Changes in Notified Incidence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in China,2005–2020

Objective To evaluate the trend of notified incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis(PTB)in China at different periods by population and region and to explore the effect of TB prevention and control in recent years.Methods Using pooled data on TB cases reported by the TB Information Management Reporting System(TBIMS)from 2005 to 2020,we calculated the annual percentage change(APC)using the Joinpoint regression model.Results From 2005 to 2020,a total of 16.2 million cases of PTB were reported in China,with an average notified incidence of 75.5 per 100,000 population.The age standardization rate(ASR)continued to decline from 116.9(/100,000)in 2005 to 47.6(/100,000)in 2020,with an average annual decrease of5.6%[APC=-5.6,95%confidence interval(CI):-7.0 to-4.2].The smallest decline occurred in2011–2018(APC=-3.4,95%CI:-4.6 to-2.3)and the largest decrease in 2018–2020(APC=-9.2,95%CI:-16.4 to-1.3).From 2005 to 2020,the ASR in males(159.8 per 100,000 in 2005,72.0 per 100,000 in2020)was higher than that in females(62.2 per 100,000 in 2005,32.3 per 100,000 in 2020),with an average annual decline of 6.0%for male and 4.9%for female.The average notified incidence was the highest among older adults(65 years and over)(182.3/100,000),with an average annual decline of6.4%;children(0–14 years)were the lowest(4.8/100,000),with an average annual decline of 7.3%,but a significant increase of 3.3%between 2014 and 2020(APC=3.3,95%CI:1.4 to 5.2);middle-aged(35–64years)decreased by 5.8%;and youth(15–34 years)decreased by an average annual rate of 4.2%.The average ASR in rural areas(81.3/100,000)is higher than that in urban areas(76.1/100,000).The average annual decline in rural areas was 4.5%and 6.3%in urban areas.South China had the highest average ASR(103.2/100,000),with an average annual decline of 5.9%,while North China had the lowest(56.5/100,000),with an average annual decline of 5.9%.The average ASR in the southwest was 95.3(/100,000),with the smallest annual decline(APC=-4.5,95%CI:-5.5 to-3.5);the average ASR in the Northwest China was 100.1(/100,000),with the largest annual decline(APC=-6.4,95%CI:-10.0 to-2.7);Central,Northeastern,and Eastern China declined by an average of 5.2%,6.2%,and 6.1%per year,respectively.Conclusions From 2005 to 2020,the notified incidence of PTB in China continued to decline,falling by55%.For high-risk groups such as males,older adults,high-burden areas in South,Southwest,and Northwest China,and rural regions,proactive screening should be strengthened to provide timely and effective anti-TB treatment and patient management services for confirmed cases.There is also a necessity to be vigilant about the upward trend of children in recent years,the specific reasons for which need to be further studied.

Joint Association of Metabolic Health and Obesity with Ten-Year Risk of Cardiovascular Disease among Chinese Adults

Objective This study aims to investigate the association of metabolic phenotypes that are jointly determined by body mass index(BMI)or fat mass percentage and metabolic health status with the tenyear risk of cardiovascular disease(CVD)among Chinese adults.Methods Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study.BMI and body fat mass percentage(FMP)combined with the metabolic status were used to define metabolic phenotypes.Multiple linear regression and logistic regression were used to examine the effects of metabolic phenotypes on CVD risk.Results A total of 13,239 adults aged 34-75 years were included in this study.Compared with the metabolically healthy non-obese(MHNO)phenotype,the metabolically unhealthy non-obese(MUNO)and metabolically unhealthy obese(MUO)phenotypes defined by BMI showed a higher CVD risk[odds ratio,OR(95% confidence interval,CI):2.34(1.89-2.89),3.45(2.50-4.75),respectively],after adjusting for the covariates.The MUNO and MUO phenotypes defined by FMP showed a higher CVD risk[OR(95%CI):2.31(1.85-2.88),2.63(1.98-3.48),respectively]than the MHNO phenotype.The metabolically healthy obese phenotype,regardless of being defined by BMI or FMP,showed no CVD risk compared with the MHNO phenotype.Conclusion General obesity without central obesity does not increase CVD risk in metabolically healthy individuals.FMP might be a more meaningful factor for the evaluation of the association of obesity with CVD risk.Obesity and metabolic status have a synergistic effect on CVD risk.

