1. |
- af Geijerstam, Peder, Doktorand, 1983-, et al.
(author)
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Prescription and dispensing duration of medicines for hypertension and other chronic conditions: a review of international policies and evidence to inform the Australian setting
- 2024
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In: Hypertension Research. - : Springer Nature. - 0916-9636 .- 1348-4214.
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The duration of treatment for which a physician may prescribe a medicine, ‘prescription duration’, is often dispensed at the pharmacy on multiple occasions of shorter time periods, ‘dispensing duration’. These durations vary significantly between and within countries. In Australia, the quantity of medication supplied at each dispensing has recently been extended from 30 to 60 days for a selection of medicines used for chronic health conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. Dispensing durations vary between countries, with 30, 60 or 90 days being the most common—with 90 days aligning with the recommendation of the 2023 Global Report on Hypertension from the World Health Organization. The full impact of shorter vs longer prescription durations on health costs and outcomes is unknown, but current evidence suggests that 90-day dispensing could reduce costs and improve patient convenience and adherence. More rigorous research is needed.
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2. |
- Gasman, Danny, et al.
(author)
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MINDS Abundant water and varying C/O across the disk of Sz 98 as seen by JWST/MIRI
- 2023
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 679
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. The Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) Medium Resolution Spectrometer (MRS) on board the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) allows us to probe the inner regions of protoplanetary disks, where the elevated temperatures result in an active chemistry and where the gas composition may dictate the composition of planets forming in this region. The disk around the classical T Tauri star Sz 98, which has an unusually large dust disk in the millimetre with a compact core, was observed with the MRS, and we examine its spectrum here.Aims. We aim to explain the observations and put the disk of Sz 98 in context with other disks, with a focus on the H2O emission through both its ro-vibrational and pure rotational emission. Furthermore, we compare our chemical findings with those obtained for the outer disk from Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations.Methods. In order to model the molecular features in the spectrum, the continuum was subtracted and local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) slab models were fitted. The spectrum was divided into different wavelength regions corresponding to H2O lines of different excitation conditions, and the slab model fits were performed individually per region.Results. We confidently detect CO, H2O, OH, CO2, and HCN in the emitting layers. Despite the plethora of H2O lines, the isotopo-logue (H2O)-O-18 is not detected. Additionally, no other organics, including C2H2, are detected. This indicates that the C/O ratio could be substantially below unity, in contrast with the outer disk. The H2O emission traces a large radial disk surface region, as evidenced by the gradually changing excitation temperatures and emitting radii. Additionally, the OH and CO2 emission is relatively weak. It is likely that H2O is not significantly photodissociated, either due to self-shielding against the stellar irradiation, or UV shielding from small dust particles. While H2O is prominent and OH is relatively weak, the line fluxes in the inner disk of Sz 98 are not outliers compared to other disks.Conclusions. The relative emitting strength of the different identified molecular features points towards UV shielding of H2O in the inner disk of Sz 98, with a thin layer of OH on top. The majority of the organic molecules are either hidden below the dust continuum, or not present. In general, the inferred composition points to a sub-solar C/O ratio (<0.5) in the inner disk, in contrast with the larger than unity C/O ratio in the gas in the outer disk found with ALMA.
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3. |
- Grant, Sierra L., et al.
(author)
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MINDS. The Detection of 13 CO 2 with JWST-MIRI Indicates Abundant CO 2 in a Protoplanetary Disk
- 2023
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In: Astrophysical Journal Letters. - 2041-8213 .- 2041-8205. ; 947:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present JWST-MIRI Medium Resolution Spectrometer (MRS) spectra of the protoplanetary disk around the low-mass T Tauri star GW Lup from the MIRI mid-INfrared Disk Survey Guaranteed Time Observations program. Emission from 12CO213CO2, H2O, HCN, C2H2, and OH is identified with 13CO2 being detected for the first time in a protoplanetary disk. We characterize the chemical and physical conditions in the inner few astronomical units of the GW Lup disk using these molecules as probes. The spectral resolution of JWST-MIRI MRS paired with high signal-to-noise data is essential to identify these species and determine their column densities and temperatures. The Q branches of these molecules, including those of hot bands, are particularly sensitive to temperature and column density. We find that the 12CO2 emission in the GW Lup disk is coming from optically thick emission at a temperature of ∼400 K. 13CO2 is optically thinner and based on a lower temperature of ∼325 K, and thus may be tracing deeper into the disk and/or a larger emitting radius than 12CO2. The derived N CO 2 / N H 2 O ratio is orders of magnitude higher than previously derived for GW Lup and other targets based on Spitzer-InfraRed-Spectrograph data. This high column density ratio may be due to an inner cavity with a radius in between the H2O and CO2 snowlines and/or an overall lower disk temperature. This paper demonstrates the unique ability of JWST to probe inner disk structures and chemistry through weak, previously unseen molecular features.
