5% of respondents demonstrated high knowledge of chronic consequences, despite 85.6% acknowledging general health harm. Accessibility (55.3%) and peer influence (18.9%) were the primary self-reported drivers of consumption. Ewe ethnicity (aOR = 5.6; 95% CI: 1.97-15.95; p = 0.001), Guan ethnicity (aOR = 3.9; 95% CI: 1.06-14.55; p = 0.039), and Islamic religious affiliation (aOR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.05-0.90; p = 0.036) were the significant independent predictors of alcohol consumption. Ethnicity likely reflects the influence of cultural norms, community-level alcohol availability, and social practices rather than any inherent characteristic. Alcohol consumption is prevalent among adults in Hohoe Municipality, with over half reporting lifetime exposure and more than a third identified as current consumers. Knowledge of specific long-term health risks remains limited, particularly awareness of recommended drinking limits. Ethnicity and religion are the strongest independent predictors of consumption, pointing to the central role of sociocultural context in shaping drinking behavior. These findings call for multi-level, culturally sensitive public health responses combining targeted health education, regulatory action on alcohol accessibility, and engagement with community and faith-based structures to reduce alcohol-related harm and support Ghana's national NCD prevention agenda.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant public health concern, disproportionately affecting Low-and-Middle-Income countries (LMICs) across Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This WHO region faces a high burden of AMR, which is driven by social, biological, and structural factors. Social determinants such as poverty, education, healthcare access, and gender roles and norms contributed significantly to the non-recommended use of antimicrobials. Despite this growing burden, there is limited research on the social dimensions of AMR, including how gender norms and disparities shaped AMR in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This scoping review investigated how gender and equity interact with intersectional factors, including biology, age, and socioeconomic status, as well as complex power structures shaping AMR in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and assessed gender and equity inclusion within AMR national policy, guidelines, reports, and the National Action Plan. PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Index Medicus for South-East Asia Region (IMSEAR) were searched for peer-reviewed articles, and institutional websites were searched for grey literature published in English between 2014 and 2024. Data was extracted, charted, and analyzed through a thematic framework by using an intersectional lens and WHO Gender-responsive Assessment Scale. Our review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol (PRISMA-P) and its Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA- ScR) checklist. This review identified 60 studies (38 from Bangladesh, 22 from Sri Lanka) and 30 grey documents; including policy, National Action Plans (NAPs), guidelines, and reports. Of the empirical studies, 53 (88%) used quantitative methods, 5 were qualitative, and 2 used mixed methods, with 47 studies (78%) focused on human health. Among the included studies, 70% (42) reported gender-related differences in AMR knowledge, attitudes, practices, exposure, or access, and 45% (27 studies) highlighted reliance on informal drug sellers. Using an intersectional lens, this study revealed a significant impact of the complex interplay between gender, social determinants, and structural inequalities. Women's AMR exposure and barriers to recommended antimicrobial use were shaped by their high biological susceptibility, limited healthcare access, financial dependency, limited decision-making autonomy, caregiving roles, and reliance on informal providers. Men's AMR risk and barriers to recommended antimicrobial use were influenced by their occupational exposure, over-reliance on informal providers, past experience, social-network influence, and easy access with financial and decision-making autonomy. Additionally, this review identified critical gaps, including a lack of gender-disaggregated data and the absence of gender and equity dimensions in national documents and policies. The findings highlighted the importance of incorporating gender-responsive indicators in surveillance systems, and targeted context-specific awareness campaigns must be integrated into AMR research, policy, and healthcare systems to identify inequities and effective implementation.