Announcements

Healthcare sciences and services is an interdisciplinary field focused on improving medical care and patient wellbeing by integrating research, technology, policy, management, and clinical practice. The primary aim of this field is to improve the quality and safety of care not only for individuals but also the wider global community by addressing public health challenges. By focusing on a wide range of topics such as disease prevention, treatment and long-term care, healthcare management, and informatics and digital health, this field ensures that care is effective, efficient, and centred around the needs of patients.

MDPI’s healthcare sciences and services cluster of journals has the mission to publish innovative research that will advance and improve how healthcare is delivered and managed. This cluster provides researchers and professionals with diverse publishing opportunities, ensuring that their work reaches the most relevant audiences and makes a meaningful impact across the field of health sciences and services.

The seven participating journals are as follows:

• Geriatrics (ISSN: 2308-3417) focuses on the health and healthcare of older people, with special emphasis on geriatric biology, geriatric health services research, geriatric medicine research, geriatric neurology, stroke, cognition and oncology, geriatric surgery, geriatric physical functioning, physical health and activity, geriatric psychiatry and psychology, geriatric nutrition, geriatric epidemiology, and geriatric rehabilitation. Geriatrics is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Ralf Lobmann (Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Geriatrics, Clinical Centre Stuttgart—Katharinenhospital, Germany);
• The Journal of Ageing and Longevity (JAL, ISSN: 2673-9259) focuses on ageing, longevity, and gerontology, with special emphasis on the biology of ageing, the neurological aspects of ageing, the medical aspects of ageing, the physical aspects and issues of ageing, the psychological aspects of ageing, the public health and epidemiology of ageing, healthcare in ageing, and gerontechnology. JAL is led by Editors-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Graham P. Pawelec (¹Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Germany; ²Health Sciences North Research Institute, Sudbury, Canada) and Prof. Dr. Mark A. Tully (School of Medicine, Ulster University, UK);
• Healthcare (ISSN: 2227-9032) publishes original theoretical and empirical work in the interdisciplinary area of all aspects of medicine and healthcare research. This journal covers topics related to all aspects of medicine and healthcare research, including nursing, health assessment, early diagnosis, intensive care, health informatics, digital healthcare, mental health, patient safety, healthcare and sustainability, and health policy, as well as the treatment of short-term but severe illnesses, injuries, or other health conditions. Healthcare is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Lorraine S. Evangelista (Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, University of California, USA);
• Hospitals (ISSN: 2813-4524) covers all aspects of hospitals and healthcare institutions, including administration, clinical care, infrastructure, technology, economics, and workforce management. It emphasizes innovations in patient care, digital transformation, ethical practices, and public health roles, particularly in crisis response and global health equity. The scope also addresses challenges in low-resource settings, policy impacts, and strategies for sustainable, high-quality healthcare delivery. Hospitals is led by Editor-in-Chief Dr. Francisco Epelde (Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Sabadell, University Autonoma of Barcelona, Spain);
• Hygiene (ISSN: 2673-947X) focuses on healthcare epidemiology, public health, and environment-related hygiene, with special emphasis on hygiene and epidemiology, global and environmental health, the surveillance and prevention of healthcare-associated infections, and infection prevention and control. We also welcome submissions with a focus on best practices that help maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases. Hygiene is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Fernando Pérez-Rodríguez (Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence, University of Cordoba, Spain);
• The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH, ISSN: 1660-4601) focuses on content related to health promotion and disease prevention, with special emphasis on global health, healthcare sciences, behavioural and mental health, infectious diseases, chronic diseases and disease prevention, exercise and health-related quality of life, and environmental health and environmental sciences. IJERPH is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Paul B. Tchounwou (RCMI Center for Urban Health Disparities Research and Innovation, Richard N. Dixon Research Center, Morgan State University, USA);
• Nursing Reports (ISSN: 2039-4403) aims to influence the art and science of nursing by making rigorously conducted research accessible and understood to the full spectrum of practicing nurses, academics, educators, and interested members of the public. The journal aims to make a unique and important contribution to nursing and the broader healthcare community by addressing topics, theories, and issues that concern the discipline of nursing, including research, practice, policy, and education. Nursing Reports is led by Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dr. Richard Gray (School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Australia).

