JMIR Public Health and Surveillance

People with opioid use disorder (OUD) have the highest rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Despite the availability of curative HCV medication, people with OUD have limited healthcare access largely due to stigma. In a recent, pragmatic, randomized controlled trial (RCT), we compared a facilitated telemedicine intervention for HCV treatment integrated into opioid treatment programs to offsite referral. Facilitated telemedicine is bidirectional videoconferencing between a remote provider and a patient, supported by a case manager who facilitates the telemedicine encounter. The case manager schedules telemedicine visits, provides appointment reminders and operates the digital equipment. Among 602 participants in the RCT, 90% were cured through facilitated telemedicine and 39% were cured through offsite referral. In this work, a multidisciplinary group of investigators, who directed the RCT, conducted a workshop, “Advancing Viral Hepatitis Screening and Treatment in Opioid Treatment Settings – Models & Resources”, at the American Association for Treatment of Opioid Dependence Conference in May 2024 to disseminate knowledge of facilitated telemedicine, including implementation considerations. We highlighted facilitated telemedicine as a patient-centered, sociotechnical, pragmatic healthcare delivery model for underserved populations.

Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) predominantly circulate during the winter season and cause acute respiratory infections (ARI). Deploying molecular point-of-care testing (POCT) in primary care at can inform whether a patient presenting with an ARI has influenza or RSV. An early virological diagnosis, could facilitate appropriate use of antivirals and enable better antimicrobial stewardship.

It remains unclear whether the existing healthcare services reflect the HIV care continuum, which underscores the need for integrated care beyond viral suppression.

　　The 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), caused by a novel coronavirus, heavily impacted Taiwan's healthcare system, triggering clinical crises and lasting effects among affected individuals and families. The first case in Taiwan was identified on February 25, 2003, and the final case reported on June 15, 2003. During the epidemic, 346 people were diagnosed with SARS, leading to 37 deaths. Outbreaks also occurred in China, Singapore, and Toronto, Canada, showing the vulnerability of global health systems to new zoonotic diseases. Clinically, SARS caused high fever and severe lung inflammation. Survivors often had long-term lung problems, including fibrosis, and bone issues like osteonecrosis, mostly due to high-dose steroid treatment. Although studies have looked at long-term outcomes-especially lung and bone issues-none followed patients beyond seven years. The COVID-19 pandemic further revealed gaps in understanding how serious viral infections affect wider health areas, including unintentional and intentional injuries. Data on related hospitalizations also remain limited.

In Brazil, Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic, mirroring global trends. Despite advancements in HIV prevention, such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), uptake remains uneven among different MSM age groups, influenced by various sexual behaviors, risk perceptions, and social stigmas.

Avoidable hospitalizations (AHs) have been widely used in developed countries as a proxy indicator for the quality of primary care. However, it is rarely evaluated in developing countries such as China. Studies examining changes in AHs before and during the COVID-19 pandemic are also limited. The appropriateness of AHs as an indicator measuring primary care quality under pandemic conditions has not been well discussed.

Influenza vaccination coverage is commonly suboptimal. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent high exposure to health information may have changed population attitudes towards this vaccination.

Approximately 30% of people living with HIV (PLWH) in Brazil have suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Theoretical models of health behaviors and objective evidence support the role of perceived barriers in hindering health behaviors.

To complete the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative in areas with high HIV incidence, there needs to be a greater understanding of the demographic, behavioral, and geographic factors that influence the rate of new HIV diagnoses. This information will aid the creation of targeted prevention and intervention efforts.

Varicella is a prevalent respiratory infectious disease. It is often inadequately managed in many regions, leading to an underestimation of its true incidence rate. The varicella vaccine remains the most effective measure for controlling the disease, and its widespread use has significantly reduced incidence rates. Additionally, non-pharmacological interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic have notably altered the epidemiological patterns of varicella. Continuous monitoring is therefore essential to understand these evolving patterns, aiding in the adjustment of immunization strategies and the development of prevention and control measures.

Rapid weight gain (RWG) during infancy, defined as upward crossing of one centile line on a weight growth chart, is highly predictive of subsequent obesity risk. Identification of infant RWG could facilitate obesity risk assessment from infancy.

Exposure to information about mpox may shape distinct perceptual processes that influence vaccination intent. Understanding how such information impacts perceived risk and vaccination intention is crucial for designing effective risk communication and public health messaging, particularly among populations at high risk such as gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM).