Health, access and nutritional issues among low-income population in Malaysia: introductory note

Abstract

The current issue of BMC Public Health presents work by the Consortium of Low Income Population Research (CB40R), highlighting a comprehensive aspect of health, i.e., physical health, mental health, health behaviour and health financing; and also nutrition involving all stages of lifespan of the socioeconomic deprived group in Malaysia. Consortium of B40 Research (CB40R) reposited and harmonised shared, non-identifiable data from epidemiological studies involving low income population (B40) in Malaysia. CB40R also performed joint or mega-analyses using combined, harmonised data sets that yield collated results with enhanced statistical power, more variabilities (study population, geographical regions, ethnicities and sociocultural groups) to better understand the needs, characteristics and issues of B40 groups in Malaysia. It also aimed to develope a system/framework of minimum/standard variables to be collected in research involving B40 in future. For this special issues, members of the consortium have been invited to contribute an original article involving analysis of the health aspects, access to health and nutritional issues of the B40 samples. All the papers in this special issue have successfully highlighted the health and nutritional issues (i.e., non-communicable disease (NCD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), knowledge towards sexually transmitted disease (STD), low birth weight, Motoric Cognitive Risk (MCR) syndrome, urinary incontinence), mental health, oral health and inequalities among the low-income group in Malaysia, including the rural population and also the urban poor. The low-income population in Malaysia is also at risk of both under- and over nutrition, of which specific cost effective strategies are indeed needed to improve their quality of life. The low income population in Malaysia is facing various health challenges, particularly related to NCD and poor mental health, nutritional and physical function. There is a need for a sustainable intervention model to tackle the issues. It is also important to highlight that reducing SES disparities in health will require policy initiatives addressing the components of socioeconomic status (income, education, and occupation) as well as the pathways by which these affect health.

The Covid Impact to Public Healthcare Utilization Among Urban Low-Income Subsidized Community in Klang Valley Malaysia

“…Currently, Malaysia is no longer just dealing with absolute poverty, but also with relative poverty, pockets of persistent poverty, the traditional rural poverty and urban poverty, and increasing inequalities. 16 Socioeconomic problems, health and food insecurity continue to be the problems for the low income or B40 group. This group of population has been the main target group by the government in helping them to increase their economy, income, and health status.…”

Effects of 12 Weeks Cosmos caudatus Supplement among Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized, Double-Blind and Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…The scientific evidence from this study has the potential to trigger health promotions of CC consumption that could also consequently lead to the population’s healthier lifestyle, improved quality of life, a further reduced risk of contracting neurodegenerative diseases and lowering healthcare costs related to the disease burden [ 65 ]. Furthermore, it would also create a “Knowledge-Economy”, of which knowledge would lead to plantations and agricultural industry related to CC plant, thus increase the income of the nation, and further reduce poverty.…”

“…Population aging has been fastest in South-East Asia including Malaysia. The percentage of the population aged Nutrients 2021, 13, 434 2 of 16 65 years and above almost doubled from 6% in 1990 to 11% in 2019 in South-East Asia [2]. In Malaysia, a similar scenario can be observed in which the aging population has risen from 5.6% to 10.7% of the total population between the year 1991 to 2020 [3,4].…”

Urban–Rural Disparities of Facility-Based Childbirth in Indonesia

“…Research by taking the theme of disparity between urban and rural areas in several countries also shows consistent results. Not only about the utilization of health services, including access to health information, which shows a disparity between urban and rural areas, including in China [24][25], India [26], Iran [27], Malaysia [28], and Africa [7]. Generally, development in rural areas in Indonesia tends to be slower than urban areas, including in the health sector.…”