Research in Health Science (RHS) is an international, double-blind peer-reviewed, open-access journal which is published by Scholink. The journal aims to promote excellence through dissemination of high-quality research findings, specialist knowledge, and discussion of professional issues that reflect the diversity of this field. We would welcome scholars and researchers engaging in the related field to submit your manuscripts which are complete unpublished and original works and not under review in any other journals to Research in Health Science. Both of online submission and E-mail submission (rhs@scholink.org) are acceptable. The scopes of the journal include the following topics: public health health psychology community health health information mental health behavioral health environmental health healthcare nursing nutrition health policy health services health economics health protection health education The journal is included in: Academic Journal Articles Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (BASE) CiteFactor CNKI Scholar CrossRef Directory of Research Journals Indexing (DRJI) Electronic Journals Library (EZB) Globethics.net Journalseek JournalTOCs OCLC- WorldCat Open J-Gate Publons Refseek academic search engine ResearchBib Scientific Indexing Service (SIS) The Scientific Literature Database (Scilit) Standard Periodical Directory WZB Library Open access: Research in Health Science is available online to the reader "without financial, legal, or technical barriers other than those inseparable from gaining access to the internet itself". Peer review: Research in Health Science takes peer review policy. Peer review is the evaluation of work by one or more people of similar competence to the producers of the work (peers).
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Race, Ethnicity, Socioeconomic Status, and Chronic Lung Disease in the U.S.
Background: Higher socioeconomic status (SES) indicators such as educational attainment and income reduce the risk of chronic lung diseases (CLDs) such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. Marginalization-related Diminished Returns (MDRs) refer to smaller health benefits of high SES for marginalized populations such as racial and ethnic minorities compared to the socially privileged groups such as non-Hispanic Whites. It is still unknown, however, if MDRs also apply to the effects of education and income on CLDs. Purpose: Using a nationally representative sample, the current study explored racial and ethnic variation in the associations between educational attainment and income and CLDs among American adults. Methods: In this study, we analyzed data (n = 25,659) from a nationally representative survey of American adults in 2013 and 2014. Wave one of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH)-Adult study was used. The independent variables were educational attainment (less than high school = 1, high school graduate = 2, and college graduate = 3) and income (living out of poverty = 1, living in poverty = 0). The dependent variable was any CLDs (i.e., COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma). Age, gender, employment, and region were the covariates. Race and ethnicity were the moderators. Logistic regressions were fitted to analyze the data. Results: Individuals with higher educational attainment and those with higher income (who lived out of poverty) had lower odds of CLDs. Race and ethnicity showed statistically significant interactions with educational attainment and income, suggesting that the protective effects of high education and income on reducing odds of CLDs were smaller for Blacks and Hispanics than for non-Hispanic Whites. Conclusions: Education and income better reduce the risk of CLDs among Whites than Hispanics and Blacks. That means we should expect disproportionately higher than expected risk of CLDs in Hispanics and Blacks with high SES. Future research should test if high levels of environmental risk factors contribute to the high risk of CLDs in high income and highly educated Black and Hispanic Americans. Policy makers should not reduce health inequalities to SES gaps because disparities sustain across SES levels, with high SES Blacks and Hispanics remaining at risk of health problems.
Copyright (c) 2025 Shervin Assari, Hamid Chalian, Mohsen Bazargan http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Wearable UV Devices for Sun Protection: Practicalities, Utilities, and Limitations
Wearable ultraviolet (UV) devices present a promising innovation in personalized sun protection by providing continuous, real-time monitoring of UV radiation exposure. These devices are equipped with advanced sensors capable of detecting multiple UV wavelengths and offer seamless integration with mobile health platforms to deliver personalized recommendations, such as reminders for sunscreen reapplication based on individual exposure levels. Practical applications extend to diverse populations, accounting for factors such as varying skin types, environmental conditions, and long-term user adherence. The utility of these devices lies not only in their ability to enhance sun safety behaviors but also in potentially reducing the incidence of UV-induced skin damage, including sunburn, photoaging, and skin cancer. However, several limitations persist, including calibration drift over time, inaccuracies due to environmental interference (e.g., sweat, humidity, clothing), and inconsistent performance across different Fitzpatrick skin types. The effectiveness of these devices can also be influenced by user compliance, socioeconomic disparities, and the need for improved public education on proper usage. Moreover, accessibility challenges, particularly in underserved populations, raise concerns about equitable distribution of this technology. While wearable UV devices offer considerable potential in augmenting existing photoprotection measures, further large-scale clinical validation studies are required to refine their accuracy, reliability, and usability across broader demographic groups. Enhanced integration with teledermatology and public health initiatives may further strengthen the role of these devices in comprehensive sun protection strategies.
