JMIR Research Protocols

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regulation, familial support and internet behaviours are proposed to contribute to the onset and maintenance of a withdrawn state, though they have not been explored longitudinally.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.

African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities in high-income countries continue to experience persistent health inequities, driven by systemic anti-Black racism, socioeconomic disadvantage, and exclusion from health decision-making. Historically, data have been extracted from ACB communities without transparency, accountability, or community ownership. These inequitable practices have produced data systems that reinforce harm rather than promote equity. Equitable data governance, which promotes community ownership over data collection, access, and use, is increasingly recognized as a critical but underresearched determinant of health equity.

Assam, India, exhibits the highest maternal mortality ratio in the nation (195 per 100,000 live births, nearly twice the national average), primarily due to ongoing deficiencies in access to and quality of maternal health (MH) care. Many women receive suboptimal antenatal (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC), challenges exacerbated by geographic isolation, socio-economic constraints, and limited healthcare infrastructure. Digital health innovations, notably mobile health (mHealth) interventions such as messaging platforms and chatbots, have demonstrated potential in enhancing ANC attendance and promoting facility-based deliveries in resource-constrained environments. To address these persistent challenges, the e-SAATHI (Strengthening ANC/PNC via AskNivi Tailored Health Information, Referrals, and Follow-up) project was developed to deliver personalized, stage-specific MH support using a chat-based decision system in Assam.

The transition from university-based simulation learning to the clinical environment is a pivotal stage in undergraduate nursing education. This period can influence students’ psychological well-being, adaptability, and sense of belonging within the clinical setting, which are essential dimensions to professional learning and patient safety. Although the simulation aims to prepare students for clinical realities, the extent to which it supports their emotional and social readiness for real practice remains unclear.

Dementia is one of Canada’s most pressing public health challenges, with rates expected to surge in response to the country’s aging population. Given the rapidly growing issue of dementia, understanding national research efforts are critical to prioritizing and advancing strategic directions in brain health and dementia research. Recently, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) awarded a one-year funding grant from the Brain Health and Cognitive Impairment in Aging (BHCIA) research initiative to map the scope of brain health and dementia in Canada.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as parabens, are commonly found in personal care products (PCPs). Exposure to parabens is linked to several significant health risks, such as reproductive disorders, breast cancer, infertility, and hormone imbalances. Women are particularly vulnerable to these effects due to their higher use of personal care products containing parabens. Despite these risks, Canada lacks regulatory frameworks for the use of parabens in PCPs, relying instead on consumer awareness for reducing exposure. Previous studies have highlighted that many women remain unaware of parabens, exhibiting low risk perception and limited knowledge, which restricts behaviour change towards safer choices.