7th International Congress of CiiEM—Empowering One Health to Reduce Social Vulnerabilities

1. Preface

Amidst the increasingly complex and interconnected challenges of our time, from climate change and emerging pandemics to deepening social inequalities, the One Health approach has gained renewed relevance as a guiding framework for research, policy, and practice [1,2]. By recognising that human, animal, and environmental health are inseparably linked, One Health promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and integrated strategies to build more resilient and inclusive societies [3,4].

The 7th CiiEM International Congress, under the theme “Empowering One Health to Reduce Social Vulnerabilities”, held from 2 to 4 July 2025 in Caparica, Portugal, aimed to contribute meaningfully to this vision. Organised by the Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), the Congress gathered over 200 participants, bringing together researchers, practitioners, students, and stakeholders committed to transforming scientific knowledge into societal impact.

The invited speakers from leading institutions shared insights on the global and local challenges of applying One Health. These were strengthened by over 130 scientific contributions, presented as oral or poster communications, selected through a rigorous peer-review process. Particularly valuable were the contributions from students, whose enthusiasm and critical perspectives enriched the debates and demonstrated the vitality of the next generation of researchers.

Aligned with the Horizon Europe strategic plan (2025–2027) [5], the scientific programme reflected the urgency of applying a One Health lens today, covering topics such as technological innovation in biomedical research, digital inclusion, urban planning and public health, mental health and psychosocial resilience, sustainable food systems, antimicrobial resistance, and the social dimensions of healthcare access.

Beyond its scientific dimension, the congress also fulfilled an important pedagogical role. Many undergraduate and postgraduate students experienced, for the first time, what it means to be an author at a scientific event. They engaged directly with the processes of submission, revision, and editorial decisions, developing practical skills essential for their future academic and professional careers [6]. This hands-on experience not only demystified scientific publication but also fostered a critical understanding of quality, ethics, and scientific communication.

2. Statement of Peer Review

To ensure scientific quality and integrity, the congress followed a structured, two-phase editorial process. First, authors submitted abstracts (max. 500 words) which underwent blind peer review, ensuring impartiality and constructive feedback, coordinated by the Proceedings Editorial Board. In total, 143 abstracts were submitted, with 134 being accepted, reflecting an acceptance rate of 93.7%. Only accepted abstracts proceeded, optionally, to the submission of full proceedings papers (up to five pages), which were then subject to double peer review in the second phase. A total of 25 proceeding papers presented at the conference (5 oral and 20 poster communications) were accepted to be published in this dedicated volume of MDPI Medical Sciences Forum. Narrative literature reviews, study protocols, and systematic reviews without meta-analysis were not considered. A submission platform (Wordpress Plugin WP Abstracts Pro v.6.8.1 Abstracts & Manuscripts Submission, 2025) was used to manage the process.

Reviews were conducted by expert referees according to the professional and scientific standards expected of a proceedings journal. The evaluation considered several key criteria, as follows: (1) the aim, relevance, and originality of the work; (2) the quality and appropriateness of materials and methods; (3) ethical considerations; (4) scientific soundness and validity of results; and (5) the quality of writing, including clarity, text organisation, formatting, referencing, and English language and style. Reviewers provided constructive feedback, encouraging clarity and methodological rigour, particularly supporting students. Authors were notified of the reviewers’ comments and invited to revise and resubmit their work through the platform. The Proceedings Editorial Board then reviewed the revised submissions, verified the corrections, and made the final decision. Authors were subsequently informed of the acceptance or rejection of their papers. The nominal list of those involved in the edition and reviewing process is included in the acknowledgements.

Finally, the volume editors also verified compliance with formatting guidelines and checked all submissions for plagiarism using Turnitin (www.turnitin.com; accessed on 21 July 2025) before finalising the papers for publication.

3. Thematic Clusters

The papers published in this volume illustrate the rich diversity and interdisciplinary focus of the 7th CiiEM International Congress. Organised around key themes that reflect the congress’s mission to reduce social vulnerabilities through a One Health perspective, the volume begins with studies addressing public and global health, including medication safety, food supplement use, and breastfeeding practices.

A second cluster of papers delves into forensic science and psychology, exploring topics such as intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, and innovative forensic techniques applied to neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease.

Education and pedagogical research feature strongly, with studies analysing curriculum innovation, science teaching models, and student attitudes toward community service and reintegration initiatives.

The volume also highlights rehabilitation and physiotherapy, presenting clinical case studies and strategies like robotic gait training, kinesiotaping, and online rehabilitation for chronic conditions, alongside studies on compassion fatigue and the physiology of elite sports.

In oral health and dentistry, papers examine patient attitudes to laser technology, the treatment of xerostomia, and material degradation in orthodontics, as well as diagnostic delays in burning mouth syndrome.

Cutting-edge artificial intelligence methods applied to cancer prognosis and studies in hospital emergency care further illustrate the congress’s breadth, combining clinical research, digital tools, and patient-centred perspectives.

4. Closing Remarks

The One Health approach offers a powerful framework for emphasising collaboration across disciplines and sectors. The contributions published here reflect the congress’s interdisciplinary and pedagogical spirit, offering innovative research grounded in real-world applications and a shared commitment to improving health outcomes across human, animal, and environmental domains. We hope this publication serves not only as a scientific record but also as an inspiration for future research and action towards a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable world.