Future Health Risks Research Articles

Risk factors for the gambling, smoking and alcohol consumption triad in Portuguese adolescents

Abstract Background Addiction to gambling, tobacco, and alcohol poses significant risks to mental, social, and physical health, particularly during adolescence, a critical period for habit formation. This study investigates risk factors linked to these habits among Portuguese adolescents. Methods This cross-sectional study used the 2019 ESPAD questionnaire, targeting 16-year-old adolescents. The sample comprised 4,365 responses. Descriptive analysis determined the prevalence of gambling, smoking, and alcohol use, as well as social, economic, and behavioral factors. Bivariate associations were assessed using the Exact Fisher test, and multiple logistic regression identified key predictors for the outcome of interest (cumulative presence of gambling, smoking and alcohol consumption). Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS version 29.0, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results Among adolescents, 6.2% presented probable problematic gambling according to the Lie/Bet test, with 3.7% spending at least 30 minutes a day gambling. In the past 30 days, 14.3% smoked, 42.7% drank alcohol, and 10.5% engaged in binge drinking. The behavioral triad was observed in 56 individuals. Male gender (OR = 2.024; 95% CI: 1.097-3.734; p = 0.024), problematic online gaming behavior (OR = 2.041; 95% CI: 1.005-4.144; p = 0.048) and going out at night at least once a week (OR = 1.439; 95% CI: 1.242-1.669; p < 0.001) significantly increased the risk of the behavioral triad. In contrast, parental control (parents knowing where the adolescent is on Saturday night) had a significant protective effect (OR = 0.162; 95% CI: 0.086-0.303; p < 0.001). Conclusions The study underscores the importance of parental supervision to curb risky behaviors in adolescents. It suggests implementing public health programs in schools, leveraging gaming for early screening, and tightening online gambling regulations to mitigate future health risks associated with gambling, smoking, and alcohol use. Key messages • Absence of parental supervision, male gender, problematic online gaming and frequently going out at night are risk factors for this behavioral triad. • Public health strategies are needed to prevent gambling addiction, emphasizing parental awareness, identification of at-risk students, and comprehensive school-based approaches.

10.G. Practice session: Innovation technology to promote healthy lifestyles: teachings from multi-national EU funded projects

Abstract The global burden of disease attributable to lifestyle risk factors is constantly escalating on a worldwide scale. Inadequate diet and sedentary behaviors stand out as particularly impactful contributors to chronic non-communicable diseases, resulting in millions of deaths annually and projecting stable, alarming trends for the foreseeable future. These statistics raise significant concerns among public health experts, particularly regarding the pervasive influence of unhealthy lifestyles on younger generations. This demographic cohort’s susceptibility poses a substantial threat to the future trajectory of non-communicable diseases and places immense strain on healthcare systems and global health outcomes. In light of these challenges, the imperative for public health initiatives and interventions aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles becomes glaringly apparent. Addressing the root causes of unhealthy behaviors through targeted interventions is essential to reverse the projected trends and mitigate future health risks. Public health authorities shoulder the responsibility of prioritizing such endeavors, as they play a pivotal role in shaping environments conducive to healthy living for present and future generations alike. Embracing innovative methodologies, leveraging technological advancements, and adopting modern approaches are imperative to engage and mobilize younger populations effectively. Initiatives funded by entities such as the European Union serve as promising examples, highlighting the potential for collaborative efforts to drive meaningful change. Sharing the methodologies and findings of such projects within the public health community can catalyze knowledge dissemination and foster collaboration, ultimately amplifying the impact of intervention strategies worldwide. By prioritizing intervention studies for behavioral change, stakeholders can collectively address the pressing challenge of lifestyle-related diseases and pave the way for healthier, more resilient communities. The aim of this workshop is to provide an overview of multi-national EU funded projects aiming to promote healthy lifestyles in the Mediterranean region. Key messages • Innovative and more modern approaches are needed to improve the diet in the Mediterranean region. • Children and adolescents are the main targets to counteract the rise of non-communicable diseases.

Environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, and hazards of chemicals in e-cigarette e-liquids: short-listing chemicals for risk assessments

Background/MethodsIncreased use and sales of e-cigarettes raises concerns about the potential environmental impacts throughout their life-cycle. However, few available research studies focus on the environmental impacts and ecotoxicity of e-cigarettes....

Gestational diabetes: an update sixty years after O'Sullivan and Mahan.

Sixty years after the landmark publication by O'Sullivan and Mahan, the current paper seeks to review and place into context the importance of gestational diabetes (GDM) both as a marker of increased risk of adverse maternal and fetal pregnancy outcomes and as an indicator of future maternal and infant health risks. We review the evolution of GDM as a diagnosis, the ongoing debate regarding diagnostic approaches, the underlying pathophysiology, the epidemiology and the importance of GDM in the context of the global epidemics of diabetes and obesity. Focusing on clinical management, we review lifestyle based therapy and pharmacotherapy for GDM, consider obstetric management and outline the short term and lifelong health risks posed by a GDM diagnosis.

7326 Breast and Ovarian Cancer are Increased in Women with Primary Ovarian Insufficiency and Early Menopause and Cancer is Increased in Family Members

Abstract Disclosure: K.L. Allen-Brady: None. L. Verrilli: None. M. Alvord: None. M. Kern: None. N. Camp: None. K. Kelley: Consulting Fee; Self; Immunogen. J. Letourneau: None. L. Cannon-Albright: None. E.B. Johnstone: Stock Owner; Self; Abbott Laboratories, Abbvie. C.K. Welt: None. Introduction: Next generation sequencing in women with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) identified deleterious variants in DNA damage repair and transcription fidelity genes. Based on underlying genetics, we hypothesized that a subset of women with POI may also be predisposed to reproductive or hormonally influenced cancers and that family members may be at risk. Methods: Women with POI (≤40 years) and early menopause >40 and <45 years) were identified using ICD9 and 10 codes in electronic medical records (1995-2021) from two major healthcare systems in Utah and reviewed for accuracy. Women with POI and their relatives were linked to genealogy information using the Utah Population Database (UPDB) and to cancer diagnoses (breast, ovarian, endometrial, colon, testicular and prostate) using the Utah Cancer Registry. The relative risk (RR) of cancer in women with POI and in relatives was estimated by comparison to population rates matched by age, sex, and birthplace. We also identified POI pedigrees with an excess number of observed cancer cases compared to the expected number in population controls. Results: We identified 613 women with POI and 165 women with early menopause. Of these, 416 women with POI had at least three generations of genealogical data with 2,405 first-degree relatives, 6,798 second-degree relatives and 17,666 third-degree relatives. Breast cancer was significantly increased in women with POI (OR [95%CI] 1.89 [1.20, 2.84]; p=0.0056) and there was a borderline increase in ovarian cancer. Probands were 36.5±4.3 years when diagnosed with POI and 59.5±12.7 years (range 43-80 years) at the time of breast cancer diagnosis and only 2 women took hormone replacement therapy after age 50 years. When women with early menopause were added, breast cancer risk remained increased and ovarian cancer was also nominally significant (3.38 [1.15, 8.65]; p=0.032). There was no increased risk of endometrial cancer and there were no cases of colon cancer. Among second-degree relatives of women with POI and 3 generations of family members, there was a significantly increased risk of breast (1.28 [1.08, 1.71]; p=0.0078) and colon cancer (1.50 [1.14, 1.94]; p=0.0036). Prostate cancer was increased in first- (1.64 [1.18, 2.23]; p=0.0026), second- (1.54 [1.32, 1.79]; p<0.001), and third-degree relatives (1.33 [1.20, 1.48]; p<0.001). There were 27 POI pedigrees that were high risk for these reproductive or hormonally influenced cancer diagnoses. Conclusions: Our data suggest common risk factors for POI and reproductive or hormonally influenced cancers. Therefore, clinicians need tools to predict cancer risk and comorbid disease in women with POI and early menopause to adequately counsel about future health risk. This understanding may change recommendations for hormone replacement based on the underlying genetic cause of POI for an individual. Presentation: 6/3/2024

Tracking epidemic viruses in wastewaters.