MDPI’s mission and values:

As a pioneer in academic open access publishing, MDPI has been serving the scientific community since 1996. Our aim is to foster scientific exchange in all forms and across all disciplines. MDPI's guidelines for disseminating open science are based on the following values and guiding principles:

• Open Access—All our content is published in open access format and distributed under a Creative Commons License, providing free access to the latest research and allowing articles to be freely shared and content to be re-used with proper attribution;
• Timeliness and Efficiency—We rapidly publish novel research through a thorough editorial process, ensuring that a first decision is provided to authors in under 32 days and that papers are published within 7–10 days upon acceptance;
• Simplicity—We offer user-friendly tools and services on our integrated system to enhance the efficiency of our editorial process;
• High-Quality Service—We support scholars and their work by providing a range of options, such as publication in journals at mdpi.com, early publication at preprints.org, and the publication of conferences at sciforum.net, to positively impact research;
• Flexibility—We adapt and develop new tools and services to meet the changing needs of the research community, driven by feedback from authors, editors, and readers;
• Rooted in Sustainability—We ensure the long-term preservation of published papers and support the future of science through partnerships, sponsorships, and awards.

By adhering to these values and principles, MDPI remains committed to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting open science practices.

Selected Topics:

• “The Imperative of Patient Safety and Safety Culture in Contemporary Healthcare”;
• “Artificial Intelligence in Public Health: Current Trends and Future Possibilities, 2nd Edition”;
• “Healthy, Safe and Active Aging, 2nd Edition”;
• “Health Services Optimization, Improvement, and Management: Worldwide Experiences”.

Selected Articles:

Geriatrics
“Pulmonary Diseases in Older Patients: Understanding and Addressing the Challenges”
by Pushpa Raj Joshi
Geriatrics 2024, 9(2), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics9020034

Journal of Ageing and Longevity
“Association between Malnutrition Risk Factors and Physical Function in Community-Dwelling Adults ≥80 Years”
by Sussi F. Buhl, Pia Ø. Olsen, Trine Thilsing and Paolo Caserotti
J. Ageing Longev. 2023, 3(1), 33-45; https://doi.org/10.3390/jal3010003

Healthcare
“Overcoming Barriers: A Comprehensive Review of Chronic Pain Management and Accessibility Challenges in Rural America”
by Maxwell B. Baker, Eileen C. Liu, Micaiah A. Bully, Adam Hsieh, Ala Nozari, Marissa Tuler and Dhanesh D. Binda
Healthcare 2024, 12(17), 1765; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12171765

Hospitals
“Does Hospital–Physician Integration Improve Hospital Performance? Results from a USA Longitudinal Study”
by Soumya Upadhyay, Randyl A. Cochran and William Opoku-Agyeman
Hospitals 2024, 1(2), 172-184; https://doi.org/10.3390/hospitals1020014

Hygiene
“The Antimicrobial Resistance Pandemic Is Here: Implementation Challenges and the Need for the One Health Approach”
by Elena Ponzo, Silvia De Gaetano, Angelina Midiri, Giuseppe Mancuso, Presti Giovanna, Danna Giuliana, Sebastiana Zummo and Carmelo Biondo
Hygiene 2024, 4(3), 297-316; https://doi.org/10.3390/hygiene4030024

IJERPH
“An Evidence-Based Guide for Delivering Mental Healthcare Services in Farming Communities: A Qualitative Study of Providers’ Perspectives”
by Rebecca Purc-Stephenson, Nicole Roy, Adachukwu Chimaobi and Deanna Hood
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(6), 791; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21060791

Nursing Reports
“Moral Resilience Reduces Levels of Quiet Quitting, Job Burnout, and Turnover Intention among Nurses: Evidence in the Post COVID-19 Era”
by Petros Galanis, Ioannis Moisoglou, Aglaia Katsiroumpa, Irene Vraka, Olga Siskou, Olympia Konstantakopoulou and Daphne Kaitelidou
Nurs. Rep. 2024, 14(1), 254-266; https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep14010020

Conference: 61st Annual Meeting European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD 2025)
Date: 15–19 September 2025
Location: Vienna, Austria

MDPI will be attending the 61st Annual Meeting European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD 2025), which will be held from 15 to 19 September 2025, as an exhibitor. We welcome researchers from diverse backgrounds to attend and share their latest ideas with us.

The EASD Annual Meeting is an excellent opportunity to stay up to date with recent developments in the diabetes field. The programme features groundbreaking basic research, cutting-edge clinical trial results and in-depth expert debates. We are pleased to attend the conference and also meet with colleagues from around the world and be part of the key discussions that will shape the future of diabetes research and care. Your participation will significantly contribute to the medical discourse and enhance the conference’s impact within the diabetes field.

