Background: Socioeconomic inequalities in cardiovascular risk persist despite declining mortality. We examined the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle behaviors across educational levels in men and women from a Mediterranean population. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of adults aged 35–74 years from a population-based sample in north-eastern Spain. Risk factors and lifestyle were assessed with standardized measurements and validated questionnaires. Educational attainment was categorized as primary, secondary, or university. Analyses were sex-stratified; age-adjusted linear and logistic regression models were applied. Results: We included 943 adults (52.3% women). Among men, secondary and university education (vs. primary) were associated with lower LDL-cholesterol [β –11.76 (95% CI –21.68 to –1.83) and –17.83 (–28.03 to –7.63) mg/dL], lower odds of hypercholesterolemia [OR = 0.43 (0.20–0.90) for both], smoking [OR = 0.57 (0.33–0.97) and 0.53 (0.30–0.95)], and higher odds of high Mediterranean diet adherence [OR = 2.08 (1.04–4.16) and 3.05 (1.51–6.14)]. Among women, secondary and university education (vs. primary) were associated with lower body mass index [β –1.81 (–2.85 to –0.77) and –2.52 (–3.63 to –1.40) kg/m2] and lower odds of overweight/obesity [OR = 0.47 (0.29–0.76) and 0.34 (0.20–0.56)]. Lower odds of hypertension [OR = 0.44 (0.22–0.87)] and high Mediterranean diet adherence [OR = 2.14 (1.12–4.09)] were also more likely in university-educated women. Conclusions: Higher educational attainment was associated with healthier lifestyles and more favorable cardiometabolic profiles. Educational gradients were broader in women—spanning adiposity, blood pressure, glycemia, and lipidemia—whereas, in men, they mainly affected lipidemia and diet.

Background: Waiting times for elective surgery are widely used as indicators of health system performance, particularly following the disruption caused by COVID-19. The objective of this study is to compare the waiting times for major elective surgeries in the Southern Barcelona Metropolitan Area before (2018–2019) and after (2022–2023) the pandemic, examining differences according to sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A retrospective comparative study was conducted using data from the Southern Barcelona Metropolitan Area between 2018 and 2023. Adults registered on the waiting list for major elective surgical procedures were included. All analyses were stratified by sex. A stratified pre–post pandemic analysis was conducted to examine differences in waiting times by Socioeconomic Index. Waiting times were modelled using generalized linear models with a Gamma distribution and log link, adjusting for age and Socioeconomic Index quartiles. Interaction between period and Socioeconomic Index was tested. Results: The analysis included 73,055 individuals (50.5% women). Median waiting time decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic for both sexes (women: 128 to 121 days; men: 99 to 94 days). This reduction showed an inverse socioeconomic gradient. Adjusted analyses showed longer waits in the lowest versus highest Socioeconomic Index quartile after the pandemic (women: RR = 1.23; men: RR = 1.30). Conclusions: Waiting times for major elective surgery decreased after COVID-19. An exclusive focus on waiting time indicators may conceal structural barriers to access and contribute to inequalities. Equity-sensitive monitoring of elective care is essential to ensure a fair recovery of surgical services.

Background/Objectives: The study’s goal is to assess the association between long-term statin therapy and influenza incidence, influenza severity, and all-cause mortality. Methods: Two population-based dynamic cohorts (exposed and unexposed to statins) were followed from 2010 to 2019. Participants were 60 years or older; frail patients were excluded. The primary outcomes were influenza incidence, influenza-related intensive care unit (ICU) admission as a proxy for severity, and all-cause mortality. The exposed cohort comprised new statin users with a minimum of two pharmacy invoices within 90 days of enrollment. Adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) for influenza incidence, ICU admission, and mortality rate were calculated using Poisson regression. Results: The initial study population of 639,564 individuals was evenly split into exposed (319,782) and unexposed (319,782) cohorts; mean age was 71 years (standard deviation: 8 years), and 57% were women. Compared to non-users, new statin users showed a higher influenza incidence [9.39 (95% confidence interval: 9.36–9.42) vs. 7.64 (7.61–7.66) per 1000 person-years], ICU admission [1.65 (1.65–1.66) vs. 1.36 (1.35–1.36) per 1000 person-years], and overall mortality rate [97.09 (96.75–97.43) vs. 94.15 (93.82–94.47) per 1000 person-years]. Adjusted analysis revealed no significant association between statin use and influenza incidence [aRR: 1.04 (0.98–1.10)] or influenza-related ICU admission [aRR: 1.03 (0.89–1.19)] and shifted the effect on mortality from harmful to beneficial [aRR: 0.88 (0.87–0.89)]. Conclusions: Despite new users’ greater vulnerability at the start of treatment, our findings indicate that statins do not influence influenza incidence or severity but reduce all-cause mortality, warranting further exploration of their anti-inflammatory properties.