Health Principles Research Articles

One Health literacy and governance of health leaders across three countries following the pandemic

Abstract Background To address health threats and promoting health of all, One Health is an important approach. To foster the implementation of One Health, a framework proposed by Blankart et al. (2024) postulates a reinforcing relationship between One Health literacy and governance after being triggered by an external event. We build on this model and aim to explore how the postulated mechanism differs among health policy and practice leaders across the UK, Germany, and Switzerland after the external triggering event of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We developed an online survey instrument for each of the 5 elements of the framework and conducted it in April 2024. We targeted mid- and end-career leaders and senior experts from the Sciana network that reported about their personal experiences and perceived changes (scale from -5 to + 5). We performed descriptive and inferential statistics to analyse the data. The survey was complemented by structured interviews to gather contextual information. Results Leaders and experts (N = 30, response rate: 30%) increased their One Health literacy (mean: 2.2), increasingly engaged with One Health principles (mean: 1.0), which resulted in more calls for optimized One Health governance (mean: 2.4). The interviewees reported that they adopted and implemented a more consistent One Health governance (mean: 2.6), which led to more familiarity with One Health principles (mean: 2.3). According to the results, the average effect on One Health literacy and Governance was stronger in Germany, followed by Switzerland and the UK. Conclusions We have demonstrated that triggering events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have led to improvements in One Health literacy and subsequently One Health governance. We therefore suggest that the postulated framework holds in practice and have showed that there are important differences in uptake between leaders in the three countries. Further research may build on these findings and develop more effective health policy. Key messages • We have contributed to the understanding of how pandemics improve One Health literacy and subsequent One Health governance using the example through a survey of leaders in health policy and practice. • Based on the understanding of triggering events’ effect on One Health literacy and governance specific recommendations for the implementation of One Health in public health can be developed.

Integrating SDGs, One Health and transdisciplinarity into AMR Education Strategies

Abstract Introduction The increasing prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) threatens modern medicine, undermines food security, and impedes environmental sustainability. The complexity of AMR requires various stakeholders to contribute to mitigate this challenge. We discuss the critical need for integrating the One Health framework, transdisciplinarity, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within AMR education; and demonstrate how these integrations enhance the effectiveness of educational strategies against AMR. Methods Through a review of existing literature and analysis of multiple interventions, we synthesize findings from instances where One Health strategies have been applied. We assess their effectiveness in fostering cross-sector collaboration and enhancing health outcomes, thereby providing a grounded framework for developing integrated educational strategies. Results Our analysis reveals that AMR education programs incorporating the SDGs and One Health principles are more likely to foster interprofessional collaboration and a deeper understanding of AMR. Case studies demonstrate that such educational approaches significantly improve the preparedness of health professionals in managing AMR through innovative and cooperative approaches. Despite the significant potential of One Health education in impacting global health positively, current interventions lack specific SDG indicators directly related to AMR, suggesting a gap in policy and global health prioritization. Conclusions By aligning AMR education with SDGs and One Health, there is an opportunity to enhance global health security. We call for a paradigm shift in educational strategies to effectively combat AMR, advocating for policy reforms and curriculum adjustments to incorporate these integrated approaches. The findings are crucial for educators, policymakers, and healthcare professionals aiming to redesign AMR education to be more comprehensive and globally oriented. Key messages • AMR education integrated with SDGs and One Health enhances interprofessional collaboration and understanding, improving health professionals’ preparedness to manage AMR effectively. • Current AMR educational strategies lack specific SDG indicators; aligning education with SDGs and One Health can significantly boost global health security.

