Browse Articles

The Cerebral Palsy Link Worker (CP LINK) study: Protocol for a feasibility study with integrated process evaluation

Background Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common lifelong physical disability in the UK and is linked to multiple social, psychological and health inequalities which are often amplified as this group ages. Most middle-aged and older people with CP are supported in their community by General Practitioners (GPs) and complain of disjointed and non-specialised care from people who have a poor understanding of their complex ageing needs. This points to the need for specialised holistic care for this group. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop ways to support people ageing with CP within their communities. Project aim To evaluate a co-developed specialised CP link worker role to support adults aged 40 and older ageing with CP in North Central London over 1 year. Methods We will undertake an evaluation of the link worker role by gathering data at baseline, 1-week and 3-months from participants who use the service. Feasibility outcomes will include recruitment and retention rates, acceptability of the intervention, completeness and quality of outcome data, and the practicality of collecting and analysing participant-reported outcome measures. Process evaluation outcomes will include insights into how the intervention was delivered and received, fidelity to the intervention model, contextual factors that influenced implementation, potential sustainability, and stakeholder experiences. This project has been co-developed with the charity UP – The Adult Cerebral Palsy Movement, and we will work alongside a lived experience advisory group and stakeholder advisory group throughout the project.

Correction: Optimizing bandwidth utilization and traffic control in ISP networks for enhanced smart agriculture

Association of loneliness with incident cardiovascular diseases in middle-aged and older Chinese adults

Loneliness, a significant social determinant of health, has been increasingly recognized for its potential to influence cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study aimed to delineate the relationship between loneliness and the incidence of CVD, specifically heart disease and stroke, among Chinese adults aged 45 and older. Utilizing data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), loneliness was assessed using a validated single-item measure. Incident CVD events, including heart disease and stroke, were ascertained through standardized interviews. We employed Cox proportional hazards models to calculate hazard ratios (HRs), adjusting for a comprehensive set of covariates. A longitudinal analysis of 8,046 participants initially free of CVD was conducted. During a 7-year follow-up period, 1,033 participants experienced incident CVD events. Loneliness was found to be an independent risk factor for CVD, with individuals reporting loneliness exhibiting a 42.9% higher risk of developing CVD (adjusted HR: 1.429; 95% CI, 1.251–1.632). Specifically, the risk of heart disease was elevated by 44.7% (adjusted HR: 1.447; 95% CI, 1.229–1.703), and the risk of stroke was increased by 27.9% (adjusted HR: 1.279; 95% CI, 1.035–1.580). This association was particularly pronounced among those without a history of hypertension, where the risk of CVD was elevated by 58.2% (adjusted HR: 1.582; 95% CI, 1.317–1.900). Our findings indicate that loneliness is significantly associated with an increased risk of CVD, specifically heart disease and stroke, among Chinese adults aged 45 and older. These results highlight the need to consider psychosocial factors in CVD prevention strategies.

Independent validation of circulating microRNAs as biomarkers in a case-control study of adolescents with type 1 diabetes for more than 8 years

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are epigenetic regulators of gene activity. Analysis of circulating miRNAs enables minimal-invasive studies of disease mechanisms and identification of novel disease biomarkers. The aim of this case-control validation study was to investigate previously identified circulating miRNAs in Swedish adolescents with long-duration (8.0–16.5 years) type 1 diabetes (T1D), and healthy matched controls to confirm their utility as biomarker candidates to diagnose and monitor the progression of T1D. Quantitative PCR analysis of 23 previously reported miRNAs was performed in 24 T1D and 24 control individuals. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Prospectively collected clinical data were retrieved from the Swedish diabetes quality registry. The selected miRNAs showed higher variability in both male and female T1D groups compared to controls. Statistical analysis confirmed differences for 12 miRNAs in comparison with controls, including miR-223-3p and miR-135a-5p, which previously were reported to be associated with T1D. MiR-34a-5p and miR-210-3p were positively associated with T1D duration and HbA1c (average from the last year), respectively. In conclusion, 12 previously reported miRNAs showed consistent differential expression between individuals with T1D and controls. Among these were miR-223-3p and miR-135a-5p, which are associated with cardiovascular/inflammatory disease and cancer, respectively. These findings suggest potential clinical utility of circulating miRNAs for T1D diagnosis and disease monitoring, although extended validation of the identified miRNA biomarkers in larger, independent cohorts is required to establish the necessary scientific evidence for clinical translation.

