Health technology assessment(HTA)is an important tool to inform health decision-making.Although highly related to ethical issues in the context of HTA,equity has attracted much attention from the academia,a consensus has not yet been reached on how to define and evaluate equity in China and abroad.It introduces the concept of equity,pointes out the necessity to realize health equity and the reflection of equity in healthcare sector,and further elaborates four ways to consider equity,and described the official practice of equity in HTA at home and abroad.It proposes several suggestions for China's HTA:considering equity in HTA and the discussion of equity should depend on specific decision-making scenarios;clarifying what health measurement perspective should be adopted before measuring health equity;paying attention to the value judgment of equity adopted by various stakeholders;conducting basic researches on the general population's preference for health measurement perspectives and value judgments of equity in China in a gesture to improve the evaluation system of equity in HTA.

Objective:To investigate the etiological distribution of severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children in Hebei Province.Methods:The nasopharyngeal swab samples and clinical data from 314 children with severe pneumonia were retrospectively analyzed between January 2014 and January 2016.Results:Among the 314 children, 298 (94.94%) showed positive result for pathogens in their nasopharyngeal swab samples, with 246 cases (78.34%) of multiple pathogens, predominantly mixed viruses and bacteria (206 cases, 65.61%). A total of 848 strains of pathogens were detected, including 483 strains (56.96%) of viruses, predominantly respiratory syncytial virus with 97 strains of subtype A and 86 strains of B. Bacteria and atypical pathogens ( Mycoplasma pneumoniae) had 365 strains (43.04%), mainly Streptococcus pneumoniae (220 strains) and Haemophilus influenzae (119 strains). The detection rate of pathogens was higher in children under one year of age ( χ2=21.389, P<0.001). There were no significant differences in different seasons, but the detection rates of respiratory syncytial virus A, respiratory syncytial virus B, and Streptococcus pneumoniae were higher in autumn, winter, and spring, respectively, with statistically significant differences ( χ2=22.205, P<0.001; χ2=37.874, P<0.001; χ2=11.380, P=0.009). Conclusions:Nasopharyngeal swab sample testing in children with severe pneumonia typically shows a coexistence of viral and bacterial pathogens, with detection rates varying among different age groups and seasons. Nasopharyngeal swab sample testing for pathogens provides valuable references for the identification of clinical pathogens.

ObjectiveTo analyze the satisfaction of service recipients with the preliminary assessment service of the unified elderly care needs evaluation in Shanghai， so as to provide reference for further optimization of the service system. MethodsA multi-stage random sampling method was employed to recruit participants. A total of 110 individuals who had received unified elderly care needs evaluation service in six districts of Shanghai were investigated using a structured questionnaire. SPSS 25.0 was used to analyze the data. Univariate analyses were conducted using the Chi-square test and Fisher’s precision probability test， while multivariate analysis was performed using ordinal regression. ResultsThere were differences in satisfaction with various aspects of the preliminary assessment process among participants from different areas， with those from outer suburbs generally exhibiting lower satisfaction （P<0.01）. Multivariate analysis results indicated that satisfaction with the timing of the preliminary assessment was related to the service recipients’ residential area and their primary source of income； satisfaction with the service attitude and capability of the assessment personnel was only related to the residential area. Satisfaction with the preliminary evaluation results was related to the participants’ marital status， educational level， income level， and the specific rating results. ConclusionThe satisfaction level with the preliminary assessment of the unified elderly care needs assessment in Shanghai is relatively high. In the process of evaluation， a deeper analysis and exploration of individual needs based on various personal information are essential to ensure the appropriateness of the provided elderly care services， and thereby effectively enhancing recipient satisfaction.

