Health Research Policy and Systems is published in collaboration with the World Health Organization. The journal has an international approach that ...

Dr April Patrick, Associate Professor Department of English, Rowan University, discusses her work at the intersection of literature of women's health. This blog contributes to the SDG 3 Newsletter.

One of the most devastating diseases finally has a treatment that can slow its progression and transform lives, tearful doctors tell BBC.

Background From 1918 to 1920, the largest influenza A virus (IAV) pandemic known to date spread globally causing between 20 to 100 million deaths. Historical records have captured critical aspects of the disease dynamics, such as the occurrence and severity of the pandemic waves. Yet, other important pieces of information such as the mutations that allowed the virus to adapt to its new host can only be obtained from IAV genomes. The analysis of specimens collected during the pandemic and still preserved in historical pathology collections can significantly contribute to a better understanding of its course. However, efficient RNA processing protocols are required to work with such specimens. Results Here, we describe an alternative protocol for efficient ancient RNA sequencing and evaluate its performance on historical samples, including a published positive control. The phenol/chloroform-free protocol efficiently recovers ancient viral RNA, especially small fragments, and maintains information about RNA fragment directionality through incorporating fragments by a ligation-based approach. One of the assessed historical samples allowed for the recovery of the first 1918 IAV genome from Switzerland. This genome, derived from a patient deceased during the beginning of the first pandemic wave in Switzerland, already harbours mutations linked to human adaptation. Conclusion We introduce an alternative, efficient workflow for ancient RNA recovery from formalin-fixed wet specimens. We also present the first precisely dated and complete influenza genome from Europe, highlighting the early occurrence of mutations associated with adaptation to humans during the first European wave of the 1918 pandemic.

Adrienne Epstein, PhD, University of California, San Francisco, USA Julie-Anne Tangena, PhD, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK BMC Global and Public Health is calling for submissions to our Collection on innovative approaches to eliminating malaria. The Collection will feature cutting-edge research on advancements in antimalarial drugs, diagnostics, vector control strategies, and equitable policy implementation.

Clara Mukuria, PhD, CM HE Consulting, United Kingdom A. Simon Pickard, PhD, University of Illinois Chicago, United States Fanni Rencz, DSc, Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary This Collection in Health and Quality of Life Outcomes highlights research on the EQ-HWB is a new tool by the EuroQol Group to assess broader health and wellbeing outcomes.

Held annually on September 4th, World Sexual Health Day is a celebration advanced by the World Association of Sexual Health to promote good sexual health and well-being. This blog highlights current research and projects surrounding Sexual and Reproductive Health.

Background Engineered stone (ES), a material that has become widespread for its use in kitchen and bathroom countertops since the 1980s, is composed of over 90% crystalline silica by weight, significa...

Background Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 ignited the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II. Ukrainian government agencies, civil society organizations, and international ...

Access to healthcare in Canada remains a significant issue, with over one in five people lacking attachment to a regular primary care provider. To address this, patients, health professionals, researc...

Background Initiatives are increasingly encouraging health and social care staff involvement in research, with evidence for patient and organisational level benefits. There is less evidence of the ben...

In a groundbreaking study set to be published in the esteemed journal Health Research Policy and Systems, researchers Xu, Y., Song, L., and Liu, X. embark on a comprehensive exploration of the intricate factors that shape health impact assessment (HIA) policy identification in China. This comparative examination, juxtaposing the health sector against its nonhealth counterparts, promises to illuminate the nuances that inform policy creation and implementation within one of the world's most populous nations.

In a groundbreaking analysis published in Health Research Policy and Systems, Mhazo and Maponga delve into an essential yet often overlooked aspect of public health: how the framing of ideas influences health system strengthening in Zimbabwe. Their research highlights that the language and narratives used to present health policy can significantly impact public perception and ultimately shape the effectiveness of health interventions.

Background The history of occupational health on the African continent is important but under-studied. Methods We surveyed key resources related to medical history from the Ancient Egypt through the O...

Background Health system strengthening (HSS) has been a well-endorsed concept globally since the 2000s. However, few studies have utilized theory to examine its evolution at the country level and pote...