bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
5.X.2. Improving indoor air quality: a public health challenge
Authors:   Organised by: K-HEALTHinAIR Consortium,   Chair persons: Amy van Grieken (Netherlands), Jose Fermoso (Spain)
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Indoor air quality (IAQ) may have a profound effect on a person’s physical and mental health and well-being. The Knowledge for Indoor Air Quality and Health (K-HEALTHinAIR) project (grant no 101057693) is an interdisciplinary European research project that brings together 15 partners across 8 countries to study the sources, determinants and health outcomes related to IAQ. We aim to increase knowledge and provide input for more accurate monitoring and interventions, promoting healthy indoor air quality across several public health settings. The main aim of this workshop is to engage the public health community in the relevance of IAQ as a public health concern. We will share the innovative and new methodologies applied in the K-HEALTHinAIR project to study IAQ and health and discuss opportunities as well as challenges in this field of research to support shared learning. This workshop highlights IAQ pollutant sources and determinants, seasonal variation in IAQ, older people’s IAQ and health, and presents the project’s open access platform that is developed to share knowledge. We will zoom in on the evidence available for the sources and determinants of exposure to indoor air pollutants. This activity, a systematic review, was fundamental to identify the gaps of knowledge and guide the preparation of data collection tools. It also depicts the main pollutants present in indoor settings and the respective sources and determinants of exposure. Then, one of the 9 public health scenarios studied in the project is presented. We will focus on the first results regarding (determinants of) IAQ variation in primary schools at several locations in Poland. Next, the pilot study in older people living in senior homes in the Netherlands presents first findings of IAQ and health data in this vulnerable population. Finally, the project will deliver an open-access platform aiming to be the one-stop-shop for IAQ Knowledge. The user-profiles identified are presented. At the end, the workshop participants will be up to date on the project’s activities, its relevance for public health and the open access platform via which all output will be shared. Participants will leave with increased understanding of public health research needed to further study IAQ and its impact on health and well-being.

Key messages
• Indoor air quality is a public health concern impacting health and well-being, especially in vulnerable populations such as children and older people.
• The K-HEALTHinAIR project is a multidisciplinary research project in which innovative methodologies are applied to increase knowledge on indoor air quality and health.
Schools and Indoor Air Quality: seasonal variation
Authors: Badyda A , Muszyński A , Affek K , Doskocz N , Kępa P , Mucha D , Piórkowska A , Rogulski M , Załęska-Radziwiłł M 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in schools is a public health concern, given the vulnerability of children as a demographic group and substantial amount of time that they spend in (highly occupied) classrooms. Conditions specific for school buildings, as well as location and outdoor air quality (OAQ), can adversely affect IAQ and children’s health. The aim of this study was to examine the seasonal variation in IAQ and the influence of OAQ herein in primary schools.

Methods
Sampling was carried out in summer and winter in 5 schools in central Poland. A culture-dependent method using impactors was applied to examine the total number of bacteria and fungi. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (quartz filters for sampling) was applied to determine concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), crucial for their health impact.

Results
In poorly ventilated classrooms bacteria levels exceeded that of fungi. Bacterial contamination decreased in efficiently ventilated rooms, and before/after the lessons. In summer fungi concentration in indoor air was higher than in winter and reached the level of fungi outdoors. PAHs concentrations (especially those with 4 and more rings, which are biologically active) and the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity equivalents were elevated in winter and related to changes in concentrations in outdoor air.

Conclusions
IAQ in schools depends on a season. Occupants in classrooms are the main source of bacteria, but the type and number of microorganisms also depend on ventilation conditions. PAHs characteristic of coal/wood combustion indicates that in the absence of internal emission sources, external sources most likely affect IAQ in schools in winter.
Indoor Air Quality and health of older people: a pilot study
Authors: van Grieken A , de Leede S C , Ye L 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Older people often experience one or more chronic conditions, including respiratory conditions. Indoor air quality may (IAQ) may elevate symptoms of respiratory disease such as coughing. Consequently, people may experience a lower Health Related Quality of Life (HR-QoL). The objective of the Rotterdam K-HEALTHinAIR pilot site is to study IAQ and health among elderly: this study presents the design of the study and preliminary baseline results of IAQ and health.

Methods
A observational study is performed among n = 110 older people living in the broader Rotterdam-area, the Netherlands, recruited via opportunity sampling, hospitals and senior-residential corporations. Participants provide informed consent to participate in the study. IAQ is assessed near real-time using home sensors. An observation checklist captures environmental characteristics of the home. Participants complete a diary every 3 months and a self-report questionnaire at baseline, 6- and 12-months; measures include Health-Related Quality of Life, well-being and respiratory symptoms. Preliminary baseline data (n = 30 baseline questionnaires, n = 25 sensors) were analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analyses.