WHO/Europe tools for strengthening health information systems

Abstract WHO/Europe offers different tools and capacity building activities to support Member States (MS) in strengthening their health information systems (HIS). These range from assessment methodologies and guidance documents to situation reports and workshops and trainings. The HIS assessment method of WHO/Europe provides an overview of the performance of the entire HIS in an MS. As such, this is often applied as a starting point for HIS strengthening activities in a country, and ideally repeated every few years to measure progress. Next to an assessment of the overall HIS, WHO/Europe also has methods for assessing specific HIS aspects, such as cybersecurity preparedness and GIS capacity. There are also several tools and capacity building activities that specifically focus on strengthening HIS digitalisation (d-HIS). For example, there is a modular d-HIS training, the programme of which can be adapted to meet specific MS needs. This also applies to the population health monitoring training that is available for interested MS. In addition, WHO/Europe has published a range of guidance documents, ranging from a comprehensive d-HIS strengthening manual to guidance on how to write an impactful health report, and guidance on how to apply data protection principles in public health. Finally, WHO/Europe supports HIS strengthening by making Regional and country-level situation reports, and by writing and contributing to scientific papers. In this presentation, first a general overview of available types of HIS strengthening tools and activities will be provided, after which the available tools and capacity building related to data protection and cybersecurity will be presented in more detail, because of the high interest WHO/Europe encounters for these topics in the Region currently.

Sexual health communication targeting adolescents in public service Media: the case of Finland

Abstract Background Given the substantial time adolescents spend online, sexual health promotion and education through online media constitute a promising public health action. However, monitoring of sexual health-related online media content is warranted, and considering the scope and aims of public service media, this forum can be regarded as being of particular interest. This study aimed to analyze how and to what extent sexuality and sexual health-related content targeting adolescents is communicated and portrayed in public service media in Finland, with a particular interest in health promotion perspectives and participatory practices. Methods Based on predetermined inclusion criteria and guidance from professionals at the Finnish public service company Yle, podcasts were specified as the media format of interest. Three Finnish podcasts (a total of 66 episodes) produced during the years 2021-2023, targeting young people and focusing on sexual health, were included in this study and subject to critical content analysis. Results Most podcast episodes focused equally on the sexual health resource and risk perspectives, while a third emphasized a resource perspective. Concerning participatory practices, adolescents participate in only five episodes in total, and most often, the podcast hosts’ own experiences are at the center of the episodes. Conclusions The findings highlight how sexuality and sexual health content is communicated in public service media podcasts targeting adolescents in Finland, as well as how the communication aligns with health education and promotion guidelines. The study sheds light on participatory practices, emphasizing a lack of stakeholder involvement, i.e., dialogue between podcast hosts and listeners. Results carry implications for developing sexual health promotion through public service media targeting young people in Finland and other European countries alike. Key messages • The findings highlight how sexuality and sexual health content is portrayed in public service media podcasts in Finland and how the communication aligns with health promotion values and principles. • The findings show a lack of participatory practices in Finnish public service media podcasts targeting adolescent sexual health - a health promotion concern also pertinent to other countries.

Needs and opportunities for developing health and well-being profiles in Estonian local governments

Abstract The creation and implementation of health and wellbeing profile, an evidence-based framework for planning health promotion as holistic process, is the responsibility of public health practitioners, who tend work part-time and sometimes lack professional competences. The current study maps the level of awareness, attitudes, needs and possibilities of local government leaders and public health practitioners to develop and implement profiles effectively in Estonian local governments. Semi-structured interviews with leaders in local governments (10) and practitioners (9) were conducted in 2022-2023. Data was analysed using qualitative content analysis. Sample included representatives from all Estonian local governments (79 in total) and were categorized into subgroups based on local governments size, status of the profile, public health specialist employment, and educational background. Preliminary results indicate that leaders find as a supportive factors for enabling and encouraging profile compilation process for example: mandatory requirement; motivated implementors; well organized and effective workplan. Specialists find supportive factors to be cooperation on the national level, good communication practices and joint responsibility. Barriers for health promoters are the lack of time, motivation, financial resources, stakeholders understanding and meaningful action. The first qualitative study on these topics in Estonia highlight that creating a profile is supported by previous positive experience and have per contra an opposite negative effect to start the process. In general, the profile was considered necessary for helping identify problems and support decision-making processes for managing resources, however, assessment whether the profile should be obligatory is needed. In addition, there is a need for further support for the evidence-based decision-making process on the local level in health promotion by offering education and guidance from the national level. Key messages • Knowledge about the importance of public health, barriers and decision-making principles of local government leaders and specialists helps to develop interventions based on actual needs. • Continuously updated health and well-being profile ensures sustainability of health promotion action and is useful knowledge to policymakers, local government leaders and public health practitioners.