The following open access journals will be represented at the conference:

• Biomedicines;
• Diabetology;
• JCM;
• Medicina;
• IJERPH;
• Obesities;
• Nutrients;
• Biomolecules;
• LabMed;
• Lipidology;
• Metabolites;
• Endocrines.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please do not hesitate to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at the booth and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.easd.org/annual-meeting/easd-2025.html.

Name: Dr. Barbara Snoeker
Affiliations: Center for Prevention, Lifestyle and Health, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, 3721 MA Bilthoven, the Netherlands
Interests: physical activity, public health, epidemiology

“Physical Activity Friendliness of Neighborhoods: Do Subjective and Objective Measures Correspond Within a Mid-Sized Dutch Town?”
by Thomas G. Kuijpers, H. Susan J. Picavet, Jeroen Lakerveld, Johannes Mark Noordzij, G.C. Wanda Wendel-Vos and Barbara A. M. Snoeker
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(4), 536; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040536
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/4/536

The following is a short interview with Dr. Barbara Snoeker:

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and your current research to our readers?
My name is Dr. Barbara Snoeker, and I work as a clinical epidemiologist and senior researcher at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in the Netherlands. I have always been passionate about the role of physical activity and its impact on health. My current research focuses on the role of physical activity and public health. At the Institute, I am the project leader of several projects. The purpose of our projects is to combine scientific research, policy, and practice, in order to inform evidence-based policymaking in the Netherlands. One key focus is monitoring physical activity behavior among the Dutch population, currently through questionnaires, while exploring the potential of accelerometers as a more accurate method of data collection. Additionally, I lead research on 24/7 physical activity behavior patterns to better understand how people distribute their movement throughout the day and week, and how that impacts their health. We are also developing a model to estimate the impact of physical activity policies on public health, quality of life, and associated costs. Finally, in our most recent study, we examined how objective and subjective measures of physical activity-friendly environments relate to physical activity levels, with new findings forthcoming that integrate accelerometer data to measure actual physical activity.

2. What difficulties or innovations did you encounter in your research?
One major challenge in our research relates to the mismatch between objective and subjective measures of physical activity-friendly environments. While a neighborhood might appear ideal on paper—green spaces, playgrounds, safe paths—the reality experienced by residents may differ significantly. For instance, access might be restricted, or people may not use the facilities that objectively classify an area as physical activity-friendly. This disconnect underscores the need to supplement objective data with subjective perspectives to understand how people engage with their environment. Without subjective input, policymakers may overlook critical barriers to physical activity.
On a broader level, a persistent challenge in the field is encouraging people to be more active in a world where inactivity is often easier. Policymakers must not only provide supportive infrastructure, but also ensure environments are truly conducive to healthy behavior.

3. What motivated you to conduct research in this field?
I have always been passionate about the role of physical activity in health. It’s a simple yet powerful way to prevent many non-communicable diseases and improve overall well-being. Despite its clear benefits, it’s often undervalued, especially since many of its advantages unfold over time.
My work is driven by the desire to contribute to a healthier society—not just in the Netherlands, but globally. Helping people to make sustainable health choices and informing policymakers with strong evidence are what keep me motivated.

4. How do you evaluate current research trends in your field, and what advice would you give to early career researchers starting their PhD?
Our recent study reinforces findings from earlier research—namely, that subjective and objective measures often diverge. So instead of chasing novelty, I believe the field needs to shift toward practical impact. We should ask: “How can environments be made healthier in ways that people experience?”, and future research should listen more closely to the communities we study. Understanding people’s motivations and barriers through qualitative research is crucial. Combining quantitative data with interviews or focus groups—what we call mixed-methods research—offers a richer, more actionable picture. For new researchers, I’d advise finding a topic that genuinely excites you. Identify your niche, connect with others in the field, and stay focused on the impact your work can make. Pursue a PhD not just for the title, but because you care deeply about the questions you’re exploring.

5. How did you hear about IJERPH, and what was your impression of the publication process?
The first author of our manuscript recommended IJERPH based on a previous positive experience. I found the process very smooth. The submission system was user-friendly, communication was fast, and even when the turnaround felt a bit rushed, we were able to request more time. Overall, it was a very positive experience, and I would be happy to publish with IJERPH again.

