bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intervention Research in Health Promotion: Methodological Issues
Authors: Cousson-Gélie F 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Population health intervention research focuses on the actions carried out by researchers in partnership with those involved in the intervention: health professionals, patients, caregivers, public policy makers and population communities. The diversity of actors shapes PHIR projects, testifies to the richness of this research and gives it a privileged place to analyze and intervene as precisely as possible in different contexts and populations. It also implies the need for a better understanding of how to intervene by taking into account the determinants of health in these interventions. The PHIR in health promotion in the field of cancer therefore proposes a paradigm shift, with a focus on the intervention and not the description of the problem and its causes. PHIR bases its theoretical foundations on the one hand on contributions and models of public health, and social sciences, and on his own contributions to theorize and build his own theoretical and methodological corpus. This presentation aims to clarify this paradigm shift and four methodological challenges of PHIR: 1/ the imperialism of epidemiology as a research model; 2/ the challenges of evaluating interventions through the complexity of the objects studied; 3/ issues related to partnerships between researchers and actors in the field without which research cannot be conducted; and finally, 4/ the challenges of publishing and exploiting this type of research. Through concrete examples, participants will be invited to understand the challenges of the PHIR methodology, and to analyse different concrete perspectives to address them. The first part will focus on four methodological issues cited and the PHIR's progress to address them. The second part will identify the participants’ representations on the methodological difficulties of PHIR through their own feedback. This discussion will link directly to the next presentation which will focus on the presentation of an intervention on nutrition.
The correlation of climate change and mortality: climate change as a factor for health inequalities
Authors: Murau L 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Recent research has found robust evidence that climate change is often negatively impacting on human health. These impacts are distributed spatially unequal both across the countries of the world and within the countries. While research has clearly outlined this unequal distribution on the country level, for instance with the recently added non-optimal temperature risk factor of the Global Burden of Disease 2019 dataset, thereby acknowledging the impact of unfavorable average temperatures on health, the spatial differences in climate change impacts on health on the subnational level is hardly researched. By operationalizing climate data for a climate change trend analysis of various climate change parameters in GIS, and by applying mortality data for different high-, low-, and middle-income countries on administrative area level 2 for both an Ordinary Least Squared (OLS) and Geographically Weighted (GWR) regression analysis, the proposed article is analyzing the unequal impact of climate change on health inequalities within different countries. Under the assumption that climate change-induced changes of local climate-related conditions affect those areas that already are in a disadvantaged position when it comes to health inequality, the paper is expected to show that inequality gaps are further widening due to climate change, not only but especially in low- and middle-income countries that are more affected by climate change than most of the high-income countries. Therefore, it will have to be discussed, how these increasing health inequalities can be dealt with in a just way and under consideration of already existing vulnerabilities in the most affected areas of climate change.

Key messages
• Climate change directly influences mortality in all analyzed countries with a bigger impact on low- and middle-income countries.
• Climate change contributes to widening health inequalities on a subnational level and especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Impact of the 50 biggest pharma companies: a review of Environmental report aspiring to NetZero
Authors: Di Russo M , Zjalic D , Lombardi G S , Perilli A , Congedo G , Daugbjerg S , Cadeddu C 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Pharmaceutical companies have a considerable environmental impact in terms of waste disposal, CO2 emissions, plastic usage, and air pollution, water and energy consumption (including those related to transportation and refrigeration of drugs). According to data from 2019, pharmacological firms’ CO2 emissions are 13% greater than those of the car industry. To follow a greener path, pharmaceutical companies should primarily invest in sustainable production and supply, standard criteria, rewards programs, and staff training. This review aims to examine how pharmaceutical businesses incorporate environmental sustainability concerns into their operations, regulations, and communications.

Methods
We selected the top 50 pharmaceutical companies by revenue using the drugdiscoverytrends.com database. We collected the 2021 ESG report for each company, examining the following aspects: the inclusion of a ‘sustainability’ section or a downloadable sustainability report; the disclosure of the company production and carbon footprint; the existence of concrete measures to limit CO2 emissions, save water and energy, and reduce the effect of transportation. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics to assess the sustainability of companies.

Results
Preliminary results indicate that each organization has a different level of importance for the topic of sustainability. Companies focused on CO2 production, few on other areas such as water needs or impact on biodiversity. Logistics correspond to the most impactful carbon footprint. Future forecasts and the path to NetZero emissions will also be emphasized, possibly comparing them with upcoming ESG 2022 reports.

Conclusions
The first results of our review show that the 50 biggest pharmaceutical companies have a different kind of interest towards environmental-friendly actions. Those with the highest revenues seem to be more careful towards the green issues, but the route to NetZero is still far to be achieved.

