World Federation of Public Health Associations

The intersection of the global obesity epidemic with viral infection pandemics poses a significant public health problem. Obesity increases virus severity by inducing dyslipidemia-characterized by defective low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles-and establishes a condition of chronic, low-grade inflammation that undermines both innate and adaptive immunity. Moreover, cholesterol-enriched lipid rafts (LRs) in the plasma membrane, which are crucial for viral entry and replication, provide a molecular connection between dysregulated lipid metabolism and viral life cycles. Although exercise is acknowledged for its benefits to metabolic and immunological health, a thorough synthesis of its precise function in influencing the relationship between obesity and viral infection is lacking. This review examines the impact of exercise on lipid metabolism and adipose tissue function, as well as its subsequent effect on antiviral immunity. We discuss how exercise training may mitigate obesity-induced dyslipidemia, promote the health of white adipose tissue, reduce inflammation, and enhance both humoral and cellular immune responses. We also compile research about the direct impacts of exercise on different viral illnesses. In summary, obesity intensifies viral infections via dyslipidemia and compromised immunity. This study has identified a significant gap by demonstrating that regular exercise is a crucial non-pharmacological strategy for mitigating these hazards. We have outlined the comprehensive mechanism by which exercise enhances lipid metabolism and adipose tissue function, consequently strengthening antiviral immunity and disrupting the cycle of obesity-related susceptibility to severe viral diseases. Consequently, physical exercise should be regarded as a fundamental preventive measure.

Youth represent un-tapped potential within the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This commentary describes the co-creation process of the Youth Manifesto on AMR which seeks to generate consensus on how equitable engagement of youth can be realised, despite policy, power and funding challenges. The Youth Manifesto on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) provides a blueprint for how the change-making potential of youth can be harnessed to promote equitable and sustainable action on AMR from a global, One Health perspective.

The importance of the issue is reflected, for example, by the inclusion of sexual violence as a special focus and issue of concern in international human rights and humanitarian law standardsfoot_0 . The term "sexual violence" can be used regarding different situations, ranging from sexual assault, rape and sexual torture to harassment and other forms of sexual violence, all unfortunately common events in apparently "lawless" conflict-and postconflict settings and common even in early records of that events, or even as a systematic strategy of terror (Geller & Rauch, 1994;Guinan, 1993;Marusic, 1994;Swiss & Giller, 1993). "Virginity testing", forced marriage, domestic violence, or FGM (Wenzel et al., 2021) also should be considered in this context, though they most commonly occur in "everyday" settings, but also with increased frequency in conflict environments.Sexual violence has become a key question in the context of setting limits in armed conflicts, also considering its increasing global frequency. This rise in frequency can be attributed not only to the growing number of such conflicts and deterioration of human rights standards in some countries, but also to its increased use by state and non-state actors such as ISIS. The last was explored, for example, by Kizilhan et al. (Kizilhan, 2018;Kizilhan et al., 2023) in regard to the persecuted Kurdish Yezidi minority of Iraq in the context of the ongoing genocidal environment experienced by this group.The persistent work of the international courts to prosecute the crime of sexual violence is a good additional indicator of the attention given internationally to the criminal aspects of sexual violence perpetrated in conflicts, together with the establishment of specialized expert teams by the UN.In this context, it should be considered that collection of data in armed conflict or similar situations can be a major challenge, because of the re-traumatisation risk of victims, but also because of the often disorganized or even dangerous research environments. The courage and dedication of researchers, as well as the victims giving testimony in such situations, lend additional importance to the results.The authors in this special issue, therefore, take up insufficiently covered questions and situations in that important field.Tsion et al. report on the recent explosive situation in the Amhara region of Ethiopia using a multicenter-based cross-sectional design (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1456909/f ull).Green et al report on the situation of health care workers supporting Rohingya victims of sexual and other violence in the vast refugee camp of Cox`s Bazaar, one of the largest global camps, drawing attention to that largely neglected crisis point (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/publichealth/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1458680/full). Kidie et al. use a mixed methods approach, probably the best strategy to better understand both the scope and the experience of victimization after sexualized violence, again using a group of survivors in the emerging Ethiopian crisis region (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/global-womenshealth/articles/10.3389/fgwh.2024.1340038/full).Baroudi et al (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/publichealth/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1471471/full) demonstrated the prevalence of sexual violence as a problem to be addressed also in those persons living in exile, usually after escaping the original war and persecution environments.The editors hope that the results from the research presented in this special volume will further underline the need to fight against any form of sexual violence, especially in