Name: Ms. Sasha Johnston
Affiliations: ¹ Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 2JD, UK; ² South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol BS16 IDE, UK

“Why Do Emergency Medical Service Employees (Not) Seek Organizational Help for Mental Health Support?: A Systematic Review”
by Sasha Johnston, Polly Waite, Jasmine Laing, Layla Rashid, Abbie Wilkins, Chloe Hooper, Elizabeth Hindhaugh and Jennifer Wild
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(4), 629; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040629

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and your current research focus?
   Thank you. My name is Sasha Johnston, and I am a paramedic by profession, currently working with the South Western Ambulance Service in England. I’m also undertaking a Doctoral Fellowship funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research at the University of Oxford. My research focuses on employee well-being in emergency services, particularly examining the cultural barriers and facilitators that influence ambulance staff’s access to mental health support services. While support programs are increasingly available, their uptake remains low, despite the high prevalence of mental health challenges in this workforce. My work seeks to understand and improve this situation.
2. What were the main challenges or breakthroughs in conducting this research?
   Conducting research in a live emergency environment is inherently difficult—there are constant 999 calls, staffing shortages, and high-pressure settings. The emergency services field is less mature in terms of research infrastructure compared to hospital or nursing contexts. Yet ambulance services play a critical role in patient outcomes, as about 50% of patients in UK hospital beds arrive via ambulance. This underlines the importance of developing a research base that is rooted in the unique realities of prehospital care, rather than relying solely on hospital-based findings.
3. What motivates your research in this field?
   My motivation is deeply personal. After 17 years of work I loved, I experienced a traumatic incident that shifted my sense of safety. I was fortunate to have access to support services, but many colleagues have not been so lucky—some have died by suicide. Since 2018, we have recorded 55 such cases among ambulance staff in England. My goal is to foster a system where staff feel safe, supported, and empowered to seek help without stigma. Healthy staff deliver better patient care, and that connection drives my work.
4. How would you describe current trends in your field, and what advice would you give to early-career researchers?
   We’re seeing a welcome shift toward integrated, multidisciplinary approaches—combining public health, social science, and frontline experience. There’s also an emphasis on co-production, where employees and stakeholders are involved from the start of the research process. For early-career researchers, I recommend attending conferences, networking, and saying yes to new opportunities. I’ve been lucky to receive NIHR support and work with incredible supervisors. Finding the right people and mentors is crucial, especially in under-researched fields like emergency services.
5. What was your experience publishing with IJERPH, and why did you choose this journal?
   Choosing the right journal was important. IJERPH was a great fit for our systematic review, especially because of its relevance and open access model. The publishing process was smooth—reviewers understood our methodology and provided constructive feedback, particularly around balancing detail with clarity in the manuscript. Communication with the editorial team was excellent, and having this interview opportunity is a wonderful bonus. I’m already working on a follow-up qualitative study and would be happy to submit again to IJERPH or other MDPI journals.

Name: Ms. Paulien Tensen
Affiliations: ¹ Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands; ² Amsterdam Health & Technology Institute, 1105 BP Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Name: Ms. Francisca Gaifém
Affiliations: Research Unit for Global Health, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark

“Electronic Personal Health Records for Mobile Populations: A Rapid Systematic Literature Review”
by Paulien Tensen, Francisca Gaifém, Simeon Kintu Paul, Frederick Murunga Wekesah, Princess Ruhama Acheampong, Maria Bach Nikolajsen, Ulrik Bak Kirk, Ellis Owusu-Dabo, Per Kallestrup, Charles Agyemang and Steven van de Vijver
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(4), 488; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040488

The following is a short interview with Ms. Paulien Tensen and Ms. Francisca Gaifém:

1. Congratulations on your recent publication! Could you briefly introduce yourself and your current research focus?

Francisca Gaifém: I am currently a research assistant at the Global Health Research Unit at Aarhus University in Denmark. My academic background is in pharmaceutical sciences and global health. Over the years, I have been involved in a number of research projects addressing migration and health, including topics such as sexual and reproductive health, mental health, healthcare equity and, most recently, digital health. My research interests are rooted in understanding and addressing barriers to healthcare for populations living in vulnerable circumstances.

Paulien Tensen: I am a PhD student working on the use of electronic personal health records to improve the continuity of care for mobile populations. I am also actively involved in developing and piloting an EPHR initiative called HealthEmove (www.healthemove.org) at the Amsterdam Health & Technology Institute (Ahti), which is currently being piloted in Amsterdam. In addition to my academic work, I have experience working directly with undocumented migrants in the Netherlands, particularly through my involvement with Doctors of the World, where I supported undocumented migrants in accessing healthcare services and my current volunteer work at the LOA foundation where we do blood pressure monitoring in churches. These practical experiences have deeply informed my research.