Classical epidemiology relies on incidence, mortality rates, and clinical data from individual testing, which can be challenging for many countries. Therefore, innovative, flexible, cost-effective, and scalable surveillance techniques are needed. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a highly powerful tool in this regard. WBE analyses substances excreted in human fluids and faeces that enter the sewer system. This approach provides insights into community health status and lifestyle habits. WBE serves as an early warning system for viral surveillance, detecting the emergence of new pathogens, changes in incidence rates, identifying future trends, studying outbreaks, and informing the performance of action plans. While WBE has long been used to study different viruses such as poliovirus and norovirus, its implementation has surged due to the pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2. This has led to the establishment of wastewater surveillance programmes at international, national, and community levels, many of which remain operational. Furthermore, WBE is increasingly applied to study other pathogens, including antibiotic resistance bacteria, parasites, fungi, and emerging viruses, with new methodologies being developed. Consequently, the primary focus now is on creating international frameworks to enhance states' preparedness against future health risks. However, there remains considerable work to be done, particularly in integrating the principles of One Health into epidemiological surveillance to acknowledge the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and the environment in pathogen transmission. Thus, a broader approach to analysing the three pillars of One Health must be developed, transitioning from WBE to wastewater and environmental surveillance, and establishing this approach as a routine practice in public health.

Blockchain-Based Privacy Preservation for the Internet of Medical Things: A Literature Review

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is a rapidly expanding network comprising medical devices, sensors, and software that collect and exchange patient health data. Today, the IoMT has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by offering more personalized care to patients and improving the efficiency of healthcare delivery. However, the IoMT also introduces significant privacy concerns, particularly regarding data privacy. IoMT devices often collect and store large amounts of data about patients’ health. These data could be used to track patients’ movements, monitor their health habits, and even predict their future health risks. This extensive data collection and surveillance could be a major invasion of patient privacy. Thus, privacy-preserving research in an IoMT context is an important area of research that aims to mitigate these privacy issues. This review paper comprehensively applies the PRISMA methodology to analyze, review, classify, and compare current approaches of preserving patient data privacy within IoMT blockchain-based healthcare environments.

Maternal diet during pregnancy and adaptive changes in the maternal and fetal pancreas have implications for future metabolic health.

Fetal and neonatal development is a critical period for the establishment of the future metabolic health and disease risk of an individual. Both maternal undernutrition and overnutrition can result in abnormal fetal organ development resulting in inappropriate birth size, child and adult obesity, and increased risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Inappropriate adaptive changes to the maternal pancreas, placental function, and the development of the fetal pancreas in response to nutritional stress during pregnancy are major contributors to a risk trajectory in the offspring. This interconnected maternal-placental-fetal metabolic axis is driven by endocrine signals in response to the availability of nutritional metabolites and can result in cellular stress and premature aging in fetal tissues and the inappropriate expression of key genes involved in metabolic control as a result of long-lasting epigenetic changes. Such changes result is insufficient pancreatic beta-cell mass and function, reduced insulin sensitivity in target tissues such as liver and white adipose and altered development of hypothalamic satiety centres and in basal glucocorticoid levels. Whilst interventions in the obese mother such as dieting and increased exercise, or treatment with insulin or metformin in mothers who develop gestational diabetes, can improve metabolic control and reduce the risk of a large-for-gestational age infant, their effectiveness in changing the adverse metabolic trajectory in the child is as yet unclear.

Geospatial modelling of ambient air pollutants and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases at regional scale in Pakistan.