Results
The mean age was 74.3 (SD: 6.3). Average concentrations were 684 ppm CO2 (SD: 723), PM2.5 was 4.8 µg/m3 (SD: 34.5) and average temperature 19.9 °C (SD:1.6). In total 40.0% participants were experiencing asthma and 43.3% COPD. Participants rated their general well-being 72.6 (SD: 18.6) (0-100). No associations were observed between indicators of IAQ and participant self-rated health and health symptoms in this preliminary dataset.

Conclusions
Future data collection will allow for overtime associations between IAQ and a broad range of health outcomes. In the second and third phase of the study we aim to deepen findings and develop interventions.
Alcohol related emergencies among adolescents admitted in a referral acute-care center for adults in Genoa, northwest Italy
Authors: Ferrari A , Mosca S , Ogliastro M , Paolozzi V , Minet C , Orsi A , Icardi G 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
As a result of underage drinking, adolescents have an increased risk of physical, mental, emotional, and social harm.

Methods
In order to assess the emergencies for alcohol use, data of the emergency department (ED) of San Martino Hospital - the referral acute-care center for adults in Genoa, Northwest Italy - was analyzed retrospectively. 330 records of 320 adolescents visiting the ED between 2014 and 2023 were considered.

Results
The median age of access was 16 (IQR 2), 54.8% were males, 17.4% had foreign nationalities, and the average blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 1.8 g/L (SD 0.7), with 14.7% testing positive for other substances (6.1% benzodiazepines and 11.2% other drugs). 16.8%, 46.6% and 36.6% were assigned an emergency, urgent, and not-urgent acuity code. 2.8% had a repeated episode, 3.4% had to be removed for inappropriate behavior, 7.8% left spontaneously, 13.1% were hospitalized for additional care (5.5% in the Psychiatry ward). The average length of stay was 1.24 days (SD 5.86). Multivariable logistic regression showed that higher age, an emergency code and the use of other substances were positively associated with hospitalization [ORs 1.74 (95%CI 1.1-2.7), p 0.01; 7.1 (95%CI 2.2-22.4) p &lt; 0.001; and 15.6 (95%CI 6.8-35.6) p &lt; 0.001, respectively]. Admission in Psychiatry, in particular, was strongly associated with the use of other substances [OR 11.8 (95%CI 3.8-36.6), p &lt; 0.001]. Multivariable linear regression showed that, in comparison with other access reasons, accidents and decreased consciousness were associated with higher BAC [beta 0.6 (95%CI 0.1-1.1), p 0.01; beta 0.8 (95%CI 0.3-1.2) p &lt; 0.001]. Length of stay, however, was associated with lower BAC [beta -0.2 (95%CI -0.3 -0.01), p 0.04].

Conclusions
In Italy, binge drinking affects 120,000 adolescents aged 11-17. Our findings highlight the harm of this practice and support the need for prompt interventions to reduce the onset and prevalence of adolescent alcohol use.
Characteristics of adolescents with acute alcohol intoxication in Belgium
Authors: van Roozendaal H , van der Lely N , De Dooy J , Glazemakers I , Verhulst S , van Hal G 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Binge drinking and acute alcohol intoxication (AAI) are common in Belgian adolescents, posing a risk of serious health consequences. To develop cost-effective preventive measures for problematic alcohol use in adolescents in Belgium, more insight into the background of this group is necessary.

Methods
To gain more insight into the prevalence, medical characteristics and context of AAI, a retrospective multicentre hospital chart study was performed on adolescents aged 10 to 18 years with AAI in Antwerp, Belgium from 2015-2021. Furthermore, a prospective intervention study for adolescents with AAI in Antwerp was set up in 2023, of which the first results were not yet known at the time of submission. However, these results will be presented at the conference, if available.

Results
Over the study period, a total of 1032 admissions related to alcohol intoxication occurred in 1016 patients, with a median age of 16.6 years old and a median blood alcohol intoxication (BAC) of 1.95 g/L. There was combined drug use in 10% of the cases. Only 17% of the patients received additional care after admission. These findings did not significantly change over the study period. Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that after correcting for covariates, higher age, no combined drug use and decreased consciousness at admission were associated with more severe AAI cases (higher BAC).

Conclusions
AAI is prevalent among Belgian adolescents. Therefore, better-targeted preventive measures and policies are needed. Our findings could be taken into account when developing preventive measures. However, data addressing the demographics and context of AAI were mostly missing. Therefore, a prospective follow-up study was set up in Antwerp, which started in 2023 and is still ongoing. Furthermore, this study will investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of a follow-up intervention for this group of patients.
6.X.1. Disentangling Long-COVID: prevalence, risk factors and impact
Authors:   Organised by: Santé Publique France (France), Western University (Canada),   Chair persons: Tatjana Makovski (France), Saverio Stranges (EUPHA-CHR)
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Prolonged symptoms after the acute SARS-COV2 infection significantly alter daily functioning and work ability for substantial number of people. Application of different long COVID definitions result in variable prevalence estimations, while aetiology of long COVID as well as its impact is insufficiently understood. Our workshop is set to discuss the public health impact of long COVID in the general population, to identify risk factors of developing long COVID, and stimulate dialog to advance adequate health care and public health actions aimed to reduce the impact of this condition.

