2026-03-13
Annarita Barbaro
The Publications from International Organizations on Public Health section includes a wider selection of the most recent publications edited by the main international organizations active in the field of public health, such as: the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and the World Health Organization (WHO).
2026-03-13
Marcello Di Pumpo, Francesco Andrea Causio, Stefania Boccia, Walter Ricciardi
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare, enhancing accuracy, personalizing care, and streamlining administrative tasks. The report published in May 2025 by the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) offers a taxonomy of health roles based on their susceptibility to automation through GenAI and robotics, ranging from low risk (e.g., physicians) to high risk (e.g., orderlies, transcriptionists). While AI augments many routine clinical tasks, roles requiring complex judgment and empathy remain largely human-driven. Key concerns arise from the potential uncritical adoption of these evaluations, which fragment healthcare roles and risk overlooking their integrative, relational nature. Additionally, industry-led implementation of AI may undervalue frontline clinical expertise and ethical considerations. To ensure responsible integration, multi-stakeholder strategies such as the European Pact for Skills and targeted upskilling initiatives are essential. Policymakers must guide AI adoption to redesign roles and education in ways that empower the workforce without sacrificing the core values of care.
2026-03-13
Giuseppina Lo Moro, Maria Ferrara, Elisa Langiano, Alessandro Durbano, Sonia Pinto, Alex Pivi, Caterina Grisafi Schittone, Elena Cerino, Carola Linot, Maurizio Esposito, Elisabetta De Vito, Roberta Siliquini
Introduction. Vaccine hesitancy remains a major public health challenge in Europe, with declining confidence in vaccine safety and efficacy despite high overall acceptance. Evidence on its determinants and effective interventions is fragmented, underscoring the need for a comprehensive synthesis. This overview of systematic reviews aimed to describe the most recent determinants of vaccine acceptance, barriers to vaccination, and effective interventions to reduce hesitancy or increase uptake in Europe. Methods. The search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Epistemonikos. Reviews were eligible if they included European data. Results. Of 3,363 papers, 88 reviews were included, classified into children, adolescents, and parents (n=29); pregnant women (n=11); healthcare workers (HCWs) (n=12); and the general population (n=36) reviews. Determinants of vaccine acceptance included high education, socioeconomic status, gender, trust in government/health authorities, and HCW recommendations, with associations that varied across populations, vaccines, and contexts. Emerging determinants such as health engagement and social media were reported. Main barriers included fear of side effects, safety concerns, preference for natural immunity, and logistical challenges. Interventions included educational campaigns, reminders, organizational changes, school-based programs, and digital tools. Active reminders, school-based programs, and organizational changes showed the most consistent effectiveness. Conclusions. Vaccine hesitancy is multifaceted, requiring tailored, evidence-based strategies. Future research should prioritize rigorous study designs and underexamined factors.
2026-03-13
Lucia Coppola, Giuseppina Scialò, Francesca Debegnach, Gianluca Frustagli, Viviana Iacovelli, Gabriele Lori, Martina Enza Grieco, Francesca Maranghi, Alessia Tammaro, Roberta Tassinari, Enrica Fabbrizi, Patrizia Di Matteo, Lorella Ciferri, Marco Dolci, Barbara Gigli, Alessandra Di Stasio, Beatrice Murri, Giacomo Toffol, Alessandro Ciccotosto, Miriana Callegari, Margherita Guarnieri, Angela Pasinato, Barbara De Santis, Cinzia La Rocca
Introduction. Ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CIT) are toxic compounds produced by fungi that may contaminate a variety of food, posing significant health risks, particularly following chronic exposure. OTA, a potent nephrotoxin, is widely present in cereals, dried fruits, coffee and animal-derived products; CIT, which often co-occurs with OTA, also exhibits nephrotoxic effects. Methodology. This project aims to evaluate the exposure to OTA and CIT in adults and children of both sexes, and in breastfeeding women, and to investigate OTA toxicological effects using a juvenile animal model. The biomonitoring study analyzed OTA and CIT in urine, and OTA in breast milk. It also involved the evaluation of biomarkers of effect and the administration of food frequency questionnaires to assess dietary intake. The toxicological study employed an innovative animal model to identify early biomarkers of renal and endocrine effects and to elucidate OTA’s mechanisms of action. Results. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of risk characterization and support the development of public health strategies aimed at minimizing OTA and CIT exposure.
2026-03-13
Carlo Giordani, Marcello Di Pumpo, Fabio Senarigo, Chiara Zambon, Maddalena Valli, Luca Gino Sbrogiò, Nadia Milano, Giulia Gusella, Tullio Zampieri, Francesco Allegro, Chiara Bovo, Laura Biasi, Elena Debora Toffanello, Pietro Viena, Angela Vinelli, Susanna Visonà, Michela Barbiero, Paolo Fortuna
Objectives. To present the strategy developed by the Local Health Authority AULSS6, Padua Province, Italy, for implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare systems. Methods. Between December 2024 and December 2025, a series of structured meetings of a multidisciplinary Steering Committee were conducted. Ideas, priorities and initiatives were systematically collected, categorized, and refined through consensus. Results. The strategy produced several outcomes: an AI ethics and readiness checklist ensuring compliance with the EU AI Act, GDPR, (EU General Data Protection Regulation) and cybersecurity requirements; multi-level education programs for staff; systematic technology evaluation guidelines and HTA (Health Technology Assessment) evaluation studies planning; active participation in projects on AI for public health and clinical outcomes prediction and resource optimization; communication strategies designed to enhance transparency and trust. Collectively, these initiatives enabled AULSS6 to build institutional capacity for responsible AI adoption at the local level. Conclusions. AULSS6 shows that local health authorities can lead responsible AI implementation in healthcare. Its multidimensional approach close to the population offers a replicable, scalable model for health systems across Italy and Europe, advancing digital transformation through a bottom-up strategy close to the communities served.