2. What are some of the key challenges and innovations in this area of research?

Paulien Tensen: One of the main challenges we identified is the overall lack of research in this field. During our systematic review, we searched three databases and found that only a limited number of studies directly addressed the use of EPHRs for mobile populations. There is very little existing literature on crucial aspects such as user experiences, the creation and management of medical records for mobile groups, and the technical requirements for cross-border data sharing.

Francisca Gaifém: Yes, we also found a lack of studies specifically investigating the impact of EPHRs on health outcomes for mobile populations. I would add that this is closely tied to the broader issue of a lack of prioritization. Despite the clear needs, this topic has not received sufficient attention in policy or health system planning. This may be due in part to the complexity of the issue, including legal, ethical, and infrastructural barriers. Nevertheless, it is essential that this area receives greater recognition in both research and policymaking.

3. What motivated you to pursue this topic?

Francisca Gaifém: My motivation stems from witnessing the significant barriers to healthcare that migrants face—both in terms of access and quality. Through both academic research and personal engagement with civil society organizations, I have encountered many examples of the difficulties experienced by mobile populations. These experiences have reinforced my motivation to contribute to research that aims to address these gaps.

Paulien Tensen: My motivation is similar. Through my volunteer work with Doctors of the World, I have seen first-hand how patients often lack access to their previous medical histories. In some cases, individuals carry only paper records—or no records at all. This makes it extremely difficult for healthcare providers to deliver effective care. These challenges inspired me to focus on digital solutions like EPHRs that can potentially improve continuity of care for this vulnerable population.

4. What research trends are you observing in this field, and what advice would you offer to early career researchers or PhD students?

Paulien Tensen: One important trend is the growing use of digital health technologies. However, we are also seeing that digital health often exacerbates existing health inequalities rather than mitigating them. In a previous publication on “Digital health for all: How digital health could reduce inequality and increase universal health coverage”, we argue to develop digital health to reduce—rather than increase—existing inequalities in health. For early career researchers, I would recommend focusing on how these tools, such as EPHRs, can be adapted to truly support marginalized populations. More specifically, I believe there is a great need for research on how EPHRs influence healthcare outcomes and how they are experienced by users, especially among mobile and undocumented groups.

Francisca Gaifém: I would strongly encourage researchers to engage in international and cross-country collaborations. Since the challenge of maintaining health records for mobile populations is inherently transnational, such collaborations are invaluable for understanding legal and technical barriers and for co-developing culturally appropriate and context-sensitive solutions. Working in diverse, interdisciplinary teams can significantly strengthen both the research process and its outcomes.

5. How did you hear about IJERPH, and what was your experience like with the publication process?

Francisca Gaifém: We were introduced to the journal through colleagues at Aarhus University, some of whom have served as Guest Editors for Special Issues in IJERPH. It was through this network that we learned about the opportunity to submit our work. The submission and review process was smooth and efficient, and we appreciated clear communication throughout.

Paulien Tensen: I completely agree. We were pleased with the speed and clarity of the process. It was a very positive publishing experience overall.

MDPI and the European Burn Journal (EBJ, ISSN: 2673-1991) will be attending the 21st European Burns Association Congress, which will take place from 3 to 6 September 2025 at the Estrel Congress Center (ECC), Berlin, Germany.

The European Burn Journal is owned by the European Burns Association (EBA) and is published quarterly online by MDPI. The EBA congress is aimed at all members of the multidisciplinary burn team: (plastic) surgeons, intensivists, anesthesiologists, nurses, scientists, and other burn health care professionals and those in training for one of these specialisms from all over Europe and beyond.

MDPI is excited to participate in this prestigious event. We invite you to visit our booth “#28”, where you will be able to hold face-to-face conversations with our representatives, learn more about our open access publishing services, and receive special gifts.

The following open access journals will be represented at the conference:

• European Burn Journal;
• International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health;
• Surgical Techniques Development;
• Dermato;
• Healthcare;
• Medicina;
• Hospitals;
• Surgeries;
• Trauma Care;
• Emergency Care and Medicine.

If you are planning to attend the above event, we encourage you to visit our booth and speak to our representatives. We are eager to meet you in person and assist you with any queries that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the official website: https://www.eba2025.org/.