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4. |
- Henning, Thomas, et al.
(author)
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MINDS : The JWST MIRI Mid-INfrared Disk Survey
- 2024
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In: Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. - 0004-6280 .- 1538-3873. ; 136:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The study of protoplanetary disks has become increasingly important with the Kepler satellite finding that exoplanets are ubiquitous around stars in our galaxy and the discovery of enormous diversity in planetary system architectures and planet properties. High-resolution near-IR and ALMA images show strong evidence for ongoing planet formation in young disks. The JWST MIRI mid-INfrared Disk Survey (MINDS) aims to (1) investigate the chemical inventory in the terrestrial planet-forming zone across stellar spectral type, (2) follow the gas evolution into the disk dispersal stage, and (3) study the structure of protoplanetary and debris disks in the thermal mid-IR. The MINDS survey will thus build a bridge between the chemical inventory of disks and the properties of exoplanets. The survey comprises 52 targets (Herbig Ae stars, T Tauri stars, very low-mass stars and young debris disks). We primarily obtain MIRI/MRS spectra with high signal-to-noise ratio (∼100–500) covering the complete wavelength range from 4.9 to 27.9 μm. For a handful of selected targets we also obtain NIRSpec IFU high resolution spectroscopy (2.87–5.27 μm). We will search for signposts of planet formation in thermal emission of micron-sized dust—information complementary to near-IR scattered light emission from small dust grains and emission from large dust in the submillimeter wavelength domain. We will also study the spatial structure of disks in three key systems that have shown signposts for planet formation, TW Hya and HD 169142 using the MIRI coronagraph at 15.5 μm and 10.65 μm respectively and PDS 70 using NIRCam imaging in the 1.87 μm narrow and the 4.8 μm medium band filter. We provide here an overview of the MINDS survey and showcase the power of the new JWST mid-IR molecular spectroscopy with the TW Hya disk spectrum where we report the detection of the molecular ion CH3+ and the robust confirmation of HCO+ earlier detected with Spitzer.
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5. |
- Huang, Liping, et al.
(author)
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The contribution of sodium reduction and potassium increase to the blood pressure lowering observed in the Salt Substitute and Stroke Study
- 2024
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In: Journal of Human Hypertension. - : Springer Nature. - 0950-9240 .- 1476-5527. ; 38:4, s. 298-306
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Salt Substitute and Stroke Study (SSaSS) demonstrated significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP), and the risk of stroke, major cardiovascular events and total mortality with the use of potassium-enriched salt. The contribution of sodium reduction versus potassium increase to these effects is unknown. We identified four different data sources describing the association between sodium reduction, potassium supplementation and change in SBP. We then fitted a series of models to estimate the SBP reductions expected for the differences in sodium and potassium intake in SSaSS, derived from 24-h urine collections. The proportions of the SBP reduction separately attributable to sodium reduction and potassium supplementation were calculated. The observed SBP reduction in SSaSS was -3.3 mmHg with a corresponding mean 15.2 mmol reduction in 24-h sodium excretion and a mean 20.6 mmol increase in 24-h potassium excretion. Assuming 90% of dietary sodium intake and 70% of dietary potassium intake were excreted through urine, the models projected falls in SBP of between -1.67 (95% confidence interval: -4.06 to +0.73) mmHg and -5.33 (95% confidence interval: -8.58 to -2.08) mmHg. The estimated proportional contribution of sodium reduction to the SBP fall ranged between 12 and 39% for the different models fitted. Sensitivity analyses assuming different proportional urinary excretion of dietary sodium and potassium intake showed similar results. In every model, the majority of the SBP lowering effect in SSaSS was estimated to be attributable to the increase in dietary potassium rather than the fall in dietary sodium.
