Most studies of retirement migration in the United States focus at the national level, and there is comparatively little information about the retirees who cross international borders in their search for new homes. Retirement migrants are unusual in that many select destinations in less-developed countries, contrary to the general pattern of migration from poor to rich countries in search of jobs, higher incomes and a better standard of life. This study has examined the reasons for retirement migration from the United States (US) to the Lake Chapala area of the Mexican state of Jalisco. A non-random sample of 211 US retirees was surveyed using a self-completion, semi-structured questionnaire that included items about the decision to move to Mexico, the quality of life at the destination, cultural adaptation, and aspects of personal identity, financial security and health-care. Four major reasons for migrating to Mexico were identified: financial circumstances, the natural environment, a sense of community and friendship, and a better quality of life. While the migrations contradict much taken-for-granted and popular knowledge about migration patterns around the world, they have important implications for the ways of life, social relationships and welfare of the most recent cohort of older people. More in-depth multidisciplinary studies are needed to increase understanding of this evolving phenomenon.

Background Excessive heat is a leading weather-related cause of fatalities in the USA. Vulnerable populations can face greater exposure to health risks during extreme heat events. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of excessive heat and community-level social vulnerability on morbidity in San Antonio, Texas, in 2018. Methods Heat Index (HI) data are from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Social vulnerability is measured using the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). Morbidity is measured as the number of emergency medical service (EMS) incidents. Sixty-one zip codes were analysed for the 153 constrained calendar days from 1 May to 30 September 2018. Negative binomial regression analysis with the time-stratified case-crossover design was conducted to predict the effects of HI and SVI on the rate of EMS incidents. Results HI is significantly and positively associated with the rate of EMS incidents. Social vulnerability has a statistically significant association with EMS incidents, with higher levels of community-level social vulnerability associated with higher rates of EMS incidents. The effect of the HI on the rate of EMS incidents is significantly and positively moderated by the SVI. Conclusions Social vulnerability and excessive heat increase the rate of EMS incidents. As the number of excessive heat days increases and San Antonio continues to have extreme disparities by location, there will be an effect on health systems, including EMSs.

Bangladesh is making progress toward achieving zero dog-mediated rabies deaths by 2030, a global goal set in 2015. Drawing from multiple datasets, including patient immunisation record books and mass dog vaccination (MDV) databases, we conducted a comprehensive analysis between 2011 and 2023 to understand the effectiveness of rabies control programmes and predict human rabies cases in Bangladesh by 2030 using time-series forecasting models. We also compared rabies virus sequences from GenBank in Bangladesh and other South Asian countries. The estimated dog population in Bangladesh was determined to be 1,668,140, with an average dog population density of 12.83 dogs/km² (95% CI 11.14-14.53) and a human-to-dog ratio of 86.70 (95% CI 76.60-96.80). The MDV campaign has led to the vaccination of an average of 21,295 dogs (95% CI 18,654-23,935) per district annually out of an estimated 26,065 dogs (95% CI 22,898-29,230). A declining trend in predicted and observed human rabies cases has been identified, suggesting that Bangladesh is poised to make substantial progress towards achieving the 'Zero by 30' goal, provided the current trajectory continues. The phylogenetic analysis shows that rabies viruses in Bangladesh belong to the Arctic-like-1 group, which differs from those in Bhutan despite sharing a common ancestor. Bangladesh's One Health approach demonstrated that an increase in MDV and anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) resulted in a decline in the relative risk of human rabies cases, indicating that eliminating dog-mediated human rabies could be achievable. The study was supported by the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) Division of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.