Environmental Health Insights最新文献

{"title":"Effects of Bio-Slurry and Chemical Fertiliser Application on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Selected Heavy Metal Concentrations in Maize and Brassica Vegetables in Malawi.","authors":"Grace Thole Katola, Ephraim Vunain","doi":"10.1177/11786302261484022","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302261484022","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluated the effects of bio-slurry and chemical fertiliser application, relative to an unamended control, on soil physicochemical properties and the concentrations of selected heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Cr, and Hg) in soil and in maize (<i>Zea mays L.</i>), rape (<i>Brassica napus</i>), and Chinese cabbage (<i>Brassica pekinensis</i>) grown in Zomba, Malawi. A randomised complete block design with three treatments (100% bio-slurry, 100% chemical fertiliser, and an unamended control) and three replications was used. Soil samples were collected before planting and after harvest, and soil, bio-slurry, and crop samples were analysed for heavy metals by atomic absorption spectrometry. Bio-slurry significantly increased soil organic carbon, organic matter, and exchangeable bases (Ca, Na, Mg, K) relative to chemical fertiliser and the control, whereas chemical fertiliser and the control were both associated with a significant decline in soil pH. All measured heavy metal concentrations in soil and crops remained below FAO/WHO permissible limits, with iron (Fe) the most abundant and cadmium (Cd) the least abundant metal overall. However, the bio-slurry itself exceeded CODEX microbiological limits for mesophilic aerobic bacteria, moulds, and coliforms, indicating a microbiological food-safety concern that requires further treatment or hygienic handling before field application. The findings indicate that bio-slurry improves soil fertility more effectively than chemical fertiliser without increasing heavy-metal risk in the crops tested, but that its microbiological quality must be addressed before it can be recommended as an unqualified safe soil amendment in Malawi.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261484022"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13539043/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148886177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Food Safety Practices and Associated Factors Among Street Food Vendors in Urban Areas of Eastern Zone of Sidama Region, Ethiopia: A Community Based Cross Sectional Study.","authors":"Amelo Bolka, Firew Hussien, Amenu Asfaw Gujo, Aregahegn Dona, Bereket Sisay Gebremichael","doi":"10.1177/11786302261484006","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302261484006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Food safety research in Ethiopia has largely focused on major cities, leaving zonal and district urban areas underexplored. This evidence gap limits the development of context-specific interventions to reduce foodborne disease risks. This study assessed food safety practices and associated factors among street food vendors in urban areas of the Eastern Zone of the Sidama Region, Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 25 January to 20 February 2025 among 546 street food vendors selected using multistage sampling. Data were collected using a pretested, structured interviewer-administered questionnaire through the Kobo Toolbox system. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with food safety practices. Statistical significance was declared at <i>p</i> < 0.05, and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 52.2% (95% CI: 47.9%-56.4%) of street food vendors demonstrated good food safety practices. Good food safety practices were significantly associated with being female (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.35-3.01), earning a monthly income of ≥5,000 Ethiopian Birr (AOR = 2.86, 95% CI: 1.93-4.26), having ≥5 years of work experience (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.47-3.24), receiving food safety training (AOR = 2.91, 95% CI: 1.92-4.39), being licensed (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.09-2.40), and possessing good food safety knowledge (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.42-3.18).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Slightly more than half of the vendors demonstrated good food safety practices. Expanding food safety training, strengthening health education, and enforcing licensing requirements are recommended to improve food safety practices among street food vendors.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261484006"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13519205/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148839637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Household Food Handling Practices and Associated Factors Among Adult Women in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study Design.","authors":"Mengesha Genet, Asmamaw Malede, Jember Azanaw, Zemenu Wubie, Getasew Yirdaw, Amanuel Mengistu, Gebre Dagnew, Lamrot Yohannes, Danel Asefa","doi":"10.1177/11786302261479216","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302261479216","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Foodborne illness poses a serious threat to public health in low-income countries. This study aims to assess the household food-handling practices of adult women in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia, and to examine associated factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from May 20 to June 19, 2024, and 636 women were randomly selected to participate. Data on socio-demographic, behavioral, and environmental factors were collected using a standardized, pretested questionnaire. Composite indices for knowledge, attitude, and practice were created, with scores of 70% or higher considered good performance. Both binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. To assess model fit, we used the Hosmer-Lemeshow test, which yielded a p-value of 0.72, and calculated the variance inflation factor, which was less than 2.5.