Key messages
• The environmental impact of pharmaceutical companies is greater than other industries. They must balance their business goals with environmental sustainability to reach NetZero as soon as possible.
• The future goal of public health will be to monitor the environmental impact of drug production.
Co-benefiting people and planet: stewarding health resources to reduce waste and improve health
Authors: Aldrich R , Sykes S , Grenfell R 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

The health sector contributes 4-5% of global greenhouse emissions, with direct and indirect harms to people and the planet. Reducing health sector waste by stewarding health resources can reduce emissions, improve preventive and clinical services, reduce costs, and deliver numerous population health co-benefits. Sources of waste include overuse of energy and products (such as diagnostics, medications, consumables, devices), waste related to models of care (including over-diagnosis, unwarranted variation, and excess bed-days from avoidable admissions or not preventing disease or progression of disease), and human factors-related waste (such as duplication, delays, teamwork failure, adverse events and safety shortcuts). A health resource stewardship program commenced in our large regional referral health service (6500 staff) in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia in 2018. Staff commence training having identified a source of waste warranting attention, and receive mentoring over a four-month period to implement their solution; more than 300 have been trained to use improvement methods to reduce or eliminate wasteful practices. Successful initiatives include that removing a blood tube (for a test rarely required but often done) from a trolley halved its use and saved half the salary of the nurse who took the action. Training staff to recognise early sepsis halved admissions to the Intensive Care Unit and saved lives. Implementing pharmacist-led care via telehealth before a person's in-person cardiology appointment saved 16,275Kms and 4.5tonnes of carbon dioxide. People and the planet benefit from modest or broad action such as reducing printing, assuring prevention program quality and efficacy by co-designing with consumers, optimising effective screening in a high-risk population, and investment in programs such as telehealth or digital health records. Health resource stewardship can be done anywhere any day by anyone, and is a key climate action for health by the health sector.

Key messages
• The health sector produces greenhouse emissions which harm people and the planet.
• Stewarding health resources can reduce emissions, reduce costs, and deliver numerous population health co-benefits.
The impact of induced earthquakes on mental health: evidence from the Dutch Lifelines Cohort Study
Authors: Shui A , Mierau J , van den Berg G J , Viluma L 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
A growing body of literature demonstrates that exposure to events, such as natural disasters, accidents, or adverse life events, may increase the risk of physical and psychological distress. Despite this understanding, little is known about the health consequences of consistent exposure to human-made crises. To address this issue, we examine the long-term health effects of mining-induced earthquakes in the Northern Netherlands and study the heterogeneity of the effect across socioeconomic status (SES).

Methods
Large-scale individual health data is from the Dutch Lifelines biobank and cohort study with 148,700 participants from the Northern Netherlands. Earthquake data is from Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute. The main health outcomes are housing-related stress, depression, anxiety, and self-assessed health. The key independent variable is accumulated peak ground velocity. We use an individual-level fixed effects model to assess the health effects of induced earthquakes by controlling individual heterogeneity, especially migration preference. Further, we add the interaction terms of accumulated PGV and education level into the regression model to analyze the different effects of earthquakes across SES.

Results
We find an association between living in high-exposure areas and housing-related stress. The results also show that for each additional noticeable earthquake (PGV&gt;0.5 cm/s), the probability of getting anxiety increases by 1.04% on average. Moreover, the number of noticeable earthquakes (PGV&gt;0.5 cm/s) has an adverse impact on self-assessed health. After adding the interaction terms, considerable health effects disparities were observed between SES, with the highest health effects of earthquakes in the lowest SES groups.

Conclusions
Our results indicate that the long-run effects of sequences of small shocks are more significant than previously believed. The low SES group was the most vulnerable population to induced earthquakes.

Key messages
• This paper aims to estimate the causal effects of mining-induced earthquakes on health by employing large-scale panel data from the Lifelines biobank and cohort study in the Northern Netherlands.
• Our findings suggest that exposure to repeated earthquakes has a negative effect on housing-related stress, anxiety, and self-rated health.
Low-cost IoT sensors reveal adverse health outcomes associated with air pollution exposure
Authors: Salim S , Diallo G , Morita P 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Air pollution is a major public health threat and has been linked to various adverse health effects including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and coarse particulate matter (PM10) are two major components of air pollution that are significant contributors to these health outcomes. With the advent of low-cost sensors, accurate measurement of exposure has become possible, allowing for better assessment of the impact of air pollution exposure on human health.

