scholarly journals Effects of environmental change on agriculture, nutrition and health: A framework with a focus on fruits and vegetables

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna L. Tuomisto ◽  
Pauline F.D. Scheelbeek ◽  
Zaid Chalabi ◽  
Rosemary Green ◽  
Richard D. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Food System ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Nutrition And Health ◽  
Crop Quality ◽  
Critical Pathways ◽  
The Impact

Environmental changes are likely to affect agricultural production over the next  decades. The interactions between environmental change, agricultural yields and crop quality, and the critical pathways to future diets and health outcomes are largely undefined. There are currently no quantitative models to test the impact of multiple environmental changes on nutrition and health outcomes. Using an interdisciplinary approach, we developed a framework to link the multiple interactions between environmental change, agricultural productivity and crop quality, population-level food availability, dietary intake and health outcomes, with a specific focus on fruits and vegetables. The main components of the framework consist of: i) socio-economic and societal factors, ii) environmental change stressors, iii) interventions and policies, iv) food system activities, v) food and nutrition security, and vi) health and well-being outcomes. The framework, based on currently available evidence, provides an overview of the multidimensional and complex interactions with feedback between environmental change, production of fruits and vegetables, diets and health, and forms the analytical basis for future modelling and scenario testing.

scholarly journals Effects of environmental change on population nutrition and health: A comprehensive framework with a focus on fruits and vegetables

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna L. Tuomisto ◽  
Pauline F.D. Scheelbeek ◽  
Zaid Chalabi ◽  
Rosemary Green ◽  
Richard D. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Food Availability ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Nutrition And Health ◽  
Crop Quality ◽  
The Impact

Environmental changes are likely to affect agricultural production over the next 20–30 years. The interactions between environmental change, agricultural yields and crop quality, and the critical pathways to future diets and health outcomes remain largely undefined. There are currently no quantitative models to test the impact of multiple environmental changes on nutrition and health outcomes. Using an interdisciplinary approach, we developed a framework to link the multiple interactions between environmental change, agricultural productivity and crop quality, population-level food availability, dietary intake and health outcomes, with a specific focus on fruits and vegetables. The main components of the framework consist of: i) socio-economic and societal factors, ii) environmental change stressors, iii) interventions and policies, iv) food system activities, v) food and nutrition security, and vi) health and well-being outcomes. The framework, based on currently available evidence, provides an overview of the multidimensional and complex interactions between environmental change, diets and health, and forms the analytical baseline for future modelling and scenario testing. The framework identifies the inter-sectoral datasets and models that need to be defined and populated to assess the impacts of environmental change on agricultural production, food availability, nutrition and population health.

scholarly journals Effects of environmental change on wildlife health

2009 ◽  
Vol 364 (1534) ◽  
pp. 3429-3438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Acevedo-Whitehouse ◽  
Amanda L. J. Duffus
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Environmental Change ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Reproductive Parameters ◽  
Wildlife Health ◽  
Changing Environment ◽  
Health Maintenance ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
The Impact

Environmental change has negatively affected most biological systems on our planet and is becoming of increasing concern for the well-being and survival of many species. At an organism level, effects encompass not only endocrine disruptions, sex-ratio changes and decreased reproductive parameters, but also include teratogenic and genotoxic effects, immunosuppression and other immune-system impairments that can lead directly to disease or increase the risk of acquiring disease. Living organisms will strive to maintain health by recognizing and resolving abnormal situations, such as the presence of invading microorganisms or harmful peptides, abnormal cell replication and deleterious mutations. However, fast-paced environmental changes may pose additional pressure on immunocompetence and health maintenance, which may seriously impact population viability and persistence. Here, we outline the importance of a functional immune system for survival and examine the effects that exposure to a rapidly changing environment might exert on immunocompetence. We then address the various levels at which anthropogenic environmental change might affect wildlife health and identify potential deficits in reproductive parameters that might arise owing to new immune challenges in the context of a rapidly changing environment. Throughout the paper, a series of examples and case studies are used to illustrate the impact of environmental change on wildlife health.

