Search Results (12,038)

Tropospheric ozone (O₃) pollution is a major concern in urban environments because of its toxicity for both people and vegetation. This paper review provides an overview of atmospheric mechanisms, as well as the potential and best management practices of urban greening for reducing O₃ pollution in cities. Urban greening has often been proposed as a cost-effective solution to reduce O₃ pollution, but its effectiveness depends on careful species selection and integration with broader air quality management strategies. Ozone is a secondary pollutant and the volatile organic compounds emitted by vegetation (BVOCs) can play a prominent role in O₃ formation. A list of recommended and to-avoid species is given here to drive future planting at city scale. Planting low BVOC-emitting species and combining greening with reductions in anthropogenic emissions are key to maximizing benefits and minimizing unintended increases in O₃. Public and non-public institutions should carefully select plant species in consultation with expert scientists from the early stages, e.g., by considering local conditions and pollutant dynamics to design effective greening interventions. Collaborative planning among urban ecologists, atmospheric scientists, and municipalities is thus crucial to ensure that greening interventions contribute to overall air quality improvements rather than inadvertently enhancing O₃ formation. Such improvements will also translate into plant protection from O₃ stress. Therefore, future directions of research and policy integration to achieve healthier, O₃-resilient urban ecosystems are also provided. Full article

The adoption of telework increased as a sustainable strategy after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its impact on transportation and energy consumption are controversial, emphasizing the need for context-specific analysis. This research developed a System Dynamics (SD) simulation that integrated the generalized Bass Diffusion Model (BDM) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to analyze telework diffusion in organizations and its influence on transport-related CO₂ emissions and energy consumption in Colombia. Internal conditions, particularly managerial attitudes and perceptions of telework performance, play a crucial role in the adoption rate. Telework adoption follows a weak S-curve pattern primarily driven by internal dynamics rather than external pressures, lagging behind the projections set by public policies and global trends. Simulations based on government data for the period 2012–2022 indicated that the number of teleworkers could reach 1.61 million by 2032, resulting in annual energy savings of approximately 1.5% and a 2% reduction in transport-related CO₂ emissions. Sustained governmental tracking of sectoral adoption and including records of household energy use will support sensitivity analysis and strengthen model robustness. The integrated SD, TAM, and BDM modeling approach identified critical factors to boost telework adoption and its environmental benefits, providing insights for sustainable organizational strategies and public policies. Full article

In recent years, the socio-legal concept of Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) has come under increasing scrutiny in the U.S. Widespread confusion about the legal status of ESAs versus service animals, and concerns about misrepresentation, led to a backlash and a cascade of new legislation addressing “fake service animals.” However, this backlash reveals a broader social problem rooted in policy lag: the integration of companion animals into society has not kept pace with the rise of multispecies families. This article examines law, policy, and public discourse about ESAs within two distinct social contexts: (1) the emergence of multispecies families alongside the systemic exclusion of companion animals from many private and public spaces, and (2) the medicalization of relational bonds and everyday life. Although well-intentioned, the ESA concept creates a two-tiered system where caregivers of companion animals must acquire a medical diagnosis in order to obtain equal access to basic necessities like housing. In addition to resting on weak evidence, it diverts attention from macro social issues by pathologizing the individual, creating a problematic medicalization of the human-animal bond that is ultimately detrimental to the well-being of companion animals, their caregivers, and people with disabilities. The legal and social construction of ESAs is also troublingly anthropocentric, centering what animals can do for humans without considering the emotional support needs and psychological well-being of the animals themselves. This article concludes by arguing that the ESA framework should be replaced with a multispecies social model that supports the human-animal bond without unnecessary medicalization. This approach advocates for equitable laws and policies, such as the expansion of pet-inclusive housing, that benefit families that include companion animals and the communities in which they are embedded. Full article

Rapid digitalization is transforming how public and private institutions manage regulation, compliance, and supervision. This paper explores the rise of Regulatory Technology (RegTech) and Supervisory Technology (SupTech) as instruments of digital regulatory governance and examines their implications for administrative efficiency, defined as the optimization of regulatory and supervisory processes through automation and data-driven coordination, institutional capacity, and policy innovation. Using a systematic literature review of 59 peer-reviewed studies published between 2017 and 2025, the study identifies how RegTech enhances compliance management and risk control in financial institutions, while SupTech enables regulators to improve supervisory agility, transparency, and real-time oversight. The findings show that these technologies create significant administrative value by streamlining reporting, enhancing accountability, and strengthening governance networks across the public–private interface. However, adoption is constrained by cybersecurity vulnerabilities, algorithmic opacity, regulatory fragmentation, and organizational resistance. To address these issues, the study proposes an integrated governance framework that maps opportunities and barriers across compliance, risk, technology, and institutional coordination. By synthesizing fragmented evidence, this research contributes to the field of administrative sciences by positioning RegTech and SupTech not only as technical innovations but as transformative tools of digital public administration and regulatory modernization. Full article

