COVID-19, caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first identified in Wuhan, China in late 2019. Rapidly spreading worldwide, it was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in early 2020 [1]. Various mitigation strategies, such as physical distancing, travel restrictions, and other public health protocols, were enforced globally to curb virus transmission [2,3]. However, these measures also disrupted daily life, work environments, and public health systems, posing significant challenges in balancing virus prevention and continuation of economic activity [4]. This paper aimed to highlight key lessons from the Third Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) Forum on public health emergency response as demonstrated by selected Asian countries. Proceedings from the forum were reviewed and analyzed, arriving at the following lessons and themes: proactive and strategic public health interventions, leadership and governance, community participation, policy adjustments, technological integration and innovation, and balancing health and economic activities. The forum, themed “Environmental and Occupational Health Initiatives During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” was held virtually in November 2020 [5]. Understanding environmental and occupational health interventions as well as the themes of strategies by Asian countries, provides valuable insights into early pandemic management and contributes to a repository of knowledge that can be adapted and applied globally, enhancing the overall effectiveness of pandemic responses.
Occupational Health ; Environmental Health ; Publich Health ; COVID-19 ; Pandemics ; Asia

Climate change is the great health challenge for human beings in the 21^st century. Air pollution is also an important public health problem worldwide. China announced the climate commitment to achieve carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. Achieving these goals would not only have far-reaching effects on air pollution control and climate change, but also improve the population health in China. Air pollution and climate change epidemiology are important aspects of environmental epidemiology. In this paper, we discuss the current status and future development of epidemiological research of air pollution and climate change in the context of achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals to provide ideas and suggestions for environmental and health studies in the future.
Humans ; Climate Change ; Goals ; Air Pollution/analysis* ; Environmental Health ; Public Health ; China/epidemiology* ; Carbon

Even after two years, the COVID-19 pandemic still disrupts public activities and services as it exposes vulnerabilities among the population and negatively impacts environmental conditions. The crisis also impeded global progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The Fourth Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) Forum held virtually on November 25 to 26, 2021 provided a venue for learning about local and international COVID-19 responses to help prepare for the next global crisis. Through the systems thinking approach, the discussions prioritized analyses of leadership and governance, financing, human resource, technologies, information management, and service delivery. These analyses focused on community and/or workplace programs and services linked to air quality, waste management, psychosocial wellness, and COVID-19 vaccination. The forum amplified calls for climate actions and public health improvement and emphasized the significance of a collaborative, evidence-based, integrated public health response to a crisis underscoring the apparent interdependence of the SDGs.
Environmental Health ; Occupational Health ; Sustainable Development Goals ; Covid-19 ; air quality

Air Pollution ; China ; Environmental Monitoring ; Goals ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; World Health Organization

China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Mental Health/statistics & numerical data* ; Organophosphates/adverse effects* ; Rural Population

With the progress of globalization and the improvement of transportation, a public health emergency can spread across country's boundary in a short period of time from its original place to other areas or regions, posing public health threatens. Public health emergencies not only affect human-animal/plant-environmental health, but also have long-term implications for social development, so the public health emergency response has gone beyond general public health and requires an integrated and comprehensive One Health approach. This paper analyzes the problems and shortcomings of China's current public health emergency response system in a view of One Health and put forward the recommendations based on One Health concept on integrality, collaboration, development and sustainability of public health emergency response. These recommendations can be used as reference to further optimize the response system of public health emergencies in China.
Animals ; Humans ; One Health ; Public Health ; Emergencies ; Environmental Health ; China

BACKGROUND: The Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health is an ongoing study consisting of two birth cohorts of different population sizes: the Sapporo cohort and the Hokkaido cohort. Our primary objectives are to (1) examine the effects that low-level environmental chemical exposures have on birth outcomes, including birth defects and growth retardation; (2) follow the development of allergies, infectious diseases, and neurobehavioral developmental disorders, as well as perform a longitudinal observation of child development; (3) identify high-risk groups based on genetic susceptibility to environmental chemicals; and (4) identify the additive effects of various chemicals, including tobacco. METHODS: The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the progress of the Hokkaido Study, summarize recent results, and suggest future directions. In particular, this report provides the latest details from questionnaire surveys, face-to-face examinations, and a collection of biological specimens from children and measurements of their chemical exposures. RESULTS: The latest findings indicate different risk factors of parental characteristics on birth outcomes and the mediating effect between socioeconomic status and children that are small for the gestational age. Maternal serum folate was not associated with birth defects. Prenatal chemical exposure and smoking were associated with birth size and growth, as well as cord blood biomarkers, such as adiponectin, leptin, thyroid, and reproductive hormones. We also found significant associations between the chemical levels and neuro development, asthma, and allergies. CONCLUSIONS Chemical exposure to children can occur both before and after birth. Longer follow-up for children is crucial in birth cohort studies to reinforce the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis. In contrast, considering shifts in the exposure levels due to regulation is also essential, which may also change the association to health outcomes. This study found that individual susceptibility to adverse health effects depends on the genotype. Epigenome modification of DNA methylation was also discovered, indicating the necessity of examining molecular biology perspectives. International collaborations can add a new dimension to the current knowledge and provide novel discoveries in the future.
Biomarkers/blood* ; Child ; Child Health ; Child, Preschool ; Cohort Studies ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Environmental Health ; Environmental Pollutants/adverse effects* ; Female ; Fetal Blood/chemistry* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Growth/drug effects* ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity/etiology* ; Infant ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Male ; Neurodevelopmental Disorders/etiology* ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/etiology* ; Prevalence ; Smoking/adverse effects*