ObjectiveTo clarify the perception of the work and satisfaction levels among personnel conducting unified elderly care needs assessment in Shanghai， to analyze the factors influencing their job satisfaction， and to provide references for optimizing the job satisfaction of unified elderly care needs assessment personnel in Shanghai. MethodsA survey was conducted among 93 assessment personnel randomly selected from 29 elderly care needs assessment agencies in Shanghai. The personnel’s perception of their work and their levels of job satisfaction were examined. Chi-square test and Fisher’s precision probability test were used to compare regional differences， while the two-factor theory was employed to analyze the factors influencing job satisfaction. ResultsRegarding perception of the work， 92.5% of the surveyed personnel believed their work was important. Moreover， 87.1% were interested in their assessment tasks， and 84.9% believed they made a positive contribution to the assessment work and the assessment position was in line with their personal preferences. Regarding job satisfaction， 83.9% of the participants were satisfied with their assessment work， 78.5% considered the workload appropriate， and 74.2% found the working hours suitable. Additionally， 65.6% expressed satisfaction with the level of cooperation from the assessment subjects， while 94.6% and 91.4% of the personnel were satisfied with the support provided by the assessment agencies and had a sense of belonging， respectively. Furthermore， 65.6% of the personnel expressed satisfaction with their job compensation and benefits. Hygiene factors affecting job satisfaction included salary and compensation， workload， time spent on the job and institutional support related to external assistance， job suitability， teamwork， and client cooperation （P<0.05）， while motivational factors included recognition of the significance of the job， sense of achievement， interest in the job， sense of belonging， and opportunities for personal growth （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe overall work cognition and satisfaction of unified elderly care needs assessment personnel in Shanghai towards their work are relatively positive. Main issues include the heavy workload and actual job subsidies not meeting expectations. It is recommended to improve the standardization of the assessment process， establish a professional team of assessment personnel， and enhance the compensation and incentive mechanisms to continuously increase staff satisfaction.

Objective To analyze serum characteristics and determine the reference range for thyroid function among healthy 11～16 year-old teenagers in Xi'an in order to offer a theoretical basis for clinical diagnosis and therapy.Methods A sum of 1 378 healthy 11～16 year-old teenagers who met the inclusion criteria from the First Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Medical University(Xijing Hospital)between January 2020 and December 2022 were selected as research subjects,including 628 males and 750 females.They were divided into three groups based on age:Group 1:11～＜13 year-olds(433 cases),Group 2:13～＜15 year-olds(425 cases),and Group 3:15～≤16 year-olds(520 cases).Differences in serum thyroid function indices among different genders and age groups were analyzed,the reference ranges for these indices were established,and 99 healthy 11-16 year-old teenagers who met the inclusion criteria were chosen for verification.Results There were no significant differences between different genders in thyroid stimulating hormone[TSH,2.56(1.80,3.63)μIU/ml vs 2.43(1.68,3.48)μIU/ml]and total thyroxine[TT4,97.84(85.34,111.00)nmol/L vs 98.20(87.16,111.23)nmol/L],the differences were statistically significant(Z=-1.881,-0.638,all P＞0.05).Meanwhile,the differences in free thyroxine[FT4,16.93(15.49,18.60)pmol/L vs 16.26(14.80,17.83)pmol/L],free triiodothyronine[FT3,6.21(5.66,6.80)pmol/L vs 5.59(4.98,6.19)pmol/L],and total triiodothyronine[TT3,2.24(1.96,2.55)nmol/L vs 2.04(1.78,2.34)nmol/L]between different genders were significant(Z=-5.368,-11.994,-6.417 all P＜0.01).The differences in thyroid function indices were significant among different age groups(Z=10.649～261.003,all P＜0.05).The reference ranges for thyroid function indices across different age groups and genders were established,in which thyroid function indicators were verified to be within the established reference range by 99 samples.Conclusion Teenage hormone secretion varies greatly,and the secretion of thyroid hormones is influenced by various factors.Thus,the diagnosis and treatment of teenage thyroid diseases cannot fully rely on the reference ranges provided by adults or manufacturers.This study established the reference range of the thyroid function indices of 11～16 year-old teenagers in Xi'an,offering clinical doctors'diagnosis and treatment data support.