Background/Objective: Despite the vital role of nurses in health policy development, their involvement and influence in such development remain challenging. The involvement of nurse managers in health policy development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is not well examined. This study examined the extent of involvement of nurse managers in health policy development in the KSA and identified related barriers, benefits, confidence, and perceived impacts. Methods: A descriptive correlational cross-sectional design was used to achieve the study aim and objectives. An electronic self-administered questionnaire (Registered Nurses Involvement in Health Policy) was distributed to nurse managers working in the KSA. A total convenience sample of 238 nurse managers willingly and voluntarily agreed to participate. Data were collected from 10 February 2022 to 30 April 2022. Descriptive statistics and the Spearman rho correlation coefficient were used to analyze the data. Results: Among 238 nurse managers surveyed, 58% had received policy-related training, 73% reported high involvement as professionals, and 43% rated their confidence as high. Findings show the high level of involvement in health policy development of the nurse managers and their increased interest in influencing health policies. The policy activity most frequently chosen by the nurse managers is “provided health policy-related information to consumers or other professionals.” Moreover, the participants reported “lack of time, support, and resources” as their most perceived barrier and “improving public health” as their most perceived benefit. The majority of the nurse managers reported receiving information or training on health policies, and more than half of the participants rated their skills as “very good” or “excellent.” Our findings show the participants’ moderate level of confidence in performing health policy activities and moderate level of their perceived impact of their involvement in health policy activities on health outcomes. The results indicate a positive relationship between health outcomes and the ability of the nurse managers to influence health policy activities. Conclusions: The study findings suggest that Saudi nurse managers are increasingly engaged in policy development, but greater institutional support and targeted training are needed to strengthen their policy impact. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oman Vision 2040, the national blueprint for socio-economic transformation, aims to elevate the Sultanate to developed nation status, with the “Health” priority committed to building a “Leading Healthcare System with International Standards” via a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach. This paper critically reviews Oman’s strategic health directions and implementation frameworks under Vision 2040, assessing their alignment with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and serving as a case model for health system transformation. Methods: This study employs a critical narrative synthesis based on a comprehensive literature search that included academic, official government reports, and international organization sources. The analysis is guided by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Systems Framework, providing a structured interpretation of progress across its six building blocks. Results: Key interventions implemented include integrated governance (e.g., Committee for Managing and Regulating Healthcare), diversified health financing (e.g., public private partnership (PPPs), Health Endowment Foundation), and strategic digital transformation (e.g., Al-Shifa system, AI diagnostics). Performance metrics show progress, with a rise in the Legatum Prosperity Index ranking and an increase in the Community Satisfaction Rate. However, critical challenges persist, including resistance to change during governance restructuring, cybersecurity risks from digital adoption, and system fragmentation that complicates a unified Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) response. Conclusions: Oman’s integrated approach, emphasizing decentralization, quality improvement, and investment in preventive health and human capital, positions it for sustained progress. The transformation offers generalizable insights. Successfully realizing Vision 2040 demands rigorous, evidence-informed policymaking to effectively address equity implications and optimize resource allocation. Full article

This study proposed a methodology for obtaining a valid database of food retail establishments and characterized the community food environment, understood as the distribution and type of food outlets, in a Brazilian medium-sized municipality after the collapse of a mining tailings dam. An ecological study was conducted with establishments selling food for home consumption (butcher shops, fish markets; fruit and vegetable specialty markets; large- and small-chain supermarkets; bakeries and local markets) and immediate consumption (bars, snack bars, and restaurants). For home-consumption establishments, data were requested from governments and completed with website/app searches, virtual audits (Google Street View), and on-site audits. For immediate-consumption establishments, only on-site audit was used due to the low quality of the secondary databases. Agreement between databases was assessed with the Kappa statistic. Density (d) was calculated by the area (in km²) of the sampling stratum. Public databases presented low validity (23.0%; Kappa −0.388; p = 1.000), even after virtual auditing (31.4%; Kappa 0.37; p < 0.001). 96 establishments for home consumption and 261 for immediate consumption were identified, with predominance of local markets (35.4%), bars (35.2%), and snack bars (29.1%). The region with the highest density of establishments was the “Other Areas” stratum (d = 4.7 for home-consumption establishments and d = 13.2 for immediate-consumption establishments). Audit proved most effective, especially for small establishments. The lack of governmental databases and the identified food environment should inform municipal policies to promote food and nutrition security and reduce inequalities after the disaster. Full article