Exploring the policy context of Whole School in eight EU countries: the Schools4Health project

Abstract Background Moving from the recognition of WHO principles of health promoting school (HPS) to concrete practices is challenging. The Schools4Health project is an EU initiative with the aim to introduce, strengthen, and sustain the adoption of a participatory whole-school approach to health and wellbeing. The aim of this work is to present an update about the policy environment around HPS approaches in eight EU countries. Methods Between September-November 2023, Schools4Health partners from Spain, Belgium, Hungary, Greece, Latvia, the Netherlands, Romania and Slovenia carried out a preliminary scoping exercise to investigate the policy conditions which can influence the national uptake of HPS approaches. A three-step methodology was developed: a. identification of core stakeholders b. Rapid Situation Analysis survey and c. national roundtable meetings, to assess stakeholders’ awareness of and engagement in health promotion programs in schools. Results In total, n = 192 responses from stakeholders from health, education, social and agricultural sectors were selected. Most experts were aware or partly aware of the HPS concept. While there is consensus that health promotion at school is essential, there is a lack of, or weak implementation of legislation and voluntary initiatives due to barriers such as limited time and financial resources, teachers burnout and insufficient interaction between education and health governmental bodies. Conclusions Effective advocacy can highlight the potential of HPS in addressing the urgent challenges related to wellbeing in youth, and the associated decline in educational performance across Europe. Policymakers, public authorities and the broader community should also be engaged. Key messages • Creating HPSs should not solely fall on schools and teaching staff. • Policymakers, public authorities and the broader community around schools have responsibility to ensure that policy measures and instruments embed the key considerations for HPS approach.

The Impact of Virtual Reality as a Rehabilitation Method Using TRAVEE System on Functional Outcomes and Disability in Stroke Patients: A Pilot Study

Background: Stroke is the third leading cause of disability. Virtual reality (VR) has shown promising results in post-stroke rehabilitation. The VR TRAVEE system was designed for the neuromotor rehabilitation of the upper limb after a stroke and offers the ability to track limb movements by providing auditory feedback and visual augmentation. The World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0), aligned with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) principles, is a valid tool for measuring disability regardless of its cause. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of the VR TRAVEE system in upper limb rehabilitation for stroke patients. Methods: A total of 14 stroke patients with residual hemiparesis were enrolled in the study. They underwent a 10-day program combining conventional therapy (CnvT) with VR rehabilitation. At baseline (T0), the upper limb was assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), active range of motion (AROM), and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain. These assessments were repeated after the 10-day rehabilitation program (T1). Additionally, disability was measured using WHODAS 2.0 at T0 and again 30 days after completing the program. Results: Significant improvements were observed in AROM and MAS scores for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and metacarpophalangeal joints, as well as in the reduction in shoulder pain (p ˂ 0.001). WHODAS scores decreased across all six domains, with a statistically significant improvement in the Cognition domain (p = 0.011). Conclusions: Combining CnvT with VR as a rehabilitation approach enhances motor function in the upper limb. This method has the potential to reduce disability scores and promote neuroplasticity.

Building Healthy, Equitable, and Resilient Communities: Lessons Learned From Multisector Community Partnerships Addressing the Social Determinants of Health.

