Public transit and depression among older adults: using agent-based models to examine plausible impacts of a free bus policy

Yang, Yong; Langellier, Brent A.; Stankov, Ivana; Purtle, Jonathan; Nelson, Katherine; Reinhard, Erica; Lenthe, Frank J. van; Roux, Ana V. Diez

doi:10.1136/jech-2019-213317

Cited by 6 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…ABMs also address a common limitation in epidemiologic studies evaluating policy interventions for structural racism: the possible unintended consequences and sequelae of interventions either at the individual, institutional, or structural level ( 13 , 145 , 148 ). Examples of ABMs include, (1) exploring the role of economic segregation on creating differences in income and subsequent healthy eating behaviors, (2) simulating two interventions on city-level violence, and (3) estimating the impacts of a free bus policy on depression among older adults ( 147 , 153 , 154 ). While ABMs are a promising tool, there are a number of challenges, including but not limited to the use of strong assumptions about individuals and systems, model calibration, and model validation ( 155 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structural racism theory, measurement, and methods: A scoping review

Wien

Miller

Kramer

2023

Front. Public Health

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IntroductionEpidemiologic and public health interest in structural racism has grown dramatically, producing both increasingly sophisticated questions, methods, and findings, coupled with concerns of atheoretical and ahistorical approaches that often leave the actual production of health or disease ambiguous. This trajectory raises concerns as investigators adopt the term “structural racism” without engaging with theories and scholars with a long history in this area. This scoping review aims to build upon recent work by identifying current themes about the incorporation of structural racism into (social) epidemiologic research and practice with respect to theory, measurement, and practices and methods for trainees and public health researchers who are not already deeply grounded in this work.MethodsThis review uses methodological framework and includes peer-review articles written in English published between January 2000–August 2022.ResultsA search of Google Scholar, manual collection, and referenced lists identified a total of 235 articles; 138 met the inclusion criteria after duplicates were removed. Results were extracted by, and organized into, three broad sections: theory, construct measurement, and study practice and methods, with several themes summarized in each section.DiscussionThis review concludes with a summary of recommendations derived from our scoping review and a call to action echoing previous literature to resist an uncritical and superficial adoption of “structural racism” without attention to already existing scholarship and recommendations put forth by experts in the field.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structural racism theory, measurement, and methods: A scoping review

Wien

Miller

Kramer

2023

Front. Public Health

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“…Two of the three papers focusing on a mental health outcome examined the impact of transport on depression among older adults. The first examined the impact of multiple transport interventions [ 36 ], and the second examined that of a free bus policy on public transit use and depression [ 37 ]. An individual’s income was used as a measure of the socioeconomic status in both papers.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One model carried out three experiments: increasing the walkability and safety of neighbourhoods to promote walking; decreasing bus fares and bus waiting times; and adding bus lines and stations [ 36 ]. While the second model focusing on transport carried out four experiments: altering mean attitudes towards the bus; bus waiting times; the cost of parking; and fuel prices; each experiment was also carried out with and without the inclusion of the free bus policy [ 37 ]. Both models captured the individual and neighbourhood level.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The spatial element was applied to income segregation patterns. In one model, the agents interacted with each other in the form of social networks influencing the travel behaviour [ 37 ]. In both models, agents interacted with the environment by using transport.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another study, which modelled the expanded responsibilities and increased coverage for accredited social health activists who perform postnatal check-ups, found that these interventions resulted in greater decreases in the neonatal morbidity and mortality among those of a low socioeconomic position [ 33 ]. Yang and colleagues also showed that, in older adults when attitudes towards bus use improved and the waiting time decreased, decreases in depression were estimated to be greater among low-income groups [ 37 ]. This larger increase was because those of a low income are less likely to own cars and are therefore more susceptible to an intervention to increase the uptake of public transport, which increases the number of non-work trips they take, which was beneficial to their mental health.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Agent-Based Modelling of Health Inequalities following the Complexity Turn in Public Health: A Systematic Review

Boyd

Wilson

Elsenbroich

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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There is an increasing focus on the role of complexity in public health and public policy fields which has brought about a methodological shift towards computational approaches. This includes agent-based modelling (ABM), a method used to simulate individuals, their behaviour and interactions with each other, and their social and physical environment. This paper aims to systematically review the use of ABM to simulate the generation or persistence of health inequalities. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (1 January 2013–15 November 2022) were searched, supplemented with manual reference list searching. Twenty studies were included; fourteen of them described models of health behaviours, most commonly relating to diet (n = 7). Six models explored health outcomes, e.g., morbidity, mortality, and depression. All of the included models involved heterogeneous agents and were dynamic, with agents making decisions, growing older, and/or becoming exposed to different health risks. Eighteen models represented physical space and in eleven models, agents interacted with other agents through social networks. ABM is increasingly contributing to our understanding of the socioeconomic inequalities in health. However, to date, the majority of these models focus on the differences in health behaviours. Future research should attempt to investigate the social and economic drivers of health inequalities using ABM.

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Effectiveness of continuity of care in reducing depression symptoms in elderly: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Qiao

et al. 2023

Int J Geriat Psychiatry

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Background Depression affects 10%–20% of older adults worldwide. The course of late‐life depression (LLD) is often chronic, with a poor long‐term prognosis. Lower treatment adherence, stigma, and suicide risk lead to significant challenges in the continuity of care (COC) for patients with LLD. Elderly patients with chronic diseases can benefit from COC. As a common chronic disease of the elderly, whether depression can also benefit from COC has not been systematically reviewed. Methods Systematic literature search in Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Ovid, PubMed and Medline. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) on the intervention effects of COC and LLD, published on 12 April 2022, were selected. Two independent researchers made research choices based on consensus. An RCT with COC as an intervention measure for the elderly with depression 60 years old was the inclusion criteria. Results A total of 10 RCTs involving 1557 participants were identified in this study. The findings showed that: (1) COC significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared to usual care (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.47, 95% confidence interval: −0.63 to −0.31), with the best improvement at 3‐ to 6‐month follow‐up; (2) The reduction in depressive symptoms was more pronounced for patients with comorbid chronic conditions with LLD (SMD = −0.93, 95% CI: −1.18 to −0.68); (3) COC was more effective than other regions for LLD in Europe and the Americas (SMD = −0.84, 95% CI: −1.07 to −0.61); and (4) COC had a positive impact on the quality of life of patients with LLD (SMD = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.02–0.40). Limitations The included studies included several multi‐component interventions with widely varying methods. Therefore, it was almost impossible to analyze which of these interventions had an impact on the assessed outcomes. Conclusions This meta‐analysis shows that COC can significantly reduce depressive symptoms and improve quality of life in patients with LLD. However, when treating and caring for patients with LLD, health care providers should also pay attention to timely adjustments of intervention plans according to follow‐up, synergistic interventions for multiple co‐morbidities, and actively learning from advanced COC programs at home and abroad to improve the quality and effectiveness of services.

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Public transit and depression among older adults: using agent-based models to examine plausible impacts of a free bus policy

Cited by 6 publications

References 31 publications

Structural racism theory, measurement, and methods: A scoping review

Structural racism theory, measurement, and methods: A scoping review

Agent-Based Modelling of Health Inequalities following the Complexity Turn in Public Health: A Systematic Review

Effectiveness of continuity of care in reducing depression symptoms in elderly: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

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