Health and population

Health and population dynamics are intertwined, embodying an intricate relationship with significant implications on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Health is fundamentally at the center of these 17 global goals, aimed to transform the world by 2030. Specifically, Goal 3 endeavors to "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages." It acknowledges that health is pivotal to human life quality, social cohesion, and sustainable development. Inextricably linked to this are the complexities of population dynamics, including growth rates, age structure, fertility and mortality rates, and migration patterns.

With the world's population projected to exceed 9.7 billion by 2050, the pressure on health systems will undoubtedly escalate. The demographic transition, with an aging population and an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases, poses new challenges for health systems globally. Additionally, areas with high fertility rates often overlap with extreme poverty, resulting in heightened health risks, including higher maternal and child mortality rates, malnutrition, and infectious diseases.

Moreover, rapid urbanization and migration present both opportunities and threats to health. While urban areas may provide better access to healthcare, they also harbor risks of disease transmission, air and water pollution, and social determinants of health like inadequate housing and social inequality. Simultaneously, migrants often face disproportionate health risks due to unstable living conditions, exploitation, and limited access to healthcare services.

Achieving the SDGs will necessitate comprehensive approaches that consider the intricate interplay of health and population dynamics. It means strengthening health systems, promoting universal health coverage, and addressing social determinants of health. It also implies crafting policies that recognize demographic realities and foster an environment conducive to sustainable development. Only by understanding and harnessing these dynamics can the world meaningfully progress towards realizing the SDGs, ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making remarkable strides in the field of oncology. The potential is humongous, but the perils are understated. From the perspective of gynecologic oncologists from India, we urge everyone to take a cautionary look at the rapid AI evolution in oncology.

World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, is an annual United Nations Observance that celebrates water and inspires action to tackle the global water crisis. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by water-related challenges due to entrenched gender roles, inadequate infrastructure, underrepresentation, limited funding, restrictive social norms and systemic inequalities.

Elsevier, The Lancet. Global health, Volume 14, 1 March 2026

This systematic review examines the prognostic significance of pyroptosis-related targets (PRTs) in gynecological malignancies.

The biomechanical behavior and corrosion phenomena of porous metallic implants can compromise their clinical success. This work proposes modifying the surface of c.p. titanium scaffolds manufactured by 3D-printing (Direct Ink Writing), depositing a thin film of a β-Ti alloy (Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta) using the High-Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering (HiPIMS) technique. The versatility of this technique has enabled the fabrication of conformal coatings with uniform thickness, excellent adhesion, a nanorough surface, and a homogeneous columnar distribution.
This study found that coaches need to demonstrate high-level skills to effectively support children with diverse abilities. These skills include: the ability to be creative and strategic with skill differentiation, adapting to the immediate needs of each child, supporting children’s autonomy, and providing progressive feedback that balances positive reinforcement with challenges. This is an important first step towards ensuring quality participation of children with disabilities in sport.
Elsevier,

Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America, Volume 52, February 2026

Hurricanes and floods have been associated with flares in activity in patients with rheumatic diseases. Hurricanes and floods can negatively impact patients with rheumatic diseases by loss of access to health care providers and medications. Patients with rheumatic diseases should take protective steps to prepare for emergencies such as hurricanes and floods. An increase in the range of arthritogenic infections is expected with climate change. Contamination of water supplies by pesticides, pollutants, endocrine disrupting chemicals, and microplastics has been associated with an increased risk or activity of rheumatic diseases.
Report on a new smart delivery system designed to target and treat Alzheimer's disease more effectively, aiming to overcome the challenges of current treatments and offering a promising way to fight Alzheimer's more accurately and safely.
This article provides a comprehensive review of the use of graphene-based biosensing platforms for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease. It is found that graphene-based biosensors can detect Alzheimer's disease biomarkers at femtomolar concentrations, enabling early diagnosis before symptom onset. These sensors can also identify multiple biomarkers simultaneously in accessible biofluids like blood, saliva, and urine, enabling less invasive testing.

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