Introduction: Digital development supported by government initiatives leads to the achievement of key objectives, including the improved quality of healthcare services, better treatment outcomes, and reduced costs.

Objective: To identify, analyze, and systematize international practices of digital solution implementation in healthcare for further development of the Russian policy in this area.

Materials and Methods: The research methodology is based on the application of general scientific methods and the analysis of peer-reviewed publications issued in 1985–2024 and found in Medline, PubMed, and eLIBRARY international databases. The search was conducted using key terms related to the digital transformation of healthcare, which ensured a representative coverage of scientific materials on the topic. Of 150 search results, 69 articles were selected for the review.

Results: Our findings show that digital health demonstrates significant positive potential expressed through increased accessibility, efficiency, and personalization of medical care, driven by the development of telemedicine, mobile applications, and artificial intelligence-based technologies. At the same time, introduction of digital technologies is accompanied by serious negative consequences, the most critical of which is the exacerbation of social inequality and the emergence of digital exclusion of vulnerable population groups due to disparities in technology access and digital literacy in the society.

Conclusions: Implementation of digital health, while enhancing the accessibility and efficiency of medical care, systemically exacerbates social inequality. Governments are therefore encouraged to develop and implement comprehensive public policies aimed at minimizing the digital divide by developing inclusive infrastructure, addressing algorithmic biases, and introducing targeted support programs for vulnerable groups of population.

Introduction: Congenital anomalies (malformations), deformities and chromosomal abnormalities represent a major health care challenge.

Objective: To study the incidence of congenital anomalies (malformations), deformities and chromosomal abnormalities (ICD-10 codes Q00–Q99) in the Russian Federation.

Materials and Methods: We analyzed data from the Federal Statistical Observation Form No. 12, Information on the number of diseases registered in patients living in the service area of a health facility, for the years 2022 to 2024 using Microsoft Excel. Information from the new Russian regions was not taken into account. Statistical and analytical methods of research were applied.

Results: In 2022–2024, the rate of newly diagnosed congenital anomalies (malformations), deformities and chromosomal abnormalities in Russia decreased by 0.23 %, while the rate of all detected disorders increased by 8.3 %. The incidence of congenital ichthyosis decreased by 20.0 % and that of neurofibromatosis stabilized. The prevalence of congenital ichthyosis and neurofibromatosis increased by 4.5 % and 21.43 %, respectively. An increase in the incidence rate of congenital malformations was typical for most federal districts; a decrease in the incidence of congenital ichthyosis was typical for almost all federal districts, with the exception of the Northwestern and Volga districts, where the rates stabilized at the level of the year 2022 at 0.4 and 0.5 per 100,000 population, respectively. The prevalence of congenital ichthyosis increased in almost all federal districts, with the exception of the North Caucasus Federal District where a decrease by 27.5 % was registered.

Conclusions: In 2022–2024, the average Russian rate of newly diagnosed cases of congenital anomalies (malformations), deformities, chromosomal abnormalities and the incidence of congenital ichthyosis decreased by 0.23 % while the prevalence of all congenital malformations increased by 8.3 %. The incidence of congenital ichthyosis decreased by 20.0 % and that of neurofibromatosis stabilized, whereas the prevalence increased by 4.6 % and 21.4 %, respectively.

Introduction: Internal audits are one of the mechanisms for ensuring compliance of inspection bodies with accreditation criteria. Relevant issues include identifying key nonconformities to criteria for accreditation as well as time and resource limitations for developing adequate corrective actions that require preliminary analysis of nonconformities in terms of their priority and dynamics of changes.

Objective: To analyze nonconformities identified during internal audits and develop priority measures aimed to increase compliance of the inspection body with accreditation criteria using the Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Rostov Region as an example.

Materials and Methods: We used nonconformity reports and corrective action logs of the inspection body covering the period from 2022 to September 2025 for the study purposes and applied structural logic and descriptive statistics methods, including Pareto analysis. In total, 107 nonconformities identified during 33 audits conducted over the study period have been analyzed.

