scholarly journals Special Issue on Service Technology for Health and Well-Being

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 809-809
Author(s):  
Mihoko Otake ◽  

Thanks to the growing awareness that human health is inextricably linked to the health of our planet and environmental change, it is difficult to envisage an integrated scientific approach to sustainable development that does not include human health issues. In parallel with science for health and well-being (SHWB), which is recognized today as a major challenge, the field of service science, management and engineering (SSME) has emerged as a potential solution. How can robotics and mechatronics, both used in SHWB and SSME, contribute to solving human health issues? This special issue focuses on service technology for health and well-being. It starts with studies on on-demand bus services for alternative transportation systems and home healthcare service for disease prevention based on ICT. Devices and systems then introduced include stand-up support devices, gait rehabilitation, omnidirectional wheelchairs and wheelchair design simulators, musculoskeletal simulators for rehabilitation, force display communication analysis systems, and evaluation method of driver's temporary arousal level. These technologies for health and welfare services are the core of sustainable development. We thank the authors for their invaluable contributions and the reviewers for their time and effort in making this special issue possible. We also thank the JRM Editorial Board for the opportunity to take part in this work.

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (21) ◽  
pp. 6091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thi Phuoc Lai Nguyen ◽  
Antonio Peña-García

The introduction of artificial lighting has dramatically transformed nighttime activities, becoming a very positive but also disruptive factor that must be optimized and adapted according to the guidelines of sustainable policies. In this framework, night markets in Thailand are definitely popular destinations among locals and tourists that are found in every town and city in the whole country, being the source of livelihoods for many people. It is well-known that shops in night markets frequently use colorful light sources, emitting high levels of illumination to attract customers. Since previous research has shown environmental risks of inappropriate lighting on human health and well-being, as well as on ecosystems, excessive lighting in night markets could have adverse effects on vendors’ health if they are exposed to high illumination levels during long hours every night. This is a risk for people, but also for their attachment to their lands, traditions, culture, and way of life. This study was designed to explore whether excessive illumination of night markets has impacts on vendors’ health and well-being. The research was conducted through an empirical study in a night market in the center of Surin province (Thailand), using observations and a questionnaire survey of 205 vendors and clients (non-vendors). The results show that night markets’ vendors were more likely to suffer from eye- and sleep-related problems than non-vendors. Women were affected more than men. The results also revealed that the majority of both vendors and non-vendors tended to have awareness about excessive lighting impacts on human health, with more vendors tending to agree with the fact than non-vendors. Although night markets’ are their main source of income, the majority of vendors were more unlikely to agree about the contribution of night markets to local livelihoods and development than non-vendors. These findings have implications for the Thai Authority in setting up appropriate lighting policies and regulations for night markets. The target is not only energy savings, but also to protect the public’s health, culture, and traditional livelihoods, in a way that supports sustainable development.


2021 ◽  
pp. 11-27
Author(s):  
Ekaterina TENGİLİMOĞLU

From Farm to Fork Strategy is at the heart of the European Green Deal – the new growth strategy of the EU and a key to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). From Farm to Fork Strategy is designed for building a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system with an integrated food safety policy in the Union. Current paper presents some of the strategic accents of the main European documents and initiatives concerning future sustainable agri-food systems in the context of human health and well-being through the ecological, economic and social aspects of sustainability. Special attention is also paid to how the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will contribute to the EU Green Deal, food quality and safety, and sustainable development as a whole. Particular examples are presented showing the support to the agriculture and food sectors amid Coronavirus and rural responses to the COVID-19 crisis as collected by the European Network for Rural Development (ENRD). Good practices from Bulgaria are also analyzed regarding the initiatives of promoting local food through farmers’ markets and online platforms and new challenges and best solutions. Conclusions focus on the general measures and actions for the effective transition to a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly agri-food system.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert D. Brown ◽  
Robert C. Corry

More than 80% of the people in the USA and Canada live in cities. Urban development replaces natural environments with built environments resulting in limited access to outdoor environments which are critical to human health and well-being. In addition, many urban open spaces are unused because of poor design. This paper describes case studies where traditional landscape architectural design approaches would have compromised design success, while evidence-based landscape architecture (EBLA) resulted in a successful product. Examples range from school-yard design that provides safe levels of solar radiation for children, to neighborhood parks and sidewalks that encourage people to walk and enjoy nearby nature. Common characteristics for integrating EBLA into private, public, and academic landscape architecture practice are outlined along with a discussion of some of the opportunities and barriers to implementation.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e042850
Author(s):  
Karin Leder ◽  
John J Openshaw ◽  
Pascale Allotey ◽  
Ansariadi Ansariadi ◽  
S Fiona Barker ◽  
...  