Methods
To investigate the association between air pollution exposure and illnesses resulting in hospital visits, IoT sensors were deployed in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, to measure PM2.5 and PM10 levels from 2018-2021. Health data was obtained from the Mongolian National Center for Public Health. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate overall odds ratios for the associations between daily PM2.5 and PM10 exposure and the occurrence of illnesses, adjusting for age and sex.

Results
The unadjusted odds ratio for the association between PM10 exposure and acute respiratory illnesses was 1.3, while the unadjusted odds ratio for PM2.5 exposure was 1.2; decreasing to 1.2 and 1.1 respectively after adjusting for age and sex (p &lt; 0.05). These findings are consistent with previous studies and highlight the significant impact of air pollution on the occurrence of acute respiratory illnesses. The use of IoT sensors allowed for accurate assessment of air pollution exposure in the study population.

Conclusions
This study provides further evidence of the detrimental effects of air pollution on human health, particularly on the occurrence of acute respiratory illnesses. These findings highlight the importance of continued efforts to reduce air pollution levels. Accurate measurement of exposure rates using IoT sensors can aid in identifying and addressing sources of air pollution to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities affected by this health threat.

Key messages
• This study shows the significant impact of air pollution on acute respiratory illnesses, highlighting the importance of reducing air pollution levels.
• Accurate measurement of air pollution exposure using IoT sensors can aid in identifying and addressing sources of air pollution to improve public health.
At-home thermal discomfort is associated with non-communicable chronic diseases
Authors: Sousa I , Candeias P , Capitão C , Virgolino A , Freitas S , Climaco N , Santos O 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Air temperature is a relevant environmental determinant of hospitalization and mortality. Less known is the prevalence of at-home thermal discomfort and its associations with health indicators. This work aimed to characterize the association between thermal discomfort and self-reported non-communicable chronic diseases in adults living in the municipality of Lisbon.

Methods
Observational cross-sectional study with data collected through individual telephone interviews, with a non-probabilistic stratified (by gender, age, education, and area of residence) sample. Logistic regression models were used to estimate effect sizes, controlling for age, gender, educational level, and morbidity indicators.

Results
Overall, 855 adults (25+ years old) living in the municipality of Lisbon participated in the study. Only respondents who reported to be 10+ hours per day at home were included in the analysis. The sample was balanced for genders (55,2% female), with an average age of 53,4 years (SD = 17,0; maximum age=93 years old), and 40,2% (n = 356) not having a higher-level education. About three-quarters (74,2%; n = 552) reported feeling thermal discomfort at home and 56,9% (n = 414) reported having at least one non-communicable disease diagnosed. When considering the sample's most prevalent self-reported chronic diseases, a significant association with thermal discomfort was found for asthma and hypercholesterolemia (chi-square=4,08; p=.004; and chi-square=4,87; p=.027, respectively). After adjusting for sex, age, educational level, area of residence, and other self-reported morbidities, asthma was found as a significant predictor of thermal discomfort (OR = 3,03; 95% CI: 1,03-8,90).

Conclusions
These preliminary results suggest that some chronic diseases may have an unequal impact on thermal regulation and comfort. This is an important message also for those responsible for the development of policies against energy poverty.

Key messages
• At-home thermal discomfort is a relevant indicator to consider when monitoring chronic diseases and urban health.
• Suffering from chronic diseases may have a relevant impact on thermal discomfort and this should be taken into account when defining policies against energy-poverty.
PM2.5 Air Quality Monitoring during COVID-19 Restrictions in Portugal: Key Findings
Authors: Lima L , Corda M , Viegas S , Martins C 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Particulate matter with or less 2.5 diameters (PM2.5) has deleterious health effects on humans. In 2020, exposure to levels of PM2.5 above World Health Organization Air Quality Guidelines (WHO AQG) caused 238,000 and 2,600 premature deaths in the European Union and Portugal, respectively. During the lockdowns and restrictions periods due to the COVID-19 pandemic, air quality was improved. The aim of this study was to assess the variation of PM2.5 concentrations in Portugal during the years 2020 and 2021, considering COVID-19 restrictions.

Methods
The daily average (24-hour) concentrations of PM2.5 were calculated based on the hourly values registered at the monitoring stations (Online Database on Air Quality of the Portuguese Environment Agency). Friedman tests were used for paired samples to assess differences between levels of PM2.5 in the months of total lockdown, partial restriction due to the COVID-19 pandemic and months without restrictions, considering a level of significance of 5%.

Results
The levels of PM2.5 had heterogeneous variation over the months of the two years. The higher levels of PM2.5 in 2020 and 2021 were 21 and 34 µg/m3 in March and February, respectively. Although 2020 did not exceed the EU Air Quality Directive 2008/50 (25 µg/m3), the levels of PM2.5 exceeded the current WHO Guideline (5 µg/m3) during the whole year. Levels of PM2.5 were statistically significant different between the months of lockdown, partial restrictions and without restrictions in the both years (p &lt; 0,001).

