Long-Term Exposure to Nitrogen Dioxide and Ozone and Mortality: Update of the WHO Air Quality Guidelines Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO) and ozone (O) with mortality, to expand evidence that informed 2021 the WHO Air Quality Guidelines and guide the Health Risks of Air Pollution in Europe project.

Methods: We included cohorts investigating NO and O mortality from all-causes, respiratory diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI); and NO mortality from circulatory, ischemic heart, cerebrovascular diseases and lung cancer. We pooled estimates by random-effects models and investigated heterogeneity.

Long-Term Exposure to Particulate Matter and Mortality: An Update of the WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: For the development of the 2021 global air quality guidelines, the World Health Organization (WHO) commissioned a series of systematic reviews and meta-analyses to assess the association between exposure to air pollution and all-cause and cause-specific mortality. One of these reviews, which we aim to update, focused on the effects of long-term exposure to PM and PM on all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

Methods: The protocol for this study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023425327).

Choices of morbidity outcomes and concentration-response functions for health risk assessment of long-term exposure to air pollution.

Background: Air pollution health risk assessment (HRA) has been typically conducted for all causes and cause-specific mortality based on concentration-response functions (CRFs) from meta-analyses that synthesize the evidence on air pollution health effects. There is a need for a similar systematic approach for HRA for morbidity outcomes, which have often been omitted from HRA of air pollution, thus underestimating the full air pollution burden. We aimed to compile from the existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses CRFs for the incidence of several diseases that could be applied in HRA.

Update of the WHO global air quality guidelines: Systematic reviews - An introduction.

This paper aims to serve as an introduction to the Special Issue in Environment International entitled "Update of the WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines: Systematic Reviews". The article has two main objectives. One is to provide the context to this Special Issue, related to (a) policy context, overall exposure to air pollution, and burden of disease attributable to air pollution, and the other is to describe (b) the WHO guideline development process, with special emphasis on the systematic reviews.

The role of burden of disease assessment in tracking progress towards achieving WHO global air quality guidelines.

Objectives: More than 90% of the global population live in areas exceeding the PM air quality guidelines (AQGs). We provide an overview of the ambient PM-related burden of disease (BoD) studies along with scenario analysis in the framework of the WHO AQG update on the estimated reduction in the BoD if AQGs were achieved globally.

Methods: We reviewed the literature for large-scale studies for the BoD attributed to ambient PM.

HTA and decision-making processes in Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe: Results from a survey.

Objective: To gain knowledge and insights on health technology assessment (HTA) and decision-making processes in Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe (CESEE) countries.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed. Based on the literature, a questionnaire was developed in a multi-stage process.

Adoption of trastuzumab for breast cancer in four emerging countries in the use of health technology assessment: a case study.

Aim: To describe processes for the adoption of trastuzumab in four countries in the use of health technology assessment (HTA): Poland, Albania, Brazil and Colombia.

Materials & Methods: Mixed methods were used for collection and triangulation of data. Data were examined following a conceptual framework connecting HTA process steps and key principles.

A cost-utility analysis of alternative drug regimens for newly diagnosed severe lupus nephritis patients in Thailand.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the value of four drug regimens for newly diagnosed severe LN from a societal perspective.

Methods: A model-based cost-utility analysis was devised to measure lifetime costs and health outcomes. Current treatment options consisting of different combinations of i.

Assessing key model parameters for economic evaluation of pandemic influenza interventions: the data source matters.

Background: In our previous systematic review of economic evaluations of pandemic influenza interventions, five model parameters, namely probability of pandemic, duration of pandemic, severity, attack rate, and intervention efficacy, were not only consistently used in all studies but also considered important by authors.

Objectives: Because these parameters originated from sources of varying quality ranging from experimental studies to expert opinion, this study aims to analyze the variation in values used according to sources of information across studies.

Methods: An analysis of estimated values of key parameters for economic modeling was performed against their different data sources, following the standard hierarchy of evidence.

Advanced health biotechnologies in Thailand: redefining policy directions.

Background: Thailand faces a significant burden in terms of treating and managing degenerative and chronic diseases. Moreover, incidences of rare diseases are rising. Many of these-such as diabetes, cancer, and inherited inborn metabolic diseases-have no definite treatments or cure.

Efficiency or equity: value judgments in coverage decisions in Thailand.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyse the roles of social values in the reform of coverage decisions for Thailand's Universal Health Coverage (UC) plan in 2009 and 2010.

Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative techniques, including document review and personal communication, were employed for data collection and triangulation. All relevant data and information regarding the reform and three case study interventions were interpreted and analysed according to the thematic elements in the conceptual framework.

Lessons drawn from research utilization in the maternal iodine supplementation policy development in Thailand.

In this paper, the authors share their experience on evidence utilization in the development of Thailand's maternal iodine supplementation policy in 2009-2010. Observations and reflections on their experience of engaging with research for policymaking are illustrated. The case study indicates that rapid approaches in conducting research, namely a targeted literature review and cross-sectional survey of professionals' opinions and current practices were efficient in achieving the timeliness of evidence provision.

Systematic review of economic evaluations of preparedness strategies and interventions against influenza pandemics.

Background: Although public health guidelines have implications for resource allocation, these issues were not explicitly considered in previous WHO pandemic preparedness and response guidance. In order to ensure a thorough and informed revision of this guidance following the H1N1 2009 pandemic, a systematic review of published and unpublished economic evaluations of preparedness strategies and interventions against influenza pandemics was conducted.

Methods: The search was performed in September 2011 using 10 electronic databases, 2 internet search engines, reference list screening, cited reference searching, and direct communication with relevant authors.

Using health technology assessment for informing coverage decisions in Thailand.

This article aims to illustrate and critically analyze the results from the 1-year experience of using health technology assessment (HTA) in the development of the Thai Universal Coverage health benefit package. We review the relevant documents and give a descriptive analysis of outcomes resulting from the development process in 2009-2010. Out of 30 topics nominated by stakeholders for prioritization, 12 were selected for further assessment.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor use in a large British hospital: comparison with published experience.

Unlabelled: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) are high-cost agents recommended as prophylaxis of febrile neutropenia or as adjunctive treatment of severe neutropenic sepsis. Their use in high-risk situations such as acute myeloid leukaemia, acute lymphocytic leukaemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and stem cell transplantation is also indicated.

Objective: This audit assessed the use of G-CSF within the Oncology and Haematology Service Delivery Unit at Guy's and St.

Review of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors in the treatment of established febrile neutropenia.

Purpose: To assess the value of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSF) in promoting recovery from established episodes of febrile neutropenia (FN) after chemotherapy in cancer patients.

Method: The literature was searched using the MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS, and IPA databases. Reference lists from the retrieved papers and hand searches of relevant journals complemented the search.