Natália Cristina de Oliveira

Arbovirus infections remain a major challenge for health policies in large cities in tropical regions, where outbreaks and epidemics of these diseases are frequent. However, many policies still operate in a fragmented manner, without considering the interdependence between climate, urbanization, and health, making it difficult to control and prevent these diseases. This study aimed to identify the urban environmental and socioeconomic conditions related to cases of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika in the city of Salvador, Brazil. Data were analyzed using bivariate maps and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). The results demonstrated that vulnerability to these diseases transcends socioeconomic factors and covers urban infrastructure and environmental conditions. The most recurrent disease was dengue, with 75% infections, and was strongly associated with higher percentages of green cover and better sanitation indexes, but with lower socio-environmental quality indexes. Chikungunya and Zika followed a different pattern. The results of this research are expected to contribute to improving strategies for controlling arbovirus outbreaks in tropical regions, as well as strengthening the resilience of these regions to the challenges imposed by climate change.

The COVID-19 pandemic constituted a global socio-economic crisis with long-lasting consequences. In response to the rapid spread of the virus, governments worldwide implemented containment measures such as social distancing, mask mandates, and mobility restrictions, which also affected access to urban green spaces (UGS). This study presents a systematic review to identify key lessons from the pandemic regarding the use of UGS during public health crises. The analysis included 155 studies published between 2020 and 2025, grouped into four main research domains: visitation patterns (n=88 studies), planning and management of UGS (n=15), associations with viral transmission (n=11), and health benefits (n=41). The results revealed significant geographical disparities in scientific production and demonstrated that the pandemic substantially reshaped UGS visitation patterns, with proximity to residential areas becoming a critical determinant for outdoor activities such as physical exercise and recreation. At the same time, the literature highlights persistent inequalities in access to urban nature, disproportionately affecting low-income communities, ethnic minorities, and older populations. Based on the synthesized evidence, five key policy recommendations emerge for future lockdowns: i) ensuring equitable access to UGS; ii) improving their quality and spatial distribution; iii) integrating UGS into emergency preparedness strategies; iv) implementing safe visitation protocols; and v) promoting health-supportive behaviors compatible with public use of green environments. These lessons are particularly relevant in a context of increasing epidemiological risks associated with global environmental change. The findings reinforce that equitable access to high-quality UGS should be recognized as a strategic priority for urban governance and public health resilience.

Este estudo avaliou o conhecimento de Agentes Comunitários de Saúde sobre HPV da Atenção Primária à Saúde da região sul do município de São Paulo, identificando lacunas específicas e sua associação com características sociodemográficas e formativas. Trata-se de estudo transversal realizado com 183 Agentes Comunitários de Saúde, por meio de questionário eletrônico contendo variáveis sociodemográficas e laborais e instrumento de conhecimento sobre HPV. Foi utilizada estatística descritiva, teste t de Student, considerando nível de significância de 5%. Os participantes apresentaram maior percentual de acertos em aspectos gerais sobre o HPV, enquanto persistiram lacunas em conteúdos específicos, incluindo eficácia do preservativo, história natural da infecção e esquema vacinal. Os achados reforçam a necessidade de educação permanente dos Agentes Comunitários de Saúde, com ênfase em conteúdos técnico-científicos relacionados à prevenção, vacinação e transmissão do HPV.

Dementia is a global challenge, but one that is hampered by inadequate knowledge and skills among health care professionals (HCPs). This study aims to scope the range of interventions available for HCPs to improve their knowledge, diagnosis, and management of dementia. The scoping review was conducted to determine the extent of the interventions in terms of scope, intensity, duration, geographical areas represented, and methodologies used. Online databases were used to identify papers published 2000-2024. We included studies that contained keywords relating to educational interventions that focused on health professionals' knowledge, detection, and management of dementia. Additional papers were obtained through citation searches and by examining the reference lists. Thirty-one articles, the majority from developed countries, were included in this review. Collaborative practice-based workshops, community-based interactive learning activities, and multimodal educational programs were the most effective interventions. Educational interventions are linked to HCPs' confidence levels and are an essential step in understanding dementia characteristics, causes, risks, and paths to health promotion. HCPs can benefit from models that emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to knowledge, detection, and management of dementia. The potential to adapt successful models for use in developing countries is a challenge for the future.