Public health diplomacy addresses global challenges impacting societies, economies, the environment, and health by integrating foreign policy and development. The University of Memphis School of Public Health hosted a multistakeholder summit to identify strategies and competencies essential for effective public health diplomacy. A 3-day summit included 29 participants from 15 countries, representing the WHO, the World Federation of United Nations, and seven regional public health associations. An iterative human-centered design (HCD) approach and concept mapping were employed to facilitate discussions and generate actionable recommendations. Developed a working definition of Public Health Diplomacy emphasizing cross-disciplinary collaborations, communication, negotiation, and consensus building. Produced a 9-point action plan to establish a global framework, launch capacity-building initiatives, and institutionalize public health diplomacy as a public health discipline.

In Australia, consistent with the global picture, the development of a multidisciplinary public health workforce and its education have evolved, mainly because of government reforms driven by comprehensive social initiatives. Recent polycrises – natural and man-made disasters and crises – shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of the Australian public health effort and its workforce education. Internationally accepted and recently redeveloped multidisciplinary competencies are available, however Australian public health education is not routinely accredited, and much of the public health workforce lacks appropriate education and training. Public health qualifications are not routinely required for the public health workforce so, for graduates, appropriate work is hard to find. Academic public health staff are driven by metrics, that do not measure education quality or appropriateness of the content. In the current era of polycrises as well as rapidly evolving scientific knowledge, public health education providers must work in tandem with governments to prepare a workforce ready to deliver essential public health functions with the flexibility to adapt to emerging health challenges, pointing to how education must be developed to ensure an appropriately educated, trained, future-proofed workforce in both the art and science of public health.

Abstract Background Health care workers (HCWs) are a trusted source of vaccine information for patients and communities. Our aim is to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on European HCWs’ sentiment towards vaccination (STV), focusing on COVID-19 and influenza. Methods We designed a multilingual Knowledge-Attitudes-Practice web-survey with 4-point Likert items addressed to HCWs in 11 countries and spread through national Public Health Associations. We present a preliminary analysis of responses from France (n = 206), Germany (n = 376), Italy (n = 394), Spain (n = 549) and the United Kingdom (n = 172, UK). Results The completion rate is 81% (1,374/1,697). Respondents are mostly female (66%), with a median age of 45, mainly employed as physicians (44%). HCWs agree on the effectiveness (92%), safety (89%) and necessity (91%) of vaccinations in general, but many think that their side effects are downplayed by pharmaceutical companies (46%) and health authorities (39%). The majority received 3+ doses of COVID-19 vaccines (72%) and agree that these vaccines are effective (88%) and have a favorable benefit-risk ratio (83%). However, many have concerns about their administration in pregnancy (76%). Most HCWs agree with mandatory COVID-19 vaccine for their category (59%) and are ready to accept a further COVID-19 booster vaccination if recommended (72%). The majority agree that the pandemic increased their attention to update their vaccination schedule (62%) and their confidence in vaccines safety (53%). Accordingly, only 50% received regular influenza vaccination prior to the pandemic, whereas 67% got vaccinated in the last season and 65% plan to do so in the next one. Overall, STV is more positive in Italy and Spain, less marked in Italy has the lowest scores in Germany. Conclusions Despite persisting doubts about COVID-19 vaccines and differences among countries, the sentiment towards vaccinations in European HCWs is generally positive and has improved after the pandemic. Key messages • European healthcare workers have generally positive sentiment towards vaccination, including COVID-19 and influenza, despite concerns about side effects and about administration during pregnancy. • The COVID-19 pandemic increased European HCWs’ attention to update their vaccination schedules, with the majority agreeing on the effectiveness, safety, and necessity of vaccinations in general.