How to cope with Long COVID – A qualitative interview study on stressors and coping strategies of people affected by long-term consequences of COVID-19

Long COVID, a multi-system-disease characterized by persistent somatic and mental symptoms following a SARS-CoV-2 infection, can severely impair health and quality of life of those affected. In the absence of adequate therapeutic approaches and a fragmented care landscape, our focus is on identifying individual stressors, the resulting needs and strategies people use to cope with the ongoing burden of the disease and its long-term stressors. This qualitative interview study is part of a pilot multicenter study addressing psychosocial needs in patients with Long COVID. The surveyed sample (n = 40) consists of affected people, who suffer from persistent symptoms and psychosocial stress after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Based on the Transactional Stress Model according to Lazarus and Folkman and the Brief COPE by Carver, the qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews focused on the various and individual coping attempts of the interviewees. Participants reported a wide range of persistent physical and mental complaints. Fatigue-associated complaints, cognitive impairments, fears and worries were mentioned frequently and perceived as particularly stressful. Job insecurity and financial worries, lack of recognition, stigmatization, lack of treatment and therapy approaches, withdrawal and social isolation were reported as stressors. In most cases, we identified an interplay between emotion-oriented (such as emotional support, self-care and positive thinking) and problem-oriented coping strategies (such as planning/pacing, self-help, withdrawal and avoidance). Emotional support as the most frequently mentioned strategy and as a fundamental resource in coping with this disease should be strengthened. These findings offer a valuable insight into the diverse stressors and coping patterns in dealing with post-viral symptoms of COVID-19. The analysis reveals that complaints and attempts to cope vary significantly among the participants. This underlines the importance of providing tailored support to those affected to help them manage their symptoms, improve their quality of life and enable them to participate in social life again.

Experiences of women with disabilities during and after COVID-19: Needs, sources of support and implications for policy and practice

Approximately 700 million women and girls worldwide live with disabilities, facing compounded discrimination due to both gender and disability. Despite their large numbers, they are often excluded from decision-making and rendered invisible. Research shows that crisis such as nature disasters and public health crises affects people with disabilities more severely than the general population, and women more than men. Yet, studies focusing specifically on women with disabilities in such contexts remain scarce. The present qualitative study aimed to address this gap by analyzing 56 semi-structured interviews with women with motor and/or sensory impairments about their life experiences during COVID-19 and afterwards, using reflexive thematic analysis. Participants aged 26–69, mostly with motor impairments (66.1%), reported satisfaction with their health (71.4%). Findings are organized into four main themes and six sub-themes corresponding to the components of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) as follows: Physical and mental health through daily care and environmental contexts; Navigating accessibility and attitudinal barriers in daily life; Maintaining decision-making autonomy and financial independence; Family and social relationships as sources of support. The findings demonstrate multifaceted impacts on women with disabilities across personal, social, and contextual domains, during both stable periods and crises. To effectively address their needs, policymakers should incorporate the perspectives of women with disabilities in the planning of support programs for both routine periods and crises responses.

Effects of dietary glycyrrhiza polysaccharide on growth, serum biochemistry, and hepatic transcriptome in juvenile chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis)

The Chinese sturgeon ( Acipenser sinensis ), a critically endangered anadromous species, faces severe population declines due to habitat fragmentation and overfishing. This study investigates the effects of dietary Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide (GCP) on growth performance, serum biochemistry, and hepatic transcriptome in juvenile Chinese sturgeon. One hundred and twenty uniform-sized juveniles (365.6 ± 86.4 g, 45.2 ± 4.1 cm) were randomly allocated to four groups (n = 30; 3 × 10 fish). The experiment consisted of a basal diet supplemented with 0.0% (control), 0.5%, 1.0%, or 2.0% GCP. After 36 days of feeding, significant differences in growth performance were observed among the experimental groups. Compared with control, 2% GCP increased final body weight by 13.1% (699.6 ± 45.3 g vs 618.6 ± 27.0 g, P = 0.008) and reduced feed conversion ratio by 18% (1.15 ± 0.06 vs 1.40 ± 0.09, P = 0.003); serum IGF-1 rose 33% (12.52 ± 1.71 vs 9.44 ± 2.37 ng mL ⁻ ¹, P = 0.012). Hepatic transcriptome profiling identified 400 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the control and 2.0% GCP groups (214 up-regulated, 186 down-regulated), with pronounced enrichment in pathways governing energy metabolism, lipid biosynthesis, and cellular proliferation. Transcriptomics (|log₂FC| ≥ 1, FDR < 0.01) revealed 400 differentially expressed genes enriched in lipid metabolism and GH-IGF-1 signaling. Key upregulated genes included those involved in lipid synthesis, glycolysis, and growth signaling. The findings demonstrate that dietary supplementation of 2.0% GCP significantly enhances growth performance in juvenile Chinese sturgeon by modulating endocrine signaling and upregulating metabolic pathways, providing a molecular foundation for GCP’s role in improving aquaculture productivity and conservation strategies.

