Ambient air pollution remains one of the most important risk factors for health outcomes. In recent years, there has been a growing number of research linking particulate matter (PM) exposure with adverse health effects, especially on cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The objective of this review is to examine the range and nature of studies on time series analysis of health outcomes affected by PM_2.5 across a broad research area. A literature search was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for scoping review framework through a strategic search of PubMed and ScienceDirect online databases for articles from January 2016 to January 2021. Articles were first screened by their titles and abstracts. Then two reviewers independently reviewed and evaluated the full text of the remaining articles for eligibility. Of the 407 potentially relevant studies, 138 articles were included for final analysis. There was an increasing trend in publications from 2016 to 2019 but a decreasing trend in the year 2020. Most studies were conducted in Eastern and South-Eastern Asia (69.6%), Europe and Northern America (14.5%) and Latin America and the Caribbean (8.7%), with the majority coming from high- and upper-middle-income countries (95.6%). The main methodology used was Generalized Additive Model (GAM) with Poisson distribution (74.6%). Morbidity was the most common health outcome studied (60.1%), with vulnerable groups (64.5%) often included. The association between PM_2.5 and health effects was stronger for respiratory diseases compared to cardiovascular diseases. In short-term studies (less than 7 years), respiratory diseases showed higher risks compared to cardiovascular. However, in long-term studies (7 years and more), cardiovascular showed higher risks.

Background: Heat waves significantly impact ecosystems and human health, especially that of vulnerable populations, and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Besides being directly related to climate-sensitive health outcomes, heat waves have indirectly increased the burden on our health care systems. Although the existing literature examines the impact of heat waves and morbidity, past research has mostly been conducted in high-income countries (HICs), and studies on the impact of heat waves on morbidity in low- or middle-income countries (LMICs) are still scarce. Objective: This paper presents the protocol for a systematic review that aims to provide evidence of the impact of heat waves on health care services in LMICs. Methods: We will identify peer-reviewed studies from 3 online databases, including the Web of Science, PubMed, and SCOPUS, published from January 2002 to April 2023, using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Quality assessment will be conducted using the Navigation Guide checklist. Key search terms include heatwaves, extreme heat, hospitalization, outpatient visit, burden, health services, and morbidity. Results: This systematic review will provide insight into the impact of heat waves on health care services in LMICs, especially on emergency department visits, ambulance call-outs, hospital admissions, outpatient department visits, in-hospital mortality, and health care operational costs. Conclusions: The results of this review are anticipated to help policymakers and key stakeholders obtain a better understanding of the impact of heat waves on health care services and prioritize investments to mitigate the effects of heat waves in LMICs. This entails creating a comprehensive heat wave plan and ensuring that adequate infrastructure, capacity, and human resources are allocated in the health care sector. These measures will undoubtedly contribute to the development of resilience in health care systems and hence protect the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42022365471; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=365471 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/44702

Depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) among adolescents have become a public health concern. The aim of this study was to develop, implement, and measure an IMB-based health education intervention module for reducing DAS among adolescents in boarding schools in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. A single-blinded cluster randomised control trial (RCT) was conducted among students with abnormal DASS-21 scores. They were divided into an intervention group (three schools, 62 participants) and a control group (three schools, 57 participants). Participants in the intervention group received IMB-based health education, while participants in the control group underwent the standard care session. To determine the effectiveness of the intervention, the Generalised Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) analysis was conducted. A total of 119 students participated in this study, and no loss to follow-up was reported. Both intervention and control groups showed significantly reduced DAS scores (p < 0.005). However, the reduction of these scores was greater in the intervention group. The GLMM analysis revealed that the intervention was effective in reducing depression (ß = −2.400, t = −3.102, SE = 0.7735, p = 0.002, 95% CI = −3.921, −0.878), anxiety (ß = −2.129, t = −2.824, SE = 0.7541, p = 0.005, 95% CI = −3.612, −0.646), and stress (ß = −1.335, t = −2.457, SE = 0.536, p = 0.015, 95% CI = −2.045, −0.266) among adolescents. The IMB-based health education module was effective in reducing DAS among adolescents in boarding schools.

This scoping review examines the distribution, sources, and characterization of atmospheric microplastics (AMPs) in Southeast Asia (SEA), following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. A comprehensive search of Scopus and PubMed identified 58 relevant articles, with 16 meeting the inclusion criteria. Findings indicate high microplastic (MP) concentrations in urban centres, notably in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, a pattern driven by rapid urbanisation, industrial emissions, textile production, and insufficient waste management. Predominant polymer types include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyester (PET), with fibres and black particles being the most common forms. Black particles, often linked to tire wear and vehicular emissions, underscore traffic pollution’s role in AMP distribution, while PET fibres reflect the influence of SEA’s textile industry. Geographic gaps were observed, with limited studies in countries such as Cambodia and Laos. The review highlights the need for standardised sampling and quantification methods to ensure data comparability and calls for expanded research into rural and coastal regions. Future studies should prioritise longitudinal investigations into the effects of chronic exposure on health; this is particularly relevant for nanoplastics (NPs) because of their greater potential for biological penetration. These insights form a crucial foundation for mitigating AMP pollution in SEA.