Name: Dr. Christine Camacho
Affiliation: Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
Interests: measurement of community resilience

“Adapting the Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities (BRIC) Framework for England: Development of a Community Resilience Index”
by Christine Camacho, Roger T. Webb, Peter Bower and Luke Munford
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(8), 1012; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21081012

The following is an interview with Dr. Christine Camacho:

1. Congratulations on your recent publication! Could you start by introducing yourself and your current research to our readers?
Thank you! I work as a consultant in public health in the NHS in England and I’m also pursuing a Ph.D. with the Applied Research Collaboration in Greater Manchester, which is part of the NIHR infrastructure. I have done research focusing on various public health issues, from early child development to “deaths of despair”. In my latest research, which is featured in the paper we’re discussing, we developed a Community Resilience Index for England. It examines how different regions across the country are able to adapt to various shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or economic hardships, and how robust these communities are in facing such challenges.

2. What aspects of this work are you most excited about right now?
One of the most exciting aspects is that this research provides the first-ever comprehensive look at resilience across England. It’s the first time we’ve been able to measure community resilience in such a systematic way. What’s particularly intriguing is the potential for local authorities and policymakers to use this index to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their communities. This data could inform interventions that help support these areas. Additionally, the timing of the study is significant, given that the UK government is currently conducting a resilience review, partly spurred by the COVID-19 inquiry. There are important questions being raised about how prepared we were going into the pandemic, and how we can better build resilience for future challenges.

3. What unexpected findings did you come across during your research?
One surprising finding was the strong regional variation in resilience scores. While we expected some differences due to known inequalities in the UK, the results highlighted a pronounced north–south divide, with the north of England showing lower resilience than the south. We also noticed that coastal areas tended to have lower resilience scores, which suggests specific vulnerabilities that might require tailored interventions. Another interesting result came from comparing resilience scores with deprivation levels. While we generally expected more deprived areas to have lower resilience, there were some outliers—mostly in London—where areas with high deprivation had unexpectedly high resilience. This led us to consider whether a “capital city effect” might be at play, where better infrastructure and economic resources could boost resilience even in more deprived neighborhoods.

4. What do you think is the innovation of this paper? How did you find innovation in writing the paper?
This paper was innovative in several ways. We adapted the Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities (BRIC) model, originally developed in the US, and tailored it for the English context. We considered the types of hazards relevant to the UK, which are different from those in the southeastern US where BRIC was initially used. For example, instead of focusing on natural disasters like hurricanes, we looked at more chronic issues like the cost of living crisis, the war in Ukraine, and the effects of Brexit. Methodologically, we wanted our approach to be as evidence-based as possible, relying on a systematic review and using principal component analysis to define sub-indices and weight indicators. This rigorous methodology ensures the index is robust and reliable.

5. What do you hope that readers will gain from your paper?
I hope readers gain an understanding of how complex it is to measure community resilience—it’s not something you can measure directly. A composite index is a useful tool for capturing this complexity. We also want to encourage others to not shy away from tackling such difficult issues. While there are always strengths and weaknesses in any methodology, we’ve worked hard to ensure this index is robust. Another important point is that this research measures resilience at a single point in time, but we recognize that the resilience we observe today is shaped by historical events, like the deindustrialization of mining communities. Lastly, we’ve developed an interactive tool to make the data accessible for local authorities and others who want to explore resilience at a more granular level. I’ll share the link with you—it would be great to include it with the paper! (https://christine-l-camacho.github.io/CRI_England/)

6. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?
Resilience is definitely going to remain a key area, particularly from a policy perspective. One potential direction is refining the Community Resilience Index to measure resilience at smaller geographical scales, like neighborhoods. We also see a lot of potential in involving communities more directly in this research. While we used national datasets for this study, having community participation could add valuable insights about what it’s like to live in certain areas. Another interesting possibility is to repeat this study over time, creating longitudinal data that can help us assess whether interventions actually improve resilience.

7. How did you hear about IJERPH? And what is your impression of your publishing experience with IJERPH?
I consulted with some colleagues and reviewed the journal's website, which seemed like a perfect fit for my research. My Ph.D. is in public health, and I was particularly drawn to this journal because it takes a broad view of public health. My work on community resilience aligns well with the journal's focus on the intersection between people, place, and social environments. Additionally, I was impressed by the journal's statistics, particularly the quick publication times, which is important for getting research out promptly. Overall, my experience was very positive; I found the peer review process and the support from the editorial team to be excellent and efficient.

8. We are an open access journal. How do you think open access impacts authors?
I believe open access is significant. I’m fortunate that my Ph.D. funding covers the costs of open access publishing. For research aimed at policymakers and community stakeholders—who might not have access to paid journals—making information widely accessible is crucial.

Throughout the third quarter of 2024, research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH, ISSN: 1660-4601) was featured over 471 times in news articles published by reputable media sources, such as Forbes, New York Post, and National Public Radio.

You can learn more about the cited papers below.