Name: Prof. Dr. Catherine Cubbin
Affiliations: Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, 405 W. 25th Street, Austin, TX 78705, USA
Interests: Social epidemiology; social inequalities in health; neighborhood environments and health; conceptualization and measurement of socioeconomic status/position

“Social Inequities in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors at Multiple Levels Persist Among Mothers in Texas”
by Catherine Cubbin, Quynh Nhu (Natasha) B. La Frinere-Sandoval and Elizabeth M. Widen
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(3), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22030404
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/3/404

1. Congratulations on your recent publication! Could you briefly introduce yourself and your current research focus?
I am a social epidemiologist and a professor in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin, USA. I’ve been there almost 20 years now. I would say I'm primarily focused on two areas of research right now.
The first is really related to the recent publication, but I would describe it broadly as being social inequalities and maternal and infant health, specifically in Texas—that's really where my focus is at the moment. I've published maybe six studies on the topic in recent years, and my interest is in the downstream effects of residential segregation, specifically how segregation has an impact on neighborhood environments and then how those neighborhood environments make it harder or easier to be healthy. Within that work, I’m also interested in how these neighborhood environments might impact people differently based on their own characteristics, such as their own race/ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, those sorts of things. The other area of work that I'm mainly working on is part of an interdisciplinary team. We have a grant from the National Institutes of Health to investigate how urban planning decisions and zoning have evolved historically in Austin, TX, and how that has had an impact on the city, in terms of the locations of sources that create air pollution and then also within that work, we're interested in the components of that air pollution. So not all air pollution is the same, right? And we think that some sources might create more hazardous types of air pollution. The health outcome in our study is neighborhood-level disparities in asthma.  And while there's a piece of it that's just looking at Austin, we're also interested in looking at neighborhood environments in relation to air pollution across the whole state.
I'm one of the Co-investigators, but it's a team that includes a professor in architecture, the principal investigator is a physician scientist, and pediatrician, and we also have a biostatistician and an environmental engineer on the team, among others.

2. What inspired you to focus on disentangling the links between individual-level and social determinants of health inequalities in your research?
I really appreciate that question. I was in Graduate School in the 1990s, and at that time, I would say, with regards to the epidemiology field, there was a renewed interest in moving away from proximate determinants of health. There was a lot of work being done on social determinants, or what we might refer to as upstream causes versus downstream causes, and I was in the middle of learning about all these things at that time.
At the same time, there were some advances in methods, including multi-level modeling, which is also called mixed effects modeling or hierarchical linear modeling. These statistical advances were being made that allowed us to investigate neighborhood-level influences on individual-level health outcomes.
Data sources in the US were also being routinely geo-coded. So, you could actually identify where an individual survey respondent was living and merge in data sources about their neighborhoods and perform multi-level studies. Some of the first studies in health were coming out at that time, and from a conceptual standpoint as well as a methods standpoint, it was very interesting to me.
I was also doing a fellowship at the National Center for Health Statistics, where I had access to all this amazing data and great scientists who were able to mentor me on how to conduct these neighborhood effect studies, as we call them. So, I've continued that work for almost 30 years now. I don't really focus on a particular health outcome; rather, I have examined neighborhood effects across the life course.  At the same time, as a poor graduate and undergraduate student, I was living in neighborhoods that really did make it quite hard to make healthy choices.
I had my scientific interest, but also my lived experience in neighborhoods where you couldn't find fresh produce that was affordable and neighborhoods that were, you know, pretty unsafe just to be out and about, and where I didn't know my neighbors. There wasn't a lot of social cohesion in the places where I lived.  So, in summary, I think those are the two pieces that I would say inspired my focus: scientific curiosity and lived experience.

3. Which understudied social determinants of health do you consider critical for future investigations in rapidly urbanizing contexts?
I think it really is context-dependent, so I'll just stick to the US context, which is what I know and what I study. Concepts such as social cohesion, even though they’ve been studied quite a bit, I don't know if we've studied them enough. Like, how do we keep communities connected, especially thinking of the US context and many other countries where a lot of immigrants are moving to urbanizing areas, who might have language and other barriers? So, I think it becomes really challenging when that’s part of urbanization.
Also, sort of related to the study I mentioned, I think we really need to understand more about how urban planning decisions impact people's lives and people's communities. Thinking of questions such as: how do you make sure everyone has mobility? How do you create walkable spaces? How do you prevent the negative impacts of gentrification and segregation? Those sorts of things, I don't know if we really know enough, and it requires partnerships between local governments, academics, and community-based organizations to really get a better handle on it.
And I think maybe two other areas. First, we absolutely need to know more about climate change-related exposures, in urban or urbanizing areas, thinking of heat, especially heat islands, as well as air pollution, and not just for a city as a whole. We really need to understand intra-city differences at a neighborhood level.
The other thing that I've been thinking about a little bit is the concept of smart cities and cities becoming much more technologically advanced. Trying to figure out what that means for digital inequities and trying to understand differential impacts on people who might not have the same kind of access to those technologies.