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6. |
- Islam, Sheikh Mohammed Shariful, et al.
(author)
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Effect of text messaging on depression in patients with coronary heart disease: a substudy analysis from the TEXT ME randomised controlled trial
- 2019
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In: BMJ Open. - : BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP. - 2044-6055. ; 9:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective We aimed to evaluate the effects on depression scores of a lifestyle-focused cardiac support programme delivered via mobile phone text messaging among patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Design Substudy and secondary analysis of a parallel-group, single-blind randomised controlled trial of patients with CHD. Setting A tertiary hospital in Sydney, Australia. Intervention The Tobacco, Exercise and dieT MEssages programme comprised four text messages per week for 6 months that provided education, motivation and support on diet, physical activity, general cardiac education and smoking, if relevant. The programme did not have any specific mental health component. Outcomes Depression scores at 6 months measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Treatment effect across subgroups was measured using log-binomial regression model for the binary outcome (depressed/not depressed, where depressed is any score of PHQ-9 amp;gt;= 5) with treatment, subgroup and treatment by subgroup interaction as fixed effects. Results Depression scores at 6 months were lower in the intervention group compared with the control group, mean difference 1.9 (95% CI 1.5 to 2.4, pamp;lt;0.0001). The frequency of mild or greater depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 scores amp;gt;= 5) at 6 months was 21/333 (6.3%) in the intervention group and 86/350 (24.6%) in the control group (relative risk (RR) 0.26, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.40, pamp;lt;0.001). This proportional reduction in depressive symptoms was similar across groups defined by age, sex, education, body mass index, physical activity, current smoking, current drinking and history of depression, diabetes and hypertension. In particular, the rates of PHQ-9 amp;gt;= 5 among people with a history of depression were 4/44 (9.1%) vs 29/62 (46.8%) in intervention vs control (RR 0.19, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.51, pamp;lt;0.001), and were 17/289 (5.9%) vs 57/288 (19.8%) among others (RR 0.30, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.50, pamp;lt;0.001). Conclusions Among people with CHD, a cardiac support programme delivered via mobile phone text messaging was associated with fewer symptoms of mild-to-moderate depression at 6 months in the treatment group compared with controls.
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7. |
- Kamp, Inga, et al.
(author)
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The chemical inventory of the inner regions of planet-forming disks - the JWST/MINDS program
- 2023
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In: Faraday discussions. - 1359-6640 .- 1364-5498. ; 245, s. 112-137
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The understanding of planet formation has changed recently, embracing the new idea of pebble accretion. This means that the influx of pebbles from the outer regions of planet-forming disks to their inner zones could determine the composition of planets and their atmospheres. The solid and molecular components delivered to the planet-forming region can be best characterized by mid-infrared spectroscopy. With Spitzer low-resolution (R = 100, 600) spectroscopy, this approach was limited to the detection of abundant molecules, such as H2O, C2H2, HCN and CO2. This contribution will present the first results of the MINDS (MIRI mid-INfrared Disk Survey, PI:Th Henning) project. Due do the sensitivity and spectral resolution provided by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), we now have a unique tool to obtain the full inventory of chemistry in the inner disks of solar-type stars and brown dwarfs, including also less-abundant hydrocarbons and isotopologues. The Integral Field Unit (IFU) capabilities will enable at the same time spatial studies of the continuum and line emission in extended sources such as debris disks, the flying saucer and also the search for mid-IR signatures of forming planets in systems such as PDS 70. These JWST observations are complementary to ALMA and NOEMA observations of outer-disk chemistry; together these datasets will provide an integral view of the processes occurring during the planet-formation phase.
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8. |
- Kanukula, Raju, et al.