Objective: To verify the association between body composition (lean mass, fat mass, and body mass index – BMI), functional capacity, and pain perception in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA), chronic low back pain, or both. Method: Cross-sectional study with 113 participants recruited from a university outpatient clinic, divided into groups: low back pain (n= 42), OA (n= 33), and low back pain + OA (n= 38). Body composition (BMI, bioelectrical impedance), functional mobility (Timed Up and Go – TUG), pain, stiffness and function (WOMAC), lumbar functionality (Roland Morris), and pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale – VAS) were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using Pearson correlation with p ≤ 0.05. Results: Mean values for pain, BMI, body composition, and functionality were similar between groups. In the OA group, a weak association was found between BMI and Roland Morris. In the low back pain group, there was a moderate correlation between BMI and WOMAC stiffness and a weak correlation between lean mass and TUG. Fat mass showed a moderate correlation with Roland Morris. In the low back pain + OA group, weak correlations were observed between BMI and VAS/WOMAC stiffness, and moderate correlations between BMI and WOMAC physical activity/total and TUG. Conclusion: Increased BMI and fat mass are associated with worse functionality and mobility, especially in individuals with both clinical conditions.

National afforestation policies are crucial for outlining guidelines and goals to be implemented at the local level. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct research that systematizes indicators from across the country into a single proposal. This study examines the spatiotemporal distribution of urban forest research in Brazil from 1980 to 2020, analyzing 1426 publications. A significant rise in scientific output occurred in the 21st century, driven by environmental movements and climate change debates. Urban Afforestation dominated research (66%), followed by Urban Forests (27%) and Urban Biodiversity (5%) papers. The Southeast region led research output (35.62%), followed by the South (27.77%), Northeast (19.78%), North (9.96%), and Midwest (6.87%). Principal component analysis (PCA) linked publication volume to socioeconomic indicators in the Southeast, South, and Midwest, while school enrollment showed an inverse relationship. Coastal regions focused on mangrove and floodplain ecosystems, while the Midwest emphasized savannas. Regional disparities in scientific production call for equitable funding and policies to address Brazil's socio‐environmental diversity. The study underscores the need for the National Urban Forestry Plan to integrate socioeconomic and conservation aspects, emphasizing the interplay between urbanization, economic development, and environmental conservation.

A atuação da enfermagem contempla demandas de alta complexidade, riscos biológicos, físicos e estresse psicológico, é possível ver o reflexo disso na qualidade de vida desses profissionais e nas taxas de absenteísmo. Relacionar o absenteísmo da equipe de enfermagem com as variáveis sociodemográficas, do trabalho, presença de transtorno mental comum, estilo e qualidade de vida. Trata-se de uma investigação transversal descritiva e de abordagem quantitativa, com 138 profissionais de enfermagem. Os instrumentos de pesquisa: Questionário de qualidade de vida (WHOQOL-BREF), Estilo de Vida Fantástico, Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) e questionário para avaliar o perfil sociodemográfico e do trabalho. Observou-se que a maioria dos participantes tinham um estilo de vida muito bom (51,4%) e não apresentavam indícios de Transtorno Mental Comum (TMC) (55,8%). Houve uma relação inversa entre idade e TMC. O absenteísmo aumentou com a piora do estilo de vida, da percepção da qualidade de vida e aumento da pontuação para TMC. Os resultados indicam que pior qualidade de vida e estilo de vida estão associados a maior absenteísmo. Propõe-se que os gestores desenvolvam ações voltadas para a promoção da saúde e qualidade de vida dos profissionais de enfermagem