Results: We established that most nonconforming processes requiring immediate attention fell into the categories of personnel, control of documents, control of inspections, document storage and archiving, and review of requests and contracts. Priority corrective actions and measures to improve inspection authority operations were then developed. Subsequent analysis revealed consistent signs of positive dynamics in the nature of detected nonconformities over the study period, indicating the effectiveness of the actions taken.

Conclusions: Our findings allowed us to evaluate the impact of individual nonconformities on the overall picture, set proper priorities for subsequent development of corrective actions, and use resources rationally to eliminate root causes. 

Introduction: Aluminum, one of the most common elements in the earth’s crust, is widely used in industry, medicine and everyday life, which creates multiple pathways for its entry into the human body. Chronic accumulation of aluminum is associated with the development of neurodegenerative, renal and bone pathologies, making it necessary to update its toxicological profile.

Objective: To conduct a systematic analysis of current data on health effects of aluminum in humans and animals, including routes of exposure, mechanisms of toxicity, accumulation in target organs, and molecular aspects of its action, with an assessment of epidemiological risks for vulnerable groups of population.

Materials and Methods: We analyzed publications issued in 2001–2024 and found in PubMed, Web of Science, and eLIBRARY databases using the following keywords: aluminum, toxicity, accumulation, and metal migration, with an emphasis on experimental and epidemiological data. Of 244 search results, we selected 56 publications on the topic. Current hygienic standards were also systematized.

Results: The average daily intake of aluminum in adults is 7–9 mg, but in children and individuals with chronic renal failure, doses may exceed the permissible limits (1 mg/kg/week, EFSA) by 2–5 times. The neurotoxicity of aluminum is manifested by accumulation in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, hyperphosphorylation of tau protein and an increased risk of dementia (RR = 2.03). Nephrotoxic effects include a 25 % decrease in glomerular filtration rate and an increase in mortality in dialysis patients (HR = 1.37). Genotoxicity is realized through the induction of oxidative stress, suppression of DNA repair, and dysregulation of histone methylation.

Conclusions: To minimize risks, it is recommended to replace aluminum adjuvants in vaccines, limit the use of aluminum cookware when preparing foods with low pH, monitor the aluminum content of baby foods. Further research should be aimed at clarifying the mechanisms of the toxic action of aluminum and assessing the effectiveness of regulatory measures to reduce exposure.

Introduction: Elevated concentrations of boron in groundwater sources used for drinking water supply registered in a number of Russian regions may pose a potential health hazard and necessitate the assessment of risk from chronic oral exposure to this chemical.

Objective: To analyze the cause-and-effect relationship between chronic exposure to boron in drinking water from underground sources and the health status of the population in some municipal districts of the Saratov Region.

Materials and Methods: Data on incidence rates in the adult population of municipal districts of the Saratov Region for 2018–2024 were retrieved from the annual reporting form No. 12. Boron concentrations in drinking water were determined in accordance with the requirements of the Russian standard GOST 31949–2012. The causal relationship between waterborne boron levels and disease rates was analyzed using the Spearman’s rank correlation in Microsoft Excel with a significance level set at 0.05.

Results: We established that in 2018–2024, boron concentrations in drinking water of several municipal districts of the Saratov Region ranged from 0.88 to 2.19 mg/L (1.8–4.4 MAC). The correlation analysis between waterborne boron levels and the health status of the local population revealed no statistically significant relationship (p > 0.05). Combined with the estimated public health risk (HQ ≤ 0.3) from chronic oral boron intake with drinking water at the established concentrations, this indicates the absence of a causal relationship between chronic boron exposure and disease incidence in the population.

Conclusion: Our findings prove the absence of adverse health effects of chronic boron intake with drinking water in the local population of the municipal districts of the Saratov Region.

Introduction: Effective prevention of occupational pathology requires maximum consideration of all its features of formation and clinical picture, including gender differences.

Objective: Gender features of occupational health disorders in enterprise workers of the Murmansk Region.

Materials and Methods: Causes, structure, and prevalence of occupational diseases in men and women were compared taking into account their working conditions, age, years of employment, and type of economic activity. The source of information included the program of Rospotrebnadzor public health surveillance in the section “Working conditions and occupational diseases” and the registry of occupational diseases of the Murmansk Region for 2003–2023. The dynamics of indicators was studied by three time spans: 2003–2009, 2010–2016, and 2017–2023.