scholarly journals The Impact of a Produce Prescription Programme on Healthy Food Purchasing and Diabetes-Related Health Outcomes

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Julian Xie ◽  
Ashley Price ◽  
Neal Curran ◽  
Truls Østbye
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Grocery Store ◽  
Diabetes Control ◽  
Food Purchasing ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Expenditure Share ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective: To evaluate a Produce Prescription Programme’s utilisation, and its effects on healthy food purchasing and diabetes control among participants with type 2 diabetes. Design: Prospective cohort study using participants’ electronic health records (EHR) and food transaction data. Participants were categorized as “Frequent Spenders” and “Sometimes Spenders” based on utilisation frequency. Multivariate regressions assessed utilisation predictors; and programme effects on fruit/vegetable purchasing (spending, expenditure share, variety) and on diabetes-related outcomes (HbA1c, BMI, blood pressure). Setting: Patients enrolled by clinics in Durham, North Carolina, USA. Participants received $40 monthly for fruits and vegetables at a grocery store chain. Subjects: 699 food-insecure participants (353 with diabetes). Results: Being female and older was associated with higher programme utilisation; hospitalisations were negatively associated with programme utilisation. Frequent Spender status was associated with $8.77 more in fruit/vegetable spending (p < 0.001), 3.3% increase in expenditure share (p = 0.007), and variety increase of 2.52 fruits and vegetables (p < 0.001). For $10 of Produce Prescription Dollars spent, there was an $8.00 increase in fruit/vegetable spending (p < 0.001), 4.1% increase in expenditure share, and variety increase of 2.3 fruits/vegetables (p < 0.001). For the 353 participants with diabetes, there were no statistically significant relationships between programme utilisation and diabetes control. Conclusions: Programme utilisation was associated with healthier food purchasing, but the relatively short study period and modest intervention prevent making conclusions about health outcomes. Produce Prescription Programmes can increase healthy food purchasing among food-insecure people, which may improve chronic disease care.

scholarly journals Social Evaluation of Public Open Space Services and Their Impact on Well-Being: A Micro-Scale Assessment from a Coastal University

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4372
Author(s):  
Abdullah Addas ◽  
Ahmad Maghrabi
Keyword(s):  
Open Space ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Evaluation ◽  
Open Spaces ◽  
Rapid Urbanization ◽  
Public Open Space ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Public Open Spaces

Public open spaces services have been shown to be profoundly affected by rapid urbanization and environmental changes, and in turn, they have influenced socio-cultural relationships and human well-being. However, the impact of these changes on public open space services (POSS) remains unexplored, particularly in the Saudi Arabian context. This study examines the socio-cultural influence of POSS on the King Abdulaziz University campus, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and the impact of these services on well-being. A field survey and questionnaire were used to collect data. Non-parametric tests (Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests) were used to find significant differences in the importance of POSS as perceived by stakeholders based on socio-demographic attributes. Factor analysis was performed for 14 POSS to identify those that are most important. The study showed that (i) university stakeholders are closely linked to services provided by public open spaces (POS) and dependent on POSS, (ii) there were significant differences in the perceived importance of POSS according to gender, age, and social groups, and (iii) 70 to 90% of stakeholders reported POSS as having a positive impact on well-being. Thus, the findings will help design and plan POSS to meet the needs of society and promote well-being.

scholarly journals The Impact of Distal Influences and Proximal Resources on the Mental Health of African American Older Adults: Findings From the Georgia Centenarian Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meneka C Johnson Nicholson ◽  
Peter Martin ◽  
Megan Gilligan ◽  
Carolyn E Cutrona ◽  
Daniel W Russell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
African American ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
The Impact ◽  
African American Older Adults