IntroductionIncreasing urban populations have led to the growth of informal settlements, with contaminated environments linked to poor human health through a range of interlinked pathways. Here, we describe the design and methods for the Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) study, a transdisciplinary randomised trial evaluating impacts of an intervention to upgrade urban informal settlements in two Asia-Pacific countries.Methods and analysisRISE is a cluster randomised controlled trial among 12 settlements in Makassar, Indonesia, and 12 in Suva, Fiji. Six settlements in each country have been randomised to receive the intervention at the outset; the remainder will serve as controls and be offered intervention delivery after trial completion. The intervention involves a water-sensitive approach, delivering site-specific, modular, decentralised infrastructure primarily aimed at improving health by decreasing exposure to environmental faecal contamination. Consenting households within each informal settlement site have been enrolled, with longitudinal assessment to involve health and well-being surveys, and human and environmental sampling. Primary outcomes will be evaluated in children under 5 years of age and include prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal pathogens, abundance and diversity of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in gastrointestinal microorganisms and markers of gastrointestinal inflammation. Diverse secondary outcomes include changes in microbial contamination; abundance and diversity of pathogens and AMR genes in environmental samples; impacts on ecological biodiversity and microclimates; mosquito vector abundance; anthropometric assessments, nutrition markers and systemic inflammation in children; caregiver-reported and self-reported health symptoms and healthcare utilisation; and measures of individual and community psychological, emotional and economic well-being. The study aims to provide proof-of-concept evidence to inform policies on upgrading of informal settlements to improve environments and human health and well-being.EthicsStudy protocols have been approved by ethics boards at Monash University, Fiji National University and Hasanuddin University.Trial registration numberACTRN12618000633280; Pre-results.


Author(s):  
Javier Ortuño-Sierra ◽  
Beatriz Lucas-Molina ◽  
Félix Inchausti ◽  
Eduardo Fonseca-Pedrero

Psychological problems in children and adolescent populations range from 10% to 20% [...]


Author(s):  
Melissa R. Marselle ◽  
Sarah J. Lindley ◽  
Penny A. Cook ◽  
Aletta Bonn

Abstract Purpose of review Biodiversity underpins urban ecosystem functions that are essential for human health and well-being. Understanding how biodiversity relates to human health is a developing frontier for science, policy and practice. This article describes the beneficial, as well as harmful, aspects of biodiversity to human health in urban environments. Recent findings Recent research shows that contact with biodiversity of natural environments within towns and cities can be both positive and negative to human physical, mental and social health and well-being. For example, while viruses or pollen can be seriously harmful to human health, biodiverse ecosystems can promote positive health and well-being. On balance, these influences are positive. As biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, research suggests that its loss could threaten the quality of life of all humans. Summary A key research gap is to understand—and evidence—the specific causal pathways through which biodiversity affects human health. A mechanistic understanding of pathways linking biodiversity to human health can facilitate the application of nature-based solutions in public health and influence policy. Research integration as well as cross-sector urban policy and planning development should harness opportunities to better identify linkages between biodiversity, climate and human health. Given its importance for human health, urban biodiversity conservation should be considered as public health investment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 515-522
Author(s):  
P Raynham

Electric light in buildings may provide some health benefits; however, for most people these benefits are likely to be small. It is possible for electric lighting to cause health problems, if there is too little light or there is glare, but for the most part there is good guidance available and these problems can be avoided. The quality of the lit environment can have a psychological impact and this may in turn impact well-being. A starting point for this is perceived adequacy of illumination. Related lighting metrics are examined and a hypothetical explanation is suggested.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 3671
Author(s):  
Jameel R. Al-Obaidi ◽  
Khalid H. Alobaidi ◽  
Bilal Salim Al-Taie ◽  
David Hong-Sheng Wee ◽  
Hasnain Hussain ◽  
...  

Nutraceuticals are a category of products more often associated with food but having pharmaceuticals property and characteristics. However, there is still no internationally accepted concept of these food-pharmaceutical properties, and their interpretation can differ from country to country. Nutraceuticals are used as part of dietary supplements in most countries. They can be phytochemicals which are biologically active and have health benefits. These can be supplied as a supplement and/or as a functional food to the customer. For human health and longevity, these materials are likely to play a vital role. Consumption of these items is typical without a therapeutic prescription and/or supervision by the vast majority of the public. The development of nutraceuticals can be achieved through many bioresources and organisms. This review article will discuss the current research on nutraceuticals from different biological sources and their potential use as an agent for improving human health and well-being, as well as the gaps and future perspective of research related to nutraceutical development.


Author(s):  
Isabell Herrmans

AbstractThis article explores the negotiation of permeable personhood and human health and well-being in the healing rituals (


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