International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health | Interview with the Authors—Mr. Lucas Akio Iza Trindade and Dr. Flavia Mori Sarti

Name: Mr. Lucas Akio Iza Trindade
Affiliation: School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 01246-904, Brazil

Name: Dr. Flavia Mori Sarti
Affiliation: School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 03828-000, Brazil 

“Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Associated with Impoverishment Due to Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure in São Paulo City, Brazil”
by Lucas Akio Iza Trindade, Jaqueline Lopes Pereira, Jean Michel Rocha Sampaio Leite, Marcelo Macedo Rogero, Regina Mara Fisberg and Flavia Mori Sarti
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(9), 1250; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091250 
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/9/1250

The following is an interview with Mr. Lucas Akio Iza Trindade and Dr. Flavia Mori Sarti: 

1. Congratulations on your recent publication. Could you briefly introduce yourself and share your current research focus with our readers?
   I’m a Ph.D. candidate at the School of Public Health, University of São Paulo, Brazil. My research revolves around evaluating public health systems, particularly access to and utilization of health services, with a focus on addressing inequalities.
   In our recent study, we explored financial protection in healthcare by analyzing catastrophic health expenditures and impoverishment. We examined how lifestyle factors, such as physical activity and smoking, influence these financial outcomes.
2. What are some key findings from your research?
   We discovered that healthier lifestyles—such as meeting physical activity recommendations and avoiding smoking—can significantly protect households from catastrophic health expenditures. This link highlights how lifestyle factors not only improve health outcomes but also serve as financial protection mechanisms.
   This insight is particularly relevant globally, as public health systems in low- and middle-income countries face increasing demand for cost-effective, sustainable healthcare. Promoting healthier lifestyles could help address these challenges by reducing financial burdens on households and improving population health.
3. What excites you the most about your work right now?
   I’m particularly inspired by the potential for lifestyle interventions to play a central role in public health strategies. Our findings highlight how promoting physical activity and other healthy behaviors can alleviate financial strain on households while improving population health.
   This approach is especially critical given the ongoing epidemiological transition in countries like Brazil, where non-communicable diseases are becoming more prevalent. Addressing these shifts through lifestyle-focused strategies could be transformative.
4. Have there been any unexpected findings or challenges in your research?
   One surprising discovery was that, even with Brazil’s universal healthcare system, lower-income groups remain at risk of impoverishment due to healthcare costs. This underscores the importance of addressing socioeconomic disparities.
   On a positive note, we also found that lifestyle factors like regular physical activity can significantly protect vulnerable populations from financial hardship. This reinforces the need to promote healthy behaviors, especially among disadvantaged groups.
5. Do you think promoting physical activity as a preventive measure can be made sustainable on a larger scale?
   Definitely. Sedentary lifestyles are a growing concern, particularly as younger populations face increasing risks of chronic diseases. Preventive measures focusing on physical activity, especially during leisure time, could reduce healthcare costs in the long term compared to traditional therapeutic approaches.
   The challenge is that the benefits of these interventions take time to manifest. However, with aging populations and rising sedentary behaviors, the time to act is now.
6. What do you hope readers take away from your paper?
   I hope it inspires more research into the intersections between impoverishment, catastrophic health expenditures, and lifestyle factors. While our study focused on physical activity, there’s a need to explore other aspects, such as dietary habits and mental health.
   Ultimately, I want to emphasize that lifestyle interventions are not just health strategies—they’re financial protection mechanisms as well. This is particularly important for low- and middle-income countries where preventive measures could have a lasting impact on health equity and economic stability.
7. How was your experience with IJERPH?
   It was excellent. IJERPH was highly recommended by my professors and colleagues at the University of São Paulo. I admire the journal’s emphasis on visibility and dialog, which contributes to the collective advancement of scientific knowledge.
   As an early career researcher, I appreciate the opportunity to share my work through such a reputable platform.

We would like to express our gratitude to Mr. Lucas Akio Iza Trindade, Dr. Flavia Mori Sarti and their research group for choosing International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH, ISSN: ISSN: 1660-4601) as the platform to publish their research. Submissions and inputs related to the area of health promotion and health presentation are welcomed by our journal.