The study examined associations between health literacy and reproductive health knowledge and behaviour among women of reproductive age in Vienna, Austria. The findings showed a statistically significant association between inadequate health literacy and lower levels of reproductive health knowledge and behaviour, indicating that women with higher health literacy tend to have better knowledge and behaviour concerning reproductive health. In addition, better reproductive health knowledge and behaviour were associated with older age. Religious affiliation emerged as a significant factor related to reproductive health knowledge and behaviour, while university education was identified as the strongest predictor of health literacy.
Link to the publication.
New DHE-led study on the cost-effectiveness of pramipexole augmentation for acute phase and maintenance treatment of treatment-resistant depression is published in The Lancet Regional Health - Europe.
The cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted alongside the PAX-D randomized controlled trial, evaluating pramipexole augmentation for the acute and maintenance treatment of patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in the UK. The study showed that pramipexole augmentation is a cost-effective option compared to placebo. From a health and social care perspective, pramipexole was associated with greater health gains at somewhat higher costs resulting in incremental cost-effectiveness ratios well below the £20,000 per QALY threshold. From a societal perspective, pramipexole was found to be more effective and less costly than placebo due to reductions in work absenteeism and informal care need. Findings support the implementation of pramipexole as augmentation treatment for TRD.
Click here for the publication.
Our Team at the 18th European Public Health Conference in Helsinki
We are pleased to announce that several members of our department will be contributing to the 18th European Public Health Conference (EPH 2025), taking place in Helsinki from 12–14 November 2025.
Our researchers will present their latest work through oral presentations and posters, showcasing the breadth and impact of our department’s engagement with current public health challenges across Europe.
We congratulate all our colleagues for their valuable contributions and look forward to their participation in this leading international forum for public health professionals.
The new Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Climate Change and Mental Health is dedicated to addressing the global challenges that climate change poses for mental health. Judit Simon from MedUni Vienna is part of the steering group and leads the key area on the economic and financial evaluation of measures.
Publication:
Brandt L, Augustinavicius J, Fusar-Poli P, Hasan A, Patel VH, Simon J, et al. Climate change and mental health: announcing a new Lancet Psychiatry Commission. Lancet Psychiatry. 2025 Sep 10. DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(25)00274-3
Judit Simon was elected to the Executive Board of ASPHER at the 2025 ASPHER Deans' & Directors' Retreat in Berlin. ASPHER (the Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region) is the key independent European organisation dedicated to improving and protecting the public health by strengthening education and training of public health professionals for both practice and research.