Multisector community partnerships play a pivotal role in public health strategy for understanding and addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) and promoting health equity. The work of these partnerships is well aligned with building community resilience. The Year 2 Improving Social Determinants of Health-Getting Further Faster (GFF) retrospective evaluation was designed to gather practice-based evidence that can inform future community-driven partnerships to improve chronic disease outcomes and advance health equity by addressing social determinants of health (SDOH). This paper sought to determine how the efforts of multisector community partnerships could also support community resilience. Guided by CDC's Framework for Program Evaluation in Public Health and health equity principles, the GFF evaluation engaged 14 Multisector Community Partnerships to better understand how their SDOH interventions contribute to community changes that improve chronic diseases and advance health equity. Data collection included qualitative discussions along with additional quantitative analyses of SDOH outcomes, costs, and prevention impacts. This paper focuses on insights gathered from qualitative discussions (2 virtual 60-minute discussions with members of each of the 14 Partnerships) around community resilience. Results from qualitative discussions demonstrate how Partnerships' SDOH efforts created parallel opportunities for nurturing community resilience. For example, Partnerships engaged community members in the design and implementation of SDOH interventions in ways that nurtured a sense of belonging and empowerment to shape their community. To further build community resilience, Partnerships mentioned the importance of sustained and flexible funding, help building stronger partnerships, and a shared goal to build resilience and engage community members. Findings indicate that community partnerships working to address SDOH can drive reciprocal improvements in community resilience-contributions that are critical for advancing health equity. Partnerships suggested that health departments may have opportunities to enhance community resilience through their role as funder, facilitator, and convener.

Evaluation of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Pharmacists in Tehran Pharmacies regarding Environmental Health Issues to Increase Good Pharmacy Practice

Background: In addition to being the most accessible medical center in the community, the pharmacy is a center for storing and providing medicines and cosmetics that are directly related to people's health. Therefore, observing environmental health issues in the pharmacy, which is managed by the pharmacist, is considered necessary. In this study, considering the direct and high impact of observing various aspects of environmental health on the good pharmacy practice and its value, it has been tried by examining the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacists in the pharmacies of Tehran city and presenting it, the necessary ground for promotion The environmental health status of pharmacies should be provided. Methods: In this research, standard researcher-made questionnaires were designed and after checking its validity by clinical pharmacists, environmental health and biostatistics experts and its reliability with Cronbach's alpha test, It was completed by the pharmacists of Tehran community pharmacies in the period of April to September 2022, observing ethical points and preserving their identity, in order to show their knowledge, attitude and performance towards environmental health issues in the pharmacy where they operate. Then the obtained data were analyzed in SPSS version 23.0 statistical software. Results: Examination of the data obtained from this study showed that the pharmacists in the study have the appropriate level of knowledge and attitude, but their performance in pharmacies is different. Conclusion: Observation of the results of the study shows that due to the lack of appropriate practical training and the lack of strict rules by regulatory authorities, despite the appropriate level of knowledge of pharmacists, in practice do not consider themselves very obliged to observe health principles.

Leveraging value-based health principles to improve translation and impact of digital psychological interventions for people with chronic pain.

Leveraging value-based health principles to improve translation and impact of digital psychological interventions for people with chronic pain.

Personal responsibility for health in Bulgarian public health law and social legislation

BackgroundIn the last decades all health systems have experienced a lack of resources. Against this background, the idea of ​​applying personal responsibility of the patient as a criterion for allocation of resources (PRCAR) is gaining increasing attention. Bulgarian healthcare reform has been marked by the implementation of many new strategies, that grounded our scientific interest towards investigating PRCAR in Bulgarian public health law and social legislation.MethodsThrough a search of national legal databases 7 documents were selected and subjected to content analysis.ResultsProspective responsibility was found in two and retrospective responsibility - in three documents, two of which imposed explicit penalties on the patient. Two documents did not distinguish between the types of patient responsibility. PRCAR was found to be controversial through the prism of the social justice principle. The discussion was conducted through the perspectives of evidence translation of research to law, particularities of social cohesion in Bulgaria, and the interpretation of principles of public health ethics.ConclusionAlthough PRCAR was traceable in Bulgarian legislation, no supporting arguments for its introduction were deduced. The applicability of PRCAR should be further studied and wider public debate should be initiated.

