Interactive assistance via eHealth for small- and medium-sized enterprises' employer and health care manager teams on tobacco control (eSMART-TC): protocol for a cluster randomized hybrid type II trial (N-EQUITY2101/J-SUPPORT2102).

Background: Tobacco control should be a higher public health priority in Japan. Some workplaces provide smoking cessation support and connect employees to effective smoking cessation treatments such as outpatient clinics. However, tobacco control measures have not been sufficiently implemented in Japan, especially in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), where resources are limited.

Attributable risk of household solid fuel use and second-hand smoke associated with under-5 mortality in 46 low- and lower-middle-income countries, 2010-2020.

Background: Household solid fuel use (including indoor and outdoor) and second-hand smoke (SHS) are considered to be major contributors of under-5 mortality (U5M) in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). This study provides a comprehensive assessment of their odds ratios and attributable mortality in LMICs.

Methods: We used the Demographic Health Surveys data for under-5 children in 46 LMICs (n = 778,532) from 2010 to 2020.

Equity and determinants in universal health coverage indicators in Iraq, 2000-2030: a national and subnational study.

Background: Equity is one of three dimensions of universal health coverage (UHC). However, Iraq has had capital-focused health services and successive conflicts and political turmoil have hampered health services around the country. Iraq has embarked on a new reconstruction process since 2018 and it could be time to aim for equitable healthcare access to realise UHC.

Impact of poverty reduction on access to water and sanitation in low- and lower-middle-income countries: country-specific Bayesian projections to 2030.

Background: In 2017, 785 million people globally lacked access to basic services of drinking water and 2 billion people lived without basic sanitation services. Most of these people live in low- and lower-middle-income countries in South Asia, Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. To monitor the progress towards universal access to water and sanitation, this study aimed to predict the coverage of access to basic drinking water supply and sanitation (WSS) services as well as the reduction in the practice of open defecation by 2030, under two assumptions: following the current trends and accelerated poverty reduction.

Trends and projections of universal health coverage indicators in Iraq, 2000-2030: A national and subnational study.

Introduction: Iraq has had limited access to healthcare services due to successive conflicts and political turmoil. Since 2018, Iraq has embarked on a new reconstruction process which includes a goal of 100% immunisation against certain diseases in 2030. We aimed to undertake a comprehensive assessment of Iraq's progress towards universal health coverage (UHC) targets that could contribute to Iraq's policy and strategies.

Disease-specific out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure in urban Bangladesh: A Bayesian analysis.

Background: Because of the rapid increase of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and high burden of healthcare-related financial issues in Bangladesh, there is a concern that out-of-pocket (OOP) payments related to illnesses may become a major burden on household. It is crucial to understand what are the major illnesses responsible for high OPP at the household level to help policymakers prioritize key areas of actions to protect the household from 100% financial hardship for seeking health care as part of universal health coverage.

Objectives: We first estimated the costs of illnesses among a population in urban Bangladesh, and then assessed the household financial burden associated with these illnesses.

Effects of hemoglobin levels during pregnancy on adverse maternal and infant outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Maternal anemia affects approximately 56 million women worldwide and increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Our study aimed to summarize the evidence for the association between maternal hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations and maternal or infant outcomes, evaluating it in a continuous manner. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we conducted an electronic search on PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science from inception to April 19, 2017, and further updated to November 21, 2018, applying subject heading terms related to pregnant women with anemia.

Progress towards universal health coverage in Myanmar: a national and subnational assessment.

Background: Attainment of universal health coverage is a global health priority. The Myanmar Government has committed to attainment of universal health coverage by 2030, but progress so far has not been assessed. We aimed to estimate national and subnational health service coverage and financial risk protection.

Cost and economic burden of illness over 15 years in Nepal: A comparative analysis.

Background: With an increasing burden of non-communicable disease in Nepal and limited progress towards universal health coverage, country- and disease-specific estimates of financial hardship related to healthcare costs need to be evaluated to protect the population effectively from healthcare-related financial burden.

Objectives: To estimate the cost and economic burden of illness and to assess the inequality in the financial burden due to catastrophic health expenditure from 1995 to 2010 in Nepal.

Methods: This study used nationally representative Nepal Living Standards Surveys conducted in 1995 and 2010.

Trends in, and projections of, indicators of universal health coverage in Bangladesh, 1995-2030: a Bayesian analysis of population-based household data.

Background: Many countries are implementing health system reforms to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030. To understand the progress towards UHC in Bangladesh, we estimated trends in indicators of the health service and of financial risk protection. We also estimated the probability of Bangladesh's achieving of UHC targets of 80% essential health-service coverage and 100% financial risk protection by 2030.