Medicina Internacia Revuo

Evaluation of the use of individual inserts orthopaedic care in children aged 10-13 years

2025-06-18T17:01:31+02:00

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of customised orthotics in children aged 10-13 years.
Material and method: The study involved 40 patients referred by an orthopaedic surgeon for supinated orthotics with a diagnosis of pes planus, aged between 10 and 13 years. 22 boys and 18 girls. The tensometric mat podologia.pl and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used for static testing.
Results: The study showed reduction in lower limb pain in the number of pain points, while there was no significant efficacy in co-fixing tarsal valgus.
Conclusions: The research methods used show effectiveness in reducing pain, but do not affect foot correction.

Peering through the smoke: tobacco and smoking representation in Marvel and DC Noir comic books/ graphic novels

2025-06-18T17:25:30+02:00

Tobacco remains a leading cause of global mortality and morbidity. Although the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) has helped to curtail advertising in many countries, the portrayal of smoking in the media is still a concern. Previous research has highlighted high levels of smoking depictions in noir comic books/ graphic novels. This research sought to explore the level of smoking portrayals in noir comic books/ graphic novels from the world’s two largest publishers of such texts, Marvel and DC. This research also sought to explore differences in the rate of smoking portrayals between these publishers given that the Editor-In-Chief of Marvel has openly stated he was largely ending smoking portrayals in Marvel comic books/ graphic novels. Analysis revealed that Marvel noir comic books/ graphic novels featured few images of smoking compared to noir DC publications. This difference was statistically significant. This research suggests that key stakeholders can be highly influential in tobacco control. It also suggests that Public Health and Tobacco Control advocates should seek out and try to work proactively with the media.

No ordinary product: the problematic reality of alcohol-themed sweets and snacks

2025-06-18T17:28:14+02:00

Alcohol is a significant Commercial Determinant of Health (CDoH) that has profoundly negative impacts on public health in Ireland and throughout the world. An issue of concern is the presence of alcohol-related products in developing, maintaining, and propagating alcogenic/ intoxigenic environments. This issue is particularly problematic when it potentially relates to children and adolescents. Although Ireland has introduced the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, 2018, de facto alcohol advertising is still widespread there. Alcohol signalling remains evident in the life spaces of children through alcohol-themed sweets, snack, and confectionery. Guinness and Baileys are alcohol brands with a wide range of associated foodstuffs. An equivalent to the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) for alcohol is needed to prevent such de facto marketing to children. In addition, alcohol-themed sweets and snacks should only be placed on display within the restricted alcohol sections of shops introduced as part of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, 2018.

Proposed alcohol liberalisation legislation in Ireland: a clear & present danger to public health

2025-06-18T17:28:14+02:00

Alcohol is a Commercial Determinant of Health (CDoH) that results in significant levels of morbidity and mortality. These negative impacts are evident both globally and in Ireland. In response to this threat, the Irish Government passed the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, 2018. This legislation contained important alcohol-control initiatives, including Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP), controls on alcohol advertising, and the mandatory forthcoming introduction of alcohol warning labels. However, the Irish Government is currently considering new legislation to support the night-time economy that would jeopardise these positive developments. This commentary argues against the proposed legislation and calls for a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) to explore its potential impacts.