Climate change and socioeconomic determinants are structural constraints to agency in diet-related non-communicable disease prevention in Vanuatu: a qualitative study

Toward a comprehensive life-cycle carcinogenic impact assessment: A statistical regression approach based on cancer burden

The current approach to life cycle carcinogenic impact assessment (LCCA) is hindered by its static and linear characteristics. This situation prevents the accurate prediction of the incidence, associated damage, and potential economic burden of cancer. This study explores a highly comprehensive pathway for LCCA assessment. It uses the impacts of Tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL) predicted by the LCCA of China's coal power industry through a screened statistical regression model as the research target. The latest global burden of disease estimates is utilized to quantify the health damage from TBL incidence, whereas an approach combining the actual cost of health and human capital is applied to further assess the economic burden of TBL. Findings indicate that the traditional and static LCCA method, which relies on animal toxicity data, can lead to underestimations in actual LCCA. The interaction among spatiotemporal meteorological factors, epidemiological cancer disease burden, and socioeconomic behaviors allows exhibits nonlinearity due to the changes in the combined toxicity of mixed key substances. Following the active implementation of ultralow emission and energy-saving transformations in China's coal power industry, the national percentage of TBL cancer incidence caused by pollutants from the coal power industry decreased from 25.2 % in 2004 to 11.5 % in 2020. Results indicate that the established dynamic LCCA model based on temporal and spatial climate, socioeconomic, and epidemiological cancer data can be feasibly employed for the accurate impact evaluation and mitigation of carcinogens in practical applications.

Effectiveness of NCD-Related Fiscal Policies: Evidence from the Pacific

Obesity in Pacific Island countries (PICs) has hit crisis levels, and the consequent high non-communicable disease (NCD) burden is devastating for their developing economies. Nutrition transitions from traditional, plant and seafood diets to a dependence on processed foods are at the core of the obesity and NCD epidemic in PICs. Fiscal policies are widely promoted as an effective mechanism to reduce consumption of unhealthy foods and increase consumption of fruits and vegetables. However, there are little data to evaluate the effectiveness of these policies as rates of NCDs and obesity in PICs continue to rise. This study used an online survey to recruit 4116 adults from six PICs: Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. The study measured the consumption of and household access to sugar-sweetened beverages, ultra-processed packaged snacks, fruits and vegetables and attitudes on food prices and unhealthy eating. The study also assessed the relationship between consumption of these foods and drink and (1) household access, (2) price as a food choice motive, and (3) unhealthy eating attitudes. This study provides novel data on food-related behaviours in PICs, offers insights into the potential impact of NCD-related fiscal policies on food consumption and identifies other variables of interest.

Association of Public Awareness and Knowledge of Climatic Change With Sociodemographic Factors

Introduction The earth has experienced significant shifts in climate patterns over the past few years. The main aim of this investigation was to establish the association between the sociodemographic factors on the extent of knowledge, perspectives, and awareness of the urban population in Delhi and the phenomenon of climate change. Materials and methods This study was conducted on 1,200 individuals residing in Delhi, India, who were given a well-organized validated questionnaire to gather data. The relationship between different factors influencing awareness and climate change was evaluated using the chi-square test. Results The investigation's findings revealed that the younger generations exhibited heightened consciousness as a result of the impact of education and social media, both of which possess an exceedingly significant role in the dissemination of awareness. Additional elements that influenced the participants' awareness regarding climate change encompassed their educational attainment, profession, and financial resources, which were noticeably more advantageous for the upper and upper-middle social strata. A majority of the respondents, amounting to 65%, hailed from the middle class, with 61% of them holding degrees. The majority of the respondents were well-informed about climate change, with a predominant percentage falling within the age range of 21-40 years (77%) and over the age of 61 years (73%). Notably, 92% of the respondents belonging to the upper class exhibited awareness of climate change. About 52% of the respondents expressed a moderate level of concern towards climate change. Conclusions The analysis revealed that most individuals possessed knowledge regarding the impact of climate change on their way of life. Consequently, they acknowledged the significance of acquiring a more comprehensive understanding of climate change.

"Climate Change and Health?": Knowledge and Perceptions among Key Stakeholders in Puducherry, India

Climate change has far-reaching impacts on human health, with low- and middle-income countries, including India, being particularly vulnerable. While there have been several advances in the policy space with the development of adaptation plans, little remains known about how stakeholders who are central to the strengthening and implementation of these plans perceive this topic. We conducted a qualitative study employing key interviews with 16 medical doctors, researchers, environmentalists and government officials working on the climate change agenda from Puducherry, India. The findings were analysed using the framework method, with data-driven thematic analysis. We elucidated that despite elaborating the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on health, there remains a perceived gap in education and knowledge about the topic among participants. Knowledge of the public health burden and vulnerabilities influenced the perceived health risks from climate change, with some level of scepticism on the impacts on non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases. There was also a felt need for multi-level awareness and intervention programmes targeting all societal levels along with stakeholder recommendations to fill these gaps. The findings of this study should be taken into consideration for strengthening the region's climate change and health adaptation policy. In light of limited research on this topic, our study provides an improved understanding of how key stakeholders perceive the impacts of climate change on health in India.

Regional Research-Practice-Policy Partnerships in Response to Climate-Related Disparities: Promoting Health Equity in the Pacific

Although climate change poses a threat to health and well-being globally, a regional approach to addressing climate-related health equity may be more suitable, appropriate, and appealing to under-resourced communities and countries. In support of this argument, this commentary describes an approach by a network of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers dedicated to promoting climate-related health equity in Small Island Developing States and low- and middle-income countries in the Pacific. We identify three primary sets of needs related to developing a regional capacity to address physical and mental health disparities through research, training, and assistance in policy and practice implementation: (1) limited healthcare facilities and qualified medical and mental health providers; (2) addressing the social impacts related to the cooccurrence of natural hazards, disease outbreaks, and complex emergencies; and (3) building the response capacity and resilience to climate-related extreme weather events and natural hazards.