Objectives and Key Questions
The overall objective is to discuss the public health impact as well as geographic variations across Europe in long COVID prevalence, major risk factors for long COVID and impact on work capacity, accounting for different population-based and hospital study settings. Specifically, the workshop will address the following key questions: 1) what are the challenges in estimating prevalence of long COVID? 2) what are the risk factors of long COVID and some of the most vulnerable population groups? 3) what is a distribution of long COVID in Europe? 4) what is the impact of long COVID on work ability?

Brief Overview
The workshop will include 3 presentations (in combined total duration of 12 min) on challenges for research and practice attributable to variability in defining long COVID, prevalence of long COVID across several European countries, risks factors of long COVID and impact on work ability. Active discussion of 13 min will conclude the session.

Key messages
• Standardized definitions, such as WHO-PCC definition with severity thresholds would facilitate surveillance of long COVID and advance knowledge on the risk factors related to this condition.
• Understanding better the risk factors and impact of long COVID will inform more adequate screening and therapeutic strategies, and possibly anticipate effects of potential new infectious threats.
Long COVID prevalence differences across 27 European countries that participated in the 2021 Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe
Authors: Cuschieri S , Kozela M , Chłoń-Domińczak A , Oczkowska M , Wilk P 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant burden in Europe, with over 60% of infected individuals developing Long COVID symptoms. Variations in Long COVID prevalence across countries are linked to individual-level factors, but the influence of population-based country-level characteristics remains unclear. Thus, our objective was to assess how country-level characteristics related to: (i) the way European countries responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, (ii) their population-level health status, (iii) provision and access to healthcare services, (iv) human development, governance, and environmental risk factors, are associated with Long COVID. We used a sample of 4,004 middle-aged and older adults from 27 European countries who, in summer 2021, participated in Corona Survey 2 (from Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe) and who reported COVID-19 infection one year prior to the survey. To assess the potential role of country-level characteristics, while controlling for key individual-level factors, we estimated three sequential multilevel random intercept logistic regression models. Approximately 70% of respondents who had COVID-19 also experienced Long COVID symptoms and there were significant cross-country differences in Long COVID rates, ranging from 32% to 89%. About 13% of the total variance in the risk of having Long COVID can be attributed to cross-country differences and the remaining 87% to individual-level factors. The individual-level characteristics also accounted for 6% of the observed cross-country differences in Long COVID rates (compositional effects) while the country-level characteristics further reduced this variance by over 50%. Both individual and country-level factors influence Long COVID occurrence, emphasizing the need for tailored recovery plans, healthcare planning and resource allocation at the national level to address this condition.
Regional inequalities in years of life lost within the European Economic Area: Using the Gini coefficient and slope index of inequality to assess spatial disparities
Authors: Varga O , Baravelli C , Chen-Xu J , Mahrouseh N , Eikemo T A , Grad D , Wyper G , Badache A , Balaj M , Charalampous P 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Background
Health inequalities have been linked to reduced life expectations. This study aimed to investigate regional variations in all-cause years of life lost (YLLs) in European Economic Area (EEA) countries prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods
Demographic data were extracted from Eurostat for 1390 small regions 32 EEA countries. Age-standardised sex specific YLL rates per 100,000 population in 2019 were estimated for EEA regions (Eurostat NUTS level 3) using methodologies derived from the Global Burden of Disease study. Relative spatial disparities were evaluated using the Gini coefficient (GC) and absolute spatial disparities assessed using the slope index of inequality (SII).

Results
Between EEA countries, relative geographical inequality in age-standardized YLL rates was higher than within them, slightly more so for males (GC = 16.96% [95% CI = 16.26-17.65]) than females (14.22% [13.62-14.82]). Among females, the UK (11.21% [95% CI 10.11-12.30]), Greece, and Croatia had the highest relative spatial inequality, while Ireland (3.37% [2.26-4.48]), Slovakia, and the Netherlands had the lowest. For males, Belgium (10.76% [9.34-12.17]), the UK, and Croatia exhibited the highest relative spatial inequality, while Ireland (1.99% [1.18-2.81]), Lithuania, and Slovakia had the lowest. Germany had the largest absolute geographical inequality in YLLs among females (SII=16.86% [16.28 to 17.44]), followed by Estonia and the UK. Among males, Estonia had the largest absolute spatial inequality (36.60% [-10.88 to 84.07]), followed by Latvia and Hungary. Ireland had the lowest absolute spatial inequality for both females and males.