4. How do you envision emerging technologies (e.g., geospatial tools, AI) shaping the measurement of health determinants in the next decade?
It makes me think of a couple of things reading that question, and I want to acknowledge that this is not my expertise. I’m very new to AI, to using it, and to understanding it. Of course, it's rapidly evolving, and it's certainly going to be something that we need to be paying attention to. I've been very impressed by what climate scientists and some of the environmental engineers have already been doing with AI and geospatial tools to create these very sophisticated models to understand heat, climate change, and air pollution measurement at hyperlocal levels. So, I think we can look to some of our colleagues in other disciplines, and certainly we're going to be able to analyze data so much more quickly as AI develops more. I think we can probably do a lot more with simulation, and there is already some great research in the public health area.
I think that's an area where we're going to be able to do more, rather than collecting primary data longitudinally and following people over time. We can simulate types of things that might have an impact on health, and my area—health inequities.
In my area of work, one of the key limitations to neighborhood effects research is that we often need to rely on census data, such as poverty concentration or racial/ethnic composition, to provide a proxy for what's happening in terms of how neighborhoods impact health. Rather than being able to study the actual mechanisms. It has to do with data availability. If you're going to be looking at thousands and thousands of neighborhoods, you only really have access to census data to be able to easily look at all those places at once.
But I think as more and more tools become available, we're going to be able to integrate what the actual mechanisms of the neighborhood effects are to study those directly. So, I think that's a really exciting area for what I work in. And I think there's going to be more sensors and wearable technologies, which of course also come with issues of privacy and surveillance; there are always positives along with ethical challenges to these technologies.

5. From an author’s perspective, what unique strengths distinguish IJERPH from other journals?
I have published a fair amount in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.  It's always been a really smooth and efficient process working with the editorial team. The communication is always really clear. I feel like the papers get reviewed quickly, and I generally get great reviewer comments. And then you do things like this interview and follow up with ways to get your work out to more people and disseminate it more. And while I don't always take advantage of those resources, I still appreciate that the journal does that.  Finally, I really appreciate getting invitations to special issues with the article processing charges waived. That's a huge benefit, because not everybody has access to those types of resources.

Throughout the second quarter of 2025, research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPHI, ISSN: 1660-4601) was featured over 183 times in news articles published by reputable media sources, such as NBC News, National Geographic, and The Independent. Learn more about this research below.

“Goutman is the senior author of the study which was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Specifically, the researchers have found a toxin produced by the bloom cyanobacteria in brain and spinal fluid cerebral spinal fluid samples of people with ALS. It’s known as ß-methylamino-L-alanine. Increasingly driven by human-caused climate change and nutrient pollution, the blooms are caused when cyanobacteria grows dense and out of control. Cyanobacteria produce several toxic agents that are linked neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.”
The Independent—“Why Americans who live near coastlines and lakefronts may face heightened ALS risk”
IJERPH—“Life Course Exposure to Cyanobacteria and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Survival”
Article link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/5/763

“Short-term exposure to these particles can increase the risk of cardiac arrest, asthma attacks or stroke, while long-term exposure can increase the risk of heart disease, lung cancer and chronic kidney disease.”
NBC News—“Smoke from Canadian wildfires triggers air quality alerts in Midwest and Plains”
IJERPH—“Impact of Air Pollution on Asthma Outcomes”
Article link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/17/6212

“If you sleep on your back, chances are you're a snorer. Snoring can be a problem unto itself, but it’s also a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea—a condition common among back sleepers.”
National Geographic—“Why some people are better off sleeping on their sides”
IJERPH—“Sleep Architecture and Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders of Seafarers on Board Merchant Ships: A Polysomnographic Pilot Field Study on the High Seas”
Article link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/4/3168

“Multiple studies suggest that, compared to the general population, hairdressers have a higher risk of cancer; reproductive disorders and respiratory illnesses; and are more likely to give birth to babies with congenital defects.”
National Geographic—“Are these popular salon treatments a health threat?”
IJERPH—“Occupational Exposure of Hairdressers to Airborne Hazardous Chemicals: A Scoping Review”
Article link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/7/4176

Conference: 23rd International Congress of Nutrition of IUNS

Date: 24–29 August 2025

Location: Paris, France

MDPI will be attending the 23rd International Congress of Nutrition of IUNS as an exhibitor. The event will take place in Paris, France, from 24 to 29 August 2025.

