Igor Grabovac

Medical University of Vienna | MedUni Vienna · Department of Social and Preventive Medicine

Objective Healthcare providers are encouraged to prescribe lifestyle modifications for preventing and managing obesity and associated chronic conditions. However, the pattern of lifestyle advice provision is unknown. We investigate the prevalence of advised lifestyle modification according to weight status and chronic conditions in a US nationally...

Objectives Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) older people present an under-represented population in research, with limited research citing higher prevelance of depression, loneliness, rejection, and overall poorer health and well-being outcomes. Our study compares well-being, defined as quality of life, life satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and d...

Background: Our aim was to assess both the credibility and strength of evidence arising from systematic reviews with meta-analyses of observational studies and physical health outcomes associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but not acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Methods: We performed an umbrella review of observational studies....

Objectives Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals are often subjected to negative attitudes in the workplace, which may lead to non-disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identities. We aimed to determine the prevalence of workplace disclosure of sexual or gender identity (ie, ‘outness’; being ‘out’) and...

Introduction People experiencing mental ill-health have greater disparities in cancer specific morbidity and mortality. Factors influencing cancer prevention include increased risk behaviours and frequent encounters with barriers to health care utilization. The Patient Navigation Model (PNM) has been proven to reduce barriers in accessing cancer pr...

Cancer poses a significant public health concern. Reports highlight that cancer-related mortality rates are double among people experiencing homelessness (PEH). CANCERLESS project delivered an innovative solution based on the Health Navigator Model (HNM). The HNM is an evidence-based patient-centred intervention that develops patient empowerment th...

Background People with mental ill-health (PMIH) have higher cancer mortality rates than the general population. Barriers to healthcare service access may be a contributing factor. The EU-funded CO-CAPTAIN project aims to reduce health inequalities by improving overall health and reducing cancer burden by adapting and implementing the Patient Naviga...

Background People experiencing mental illness (PMI) face significant challenges in accessing and using somatic healthcare services, reducing their overall life expectancy by up to 20 years. The COMITMENT project aimed to identify barriers and facilitators in accessing and using somatic healthcare services for PMI and co-design strategies that could...

Background The Health Navigator Model (HNM) is a newly developed skill-mixed model that may improve access to cancer prevention services for over 895,000 People who are currently Experiencing Homelessness (PEH) in Europe. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and implementation of the model in European settings. Methods A co-designed...

Issue In Europe, over 80 million people experience mental ill-health and there are 4 million new cancer diagnoses each year. Individuals experiencing mental ill-health exhibit higher rates of cancer morbidity and mortality, with this excess attributed to risky health behaviors and obstacles encountered when accessing often fragmented healthcare sys...

Background People experiencing homelessness (PEH) face significant barriers when accessing cancer preventive services. The Health Navigator Model (HNM) seeks to address these challenges by improving access and engagement with cancer preventive care through tailored navigation services. This study aimed to explore PEH’s and health navigators’ experi...

Background and objective: People experiencing homelessness PEH face significant health challenges and disparities in healthcare access due to barriers such as unstable housing, limited resources, and social stigma. In response, the European Union has initiated efforts to address these disparities. The CANCERLESS project, part of this initiative, ha...

Zusammenfassung Psychische Störungen gehen mit einer erhöhten Krankheitslast einher. Des Weiteren stellen somatische Erkrankungen, u. a. aufgrund erhöhter Risikofaktoren sowie des „diagnostic overshadowing“, eine zusätzliche potenzielle Problematik bei Menschen mit psychischen Erkrankungen dar. Dennoch suchen Menschen mit psychischen Störungen erst...

The incidence of cancer in Europe has been increasing in recent years. Despite this, cancer prevention has remained a low priority in health policies. Cancer is one of the main causes of mortality among people experiencing homelessness, who continue to have difficulties accessing prevention programs. A strategy that has been tested to favor cancer...

Cancer is one of the most pressing global health issues, and populations with complex needs, such as people experiencing homelessness, have higher cancer incidence and mortality rates compared with the housed population. We mapped the evidence on cancer risk factors as well as barriers and facilitators to cancer prevention services among people exp...