Intraspecific identification of Actinidia eriantha Benth. based on chloroplast genes

Objective This study aimed to identify specific DNA barcodes based on the chloroplast genome of Actinidia eriantha Benth. and to utilize these barcodes for the identification of germplasm resources from different geographic origins. Methods The chloroplast genome of A. eriantha samples were sequenced using the Illumina NovaSeq PE150 platform. Specific highly variable regions were identified through mVISTA alignment and nucleotide diversity analysis. Haplotypes of samples from various regions were further analyzed based on the selected DNA barcode candidate fragments. Results The complete chloroplast genomes of three A. eriantha from different locations were 156,955–157,100 bp in length and exhibited a typical quadripartite circular structure, with 88 genes annotated in each genome. Comparative analyses with mVISTA and nucleotide diversity indices identified matK , trnK(UUU) , ycf1 , and the atpH_atpI intergenic spacer as candidate regions for specific DNA barcodes. Among these, trnK(UUU) , ycf1 , and atpH_atpI were selected for further analysis based on PCR amplification efficiency. Sequencing of these three regions across 223 samples from 21 locations in six provinces revealed 7, 10, and 39 polymorphic sites, respectively, which defined 6, 4, and 6 haplotypes. A combined analysis of the three loci identified 56 polymorphic sites and 12 distinct haplotypes (Hap1-Hap12), with pairwise genetic distances ranging from 0 to 1.96%. Six haplotypes were found to be unique to specific geographic regions, suggesting their potential as molecular markers for tracing the geographic origin of A. eriantha . Conclusion The chloroplast gene regions trnK(UUU) , ycf1 , and atpH_atpI , identified through comparative chloroplast genomics, serve as effective DNA barcodes for the intraspecific identification of A. eriantha germplasm. These markers provide a molecular basis for future efforts in geographic origin tracing, germplasm conservation, and breeding of this species.

Construction of a Two‐Dimensional Molecular Slab with a π‐Extended Hexaarylbenzene Molecule

Abstract We demonstrate a unique approach to a 2D molecular slab in the solid state by designing a π‐extended hexaarylbenzene molecule, hexa(naphthothiophene diimide)‐substituted benzene (NTI6). The six naphthothiophene diimide (NTI) moieties of NTI6 were found to stand almost perpendicularly to the central benzene core both in solution and in the solid state, realizing a 3D shape‐persistent molecular structure. In the solid state, four of the six NTI units participated in π‐stacking intermolecular interactions in two different directions (the crystallographic a ‐ and b ‐axis directions). In addition, the remaining two NTI units interacted with neighboring molecules in an edge‐to‐edge manner in the crystallographic (110) direction. Theoretical calculations showed that the intra‐ and intermolecular overlaps of LUMOs efficiently spread within the 2D molecular slab, ensuring the formation of a 2D interactive electronic structure suitable as the active channel of organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs). Indeed, the NTI6‐based solution‐processed OFETs exhibited electron mobility on the order of 10 −2 cm 2 V −1 s −1 , corroborating the presence of a 2D electronic structure within the molecular slab.