Pakistan is among the South Asian countries mostly vulnerable to the negative health impacts of air pollution. In this context, the study aimed to analyze the spatiotemporal patterns of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) incidence and its relationship with air pollutants including aerosol absorbing index (AAI), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide. Spatial scan statistics were employed to identify temporal, spatial, and spatiotemporal clusters of COPD. Generalized linear regression (GLR) and random forest (RF) models were utilized to evaluate the linear and non-linear relationships between COPD and air pollutants for the years 2019 and 2020. The findings revealed three spatial clusters of COPD in the eastern and central regions, with a high-risk spatiotemporal cluster in the east. The GLR identified a weak linear relationship between the COPD and air pollutants with R2 = 0.1 and weak autocorrelation with Moran's index = -0.09. The spatial outcome of RF model provided more accurate COPD predictions with improved R2 of 0.8 and 0.9 in the respective years and a very low Moran's I = -0.02 showing a random residual distribution. The RF findings also suggested AAI and SO2 to be the most contributing predictors for the year 2019 and 2020. Hence, the strong association of COPD clusters with some air pollutants highlight the urgency of comprehensive measures to combat air pollution in the region to avoid future health risks.

Preparing individuals with extremity loss due to earthquake through early rehabilitation program for the future.

To mitigate future health risks and improve body image coping strategies among individuals who experienced amputation due to the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake, through an early rehabilitation program. A semi-experimental prospective study was conducted with 18 individuals who experienced amputation due to the earthquake. Data were collected using the "Individual Identification Form" "Amputee Body Image Scale" and "Body Image Coping Strategies Scale". The earthquake survivors included in the study were provided with a 5-day online interactive rehabilitation training program developed based on expert opinions. Prior to the training, participants were sent healthcare materials to be used during the sessions, interactive practices were conducted throughout the training to enhance individual self-care through interaction with peers and the trainer. The average age of individuals who experienced amputation earthquake survivors was 38.72 ± 14.53 years, with 72.2% being male and 55.6% being married. Among them, 44.4% had leg amputations, and one survivor had lost three extremities. The average scores on the Body Image Coping Strategies Scale showed a statistically significantly increase after the training and at one month post-training compared to before the training (p < 0.05). Conversely, the average scores on the Amputee Body Image Scale showed a statistically significant decrease after the training at one month post-training compared to before the training (p < 0.05). The development of early rehabilitation models is essential for improving psychological well-being among individuals who experience amputation following an earthquake.

Impacts of climate change on diarrhoeal disease hospitalisations: How does the global warming targets of 1.5-2°C affect Dhaka, Bangladesh?

Dhaka is one of the world's densely populated cities and faces significant public health challenges including high burden of diarrhoeal diseases. Climate change is intensifying existing environmental problems including urban heat island effect and poor water quality. While numerous epidemiological studies have linked meteorological factors to diarrhoeal diseases in Bangladesh, assessment of the impacts of future climate change on diarrhoeal diseases is scarce. We provide the assessment of climate change impacts on diarrhoeal disease in Dhaka and project future health risks under climate change scenarios. About 3 million acute diarrhoea cases presenting to the Dhaka Hospital of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh (icddr,b) during 1981-2010 were linked to daily temperature, rainfall and humidity and association investigated using time series adapted negative binomial regression models employing constrained distributed lag linear models. The findings were applied to climate projections to estimate future risks of diarrhoea under various global warming scenarios. There was a significantly raised risk of diarrhoea hospitalisation in all ages with daily mean temperature (RR: 3.4, 95% CI: 3.0-3.7) after controlling for the confounding effects of heavy rainfall, humidity, autocorrelations, day of the week effect, long-term time, and seasonal trends. Using the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 1.034, temperature increases based on the global warming targets of 1.5-2°C could result in an increase of diarrhoea hospitalisations by 4.5-7.4% in all age groups by the 2100s. These effects were more pronounced among <5 children where the predicted temperature increases could raise diarrhoea hospitalisation by 5.7% - 9.4%. Diarrhoea hospitalisation will increase significantly in Dhaka even if the global warming targets adopted by the Paris Agreement is reached. This underscores the importance of preparing the city for management and prevention of diarrhoeal diseases.

