Scandinavian Journal of Public Health

Eklund, Niina; Pätsi, Salla-Maaria; Lehtiniemi, Heli; Rohkimainen, Samppa; Kivelä, Juha; Öhman, Hanna; Sauramo, Minttu; Sutinen, Kyösti; Keskinarkaus, Anja; Terho, Perttu; Seppänen, Tapio; Nyberg, Pia; Männikkö, Minna; Silander, Kaisa

doi: 10.1177/14034948241228482pmid: 38436303

Aims:Connecting cohorts with biobanks is a Finnish biobank collaboration, creating an infrastructure for the study of healthy ageing. We aimed to develop a model for data integration and harmonisation between different biobanks with procedures for joint access.Methods:The heart of the collaboration is the integrated datasets formed by using data from three biobanks: (a) Arctic Biobank, hosting regional birth cohorts and cohorts of elderly; (b) hospital-affiliated Borealis Biobank of Northern Finland; and (c) THL Biobank, hosting population-based cohorts. The datasets were created by developing a data dictionary, harmonising cohort data and with a joint pseudonymisation process.Results:The connecting cohorts with biobanks resource at its widest consists altogether of almost 1.4 million individuals from collaborating biobanks. Utilising data from 107,000 cohort participants, we created harmonised datasets that contain attributes describing metabolic risk and frailty for studies of healthy ageing. These data can be complemented with medical data available from Biobank Borealis and with samples taken at hospital settings for approximately 38,000 cohort participants. In addition, the harmonised connecting cohorts with biobanks datasets can be expanded with supplementary data and samples from the collaborating biobanks.Conclusions:The connecting cohorts with biobanks datasets provide a unique resource for research on ageing-related personalised healthcare and for real-world evidence studies. Following the FAIR principles on findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability, the reused and harmonised datasets are findable and made accessible for researchers. The same approach can be further utilised to develop additional datasets for other research topics.

Gottvall, Maria; Isaac, Rummage; Péter-Szabó, Osszián; Ainembabazi, Ronah; Carlsson, Tommy

doi: 10.1177/14034948241301874pmid: 39658846

Aims:To explore the components that influence health and wellbeing of gender minority forced migrants residing in Sweden.Methods:Qualitative exploratory study based on semi-structured interviews with gender minority forced migrants recruited through a combination of convenience, purposeful and snowball sampling. Guided by the levels in the social ecological model, transcripts were analysed with systematic text condensation in a collaborative process between experts by lived experience, researchers and clinical psychologist.Results:Participants expressed resilience and hope about their future. Loneliness was a major issue contributing to health burdens and peer support was highly appreciated. Barriers hindering access to health services and judgemental behaviours among health professionals were described. Affirming support through empathy, trust, safety, confidentiality, continuity and respect was highlighted as essential in health services. While societal openness and safety for gender minority individuals was appreciated, participants faced an uncertain asylum process and unmet basic needs.Conclusions:Gender minority forced migrants show resilience and appreciate the newfound societal safety. However, they find themselves in the margins of society and encounter various multi-layered challenges. Loneliness is a public health concern that could be addressed through peer support, which is highly desired and valued. Ensuring access to affirming health services should be a prioritized area for researchers, professionals, stakeholders and policy-makers.

Rasmussen, Lene Gissel; Nielsen, Rasmus Østergaard; Hawkins, Jemma; Kallestrup, Per; Midtgaard, Julie; Ryom, Knud

doi: 10.1177/14034948241299878pmid: 39643946

Aims:The World Health Organization states that physical inactivity is one of the leading behavioural risk factors for disability and mortality in Europe. Social prescribing holds promise as a possible solution by connecting patients from general practice to community-based physical activity. Although research within social prescribing exists, the process of connecting general practice patients to community-based physical activity is not well investigated. This scoping review aimed to summarise and synthesise knowledge on social prescribing provided by health professionals in general practice towards community-based physical activity.Methods:A systematic search for literature in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, SportsDiscus and other sources was conducted to identify initiatives connecting general practice to community-based physical activity. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted with subject-specific national experts. Finally, preliminary findings from the literature and the interviews were used in a co-creation process with experts to synthesise and finalise the results of a thematic analysis across data sources.Results:Based on 19 records, five expert interviews and subsequent co-creation, we identified three themes: (a) barriers and facilitators, (b) organisational perspectives and (c) value-based considerations.Conclusions:This review illuminates the complex nature of social prescribing programmes that connect general practice patients to community-based physical activity in Denmark. It also presents practical and fundamental considerations when applying social prescribing across different settings.