Reducing healthcare waste by eliminating exam table paper in a primary care practice: a sustainable quality improvement initiative.

Climate change is now the greatest threat to human survival. The healthcare system contributes significantly to global pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Individual practitioners play an important role in helping to reduce these impacts in day-to-day practice. Deimplementation of unnecessary processes and products, such as exam table paper, in medical offices is one simple approach to incorporating principles of planetary health into practice. All quality improvement (QI) projects must start to consider environmental impacts to fully evaluate change ideas. We designed a single Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle using the Institute for Health Improvement Model for Improvement. We removed the exam table paper from our primary care office and measured changes in staff time, laundry, financial costs, paper use and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Eliminating exam table paper in our clinic resulted in modest annual cost savings of $C718 and improved staff efficiency and motivation to introduce other green office practices. In our clinic alone, this change will save 8.2 km of exam table paper, 10 trees and 148 kg of CO2e (equivalent to driving 1233 km) every year. There were no negative consequences or feedback. This simple QI project demonstrates the feasibility of implementing a small change in a primary care clinic that can improve environmental sustainability with multiple co-benefits. If all family physicians in Canada eliminated exam table paper in their offices, it would result in savings of approximately 95 940 km of paper, 121 680 trees, $C8 400 600 and 3054 T CO2 emissions, equivalent to driving around the world 360 times.

IMPROVING PERSONAL HEALTH LEARNING OUTCOMES THROUGH A JIGSAW TYPE COOPERATIVE LEARNING MODEL FOR FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS AT TELAGA PANGE PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Health is the most valuable asset, the expression is said when the person has fallen ill. Healthy at least a person is very dependent on the behavior of the person's daily life. Therefore, everyone needs to be given information about health so that they can lead a life in accordance with health principles. Health aims to improve people's standard of living optimally. In order to achieve this goal, the community is encouraged to know the problems and find ways to overcome the various problems that arise. So far, health development has focused more on efforts to cure diseases, so that the focus of government attention has been directed more towards the development of health facilities such as health centers and hospitals. Soekamto, et al in Titu, (2015) stated the purpose of the learning model is "a conceptual framework that describes a systematic procedure for organizing learning experiences to achieve certain learning goals, and serves as a guide for learning designers and teachers in planning learning activities." The jigsaw type cooperative learning model can improve personal health learning outcomes in fifth grade students of Talaga Pange Public Elementary School. Through the application of the jigsaw type cooperative method, it can improve personal health learning outcomes. -the average achievement of the results obtained by the subject or student.

Strategic Evaluation of Community Health Activities: Case of the Parakou/N’Dali Health District

Community health is based on primary health care and all countries must respect these principles of actions community-based health. <i>Objective</i> is to assess the relevance of community health activities in the Parakou / N'Dali Health District (PNHD) in 2020. <i>Method:</i> It was an evaluative observational cross-sectional study with an analytical aim carried out from August to September 2020. It focused on the community volunteer, qualified community health workers, local elected officials and health professionals of PNHD. Assessment of the relevance of activities at the community were in three dimensions: the relevance of the activities, the adequacy of the profile of agents committed to this task and respect for the principles of community action. Overall relevancy assessment ruled according to the Varkevisser rating scale. <i>Results</i>: The relevance of community health activities in the PNHD is poor (69.0%). Community volunteer does not have an adequate profile to carry out community health activities in basis of Primary Health Care (76.6%) and the basic principles of community action were not respect for 43.0%. Associated factors with the relevance of the activities observed are age between 40 and 60 (p˂.01), the gender of actors (p=.035). <i>Conclusion</i>: The community health activities carried out in the PNHD are globally not relevant as challenges persisted and required a great effort on human resources.