Compounding disaster: Perceptions of coastal risk, extreme events, and oil and gas energy production in the Gulf of Mexico

With more than five million people living in proximity to oil and gas (OGA) infrastructure, the state of Texas has the largest population at risk for developing health problems attributable to the industry in the U.S. The interaction between environmental and technological events, one kind of compound disaster events, has the potential to increase future health risks and aggravate existing social and environmental impacts. To identify current knowledge and awareness of the risks of compound disasters among residents, this article presents findings from interviews conducted in 2017 and 2019 with key stakeholders from Corpus Christi, Texas. The city is a hub of OGA production and transport and has recently suffered from the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey. The primary set of interviews (n: 23) is also complemented by the analysis of 2 other collections (n: 20) from residents who were affected by Hurricane Harvey and which are stored at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi's library. Findings underscore the lack of awareness of OGA activities in general and of problems related to environmental racism. We also found a normalization of the impacts of small oil incidents among respondents and biased perceptions of development. Knowledge of the risk of compound events is rare, an issue that poses significant concerns for the future of these communities and their ability to prepare and mitigate.

Associations of social determinants of health with life expectancy and future health risks among individuals with type 2 diabetes: two nationwide cohort studies in the UK and USA

Social determinants of health (SDHs) are the primary drivers of preventable health inequities, and the associations between SDHs and health outcomes among individuals with type 2diabetes remain unclear. This study aimed to estimate the associations of combined SDHs with life expectancy and future health risks among adults with type 2diabetes from the UK and USA. In an analysis of two nationwide cohort studies, adults with type 2diabetes were identified from the UKBiobank from March 13, 2006, to Oct 1, 2010 (adults aged 37-73years) and the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999to 2018 (adults aged ≥20years). Participants with type 2diabetes at baseline were included in our analysis. Participants without information on SDHs or follow-up were excluded. TheUKBiobank assessed 17SDHs and the US NHANES assessed ten SDHs, with each SDH dichotomised into advantaged and disadvantaged levels. The combined score of SDHs were calculated as the sum of the weighted scores for each SDH. Participants were then categorised into tertiles (favourable, medium, and unfavourable SDHgroups). Primary outcomes were life expectancy and mortality in both cohorts, and incidences of cardiovascular disease, diabetes-related microvascular disease, dementia, and cancer in the UK Biobank. Outcomes were obtained from disease registries up until Dec 31, 2021, in the UK Biobank and Dec 31, 2019, in the USNHANES cohorts. We included 17 321participants from the UK Biobank cohort (median age 61·0years [IQR 56·0-65·0]; 6028[34·8%] women and 11 293 [65·2%] men) and 7885participants from the NHANES cohort (mean age 59·2years [95% CI 58·7-59·6]; 3835 [49·1%, weighted] women and 4050 [50·9%, weighted] men) in our analysis. In the UKBiobank, 3235deaths (median follow-up 12·3years [IQR 11·5-13·2]), 3010incident cardiovascular disease (12·1years [10·8-13·0]), 1997 diabetes-related microvascular disease (8·0years [7·1-8·9]), 773dementia (12·6years [11·8-13·5]), and 2259cancer cases (11·3years [10·4-12·2]) were documented; and the US NHANES documented 2278deaths during a median follow-up of 7·0years (3·7-11·2). After multivariable adjustment, compared with the favourable SDH group, the hazard ratio was 1·33 (95% CI 1·21-1·46) in the medium SDH group and 1·89(1·72-2·07) in the unfavourable SDHgroup in the UK Biobank cohort; 1·51 (1·34-1·70) in the medium SDH group and 2·02 (1·75-2·33) in theunfavourable SDH group in the US NHANES cohort for all-cause mortality; 1·13 (1·04-1·24) in the medium SDHgroup and 1·40 (1·27-1·53) in the unfavourable SDH group for incident cardiovascular disease; 1·13(1·01-1·27) in the medium SDH group and 1·41 (1·26-1·59) in the unfavourable SDHgroup for incident diabetes-related microvascular disease; 1·35 (1·11-1·64) in the medium SDH group and 1·76 (1·46-2·13) in the unfavourable SDH group for incident dementia; and 1·02 (0·92-1·13) in the medium SDHgroup and 1·17 (1·05-1·30) in the unfavourable SDH group for incident cancer in the UK Biobank cohort (ptrend<0·010for each category). At the age of 45years, the mean life expectancy of participants was 1·6years (0·6-2·3) shorter in the medium SDH group and 4·4years (3·3-5·4) shorter in the unfavourable SDH group than in the favourable SDH group in the UK Biobank. In the US NHAHES cohort, the life expectancy was 1·7years (0·6-2·7) shorter in the medium SDH group and 3·0years (1·8-4·3) shorter in the unfavourable SDHgroup, compared with the favourable group. Combined unfavourable SDHs were associated with a greater loss of life expectancy and higher risks of developing future adverse health outcomes among adults with type 2diabetes. These associations were similar across two nationwide cohorts from varied social contexts, and were largely consistent across populations with different demographic, lifestyle, and clinical features. Thus, assessing the combined SDHs of individuals with type 2diabetes might be a promising approach to incorporate into diabetes care to identify socially vulnerable groups and reduce disease burden. The National Natural Science Foundation of China, the National Key R&D Program of China, and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.