Introduction: People experiencing homelessness (PEH) face many barriers accessing to public services, but patient Navigation (PN) is associated with improvements in a range of health outcomes, including timely access to healthcare for them (Carmichael et al., 2022). Target Population: Health and social care professionals and individuals with lived...

Background Students enrolling in higher education often adopt lifestyles linked to worse mental health, potentially contributing to the peak age onset of mental health problems in early adulthood. However, extensive research is limited by focusing on single lifestyle behaviors, including single time points, within limited cultural contexts, and foc...

Objectives To explore and analyze [1] the differences in the total number of patients visiting urology practices in Germany, [2] explore and analyze any differences in the number of newly diagnosed erectile dysfunction (ED) patients as well as [3] the number of new drug prescription, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany (April 2019-Ma...

Introduction Cancer is the second leading cause of death for people experiencing homelessness (PEH) due to limited access to cancer prevention services. This study aimed to co-adapt the Health Navigator Model (HNM), integrating end-users’ and organizations’ voices in the design of a care delivery model combining Patient Navigation and Patient Empow...

Background People experiencing homelessness (PEH) are significantly more likely to develop and die from cancer than the housed population. Major factors influencing outcome are timely detection and treatment, which especially populations with complex needs lack access to. This scoping review outlines cancer risk factors among PEH and their facilita...

Background People experiencing homelessness (PEH) are a vulnerable population, having higher cancer morbidity and mortality compared to the housed population. Reasons for this may be due to higher prevalence of risky health behaviors but also owning to barrier to access and utilize healthcare services. This study aimed to show the prevalence of ris...

Background People experiencing homelessness (PEH) are known to be at higher risk of adverse health outcomes and premature mortality when compared to the housed population and often face significant barriers when attempting to access health services. This study aimed to better understand the specific health care needs of PEH and the barriers and fac...

Introduction: Homelessness is a complex social issue that significantly impairs the health of those affected. People experiencing homelessness (PEH) have a higher prevalence of adverse health outcomes, including premature mortality, compared with the general population, with cancer being the second-leading cause of death. The objective of this sco...

Background: Status inequality is hypothesised to increase socioeconomic inequalities in health by creating an environment in which social cohesion erodes and social comparisons intensify. Such an environment may cause systemic chronic inflammation. Although these are often-used explanations in social epidemiology, empirical tests remain rare. Met...

Background: People experiencing homelessness (PEH) have a higher prevalence of adverse health outcomes and premature mortality compared to the non-homeless population. These include a higher burden of cancer and cancer-specific morbidity and mortality—outcomes that may be a consequence of significant barriers to accessing primary and secondary prev...

Background People experiencing homelessness (PEH) have a higher prevalence of adverse health outcomes and premature mortality compared to the general population, including a higher burden of cancer and cancer-specific mortality (Thomas, 2012). These outcomes are associated with several etiological factors and may lead to significant barriers to acc...

Introduction: Today, antiretroviral therapy (ART) is effectively used as a lifelong therapy to treat people living with HIV (PLWH) to suppress viral replication. Moreover, PLWH need an adequate care strategy in an interprofessional, networked setting of health care professionals from different disciplines. HIV/AIDS poses challenges to both patient...

This book provides a comprehensive overview for those interested in research and promoting sexual health in older people, as well as a “go-to” guide on the topic of sexual behaviour in older adults. Sexual activity is an essential part of intimate relationships, though it tends to decline in frequency as people grow older. Nevertheless, for many o...

People are living longer. While differences in life expectancy still exist between countries, older adults make up a group of growing numbers, both relative and absolute, all around the world. Recent projections suggest that 2.1 billion people will be over the age of 60 in 2050, which is already twice the number of 2022 [1]. Aging, as a process, is...

Sexuality and sexual activity are essential for the quality of life and mental health in older adults. Contrary to many common misconceptions and stereotypes, the majority of older adults still engage in intimate relationships and sexual activities in older age and appraise these parts of their lives as important. Although frequency and diversity o...

