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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 November 2025) | Viewed by 11488

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Michel Kazatchkine

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Guest Editor

Global Health Center, Geneva Graduate Institute, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Interests: global health governance and diplomacy; drug policy; HIV/AIDS; tuberculosis; hepatitis; COVID-19
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Stéphanie Dagron

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

1. Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
2. Department of International Law, Faculty of Law, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
3. Global Studies Institute, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
Interests: international law; public health law; social protection law; human rights; issues at frontiers between law and medicine; global health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is entitled “Risk Reduction for Health Prevention”.

The Special Issue will bring together the two concepts of prevention and risk reduction, which are key to successful public health strategies. Both prevention and risk reduction (or "harm reduction" in the specific field of drug policy and practice) minimize the negative effects on individuals’ health of changes in living conditions (social, environmental or occupational) or specific behaviors, as well as reduce morbidity and mortality at the population level.

The Special Issue will address preventative and risk reduction strategies that reduce the public health impacts of a broad spectrum of threats, including infectious diseases, climate change, hazardous working conditions, drug use and unhealthy food. It will explore a wide range of topics such as the following: the use of digital technology as a prevention tool; information and disinformation in health prevention campaigns; prevention of health issues linked to microplastic pollution; drug consumption rooms as a public health response to addiction; prevention of cardiovascular diseases; climate change and challenges for maternal health; prevention of mental health and substance use disorders among young persons.

Prof. Dr. Michel Kazatchkine
Prof. Dr. Stéphanie Dagron
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

prevention
health promotion
harm/risk reduction
addictions
human rights
public health policies
health systems and financing prevention

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 527 KB

Open AccessArticle

Theory-Based Antecedents of Stopping Texting While Driving Among College Students for Injury Prevention: A Cross-Sectional Study

by Manoj Sharma, Sidath Kapukotuwa, Sharmistha Roy, Mahsa Pashaeimeykola and Asma Awan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(12), 1847; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22121847 - 10 Dec 2025

Viewed by 238

Abstract

Texting while driving (TWD) is a leading cause of distracted driving-related crashes, especially among college students. This study applied the Multi-Theory Model (MTM) of health behavior change to predict initiation and sustenance of refraining from TWD among university students. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 164 students from a Southwestern U.S. public university using a 49-item validated MTM-based questionnaire. Structural equation modeling and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were employed to assess reliability, construct validity, and predictors of behavioral initiation and sustenance. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranged from 0.71 to 0.93, indicating strong reliability. The MTM demonstrated good fit (CFI = 0.950, RMSEA = 0.057 for initiation; CFI = 0.992, RMSEA = 0.039 for sustenance). Behavioral confidence (β = 0.30, p < 0.001) significantly predicted initiation, explaining 51.5% of the variance, while emotional transformation (β = 0.41, p < 0.001) and practice for change (β = 0.27, p = 0.0105) predicted sustenance, accounting for 61.5% of the variance. The MTM effectively explained both initiation and sustenance of refraining from TWD among college students. Interventions aimed specifically at reducing texting while driving should prioritize strengthening behavioral confidence for initiating change and supporting emotional transformation and practice-for-change strategies to sustain long-term abstinence from TWD. MTM-based approaches hold strong potential for designing theory-driven, culturally relevant distracted driving prevention programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Reduction for Health Prevention)

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Review

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24 pages, 559 KB

Open AccessReview

Prevention of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illicit Drug Use Among Youth: A Scoping Review of European School-Based Programs with Insights on Mental Health

by Ahmed Abdelrahman, Luz Bernad, Fiona Harris, Elodie Rezzonico, Antoine Flahault and Jennifer Hasselgard-Rowe

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(10), 1569; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22101569 - 15 Oct 2025

Viewed by 2371

Abstract

Alcohol, tobacco, and drug misuse continue to rise globally, with adolescents at particular risk. In response, school-based prevention programs have been widely implemented, yet their efficacy and long-term impact remain under-discussed. This scoping review synthesised evidence on the effectiveness of three commonly used programs (Preventure, Unplugged, and IPSYcare) in Europe. A search of four databases (PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, and Web of Science) identified 21 peer-reviewed articles published between 2008 and 2023, spanning 12 European countries. Unplugged was most frequently evaluated (10 studies), followed by Preventure (6 studies) and IPSYcare (5 studies). Findings showed that Preventure yielded mixed outcomes, delaying binge drinking and reducing substance use among high-risk groups but with limited generalisability. Unplugged was associated with reductions in cannabis use and heavy drinking at 15 months post-intervention. IPSYcare demonstrated longer-term benefits, including improved school connectedness and reductions in alcohol and tobacco use. Results suggest that while standardised programs such as Unplugged enable scalability, contextual adaptations may enhance effectiveness, and tailored approaches are valuable for high-risk populations. Overall, the programs show potential, but variability indicate the need for further longitudinal and qualitative research in order to improve program delivery and sustain long-term impacts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Reduction for Health Prevention)

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19 pages, 451 KB

Open AccessReview

A Scoping Review on the Economic Impacts of Healthy Ageing Promotion and Disease Prevention in OECD Member Countries

by Ezgi Dilek Demirtas and Antoine Flahault

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(8), 1161; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22081161 - 22 Jul 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1854

