Background Flexible working conditions are increasingly popular in developed countries but the e ects on employee health and wellbeing are largely unknown. Objectives To evaluate the e ects (benefits and harms) of flexible working interventions on the physical, mental and general health and wellbeing of employees and their families. Search methods Our searches (July 2009) covered 12 databases including the

Background Although cross-sectional and ecological studies have shown that higher area-level income inequality is related to increased risk for depression, few longitudinal studies have been conducted. This investigation examines the relationship between state-level income inequality and major depression among adults participating in a population-based, representative longitudinal study. Methods We used data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (n=34,653). Respondents completed structured diagnostic interviews at baseline (2001–2002) and follow-up (2004–2005). Weighted multi-level modeling was used to determine if US State-level income inequality (measured by the Gini coefficient) was a significant predictor of depression at baseline and at follow-up, while controlling for individual and state-level covariates. We also repeated the longitudinal analyses excluding those who had a history of depression or at baseline, in order to test whether income inequality was related to incident depression. Results State-level inequality was associated with increased incidence of depression among women but not men. In comparison to women residing in states belonging to the lowest quintile of income inequality, there was increased risks for depression among women in the second [Odds Ratio (OR)=1.18, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)=0.86,1.62], third (OR=1.22, 95% CI=0.91,1.62), fourth (OR=1.37, 95% CI=1.03,1.82), and fifth (OR=1.50, 95% CI=1.14,1.96) quintiles at follow-up (p<0.05 for the linear trend). Conclusion Living in a state with higher income inequality increases the risk for the development of depression among women.

This body of evidence suggests that unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) may not impact a summary measure of health service use in children and adults in LMICs. However, UCTs probably or may improve some health outcomes (i.e. the likelihood of having had any illness, the likelihood of having been food secure, and the level of dietary diversity), one social determinant of health (i.e. the likelihood of attending school), and healthcare expenditure. The evidence on the relative effectiveness of UCTs and CCTs remains very uncertain.

AbstractObjectiveTo identify sociodemographic and environmental correlates of sweetened beverages (regular soft drinks, fruit juice) among children of pre-school age.DesignChildren's dietary intake, food behaviours and screen time were measured by parental report. A Geographic Informational System was used to assess the number of grocery stores and fast-food restaurants available within 1 km of the children's residence. Multivariate log-binomial regression models were constructed to determine correlates of drinking soft drinks during the previous week.SettingEdmonton region, Canada.SubjectsChildren aged 4 and 5 years (n2114) attending a public health unit for immunization were recruited for a cohort study on determinants of childhood obesity, between 2005 and 2007.ResultsChildren from neighbourhoods with low socio-economic status (relative risk (RR) = 1·17, 95 % CI 0·98, 1·40) or who participated in >2 h of screen time daily (RR = 1·28, 95 % CI 1·13, 1·45) were significantly more likely to have consumed regular soft drinks within the last week. Those who lived within 1 km of a grocery store were significantly less likely to consume regular soft drinks (RR = 0·84, 95 % CI 0·73, 0·96). Children who participated in >2 h of screen time daily (RR = 1·16, 95 % CI 1·06, 1·27) were more likely to exceed the recommended weekly number of servings of fruit juice.ConclusionsSocio-economic and built environment factors are associated with soft drink consumption in children of pre-school age. These findings may help health professionals to advocate for policies that reduce soft drink consumption among children.