Association between Selenium in Soil and Diabetes in Chinese Residents Aged 35–74 Years:Results from the 2010 National Survey of Chronic Diseases and Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance

Objective To explore the association between soil selenium levels and the risk of diabetes in Chinese adults aged 35–74 years.Methods Data for this study were derived from the China Chronic Diseases and Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance 2010 survey.Selenium concentrations in soil were obtained from the Atlas of Soil Environmental Background Values in China.A two-level binary logistic regression model was used to determine the association between soil selenium concentrations and the risk of diabetes,with participants nested within districts/counties.Results A total of 69,332 participants aged 35–74 years,from 158 districts/counties were included in the analysis.Concentrations of selenium in soil varied greatly across the 158 districts/counties,with a median concentration of 0.219 mg/kg(IQR:0.185–0.248).The results showed that both Quartile 1(0.119–0.185 mg/kg)and Quartile 4(0.249–0.344 mg/kg)groups were positively associated with diabetes compared to a soil selenium concentration of 0.186–0.219 mg/kg(Quartile 2),crude odds ratios(ORs)(95%CI)were 1.227(1.003–1.502)and 1.280(1.048–1.563).The P values were 0.045 and 0.013,for Quartile 1 and Quartile 4 groups,respectively.After adjusting for all confounding factors of interest,the Quartile 1 group became non-significant,and the Quartile 4 group had an adjusted OR(95%CI)of 1.203(1.018–1.421)relative to the reference group(Quartile 2),the P values was 0.030.No significant results were seen for the Quartile 3 group(0.220–0.248 mg/kg)compared to the reference group.Conclusion Excessive selenium concentrations in soil could increase the risk of diabetes among Chinese adults aged 35–74 years.

Developing a Subjective Evaluation Scale for Assessing the Built Environments of China’s Hygienic City Initiative

Objective To develop a preliminary subjective evaluation scale for assessing the built environments of China’s Hygienic City Initiative and to evaluate its reliability and validity.Methods The initial items of the scale were determined based on a review of policy documents and consultations with experts. The final items of the scale were confirmed through individual interviews with residents combined with the discretetrend method, critical ratio method, correlation coefficient method, and factor analysis method. Then, the dimensions of the scale were determined using exploratory factor analysis(EFA). The Cronbach’s α coefficient, split-half reliability coefficient, and confirmatory factor analysis(CFA) were used to assess the reliability and validity of the scale.Results A scale containing five dimensions with 22 items was established, including urban lifestyle,governance, basic functions, environmental sanitation, and amenities. The Cronbach’s α coefficient of the scale was 0.876, and the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.796. The CFA results indicate that each inspection level was within the standard limit.Conclusion The preliminarily subjective evaluation scale for assessing the built environments of China’s Hygienic City Initiative demonstrates a high level of reliability and validity. Additional empirical studies should be carried out to further verify the value of the scale in terms of practical application.

Influence of Built Environment in Hygienic City in China on Self-rated Health of Residents

Objective To assess the subjective perception of residents on the built environment in hygienic cities and its relation to the self-rated health(SRH)status of residents,providing a basis for a better promotion on construction of health-supportive environments.Methods The online survey was adopted with the respondents recruited from residents living in Chaoyang District of Beijing in January 2021.With SRH level as the dependent variable,two-category logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the impact of the built environment in hygienic cities on the SRH status of residents.Results A total of 1,357 respondents were enrolled in this study.After controlling confounding factors,four aspects in the built environment in hygienic cities were detected remarkable influences on the SRH level of residents,including enough green space in the living area[odds ratio(OR)=1.395,95%confidence interval(95%CI):1.055–1.845],clean and hygienic living environment(OR=1.472,95%CI:1.107–1.956),residents’confidence in drinking water safety in the living area(OR=1.856,95%CI:1.354–2.544)and residents’confidence in food safety in the living area(OR=1.405,95%CI:1.027–1.921).Conclusion Regarding city construction,the government should focus more on the subjective perception of residents on built environments to build a supportive environment benefiting the health of residents.

Increases in Height among Chinese Children and Adolescents by Gender: An Age-Period-Cohort Analysis

Objective To examine increases in average height among Chinese children and adolescents.Methods The data were obtained from the China Health and Nutrition Survey conducted during the period 1989–2015. A stratified multistage cluster sampling method was utilized to select participants aged 2–22 years in each province. Linear regression was used to examine the effects of age, birth cohort, and survey period on height.Results A total of 15,227 males and 13,737 females were included in the final analysis. Age(A) showed a continuous effect on height. The average heights of the investigated groups increased continuously during the investigation period. By 2015, the average height of the overall group increased by 7.87 cm compared to the average height during the 1989 survey. Moreover, birth year(cohort, C) also had a stable effect on height. Using the height of individuals born in or before 1975 as a reference, the average height of each birth cohort increased in comparison to the previous birth cohort.Conclusions The height of Chinese children and adolescents was affected by age, period, and cohort effects, and this effect is governed by certain rules. The age-period-cohort model can be used to analyze the trends of children’s and adolescent’s heights. The findings provide a scientific basis for the formulation of children’s and adolescents’ growth and development policies in China.