Increase in invasive group A streptococcal infections (iGAS) in children and older adults, Norway, 2022 to 2024.

At the end of 2022 and most notably during the first half of 2023, the number of invasive group A streptococcus (iGAS) notifications increased in Norway, largely affecting children younger than 10 years, as observed in several other countries. Following this atypical season, a new surge in the number of iGAS notifications began in December 2023 and peaked between January and February 2024, now particularly affecting both children younger than 10 years and older adults (70 years and above).

Register-based surveillance of COVID-19 in nursing homes.

Background: This study describes results from the surveillance of COVID-19 infections in nursing homes in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Material And Method: All data in the study are from Beredt C19, an emergency preparedness register that collects data from a wide range of sources. We used the data set 'Health and Care' in the Norwegian Registry for Primary Health Care to define a nursing home population and linked this to other sources in the emergency preparedness register to estimate incidence rates, hospitalisations and deaths related to COVID-19 among nursing home residents in 2020.

Birthing parents had a lower risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the peripartum period in Norway, 15 of February 2020 to 15 of May 2021.

Hospital infection control measures against COVID-19 may come into conflict with patients' need for support. In Norway, some hospitals have restricted access for partners of women giving birth. We investigated the incidence rate of SARS-CoV-2 among birthing parents compared to similarly aged women and men in the general population; and the additional risk posed by allowing partners in.

Evaluations of public health interventions produced by health technology assessment agencies: A mapping review and analysis by type and evidence content.

Objectives: Health technology assessments (HTAs) have been suggested as a strategy to bridge the evidence-to-policy gap in public health. It is unclear to what extent HTAs have been prepared to assist decisions to implement public health interventions (PHIs). We aimed to describe the experience of HTA agencies by mapping, classifying, and analyzing the evidence content of HTAs of PHIs.

Evidence-Informed Deliberative Processes for HTA Around the Globe: Exploring the Next Frontiers of HTA and Best Practices Comment on "Use of Evidence-informed Deliberative Processes by Health Technology Assessment Agencies Around the Globe".

This comment reflects on an article by Oortwijn, Jansen, and Baltussen about the use and features of 'evidence-informed deliberative processes' (EDPs) among health technology assessment (HTA) agencies around the world and the need for more guidance. First, we highlight procedural aspects that are relevant across key steps of EDP, focusing on conflict of interest, the different roles of stakeholders throughout a HTA and public justification of decisions. Second, we discuss new knowledge and models needed to maximize the value of deliberative processes at the expanding frontiers of HTA, paying special attention to when HTA is applied in primary care, employed for public health interventions, and is produced through international collaboration.

How does information on the harms and benefits of cervical cancer screening alter the intention to be screened?: a randomized survey of Norwegian women.

Cervical cancer (CC) is the 13th most frequent cancer among women in Norway, but the third most common among women aged 25-49 years. The national screening program sends information letters to promote screening participation. We aimed to evaluate how women's stated intention to participate in screening and pursue treatment changed with the provision of additional information on harms associated with screening, and to assess women's preferences on the timing and source of such information.