(author)
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Does Co-administration of Antihypertensive Drugs and Statins Alter Their Efficacy and Safety? : A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
- 2019
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In: Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology. - 0160-2446 .- 1533-4023. ; 73:6, s. 352-358
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Antihypertensive drugs (AHTDs) and statins are frequently administered together, but there is uncertainty on whether the presence of one affects the main effects of the other. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effects of coadministered AHTDs and statins on blood pressure (BP) and cholesterol. MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and drug regulatory agency websites were searched, until January 2018. Twelve double-blind randomized controlled trials that allocated adults with or without hypertension and/or hyperlipidemia (n = 4434) to fixed doses of AHTD alone, statin alone and both drugs together, for >= 4 weeks, were included. BP lowering was similar with AHTD + statin compared with AHTD alone [systolic BP -0.1 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval (CI), -1.0 to 0.8, and diastolic BP -1.0 mm Hg, 95% CI, -2.3 to -0.2]. AHTD + statin compared with statin alone resulted in small reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-3.9 mg/dL, 95% CI, -6.1 to -1.7), and this effect was largely associated with co-administration of amlodipine and atorvastatin or rosuvastatin. There was no difference in safety outcomes. Overall, it can be concluded that there is no clinically important difference in the effects of AHTDs and statins whether used separately or together for reduction in BP and lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol.
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9. |
- Karmali, Kunal N., et al.
(author)
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Blood pressure-lowering treatment strategies based on cardiovascular risk versus blood pressure : A meta-analysis of individual participant data
- 2018
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In: PLoS Medicine. - : PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE. - 1549-1277 .- 1549-1676. ; 15:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Clinical practice guidelines have traditionally recommended blood pressure treatment based primarily on blood pressure thresholds. In contrast, using predicted cardiovascular risk has been advocated as a more effective strategy to guide treatment decisions for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. We aimed to compare outcomes from a blood pressure-lowering treatment strategy based on predicted cardiovascular risk with one based on systolic blood pressure (SBP) level.Methods and findings: We used individual participant data from the Blood Pressure Lowering Treatment Trialists' Collaboration (BPLTTC) from 1995 to 2013. Trials randomly assigned participants to either blood pressure-lowering drugs versus placebo or more intensive versus less intensive blood pressure-lowering regimens. We estimated 5-y risk of CVD events using a multivariable Weibull model previously developed in this dataset. We compared the two strategies at specific SBP thresholds and across the spectrum of risk and blood pressure levels studied in BPLTTC trials. The primary outcome was number of CVD events avoided per persons treated. We included data from 11 trials (47,872 participants). During a median of 4.0 y of follow-up, 3,566 participants (7.5%) experienced a major cardiovascular event. Areas under the curve comparing the two treatment strategies throughout the range of possible thresholds for CVD risk and SBP demonstrated that, on average, a greater number of CVD events would be avoided for a given number of persons treated with the CVD risk strategy compared with the SBP strategy (area under the curve 0.71 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70-0.72] for the CVD risk strategy versus 0.54 [95% CI 0.53-0.55] for the SBP strategy). Compared with treating everyone with SBP >= 150 mmHg, a CVD risk strategy would require treatment of 29% (95% CI 26%-31%) fewer persons to prevent the same number of events or would prevent 16% (95% CI 14%-18%) more events for the same number of persons treated. Compared with treating everyone with SBP >= 140 mmHg, a CVD risk strategy would require treatment of 3.8% (95% CI 12.5% fewer to 7.2% more) fewer persons to prevent the same number of events or would prevent 3.1% (95% CI 1.5%-5.0%) more events for the same number of persons treated, although the former estimate was not statistically significant. In subgroup analyses, the CVD risk strategy did not appear to be more beneficial than the SBP strategy in patients with diabetes mellitus or established CVD.Conclusions: A blood pressure-lowering treatment strategy based on predicted cardiovascular risk is more effective than one based on blood pressure levels alone across a range of thresholds. These results support using cardiovascular risk assessment to guide blood pressure treatment decision-making in moderate- to high-risk individuals, particularly for primary prevention.
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10. |
- Lozano, Rafael, et al.
