Public Understanding and Expectations of Digital Health Evidence Generation: Focus Group Study.

Background: The rapid proliferation of health apps has not been matched by a comparable growth in scientific evaluations of their effectiveness, particularly for apps available to the public. This gap has prompted ongoing debate about the types of evidence necessary to validate health apps, especially as the perceived risk level varies from wellness tools to diagnostic aids. The perspectives of the general public, who are direct stakeholders, are notably underrepresented in discussions on digital health evidence generation.

K2 channel positive modulation reduces alcohol drinking in female C57BL/6J mice.

Although men have historically exhibited higher levels of alcohol use disorder (AUD) diagnosis, the gap between men and women has been diminishing quickly. Preclinical screening for pharmacological treatments for AUD has typically focused solely on males, ignoring the possibility that males and females may differ mechanistically for the same behavioral phenotype. To ensure the efficacy of treatment targets across the sexes, it is crucial to study the pharmacological effects of AUD treatments in males and females.

Sex Differences in Lung Cancer Characteristics at Diagnosis: A Nationwide Register-Based Study From the Faroe Islands (2015-2020).

Background: Sex differences in lung cancer survival are well-established, but the gap between Faroese men and women is especially pronounced. Faroese women have some of the highest 1- and 5-year relative survival rates in the Nordic region, while Faroese men have some of the lowest. This study investigates these survival disparities by analyzing demographic, clinical, and temporal factors in Faroese lung cancer patients from 2015 to 2020.

A systematic review of the effect of personal health records on patient activation.

Background: Personal health records (PHRs) or patient portals have been on the healthcare policy agenda for many countries as a promising mechanism to support patient-centred healthcare by making medical records accessible to patients and those assisting patients in health self-management. Studies on clinical outcome have been inconsistent. To help us to understand why, we propose to look at measures that precede clinical outcome, specifically patient engagement and activation.

Tracked Physical Activity Levels Before and After a Change in Incentive Strategy Among UK Adults Using a Rewards App: Retrospective Quasi-Experimental Study.

Background: Financial incentives delivered via apps appear to be effective in encouraging physical activity. However, the literature on different incentive strategies is limited, and the question remains whether financial incentives offer a cost-effective intervention that could be funded at the population level.

Objective: This study aimed to explore patterns of tracked physical activity by users of an incentive-based app before and after a change in incentive strategy.