Evaluation of GSMaP and MSWEP precipitation products for runoff simulation in the Lhasa River Basin

COX7A1-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction can induce ferroptosis in endometrial cancer cells

In endometrial cancer, research on ferroptosis is still in its nascent stages, yet its potential therapeutic value is becoming increasingly evident. We explore the impact of COX7A1 on mitochondrial dysfunction and ferroptosis in endometrial cancer. In this study, through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis, differentially expressed genes related to ferroptosis in endometrial cancer were identified. In vitro experiments were conducted using cytochrome c oxidase subunit 7A1 (COX7A1) overexpression and knockdown cell lines, followed by ferroptosis-related phenotypic assays to validate the effect of COX7A1 on the inhibition of endometrial cancer cell growth. Mechanistically, mitochondrial function-related parameters were assessed to explore the potential mechanisms by which COX7A1 induces ferroptosis. Online data analysis revealed that COX7A1 acts as a ferroptosis driver and is significantly downregulated in endometrial cancer tissues. In vitro experiments have demonstrated that overexpression of COX7A1 inhibits the proliferation of endometrial cancer cells and induces ferroptosis by regulating intracellular iron metabolism and mitochondrial function. The specific mechanisms include increasing intracellular Fe 2+ and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, decreasing the GSH/GSSG ratio, and disrupting mitochondrial membrane potential, thereby leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, COX7A1 overexpression significantly reduces the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and SLC7A11, while upregulating acyl-coenzyme A synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4). In contrast, knockdown of COX7A1 promotes the proliferation of endometrial cancer cells and inhibits ferroptosis, exhibiting the opposite effects. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of endometrial cancer.

An adaptive hybrid quadrature scheme: Combining Simpson’s rule and Gaussian quadrature for enhanced numerical integration

This study develops a novel adaptive hybrid quadrature that combines Simpson’s 1/3 rule with Gauss-Legendre quadrature to overcome the classical difficulties in performing numerical integration. Classical methods may encounter challenges in achieving a good balance between computational cost and precision, especially when it comes to functions characterized by strongly varying behaviors across their domains. We address these issues via an intelligent adaptation mechanism that reallocates computing resources dynamically on localized function features. We rigorously analyse its convergence properties analytically and prove optimal error estimates in the sense of fourth order accuracy with a strong performance improvement. The hybrid error estimation methodology is based on the mathematical inconsistency of polynomial interpolation and orthogonal polynomial approximation which provides an effective device for local error evaluation. Extensive numerical results indicate that the proposed scheme is consistently better than several existing schemes with significant reduction in function evaluations and acceptable accuracy for different test functions. The proposed framework reduces computational costs by up to 62% when compared to traditional adaptive methods. It maintains similar precision. We carefully examine implementation details, complexity analysis, and practical deployment factors. This work is particularly relevant for scientific computing applications that require high-precision integration in computational physics, engineering simulations, and financial mathematics.

Medical student research productivity and scholarly impact: A 20-year bibliometric comparison with medical residents

Research experience during medical school is widely recognized as a valuable component of medical education and an increasingly emphasized aspect of residency applications. However, growing research productivity among medical students has led to concerns regarding the quality and translatability of the research. To assess the impact of medical student-authored research, we compared it with resident-authored research across a 20-year period using a cohort study and bibliometric analysis of 1,443 student-authored and 5,365 resident-authored PubMed-indexed articles published from 2003 to 2023. NIH iCite Relative Citation Ratio (RCR), a field-and-time normalized measure of article influence, was utilized to quantify research quality. We identified publications authored by medical students or residents using standardized affiliation-based queries. Primary outcomes included publication volume, citation count, and RCR. Secondary analyses compared article impact by study design, specialty, and geographic origin. We found that medical student publications increased 15-fold from 2003 to 2023 (from <10 to ~150 per year). Moreover, despite publishing less overall volume than residents, medical student publications demonstrated greater scholarly impact than medical resident publications over this period (RCR 0.47 vs 0.26; p = 0.02). By 2023, the median relative citation ratio of medical student-authored publications was 0.8, approaching the benchmark for a median NIH-funded article (RCR = 1.0). Medical students published nearly twice as many articles in surgical specialties as medical specialties but with comparable median RCRs (0.44 vs 0.47; p = 0.73). Additionally, the median RCR of both U.S. and international medical student publications significantly increased over the past two decades. In conclusion, medical student research output has grown substantially, and our analysis demonstrates that medical students contribute impactful research that is frequently cited and built upon. These findings underscore the importance of student-led scholarship and continued support for medical student research opportunities. To facilitate future benchmarking of trainee research, we also provide ImpactLens : https://impactlensgit.netlify.app/ .