Exploring dietary habits: a study of food consumption patterns among school children aged 10-16 in Mysuru

Background: Diet plays an important role in the growth and development of children. Poor diet in children in Mysuru is linked to future health risks. This study examines the eating habits of children aged 10-16 years to create better food recommendations for children in preventing future consequences. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Mysuru district. Data from 126 students aged 10-16 years from 2 schools were collected using A semi-structured food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) on dietary intake developed based on a 24-hour recall method and included items on demographic data, frequency of meal consumption in different food categories, and food frequency data. Anthropometric measurements were done. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: Among the students, most consume rice and idli daily; dosa and khichdi frequently. Pasta, puffed rice, and legumes are less common. Milk and milk products vary, with coffee/tea and paneer often consumed once a month. Fruits like apples, bananas, and grapes are consumed twice a week, while sweet lime, mango, and orange are mostly monthly. Boiled eggs and chicken are often bi-weekly; fish, beef, red meat, and prawns/crab are mostly consumed once a month or less. Biscuits and gobi are frequently consumed weekly; cakes, French fries, samosas, pizza, and chocolates are mainly consumed monthly. Conclusions: This study observes the dietary habits of Mysuru students (aged 10-16), to understand nutritional status and frequency of food consumption aiding targeted interventions to promote healthier eating and reduce chronic disease risk.

First report of Ug99 Wheat Stem Rust caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici in South Asia.

Since the emergence of Ug99 wheat stem rust in Uganda in 1998 (Pretorius et al. 2000), the threat of movement into South Asia has been a concern due to long-distance dispersal capacity of airborne spores (Brown and Hovmøller 2002; Singh et al. 2008; Meyer et al. 2017). Increased preparedness by comprehensive rust surveillance efforts and development and deployment of resistant cultivars in advance of an incursion into South Asia has been one of the success stories of the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative (Sharma et al. 2013). In November 2023, an off-season rust survey was conducted in Marpha, Gandaki and Bagmati provinces in Nepal. Rust was only observed at two sites, Dangdunge of Dolakha district and Mude of Sindhupalchok district, where spring wheat was grown as fodder crop outside the main cropping season. Rust infected wheat leaves (10-15 leaves per site) were air dried and sealed in envelopes that were shipped under permit to the Global Rust Reference Center, Denmark. Bulk samples of stem rust, Puccinia graminis f.sp. tritici (Pgt), were recovered from both envelopes, and single pustule isolates were raised and multiplied on Morocco and McNair. Meanwhile, specimens of dry leaves were subjected to SSR genotyping according to standard procedures (Patpour et al. 2022). One distinct multi-locus Pgt genotype was observed, identical to and representing 99% of Ug99 isolates within Clade I collected in East Africa between 2012-2022. A Pgt single pustule isolate from each of the sampling sites were inoculated onto 20 internationally agreed stem rust differential lines using standard procedures, and 14 supplementary lines providing additional resolution of pathogen virulence (Patpour et al. 2022). The pathotyping was repeated in two independent experiments, which resulted in the infection type pattern of Pgt race TTKTT (Supplementary Table 1). Additional independent SSR genotype assays of recovered isolates confirmed the prevalent genotype of Clade I (Patpour et al. 2022; Szabo et al. 2022). This first detection of Ug99 race TTKTT in South Asia emphasizes the need for continued coordinated international surveillance efforts and utilization of diverse sources of resistance to control stem rust in wheat. New surveillance efforts in Nepal during February-March 2024 did not reveal additional cases of wheat stem rust. However, more detailed and sustained rust surveillance efforts, assessment of the vulnerability of current wheat crops to Ug99 and other races of stem-, stripe/yellow- and leaf rust, as well as intensified breeding for rust resistance throughout the region is strongly recommended to meet current and future plant health risks.