Results: In 2003–2023, 57.1 % of male workers in the Murmansk Region were exposed to occupational hazards and

86.2 % of all occupational diseases were also registered in the male workforce. For women, these figures were 42.9 % and 13.8 %, respectively. Compared with women, men had a higher risk of developing pathology (OR = 5.3; CI: 4.72–5.95) and a higher rate of occupational morbidity: 26.69 vs 5.68 cases per 10,000 workers with harmful working conditions. Men and women had significant differences in the structure of pathology, prevalence of diseases, and results of preventive work. Among the unresolved issues, the growing incidence of malignant neoplasms and radiculopathies in men and women, and vibration disease in men, require priority attention. An increase in age and years of employment at the initial detection of pathology is accompanied by the formation of occupational multimorbidity in both men and women.

Conclusion: The obtained data can be used to determine priority goals in preventive programs that also take into account the gender characteristics of occupational pathology.

Introduction: No effective pharmaceutical treatment for age-related cognitive impairment and dementia is available nowadays, so prevention plays a key role.

Objective: To summarize published data on the influence of various dietary factors on cognitive functions and associated pathological processes.

Materials and Methods: We searched for publications on the topic issued over the previous 36 years in the MEDLINE and Google Scholar electronic databases, selected 72 studies containing an empirical assessment of the role of nutritional factors in preventing age-related cognitive disorders, and performed their descriptive analysis.

Results: Excessive intake of added and refined sugars is associated with impaired cognitive performance; increased intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is associated with a lower risk of age-related cognitive decline while saturated fats pose a higher risk. High protein intake has been shown to correlate with better cognitive outcomes. Tyrosine and tryptophan have a positive effect on memory and reaction time so their high intake mitigates the risks of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease by reducing oxidative stress. Vitamin D deficiency is linked to an increased risk of cognitive impairments. Adequate polyphenol intake demonstrates neuroprotective, neuroplastic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Dietary adherence determines cognitive outcomes: commitment to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. The Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay was developed by scientists to reduce the risk of cognitive impairments, as well as to slow brain aging and prevent Alzheimer’s disease. The ketogenic/low-carbohydrate diet improves memory. The Western-style diet is associated with accelerated cognitive decline and an increased risk of dementia; it enhances inflammation and vascular-metabolic risk factors.

Conclusions: Most studies suggest potential benefits of consuming certain micronutrients for cognitive health and lower risks of age-related cognitive disorders in different groups of population. Changes in modifiable lifestyle factors and, above all, nutrition are key strategies for maintaining brain health in aging.

Introduction: Elevated nitrate levels in vegetable products have a negative impact on human health.

Objective: To study the nitrate content of vegetable products and assess their health effects in the adult and child population of the Arkhangelsk Region.

Materials and Methods: We used laboratory test reports to study the nitrate content of vegetable products produced in the Arkhangelsk Region (n = 5,909), other regions of the Russian Federation (n = 2,188), and CIS countries (n = 800). We also conducted a questionnaire-based survey to establish vegetable consumption by children (n = 390) and adults (n = 302) and calculated doses and hazard quotients (HQ) for different exposure scenarios. Median and 90th percentile were applied to describe the data. Nitrate levels in vegetables by origin were compared using the two-sample Wilcoxon test and the Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results: Vegetables grown in the Arkhangelsk Region were ranked based on their nitrate content in descending order as follows: leafy vegetables, beetroot, zucchini, cabbage, cucumbers, potatoes, carrots, onions, sweet peppers, and tomatoes. Among leafy vegetables, the highest nitrate concentrations were found in arugula (1,830 mg/kg), celery (1,790 mg/kg), lemon balm (1,750 mg/kg), and basil (1,710 mg/kg). Beetroot (38–58 %) and cucumbers (19–23 %) were found to contribute the most to the nitrate intake in the adult population while zucchini (18–45 %) and potatoes (10–16 %) – to that in children. Total hazard quotients were in the range of 0.80–7.60 and 1.13–11.16 for adults and children, respectively, depending on the exposure scenario.

Conclusion: High nitrate levels combined with high consumption rates of vegetable products pose an increased risk of systemic toxic effects for children and adults.