Organized by the French Society of Nutrition (SFN), the French Federation of Nutrition (FFN), the Federation of European Nutrition Societies (FENS), and the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), the 23rd International Congress of Nutrition of IUNS will focus on the theme “Sustainable Food for Global Health”. However, alongside this main theme, all the fundamental, clinical, epidemiological, and social aspects of nutrition will be addressed in the form of lectures, symposia, oral communications, and posters.

Topics include (but are not limited to) the following:

• The future of nutrition recommendations;
• Climate change, sustainability, and nutrition;
• Food science, gastronomy, and life quality;
• Global health and planetary nutrition;
• Public health and nutrition throughout the life cycle;
• Non-communicable diseases;
• Precision and clinical nutrition;
• Basic research in nutrition.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Nutrients;
• IJERPH;
• Nursing Reports;
• Antioxidants;
• Dietetics;
• Lipidology;
• Hygiene;
• Obesities;
• Nutraceuticals;
• Healthcare;
• Foods;
• Clinics and Practice.

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at booth #20 and answering any questions you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.icn2025.org/.

Name: Dr. Jamie Seabrook
Affiliations: ¹ Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON N6G 2M1, Canada; ² Department of Paediatrics, Western University, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada; ³ Brescia School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Western University, London, ON N6G 2V4, Canada; ⁴ Children’s Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2V5, Canada; ⁵ Lawson Research Institute, London, ON N6A 4V2, Canada; ⁶ London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada; ⁷ Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
Interests: social determinants of health disparities; youth substance use and mental health; perinatal epidemiology; child health; nutritional epidemiology.

“Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome in Youth: Clinical Insights and Public Health Implications”
by Jamie A. Seabrook, Morgan Seabrook and Jason A. Gilliland
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(4), 633; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040633

The following is an interview with Dr. Jamie Seabrook:

1. Congratulations on your recent publication! Could you briefly introduce yourself and your current research focus?
I'm a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Western University, with cross-appointments in the Department of Paediatrics and the Brescia School of Food and Nutritional Sciences. Most of my research is geared towards child health disparities, with a huge focus on substance use and youth.

2. Was there a key moment or case study that made you explicitly commit to bridging epidemiology and social theory?
Yes, a defining moment for me came during my earlier work exploring how socioeconomic disadvantage accumulates across the life course to shape health outcomes. What became clear through that research was that social conditions—especially early in life—can set in motion trajectories of stress, limited access to resources, and poorer health that compound over time. That paper really pushed me to think beyond individual behaviors and toward the structural and contextual forces shaping health. From there, bridging epidemiology with life course sociology felt essential. Now, in my current work on youth substance use and the environmental factors—like the density of cannabis retailers—it’s that same lens of cumulative disadvantage and structural context that drives the questions I ask.

3. If you were granted unlimited resources, what underexplored determinant of your research field would you prioritize investigating and why?
One of the key points I tried to highlight in this paper is that the majority of existing research on cannabis hyperemesis syndrome is low-quality. When you look at most of the studies, the vast majority are case reports or case series. What we really need are longitudinal studies to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with cannabis hyperemesis syndrome. Ideally, with sufficient resources, we could also conduct randomized control trials to identify effective treatments for youth.

4. Reflecting on your academic journey, what misconceptions about health disparities would you hope to dismantle for the next generation of researchers?
That’s a good question. Unfortunately, a lot of grant funding is geared towards lifestyle behavioral changes, and I think that's important, like the way we eat, the way we exercise, or the lack thereof, is all very, very important. But when you tell people, “Eat better, exercise more, don't use any substances”, and so on, it can come across as finger-pointing, and I think what we really need to do is address where people are at. So, for example, for people who are living in poverty, it's easy to say, “eat this way”. But when food prices, for example, are extremely high, they have to do what they can within their budget. I believe in meeting people where they're at and saying “OK, maybe you're currently using substances. Let's see what happens if you're able to reduce from this level down to this level and also make small incremental changes in other areas”, whether it's activity, whether it's diet, whether it's sleep, all of these are interconnected. I hope the next generation of researchers could look more at the context that people are in rather than just the broader picture.

5. As a senior author of IJERPH, could you share your experience of publishing in the journal? In addition, do you think IJERPH plays a unique platform role in promoting interdisciplinary integration and knowledge dissemination?
Yes, absolutely. I had published with IJERPH before as a co-author, and I thought, given the importance in terms of public health in our study of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, it would be an ideal platform because it's a very important public health issue with relation to cannabis and youth and mental health, and I was very happy with the process of IJERPH in terms of getting the reviews and getting it back to me in an ample time. The reviews weren't easy, but I appreciated them, because they ultimately helped shape a much stronger final paper.