Development and evaluation of an index assessing adherence to the Norwegian food-based dietary guidelines: the Norwegian Dietary Guideline Index (NDGI)

BackgroundMonitoring adherence to the Norwegian food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) could provide valuable insight into current and future diet-related health risks. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an index measuring adherence to the Norwegian FBDGs to be used as a compact tool in nutrition surveillance suitable for inclusion in large public health surveys.MethodsThe Norwegian Dietary Guideline Index (NDGI) was designed to reflect adherence to the Norwegian FBDGs on a scale from 0–100, with a higher score indicating better adherence. Dietary intakes were assessed through 19 questions, reflecting 15 dietary components covered by the Norwegian FBDGs. The NDGI was applied and evaluated using nationally representative dietary data from the cross-sectional web-based Norwegian Public Health Survey which included 8,558 adults.​ResultsThe population-weighted NDGI score followed a nearly normal distribution with a mean of 65 (SD 11) and range 21–99. Mean scores varied with background factors known to be associated with adherence to a healthy diet; women scored higher than men (67 vs. 64) and the score increased with age, with higher educational attainment (high 69 vs. low 64) and with better self-perceived household economy (good 67 vs. restricted 62). The NDGI captured a variety of dietary patterns that contributed to a healthy diet consistent with the FBDGs.ConclusionThe NDGI serve as a compact tool to assess and monitor adherence to the Norwegian FBDGs, to identify target groups for interventions, and to inform priorities in public health policies.​ The tool is flexible to adjustments and may be adaptable to use in other countries or settings with similar dietary guidelines.

Microplastics and Anthropogenic Particles in Recreationally Caught Freshwater Fish from an Urbanized Region of the North American Great Lakes.

Microplastics are a pervasive contaminant cycling through food webs-leading to concerns regarding exposure and risk to humans. We aimed to quantify and characterize anthropogenic particle contamination (including microplastics) in fish caught for human consumption from the Humber Bay region of Lake Ontario. We related quantities of anthropogenic particles to other factors (e.g., fish size) that may help in understanding accumulation of microplastics in fish. A total of 45 samples of six fish species collected from Humber Bay in Lake Ontario near Toronto, Ontario, Canada, were examined for anthropogenic particles in their gastrointestinal (GI) tracts and fillets. Using microscopy and spectroscopy, suspected anthropogenic particles were identified and characterized. We observed anthropogenic particles in the GI tracts and fillets of all species. Individual fish had a of anthropogenic particles, with a single fish containing up to 1,508 particles. GI tracts had particles/fish ( particles/gram), and fillets had particles/fish ( particles/gram). Based on a consumption rate of 2 servings/week, the average yearly human exposure through the consumption of these fish fillets would be particles. Our findings suggest that consumption of recreationally caught freshwater fish can be a pathway for human exposure to microplastics. The elevated number of particles observed in fish from Humber Bay highlights the need for large-scale geographic monitoring, especially near sources of microplastics. Currently, it is unclear what the effects of ingesting microplastics are for humans, but given that recreationally caught freshwater fish are one pathway for human exposure, these data can be incorporated into future human health risk assessment frameworks for microplastics. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13540.