Copyright (c) 2025 Grace Herrick, Kelly Frasier, Erin Lowe http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
AI Positioning and Navigation, Robot Operation, Precise Intervention of Chemotherapy Drugs into the Osteolytic Destruction Area of the Distal Femoral Metaphysis, Implementing Direct Chemotherapy within the Solid Tumor of Osteosarcoma
MAP regimen is a classic chemotherapy protocol for osteosarcoma. On the basis of MAP reginen, we have made three adjustments and ultimately developed an innovative regimen for direct chemotherapy in the solid tumor of osteosarcoma specifically tailored for this patient: 1). Adjust the drug supply method from intravenous infusion to static pulse injection pump micro-volume slow push 2). By AI positioning navigation, robot operation, static pulse injection pump micro-volume slow push, the chemotherapy drugs are accurately involved into the osteolytic destruction area of osteosarcoma, and implementing direct chemotherapy in the solid tumor of osteosarcoma. 3). Combined with autologous leukocyte implantation The patient successfully completed the direct chemotherapy in the solid tumor of osteosarcoma, combined with autologous leukocyte implantation for 4 cycles before operation, the tumor volume was reduced by about 50%, tumor was sensitive to chemotherapy, with a tumor necrosis rate of over 90%, the clinical stage has been downstaged from IIA to a potentially resectable status, with clear boundaries and no distant metastasis, providing a favorable condition for surgical resection. Compared to targeted therapy and nanotechnology, this is a more direct and more precise approach to intratumoral chemotherapy. It indeed can increase the concentration of chemotherapeutic drugs within tumors by focusing drug delivery to the tumor site, enhancing the direct killing effect on tumor targets while potentially reducing systemic side effects. The next step in the research plan is to implement direct chemotherapy in the solid tumor of malignant bone tumor while combining it with animal leukocyte transplantation, fully utilizing the particularity of immune rejection under the condition of confined space in a solid tumor to destroy the tumor microenvironment.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jianchen Lin http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Clitorodynia in the Dermatology Clinic: Differential Considerations and Current Management Strategies
Clitorodynia, a chronic pain condition affecting the clitoris, is often underrecognized in dermatology clinics despite its potential association with inflammatory, neuropathic, hormonal, and musculoskeletal disorders. Dermatologists frequently encounter patients with vulvar discomfort and are well-positioned to differentiate clitorodynia from conditions such as lichen sclerosus, erosive lichen planus, contact dermatitis, post-herpetic neuralgia, and pudendal neuralgia. A structured diagnostic approach includes a thorough history, dermatologic and neurologic examination, cotton swab testing, biopsy when indicated, and targeted laboratory or microbiologic assessments to rule out infections and hormonal imbalances. Effective management requires an etiology-specific approach, incorporating topical corticosteroids or calcineurin inhibitors for inflammatory dermatoses, neuromodulators such as gabapentin and amitriptyline for neuropathic pain, and hormone therapy for estrogen or androgen-related deficiencies. Emerging interventions, including platelet-rich plasma injections, botulinum toxin, and low-dose naltrexone, may relieve symptoms in refractory cases. A multidisciplinary treatment strategy involving pelvic floor physical therapists, gynecologists, and pain specialists is essential to addressing both peripheral and central pain mechanisms. Patient education on genital skincare, sexual health modifications, and cognitive behavioral therapy can further optimize clinical outcomes. Enhancing dermatologic awareness of clitorodynia and implementing standardized diagnostic and treatment protocols will improve early recognition and expand effective management options in dermatology practice.
