Chronic kidney disease and incident cancer risk: an individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: Studies examining the association of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with cancer risk have demonstrated conflicting results.

Methods: This was an individual participant data meta-analysis including 54 international cohorts contributing to the CKD Prognosis Consortium. Included cohorts had data on albuminuria [urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR)], estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), overall and site-specific cancer incidence, and established risk factors for cancer.

Association between maternal sexually transmitted diseases and birth defects in the United States: A nationwide population-based study.

Purpose: We estimated the association between maternal sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the risk of specific birth defects among live singleton births in the United States (US).

Methods: We conducted a population-based study using data from birth certificates for 14,602,822 live singleton births occurring from 2016 to 2019 in the US. We used logistic regression to estimate the associations between three maternal STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) and the risk of four specific birth defects (gastroschisis, cleft lip with or without cleft palate, spina bifida, and hypospadias), adjusting for socio-demographic and pregnancy-related factors.

Diagnostic and analytic performance of four point-of-care hemoglobin testing devices used in routine HIV and maternity care in Uganda.

Background: Hemoglobin estimation (Hb) is the most requested hematology test, especially among pregnant/postnatal women and people living with HIV (PLHIV). In Uganda, several point-of-care (POC) Hb testing devices are currently used and performance may be affected by multiple factors. This study evaluated the diagnostic and analytic performance of four Hb POC devices.

Adverse Effects of Health Plan Prior Authorization on Clinical Effectiveness and Patient Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Prior authorization requirements by health insurance plans have become a barrier to healthcare delivery in the United States in terms of clinical efficiency, patient and provider experience. Surveyed physicians report associations with care delays, reduced clinical effectiveness and compromised patient outcomes. In this systematic review, we synthesized the published evidence regarding harmful effects of prior authorization on disease management and patient outcomes.

Craving for opioid and cannabis use among adults with chronic pain: Insights from a 30-day ecological momentary assessment study.

Background: Craving is an aversive state and risk factor for progression to nonmedical substance use. The aims of this secondary analysis of Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) data were 1) to test whether craving was elevated on days of co-use of opioids and cannabis, and 2) to examine pain, pain catastrophizing, affect, and stress as risk factors for current and next-moment craving, among patients with chronic pain.

Methods: Adults with chronic pain (N = 46) who used both opioids and cannabis were recruited online and completed a 30-day EMA study, consisting of four momentary surveys per day that assessed opioids and cannabis craving, use, pain and pain catastrophizing, affect, and stress.

Protecting What We Built: A Reflection on Sexual and Gender Minority Research Achievements, What We Stand to Lose, and How to Sustain the Work Ahead.

Amid increasing political threats to sexual and gender minority (SGM) research, this perspective reflects on the evolution of SGM research from the margins of public health to a robust field and assesses the unique vulnerabilities facing SGM researchers across career stages. We discuss how the field can protect its infrastructure, sustain its workforce, and preserve its impact, drawing inspiration from the harm reduction movement and our individual and collective experiences. This is both a reflection and a call to action grounded in care, intergenerational knowledge and solidarity, and the refusal to be erased.

Association of Dietary Micronutrient Intake and the Metabolome in Children with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) experience poor growth and development via multiple mechanisms. We aimed to describe deficiencies in dietary micronutrient intake and associate dietary micronutrient intake with metabolic pathways.

Methods: The Chronic Kidney Disease in Children cohort study enrolled participants six months to 16 years with CKD stage 2-4 across North America.

Prematurity, Neonatal Complications, and the Development of Childhood Hypertension.

Importance: Preterm children face a higher risk of cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension. However, studies have not isolated the associations of prematurity with cardiovascular conditions from the associations of subsequent complications with cardiovascular conditions, especially among those admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Objective: To investigate prospective associations of prematurity and NICU complications with childhood hypertension while accounting for prenatal and perinatal factors.

Use of FDA Expedited Programs and Development Timelines for New Molecular Entity Drug and New Biologic Approvals by Sponsor Experience.

Industry reports indicate that small biopharmaceutical companies are increasingly launching their own new molecular entities, with first-time companies expected to represent the primary share of blockbuster product launches within the decade. However, company experience may affect the use of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expedited programs, clinical development times, and FDA review times for new molecular entities and new biologics. Hence, we conducted a cross-sectional study examining all new molecular entity (NME) drug and new biologic approvals by the FDA from 2015 through 2022.

Poverty as a Social Determinant of Mental Health Among Young People: Qualitative Findings Across 13 Countries.

Purpose: Social and economic conditions can have a direct impact on the prevalence and severity of mental health problems across the life course. This study explores adolescents' insights on how poverty as a social determinant influences young people's mental health in 13 countries across the Americas, Africa, Europe and Asia.

