David Gimeno

Only one-quarter and one-fifth of US children achieve physical activity and screen time guidelines, with children often least active during summer. This seasonal slump may be partly attributed to uncomfortable heat conditions. We examined how summer temperatures associate with children’s moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior outdoors and indoors in a warm urban climate. Children ages 9–10 ( n = 25) in Austin, Texas, wore wGT3X-BT accelerometers and GPS devices for seven days in summer of 2023. Accelerometers recorded activity counts and ambient light levels in 15-s epochs, allowing classification of activity intensity using Evenson cut points and identification of indoor versus outdoor time. Air temperature and relative humidity data originated from a nearby weather station. To test how temperatures associated with physical activity and sedentary behavior, we fit two-level, cross-classified, mixed-effects negative binomial regression models with 15-s observations nested within child and date. During study days, waking-hour temperatures averaged 36.3 °C (97 °F). Children averaged 36 min of MVPA daily (4 min outdoors, 32 min indoors) and spent 55% of waking hours sedentary indoors. Higher temperatures were associated with lower MVPA outdoors (RR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.72–0.87) and indoors (RR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.89–0.95), and higher sedentary behavior indoors (RR = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.01–1.02). Models with heat index instead of air temperature produced similar estimates. Findings suggest that heat may constrain children’s healthy movement behaviors. With projected future urban warming, heat-safe physical activity interventions may become increasingly important for children’s health.

Objetivo: El reciente reconocimiento de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo como un derecho fundamental de los trabajadores ha reforzado la necesidad de que los países desarrollen políticas nacionales sólidas en esta materia, así como la evaluación sistemática de dichas políticas con indicadores pertinentes. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar los hallazgos más relevantes del Índice ECoTES obtenidos de su aplicación de 2025 en todos los países de Iberoamérica. Métodos: La Red Experta en Condiciones de Trabajo, Empleo y Salud ha desarrollado el Índice ECoTES con valores entre 0 (bajo) y 2 (alto), basado en la combinación de la valoración de personas expertas y siete indicadores estadísticos de la base de la Organización Internacional del Trabajo. Resultados: En esta edición se invitó a 998 personas expertas de 22 países iberoamericanos y se obtuvieron 314 respuestas (31,5%). Para los 13 países comparables, el valor global del índice se concentró alrededor de 0,5. España (0,68) y Chile (0,63) presentaron los valores más altos, mientras que Honduras (0,19), Guatemala (0,38) y Venezuela (0,40), los más bajos. La correlación entre los componentes del índice fue moderada (r = 0,58; p < 0,05) y la correlación con el Índice de Desarrollo Humano fue alta (r = 0,86; p < 0,001).. Conclusiones: Las diferencias observadas podrían relacionarse con debilidades estructurales, capacidad institucional y cobertura desigual de la protección social de cada país. El Índice ECoTES constituye la primera herramienta comparativa para evaluar los sistemas nacionales de seguridad y salud en el trabajo en Iberoamérica y ofrece una base común para fortalecer capacidades institucionales.

Introduction: In the United States (U.S.), the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the incorporation of telework at academic institutions, but its effect on employee well-being has been insufficiently studied. This study aimed to identify telework-related risk factors and assesses their associations with employee well-being during the pandemic. Methods: This repeated cross-sectional survey was conducted at a large U.S. based health sciences university in two waves: the first wave survey was conducted in May 2020 (n=1,648) and the second wave survey in October 2020 (n=932). Survey-weighted logistic regressions were used to estimate the associations of telework-related risk factors with poor well-being, measured by the 5-item World Health Organization (WHO) Well-Being Index. Results: Loneliness and personal health and safety concerns were associated with poor well-being in both waves. The effect of loneliness on poor well-being was amplified when employees needed support, indicating an interaction. Faculty were less likely to have poor well-being than staff personnel in the second wave. Conclusions: Telework may have advantages, but adverse effects are common. Employment policies should address the telework-related risk factors to improve employee well-being for future public health pandemics.

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure remains a preventable cause of illness and death worldwide. Tobacco smoke bans reduce exposure, but enforcement in Central America has been slow. Workplaces can reduce ETS impact through policies. This study assessed ETS exposure across various industries in Central America. Data were drawn from II Central American Working Conditions and Health Survey administered between February and June of 2018. The prevalence of ETS and 95% CIs were calculated. Survey-weighted logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations of exposure to ETS with industry, socio-demographics, and working conditions. Among the 9,032 workers studied, 61.3% were male, 43.8% were aged 25–45, and 32.4% worked in agriculture. ETS exposure was highest in the transportation industry (40.1%) and lowest in education/healthcare (11.5%). Males (OR = 1.33; 95%CI: 1.01–1.76), workers with high psychological demands (OR = 1.92; 95%CI: 1.49–2.47), and current smokers (OR = 4.46; 95%CI: 3.27–6.08) had higher odds of ETS exposure. Exposure to ETS in Central American workplaces remains high, varying by industry. Despite policy changes in the region, the high ETS exposure indicates weak enforcement.

Adult-onset asthma, notably prevalent among healthcare professionals, especially nurses, is often attributed to occupational factors such as exposure to cleaning agents. Studies consistently underscore the substantial role of such exposure in work-related asthma among hospital staff. We aimed to (a) identify and characterize current practices in cleaning and aerosolized medication administration; (b) assess changes in practices since a similar 2003 study of Texas healthcare workers; and (c) identify factors contributing to diverse exposures within healthcare job categories. We conducted focus groups with 38 participants in 6 healthcare settings, analyzing current practices, changes since 2003, and factors contributing to exposure diversity. We used a three-step approach for data analysis, including sociodemographic characterization, a scissor-and-sort technique for exposure description, and qualitative content analysis. Participants were primarily healthcare providers (76%) and housekeepers/cleaners (11%) who reported exposure to aerosolized medications, cleaning products, adhesives, and solvents. Participants reported transitioning from cleaning practices to new formulas with reduced odors and shifting from spray cleansers to wipes. Personal protective equipment (PPE) used during cleaning tasks varied, with training differing among job categories. Aerosolized medication administration varied among facilities, with reported medication types and protocol changes over time. The results emphasized the significance of maintaining uniform protection, disseminating knowledge, and consistently adhering to PPE protocols in the healthcare environment. Addressing the identified gaps in comprehension and potential sources of exposure variability requires additional focus on occupational health and safety initiatives.