Copyright (c) 2025 Alyssa Forsyth, Grace Herrick, Kaitlyn Miner, Mary Grace Hash, Kelly Frasier, Kathryn Dempsey http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Efficacy of Acupuncture for Prurigo Nodularis: A Protocol for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Background: Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by severe pruritus, significantly impairing patients’ quality of life and work capacity. Acupuncture has emerged as a promising therapeutic option, with a growing body of research demonstrating its notable efficacy in treating this condition. However, the mechanisms involved remain unclear, and current evidence lacks integration to help clinical decisions. This study initiates the first systematic evaluation through meta-analysis to assess acupuncture's therapeutic value for PN. Methods: Authors will systematically search the randomized controlled trial (RCT) literatures involving acupuncture for treating PN from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science (WOS), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Wanfang database, China Scientific and Technology Journal Database (VIP). We will define the Worst Itch Numeric Rating Scale (WI-NRS) and the Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) as the primary outcomes, total effective rate, quality of life score (e.g., Dermatology Life Quality Index), adverse reactions caused by acupuncture will be regarded as the secondary outcomes. RevMan v.5.3 software will be used for the purposes of screening literature, gathering data, analyzing data, and synthesizing data. Additionally, authors will assess the risk of bias in all included studies using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for risk of bias assessment. Results: The protocol for the meta-analysis will systematically evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in treating PN. Conclusion: The conclusion of this protocol will provide evidence regarding the efficacy of acupuncture in treating PN, and establish a foundation for future acupuncture treatments. Trial registration: PROSPERO registration number: CRD420261325566 Ethics and dissemination: As this study synthesizes existing data without involving individual patient information, ethics committee approval was exempted. The findings will undergo peer-reviewed publication and international conference presentation to ensure knowledge dissemination.
Copyright (c) 2026 Shuman Yu, Shengyang Hu, Xinhong Liu http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization of Vulnerable Carotid Plaque Research (2010-2025): From Morphological Imaging to Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twins
Prevention of ICH in stroke has shifted to overall evaluation of carotid atheroma within the clinical context. In order to give a big picture view of this landscape, a bibliometric study was conducted to show how vulnerable carotid plaque was studied by researchers between 2010-2025. 1,193 literatures were gained from Web of Science Core Collection and analyzed by using CiteSpace to build a knowledge network and keyword bursttime timeline. It has a trend towards faster growth, which can be seen clearly in different stages: Stage one is acute ischemic event and macroscopic view, then the second stage is dealing with pathobiology and micromechanism such as vasovasorum; the third one (currently) is based on advanced non-invasive modalities like contrast-enhanced ultrasound and high-resolution MRI. Most importantly, artificial intelligence and radiomics have become the drivers of present-day research. In other words, it is moving out of reactive morphology and into proactive computational forecast. Future breakthroughs will rely heavily on multidisciplinary convergence, ultimately culminating in the development of physics-informed carotid digital twins for precise, patient-specific stroke risk management.
Copyright (c) 2026 Xin Meng, Lijing Cao, Shengqiong Deng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Research on the Clinical Inheritance Practice and Optimization Path of Mongolian Medicine Inheritance Model from the Perspective of Ternary Interaction
The purpose is to analyze the current practice status, interaction mechanism and optimization path of the "family inheritance - apprenticeship - school" trinity education model in the clinical inheritance of Mongolian medicine in Xing 'an League, and to provide empirical evidence for solving the talent gap of Mongolian medicine and the predicament of traditional skills inheritance. The method is to use multimodal field investigation. A 12-month participatory observation, in-depth interviews and case tracking of local Mongolian medical institutions, families and clinics were carried out to systematically collect data on knowledge transfer, skill acquisition and institutional fit. The results showed that the tripartite model was parallel but lacked integration: The advantages of master-apprentice transmission are obvious but the recognition of professional titles is not high. The theoretical system of colleges is complete but the proportion of clinical training is low. The family transmission retains traditional skills but the innovative consciousness of young inheritors is relatively weak. The conflicts between the models affect the effectiveness of transmission. The conclusion proposes to build a dual-track system with clinical ability as the core, the integration of the three elements as the path, and institutional adaptation as the guarantee. By means of mutual recognition of mechanisms, module embedding and other measures, the quality of Mongolian medicine inheritance will be improved to help build a healthy China.
