Editorial: Science to Foster the WHO Air Quality Guideline Values

International Journal of Public Health, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 69

Опубликована: Янв. 6, 2025

There is a large global body of evidence linking exposure to air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5), with impacts on all major human organ systems. Furthermore, epidemiological studies have now documented health effects at levels below current national ambient quality standards. The Health Effects Institute recently completed comprehensive research initiative investigate the long-term low pollution in Europe, Canada and United States [3]. Particular strengths included populations (7-69 million people), state-of-the-art assessment methods, thorough statistical analyses that applied novel methods. All three positive associations between mortality PM2.5 as 4 μg/m 3 or even lower. observed linear (United States), supra-linear (Canada Europe) exposure-response functions for mortality, no threshold. This provided important new adverse exposures standards, suggesting further reductions could yield larger benefits than previously anticipated [3].Based these other studies, World Organization (WHO) released Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) September 2021. They recommended annual mean concentrations should not exceed 5 , finding occur above this concentration [4]. also set interim targets, meant provide step wise pathway towards achievement AQG values 35, 25, 15, 10 . Governments Europe moved toward more stringent standards-9 µg/m respectively-to align closely 2021 WHO [5,6]. Meanwhile, Federal Commission Hygiene advised Swiss Government adopt standards [7]. Others such Uganda adopted National Standards first time [8], Brazil has Policy progressive targets consistent [9]. Special Issue, entitled "Science Foster Guideline Values", presents recent science underpins offers insights into pathways action. One issue abundantly clear -the disease burden from borne equally across world, countries Asia, Africa, Middle East experiencing highest associated (Figure 1). Hence, there particular need improve those regions [e.g., 10,11].Much what currently known about its solutions come conducted high-income regions, North America Western relatively levels, years, China where are high [12,13]. As governments around world act quality, continuing strengthen local base risk identify sources most responsible assess public effectiveness actions taken quality. Such invaluable strengthening scientific infrastructure capacities, raising awareness communities, supporting evidence-based decision making. To awareness, update Index toolsused by many authorities communicate state daily basis -with [14]. More needed capture direct indirect climate change fully, including interactions pollution.Overall, bold levels-international, national, localand sectors transport, energy, industry, agriculture, residential. cause optimism: various examples locations globe show if action so does population [15]. Scientific data presented articles will continue play fundamental role fostering actions, reduce inequity both within countries, close gap AQG.

Язык: Английский

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Health and associated economic benefits of reduced air pollution and increased physical activity from climate change policies in the UK

Environment International, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 196, С. 109283 - 109283

Опубликована: Янв. 16, 2025

Язык: Английский

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How Sustainable Are Hospital Menus in the United Kingdom? Identifying Untapped Potential Based on a Novel Scoring System for Plant‐Based Provisions

Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 38(1)

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Background Adopting plant‐forward diets is essential for achieving climate targets. As the second‐largest provider of public sector meals in UK, National Health Service (NHS) can significantly reduce its environmental impact by transitioning to menus, contributing goal being a net‐zero healthcare service 2045. This study evaluates extent which NHS hospitals currently align with sustainable practices assessing nature in‐patient menus. Methods Green Plans from 40 hospital trusts were analysed assess commitment plant‐forward, lower‐emission Freedom Information requests sent 50 trusts, and 36 menus spring/summer season 2024 analysed. A novel scoring system was developed subscores reflecting availability plant‐based meals, ruminant‐meat menu strategies encourage choices. Results showed limited increasing food options. Hospital scored poorly overall (average score 20/100, range: 9–38). The lowest observed provision fully nudging techniques. ruminant meat varied (subscore 0–100) all included processed on their menu. Hospitals outsourced catering higher than those in‐house catering. Conclusion Despite national recommendations shift towards diets, show little provide offerings this regard. offers practical framework monitoring progress guiding environmentally sustainable,

Язык: Английский

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Health challenges of climate change in the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region, with a focus on Türkiye. An environmental neurological and brain health perspective

Journal of the Neurological Sciences, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 123423 - 123423

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Defying Environmental Deregulation

JAMA, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Фев. 21, 2025

This Viewpoint discusses recent executive orders that weaken or repeal US climate policies; calls for the health care sector to take a leading role in advocating decarbonization and policies protect public health; suggests multilevel opportunities professionals organizations work collectively fight change safeguard health.

Язык: Английский

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Implications of President Trump’s Second Term Executive Orders on Global and Public Health

International Journal of Public Health, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 70

