Key Social Determinants to Narrow the Gap between Health-adjusted Life Expectancy and Life Expectancy in Megacities

ObjectiveImprovement in the quality of life is reflected in the narrowing of the gap between health-adjusted life expectancy (HALE) and life expectancy (LE). The effect of megacity expansion on narrowing the gap is rarely reported. This study aimed to disclose this potential relationship.MethodsAnnual life tables were constructed from identified death records and population counts from multiple administrative sources in Guangzhou, China, from 2010 to 2020. Joinpoint regression was used to evaluate the temporal trend. Generalized principal component analysis and multilevel models were applied to examine the county-level association between the gap and social determinants.ResultsAlthough LE and HALE in megacities are increasing steadily, their gap is widening. Socio-economic and health services are guaranteed to narrow this gap. Increasing personal wealth, a growing number of newborns and healthy immigrants, high urbanization, and healthy aging have helped in narrowing this gap.ConclusionIn megacities, parallel LE and HALE growth should be highly considered to narrow their gap. Multiple social determinants need to be integrated as a whole to formulate public health plans.     

Self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding: A concept analysis

To increase the overall rate of breastfeeding initiation and duration, factors involved in a mother's decision to breastfeed must be identified. Self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding was a concept selected for exploring factors associated with negative views of breastfeeding. A concept analysis following the eight‐step Walker & Avant method provides clarity and context to the concept of self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding. The antecedents of self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding include living in a culture of sexualization and objectification of women and the internalization of the values of objectification. Attributes of self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding are a prioritization of physical appearance attributes of the breast over the health benefits of breastfeeding and a preoccupation with physical appearance. Consequences include negative views toward breastfeeding initiation, duration, and public breastfeeding. A concept analysis on self‐objectification in the context of breastfeeding will provide definition and clarity to this phenomenon, lend to theory and measurement, and add literature to the sociocultural factors impacting breastfeeding decisions.     

四妙勇安汤方源探析

四妙勇安汤由金银花、玄参、当归、甘草4味药物组成,为《古代经典名方目录(第一批)》中100个经典名方之一。经溯源发现,四妙勇安汤源于《石室秘录》,后由《古今图书集成·医部全录》《验方新编》等书引用。从古代文献记载来看均有方无名,"四妙勇安汤"之名,最早见于1956年《中医治疗动脉栓塞性坏疽症的成效》,是由当时记者吕民报道河北省释迦宝山用"四妙勇安汤"治疗当地的动脉栓塞性坏疽时冠名。四妙勇安汤从方药组成与剂量上看,从《石室秘录》开始即是"金银花三两,当归二两,生甘草一两,玄参三两",历代版本《方剂学》确定四妙勇安汤金银花、玄参、当归、甘草的比例就是3∶3∶2∶1。而查阅文献,释迦宝山临证所用的四妙勇安汤由"玄参132 g,当归99 g,银花66 g,甘草33 g"组成,金银花、玄参、当归、甘草的比例变成2∶4∶3∶1。从治疗时间上看,原方记载的7日愈或是10日愈,而释迦宝山将其用到了三四个月,甚至五六个月。研究认为,古籍中的四妙勇安汤,应该是用于疾病的初期,尽早发现和治疗;而释迦宝山修改过的剂量,是广泛用于脱骨疽的中后期,甚至出现坏疽的严重病情所使用的,因此服药时间长,剂量大。且四妙勇安汤临证不仅限于治疗脱骨疽,也用于大头疮等,现代该方的使用已经大为拓展。相关研究已证实四妙勇安汤具有抗炎、稳定斑块、降脂、保护血管、改善血液流变学、抗凝、抑制血栓形成和促纤溶等作用,后续应开展君臣佐使辨析,对其临床应用范围重新进行界定。