Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy

01 19 October 2026

DOI 10.1111/hex.70863

Existing ‘In‐Between’: A Qualitative Exploration of Individual, Interpersonal and Structural Influences on Empowerment Among Young Adults With Chronic Health Conditions

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Tiana A. Kittos, Danielle M. Muscat

Background: Empowerment is a multifaceted construct conceptualised in different ways across the literature. Traditionally individual in its orientation, patient empowerment has more recently been acknowledged as also encompassing interpe...

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02 17 October 2026

DOI 10.1111/hex.70924

Assessing the Categories and Factors Influencing Treatment Decision Conflict in Patients With Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Latent Profile Analysis

Open DOI

Yuan Tian, Bing‐Lin Li, Ming‐Kui Shen et al.

Background: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) represents a prevalent degenerative spinal disorder, characterized by severe pain and functional limitations that significantly diminish patients' quality of life. Despite the availability of cons...

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03 16 October 2026

DOI 10.1111/hex.70925

Unpacking the Impact and Experience of Working With Lived Experience Partners in Mental Health Research—Exploring Research Team and Public Partner Perspectives

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Joanna Fox, Roya Kamvar, Vanessa Pinfold et al.

Introduction: Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in mental health research is encouraged by funders in the United Kingdom, supported by guidance and best practice standards. This includes a commitment to learning and understanding impa...

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04 16 October 2026

DOI 10.1111/hex.70931

Qualitative Exploration of Need for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Care and Service Pathways Readiness During Pandemic in Nepal

Open DOI

Saki Thapa, Bikram Bucha, Swastika Shrestha et al.

Background: COVID‐19 pandemic disrupted adolescents' access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for adolescents in Nepal. This study explored adolescents' and health care provider's perspectives on how the COVID‐19 pandemic ...

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05 16 October 2026

DOI 10.1111/hex.70933

Losing Sleep, Gaining Weight? Young Bangladeshi Adults' Perceptions of Sleep, Eating and Body Weight: A Qualitative Study

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Mst Sabrina Moonajilin, Rajib Ul Islam, Labina Taher et al.

Background: Inadequate sleep and excess body weight are escalating global health concerns, especially among young adults facing academic pressures, digital lifestyles, and cultural norms. While quantitative research has shown links betwe...

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06 16 October 2026

DOI 10.1111/hex.70935

Acceptability of a Peer‐Led Faith‐Based Intervention to Improve Breast, Bowel and Cervical Cancer Screening Uptake Among UK Muslim Women: A Qualitative Evaluation

Open DOI

Rawand Jarrar, Kathryn A. Robb, Marie K. Murphy et al.

Background: Early cancer detection through screening can improve treatment outcomes. However, screening uptake remains lower among some communities, including Muslim women, which puts them at risk of late diagnosis and poor outcomes. In ...

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07 16 October 2026

DOI 10.1111/hex.70936

Co‐Producing the Design Brief for an Intervention to Increase Breast Cancer Awareness Among Black Women in Ante‐Natal Settings: A Qualitative Study With Breast Cancer Survivors, Community Members, and Midwives in the UK

Open DOI

Afrodita Marcu, Lorraine Marke, Emma Ream et al.

Background: Women of Black African/Caribbean heritage in the UK are more likely to develop breast cancer at an early age (before being eligible for breast screening from 50 years of age), be diagnosed with advanced breast cancer, and hav...

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08 16 October 2026

DOI 10.1111/hex.70928

Early‐Life Policies and the Prevention of Multiple Long‐Term Conditions: Findings From a Stakeholder Workshop Developed Collaboratively With Public Contributors

Open DOI

Sebastian Stannard, Nida Ziauddeen, Robin Poole et al.

Introduction: The multidisciplinary ecosystem to study life course determinants and prevention of early‐onset burdensome multimorbidity (MELD‐B) project examined early‐life factors that contribute to the risk of developing multiple long‐...

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09 15 October 2026

DOI 10.1111/hex.70899

A Co‐Developed Evaluation Framework for a Patient Engagement Programme Within a National Dementia Research Network

Open DOI

Mastoora Rizai, Linda Grossman, Inbal Itzhak et al.

Introduction: While there is growing consensus on the importance of engaging people with lived experience in research, there is little agreement on how best to evaluate these initiatives. Co‐designed frameworks tailored to specific conte...

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10 15 October 2026

DOI 10.1111/hex.70919

Barriers and Enablers to Capsule Sponge Screening Among People With Heartburn: A Community‐Based Qualitative Study in the UK

Open DOI

Ninian Schmeising‐Barnes, Emma Lidington, Elisavet Moschopoulou et al.

Introduction: Non‐endoscopic capsule sponge devices are a promising new technology. They could potentially improve oesophageal cancer outcomes by detecting and monitoring Barrett's oesophagus and identifying dysplasia early to allow time...

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