Environmental impacts of drugs against parasitic vector-borne diseases and the need to integrate sustainability into their development and use

Background The current scientific discourse on environmental impacts of veterinary medicines mostly focuses on ectoparasiticides. Meanwhile, the environmental impacts of widely prescribed drugs for the treatment of human and animal parasitic vector-borne diseases (PVBD) remain largely unexplored. There is thus a need for evidence-based information to support guidelines and protocols for sustainable One Health PVBD drug development and use, while promoting greener research practices. Here, we reflect on the potential environmental impacts of PVBD drugs in current use, and the environmental impact of our research practices for developing new antiparasitics. Methods We conducted a survey to assess the current appreciation of sustainable drug design concepts and the extent to which One Health and sustainability principles are integrated into PVBD drug discovery and development. The survey also explored which human, technical, and funding resources are currently used in Europe and neighbouring countries in PVBD drugs research. The analysis and reflection are developed within the “One Health drugs against parasitic vector borne diseases in Europe and beyond” Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action 21111 (OneHealthdrugs). Results The survey response rate was 66%, from 32 countries, predominantly European. 87% of participating collaborators worked in Academia; research groups were small (60% with 1-4 researchers) and mostly consist of few researchers, mostly at early career stages (63% <35 years old). Collaborations were mostly between academics, and 60% collaborated with non-European researchers, while funding was mostly from national governments. Motivation for greener research practices was high but there was as yet low implementation of green strategies or the incorporation of ecotoxicological test in drug development workflows, due to cost and unfamiliarity. Conclusions We highlight the need for early-ecotoxicological testing of new drug candidates and suggest best practices as we move towards standardized protocols in developing safe and efficacious PVBD drugs.

Putting the soil health principles to the test in Iowa

AbstractOne of the most popular soil conservation campaigns is based on the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service's Soil Health Principles (NRCS‐SHPs). The NRCS‐SHP program identifies four principles—maximize presence of living roots, minimize disturbance, maximize soil cover, and maximize biodiversity—with the underlying assumption that the more principles one follows, the greater improvements in soil health. Despite the popularity of the NRCS‐SHPs, this underlying assumption has not been rigorously tested. To do so, we used nine long‐term experiments all located in central Iowa, but with varying degree of NRCS‐SHP adoption, to determine if greater adoption increases three slow‐changing (maximum water holding capacity, bulk density [BD], and soil organic carbon) and three dynamic (microbial biomass carbon [MBC], potentially mineralizable carbon [PMC], and permanganate oxidizable carbon [POXC]) soil health indicators. We regressed these indicators with a soil health principle score that can scale soil management based on adoption of the NRCS‐SHPs. Of the slow‐changing soil properties, increased adoption of NRCS‐SHPs only decreased soil BD (R2 = 0.22, p = 0.024). On the other hand, increased adoption of NRCS‐SHPs strongly predicted increases in both MBC and PMC and across two sampling dates (R2 > 0.23, p < 0.015); POXC, however, did not increase with greater adoption. The consistent increases in MBC and PMC with greater adoption of NRCS‐SHPs supports their usefulness as sensitive indicators of positive soil health change. Our study provides scientific evidence to support the NRCS‐SHPs concept, improving its usefulness as an extension campaign, and stands as a step toward evidence‐based soil conservation.

A psychospiritual understanding of childhood perfectionism

ABSTRACT Several gaps in clarity in the childhood perfectionism (or CP) 1 literature prevent a more precise understanding of CP and its precipitants, motivators, and maintaining factors and compromise the efficacy of its prevention and treatment. The author posits that these gaps can be filled via a sufficient level of two psychospiritual understandings: the Principle 2 or power of Thought 3 and innate mental health. First, several gaps in clarity in the CP literature are identified. Then, the Principle of Thought and innate mental health are explained. Next, these psychospiritual understandings are used to clarify these gaps. Finally, the intervention grounded in these understandings is briefly described and preliminary evidence is presented in support of its efficacy.

