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Lichter K, Charbonneau K, Sabbagh A, Witzum A, Bloom JR, Shenker RF, Chino JP, Vidal G, Lewy JR, Hearn JWD, Chuter R, Sarria GR, Avelino S, Anand C, Thiel C, Mohamad O. The Environmental Impact of Radiation Oncology: The "Footprint" of External Beam Radiation Therapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2023; 117:e597-e598. [PMID: 37785803 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.06.1956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) There is a growing concern for the healthcare sector's impact on the environment. Prior carbon impact studies in radiation oncology have been limited in scope and methodology. This study aims to fill this gap by using an internationally recognized cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) approach to quantify all environmental impacts from raw material extraction to product disposal for external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in treating the most commonly diagnosed cancers. MATERIALS/METHODS This LCA was performed in accordance with ISO 14040 and 14044 at a single academic medical center. It quantified the environmental impact of EBRT across four categories: global warming potential (GWP), carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic human toxicity, and respiratory effects (PM2.5), from initial consultation to the completion of the last EBRT fraction for each disease site. Data collection involved weighing all materials used, measuring/calculating building and equipment electricity usage (e.g., HVAC and Linacs), and recording patient and staff transit. The study analyzed the impact of both minimum and maximum fractionations for each disease site and simulated alternative clinical scenarios such as telemedicine, renewable energy use and hypofractionation. RESULTS Regardless of disease site, there were significant differences in the environmental impacts associated with transit, electricity and supplies for EBRT treatment cycles. Staff and patient transport contributed the most, accounting for >92% of the total environmental impact including GWP (5.02x102 ± 9.38x101 kgCO2eq), carcinogenic (6.25x10-5 ± 1.23x10-5 CTUh) and non-carcinogenic human toxicity (1.16x10-4 ± 2.35x10-5 CTUh). Electricity accounted for 1-13% of the total impact, with most impact arising from respiratory effects (3.05x10-2 kg ± 2.72x10-3 PM2.5). The impact of supplies and materials was less than 3% across all categories. Alternative scenario modeling showed that telemedicine had a maximum impact reduction of 3.5% (2.54x 101kgCO2eq) for GWP, while renewable energy use had a maximum impact reduction of 8% (2.37 x 10-2 PM2.5) for respiratory effects. Reducing the number of total treatment days via hypofractionation can reduce GWP by 67-78% and carcinogenic emissions by 63-77% (3.48 x 102 - 5.53 x 102 kgCO2eq) and (3.73 x 10-5 - 6.85 x 10-5CTUh), respectively, with variation depending on the total number of fractions. CONCLUSION This study provides a comprehensive environmental impact assessment for EBRT among the most commonly treated disease sites, establishing a baseline metric and identifying targets for impact reduction. We are currently performing a multi-center validation study to be completed by June 2023. Our findings fill an important gap in cancer care and are critical for developing sustainable practices in the face of increasing demand for radiotherapy in a changing climate. LCAs evaluating all aspects of cancer care will be essential for promoting equitable and sustainable care.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Lichter
- University of California, San Francisco Department of Radiation Oncology, San Francisco, CA
| | - K Charbonneau
- Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - A Sabbagh
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - A Witzum
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Radiation Oncology, San Francisco, CA
| | - J R Bloom
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - R F Shenker
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - J P Chino
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
| | - G Vidal
- the University of Oklahoma Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - J R Lewy
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - J W D Hearn
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - R Chuter
- The Christie NHS Foundation, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - G R Sarria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - S Avelino
- Vitta Radiotherapy Center, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - C Anand
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Radiation Oncology, San Francisco, CA
| | - C Thiel
- New York University, New York, NY
| | - O Mohamad
- University of California, San Francisco Department of Radiation Oncology, San Francisco, CA; University of California, San Francisco Department of Urology, San Francisco, CA
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Harrison L, Padhani Z, Salam R, Oh C, Rahim K, Maqsood M, Ali A, Charbonneau K, Keats EC, Lassi ZS, Imdad A, Owais A, Das J, Bhutta ZA. Dietary Strategies for Complementary Feeding between 6 and 24 Months of Age: The Evidence. Nutrients 2023; 15:3041. [PMID: 37447369 PMCID: PMC10346638 DOI: 10.3390/nu15133041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Suboptimal complementary feeding practices remain highly prevent. This review aims to comprehensively synthesize new emerging evidence on a set of topics related to the selection and consumption of complementary foods. We synthesized evidence related to five key topics focused on nutritional interventions that target the complementary feeding period, based on four systematic reviews that include updated evidence to February 2022. While there have been many studies examining interventions during the complementary feeding period, there is an overall lack of relevant information through which to draw conclusions on the ideal feeding schedule by food type. Similarly, few studies have examined the effects of animal milk versus infant formula for non-breastfed infants (6-11 months), though those that did found a greater risk of anemia among infants who were provided cow's milk. This review highlights a number of interventions that are successful at improving micronutrient status and anthropometry during the complementary feeding period, including fortified blended foods, locally and commercially produced supplementary foods, and small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements. Complementary feeding education for caregivers can also be used to improve nutrition outcomes among infants in both food secure and insecure populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Harrison
