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European Science-Media Hub •

Do e-cigarettes pose a growing threat to the health of young Europeans? - ESMH

E-cigarettes tend to be particularly popular among younger people.

A 2024 report from the World Health Organization Regional Office for 🇪🇺 revealed that over 30% of 15-year-olds have used e-cigarettes at some point in their lives, with 20% reporting having used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days.

But what are the health risks associated with vaping? And how can we prevent young people from picking up the habit?
Medscape •

Watch That Attitude: Is There Ageism in Healthcare?

People are living longer in Europe. Life expectancy increased on the continent by around 12 years between 1960 and 2022. And despite slower progress during the COVID-19 pandemic, the trend appears to be continuing.

Not only are Europeans living longer, their fertility rates are declining. This means that the number of people aged 75-84 years is projected to grow in Europe a full 56.1% by 2050, while the population younger than 55 years is expected to fall by 13.5%.

This means that attitudes towards age need to change, and fast — even among healthcare professionals..
Earth.Org •

Repurposing Wastewater to Combat Global Water Scarcity

Water scarcity is a significant threat to global health, and it is expected to worsen in the coming years. Repurposing wastewater offers a new, valuable source of clean water, nutrients, and energy. This can be a game changer in addressing the global issue of water stress, yet the potential of wastewater is not yet fully exploited. EU-funded projects have tested innovative solutions to make the reuse of wastewater more feasible and efficient.
European Science-Media Hub •

A scientist’s opinion: Interview with Dr. Francisca Vargas Lopes about the mental health of young people

“Half of the mental health conditions are already there before the age of 18 and two-thirds before the age of 25. So, it is part of the epidemiology of mental disorders that they start very early in the life course, opposite to many other non-communicable diseases that we study. This is quite a relevant feature and, I think, also a reason for us to pay a lot of attention to youth in terms of their mental health,” explains Dr. Francisca Vargas Lopes, Health Policy Researcher at the Health Division of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
European Science-Media Hub •

A scientist’s opinion: Interview with Hannes Jarke about the mental health of young people

“What we have seen in the past five years is a massive increase in the number of suicidal thoughts among children and youth. All the current crises we face play a role, but it’s not the full picture. Suicidal thoughts in children are a scary wake-up call and a clear example that something needs to be done in this sense,” points out Mr. Hannes Jarke, Project Coordinator specialised in Mental Health Policy at EuroHealthNet.
European Science-Media Hub •

Protecting the mental well-being of European youth: What can be done?

In Europe, the number of young people (aged 18-29) with mental health problems has at least doubled since the beginning of COVID-19. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among adolescents aged 15–19 in our continent. In addition, almost two-thirds of young people are at risk of depression. Mental health issues are now more than ever disproportionately impacting younger generations. So, what can and should be done to address the situation?
European Science-Media Hub •

Tackling physical inactivity in Europe: how can we encourage a healthier lifestyle?

Despite the widely recognised advantages of an active lifestyle, including lowering the risk of chronic diseases and preventing premature death, Europeans don’t exercise enough. The data from the OECD’s report “Step Up! Tackling the Burden of Insufficient Physical Activity in Europe” showcase an alarming situation within Europe, as around 45% of Europeans declare that they never exercise or play sports.
Digestive Cancers Europe •

Book: You're Young, But It Might Be Cancer

I contributed to developing this compelling book, collecting 16 heartfelt stories of young people affected by colorectal cancer.
The stories unfold across six chapters, reflecting a different part of the patient’s journey. Starting from the unexpected diagnosis and its profound impact on a young individual’s life, the book explores the physical and mental consequences of treatment and how it affects daily life. The young protagonists also share invaluable advice they wish they had received and are now sharing with the public to help those facing similar situations.
Energy Post •

EU now has 9,000+ “energy communities”: smart, decentralised, flexible generation and consumption

The goal of the EU’s “Clean Energy for all Europeans package” (CEP), adopted in 2019, is to improve the functioning and design of Europe’s energy markets and systems. Luca Arfini, writing for ESCI, explains how, as part of the CEP, new market actors called “active customers/consumers and citizens” and “energy communities” are being established. As variable renewable generation grows, the whole system needs to be more decentralised, smarter and flexible, and energy communities are part of the sol
Democracy Technologies •

After CoFoE – What's Next for Digital Democracy in the EU?

It all began four years ago, in March 2019, when French President Emmanuel Macron launched the ambitious idea to chart a transformative course for the European Union’s future with the establishment of a “Conference for Europe”. The plan was to gather feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, including EU citizens and civil society representatives, on the EU’s way of working and, perhaps, to lay the groundwork for a revision to EU treaties.

Fast forward to 2020, Macron’s proposal was backed by
Earth.Org •

NOMAD: An EU Project for Sustainable Agriculture Development

Synthetic fertilisers nowadays help grow enough food to feed about half of the world’s population – despite their well-known detrimental impact on the environment. NOMAD, an EU-funded research project, aims to ensure a sustainable agriculture future through biofertilisers and a circular economy approach.

Considering eight billion people live on this planet today, with a projected growth of over 9 billion by 2050, it is easy to understand why modern synthetic fertilisers are essential for suppor
Medium •

Celebrating The International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Breaking Gender Stereotypes!

Today marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day to celebrate the invaluable contributions that women have made and continue to make to the scientific community. From Ada Lovelace, which is considered the first computer programmer much before computers were even invented, to Mae Carol Jemison, who reached her dream of travelling in space as the first African American woman to do so, women have been instrumental in shaping the course of scientific developments.
Interreg Baltic Sea Region •

Interview with Mayor of Guldborgsund Municipality

When you face pressing global challenges, it is almost a natural step to join forces with your neighbours to find a common solution to meeting the needs of citizens across the whole Baltic Sea region. Simon Hansen, Mayor of the Danish Guldborgsund Municipality, describes how taking part in transnational projects funded by Interreg Baltic Sea Region helped his city to make urban mobility greener and to advance urban social innovation ultimately improving the lives of its residents.
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