Conclusions
Despite the evidence showing that the lockdown and restrictions due to COVID-19 minimized emissions from anthropogenic activities mainly related with mobility, Portugal still exceeded the WHO AQG highlighting the need for further measures to improve air quality accordingly with the international standards.

Acknowledgments
This work is funded by FCT/MCTES through national funds to PMCardImpact (EXPL/SAU-PUB/0944/2021).

Key messages
• Additional environmental policies are required to improve air quality in Portugal.
• Air monitoring is the first step to estimate the health impact of air pollution.
Risk communication during COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia
Authors: Skhvitaridze N , Gamkrelidze A , Topuridze M , Getsadze R 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Risk communication during COVID-19 pandemic was essential to ensure community engagement. Providing accurate, timely, and reliable information about risks and preventive measures was important to reduce the likelihood of transmission. During COVID-pandemic Georgia developed Risk Communication and Public Engagement Strategy and provided easy-to-understand messages through credible channels to encourage two-way communication. Aim was to promote preparedness by developing a multi-level and multi-faceted communication system to respond emergency. In fact, several communication approaches were used for risk groups, and ethnical minorities. Additionally, stakeholders’ awareness rising was coordinated; relevant legislation was enforced; collection of a behavioral insight data (social listening and surveys) were ensured; system for analyzing misinformation, disinformation, infodemics and public views were developed, including fighting against panic and stress-management. Nonetheless, community engagement was critical for the successful implementation of measures. Given the various governmental activities to protect the public health, it was important regularly monitor the adherence to recommendations. Continuous assessment of new social norms implementation (mask wearing, social distancing, reduction of contacts) were also important. With support of the WHO Country office, Georgia introduced Knowledge-Attitude-Practice studies to identify the adherence to preventive measures and immunization across different groups. Notably, the majority of respondents follow the basic rules for infection prevention. The main preventive measures were implemented by most respondents. Indoor mask wearing and disinfecting hands remained the measures often applied in all risky situation. The attitude of the respondents toward the vaccine was not unconditional but depended on various rational factors.

Key messages
• Overall, the risk perception and knowledge about preventive strategies play a crucial role in limiting transmission.
• It is essential from health authorities to adopt risk communication, community engagement strategies and obtain regular feedback to reduce negative impact of public health emergency.
Smartphone Addiction among Syrian Medical Students
Authors: Alibrahim H , Bohsas H , Swed S , Abou Shaar B , Albakri K , Haj Saleh H , Sawaf B , Bakkour A , Hafez W , Cherrez-Ojeda I 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Smartphone use has increased and has become an essential part of daily life. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of smartphone addiction among medical students in Syria, investigate its potential effects on insomnia and sub-health.

Methods
This study was conducted in Syria from October 6th to November 12th, 2022. We included Syrian medical students across all Syrian medical colleges. The survey consisted of four questions, sociodemographic information, insomnia scale, Sub health status questionnaire (SHSQ-25), and Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS). The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Version 28.0.

Results
A total of 1437 participants completed the survey, and their mean age was 21.4 (SD = 1.8). Our analysis identified the prevalence of smartphone addiction, insomnia, and subhealth among medical students as 62.5%, 23.7%, and 28.4%, respectively. The mean hours number of smartphones used daily was (6±2.8). About half of the respondents use their phones for more than six hours a day (50.2%), and over half of the participants (52.8%) consider themselves addicted to their smartphones. Among students diagnosed with smartphone addiction, 43.2% reported using their phones for more than six hours daily, and 41.1% perceived themselves as smartphone addictive. Students residing in the city's outskirts exhibit a higher likelihood of addiction than their urban counterparts (OR = 1.5, P value &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, individuals who avoid using their smartphones before bedtime exhibit a lower propensity towards developing smartphone addiction than those who do (OR = 2.7, P value &lt; 0.05). As well, we defined a significant inverse correlation between the smartphone addiction score and the SHS (r2= -0.114, P value&lt; 0.001).

Conclusions
We indicate that smartphone addiction negatively affects the sleep quality and subhealth of medical students, particularly among those who use their smartphones before sleeping and those who consider themselves smartphone addicts.

Key messages
• We indicate that smartphone addiction has detrimental impacts on the quality of sleep and subhealth of medical students, particularly those who use their smartphones before sleeping.
• It is suggested that medical institutions conduct educational initiatives regarding the negative consequences of smartphone addiction, including its potential long-term impact on mental health.