Abstract

The economic impact of health promotion and disease prevention interventions in ageing populations remains debated, as theories of morbidity compression and expansion offer contrasting views on the relationship between life expectancy and duration of morbidity. A MEDLINE search was conducted to identify studies evaluating the economic impact of health promotion or primary or secondary prevention interventions in OECD countries, over a lifetime time horizon. Among the 29 studies included, 16 reported cost-saving interventions (reducing costs while improving health outcomes), 11 reported cost-effective interventions (health gains at an acceptable additional cost based on an established threshold), and two presented cost-ineffective interventions (costs exceeding the threshold for the health benefits achieved). Interventions targeting diabetes and obesity prevention were cost-saving; cancer screening and fall prevention strategies were cost-effective; whereas interventions targeting rare diseases were cost-ineffective. Regulatory interventions were also cost-saving, while most programme-based interventions were cost-effective. Cost-saving or cost-effective interventions generally adopted broader analytical perspectives, while cost-ineffective ones employed narrower perspectives. The four studies that incorporated competing risks—despite using a narrower healthcare sector perspective—still found the interventions to be cost-saving or cost-effective interventions. None of the included studies assessed whether interventions led to morbidity compression or expansion. Only a few studies considered equity impact; those that did reported improved outcomes for disadvantaged groups, in regulatory and community-based interventions. Further research is needed to quantify morbidity outcomes and enhance methodological consistency, particularly with respect to analytical perspectives, the integration of competing risks, and the inclusion of equity analyses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Reduction for Health Prevention)

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12 pages, 742 KB

Open AccessReview

Success Metrics for Hepatitis C Elimination Among People Who Inject Drugs: A Scoping Review of Indicators in Harm Reduction

by David S. Kremer, Pauline Elizabeth Gatmaytan, Michelle Amanda Rübel, Antoine Flahault and Jennifer Hasselgard-Rowe

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(7), 1036; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22071036 - 28 Jun 2025

Viewed by 867

Abstract

This study aimed to identify and synthesize the success metrics used to assess hepatitis C elimination among people who inject drugs (PWID) through harm reduction strategies. A scoping review was performed by searching across three databases to identify systematic reviews that discussed hepatitis C in PWID within the context of harm reduction. The studies were then analyzed for success metrics used to describe hepatitis C in PWID. The indicators used were prevalence, incidence, screening, treatment uptake, treatment completion, and sustained virologic response. A total of fourteen systematic reviews were included. The most frequently reported indicators were prevalence and incidence, addressed in eight/seven systematic reviews, respectively. In contrast, screening, treatment uptake, and treatment completion were less commonly reported, with only two reviews addressing screening and treatment uptake, and a single review reporting treatment completion. Similarly, sustained virologic response (SVR) was reported in only two systematic reviews. Seven additional indicators were reported. Prevalence and incidence are the dominantly used HCV indicators, while others are often neglected. Inconsistencies in measurements and reporting can be found for all indicators. This study reports a gap regarding indicators beyond prevalence and incidence, inconsistent measurement approaches, and a lack of standardized frameworks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Reduction for Health Prevention)

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21 pages, 911 KB

Open AccessReview

Relationships Between Misinformation Variables and Nutritional Health Strategies: A Scoping Review

by Andrea Caballero, Cassandra Chapi-Nitcheu, Laura Vallan, Antoine Flahault and Jennifer Hasselgard-Rowe

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(6), 891; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22060891 - 3 Jun 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1901

Abstract

In an era where information is readily accessible, the dissemination of accurate and reliable health information is crucial for public health promotion. This scoping review explores the impacts of misinformation and disinformation variables on the implementation of nutritional health strategies. It also examines how the design and delivery of these strategies may contribute to the emergence of misinformation. By synthesizing insights from existing literature, this review highlights effective approaches and identifies research limitations to propose actionable recommendations for further investigation. A systematic search on PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science identified fourteen studies published between 2014 and 2024. These fourteen studies focused on various health strategies implemented across different media and in several formats to improve public knowledge and behavior regarding nutrition. Key findings included the role of misinformation variables in shaping public perceptions, the importance of cultural adaptation in health strategies, and the effectiveness of tools, such as e-health communication platforms. This review underscores the necessity for evidence-based, culturally sensitive, and accessible health promotion strategies to counter misinformation and foster informed nutritional practices. Further research is needed to address gaps in demographic representation, user engagement, and the long-term impacts of these strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Reduction for Health Prevention)

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21 pages, 1195 KB

Open AccessReview

Barriers and Facilitators for Implementing Digital Interventions for Anxiety and Depression in Latin America: A Scoping Review

by Bárbara Battistotti Vieira, Léa Savoy, Kathya Acuña Luna, Antoine Flahault and Jennifer Hasselgard-Rowe

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(4), 628; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040628 - 17 Apr 2025

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2699

Abstract

Mental health disorders have a high prevalence in Latin America (LATAM), with an estimated 6.7% of the population suffering from anxiety and 4% from depression. Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) have been implemented to address these issues. However, there has yet to be a clear picture of these interventions in the region. This scoping review aims to analyze DMHIs’ characteristics and the barriers and facilitators for their implementation in five LATAM countries (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru). To achieve this goal, four databases (PubMed, APA PsycNet, Scielo, and LILACS) were searched using relevant search terms in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. A total of 484 references were identified and narrowed down to 15 articles included in the final analysis. The studies mostly consisted of RCTs and mixed-methods studies. Most of the DMHIs were designed for individuals, with a focus on targeted communication and personal health tracking. Interventions targeting healthcare professionals were less common, primarily focusing on decisional support. The most prominent barriers to the successful implementation of DMHIs included insufficient healthcare professional training (40%) and resistance from clinicians and organizational culture (40%), while common facilitators included easy access to the interventions (46.7%) and increased training and support for clinical teams (46.7%). Positive outcomes were reported in terms of both effectiveness (33.3%), with many interventions showing results equal to or better than traditional methods (33.3%), and patient satisfaction (33.3%). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Risk Reduction for Health Prevention)

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