ABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Air Pollution , Communicable Diseases , Humans , Climate Change , Communicable Diseases/epidemiology , Policy , ResearchSubject(s)
Climate Change , Negotiating , Policy , Public Health , Climate , International CooperationABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Biomedical Research/methods , Regenerative Medicine/methods , Research Design , Stem Cells/cytology , Animals , Biomedical Research/organization & administration , Biomedical Research/trends , Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy/methods , Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy/trends , Humans , Information Dissemination/methods , Internationality , Regenerative Medicine/organization & administration , Regenerative Medicine/trends , Stem Cells/metabolismABSTRACT
Robin Fears and co-authors discuss evidence-informed regional and global policy responses to health impacts of climate change.
Subject(s)
Climate Change , Health , Policy Making , Canada , Communicable Diseases/epidemiology , Floods , Food Security , Humans , WildfiresSubject(s)
Air Pollution/prevention & control , Global Warming/prevention & control , Public Health/statistics & numerical data , Renewable Energy/statistics & numerical data , Research Report , Acclimatization , Air Pollution/statistics & numerical data , Environmental Policy , Floods/statistics & numerical data , Food Supply/statistics & numerical data , Fossil Fuels/supply & distribution , Global Warming/mortality , Global Warming/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Infrared RaysSubject(s)
Food Supply , Nutrition Assessment , Food Supply/methods , Food Supply/standards , HumansABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Gene Editing/ethics , Gene Editing/legislation & jurisprudence , Agriculture/methods , Animals , European Union , Gene Editing/methods , Gene Editing/standards , HumansABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Biomedical Research/methods , Disease Transmission, Infectious , Influenza, Human/transmission , Orthomyxoviridae Infections/transmission , Orthomyxoviridae/pathogenicity , Pandemics/prevention & control , Virology/methods , Academies and Institutes , Biomedical Research/ethics , Biomedical Research/standards , Europe , Humans , Influenza, Human/virology , Orthomyxoviridae/genetics , Orthomyxoviridae Infections/virology , Virology/ethics , Virology/standards , VirulenceABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Biomedical Research/methods , Biomedical Research/trends , Microbiological Techniques , Organisms, Genetically Modified , Virulence Factors/genetics , Virulence Factors/metabolism , Virulence , Containment of Biohazards , Europe , Guidelines as Topic , HumansABSTRACT
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.