RESUMO
Human health is linked to climatic factors in complex ways, and climate change can have profound direct and indirect impacts on the health status of any given region. Susceptibility to climate change is modulated by biological, ecological and socio-political factors such as age, gender, geographic location, socio-economic status, occupation, health status and housing conditions, among other. In the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME), climatic factors known to affect human health include extreme heat, water shortages and air pollution. Furthermore, the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases (VBDs) and the health consequences of population displacement are also influenced by climate change in this region. To inform future policies for adaptation and mitigation measures, and based on an extensive review of the available knowledge, we recommend several research priorities for the region. These include the generation of more empirical evidence on exposure-response functions involving climate change and specific health outcomes, the development of appropriate methodologies to evaluate the physical and psychological effects of climate change on vulnerable populations, determining how climate change alters the ecological determinants of human health, improving our understanding of the effects of long-term exposure to heat stress and air pollution, and evaluating the interactions between adaptation and mitigation strategies. Because national boundaries do not limit most climate-related factors expected to impact human health, we propose that adaptation/mitigation policies must have a regional scope, and therefore require collaborative efforts among EMME nations. Policy suggestions include a decisive region-wide decarbonisation, the integration of environmentally driven morbidity and mortality data throughout the region, advancing the development and widespread use of affordable technologies for the production and management of drinking water by non-traditional means, the development of comprehensive strategies to improve the health status of displaced populations, and fostering regional networks for monitoring and controlling the spread of infectious diseases and disease vectors.
Assuntos
Poluição do Ar , Doenças Transmissíveis , Humanos , Mudança Climática , Doenças Transmissíveis/epidemiologia , Políticas , PesquisaAssuntos
Mudança Climática , Negociação , Políticas , Saúde Pública , Clima , Cooperação InternacionalRESUMO
Robin Fears and co-authors discuss evidence-informed regional and global policy responses to health impacts of climate change.
Assuntos
Mudança Climática , Saúde , Formulação de Políticas , Canadá , Doenças Transmissíveis/epidemiologia , Inundações , Segurança Alimentar , Humanos , Incêndios FlorestaisRESUMO
Regenerative medicine has great potential. The pace of scientific advance is exciting and the medical opportunities for regeneration and repair may be transformative. However, concerns continue to grow, relating to problems caused both by unscrupulous private clinics offering unregulated therapies based on little or no evidence and by premature regulatory approval on the basis of insufficient scientific rationale and clinical evidence. An initiative by the InterAcademy Partnership convened experts worldwide to identify opportunities and challenges, with a focus on stem cells. This was designed to be inclusive and consensus outputs reflected the diversity of the global research population. Among issues addressed for supporting research and innovation while protecting patients were ethical assessment; pre-clinical and clinical research; regulatory authorization and medicines access; and engagement with patients, policy makers, and the public. The InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) identified options for action for sharing good practice and building collaboration within the scientific community and with other stakeholders worldwide.
Assuntos
Pesquisa Biomédica/métodos , Medicina Regenerativa/métodos , Projetos de Pesquisa , Células-Tronco/citologia , Animais , Pesquisa Biomédica/organização & administração , Pesquisa Biomédica/tendências , Terapia Baseada em Transplante de Células e Tecidos/métodos , Terapia Baseada em Transplante de Células e Tecidos/tendências , Humanos , Disseminação de Informação/métodos , Internacionalidade , Medicina Regenerativa/organização & administração , Medicina Regenerativa/tendências , Células-Tronco/metabolismoAssuntos
Poluição do Ar/prevenção & controle , Aquecimento Global/prevenção & controle , Saúde Pública/estatística & dados numéricos , Energia Renovável/estatística & dados numéricos , Relatório de Pesquisa , Aclimatação , Poluição do Ar/estatística & dados numéricos , Política Ambiental , Inundações/estatística & dados numéricos , Abastecimento de Alimentos/estatística & dados numéricos , Combustíveis Fósseis/provisão & distribuição , Aquecimento Global/mortalidade , Aquecimento Global/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Raios InfravermelhosRESUMO
An EASAC working group on genome editing recommends that regulators should focus on specific applications of these new techniques rather than attempting to regulate genome editing itself as a new technology.
Assuntos
Edição de Genes/ética , Edição de Genes/legislação & jurisprudência , Agricultura/métodos , Animais , União Europeia , Edição de Genes/métodos , Edição de Genes/normas , HumanosRESUMO
Gain-of-function (GoF) studies to understand factors affecting transmissibility of potentially pandemic pathogens are controversial. The European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC) recently published consensus recommendations relating to GoF research review and management on self-regulation and harmonization; bioethical considerations; benefit-risk assessment; biosafety, and biosecurity advisory options; and publication of sensitive information. A layered approach to integration of responsibilities must include conforming to the stringent rules and guidance already existing. Further commitment is essential to extend the debate on issues worldwide.
Assuntos
Pesquisa Biomédica/métodos , Transmissão de Doença Infecciosa , Influenza Humana/transmissão , Infecções por Orthomyxoviridae/transmissão , Orthomyxoviridae/patogenicidade , Pandemias/prevenção & controle , Virologia/métodos , Academias e Institutos , Pesquisa Biomédica/ética , Pesquisa Biomédica/normas , Europa (Continente) , Humanos , Influenza Humana/virologia , Orthomyxoviridae/genética , Infecções por Orthomyxoviridae/virologia , Virologia/ética , Virologia/normas , VirulênciaRESUMO
A working group on gain-of-function research set up by the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC) has emphasised the importance of ensuring that the necessary safeguards and policies are in place.
Assuntos
Pesquisa Biomédica/métodos , Pesquisa Biomédica/tendências , Técnicas Microbiológicas , Organismos Geneticamente Modificados , Fatores de Virulência/genética , Fatores de Virulência/metabolismo , Virulência , Contenção de Riscos Biológicos , Europa (Continente) , Guias como Assunto , HumanosRESUMO
Enhanced antibiotic innovation depends on many things--defining and validating new and better targets, resourcing and facilitating high-quality preclinical and clinical research, streamlining regulation and solving market problems so as to provide incentives to the private sector. Further detail is provided in our recent report (see further information). Acting on these critical steps in concert to provide long-term solutions requires that urgent attention be paid to tackling policy disconnects. Sustaining the political commitment depends on raising the visibility of the problems and their solutions worldwide. The academies of science in the EU recognize their continuing responsibility to help do this.