Climate change, seasonality and household water security in rural Gambia: A qualitative exploration of the complex relationship between weather and water

Climate change could pose a threat to water security for many communities, particularly in settings where rainfall patterns are becoming more varied and there is higher frequency of extreme events, such as heavy rainfall and droughts. Understanding how rainfall affects water security—including water access, water quality and water use behaviours—can inform investment in more climate-resilient infrastructure and safeguard against future health risks. This study aims to explore how households in rural Gambia experienced water security in relation to seasonal rainfall patterns and extreme weather events. Data collection focused on two communities (Kiang West and Basse) with differing access to water infrastructure, within which some villages had greater access to groundwater sources, such as solar-powered boreholes, and others primarily used uncovered wells. 46 participants were interviewed in Spring 2022 using multiple qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews and transect walks. We found that people’s experience of water security and rainfall (including seasonal rainfall, drought and heavy rainfall) was complex and varied according to the primary household water source. Both dry and rainy season posed challenges to household water security in terms of quality and quantity. Households with access to more resilient infrastructure, such as solar-powered boreholes, discussed a shift in the relationship between weather and water security, where they were less vulnerable to water shortages during dry conditions compared to those using wells. However, these sources did not fully resolve water security issues, as they experienced water shortages during cloudy conditions. Extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall, heightened perceived water issues, as these events sometimes damaged water infrastructure and contaminated water sources. Seasonal workloads, that were higher in the rainy season, also jeopardised water security, as this limited time for water collection. Increased investment in infrastructure, maintenance, water-treatment and behavioural change is required to mitigate the risks.

Does climate change increase the risk of marine toxins? Insights from changing seawater conditions.

Marine toxins produced by marine organisms threaten human health and impose a heavy public health burden on coastal countries. Lately, there has been an emergence of marine toxins in regions that were previously unaffected, and it is believed that climate change may be a significant factor. This paper systematically summarizes the impact of climate change on the risk of marine toxins in terms of changes in seawater conditions. From our findings, climate change can cause ocean warming, acidification, stratification, and sea-level rise. These climatic events can alter the surface temperature, salinity, pH, and nutrient conditions of seawater, which may promote the growth of various algae and bacteria, facilitating the production of marine toxins. On the other hand, climate change may expand the living ranges of marine organisms (such as algae, bacteria, and fish), thereby exacerbating the production and spread of marine toxins. In addition, the sources, distribution, and toxicity of ciguatoxin, tetrodotoxin, cyclic imines, and microcystin were described to improve public awareness of these emerging marine toxins. Looking ahead, developing interdisciplinary cooperation, strengthening monitoring of emerging marine toxins, and exploring more novel approaches are essential to better address the risks of marine toxins posed by climate change. Altogether, the interrelationships between climate, marine ecology, and marine toxins were analyzed in this study, providing a theoretical basis for preventing and managing future health risks from marine toxins.

Inspiration4 data access through the NASA Open Science Data Repository

The increasing accessibility of commercial and private space travel necessitates a profound understanding of its impact on human health. The NASA Open Science Data Repository (OSDR) provides transparent and FAIR access to biological studies, notably the SpaceX Inspiration4 (I4) mission, which amassed extensive data from civilian astronauts. This dataset encompasses omics and clinical assays, facilitating comprehensive research on space-induced biological responses. These data allow for multi-modal, longitudinal assessments, bridging the gap between human and model organism studies. Crucially, community-driven data standards established by NASA’s OSDR Analysis Working Groups empower artificial intelligence and machine learning to glean invaluable insights, guiding future mission planning and health risk mitigation. This article presents a concise guide to access and analyze I4 data in OSDR, including programmatic access through GLOpenAPI. This pioneering effort establishes a precedent for post-mission health monitoring programs within space agencies, propelling research in the burgeoning field of commercial space travel’s impact on human physiology.