Abstract Background and Objectives Over the years, a large amount of research has been devoted to the investigation of factors that led to mental health outcomes in older adults. For African American older adults, their lived experiences place them at high risk for mental health problems. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of early life influences (i.e., education, childhood life events, and childhood financial well-being) and present psychosocial resources (i.e., individual, financial, and social) on current mental health outcomes in a sample of African American older adults in their 60s, 80s, and 100s. Research Design and Methods Using data from the Georgia Centenarian Study, 125 participants were interviewed about their mental health, resources, and early life influences. Results A structural equation model was tested and resulted in a good fit. Results indicated that the more social resources African American older adults had available, the lower the number of depressive symptoms they reported. African Americans with higher levels of financial well-being during childhood reported higher self-rated mental health. Older adults had higher levels of financial resources. Level of education showed a positive relationship with financial resources. Indirect effects of distal influences on health outcomes via current resources were not found. Discussion and Implications The findings are of direct practical relevance and can be used to more readily identify older African Americans who may be susceptible to poorer mental health outcomes based upon the impact of their unique distal and proximal psychosocial resources.

scholarly journals A rapid review of mental and physical health effects of working at home: how do we optimise health?

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jodi Oakman ◽  
Natasha Kinsman ◽  
Rwth Stuckey ◽  
Melissa Graham ◽  
Victoria Weale
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Foreseeable Future ◽  
Working At Home ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental And Physical Health ◽  
At Home

Abstract Background The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in changes to the working arrangements of millions of employees who are now based at home and may continue to work at home, in some capacity, for the foreseeable future. Decisions on how to promote employees’ health whilst working at home (WAH) need to be based on the best available evidence to optimise worker outcomes. The aim of this rapid review was to review the impact of WAH on individual workers’ mental and physical health, and determine any gender difference, to develop recommendations for employers and employees to optimise workers’ health. Method A search was undertaken in three databases, PsychInfo, ProQuest, and Web of Science, from 2007 to May 2020. Selection criteria included studies which involved employees who regularly worked at home, and specifically reported on physical or mental health-related outcomes. Two review authors independently screened studies for inclusion, one author extracted data and conducted risk of bias assessments with review by a second author. Results Twenty-three papers meet the selection criteria for this review. Ten health outcomes were reported: pain, self-reported health, safety, well-being, stress, depression, fatigue, quality of life, strain and happiness. The impact on health outcomes was strongly influenced by the degree of organisational support available to employees, colleague support, social connectedness (outside of work), and levels of work to family conflict. Overall, women were less likely to experience improved health outcomes when WAH. Conclusions This review identified several health outcomes affected by WAH. The health/work relationship is complex and requires consideration of broader system factors to optimise the effects of WAH on workers’ health. It is likely mandated WAH will continue to some degree for the foreseeable future; organisations will need to implement formalised WAH policies that consider work-home boundary management support, role clarity, workload, performance indicators, technical support, facilitation of co-worker networking, and training for managers.

The Political and Economic Determinants of Health Outcomes: A Cross-National Analysis

1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 585-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugh F. Lena ◽  
Bruce London
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
International Investment ◽  
Complex Model ◽  
Left Wing ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Economic Determinants ◽  
State Strength ◽  
National Analysis ◽  
The Impact

This article investigates the impact of selected political and economic processes on the well-being of domestic populations within samples of 50 to 84 peripheral and noncore nations. Existing research by Cereseto and Waitzkin on the relative merits of market versus socialist systems for the provision of health and welfare needs of their populations is extended by employing a more complex model than the original study. More specifically, the authors assess the impact on measures of population health and mortality rates of regime ideology, state strength, multinational corporate penetration, and position in the world economy. In general, high levels of democracy and strong left-wing regimes are associated with positive health outcomes, and strong right-wing regimes have populations with lower life expectancies and higher levels of various measures of mortality. These findings support the conclusion that political systems make a difference in health and well-being independent of national (gross national product per capita) and international (investment dependency) economic factors.

scholarly journals The impact of environmental change on host–parasite coevolutionary dynamics

