Journal of the Asian Medical Students Association
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No full textAs the world faces unprecedented environmental challenges, the delicate balance of nature is rapidly shifting. Weather patterns are becoming more erratic, and ecosystems are being disrupted at an alarming rate. In the wake of this global change, unseen forces are stirring—mosquitoes and other disease-carrying vectors are thriving in the new climate, causing an increase in vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue, in which warmer climates create ideal breeding grounds. The consequences are dire, threatening millions of lives across the globe.
Despite the clear signs of a changing world, many people remain indifferent—ignoring the cascading consequences beneath the surface. This only delays the inevitable, as these issues become more dangerous each passing day.
But the future is not yet written. As humanity stands at a crossroads, the question arises: Will we act in time? Or will we allow our world to fall victim to a fate of our own making? Time is running out, we need to change
Island in the Heat: The Effect of Rising Temperatures in the Urban Environment of Hong Kong
No full textBeing avid fans of David Attenborough growing up, we took inspiration from the narrative style and filmography of his documentaries in our video. We decided upon our topic of the urban heat island effect as it is one of the most pressing threats to public health in Hong Kong, with its effects set to worsen due to the persistent rise in global temperatures.
Our short film outlines how the health impacts of global warming are magnified in urban environments due to the urban heat island effect, using Hong Kong as a case study. Moreover, we explored innovative solutions that could be implemented in urban environments to mitigate the repercussions rising temperatures have on human health.
We hope our project can help raise awareness of this issue among the student body of our university. Furthermore, we are exploring a collaboration with our medical faculty to use our video to advocate for the implementation of green, sustainable design elements in future developments on campus
Global Predictions of Environmental Sustainability for Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Response to Climate and Landscape Dynamics
No full textClimate change is accelerating the spread of tropical infectious diseases, particularly dengue, transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. This expansion places unprepared regions, especially low- and middle-income countries, at heightened risk, worsening health disparities and hindering progress toward SDGs 3 and 13. Despite land use being a critical factor in vector transmission, it is often overlooked in predictive models. This study integrates climate and land-use data to estimate current and future habitat suitability, providing crucial insights for policy development aimed at outbreak prevention and infection reduction in endemic areas.
Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) ecological modeling was employed to evaluate habitat suitability for Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, incorporating climate, terrain, and land-use variables. Climate and terrain data were obtained from WorldClim v2.1, while land-use data were sourced from the Land Use Harmonization dataset (LUH2). All datasets were standardized to a uniform spatial resolution of approximately 5 arcminutes prior to analysis. The model was trained with 10-fold cross-validation, utilizing global geospatial and occurrence data to determine key environmental drivers. Projections of suitable habitats were then generated for current and future scenarios (2030s, 2050s, and 2090s) under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 emission pathways.
The MaxEnt model demonstrated high predictive accuracy with AUC scores of 0.80 for Aedes aegypti and 0.82 for Aedes albopictus. Key variables affecting distribution included annual mean temperature, precipitation, urban land, and C3 crops. Currently, suitable habitats are near the equator, but the future projections indicate significant expansion, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. Aedes albopictus is expected to expand more rapidly than Aedes aegypti, with notable spread across Europe—from west to east— as early as the 2030s.
Our forecasting ecological model provides valuable insights into dengue transmission risks, highlighting areas for prioritizing surveillance and mosquito control efforts in response to evolving climate and land-use dynamics, guiding effective resource distribution
Resilience in Tradition - Impacts of Climate Change on Traditional Chinese Medicinal Herbs and Pathways to Sustainability: A Scoping Review
No full textIntroduction
Climate change poses significant challenges to society, increasing health risks and disrupting ecosystems. It affects agriculture and medicinal plants, including herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Climate shifts may alter herb growth and potency, threatening their availability, thus making them especially vulnerable. Today, the shortage of medicinal herbs restricts treatment options for TCM practitioners in Taiwan. To promote a more sustainable medical system, it is necessary to evaluate how climate change impacts public health through ecological and economic pathways.
Objective
This research aims to review the influence of climate change on TCM herbs, focusing on availability, quality, and response strategies. Also, it focuses on identifying research gaps and exploring ways for TCM to achieve sustainability in the face of climate-related challenges.
Methods
The study follows the scoping review framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley. Studies were collected from Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Embase from 2014-2024 and were selected based on the inclusion criteria. Our protocol was drafted using PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta Analyses – Extension for Scoping Reviews).
Results
From 1409 studies, 43 studies were eligible for analysis. Elevated temperatures, drought and floods negatively affect the availability of herbs by reducing yield and suitable habitats. These environmental changes also lead to potential shifts in the composition of medicinal compounds and stunted growth. However, research on adaptation strategies remains limited and presents a critical gap.
Conclusion
This scoping review shows that climate change significantly impacts TCM herbs, affecting their availability and quality, creating long-term challenges for the TCM system. More research on adaptation measures and comprehensive studies are needed to fully understand these effects to ensure the resilience of TCM in the face of climate challenges.
