Health promotion is a crucial task for policymakers. Therefore, this study aims to identify the key factors that determine population health in Iran and illustrate the causal relationships between these factors.

The research was conducted using a mixed-method approach in three stages. First, macro social determinants of health were identified by analyzing available resources from 2000 to 2019. Screening of factors was carried out through the fuzzy Delphi method and a survey involving 15 experts. Finally, the causal relationships between the social determinants of health were depicted using a fuzzy cognitive map.

Initially, 96 health determinants were identified at the national and global levels. After the screening, 8 factors that had less significance in population health were excluded. In terms of causal relationships, the economic system emerged as the most important and influential factor, with a centrality degree of 21.06 and an out-degree of 10.91. Following that, governance and policy-making, as well as national policies, were ranked with centrality degrees of 20.25 and 20.19, respectively.

Irrespective of the causal relationships, the health system holds the utmost importance in population health. However, when considering the causal relationships, the economic system takes precedence as the most critical factor, while the health system does not rank among the top three factors. Therefore, the analysis of fuzzy cognitive maps assists policymakers in understanding priorities and the interconnectedness between sectors in developing and implementing health-oriented policies across all sectors, enabling the adoption of the most effective policies.

In adolescence, there is a heightened inclination to cultivate stronger social networks within schools, resulting in the exchange of information. This study investigates the influential factors that shape the exchange of information among students within their classrooms.

The study involved 350 male and female middle and high school students in Hamadan. Two types of networks were constructed within each class: the communication network, representing ordinary students’ interactions, and the specific network, which focused on the exchange of sensitive information about puberty. The network centrality index was calculated, and factors influencing information transfer were evaluated through a questionnaire.

The degree of centrality in the social network of boys exceeded that of girls, with values of 55.4% versus 47.6% in the communication network, and 33.4% versus 20.1% in the specific network, respectively. The degree of centrality of students had significant positive association with the length of time that they spent with their friends. Moreover, we found the degree of centrality of students in both networks, particularly in special network, was stronger in high schools.

During adolescence, boys tend to possess a broader communication network within their classrooms, enabling them to effectively exchange information about puberty. Factors such as effective communication skills, knowledge about puberty, and spending time with their classmates play crucial roles in facilitating the exchange of information among adolescents in schools.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the mortality rate and years of life lost (YLL) resulting from COVID-19 infection in Hamadan Province.

In this cross-sectional study, information regarding the number of deaths caused by COVID-19 infection was obtained from the Vice-Chancellor of Health at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. The research period spanned from February 2020 to February 2021. The deaths recorded by the deputy health department encompassed both outpatients and inpatients. The calculation of Years of Life Lost (YLL) was based on the guidelines outlined in the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2010. All data analysis was performed using Excel software.

During the study period, a total of 1556 deaths occurred due to COVID-19 infection in Hamadan Province. The years of life lost (YLL) due to premature death were 15783 years (49.99 per thousand) in men, 12794 years (38.43 per thousand) in women, and 28577 years (44.08 per thousand) in both sexes. Specifically, urban areas accounted for 19824 YLL, while rural areas accounted for 8753 YLL.

Based on the findings of this study, COVID-19 infection resulted in a significant loss of potential years of life, particularly among men, those over 60 years of age, and in urban areas. As a result, intervention programs should prioritize the importance of early detection of the disease, reducing its severity, and subsequently mitigating the number of fatalities. Additionally, better control of the disease in elderly populations, who represent the highest proportion of years of life lost, should be a focal point.

Overall, the four categories of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (Cardiovascular disease (CVD), Cancer, Diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases) contribute to over 80% of annual premature deaths, with more than 85% of these occurrences transpiring in low- and middle-income countries. This study seeks to assess the likelihood of premature mortality attributable to these diseases across the provinces of Iran.

Data on causes of death from 2016 to 2019 was extracted from the death registration system of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. To assess the completeness of the death registration system on a provincial level, we employed a novel method introduced by Adair and Lopez.

From 2016 to 2019, non-communicable diseases, specifically the four primary diseases, constituted 68.98%, 69.44%, 69.17%, and 67.94% of all causes of death in Iran, respectively. During the same period, the probabilities of premature mortality attributed to major non-communicable diseases were 14.95%, 15.15%, 15.25%, and 16.63%, respectively. Notably, Golestan province exhibited the highest probability of premature death.

The percentage of probability of death resulting from non-communicable diseases is a crucial indicator for the prevention and control of NCDs at both the international and national levels. This indicator requires ongoing monitoring to effectively address the issue. Given the diverse socioeconomic and epidemiological circumstances across the provinces of Iran, acquiring a comprehensive understanding of the current situation regarding these diseases becomes imperative. Such knowledge facilitates the development of well-informed planning and policy-making strategies aimed at managing the increasing burden of NCDs and ensuring equitable healthcare provision.

The novel and rapidly spreading nature of COVID-19 surpasses the capacity and capabilities of the healthcare system, necessitating comprehensive management. This study aims to explore the role and relationship of social determinants of health with the ultimate outcome of patients.