Chemical-mineralogical features and physical properties of archaeological adobe: The evidence from Tell Zurghul/Nigin (Dhi Qar, Iraq)

This study examines the chemical, mineralogical, hydric, and mechanical properties of archaeological adobe bricks and earthen plasters from the site of Tell Zurghul/Nigin in southern Iraq, which are associated with recently excavated buildings dated to the 5 th and 3 rd millennium BCE. As integral components of earthen architecture, adobe structures are susceptible to rapid deterioration when subjected to environmental conditions and other degradation factors. Consequently, their preservation is a critical focus within cultural heritage initiatives involving earthen constructions. A comprehensive understanding of the materials used in buildings and their inherent properties is essential for identifying optimal conservation methods for archaeological earthen structures. The research is driven by two primary objectives. Firstly, it seeks to explore construction techniques within a diachronic framework, assessing their temporal evolution while considering the geological context and availability of local raw materials. Secondly, mineralogical and chemical analyses, alongside hydric and mechanical tests, aim to evaluate the characteristics of the adobe bricks, including their resistance and durability against weathering.

Structural Revision of the C ₁₆ Sesquiterpene Hegelenether and the Mechanism of C6‐Methylation in Terpene Biosynthesis

Abstract Non‐canonical methylation events generate terpene structures that evade classical biosynthetic predictions, as exemplified by the proposed C 16 terpene hegelenether. Here, we show that this natural product is misassigned and revise its structure to the dihydroxylated sesquiterpenoid marxdiol. Its absolute configuration and that of its precursor prekantenol pyrophosphate were determined through terpene synthase‐mediated incorporation of stereoselectively labeled probes. To explain the initiating C6 methylation, we solved the crystal structure of the methyltransferase C6‐FPP‐MT with SAH and FPP, revealing a compact aromatic pocket that enforces Si ‐face methylation and Glu165‐mediated deprotonation. These insights define how the active site controls regio‐ and stereochemistry and provide a structural basis for identifying related methyl‐modified terpenes in uncharacterized biosynthetic pathways.

Transforming the automotive industry: Defining, clustering, and efficiency analysis of the next-generation automotive ecosystem

Using firm-level data, this study explores how next-generation automotive innovations are reshaping the automotive industry. The sector is now transitioning from a previously defined vertically integrated supply chain into a more horizontal ecosystem in which multiple companies collaborate to build next-generation vehicles. To define and categorize this ecosystem, this study classifies firms into three major groups of electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous vehicles (AVs), and general automotive technologies (GATs) by employing K-means clustering based on patent data. This study then measures firm efficiency in each ecosystem using meta-frontier analysis to compare their technical efficiency over the periods 2017–2019 and 2020–2022. The results show that the EV ecosystem led the initial growth while the GAT ecosystem continued to make steady progress. Later, the AV ecosystem exhibited remarkable technological innovation and efficiency gains. These findings indicate that efficiency dynamics and technology gaps differ systematically across ecosystems, reflecting heterogeneous innovation trajectories within the broader industrial transformation. Overall, our findings clarify the growth potential and trajectories in the automotive industry, thereby providing insights for stakeholders seeking to navigate this rapidly changing landscape and contributing to a clearer understanding of the next-generation automotive ecosystem.

Nitrogen-protected thermal induction combined with Microbial Transglutaminase (MTG) cross-linking enhances functional properties and gel structure of Soy Protein Isolate relevant to gel-based feed formulation

Protein-based gel matrices are increasingly explored for feed applications requiring soft or semi-solid formulations, but achieving strong gelation along with high water- and oil-holding capacities at low protein concentrations remains challenging. In this study, soy protein isolate (SPI) was modified via nitrogen-protected thermal induction followed by microbial transglutaminase (MTG) cross-linking to enhance its suitability as a gel-feed matrix. Single-factor and orthogonal experimental designs were used to investigate the effects of SPI concentration, MTG dosage, reaction temperature, reaction time, and pH on macroscopic gelation (measured as apparent viscosity), nitrogen solubility index (NSI), water-holding capacity (WHC), oil-holding capacity (OHC), and microstructure (SEM). Under optimized conditions—10% SPI, 0.3% MTG, 50 °C, 3 h, pH 7—gelation increased by approximately 373%, WHC improved by 222%, and OHC increased by 150%, while SEM confirmed the formation of a more regular three-dimensional network compared with native SPI. These results indicate that dual-modified SPI exhibits enhanced functional properties relevant to gel-feed formulations, providing a practical foundation for laboratory-scale process optimization. Further pilot-scale evaluation and biological validation are warranted to assess scalability, processing efficiency, and performance in target animal applications.