Deciphering Host-Parasite Interplay in Leishmania Infection through a One Health View of Proteomics Studies on Drug Resistance.

Recent efforts in the study of vector-borne parasitic diseases (VBPDs) have emphasized an increased consideration for preventing drug resistance and promoting the environmental safety of drugs, from the beginning of the drug discovery pipeline. The intensive use of the few available antileishmanial drugs has led to the spreading of hyper-resistant Leishmania infantum strains, resulting in a chronic burden of the disease. In the present work, we have investigated the biochemical mechanisms of resistance to antimonials, paromomycin, and miltefosine in three drug-resistant parasitic strains from human clinical isolates, using a whole-cell mass spectrometry proteomics approach. We identified 14 differentially expressed proteins that were validated with their transcripts. Next, we employed functional association networks to identify parasite-specific proteins as potential targets for novel drug discovery studies. We used SeqAPASS analysis to predict susceptibility based on the evolutionary conservation of protein drug targets across species. MATH-domain-containing protein, adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette B2, histone H4, calpain-like cysteine peptidase, and trypanothione reductase emerged as top candidates. Overall, this work identifies new biological targets for designing drugs to prevent the development of Leishmania drug resistance, while aligning with One Health principles that emphasize the interconnected health of people, animals, and ecosystems.

A common law in space for public health

Beyond the gravitational pull of Earth, space travel poses substantial public health hazards pertaining to the physical and mental well-being of astronauts and passengers, in addition to a possible threat to the populace of Earth upon re-entry. Exposure to cosmic radiation, cranial pressure from microgravity, weakened immunity to contagion, and the potential for depression and psychosis are all risks. Public health crises of this nature are to be expected as the duration of missions extends, as is the case with Mars settlement. In contrast to national space programmes, which have regarded these obstacles as human factors effecting the mission, public health law in common law British nations approaches them from the perspective of social justice and the preservation of human life and societal welfare. Countries including Australia, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom continue to apply traditional common law principles of public health law, which provide a sensible and enduring method for reconciling competing public and private interests. Common law permits the violation of civil liberties through the use of force in public health restraint, forced medication, and quarantine, but only if necessary, reasonable, and equitable. While the understanding of the health challenges associated with long-duration spaceflight may be in its infancy for national space programmes and civilian space ventures, the application of common law public health principles could aid in the establishment of health and safety protocols in which human reactions to crises in space resemble those observed on Earth. This may, nevertheless, necessitate the enactment of a more comprehensive federal public health statute. Embedded in both public health common law and international space law, the pre-eminence of preserving and respecting human life and well-being continues to be a cornerstone of humane justice despite the perilous conditions of space.

When the microbiome meets One Health principle: Leading to the Holy Grail of biology and contributing to overall well‐being and social sustainability

AbstractThe convergence of microbiome science with the One Health principle heralds a transformative era in biology, prioritizing the collective well‐being of humans, animals, and the environment. This review delves into the intricate dance between microbiomes and their hosts, revealing their profound impact on health, nutrient cycles, and climate change. Championing a unified approach to health issues across diverse kingdoms of life, One Health emerges as a holistic strategy, underscored by a proposed universal balance theory, “Balance of Dynamic Factors.” This theory spotlights the equilibrium within microbial and human‐animal‐environment interactions, offering a revolutionary pathway to global health and social well‐being. It paves the way for disease prevention, health equity, and sustainability, all of which are purviews of a balanced ecological system. We navigate the challenges and opportunities of this integrative approach, culminating in a call for action for the incorporation of microbiome science into health policies, precision medicine, legislation, eco‐health projects, and education, thereby setting the stage for harmonious coexistence with our planet.