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.

This content aligns with Goal 3: Good Health by highlighting the significant impact of climate change on mental health, emphasizing the need for awareness and interventions to address both physical and psychological health issues caused by environmental changes. By identifying the mental health risks associated with climate change and advocating for further research and interventions, the study aims to improve overall well-being and resilience among affected individuals. Additionally, it supports Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities by underscoring the universal nature of these mental health challenges, showing that climate change affects diverse populations regardless of age or gender, and advocating for equitable access to mental health support and resources to mitigate these risks for all individuals.

The article presents the development of a novel fusion delivery platform called AAV-aMTD-Parkin, which combines a hydrophobic cell-penetrating peptide sequence with the DNA sequences of AAV and Parkin. This innovative approach has demonstrated significant improvements in cell and tissue permeability, leading to the restoration of motor and cognitive function in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

This study evaluated the behavioral, physiological, and molecular effects of social isolation (SI) in adult zebrafish, and whether the animals recover such changes after their reintroduction to the social environment. The results show that SI altered social behaviors, neural activity, and serotonergic and dopaminergic signaling in zebrafish, but these changes were reversed after the animals were reintroduced to a social context for 6 days.

This paper analyzes Danish population data to identify and compare three distinct transgender subpopulations: those who changed their legal sex, those with trans-related medical diagnoses, and those who self-identify as transgender in surveys, revealing significant differences in socioeconomic and health outcomes among them. It highlights that transgender individuals seeking medical or legal transition face greater disadvantages, and that survey-based estimates do not fully capture the diversity or needs of the transgender population.

Elsevier,

Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, Volume 28, August 2024

This study examines the 6-year longitudinal associations between dietary patterns, intrinsic capacity (IC), and IC sub-domains in community-dwelling Korean older adults. The key findings are that in older men, the "variety of healthy foods and alcohols" dietary pattern was positively associated with changes in IC score, while in older women, the "variety of healthy foods" pattern was positively associated with changes in IC score, IC score group, and psychological domain.
This content aligns with Goal 3: Good Health by addressing innovative treatment options for multiple sclerosis (MS), specifically hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), which may offer hope for patients with aggressive forms of the disease and improve their chances of long-term remission. By discussing the efficacy, safety, and unique considerations of HSCT, the chapter emphasizes the importance of personalized treatment approaches in enhancing health outcomes for individuals with MS. Furthermore, it supports Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities by providing insights into advanced therapies and recommendations for patient selection, which can help ensure that all patients, regardless of their background, have access to cutting-edge treatments that can significantly impact their quality of life and manage their condition effectively.

This content aligns with Goal 3: Good Health as well as Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities by providing research on disabilities to help prepare for future public health disasters. It also promotes inclusive leadership and implementation that considers the needs of people with disabilities.

This Article supports SDG 3 by assessing the effectiveness of specialist physiotherapy for functional motor disorder and finding that future research should refine interventions for this population and develop evidence-based methods to guide treatment.
Elsevier,

Additive Manufacturing Materials and Technology: Additive Manufacturing Materials and Technologies, 2024, Pages 341-357

This content aligns with Goal 3: Good Health by demonstrating how advancements in 3D printing (3DP) technology enhance medical service delivery by creating customized prosthetics, implants, and equipment that can significantly improve health outcomes for individuals, particularly para-athletes and those with limb loss. By emphasizing the benefits of personalized medical devices and the potential for improved activities of daily living, the chapter highlights the importance of innovative solutions in healthcare. Additionally, it supports Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities by advocating for accessible and customized technologies that empower para-athletes and individuals with disabilities, promoting equity in sports and medical care and ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to participate fully in both athletic and everyday activities.

This article evaluates whether prescribing rates for acute respiratory tract infections when antibiotics would be inappropriate by guidelines differed by race and socioeconomics.

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