Association of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR) with 90-day mortality in acute pancreatitis: A MIMIC-IV database analysis

The non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR) is a new composite lipid index. Blood lipid levels are closely associated with the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP), but the relationship between NHHR and mortality in AP patients remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the connection between NHHR and the mortality of patients with AP within 90 days. A total of 454 adult participants with AP from the MIMIC-IV database were categorized into three groups based on their NHHR levels. We employed a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model to assess the relationship between NHHR and 90-day mortality in AP patients. Additionally, we utilized the random forest method to identify the ten most significant risk factors associated with mortality in AP, which was subsequently used to build a prediction model. Out of the patients with AP, 27 died within 90 days. After adjusting for various factors, the hazard ratios for mortality across the tertiles of the NHHR (from the lowest to the highest tertiles: Q1–Q3) were as follows: 1.00 (reference), 1.47 (95% CI: 0.47–4.66), and 4.07 (95% CI: 1.43–11.60). Additionally, the area under the curve (AUC) for our AP mortality prediction model is 0.867 (95% CI: 0.769–0.964). Our findings indicate that a high level of NHHR is closely associated with the mortality of AP, serving as a simple index to predict the prognosis of AP patients.

Talker identification under adverse auditory conditions-The impacts of noise, channel, language, and familiarity

Purpose Talker identification is a crucial auditory skill that underpins human social communication and forensic applications. However, real-world conditions pose several challenges-such as environmental noise, channel variability, language familiarity, and talker familiarity-that can undermine the accuracy of auditory identification. In light of the limitations and insights from previous studies, the present study employed auditory experiments to systematically examine the impact of these four adverse factors on talker identification. Methods The study aimed to address two questions: (1) whether the independent and interactive effects among these factors are significant, and (2) whether lab-training can enhance talker identification accuracy. Using a voice line-up paradigm, this study conducted a perception experiment where speech stimuli were presented under four primary conditions: noise (No Noise vs. Noise), channel (High-quality vs. High-quality; Landline vs. Landline, High-quality vs. Landline), language (Mandarin, Reversed Mandarin, English, Reversed English), and speaker familiarity (assessed through listening tests and lab training). Auditory responses to the stimuli under these adverse conditions were collected from 53 listeners. Results The findings indicate that environmental noise and channel variability have significantly negative effects on talker identification, while intelligible speech yields superior performance under adverse conditions compared to unintelligible reversed speech. Furthermore, the study found that lab-training (i.e., increasing talker familiarity) could enhance talker identification accuracy under adverse conditions, although it does not improve accuracy under no noise and high-quality channel conditions. Conclusion This paper systematically examines the interactive effects of multiple adverse factors on talker identification, thereby advancing our understanding of the auditory mechanisms underlying human social speech communication and providing important theoretical support for auditory examination techniques in forensic speaker identification.

Impact of housing allowance programme on the physical and mental health of households in South Korea

Excessive housing costs significantly affect household financial stability and overall well-being. This study investigated the impact of South Korea’s housing allowance programme on the physical and mental health of household heads, utilising data from the Korea Welfare Panel Study (2009–2021). To overcome selection bias, we employed propensity score matching to construct a comparable control group. We then estimated a two-way fixed effects event study model to assess the dynamic health impacts following the programme’s significant reform in 2015. Our analysis confirms the absence of pre-existing differential trends, supporting the validity of our research design. The results indicate that the policy’s positive effects were not immediate but emerged over time. A statistically significant reduction in depression appeared approximately four years post-reform. For physical health, a consistent and statistically significant improvement was observed from 2017 onwards, highlighting a delayed but sustained positive impact. The findings, validated by a rigorous quasi-experimental design, emphasise the critical role of housing welfare policies in promoting health equity and suggest the benefits of such policies may accumulate over time.