2010 ◽  
Vol 278 (1716) ◽  
pp. 2283-2292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafal Mostowy ◽  
Jan Engelstädter
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Selective Pressure ◽  
Time Windows ◽  
Gene Interactions ◽  
Genotype By Environment ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Antagonistic Interactions ◽  
Gene For Gene

Environmental factors are known to affect the strength and the specificity of interactions between hosts and parasites. However, how this shapes patterns of coevolutionary dynamics is not clear. Here, we construct a simple mathematical model to study the effect of environmental change on host–parasite coevolutionary outcome when interactions are of the matching-alleles or the gene-for-gene type. Environmental changes may effectively alter the selective pressure and the level of specialism in the population. Our results suggest that environmental change altering the specificity of selection in antagonistic interactions can produce alternating time windows of cyclical allele-frequency dynamics and cessation thereof. This type of environmental impact can also explain the maintenance of polymorphism in gene-for-gene interactions without costs. Overall, our study points to the potential consequences of environmental variation in coevolution, and thus the importance of characterizing genotype-by-genotype-by-environment interactions in natural host–parasite systems, especially those that change the direction of selection acting between the two species.

scholarly journals The Need for A Multidisciplinary Approach to Face Challenges Related to Food, Health, and Sustainability: The Contribution of CRC I-WE

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (24) ◽  
pp. 13720
Author(s):  
Daniela Martini ◽  
Giada Ragone ◽  
Francesco Cazzini ◽  
Federica Cheli ◽  
Giulia Formici ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food System ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Legal Aspects ◽  
Annual Conference ◽  
Joint Research ◽  
Nutrition Environment ◽  
Complex Relationships ◽  
Multi Stakeholder ◽  
The Impact

The importance of the impact of the food system not only on human health but also on planet health is gaining growing attention, and there is now an urgent call to action for developing multi-stakeholder strategies able to end poverty and maintain prosperity and health for people and for the planet. To provide a better understanding of the complex relationships between food, well-being and environment, it is pivotal to generate multidisciplinary knowledge on the promotion of human well-being in relation to multiple interconnected factors such as diet and nutrition, environment, economic, social, and legal aspects. Based on these premises, the present paper aims at describing the proposed role of the Joint Research Center “Innovation for Well-Being and Environment” (CRC I-WE) that was brought to light in 2019 with a strong interdisciplinary nature at the University of Milan, Italy. In 2021, the Center hosted its first annual conference aimed at identifying case studies from the food, health, and sustainability fields particularly deserving an interdisciplinary approach, and which may provide the basis for opening a wider discussion with the scientific community.

scholarly journals Towards a Global Perspective of Environmental Health: Defining the Research Grounds of an Institute of Environmental Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 8963
Author(s):  
Ana Virgolino ◽  
Francisco Antunes ◽  
Osvaldo Santos ◽  
Andreia Costa ◽  
Margarida Gaspar de Matos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Health ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Human Biomonitoring ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Sustainable Environment ◽  
Health Gains ◽  
The Impact

Environmental health is at the intersection between health and the environment. However, it still has a recent (and narrow) history as a scientific area, mainly addressing human biomonitoring and toxicological issues. Only recently additional environmental ‘layers’, other than the traditional chemical, biological and physical environmental determinants, have been considered. This broader perspective of environmental health also encompasses digital, psychosocial, political, socioeconomic and cultural determinants, all of them relevant when considering human health from a planetary health paradigm. This reflects the progressive adoption of a systemic perspective regarding the impact of gains for human health and well-being towards a sustainable environment. It also implies a multi-method and participatory approach to understand the intertwined relationship between environmental changes and human health. In this paper, the broader approach to environmental health is discussed in order to ‘set the stage’ for introducing the Institute of Environmental Health (ISAMB) of the Lisbon School of Medicine, Portugal. Each of the research groups and labs that compose ISAMB are presented, as well as their main lines of research. Present and planned contributions of ISAMB to advance knowledge on environmental health and for promoting human health gains in an environmentally sustainable way are also discussed.

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