JMIR Research Protocols

HIV/AIDS is a disease associated with stigma and discrimination. This can hinder the adoption of preventive and treatment methods, especially in vulnerable populations, such as the transgender community.

Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs (HVIPs), based in Emergency Departments (EDs), have been proposed as a public health response to violence. These programs address the underlying reasons why patients are exposed to violence. In addressing any underlying modifiable risks and vulnerabilities HVIPs can reduce patients’ exposure to violence and therefore subsequent unplanned attendance into ED.

Tobacco-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) present a major public health challenge in China, requiring population-level management. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common and prevalent chronic respiratory disease associated with tobacco use. In addition, COPD shares risk factors with other NCDs that frequently co-occur, leading to multimorbidity. This study focuses on the early detection and integrated management of COPD and related multimorbidity among high-risk populations. Population medicine, an emerging and evolving concept aimed at maximizing population health and well-being, provides a promising framework for shifting interventions against COPD from an individual patient focus to a population-level approach.

As a critical period in psychosocial development, adolescence is marked by heightened emotion regulation demands as well as increased risk for, and vulnerability to, stress.

The loss of tooth structure in endodontically treated teeth compromises their structural integrity and increases their vulnerability to fractures. To strengthen these teeth, post and core systems must be used. Glass fiber posts have become more and more common among post materials because of their advantageous mechanical and aesthetic qualities. However, the effectiveness of customized glass fiber posts in enhancing fracture resistance compared to prefabricated ones remains a subject of ongoing debate.

Fat-soluble vitamins (FSVs)—vitamins A, D, E, and K—are essential micronutrients involved in key physiological processes. Both deficiency and excess can influence nutritional assessment and disease risk. In China, clinical evaluation of FSVs often relies on reference intervals (RIs) derived from Western populations, and no large-scale study has comprehensively evaluated all four FSVs in healthy Chinese adults.

Hikikomori is a state of social withdrawal first identified in Japan gaining interest globally. Classically, hikikomori is described as a state of isolation within one’s home, though recent conceptualisations have proposed a continuum of severity. Hikikomori frequently shares symptoms with depression, social anxiety, autism and schizophrenia, as well as internet and gaming disorders. Clinical case studies and cross-sectional studies suggest dysfunctional emotion regulation, familial support and internet behaviours are proposed to contribute to the onset and maintenance of a withdrawn state, though they have not been explored longitudinally.

Voluntary behaviors and socio-economic factors, such as social jetlag and shift work, can lead to insufficient or disrupted sleep, resulting in drowsiness among active individuals. In occupational and driving contexts, drowsiness poses a serious safety risk by impairing alertness, slowing reaction times, and increasing the likelihood of accidents. Developing automatic and easy-to-implement tools for drowsiness detection or prediction is essential in the management of sleepy patient or in high-risk environments where sustained vigilance is critical.

Climate change–induced international migration has the potential to negatively impact the health and well-being of displaced populations. Pregnancy often serves as a point of entry into the healthcare system for migrant women; however, these women often face reduced access to maternal healthcare services compared to non-migrants. In the context of climate-related international migration, these disparities may be further exacerbated, increasing the risk of maternal morbidity and adverse perinatal outcomes. While the intersections between climate change, migration, and health are increasingly acknowledged, literature specifically focused on climate-related international migrant women—particularly during the perinatal period—remains limited and dispersed. Thus, there is a growing need for research and synthesized data on climate change, population movements, and the perinatal healthcare needs of childbearing women.

Obesity is a significant global public health concern. Primary prevention and health promotion to encourage positive health behavior to address obesity could be delivered via mobile health (mHealth), but evidence of apps improving health outcomes over sufficient time frames to be clinically meaningful is limited. mHealth interventions for physical activity, healthy eating, and weight loss typically prioritize intention as the primary driver of behavior. This may limit their impact, as intention does not consistently translate into behavior.

Oral disease remains a global public health concern, disproportionately affecting socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Adults with disabilities or health conditions face additional barriers to dental care, including physical accessibility, communication challenges, and heightened anxiety. These factors contribute to care avoidance and poorer oral health outcomes. While virtual reality (VR) has shown promise in reducing procedural anxiety in pediatric and private dental settings, its application in adult public dentistry, particularly for people with disabilities, remains underexplored.

In the United States, Asian American people represent the fastest growing population group, and are highly diverse linguistically, culturally, and demographically. Yet, in most national studies, Asian American groups are aggregated, masking potential health disparities. Racial and ethnic minorities, especially first-generation immigrants, are also at a particularly elevated risk of cognitive impairment.