How Is Health Equity Assessed in Cochrane Musculoskeletal Reviews?

Objective: To evaluate the extent to which Cochrane Musculoskeletal systematic reviews assess and analyze health equity considerations.

Methods: We included Cochrane Musculoskeletal systematic reviews that included trials with participants aged ≥ 50 years and that were published from 2015 to 2020. We assessed the extent to which reviews considered health equity in the description of the population in the PICO (Patient/Population - Intervention - Comparison/Comparator - Outcome) framework, data analysis (planned and conducted), description of participant characteristics, summary of findings, and applicability of results using the PROGRESS-Plus framework.

Are we measuring the right function outcomes for older adults in reviews by the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Group?

Background: Musculoskeletal conditions are the leading cause of years lived with disability for older adults. Limitations in functional ability affect healthy aging for aging populations worldwide. Thus, it is important to assess effects of interventions on the multiple dimensions of function for older adults.

Leishmania aethiopica: development of specific and sensitive PCR diagnostic test.

PCR has proved useful for rapid diagnosis and typing of Leishmania. Lack of specificity to discriminate between species and/or sensitivity to detect from clinical samples has always been an issue. Previously developed primers either require PCR-RFLP analysis for Leishmania aethiopica discrimination or lack sensitivity to detect L.

Report of two preventive medicine job market surveys.

Introduction: The American Association of Public Health Physicians (AAPHP) conducted two surveys to explore the value of general preventive medicine/public health (GPM) training and board certification to physicians seeking GPM jobs.

Methods: The first survey reviewed advertisements in recent issues of four medical journals. The second surveyed physician registrants at the Prevention 99 meeting.