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 53.8% of individuals (95% CI: 49.9-57.6) handled food safely. Good practice was significantly associated with higher education (AOR: 4.22, 95% CI: 2.11-8.44), marriage (AOR: 4.25, 95% CI: 2.05-8.79), good knowledge (AOR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.49-3.54), a positive attitude (AOR: 2.52, 95% CI: 1.23-5.16), and access to proper food-handling information (AOR: 3.25, 95% CI: 1.90-5.56).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although more than half had good food-handling practices, substantial gaps remain in knowledge, attitudes, and environmental conditions. Improving women's access to food-handling information and strengthening behavioral change interventions are suggested.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261479216"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13494288/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148789765","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Safeguarding Children's Movement Behaviours During Public Health Crises: Lessons From a Global Rapid Scoping Review.","authors":"Leigh M Vanderloo, Taniya S Nagpal, Richard Tyler, António L Palmeira, Emily A Bonisteel, Brianne A Bruijns, Alissa J Burnett, Ankhmaa Byambaa, Valerie Carson, Jordyn M Cox, Audrey Elford, Rebecca B Emori, Avril Johnstone, Rachel A Jones, Sanne L C Veldman, Dona S Yudasmara, Fariba Bannerman, Anthony D Okely","doi":"10.1177/11786302261479502","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302261479502","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Public health measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic were essential for limiting viral transmission but had unintended consequences for children's movement behaviours, including reduced physical activity, increased sedentary time, and disruptions to sleep. These behaviours are fundamental to healthy physical, mental, and social development and were already suboptimal for many children prior to the pandemic. This commentary draws on findings from a rapid global scoping review of 182 studies conducted across 48 countries between 2020 and 2023 and reflects the consensus position of an international group of movement behaviour researchers. Using qualitative evidence synthesis and narrative analysis, the review examined reported changes in children's movement behaviours and identified commonly proposed strategies to mitigate harms during public health emergencies. Across diverse geographic and economic contexts, studies consistently described declines in physical activity and increases in sedentary time, alongside variable impacts on sleep. Recommended responses most frequently emphasized education, environmental restructuring, enablement, and policy and service-level actions aimed at supporting healthy movement opportunities during periods of restriction. Collectively, the evidence suggests that children's movement behaviours were insufficiently considered within emergency response planning and were often treated as secondary outcomes rather than essential determinants of child health. We argue that protecting opportunities for physical activity, active play, and healthy daily movement should be embedded within pandemic recovery and future emergency preparedness efforts. Recognizing movement behaviours as a core component of resilient public health systems may help mitigate unintended harms and better safeguard child health and well-being during future crises.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261479502"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13477549/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148758475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Job-Specific Lead Exposure Gradients and Personal Protective Equipment Paradox in Informal Occupational Settings: A Case-Control Study from The Gambia.","authors":"Edrisa Sanyang, Amadou Barrow, Alhaji Jabbi, Musa Drammeh, Abdoulie M Sanyang, Abdoulie Nanko, William N Mkanta","doi":"10.1177/11786302261480468","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302261480468","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Occupational lead exposure remains a significant public health concern in low- and middle-income countries, yet within-industry exposure gradients are poorly characterized. This case-control study assessed job-specific blood lead level (BLL) gradients and personal protective equipment (PPE) use patterns among 145 auto repair workers and 68 healthcare controls in The Gambia. BLLs were measured using LeadCare II analyzers. Exposed workers had significantly higher BLLs than controls (median: 7.40 vs. 5.80 μg/dL; p < 0.001). A striking 5.3-fold gradient was observed across specialties: battery repairers (35.62 μg/dL), electricians (15.17 μg/dL), panel beaters/welders (11.45 μg/dL), mechanics (9.08 μg/dL), and spray painters (6.67 μg/dL). All battery repairers had BLL ≥10 μg/dL. Paradoxically, high-risk workers (battery repairers, electricians) had the lowest PPE use rates (14.3%) despite having the highest exposure levels. Adjusted regression confirmed battery repairers had BLLs 27.14 μg/dL higher than mechanics (95% CI 17.69 to 36.58; p < 0.001). These findings underscore the need for targeted, specialty-specific interventions prioritizing battery repair and electrical work in informal occupational settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261480468"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13477530/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148758589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Levels of Uranium in Soil and Dust and Their Associated Chemical Risks to Human Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Limbani Rodney Kalumbi, Kgomotso Lebelo, Masilu Daniel Masekameni, Wells Utembe, Derk Brouwer","doi":"10.1177/11786302261430546","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302261430546","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Environmental uranium contamination is a growing public health concern driven by mining, nuclear operations, phosphate fertiliser use, and improper waste disposal. These activities raise uranium levels in soil and dust, increasing human exposure and health risks. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesise global data on uranium contamination in soil and dust, specifically evaluating carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks across populations. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases for studies published between 2000 and 2025. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full texts, applying the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal criteria for data extraction. Meta-analyses were performed, incorporating pooled estimates where appropriate. Narrative synthesis was applied to data unsuitable for meta-analysis. Eighteen studies from 13 countries met the inclusion criteria. The pooled mean uranium concentration was 3.49 mg/kg in soil and 5.10 mg/kg in dust. Regionally, the WHO South-East Asian Region (SEARO) reported the highest mean soil concentrations (5.26 mg/kg), while the Western Pacific Region recorded the highest dust concentrations (11.69 mg/kg). Non-carcinogenic hazard quotients ranged from 3.1 × 10^-13 (children and adults) to 1.47 (adults), and carcinogenic risks spanned 3.54 × 10^-21 (children) to 2.17 × 10^-9 (adults). Uranium contamination in soil and dust varies by region, with SEARO and the Western Pacific as high-exposure areas. Risk ratios vary, influenced partly by age. Enhancing exposure assessment methods and age-specific risk evaluations is crucial for refining risk characterisation and informing public health interventions in uranium-affected areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261430546"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13469534/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148758681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impacts of Natural Disasters on Emergency Care Delivery in the United States: A Scoping Review and Digital Health-Informed Framework.","authors":"Zhaoqiang Zhou, Paul L Delamater, Fei Yu, Kaushalya Mendis, Saif Khairat","doi":"10.1177/11786302261479518","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302261479518","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to identify the impacts and challenges natural disasters pose to emergency medical services (EMS) in the United States, and to develop a digital health-informed framework based on identified system-level challenges to enhance EMS resilience and effectiveness in disaster scenarios.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A scoping review was conducted on July 7, 2025, across Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, and Global Health databases. Literature from the past five years focusing on EMS delivery during three major U.S. natural disasters was analyzed using the World Health Organization's Emergency Care System Framework to assess challenges across EMS components and stakeholders, which subsequently informed the development of a digital health-informed response framework.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Natural disasters significantly threaten EMS operations at the scene, transport, and facility stages. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly and socioeconomically disadvantaged, experience heightened risks and service needs. Key challenges include increased demand for emergency care and reduced capacity in disaster-affected areas. Digital health tools, such as telehealth and dynamic ambulance dispatch systems, were identified as promising solutions.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Findings highlight the relevance of digital health in mitigating identified EMS challenges during disasters. By addressing gaps in communication, resource allocation, and service delivery, technology can enhance system responsiveness and resilience.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A specialized digital health framework was developed to strengthen EMS delivery during natural disasters. Structured across four domains, patient, transport, facility, and provider, it offers actionable strategies to improve emergency care resilience and outcomes in disaster scenarios.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261479518"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13469518/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148763960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Measuring Environmental Health Literacy - A Systematic Review of Represented Dimensions and Psychometric Characteristics of Evaluated Instruments in an Emerging Field.","authors":"Miriam Finkhäuser, Renée Madelaine Kuhrt, Marlene Muehlmann, Tobias Ihle, Silke Schmidt, Holger Muehlan","doi":"10.1177/11786302261462601","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302261462601","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Environmental health literacy (EHL) encompasses the skills and competencies to search for, understand, assess, and apply information and knowledge about the environment and its impact on human health. The development and availability of concept-based, psychometrically sound methods to measure EHL are crucial for advancing research and assessing the impact of public health programs in prevention. Guided by the PRISMA-COSMIN guidelines, a systematic search of three databases was conducted (MEDLINE, LIVIVO, PsycINFO). Information on the characteristics, operationalization of EHL, and psychometric criteria was extracted. According to COSMIN, the psychometric properties were evaluated. Of 1,872 records, nine studies were included. Eight different EHL measures were identified. The instruments target either general EHL (n = 4) or specific environmental issues (n = 4), such as air pollution, drinking water contaminants, and phthalate exposure. Some instruments reported sufficient structural validity (n = 4) and internal consistency (n = 2), while content validity remained indeterminate (n = 8). Information on responsiveness, measurement error, and intercultural validity could not be obtained. Based on the quality assessment, no general recommendation for use can be derived. Future studies should focus on validating existing instruments, while the development of new tools should more comprehensively address relevant environmental factors. We also recommend that previously underexplored dimensions of EHL, such as self-efficacy and collective agency, should be given greater consideration.