Methods: This study uses qualitative data collected through 71 focus group discussions with adolescents aged 12-19 years.

Adolescents' Reflections on Mental Health: Key Findings From a 13-Country Qualitative Study.

Purpose: Adolescence is a sensitive developmental period for the emergence of mental health challenges, but few multicountry qualitative studies explore how adolescents themselves understand these challenges. Through focus group discussions (FGDs) with adolescents across 13 countries, this study aimed to understand adolescents' perspectives on significant mental health challenges in their age group, key risk and protective factors, and principle coping strategies.

Methods: A total of 71 FGDs were conducted between February and June of 2021.

Understanding How Adolescents Experience Violence and Its Perceived Impacts on Mental Health: A Qualitative Study Across 13 Countries.

Purpose: There are limited data on how adolescents globally perceive violence as impacting their mental health. The present paper explores similarities and differences in adolescents' experiences of violence and their perceived impacts on mental health by sex and context.

Methods: Adolescents aged 12-19 participated in 71 focus group discussions across 13 countries: Belgium, Chile, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States.

Barriers and Facilitators of Seeking Help for Mental Health Challenges Among Adolescents Across 13 Countries: A Qualitative Investigation.

Purpose: Adolescence is a period of developmental transition marked by a high prevalence of mental health challenges. The emergence of these challenges underscores the importance of encouraging help-seeking behaviors among adolescents to mitigate negative psychological outcomes. Gaining a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of adolescents can inform intervention development and increase access to care.

Adolescents' Perceptions of Gendered Influences on Mental Health: Results From a 13-Country Qualitative Study.

Purpose: A growing body of research supports the influence of gender norms on adolescent mental health globally. There is a lack of qualitative studies, however, that elicit adolescents' own perspectives on these issues across diverse cross-cultural environments. The current study seeks to address these gaps through a qualitative exploration of gendered influences on mental health among adolescents living in 13 countries.

Adolescent Mental Health and Digital Communication: Perspectives From 11 Countries.

Purpose: The influence of digital communication on adolescent psychosocial development is a growing public health concern. This qualitative multi-country study, initiated by the United Nations Children's Fund, explored adolescents' perceptions of how social media, direct chat or message services, and interactive online gaming impact their mental health and well-being across diverse sociocultural and economic settings.

Methods: Seventy-one focus group discussions on mental health were held with adolescents aged 12-19 years in 13 countries across the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia from February to June 2021.

Clinical psychedelic research in adolescents: a scoping review and overview of ethical considerations.

The potential use of psychedelic-assisted therapy for adolescents with mental illness has sparked both interest and concern. Modern psychedelic research has focused on adults, and adolescents younger than 18 years are typically excluded due to ethical and legal challenges. To explore whether adolescents have been included in 21st century psychedelic research, we conducted a scoping review of the medical literature from January, 2000, to April, 2025.

Prenatal Nitrogen Oxide (NO) and Its Potential Impact on Infant Metabolism during the First Month of Life: Evidence from Two Distinct Cohorts─The Atlanta African American Maternal-Child Cohort and the Southern California Mother's Milk Study.

Exposure to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) during pregnancy has been linked with adverse health outcomes, yet the biological mechanisms remain poorly understood. High-resolution metabolomics offers a promising approach to examine how TRAP influences infant health. However, few studies have focused on Black and Latino populations, who are disproportionately exposed to TRAP.

"I can be a source of motivation": Perspectives from stakeholders of the I'mPossible fellowship, a peer-led differentiated service delivery model for adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV in India.

Youth living with perinatally acquired HIV (APHIV) in India face layered challenges; peer-led differentiated care models show promise but remain underexplored. We examined multi-stakeholder perceptions within the I'mPossible Fellowship, a peer-support DSD intervention addressing APHIV health, education, and livelihoods From May-December 2023, we enrolled three stakeholder groups: (1) intervention deliverers (APHIV "fellows" 18-27 yrs), (2) facilitators ("supervisors" of APHIV), and (3) recipients(APHIV "peers" in care, 8-26 yrs). We conducted interviews with 8 fellows (75% female, mean age 22.

County-level socioeconomic status, rurality, and second primary cancer risk among breast cancer survivors in the United States.

Background: Breast cancer survivors have an increased risk of second primary cancers (SPCs), the role of county-level socioeconomic status and rurality-factors that may influence access to treatment, surveillance, and preventive care-remains understudied.

Methods: We identified 721,957 women with localized/regional first primary breast cancer who survived ≥ 1 year in 17 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries (2000-2018). We used Cox regression to assess associations between county-level median household income (proxy for socioeconomic status), rurality, and their joint effects on invasive SPC risk, adjusting for demographic and clinical factors.