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a global health problem. Bisphenol A (BPA), one of most widely used environmental chemicals, is suspected to be a contributor to the development NAFLD. This study was performed to examine the relationship between human BPA levels and risk of NAFLD. METHODS: The data (n = 3476 adults: 1474 men and 2002 women) used in this study were obtained from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey III (2015-2017). BPA levels were measured in urine samples. NAFLD was defined using hepatic steatosis index after exclusion of other causes of hepatic diseases. RESULTS: There was a significant linear relationship between the elevated urinary BPA concentrations and risk of NAFLD. In a univariate analysis, odds ratio (OR) of the highest quartile of urinary BPA level was 1.47 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11-1.94] compared to the lowest quartile. After adjusted with covariates, the ORs for NAFLD in the third and fourth quartiles were 1.31 [95% CI 1.03-1.67] and 1.32 [95% CI 1.03-1.70], respectively. CONCLUSIONS Urinary BPA levels are positively associated with the risk of NAFLD in adults. Further experimental studies are needed to understand the molecular mechanisms of BPA on NAFLD prevalence.
Asians ; Benzhydryl Compounds/urine* ; Environmental Exposure ; Environmental Health ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/epidemiology* ; Phenols/urine* ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology*

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasingly becoming a threat to global public health, not least in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where it is contributing to longer treatment for illnesses, use of higher generation drugs, more expenditure on antimicrobials, and increased deaths attributed to what should be treatable diseases. Some of the known causes of AMR include misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in both humans and animals, unnecessary use of antimicrobials in animals as growth promoters, and lack of awareness among the public on how to protect antimicrobials. As a result, resistant organisms are circulating in the wider environment, and there is a need to consider the One Health approach to minimise the continuing development of AMR. Environmental Health, specifically water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), waste management, and food hygiene and safety, are key components of One Health needed to prevent the spread of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms particularly in LMICs and reduce the AMR threat to global public health. The key Environmental Health practices in the prevention of AMR include: (1) adequate WASH through access and consumption of safe water; suitable containment, treatment and disposal of human excreta and other wastewater including from health facilities; good personal hygiene practices such as washing hands with soap at critical times to prevent the spread of resistant microorganisms, and contraction of illnesses which may require antimicrobial treatment; (2) proper disposal of solid waste, including the disposal of unused and expired antimicrobials to prevent their unnecessary exposure to microorganisms in the environment; and (3) ensuring proper food hygiene and safety practices, such as sale and consumption of animal products in which adequate antimicrobial withdrawal periods have been observed, and growing vegetables on unpolluted soil. Environmental Health is therefore crucial in the prevention of infectious diseases that would require antimicrobials, reducing the spread of resistant organisms, and exposure to antimicrobial residues in LMICs. Working with other professionals in One Health, Environmental Health Practitioners have a key role in reducing the spread of AMR including health education and promotion, surveillance, enforcement of legislation, and research.
Developing Countries ; Disease Transmission, Infectious/prevention & control* ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Environmental Health/standards* ; Food Safety ; Health Personnel/standards* ; Humans ; Hygiene/standards* ; Role ; Sanitation/standards* ; Waste Management/standards*

BACKGROUND: Graduates of environmental health engineering should be able to manage Social Determinants of Health (SDH) and acquire the essential competencies during their studies at university. This study was performed to determine the expected competencies of environmental health graduates in a way to be able to manage environmental and Social Determinants of Health according to their job description. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed using Delphi technique. First, the literature review was done and the Delphi technique was performed in three rounds. The purposeful sampling was used and 50 people were selected among the specialists in the field of environmental health engineering and SDH. Participants answered an open-ended question, for the first round. Then, a questionnaire with 8 areas was designed based on the results of the first round and distributed for the second round. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics. The third round was done to reach the agreement on final items. RESULTS: The agreement on the items of the third round of Delphi was more than 70%. The final results showed eight competency areas under which 29 competencies were defined. Competency areas included expert knowledge, reasoning and planning, advocacy, system-based practice, professionalism, instructional expertise, social and personal skills and, research and self-development. The first three priorities of the required competency areas were expert knowledge (4.46 ± 0.55), professionalism (4.42 ± 0.64), and advocacy (4.32 ± 0.77). CONCLUSIONS It is necessary that environmental health engineers achieve necessary competencies regarding managing SDH, upon their graduation. It is suggested to integrate these competencies into the curriculum of environmental and health engineering in Iran universities.
Clinical Competence ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Curriculum ; Delphi Technique ; Environmental Health ; Humans ; Social Determinants of Health