Copyright (c) 2026 Su Tu, Terigele Bao, Mei Li, Hai Rong, Xianglin Wang http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Glucose-to-leukocyte Ratio (GLR) is a Predictor for Malignant and All-cause Mortality in Malignancy Patients: Evidence from NHANES 1999-2018
Background: The glucose-to-leukocyte ratio (GLR), a marker of glucose metabolism and systemic inflammation, is linked to poor prognoses in various diseases. However, the association between GLR and mortality in cancer patients remains unclear. This study aim to investigate the relationship between GLR index and all-cause and malignant mortality in cancer patients. Methods: A total of 2,186 cancer patients (except for hematological neoplasms) were enrolled from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2018). Mortality outcomes were assessed by linking to National Death Index (NDI) records until December 31, 2019. Kaplan-Meier analysis, LogRank tests, and weighted multivariate logistic regression were conducted to examine the association between GLR and mortality in these patients. Additionally, restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to explore non-linear relationships, and a two-piecewise Cox proportional hazards model was constructed around the inflection points. Results: Restricted cubic splines revealed a U-shaped relationship between the GLR index and both all-cause and malignant mortality in cancer patients. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that patients with low GLR had significantly better overall survival than those with high GLR (P < 0.05). Specifically, a baseline GLR index below threshold values (GLR < 2.95 for all-cause and < 2.97 for malignant mortality) was associated with reduced mortality (HR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.52–0.99 for all-cause; HR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.24–0.67 for malignant). Conversely, a baseline GLR index above the thresholds (GLR ≥ 2.95 for all-cause and ≥ 2.97 for malignant) correlated with increased risk (HR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.03–1.09 for all-cause; HR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.14 for malignant). Conclusion: A U-shaped association was found between the baseline GLR index and both malignant and all-cause mortality in American cancer patients, with both excessively high and low levels potentially leading to negative health outcomes.
Copyright (c) 2026 Panguo Wang, Yong Chen http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Analysis of Parents' Awareness of HPV Vaccine and Influencing Factors on Vaccination Willingness for Their Daughters in Primary and Secondary Schools in Heze City
Objective: To assess the awareness and vaccination willingness regarding HPV vaccine among parents of primary and secondary school girls in Heze City, and to identify key influencing factors, thereby providing evidence for improving local HPV vaccination coverage. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 550 parents selected by stratified cluster random sampling from October 2025 to January 2026. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used for univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 506 valid questionnaires were returned (effective response rate 92%). The vaccination willingness rate was 63.2% (320/506). Educational level, monthly household income, and family history of cancer were significantly associated with vaccination willingness (P < 0.05). Hhigher educational level (university or above: OR = 3.07, 95% CI: 1.09-8.66), monthly household income of 5000-10000 yuan (OR = 3.56, 95% CI: 1.32-9.63), and a positive family history of cancer (OR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.11-4.76) were independent positive influencing factors. Conclusion: The willingness rate for HPV vaccination among parents of girls in Heze City was 63.2%. Higher education, higher income, and family history of cancer were positive influencing factors. Although the present study did not directly measure actual vaccination behavior, a behavior gap likely exists in similar populations based on prior reports. Targeted health education and expanded free vaccination programs are needed to promote actual uptake.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ya Liu, Yue Li, Hong Zhu, Weiwei Sun, Mei Wang, Wenming Cao http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0