Constructing a multi-tiered healthcare security system can meet the diverse and individualized healthcare service demand of the general public.Public hospitals,as the main providers of healthcare services in China,effectively integrate with commercial health insurance,which can accelerate the implementation of high-quality healthcare services,promote innovative development,and optimize product coverage and operational efficiency for commercial health insurance,achieving a win-win situation.Taking Shanghai as the research object,it analyzes the supply and demand status of multi-tiered healthcare security in Shanghai based on population characteristics,economic level,healthcare resources,and policy environment.It identifies the difficulties in the current collaboration between public hospitals and commercial insurance.Finally,it proposes exploring the expansion of independent development space for specialized services,improving the level of coordination between commercial insurance institutions and public hospitals in health management services,promoting the management and sharing of data,strengthening the protection of innovative medicines and devices by commercial insurance,in order to promote the coordinated development of commercial insurance and public hospitals.

Based on on-site research in Shanghai,it takes a supply-side perspective to examine the current status of cooperation between Private Health Insurance(PHI)and the pharmaceutical industry.It discusses the issues existing in the cooperation and proposes policy recommendations for their coordinated development.It identifies three main cooperation models and products,which are the public-private integrated product"Hui Min Bao",the special drug insurance led by insurance companies,and the disease insurance for patients led by pharmaceutical enterprises.However,these models commonly face challenges such as the limited policy support,a lack of standardized cooperation between the two sectors,insufficient information and data exchange,immature innovative payment models,and difficulties in the application of innovative drugs.It argues that the key to coordinated development lies in leveraging the strategic purchasing power of PHI,devising rational payment strategies and standards to achieve a win-win situation for insurers,enterprises,healthcare providers and patients.Therefore,policy recommendations are proposed from the perspectives of establishing mechanisms,breaking barriers,strategic procurement,and supporting measures.

Constructing a multi-tiered healthcare security system can meet the diverse and individualized healthcare service demand of the general public.Public hospitals,as the main providers of healthcare services in China,effectively integrate with commercial health insurance,which can accelerate the implementation of high-quality healthcare services,promote innovative development,and optimize product coverage and operational efficiency for commercial health insurance,achieving a win-win situation.Taking Shanghai as the research object,it analyzes the supply and demand status of multi-tiered healthcare security in Shanghai based on population characteristics,economic level,healthcare resources,and policy environment.It identifies the difficulties in the current collaboration between public hospitals and commercial insurance.Finally,it proposes exploring the expansion of independent development space for specialized services,improving the level of coordination between commercial insurance institutions and public hospitals in health management services,promoting the management and sharing of data,strengthening the protection of innovative medicines and devices by commercial insurance,in order to promote the coordinated development of commercial insurance and public hospitals.

Based on on-site research in Shanghai,it takes a supply-side perspective to examine the current status of cooperation between Private Health Insurance(PHI)and the pharmaceutical industry.It discusses the issues existing in the cooperation and proposes policy recommendations for their coordinated development.It identifies three main cooperation models and products,which are the public-private integrated product"Hui Min Bao",the special drug insurance led by insurance companies,and the disease insurance for patients led by pharmaceutical enterprises.However,these models commonly face challenges such as the limited policy support,a lack of standardized cooperation between the two sectors,insufficient information and data exchange,immature innovative payment models,and difficulties in the application of innovative drugs.It argues that the key to coordinated development lies in leveraging the strategic purchasing power of PHI,devising rational payment strategies and standards to achieve a win-win situation for insurers,enterprises,healthcare providers and patients.Therefore,policy recommendations are proposed from the perspectives of establishing mechanisms,breaking barriers,strategic procurement,and supporting measures.

Constructing a multi-tiered healthcare security system can meet the diverse and individualized healthcare service demand of the general public.Public hospitals,as the main providers of healthcare services in China,effectively integrate with commercial health insurance,which can accelerate the implementation of high-quality healthcare services,promote innovative development,and optimize product coverage and operational efficiency for commercial health insurance,achieving a win-win situation.Taking Shanghai as the research object,it analyzes the supply and demand status of multi-tiered healthcare security in Shanghai based on population characteristics,economic level,healthcare resources,and policy environment.It identifies the difficulties in the current collaboration between public hospitals and commercial insurance.Finally,it proposes exploring the expansion of independent development space for specialized services,improving the level of coordination between commercial insurance institutions and public hospitals in health management services,promoting the management and sharing of data,strengthening the protection of innovative medicines and devices by commercial insurance,in order to promote the coordinated development of commercial insurance and public hospitals.