Sexuality remains an essential aspect of life in older adults and substantially contributes to health outcomes. It is important for healthcare workers to be aware of challenges older adults face in the context of sexuality, to consider possible barriers, and to adequately address issues concerning sexuality when working with older adults. This chap...

This chapter explores the concept of risky sexual behaviour as it is related to the physical and mental health of older adults. Given the increased awareness of the benefits of sexual activity among the elderly, and increased evidence of the prevalence of sexual activity among older adults, it is essential that an awareness of the risks of such act...

With rising life expectancy a demographic shift of an aging global population has been well established. In fact, older adults are the quickest growing population group on the planet. With this come new pressures and challenges for health and social systems which will have to provide more access to healthcare services appropriate for older adults,...

Background and aim We aimed to capture the breadth of health outcomes that have been associated with the presence of Urinary Incontinence (UI) and systematically assess the quality, strength, and credibility of these associations through an umbrella review and integrated meta-analyses. Methods We assessed meta-analyses of observational studies bas...

People experiencing homelessness (PEH) face a disproportionately high prevalence of adverse mental health outcomes compared with the non-homeless population and are known to utilize primary healthcare services less frequently while seeking help in emergency care facilities. Given that primary health services are more efficient and cost-saving, serv...

Background Barriers in accessing healthcare services are a common issue that contributes to the disproportionately poor health outcomes in people who experience homelessness. A possible way to overcome these barriers and meaningfully engage with this under-served population is through the implementation of the so called patient navigation (PN) mode...

Background People experiencing homelessness (PEH) are known to have increased burden of cancer and higher cancer-related mortality when compared to the general population. These outcomes are linked to a variety of etiological factors, as well as the existence of significant barriers in accessing cancer prevention services. The aim of this study was...

Background People experiencing homelessness (PEH) have higher prevalence of adverse health outcomes and premature mortality compared to the general population, and often experience significant barriers in accessing healthcare services. This study aimed to better understand the health needs of PEH, as well as to identify the barriers and facilitator...

Featured Application: Strategic planning of diet and dental caries reduction programs in asylum settings for migrants and refugees. Abstract: Dental and oral health are considered among the main health issues for migrants and refugees, as access to dental health care services is often expensive and difficult. The study investigates dental and oral...

Sexual health among male cancer survivors is becoming an increasingly important aspect of health care as the number of survivors increases. Here the authors analyse the impact of cancer treatment and cancer types on the prevalence of erectile dysfunction among these men.

Background: The relationship between patients and healthcare professionals (physicians) is the cornerstone of successful long-term antiretroviral therapy for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the connection between involvement, perception, and understanding as the basis for the patien...

Background: Mixed evidence exists on the association between muscle strength and mortality in older adults ,in particular for cancer mortality. Aim: To examine the dose–response association of objectively hand grip strength with all-cause and cancer mortality. Study Design and Setting: data from consecutive waves from the Survey of Health ,Ageing a...

Mit dem CANCERLESS-Projekt (EU-Horizon 2020) soll durch die Entwicklung eines neuartigen Versorgungsmodells, dem Health Navigator Model (HNM), obdach- und wohnungslosen Menschen in Europa der frühzeitige Zugang zu Krebspräventionsmaßnahmen ermöglicht werden. Um das HNM an strukturelle Bedingungen im österreichischen Gesundheitssystem anzupassen, wu...

Da obdach- und wohnungslose Menschen einer Reihe von Risikofaktoren ausgesetzt sind und Probleme beim Zugang zu geeigneten Präventions-, Screening- und Therapiediensten haben, ist die Prävalenz von Krebs und die krebsspezifische Mortalität höher als in der Allgemeinbevölkerung. Integrierte kollaborative Modelle, die auf Co-Design mit obdach- und wo...

Hintergrund: Im Vergleich zur Allgemeinbevölkerung sind obdachlose Menschen einem unverhältnismäßig höheren Risiko schlechterer Gesundheitsoutcomes ausgesetzt und häufig mit Barrieren bei der Inanspruchnahme von Gesundheitsleistungen konfrontiert. Das Modell der Patientennavigation (PNM) soll bestehende Ungleichheiten in der Gesundheitsversorgung b...

