Jon Scaccia, Author at This Week In Public Health

Resources

Urban Density and Health in Doha: Rethinking the Built Environment

Amidst the bustling streets of Doha, Qatar’s capital, a place where we spent a wonderful time last December, a unique scene unfolds. Residents hurry along shaded walks, braving the scorching heat as they navigate the complex dance of urban life. These are images of necessity-driven walking—motivated less by choice than by the constraints of Doha’s […]

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Research

Youth Engagement Is Prevention: What the Evidence Says About Building Effective Youth-Led Public Health Programs

For decades, public health prevention efforts have been designed for young people. Increasingly, the evidence suggests they should be designed with them. Whether the goal is to prevent substance use, reduce violence, improve mental health, or promote healthy behaviors, a growing body of research shows that youth are not simply recipients of prevention programs—they can […]

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Analytics

The Next Public Health Revolution Won’t Be a Vaccine—It Will Be Demographics

New UN population projections suggest that many of the biggest public health challenges of the next century are already unfolding. When most people hear the phrase population projections, they imagine one number: how many people will live on Earth by the end of the century. Public health professionals know the more important questions are different. […]

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Environment

Firecracker Pollution Worsens Air Quality in Indo-Gangetic Basin During Diwali

Is there any dust still hanging around your community? In the heart of the Indo-Gangetic Basin, a healthcare worker braces against the biting air as she makes her rounds through a thick smog that resembles more of a burden than breathable air. With every breath, her lungs fill with pollutants that have surged beyond safe […]

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News

From Crisis to Care: Tackling Malnutrition, Mental Health, and Environmental Equity in Global Public Health Systems

Malnutrition Among Rohingya Children: A Stark Call for Adaptive Policy A new comprehensive seven-year analysis published in BMJ Global Health reveals that malnutrition among Rohingya refugee children in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar camps has worsened, with global acute malnutrition (GAM) rates exceeding 38% in 2021—well above the WHO emergency threshold of 15%. This upward trend, worsening […]

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Wellbeing

The Hidden Victims of the Overdose Crisis: Families Left Behind

Every overdose death leaves more than a vacant chair at the dinner table. It leaves behind grieving parents, siblings, spouses, partners, and children whose lives may be permanently altered. Public health discussions about the overdose crisis often focus on mortality statistics, treatment access, naloxone distribution, and prevention efforts. While these interventions remain essential, emerging research […]

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Resources

A Cultural Celebration with a Cost to Air Quality

The US isn’t the only country with firework-themed holidays. As the sound of firecrackers fills the air during Diwali, the festive atmosphere in cities throughout the Indo-Gangetic Basin nods to vibrant cultural traditions. However, behind this celebratory façade, a more sobering tale unfolds as public health professionals brace for a significant environmental impact. During Diwali, […]

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Commentary

Be Safe Out There! A Collection of Various Fireworks Blog over the Years

Without fail, someone will lose a finger or worse this weekend. Here are some of the blogs we’ve written on this topic over the years.

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Health equity

Racism’s Cumulative Toll on Youth Mental Health: A Call for Action in Colorado

In the halls of a Colorado high school, a counselor tries to comfort a student who reluctantly shares his growing sense of hopelessness. As they talk, it becomes clear that this feeling isn’t just about grades or peer pressure. It’s rooted in something more insidious: experiences of racism that have accumulated over time, like drops […]

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Commentary

Does Regenerative Agriculture Improve Public Health?

Can changing how we grow food improve people’s health—not just plants’? That question has moved from the margins of agriculture into the center of public debate. Advocates of regenerative agriculture argue that healthier soils produce healthier crops, reduce pollution, strengthen rural economies, and may even lower the burden of chronic disease. Skeptics counter that many […]

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Implementation

The Power of the Implementation Research Logic Model

In a bustling community health center, Miriam, a program director, considers how to best implement a new evidence-based practice. The team is excited about the potential for this innovation to improve health outcomes, but uncertainties loom large. How can they ensure the new practice thrives beyond the initial rollout phase? This challenge highlights a vital […]

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Mental health

Building Bridges: How Social Prescribing Supports NEET Youths

In the quiet corners of Trento, Italy, Daniela, a dedicated Link Worker, sits across from Marco, a 22-year-old who has been drifting through his days without direction. Marco represents an often-overlooked group—youths who are NEET, or Not in Education, Employment, or Training. Like many in his situation, Marco struggles with the emotional toll of being […]

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Latest Insights & Research

All Posts

Urban Density and Health in Doha: Rethinking the Built Environment

Youth Engagement Is Prevention: What the Evidence Says About Building Effective Youth-Led Public Health Programs

The Next Public Health Revolution Won’t Be a Vaccine—It Will Be Demographics

Firecracker Pollution Worsens Air Quality in Indo-Gangetic Basin During Diwali

From Crisis to Care: Tackling Malnutrition, Mental Health, and Environmental Equity in Global Public Health Systems

The Hidden Victims of the Overdose Crisis: Families Left Behind

A Cultural Celebration with a Cost to Air Quality

Be Safe Out There! A Collection of Various Fireworks Blog over the Years

Racism’s Cumulative Toll on Youth Mental Health: A Call for Action in Colorado

Does Regenerative Agriculture Improve Public Health?

The Power of the Implementation Research Logic Model

Building Bridges: How Social Prescribing Supports NEET Youths

Latest Insights & Research

All Posts

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every Thursday morning.