In this cross-sectional study, the information of COVID-19 patients within the coverage area of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences was examined from three sources (outpatient or inpatient) between March 2018 and March 2019, utilizing the census method. The logistic regression model was employed to assess the predictability of social determinants of health.

Out of 182,602 patients, 100,407 (55%) were men, and 82,195 (45%) were women. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of mortality due to corona infection increased by 1.075 (1.073-1.077) times for each year of age. Additionally, the odds were 2.37 (2.06-2.73) times higher in men compared to women and displayed an inverse relationship with educational level (PV<0.001). Job status did not demonstrate a significant effect. The presence of diabetes (OR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.19-1.38), underlying diseases (OR=1.16, 95% CI: 1.09-1.22), and immune system weakness (OR=7.94, 95% CI: 6.44-9.80) were associated with an increased likelihood of death. Conversely, pregnancy (OR=0.90, 95% CI: 0.57-1.42) and high blood pressure (OR=0.95, 95% CI: 0.89-1.02) exhibited no significant association.

Considering the relationship between social determinants of health and COVID-19 mortality, it is recommended that policymakers involve sectors outside the healthcare system in addressing health matters.

Considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health and the significance of oral health, this study aims to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental care utilization among children.

This retrospective study utilized available data from the archives of the dental clinic at Gorgan Pediatric Hospital in 2022. Information regarding demographic characteristics and the types of received services were collected and entered to SPSS version 26 statistical analysis software. The chi-square test was used to compare the annual differences in the frequency of different service types, and the Cochrane-Armitage test was employed to examine the linear trend of changes in each service.

A total of 24,185 different dental services were received by children aged between 2 and 14 years old referred to dental clinic of Taleghani Children Hospital from March 2020 to February 2022. Comparing the frequency of dental services in 2021 to that of 2020 revealed a 31% decrease in the total number of services. The types of services utilized during the first year of the pandemic exhibited significant changes compared to the pre-pandemic year. This included an increase in tooth extraction (P = 0.001) and a reduction in restorations (P = 0.000). Additionally, a noticeable increase in pulp treatment (P = 0.003) was observed, particularly in the second year of the pandemic.

The frequency of dental care utilization, types of services received, and insurance utilization underwent significant changes during the pandemic. It is crucial to plan for future required treatments and establish infrastructures to address similar pandemics.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of adult mortality in many developing countries. This study aims to compare the estimation of the ten-year relative risk of cardiovascular events using the Framingham criteria with a native model.

This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014, focusing on the adult population (≥16 years) of Mashhad. Stratified random cluster sampling was employed to gather participants' information based on Framingham's criteria. Data mining, utilizing the decision tree algorithm design, was evaluated using Rapidminer v5.3 software and the cross-validation method.

Out of 2978 individuals, 1930 (64.9%) were women and 1041 (35.1%) were men, with a mean age of 43.5±14.7. Applying the Framingham criteria, the ten-year risk levels of cardiovascular disease were estimated as follows: 77.8% at a low-risk level, 13.4% at a medium-risk level, and 8.8% at a high-risk level. Regarding data mining, model number (1) achieved an accuracy of 79.56%, indicating that the predicted risk levels using the Framingham algorithm matched the observed values at 95.24% for the low-risk level, 90.8% for the medium-risk level, and 33.13% for the high-risk level. As for model number (2), an accuracy of 82.78% was obtained, with the matching values being 98.20% for the low-risk level, 0.42% for the medium-risk level, and 53.01% for the high-risk level.

The Framingham criteria demonstrate limited effectiveness in predicting medium and high-risk levels in the Mashhad population. According to the local model, smoking and high blood pressure in adulthood are the most significant factors in predicting the risk of cardiovascular diseases in young individuals.

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus was discovered in Wuhan, China, leading to the global outbreak of COVID-19. The rapid transmission of the virus, the emergence of various strains, disparities in community vaccination, and the high mortality rate have presented significant health challenges to countries worldwide. Against this backdrop, this study aimed to assess the mental health status of women in the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study employed a systematic review approach, conducting keyword searches on databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The search terms included "Covid-19 Virus Infection," "Covid-19 Pandemic," "Coronavirus," "Alphacoronavirus," "Bat Coronavirus," "Mental health," "Psychological," "Working women," "Working woman," and "Employee women." Articles published between 2019 and 2021 were collected and evaluated. A total of 11 articles met the inclusion criteria for data extraction and were analyzed.

The reviewed studies identified several significant psychological consequences, with anxiety being reported in 82% of the articles, followed by stress (73%) and depression (64%). The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated negative psychological effects among working women, including those in hospital settings and those working remotely.

A multitude of factors contribute to the experience of COVID-19-related stress among women. These include health disparities, lower professional status, worries about personal health, family and community well-being, financial uncertainties, childcare responsibilities, and decreased social connections. As a result, stress-related disorders such as anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, insomnia, and burnout tend to manifest more severely in working women compared to men in comparable positions.