Browsing by Subject "NCDs"

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    Open Access
    Helsinki by nature: The Nature Step to Respiratory Health
    (2019-10-30) Haahtela, Tari; von Hertzen, Leena; Anto, Josep M; Bai, Chunxue; Baigenzhin, Abay; Bateman, Eric D; Behera, Digambar; Bennoor, Kazi; Camargos, Paulo; Chavannes, Niels; de Sousa, Jaime C; Cruz, Alvaro; Do Céu Teixeira, Maria; Erhola, Marina; Furman, Eeva; Gemicioğlu, Bilun; Gonzalez Diaz, Sandra; Hellings, Peter W; Jousilahti, Pekka; Khaltaev, Nikolai; Kolek, Vitezslav; Kuna, Piotr; La Grutta, Stefania; Lan, Le T T; Maglakelidze, Tamaz; Masjedi, Mohamed R; Mihaltan, Florin; Mohammad, Yousser; Nunes, Elizabete; Nyberg, Arvid; Quel, Jorge; Rosado-Pinto, Jose; Sagara, Hironori; Samolinski, Boleslaw; Schraufnagel, Dean; Sooronbaev, Talant; Tag Eldin, Mohamed; To, Teresa; Valiulis, Arunas; Varghese, Cherian; Vasankari, Tuula; Viegi, Giovanni; Winders, Tonya; Yañez, Anahi; Yorgancioğlu, Arzu; Yusuf, Osman; Bousquet, Jean; Billo, Nils E
    Abstract Background The Nature Step to Respiratory Health was the overarching theme of the 12th General Meeting of the Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD) in Helsinki, August 2018. New approaches are needed to improve respiratory health and reduce premature mortality of chronic diseases by 30% till 2030 (UN Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs). Planetary health is defined as the health of human civilization and the state of the natural systems on which it depends. Planetary health and human health are interconnected, and both need to be considered by individuals and governments while addressing several SDGs. Results The concept of the Nature Step has evolved from innovative research indicating, how changed lifestyle in urban surroundings reduces contact with biodiverse environments, impoverishes microbiota, affects immune regulation and increases risk of NCDs. The Nature Step calls for strengthening connections to nature. Physical activity in natural environments should be promoted, use of fresh vegetables, fruits and water increased, and consumption of sugary drinks, tobacco and alcohol restricted. Nature relatedness should be part of everyday life and especially emphasized in the care of children and the elderly. Taking “nature” to modern cities in a controlled way is possible but a challenge for urban planning, nature conservation, housing, traffic arrangements, energy production, and importantly for supplying and distributing food. Actions against the well-known respiratory risk factors, air pollution and smoking, should be taken simultaneously. Conclusions In Finland and elsewhere in Europe, successful programmes have been implemented to reduce the burden of respiratory disorders and other NCDs. Unhealthy behaviour can be changed by well-coordinated actions involving all stakeholders. The growing public health concern caused by NCDs in urban surroundings cannot be solved by health care alone; a multidisciplinary approach is mandatory.
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    Open Access
    Physical activity levels, perceived barriers, and facilitators among office-based workers in Grootfontein, Namibia
    (2024) Nyazika, Blessing; Maart, Soraya; Gradidge, Philippe
    Introduction Physical activity is known to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mortality, and healthcare costs. However, physical inactivity remains high worldwide, increasing the NCD disease burden risk. Office workers have reported high physical inactivity levels during and after working hours. Previous studies have investigated the efficacy of various physical activity interventions to break sedentary behaviour in this population. There is limited data on physical activity among office-based workers in Namibia. Understanding their perceptions of physical activity will help inform interventions and policies to enhance participation. Aim The aim of this study was to assess physical activity levels, barriers, and facilitators among office-based workers in Grootfontein, Namibia. Methods A An explanatory-sequential mixed-methods study was conducted, and 217 office workers were surveyed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire to assess their physical activity levels. The questionnaire included sections on demographic details, work, travel, leisure-based physical activity, and daily sitting time. Semi structured interviews were carried out with 26 participants from the surveyed sample to understand their barriers and facilitators of physical activity. Results The mean age of the participants was 38 years. Female participants made up 63% of the surveyed sample. The majority of the participants had over five years of employment experience, and the average daily sitting time was 8 hours. Sixty-four percent of office workers were physically active, and 65% of them were either overweight or obese. The mean BMI of the participants was 28.2 kg/m². Four themes were generated from the thematic analysis of qualitative data. Office workers were aware of what physical activity entails but had varied opinions on the recommended guidelines. Time constraints were cited as the main barrier while they were motivated to participate in physical activity for health and self-care reasons. Office workers suggested the provision of more facilities and support in the workplace and community for increased participation in physical activity. Conclusion The majority of participants in the study were physically active, but they were either overweight or obese. A multi-factorial approach to a healthy lifestyle is necessary in addition to physical activity.
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    Open Access
    The skin microbiome: impact of modern environments on skin ecology, barrier integrity, and systemic immune programming
    (2017) Prescott, Susan L; Larcombe, Danica-Lea; Logan, Alan C; West, Christina; Burks, Wesley; Caraballo, Luis; Schoeman, Johan; Etten, Eddie Van; Horwitz, Pierre; Kozyrskyj, Anita; Campbell, Dianne E
    Skin barrier structure and function is essential to human health. Hitherto unrecognized functions of epidermal keratinocytes show that the skin plays an important role in adapting whole-body physiology to changing environments, including the capacity to produce a wide variety of hormones, neurotransmitters and cytokine that can potentially influence whole-body states, and quite possibly, even emotions. Skin microbiota play an integral role in the maturation and homeostatic regulation of keratinocytes and host immune networks with systemic implications. As our primary interface with the external environment, the biodiversity of skin habitats is heavily influenced by the biodiversity of the ecosystems in which we reside. Thus, factors which alter the establishment and health of the skin microbiome have the potential to predispose to not only cutaneous disease, but also other inflammatory non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Indeed, disturbances of the stratum corneum have been noted in allergic diseases (eczema and food allergy), psoriasis, rosacea, acne vulgaris and with the skin aging process. The built environment, global biodiversity losses and declining nature relatedness are contributing to erosion of diversity at a micro-ecological level, including our own microbial habitats. This emphasises the importance of ecological perspectives in overcoming the factors that drive dysbiosis and the risk of inflammatory diseases across the life course.