Keywords
Climate change, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medicinal herbs, Sustainability, Adaptation strategie
Assessing the Knowledge, Approach, and Practices on Climate Change and Water-Borne Diseases Among the Youth (Adolescents)
No full textBackground:
Mongolia's climate has undergone significant changes, with the average annual air temperature rising by 2.24°C over the past 80 years. Climate change has exacerbated the vulnerability of the health sector, as indicated by a risk assessment projecting high-risk status for 2024–2065. Flood disasters are increasing, along with cases of water-borne infectious diseases like diarrhea, necessitating an evaluation of adolescents' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding these challenges.
Methodology:
This cross-sectional study involved 103 adolescents aged 10–19 years. Data collection utilized the WASH questionnaire and a customized 14-item survey to assess perceptions of climate change. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS-26.0, employing mean comparisons and quadrant testing.
Result:
Key findings revealed that 54% of participants viewed climate change positively, believing in collective responsibility to address its impacts, whereas 16% expressed skepticism, deeming it an unchangeable issue. No significant correlation was found between climate change perceptions and participants' income levels (p=0.160). The average family size was five, with 12.6% of participants reporting one to four family members experiencing diarrhea. Regarding water-borne diseases, 21% of respondents demonstrated insufficient knowledge about safe drinking water practices. Among those with sufficient knowledge, 61% relied on online sources for information. However, no significant association was observed between knowledge, hygiene practices, and diarrhea prevalence (p=0.510).
Conclusion:
In conclusion, fostering healthy habits and disseminating accurate information—particularly through online platforms—are crucial for reducing diarrhea incidence and improving public health resilience. By leveraging digital media to inform and educate, future generations can develop better practices and attitudes to combat climate change and water-borne diseases effectively
Climate Adaptation Through Combined Vaccination: A Meta-Analysis on the Immunogenicity and Safety of Coadministering COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccines
No full textIntroduction: Climate change has been linked to worsening infections and increased vulnerability to diseases such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, through increased pollution and changing seasonal patterns. Coadministration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines emerges as a proactive approach to enhance immunization coverage and streamline preventive measures against climate-induced risks. However, concerns over safety and efficacy remain a major barrier with current guidelines being largely based on individual studies and lacking conclusive data on its immunogenicity and safety. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of coadministering COVID-19 vaccines with influenza vaccines.
Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library for studies published up to September 1, 2024. Statistical analyses were conducted in R studio, with sensitivity analysis using Begg’s modified funnel plot. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and ROBINS-I were used to assess study quality for RCTs and non-RCTs, respectively. Relative risk (RR) and standardized mean difference (SMD) were estimated with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using random or fixed effect models, with significance set at p<0.05.
Results: Twenty studies involving 11,671 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Coadministration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines yielded comparable seroconversion rates to those in the non-coadministration group (RR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.98–1.00). While a slight reduction in geometric mean titer (SMD = -1.06, 95% CI = -2.14–0.03) of neutralizing antibodies was noted in the coadministration group, the results remained within the non-inferiority margin, supporting adequate immunogenicity. Mild to moderate systemic adverse events were more frequent in the coadministration group (RR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.05–1.14), with fatigue and myalgia being the most common. Severe adverse events were rare across both groups (RR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.83–1.30), suggesting the overall safety of coadministration.
Conclusion: Coadministration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines offers comparable immunogenicity and safety to non-coadministration. However, further studies are needed to assess long-term efficacy and cellular immune responses to better understand the full impact of coadministration compared to non-coadministration
The Impact of Climate Change on Risk of Suicide Attempts: A Systematic Review with a Global Perspective : The Impact of Climate Change on Risk of Suicide Attempts
No full text
Introduction: Climate change is a significant global trend that adversely affects health, particularly in vulnerable populations. Research shows that climate change and its risks have serious implications for mental health, especially regarding suicide attempts. This systematic review is the first to examine the relationship between climate change and suicide attempts in at-risk communities, aiming to provide robust scientific evidence for health planners and policymakers.
Method: This study followed the PRISMA guidelines. We retrieved English-language literature from databases like PubMed, Scopus, WoS, and Google Scholar until September 2024, using keywords related to climate change and suicide. After removing duplicates, two researchers independently reviewed the articles based on set criteria. In case of disagreements, a third researcher was consulted to finalize the selection. Article quality was assessed using CASP checklist.
Result: A total of 1,309 articles were retrieved, of which 20 were selected for inclusion. The studies covered a time span from 1998 to 2024, with the highest number of studies conducted in Australia (n = 5). The evaluations focused on the increased risk of suicide attempts associated with climate change, specifically examining risks related to drought, extreme temperature changes, humidity variations, flooding, wildfires, and storms. Among these, temperature changes were the most frequently studied, with 10 studies addressing this issue. Most studies indicated that climate-related risks contribute to an increased risk of suicide, with men and farmers being the most vulnerable populations.