Conclusions
Relative and absolute disparities in premature mortality rates are evident across regions of the EEA, both within countries and across the entire region. These findings offer insights for national and local stakeholders, aiding them in customising public health interventions to target spatial health disparities.
7.X.2. Planetary Health: metaphorical visualizations of transdisciplinary working in practice
Authors:   Organised by: EUPHA-PHPP, -ENV, -HSR, EUPHAnxt, EHMA, WHO/Europe,   Chair persons: Marleen Bekker (EUPHA-PHPP), Marija Jevtic (EUPHA-ENV)
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Across public health and healthcare practices, we signal low awareness and little urgency for Planetary Health among health professionals as well as lacking or lagging implementation of planned policies. Planetary health requires a ‘just do it’ mentality with a transdisciplinary and reflection-in-action approach. There is a need for a bottom up movement, but HOW to get started and HOW to persevere against all odds? This 25 minute pecha kaucha session is aimed at facilitating transdisciplinary learning for planetary health action. We will start with a brief introduction to the concept of Planetary Health, followed by two short presentations on two metaphorical work processes underlying the startup of a flowering community garden and the preparations for a delicious Italian lasagna. The second half of the session is dedicated to a creative exercise with the audience, generating multiple metaphors in small groups using picture cards, paper drawings. We finalize this session by collaboratively building a visualised sea with transdisciplinary waves of metaphorical innovations that, instead of litter and pollution, make our beaches and shores stronger foundations protective of our planetary life.

Key messages
• Planetary health requires a ‘just do it’ mentality with a transdisciplinary reflection-in-action approach.
• Metaphorical reasoning visualizes social reality and boosts Planetary health mentality, community spirit and transdisciplinary action.
Health coaching: the node of health literacy & health promotion
Authors: Silvestri F , Vital P , Saboga-Nunes L , Bittlingmayer U 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Introduction
To achieve sustainable health behaviors and outcomes to move from a precarious health situation to good health, people need to be supported in health literacy in behavior change that ensure interventions’ success. As a non-clinical approach, health coaching aims to increase a person’s levels of self-efficacy, confidence and resilience, by promoting the sense of coherence. This communication aims to identify the benefits that health coaching as a salutogenic approach can trigger.

Methods
The work is structured in a narrative review of literature and the lived experience of the authors in health coaching.

Results
The published research on health coaching and the systematic professional experience of the authors highlight: (1) the anchoring of health coaching in the salutogenic model and in the person-centered approach focused on individual characteristics and needs in driving healthy behaviors; (2) health coaching as a collaborative relationship with chronically ill people and people at risk of developing illness; (3) the role of health coaching as a sense of coherence (SOC) promoter; (4) health coaching as a new profession in the healthcare ecosystem (e.g. NHS, UK), cooperating with multidisciplinary teams.

Discussion
From A.Antonovsky’s model approach to health, the SOC stands out and constitutes one of the basic theories in health coaching interventions, by strengthening the person’s capabilities of comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness. As an emerging profession, with ethical and a growing research foundation, it is facilitated by trained professionals in managing and monitoring health behavior change.

Conclusions
Health coaching aims to bring relevance, meaning and strategy to a person’s behavioral change. Health coaching demonstrates positive effects on several health parameters by supporting the implementation of health literacy development and empowering people to trigger sustainable changes that lead to healthier lifestyles.
Promoting mental health in higher education students: a pilot study
Authors: Ilharco A , Pocinho M , Saboga-Nunes L 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Introduction
The mental health and well-being of higher education students is a relevant topic today, given the high prevalence of mental disorders and their increasing trend. Therefore, it is imperative to develop health education programs that aim to develop strategies to promote psychological well-being and reduce suffering in this population.

Objectives
To develop and implement a mental health promotion program, with interventions based on Yoga/meditation and Auriculotherapy, and evaluate its impact on the mental health of higher education students.

Methodology
Pretest-posttest design, with assessment before (T0), after the intervention (T1) and with a three-month follow-up (T2). Evaluation with the Portuguese version of the Mental Health Inventory (Pais-Ribeiro, 2001), and physiological assessment (heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure). 22 students participated in the intervention, randomly divided into two groups: Yoga/meditation group (GY) and Auriculotherapy group (GA), each with 11 students.

Results
The physiological parameters evaluated showed, in all sessions, a decrease in averages, regardless of the technique implemented. In the assessment at T0 and T1, it was found that there was a significant decrease in the Distress (p = 0.037) and Anxiety (p = 0.031) dimensions. In the evaluation over time (T0, T1 and T2), it was found, regardless of the technique implemented, that the intervention had a positive effect on the mental health of the students.

Discussion
The results point to the importance of developing mental health promotion programs in higher education.