The variability of rainfall, mainly convective, in the southern Amazon remains poorly understood due to the limited number of studies examining the relationships between the intensities and durations of rainfall events in this region. This study aimed to characterize the intensity patterns—hyetograms (advanced, intermediate, delayed, and constant, as well as observations of new patterns)—in the northern state of Mato Grosso (southern Amazon). Generally, most research in Brazil on this topic has focused on other regions of the country or used simulations or data disaggregation processes, limiting the representation of the regional reality. Historical data series from five conventional stations (with pluviograms) and ten automatic stations with data obtained by tipping rain gauges were analyzed. The analysis involved classifying 6187 events into four main patterns: Advanced (53.52%), Intermediate (31.74%), Delayed (14.58%), and Constant (less than 1%), with 93 events unclassified. The hourly distribution of rainfall revealed greater occurrence in the afternoon and evening periods, suggesting a predominance of thermal convection in regional dynamics. The results offer valuable insights for water planning, agricultural security, and adaptive infrastructure, in addition to promoting integration between science, engineering, and public policies aimed at environmental management and risk prevention. Full article

This article investigates how populist leaders in power across Europe and the Americas responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the extent and form of medical populism—the calculated use of health crises to challenge establishment authority, mobilize support, and promote alternative governance. Drawing on speeches and public statements from a select group of populist heads of government—including Orbán, Matovič, Maduro, López Obrador, Bukele, Bolsonaro, and Trump—we compare cross-regional discursive patterns using a framework developed. Contrary to expectations of ideological or regional uniformity, we find that medical populism is a transnational and trans-ideological phenomenon. While expressions vary, all leaders engaged in anti-elitist, conspiratorial, or anti-scientific rhetoric. Centralized political authority and weak healthcare systems, rather than ideology, more reliably explain the intensity of medical populist discourse. These findings challenge the common belief in the literature that populist misinformation is mainly connected to the radical right or low institutional trust, and highlight instead the structural incentives that drive medical populism in times of crisis. Full article

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) represent a growing public health challenge worldwide. While their clinical manifestations typically emerge late in life, increasing evidence suggests that biological vulnerability may originate much earlier in life. Early childhood adversity, expressed through mechanisms of toxic stress and allostatic load, has been associated with chronic activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and persistent inflammation—molecular pathways that overlap with those implicated in neurodegeneration. This narrative review highlights recent advances linking early adversity with long-term brain health. It discusses stress-related biomarkers, such as hair cortisol, inflammatory cytokines, and epigenetic modifications, as potential early indicators of neurodegenerative risk. Remarkably, protective and benevolent childhood experiences may mitigate these biological trajectories, underscoring the role of resilience in shaping neurobiological outcomes. We argue that integrating pediatric cohorts, particularly in underrepresented regions such as Latin America, with longitudinal biomarker approaches and omics technologies offers a unique opportunity to identify early predictors and preventive strategies. Understanding neurodegeneration as a lifespan process opens new avenues for early intervention and public health policy. Full article

Background: Preconception care (PCC) is a key element of preventive reproductive health, aiming to optimise maternal and child outcomes by addressing biomedical, behavioural, psychosocial, and genetic risks before conception. International frameworks provide clear guidance, yet implementation in many low- and middle-income countries remains inconsistent. Methods: A structured narrative review was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, focusing on literature published between 2010 and 2025. Eligible sources included empirical studies, clinical guidelines, policy documents, and high-quality grey literature from health authorities. Quality, relevance, and applicability were assessed, with particular emphasis on European and Bulgarian contexts. Results: Evidence from diverse settings demonstrates that PCC interventions—such as chronic disease management, vaccination, lifestyle optimisation, and expanded carrier screening (ECS)—can reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes and prevent severe genetic disorders. Effective international models integrate PCC into primary care, leverage digital health tools, and ensure equitable access through public funding. In Bulgaria, PCC remains underdeveloped: genetic screening is not part of routine care, there are no national guidelines or surveillance systems, and only ~4% of women initiate folic acid supplementation before pregnancy. NGOs and EU-funded digital initiatives provide partial outreach but cannot replace state-supported services. Conclusions: Bulgaria urgently requires a coordinated national PCC strategy, incorporating standardised guidelines, provider training, digital platforms, and phased ECS introduction. Strengthening PCC delivery can reduce preventable maternal and neonatal morbidity, advance reproductive justice, and enhance the long-term sustainability of public health systems. These findings support the development of a publicly funded, guideline-driven national PCC strategy with phased introduction of expanded carrier screening under NHIF to improve equity and long-term system sustainability. Full article