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Zahra Padhani
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Rehana Salam
- The Daffodil Centre—A Joint Venture of Cancer Council and The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Christina Oh
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Komal Rahim
- Internal Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
| | - Maria Maqsood
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Anna Ali
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Kimberly Charbonneau
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Emily C. Keats
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Zohra S. Lassi
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Aamer Imdad
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Aatekah Owais
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Jai Das
- Division of Women & Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
| | - Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
- Centre for Global Child Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
- Division of Women & Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
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Suleman S, Sweeney-Magee M, Pinkney S, Charbonneau K, Banh K, Hale I, Amed S. Evaluation of two social norms nudge interventions to promote healthier food choices in a Canadian grocery store. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1946. [PMID: 36266681 PMCID: PMC9583495 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14370-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the impact of two nudge interventions on customers’ produce purchases at a rural Canadian grocery store. A pre- and post-intervention observational study design was used. Sales data were gathered before and after the staggered implementation of two nudge-based interventions to encourage produce purchases: grocery cart dividers to encourage shoppers to fill one-third of their cart with produce and grocery cart plaques with information about how many fruits and vegetables were typically purchased in the store. The proportion of total sales accounted for by produce was compared between baseline and implementation of the first intervention (Phase 1), between implementation of the first intervention and the addition of the second intervention (Phase 2), and between baseline and post-implementation of both interventions together. There was a 5% relative increase (0.5% absolute increase) in produce spending between baseline and post-implementation of both interventions (10.3% to 10.8%, p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.2%, 0.7%). Intervention phase-specific produce spending showed no significant change in the percentage of produce spending from baseline to Phase 1 of the intervention, and an 8% relative increase (0.8% absolute increase) in the percentage of produce spending from Phase 1 to Phase 2 of the intervention (10.3% to 11.1%, p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.5, 1.1%). Simple, low-cost nudge interventions were effective at increasing the proportion of total grocery spend on produce. This study also demonstrated that partnerships with local businesses can promote healthier food choices in rural communities in Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selina Suleman
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V4, Canada
| | - Molly Sweeney-Magee
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V4, Canada
| | - Susan Pinkney
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V4, Canada
| | - Kimberly Charbonneau
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V4, Canada
| | - Kelly Banh
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V4, Canada
| | - Ilona Hale
- Department of Family Practice, 3rd Floor David Strangway Building, 5950 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Shazhan Amed
- British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V4, Canada. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, K4-213, Canada.
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Dakkak H, Brown R, Twynstra J, Charbonneau K, Seabrook JA. The perception of pre- and post-natal marijuana exposure on health outcomes: A content analysis of Twitter messages. J Neonatal Perinatal Med 2018; 11:409-415. [PMID: 29843262 DOI: 10.3233/npm-17133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of marijuana use during pregnancy ranges from 3-30% , and most of this is for recreational purposes. Marijuana exposure during pregnancy has been linked with low birth weight babies and other adverse child health outcomes. Twitter is a popular news and social networking outlet, and is frequently used to access information about population health and behavior. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the types of messages disseminated on Twitter about marijuana use and infant and maternal health. The secondary objective was to describe the reported health outcomes associated with prenatal and postnatal marijuana use. Tweets were collected from the inception of Twitter (2006) until April 2017. If tweets included links, these links were examined to investigate the source of the message and to clarify the user's intent. In total, 550 tweets were captured, with most tweets (77.6%) having a neutral tweet tone, suggesting uncertainty about the health effects associated with pre- and post-natal marijuana exposure. The sources attached to the original tweets, however, were more likely to report on negative health outcomes. The most common health outcomes associated with prenatal marijuana exposure were: poor brain development (27.3%), inadequate development of the nervous system (23.6%), low birth weight (23.3%), poor behavioral outcomes (21.0%), and infant memory issues (19.3%). The inverse association between marijuana use and the quality and quantity of milk produced by the mother was the most commonly reported tweet for the lactation period.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Dakkak
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON, Canada
| | - R Brown
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON, Canada
| | - J Twynstra
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - K Charbonneau
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON, Canada
| | - J A Seabrook
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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