Background The aim of the present study was to investigate associations between food insecurity with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in adults aged ≥50 years from six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods Cross-sectional, community-based data from the World Health Organisation's Study on Global Aging and Adult Health were analyz...

Purpose There is a paucity of literature identifying factors that influence the back and neck pain (BNP)–workplace absenteeism relationship. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between BNP and workplace absenteeism and potential mediating variables in a large sample of the US population. Methods Nationally representative dat...

Public health restrictions, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, have had potentially wide-ranging, unintended effects on health-related behaviours such as diet and physical activity and also affected mental health due to reduced social interactions. This study explored how health-related behaviours and mental health were impacted in a sample of t...

Background The COVID-19 pandemic imposed major changes on daily-life routine worldwide. To the best of our knowledge, no study quantified the changes on moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviors (SB) and its correlates in Brazilians. This study aimed to (i) evaluate the changes (pre versus during pandemic) in time spent...

The relationship between social cohesion and health has been studied for decades. Yet, due to the contextual nature of this concept, measuring social cohesion remains challenging. Using a meta-analytical framework, this review's goal was to study the ecometric measurement properties of social cohesion in order to describe dissimilarities in its mea...

People experiencing homelessness are known to be at risk of disproportionately poor health outcomes and often face barriers in accessing healthcare. Patient navigation (PN) has been identified as a way to address health disparities and engage underserved populations with healthcare services . This scoping review aims to understand how PN models hav...

Contemporary performance and accessibility are features that enable mobile devices to be increasingly beneficial in the context of optimizing the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Smartphones have the potential to effectively support psychotherapeutic interventions among adolescents and young adults who require them. In the present study, the use...

This chapter provides an overview in relation to sexual health and activity in older adults. It discusses declining levels of sexual activity among older populations and the consequent impact such declines may have on their physical and mental health. This chapter discusses barriers to an active sex life in older adults and makes recommendations to...

Introduction: Evidence on sexual behaviour and COVID-19 shows a change in sexual habits; however, there is no research on the association between mental health and sexual activity. Aim: To examine the relationship between mental health and sexual activity during the quarantine in Spanish adults. Methods: A sample of 305 adults filled out an on...

With life expectancy increasing globally, older adults around the world want to live active lifestyles with improved health and higher quality of life. Physiology of Exercise and Healthy Aging, Second Edition, examines the effects of the aging process on the major physiological systems and identifies the positive impacts of physical activity and re...

Objectives: To assess alcohol use and perceived change in alcohol consumption (before and during the pandemic) in Brazilians during the COVID-19 pandemic, its correlates, and association with depressive, anxiety and co-occurring depressive and anxiety symptoms (D&A). Methods: This is a cross-sectional study comprising 992 individuals in self-iso...

In recent years, public health research has increasingly focused on identifying various risk factors purportedly leading to poor social, mental, and physical health among sexual and gender minorities (SGM). There is however, still a great paucity of research focusing on facilitators, barriers, and characteristics that may help inform the creation a...

Background Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBT+Q+) youth are highly vulnerable to work-based discrimination, which correlates with poor social, physical and mental health. The European Union funded WE-Project aims to empower LGBT+Q+ youth in Europe through work-based educational interventions. The first leg focused on exploring barriers a...

Background Trans and non-binary (TNB) patients confront various issues in the healthcare system and with healthcare workers (HCWs) tasked with navigating complex systems to achieve optimal outcomes. The most time intensive and intimate contact TNB patients have is typically with physicians making the physician-patient relationship instrumental. Thi...

Introduction In Europe, young sexual and gender minority (SGM) people continue to face discrimination in the labour sector despite advances in legislation towards their acceptance and equal treatment. Non-discrimination policy strategies helping SGM individuals are not equally enforced in all contexts, making it difficult for many SGM individuals t...

Background To date, no attempt has been made to collate literature on the relationship between the social environmental impact of COVID-19 and erectile dysfunction. The aim of this explorative review was to assess and compare the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in male healthcare workers and males during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA syste...