Background/Objectives: Local production is a global priority for increasing access to routine, outbreak, and pandemic vaccines and leads to a variety of direct and indirect benefits for countries. This study aimed to characterize the enabling environment for the sustainable production of influenza vaccines, including for epidemic and pandemic preparedness. Methods: National/local vaccine manufacturers were surveyed to capture data on influenza vaccine market contributions, government support for local production, and involvement in national pandemic preparedness activities. Using a conceptual framework for sustainable local production of influenza vaccines for epidemic and pandemic preparedness, manufacturers described 41 global/regional, national, and institutional sustainability factors across policy, health system, research and development (R&D), and regulatory thematic domains. In addition to the survey, key findings from country-level sustainability assessments of vaccine production in Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia, Serbia, and Viet Nam were analyzed to complement survey results. Results: This study included 12 participants representing 11 manufacturers from 10 countries. Of the 11 manufacturers, six reported that their countries have policies that support local production, but most manufacturers reported benefiting from some level of direct or indirect support by the government. Manufacturers considered 40/41 factors as important for sustainable production of influenza vaccines, and among the four domains, influenza prevention and control policies, influenza burden data, quality management, and regulatory filing capacity ranked highly. Additionally, manufacturers ranked factors related to cohesive policies for local production promotion and business/strategic planning at the manufacturer level as the top sustainability factors. Conclusions: Manufacturers broadly agreed on the importance of cohesive policies, evidence-based public health priorities, robust R&D and manufacturing investments, and regulatory readiness, though perceptions varied across contexts and company characteristics. Sustainable local production of influenza vaccines should be driven by the alignment of policies, investments, and demand. Full article

Europe’s decarbonization calls for an increase in the resources used to ensure a fairer transition. The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of public finance in the decarbonization process, considering the context of various uncertainties. Data from 1995 to 2023 for selected European countries were analyzed in this sense. We used the cross-sectional dependence–consistent Driscoll–Kraay estimator as the main econometric approach and Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) as a robustness test. The results revealed a positive impact of public debt, world uncertainty, and gross domestic product on renewable energy usage in European countries. Additionally, general fiscal pressure is shown to have a negative impact on the renewable energy used during the analyzed period. The results showcase the importance of public finance tools adjustments in supporting the race to zero breakthroughs and dawdling climate change. Several policy recommendations were made in this regard. Full article

This study explores the role of sustainability-oriented education in supporting post-disaster recovery and resilience in Derna, Libya, following the catastrophic floods of September 2023. Using a qualitative descriptive design, twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with academic experts, public health professionals, policymakers, and community leaders. The findings reveal that Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is perceived as both a critical resilience tool and a moral imperative in fragile, disaster-affected contexts. However, institutional fragility, limited resources, and weak policy integration hinder its implementation. The study highlights the need to embed ESD within both formal education systems and informal community networks, aligning recovery strategies with local environmental realities. It offers practical recommendations for leveraging schools, faith-based institutions, and grassroots initiatives to foster adaptive capacity. These insights contribute to global debates on localising sustainable development in post-conflict settings and underscore the potential of ESD to bridge immediate recovery and long-term sustainability. The study explicitly aligns with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). It demonstrates how sustainability-oriented learning can strengthen community resilience by connecting education with local recovery systems, environmental adaptation, and social rebuilding. Through this alignment, the research underscores the role of education as a mechanism for both immediate recovery and long-term sustainability within fragile and disaster-affected societies. Full article

In this research, an innovative, integrative method is applied, which not only links media discourse and statutory planning documents but also involves both quantitative and qualitative analysis. By going beyond the traditional extreme of either policy review or text-based SETS frameworks, this study becomes the pioneer of a dual-coded, matrix-driven approach, which is capable of measuring policy–implementation gaps and empirically revealing the impact of media framing on disaster management outcomes. The 29 October 2024 Valencia flood, which claimed over 229 lives, highlights critical shortcomings in the region’s flood management policies. This study evaluates media and institutional sources to examine how public discourse aligns with post-flood management strategies. It focuses on Valencia’s statutory flood management plan, the “Pla d’acció territorial de caràcter sectorial sobre prevenció del risc d’inundació a la Comunitat Valenciana” (“Regional Action Plan for Flood Risk Prevention,” PATRICOVA) and its limited integration with the Socio–Ecological–Technological Systems (SETS) framework, which we identify as a central weakness. By analyzing Spanish media coverage, particularly from sources such as El País, ABC, and La Vanguardia, alongside government policy documents, the study reveals a gap between theoretical flood risk planning and practical disaster response. Our keyword-based text mining of leading newspapers highlights the neglect of social, ecological, and technological interactions. While PATRICOVA emphasizes nature protection and technological infrastructure, it overlooks critical societal dimensions and climate adaptation scenarios. Media analysis reveals significant failures at the SETS interfaces, especially in early warning systems, intergovernmental coordination, and community preparedness. Full article