JMIR Research Protocols

With shorter window periods than serologic point-of-care (POC) tests and faster turnaround than laboratory-based nucleic acid tests (NAT), POC NATs could improve early detection of HIV. Furthermore, semiquantitative POC NAT may provide real-time monitoring for persons with HIV. There have been limited evaluations of POC NAT implementation in the United States.

Mounting evidence underscores the adverse effects of excess body weight during cancer survivorship, yet many breast cancer survivors struggle to maintain a healthy weight (approximately 70% have overweight or obesity [OW/OB]). Daily caloric restriction with increased physical activity is the standard behavioral weight loss approach; however, many fail to achieve clinically meaningful (>5%) weight loss, emphasizing the need for innovative interventions. A recent investigation found that a behavioral weight loss program focusing on 4:3 intermittent fasting (4:3 IMF) produced 60% greater weight loss among healthy adults with OW/OB with no history of cancer than a program focused on daily caloric restriction. Given these promising results and the need for innovative weight loss strategies among breast cancer survivors, studies testing 4:3 IMF among breast cancer survivors are warranted.

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) constitute a significant global health burden with a severe impact. Uroflowmetry, the gold standard assessment for measuring urinary flow, may be inaccessible due to equipment availability or cost. Meanwhile, the proliferation of smartphones, even in resource-limited countries, offers a promising infrastructure for developing an innovative tool. Using the built-in microphone of smartphones to capture and analyze voiding sounds to estimate urine flow parameters has emerged as a potential solution to overcome these limitations.

There is a critical need for acceptable, scalable, and mechanistically targeted behavioral health interventions for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), known as brain-gut behavior therapies (BGBTs). Although positive psychology (PP) interventions, which focus on the cultivation of positive psychological well-being, have been linked to improved health outcomes across diverse medical populations, they have not yet been investigated in IBS. To address this gap, we developed WISH (Well-Being in IBS: Strengths and Happiness), a novel, 9-week, phone-delivered PP-based BGBT for individuals with IBS.

Infections with respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza are significant international public health concerns. While patients with cancer remain the most vulnerable group, they show poor vaccine response in general. Immunological data in this population are limited and mainly focus on serological parameters. However, in these patients, cellular, and especially T-cell, responses often seem to be induced more reliably than humoral responses.

AI is rapidly transforming health systems, expanding from diagnostic imaging and predictive analytics to large language model–enabled clinical decision support. However, significant governance challenges persist, including algorithmic bias, privacy risks, limited transparency, and inequities in access. Despite the proliferation of national AI strategies, global governance remains fragmented, and systematic evidence on how national policies address ethical, regulatory, and implementation requirements is limited. No comprehensive synthesis currently maps national governance approaches against established frameworks or documents or accounts for implementation realities across diverse contexts.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading global cause of mortality, driven by interrelated behavioral, biological, and psychosocial risk factors, despite the availability of effective prevention and treatment strategies. Persistent policy inertia, systemic fragmentation, and adverse social and commercial determinants have limited national responses. Addressing these gaps necessitates place-based, systems-oriented approaches that mobilize local assets, engage multisector stakeholders, and incorporate adaptive evaluation. The initiative exemplifies such an approach by positioning Greater Springfield as a “living laboratory” for coordinated cardiovascular health action through a comprehensive data framework, providing a replicable model for other communities.

Approximately 5% of women will be affected by fetal malposition at full cervical dilatation, with the occiput in transverse or posterior positions. These women are more likely to require assistance to give birth to their babies with either rotational vaginal birth or cesarean birth at full dilatation. Three different rotational methods can be used: rotational (Kielland) forceps, rotational vacuum, and manual rotation. Current evidence supporting the use of the 3 rotational methods is only from observational data. To date, no randomized controlled trial (RCT) of rotational methods has been completed.

Community and youth violence are pervasive and have devastating health, economic, and social consequences. Violence too often impacts people of color and the life trajectories of youth in the United States, especially among people living in urban settings.

Older adults face a substantial burden of common mental disorders, yet they are less likely to seek professional help compared to younger adults. In Chinese contexts, collectivist values and stigma may further deter help-seeking. Social norms are central to the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and nudge theory, suggesting that norm-based messages, especially those that are visually engaging, could strengthen perceived social approval and subsequent help-seeking intentions.

Outdoor play supports children’s physical, social, and cognitive development; yet, opportunities are declining as indoor, screen-based childhoods become the norm. Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) centers are key settings for promoting outdoor play, but limited evidence exists on the health and developmental outcomes of licensed nature-based ELCC programs, particularly for children with and those without disabilities.

Patient navigation is a critical component of health care delivery, facilitating connections with appropriate services. A new era of virtual navigation systems has emerged, with systems that can be accessed through websites or smartphone apps. However, it is unknown which features of these novel systems impact patient outcomes.