The concept of work ability encompasses issues of individual workers’ abilities in light of their present job tasks taking into account the demands and resources that might be important in the future. Due to a rise in life expectancy in the EU, there has been an increase in the proportion of elderly workers. Aging workers put forth new challenges a...

Abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate the cross-sectional association between diabetes and dental caries in a representative sample of 23,089 adults residing in Spain. Data from the Spanish National Health Survey 2017 were analysed. Diabetes (independent variable) and dental caries (dependent variable) were evaluated through a self-repo...

Background The goal of this study was to investigate the association between several oral health outcomes and cancer in adults living in Spain. Methods Data from the Spanish National Health Survey 2017 were analysed. Seven oral health outcomes (dental caries, dental extraction, dental filling, gingival bleeding, tooth movement, dental material and...

Background In aging healthcare professionals, multiple stressors such as night work may affect life and work satisfaction and risk for chronic diseases (e.g. cardiovascular disease [CVD]). In this pilot study we compared workability, quality of life (QoL), and CVD risk markers between night shift and day workers. Methods We included 70 hospital em...

Measures implemented to reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 have resulted in a decrease in physical activity (PA) while sedentary behaviour increased. The aim of the present study was to explore associations between PA and mental health in Austria during COVID-19 social restrictions. In this web-based cross-sectional study (April–May 2020) moderate-to-...

Background Frailty is a geriatric syndrome closely linked to a variety of adverse health outcomes. Thus, it is important to identify factors associated with the development of frailty. It was the aim of this study to examine, if, and to what extent partner loss, a highly stressful life event, affects frailty trajectories of community dwelling adult...

Purpose: Ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) and erectile dysfunction after cancer treatment are clinically important complications, but their exact prevalence by various kinds of cancer site and type of treatment is unknown. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the available evidence and provide pooled estimates for prevale...

Medical care of transgender and non-binary (TNB) patients if often a complex interdisciplinary effort involving a variety of healthcare workers (HCWs) and services. Physicians not only act as gatekeepers to routine or transitioning therapies but are also HCWs with the most intimate and time-intensive patient interaction, which influences TNB patien...

Contemporary sex education requires a critical approach that entails a greater understanding of sexuality, relationships, and social skills. Applying emotional literacy practices in comprehensive sex education would improve its quality and comprehensive nature. Articles that informed (1) current practices of sex education (2) fundamental problems a...

Laparoscopy is a procedure that ultimately reduces hospital stay time and speeds up post-operative recovery. It is mainly performed in high-income countries but its implementation in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is increasing. However, no aggregate data exist regarding the outcomes of this procedure in resource-limited settings. We...

Purpose We investigated the association between food insecurity and fall-related injury among older adults from six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and the extent to which this association is mediated by mental health. Methods Cross-sectional, community-based, nationally representative data from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult h...

The worldwide prevalence of insufficient physical activity (PA) and prolonged sedentary behavior (SB) were high before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Measures that were taken by governments (such as home confinement) to control the spread of COVID-19 may have affected levels of PA and SB. This cross-sectional study among South American adults...

Aim : Anxiety may be a risk factor for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) but there is a scarcity of data on this association especially from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Thus, we investigated the association between anxiety and MCI among older adults residing in six LMICs (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa), and the media...

Purpose Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) has been consistently linked with eating disorders, however studies that stratify associations between BDD in subjects with and without eating disorder symptomology are sparse. It was, therefore, the aim of this study to assess correlates of BDD (including social media use, motivations for exercise, exercise a...

Background: Little is known about the implementation of lifestyle interventions in frail, community-dwelling people. This study highlights different domains of adherence to explain an effectively delivered home-based intervention. Methods: Eighty prefrail and frail persons (≥65 years) participated in a physical training, nutritional, and social...

Background To examine the association between self‐reported food insecurity and depression in 34,129 individuals aged ≥50 years from six low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa). Methods Cross‐sectional, community‐based, nationally representative data from the WHO Study on global AGEing and a...