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Iodine deficiency is the leading cause of preventable brain damage in childhood. Iodine nutrition has improved worldwide during the last decade due to the existence of cost-effective prevention measures such as iodization of salt. In all countries with a previous history of iodine deficiency regular monitoring of iodine nutrition is important to ensure effective and sustainable control. Country data on urinary iodine and goitre are compiled in the WHO Global Database on iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) to monitor iodine status on a global level. Monitoring and evaluation has improved over the last decade but many countries have still not implemented national monitoring systems. The information available in the database shows that iodine deficiency is still a public health problem in 54 countries. The database intends to draw the attention to iodine deficiency control, to encourage governments and international organizations to strengthen efforts and collaborations among the partners involved in IDD control, in particular the health authorities and the salt industry and to allow a comparison of iodine status between countries and regions.

This case study investigates the implementation of a free-choice market system in community mental health services using the example of day centres for people with psychiatric disabilities. It was conducted in a major city that was about to implement a free-choice market system due to a new legislation that made it feasible. Eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted. Agents situated in different parts of the organization were interviewed one year before and two years after the free-choice system was launched in 2010. Data showed a top-down political process. A majority of the intentions of the legislation advocated individual autonomy as the market system's main purpose; only one concerned organizational efficiency. Data reflected, however, that financial efficiency dominated the agents' experiences of the implemented system. The twofold market purpose was clearly reflected in the interviews. Front-line staff hoped for improvements mainly for the users, whereas managers mainly focused on the market as a resource allocator.

Blogging was seen as a complement to professional care that contributed to the prevention of ill health.

Study design Cross-sectional and longitudinal. Objectives To (i) describe health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and changes over 6 years in older adults aging with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI) and (ii) investigate how changes in HRQoL are associated with age, gender, and injury characteristics. Setting Community in southern Sweden. Methods From the initial 123 participants (years 2011–2012) in the Swedish Aging with Spinal Cord Injury Study (SASCIS), 77 individuals (32% women, C1-L3, AIS A–D, median age 66 years, median time since injury 31 years, 30% complete injuries) were assessed 6 years later. HRQoL was rated with the Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life Questionnaire (SCI QL-23). Associations were investigated using multivariable linear regression analyses. Results The median rating of global QoL (scale range 0–100) was relatively high at both assessments (67 and 83, respectively). There was a large variability in all HRQoL-domains and no significant changes over 6 years. As compared to an AIS D injury, a tetraplegia AIS A–C injury and tetraplegia and paraplegia AIS A–C injuries were associated with positive change in depressive symptoms and global QoL, respectively. Conclusions Older adults aging with long-term SCI show large variations in all HRQoL-domains and have the potential to maintain a high and stable level of HRQoL over time. Persons with AIS D injuries may need increased attention to mitigate negative changes in depressive symptoms and global QoL. Further studies are needed to identify modifiable factors associated with changes in HRQoL in older adults aging with long-term SCI.