(author)
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Measuring progress from 1990 to 2017 and projecting attainment to 2030 of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals for 195 countries and territories: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
- 2018
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In: The Lancet. - : Elsevier. - 1474-547X .- 0140-6736. ; 392:10159, s. 2091-2138
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Efforts to establish the 2015 baseline and monitor early implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight both great potential for and threats to improving health by 2030. To fully deliver on the SDG aim of “leaving no one behind”, it is increasingly important to examine the health-related SDGs beyond national-level estimates. As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 (GBD 2017), we measured progress on 41 of 52 health-related SDG indicators and estimated the health-related SDG index for 195 countries and territories for the period 1990–2017, projected indicators to 2030, and analysed global attainment. Methods: We measured progress on 41 health-related SDG indicators from 1990 to 2017, an increase of four indicators since GBD 2016 (new indicators were health worker density, sexual violence by non-intimate partners, population census status, and prevalence of physical and sexual violence [reported separately]). We also improved the measurement of several previously reported indicators. We constructed national-level estimates and, for a subset of health-related SDGs, examined indicator-level differences by sex and Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile. We also did subnational assessments of performance for selected countries. To construct the health-related SDG index, we transformed the value for each indicator on a scale of 0–100, with 0 as the 2·5th percentile and 100 as the 97·5th percentile of 1000 draws calculated from 1990 to 2030, and took the geometric mean of the scaled indicators by target. To generate projections through 2030, we used a forecasting framework that drew estimates from the broader GBD study and used weighted averages of indicator-specific and country-specific annualised rates of change from 1990 to 2017 to inform future estimates. We assessed attainment of indicators with defined targets in two ways: first, using mean values projected for 2030, and then using the probability of attainment in 2030 calculated from 1000 draws. We also did a global attainment analysis of the feasibility of attaining SDG targets on the basis of past trends. Using 2015 global averages of indicators with defined SDG targets, we calculated the global annualised rates of change required from 2015 to 2030 to meet these targets, and then identified in what percentiles the required global annualised rates of change fell in the distribution of country-level rates of change from 1990 to 2015. We took the mean of these global percentile values across indicators and applied the past rate of change at this mean global percentile to all health-related SDG indicators, irrespective of target definition, to estimate the equivalent 2030 global average value and percentage change from 2015 to 2030 for each indicator. Findings: The global median health-related SDG index in 2017 was 59·4 (IQR 35·4–67·3), ranging from a low of 11·6 (95% uncertainty interval 9·6–14·0) to a high of 84·9 (83·1–86·7). SDG index values in countries assessed at the subnational level varied substantially, particularly in China and India, although scores in Japan and the UK were more homogeneous. Indicators also varied by SDI quintile and sex, with males having worse outcomes than females for non-communicable disease (NCD) mortality, alcohol use, and smoking, among others. Most countries were projected to have a higher health-related SDG index in 2030 than in 2017, while country-level probabilities of attainment by 2030 varied widely by indicator. Under-5 mortality, neonatal mortality, maternal mortality ratio, and malaria indicators had the most countries with at least 95% probability of target attainment. Other indicators, including NCD mortality and suicide mortality, had no countries projected to meet corresponding SDG targets on the basis of projected mean values for 2030 but showed some probability of attainment by 2030. For some indicators, including child malnutrition, several infectious diseases, and most violence measures, the annualised rates of change required to meet SDG targets far exceeded the pace of progress achieved by any country in the recent past. We found that applying the mean global annualised rate of change to indicators without defined targets would equate to about 19% and 22% reductions in global smoking and alcohol consumption, respectively; a 47% decline in adolescent birth rates; and a more than 85% increase in health worker density per 1000 population by 2030. Interpretation: The GBD study offers a unique, robust platform for monitoring the health-related SDGs across demographic and geographic dimensions. Our findings underscore the importance of increased collection and analysis of disaggregated data and highlight where more deliberate design or targeting of interventions could accelerate progress in attaining the SDGs. Current projections show that many health-related SDG indicators, NCDs, NCD-related risks, and violence-related indicators will require a concerted shift away from what might have driven past gains—curative interventions in the case of NCDs—towards multisectoral, prevention-oriented policy action and investments to achieve SDG aims. Notably, several targets, if they are to be met by 2030, demand a pace of progress that no country has achieved in the recent past. The future is fundamentally uncertain, and no model can fully predict what breakthroughs or events might alter the course of the SDGs. What is clear is that our actions—or inaction—today will ultimately dictate how close the world, collectively, can get to leaving no one behind by 2030.
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