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261462601"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13438344/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148677471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seasonal and Spatial Dynamics of Tick Infestation in Domestic Animals of Wayanad Forest Region, Southern India: A Longitudinal Survey.","authors":"Mannarakkal Thazham Swathy Viswanath, Rouchelle Charmaine Tellis, Sohanlal Thiruvoth, Vipin Viswanath, Koyyan Prakasan, Mannarakkal Thazham Sneha Viswanath, Manathottathil Aiswarya","doi":"10.1177/11786302261452465","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302261452465","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim and background: </strong>Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites of veterinary and public health relevance. This study examines the seasonal distribution, host-specific burden, and species composition of ticks infesting domestic animals in the Wayanad district of Kerala, India.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A longitudinal field survey was conducted from 2022 to 2024 across 40 locations in 3 ecological zones of Wayanad. Ticks were manually collected from domestic animals; cattle, goats, dogs, and cats during 3 seasons: monsoon, winter, and summer. Collected ticks were morphologically identified to the species level. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Kruskal-Wallis <i>H</i> tests (α = .05) were performed using Jamovi (v2.6.44). Additionally, a negative binomial regression model was fitted using R (v4.2.2) to identify predictors of tick burden.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 2562 ticks were collected. Tick abundance was highest during the monsoon (1231; 48.06%), followed by winter (965; 37.66%) and summer (366; 14.28%). Cattle accounted for the highest tick load (n = 1529; 59.7%), followed by goats (592; 23.1%), dogs (313; 12.2%), and cats (128; 5.0%). Mean tick burden per animal was highest in Zone 1 (12.79 ± 6.01), and lowest in Zone 3 (10.20 ± 5.37). Seasonally, winter showed the highest mean burden (4.91 ± 3.63). Seven tick species from 3 genera were identified, with <i>Haemaphysalis bispinosa</i> being the most dominant. Regression analysis identified season and host as significant predictors. Compared to monsoon, summer burden was lower (IRR = 0.36; 95% CI: 0.32-0.41; <i>P</i> < .001), while winter was moderately higher (IRR = 1.15; CI: 1.05-1.25; <i>P</i> = .0017). Cattle exhibited a 4.05-fold higher burden than cats (IRR = 4.05; CI: 3.39-4.87; <i>P</i> < .001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The presence of zoonotic tick vectors across hosts, seasons, and zones indicates high epidemiological risk the need for integrated ecological surveillance and region-specific tick control strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261452465"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13428112/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148653281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Environmental Scan of Tools and Frameworks Assessing Climate-Related Health Vulnerabilities in Older Populations.","authors":"Connie Cai Ru Gan, Cicely K Nurse, Pratik Chaturbhai Sohaliya, Patricia Chiao-Tzu Lee","doi":"10.1177/11786302261466128","DOIUrl":"10.1177/11786302261466128","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>Climate change is intensifying health inequities, particularly among older adults who face heightened vulnerability to climate-related hazards. With the global senior population estimated at one billion and projected to increase by 20% by 2050, there is urgent need for health systems to identify and respond to their specific risks. This environmental scan aims to map and evaluate existing tools and frameworks used to assess climate-related health vulnerabilities in older adults, with a focus on informing equitable healthcare planning and system resilience.</p><p><strong>Research design and methods: </strong>Five electronic databases (ProQuest, Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase) and grey literature were searched. The PRISMA checklist was utilised to guide the review process and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool was used to appraise the studies. A total of 23 studies were identified and included in this review.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 23 identified tools and frameworks, only two were explicitly designed for older adult populations and predominantly focused on heat-related risk assessments, accounting for 74% of climate hazards addressed. Most tools relied on general population indicators, potentially under-estimating age-specific vulnerability related to functional decline, care dependency, and social isolation. Studies were concentrated in East Asia and the Pacific and North America, with no representation from South Asia or the Middle East and North Africa, highlighting significant regional gaps. The majority of studies remain anchored in pre-2021 IPCC vulnerability models with limited update of newer risk-based frameworks.</p><p><strong>Discussion and implications: </strong>This environmental scan highlights gaps for age-specific vulnerability assessment tools that capture the unique climate-risks facing older adults. Future work should explicitly adopt and clarify IPCC frameworks with standardised domain classifications, and integrate geriatric-specific indicators to improve risk assessment accuracy for this growing demographic.</p>","PeriodicalId":11827,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Health Insights","volume":"20 ","pages":"11786302261466128"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13424507/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148653302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}