Portland's Response to the Western North American Heatwave: A Brief Report.

Background: In June of 2021, a heatwave resulted in high mortality across the Pacific Northwest region. The city of Portland, Oregon, had many advantages: emergency response personnel, science-based policies, political support for climate change adaptation, and collaboration among municipal, county, state, and federal authorities. Though the city's response likely prevented many deaths, heat-related mortality was high.

Small area analysis methods in an area of limited mapping: exploratory geospatial analysis of firearm injuries in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Background: The city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, is experiencing an epidemic of firearm injuries which has resulted in high burdens of morbidity and mortality. Despite this, little scientific literature exists on the topic. Geospatial research could inform stakeholders and aid in the response to the current firearm injury epidemic.

Factors Associated With Triage Decisions in Older Adult Trauma Patients: Impact on Mortality and Morbidity.

Introduction: As medical advances have significantly increased the life expectancy among older adults, the number of older patients requiring trauma care has risen proportionately. Nevertheless, it is unclear among this growing population which sociodemographic and economic factors are associated with decisions to triage and transfer to level I/II centers. This study aims to assess for any association between patient sociodemographic characteristics, triage decisions, and outcomes during acute trauma care presentations.

Impact of a Novel Social Work Program on Access to Tertiary Care.

Background: In the movement for global health equity, increased research and funding have not yet addressed a shortage of evidence on effectively implementing context-specific interventions; one unmet need is facilitating access to specialty care within the public health sector in Mexico. Compañeros en Salud has been piloting a novel program, called Right to Healthcare (RTHC), to increase access to specialty care for the rural poor in Chiapas, Mexico. The RTHC program incorporates social work, patient navigation, referrals, direct economic support, and accompaniment for patients.