Conclusion: As climate change and its associated risks become increasingly severe and frequent, we have aggregated and highlighted extensive epidemiological evidence of their impact on the risk of suicide attempts. These findings underscore the importance of supporting vulnerable individuals and communities and emphasize the need to enhance resilience and adaptability to climate change. It is crucial for the scientific community, planners, and policymakers to not only address the upward trend of global warming but also to consider evidence-based health interventions aimed at reducing climate-related suicide risks
It Starts With Us
No full textIn the suffocating silence of our dying planet, air pollution looms as a silent killer. This film is a final, urgent call to action—before it’s too late. It begins with two friends heading home—one on a bicycle, the other in a car. The friend in the car teases the one on the bike for being “old-fashioned” and speeds off, leaving her friend in dust. When she is ready to step out of her car, a mysterious hand pulls her into a dark room filled with news reports about air pollution and deforestation. She’s then transported through scenes of a polluted road, a factory releasing toxic fumes, and a desolate wasteland. Amid the barren land, she finds a small flower, holds it to her heart, and is returned to her car, deeply changed by what she’s seen. Then she plants the flower, heads to campus on a bicycle, and meets her friend who’s also biking. When a person in a passing car mocks them, they simply laugh, knowing that even the smallest changes can make a big difference
Impacts of Extreme Heat on Accident & Emergency Attendances in Hong Kong: A Territory-wide Retrospective Cohort Study
No full textIntroduction
Increasing prevalence of extreme heat events in subtropical climates such as Hong Kong exacerbates heat-related morbidities[1]. This study aims to investigate how increasing ambient temperatures correlates with territory-wide Accident and Emergency (A&E) attendances.
Method
Daily A&E attendances, triage categories 1-5 (T1-T5), ages (0-14, 15-64, 65+) and sex were extracted from the Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System for a study period of 2014-06-30 to 2023-12-31. Extreme heat events are classified as ‘Very Hot Weather Warning’ days (VHWWD) issued by the Hong Kong Observatory. Stepwise multivariable linear regression models were applied, employing listwise deletion for missing data.
Results
VHWWD (n = 606) (β = 0.217, 95% CI: 0.025-0.926, p < 0.001) were associated with higher A&E attendances (n = 3,286,736), showing a positive correlation against most subgroups. For triage categories, T4 attendances (β = 0.797, 95% CI: 1.145-1.229, p < 0.001) showed the strongest positive correlation to VHWWD, and was similarly exhibited in T3 (β = 0.274, 95% CI: 0.614-0.731, p < 0.001). Conversely, T1 (β = 0.039, 95% CI: 1.191-2.905, p < 0.001) and T5 (β = 0.040, 95% CI: 0.116-0.509, p < 0.001) demonstrated mildly positive correlation to VHWWD. Additionally, VHWWD corresponded with increased A&E attendances across all age groups, with 15-64 (β = 1.118, 95% CI: 0.390-3.524, p < 0.001) illustrating a greater increase; 0-14 (β = 0.635, 95% CI: 0.365-3.509, p < 0.001) and 65+ (β = 0.826, 95% CI: 0.677-3.781, p < 0.001) exemplified a weaker correlation. VHWWD did not affect either sex.
Conclusion
T4 attendances and ages 15-64 were most significantly impacted on VHWWD, subsequently influencing A&E attendances. The continual rise in temperature necessitates strategic allocation of healthcare resources to address increasing semi-urgent cases. 
How Raising Temperature Due to Climate Change Influences the Cases of Heat Injuries in Taiwan
No full textIntroduction:
Global climate change and increasing extreme weather events have emerged as significant threats to health worldwide. However, the relationship between ambient temperature and the risk of heat injuries remains unclear. This study utilizes ecological research to explore the impact of long-term temperature changes on the onset of heat injuries in Taiwan.
Methods:
We collected data on annual average ambient temperatures and instances of heat injuries from Central Weather Administration and Government Open Data Platform, sequentially, between 2014 and 2023. Spearman rank correlation coefficients and linear regression models were employed to investigate the associations between ambient temperatures and heat injury cases. We also examined the attributable burden of ambient temperatures. A stratified analysis was conducted by age group to identify vulnerable populations.
Results:
Our findings indicate that the average annual temperature has risen significantly (b = 0.03, p = 0.08), with temperature changes explaining 16.07% of the annual variation in heat injury cases. Notably, the impact of temperature changes on heat injury onset was similar for individuals under 18 and those over 65.
Conclusion:
This ecological correlation study suggests that rising average annual temperatures are associated with an increased risk of heat injuries in Taiwan. These findings may benefit the development of public health strategies and emergency medical systems aimed at reducing heat injury risks linked to high ambient temperatures in the context of global warming.
Keywords:
Climate change, Heat injuries, Ambient temperature, Ecological ecological correlation study, Public health strategies
References:
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Lee, editor. Heat Injury Cases Monitoring Data [Internet]. Government Open Data Platform. 2022 [cited 2024 Oct 16]. Available from: https://data.gov.tw/dataset/157637
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