Опубликована: Фев. 24, 2025

On 20 January 2025, Donald J. Trump assumed office for his second term as President of the United States (US), initiating an immediate shift in public health policies [1]. The newly issued executive orders encompass pandemic preparedness, environmental health, and global collaborations, raising concerns regarding their long-term impact.The US government's retreat from international partnerships, combined with substantial budget reductions, poses significant threats to security.Among most striking policy reversals is systematic defunding key federal agencies tasked response. Department Health Human Services (HHS) has imposed stringent restrictions, including a suspension new contracts, grants, external communications, medical research reviews, impacting over 13 [2,3]. These measures have effectively frozen $50 billion industry, limiting travel officials life-threatening situations only, thereby impeding outbreak responsesparticularly concerning ongoing highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) viruses' crisis [3].The National Institutes (NIH) also ceased funding initiatives, disrupting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) broader scientific endeavors. Furthermore, halting financial support projects threatens collaborations on infectious surveillance. Indeed, without advisory committee meetings, NIH unable issue freezing 80% its $47 budget, which supports initiatives both domestically internationally. Key such Centers Disease Control Prevention (CDC) Food Drug Administration (FDA) face these mandates amidst leadership instability, positions remaining unfilled.The implications extend beyond borders. signed order withdraw World Organization (WHO), citing national sovereignty [4]. This withdrawal destabilize particularly Africa, where many countries rely through WHO-led programmers. WHO warned that this departure will undermine surveillance, polio eradication efforts, emergency responses, low-income regions. With historically contributing 15% WHO's total gap left by departure-approximately $1.28 annually-jeopardizes security millions worldwide [5].President Trump's reversed designed mitigate climate change, Paris Agreement deregulation fossil fuel industries. Recent estimates suggest climate-related risks-such vector-borne diseases (e.g., dengue), respiratory illnesses, extreme weather mortality-could contribute additional 250,000 deaths annually 2050 [6]. By dismantling emissions restrictions coal-fired power plants, are expected increase air pollution-related tens thousands per year alone [7,8]. disproportionately affects marginalized populations, urban communities, agricultural workers, indigenous groups. populations bear brunt climateexacerbated conditions, heat stress, food insecurity, increased exposure airborne pollutants.Trump's "America First" approach extends sharp decline funding. In tandem withdrawal, administration enacted comprehensive freeze foreign aid programs worldwide, excluding military assistance Israel Egypt [9]. billions dollars allocated education, development, other critical like President's Emergency Plan acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) Relief (PEPFAR) facing uncertainties. halt jeopardizes efforts combat human virus (HIV)/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, diseases. reinstatement Mexico City Policy, prevents non-governmental organizations perform or promote abortions receiving funding, collaboration [10]. not only restricts reproductive services but disrupts integrated address range issues, maternal child gender-based violence. policy's may lead service gaps strained relationships between partners.The early days indicate policy, potential consequences domestic health. could disrupt surveillance response while cuts risk undermining preparedness initiatives. impact vulnerable exacerbating existing inequalities. As unfold, continuous assessment cooperation be crucial mitigating impact. Global institutions policymakers must mobilize alternative strategies, reinforce multilateral advocate science-driven policies. erosion governance under merely concern demanding urgent coordinated stakeholders engage strategic discussions ensure infrastructure remains resilient changes.KW study, collected analyzed data, drafted manuscript.KW received Grants-in-Aid Scientific Research (KAKENHI) Japan Society

Язык: Английский

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Climate change in nursing education: A bibliometric analysis of scholarly outputs 2002-2024

Teaching and learning in nursing, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Bacillus amyloliquefaciens- modified clay for controlling harmful algal blooms in eutrophic aquaculture ponds

Frontiers in Microbiology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 16

Опубликована: Март 6, 2025

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is a commonly used probiotic microecological regulator in aquaculture water with the ability to inhibit harmful algae blooms (HABs) and improve health status of ecosystem. Modified clay has been widely applied field for eliminating HABs. In this study, particles are as carriers provide microenvironment microbial fermentation, yielding modified product high efficiency typical HAB organisms. Methods developed fermentation microorganisms also subsequent preparation dry powder, which stably produce powder form elimination. The results showed that obtained stable bacterial content more than 109 cfu/mL, removal rate organism Heterosigma akashiwo equivalent other materials at same dosage, indicating good potential removal. dosage 0.1 g/L exceeded 90%. By combining two natural material, both function emergency flocculation disposal (when outbreaks) long-term ecological regulation (to maintain healthier phytoplankton community structure through specific algicidal effect) were achieved, resulting 1 + > 2 effect when eutrophic environment. Also, exploratory study unique combination modification preliminarily provides an important scientific basis promoting large-scale application control, especially ecosystems. extensive assessment before still required, such like support environmental criteria, safety organisms whole

Язык: Английский

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Why is the medical profession reluctant to talk about diet change?

Future Healthcare Journal, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 12(1), С. 100231 - 100231

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

The intertwined crises of poor health, climate change, biodiversity loss and social injustice demand urgent action. Human activities, particularly fossil fuel use the current food system, are key drivers these crises. A transition to a plant-based diet, especially within healthcare systems, offers significant opportunity address challenges. Diets high in animal products ultra-processed foods leading causes chronic ill health environmental degradation, while diets reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve promote human health. Evidence shows that can prevent manage conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes cancer, addressing global insecurity resource inefficiency. Healthcare NHS, lead this by offering meals, promoting education advocating for policy changes. Embracing is now an ethical imperative, with benefits spanning individual sustainability, equitable distribution justice.

Язык: Английский

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Understanding the health impacts of the climate crisis

Future Healthcare Journal, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 12(1), С. 100240 - 100240

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

The climate crisis is the greatest threat to global health. Anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions have increased temperature of Earth by over 1.5 °C and caused sea levels rise 24 cm since beginning 20th century. 2024 was warmest year on record last 10 hottest years all occurred in years. Climate models suggest that surface could between 5.5 compared with pre-industrial period 2100, sea-level be 0.5 m 1.3 m. change already causing significant shifts weather patterns an increase extreme events around world, including droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, storms floods. These are having impact spread infectious diseases severity non-infectious diseases. food water insecurity, increasing malnourishment burden disease. unpredictable impacts perceived inaction from local, national international leaders, creating anxiety contributing deteriorating mental health, particularly young people. health will future if nothing done curb emission. We need action deal while improving security income very poorest people our society. must plan for a net zero world provides healthy, safe low environmental lives billion 2050.

Язык: Английский

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