“Prevention can go a long way toward reducing the negative effects of stress. Encourage your employees to make time for healthy habits outside of work to prevent stress from becoming out of hand.”
Forbes—“Workplace Stress: Causes, Impacts And Solutions”
IJERPH—“Burnout: A Review of Theory and Measurement”
Article link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/3/1780

“In fact, a staggering 68% of child-bearers report experiencing body and weight dissatisfaction after welcoming bundles of joy, per a report from the Medical University of Silesia in Poland.”
New York Post—“I hated my body after having a baby — doing a postpartum boudoir shoot restored my confidence”
IJERPH—“Perception of the Body Image in Women after Childbirth and the Specific Determinants of Their Eating Behavior: Cross-Sectional Study (Silesia, Poland)”
Article link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/16/10137

“Light pollution is the latest in a list of environmental factors that studies suggest could be linked to the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, including living near green spaces, long-term exposure to air pollution and chemical exposures.”
Forbes—“Alzheimer’s Risk Linked To Light Pollution, New Study Finds”
IJERPH—“Environmental Risk Factors for Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Dementia and Frontotemporal Dementia: A Case-Control Study in Northern Italy”
Article link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/21/7941

“Another factor contributing to these workers’ trauma is “moral injury,” a term first applied to soldiers who experienced intense guilt after carrying out orders that betrayed their values. It became common among health care workers in the pandemic who weren’t given ample resources to provide care.”
National Public Radio—“Nursing aides plagued by PTSD after ‘nightmare’ COVID conditions, with little help”
IJERPH—“The Association of Moral Injury and Healthcare Clinicians’ Wellbeing: A Systematic Review”
Article link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/13/6300

Name: Prof. Dr. Courtney Cronley
Affiliation: College of Social Work, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
Interests: experiences of women, youth, and families in situations of homelessness; housing insecurity; health disparities; social determinants of health

Published Paper:
“Persons Experiencing Homelessness during Extreme Temperatures: Lessons for Promoting Socially Inclusive Adaptive Capacity”
by Courtney Cronley, Amanda Fackler, Jennifer M. First, Sangwon Lee and Iris Tsouris
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(8), 984; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21080984

The following is an interview with Prof. Dr. Courtney Cronley:

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers? Could you introduce your current research direction and provide an update on your progress?

I'm a professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee, and my research focuses on equity within the built environment. The built environment includes all the man-made infrastructure that shapes our society. My primary interest is in equity within our housing and transportation systems, specifically how access to affordable, quality housing and transportation resources affects people's ability to thrive and access essential goods and services.

The United States has a long history, particularly in the 20th century, of using practices like redlining to create structural disparities along racial lines. As a result, black, indigenous, and communities of color are less likely to live in areas with high-quality housing and are more likely to be in food deserts, healthcare deserts, and areas with lower-quality education and healthcare. Our transportation systems have often reinforced these disparities, with physical barriers like highways dividing predominantly African American communities from white ones, making it difficult for those without personal vehicles to access necessary resources.

These redlined communities also tend to have higher concentrations of environmental hazards, leading to increased health risks. My research examines how the built environment can put people at higher risk for environmental hazards and poor health. One particularly vulnerable group is people experiencing homelessness, who lack access to permanent housing and are often exposed to the elements, relying heavily on public transportation.

The paper I published focuses on how people living outside in the Southeast U.S. navigate their communities during extreme weather conditions to access shelter and relief. I found that the infrastructure in these areas often lacks the adaptive capacity to protect people from extreme temperatures. Public spaces that could offer relief, such as parks with tree canopies or benches, are often heavily policed, leaving people with few options other than huddling under bridges, which can lead to dangerous conditions. The study also highlighted the chronic exposure to less extreme, but still challenging, temperatures. For instance, in Knoxville, where the study took place, people experiencing homelessness have access to daytime shelter only when temperatures reach certain thresholds, like 32°F or 90°F. However, if the temperature stays at 43°F for an extended period, these individuals are exposed to the elements day and night without relief, which can be unbearable. This has led me to consider how we define risk, particularly in the context of extreme heat. Current definitions often reflect the perspectives of housed individuals, but for those without housing, the chronic exposure to even moderate temperatures can significantly heighten their risk.

2. What do you think is the biggest challenge currently in your area of research?

Considering my research, the most commonly cited barrier and challenge is access to affordable housing. This is a critical issue, as the lack of access to affordable, quality housing is the common denominator in homelessness. While various behavioral health factors can increase the risk of homelessness, the underlying issue remains the shortage of affordable housing.

In the context of a warming climate, the problems associated with the lack of housing are becoming more acute, particularly concerning health. Being without permanent shelter is incredibly detrimental to one’s health; it’s likely one of the highest risks for poor health outcomes. Humans need shelter—it’s a basic necessity. However, in American communities, where there is no guaranteed right to housing and it’s left to the private market, it becomes challenging.

Developers, who are in the business of building housing, often lack incentives to build affordable housing because it’s costly, and the profits are much lower compared to market-rate housing, which can be four or five times as expensive. Without a guaranteed right to housing in the United States, the private market will never meet the demand for affordable housing, particularly for those living at or below the poverty level.

3. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?

I think climate change is increasingly becoming a critical area of study, but there’s surprisingly little research on homelessness and climate change—only a couple dozen studies exist. This is an emerging field, and more attention is likely to be drawn to it as the impacts of climate change become more apparent.

For instance, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is already hosting webinars on how to address extreme weather and the need for more daytime shelters. However, there are currently no comprehensive policies within HUD specifically addressing the health impacts of climate change on individuals experiencing homelessness. This is a significant gap that will likely lead to important policy recommendations as more empirical evidence on the physical, mental, and behavioral health impacts of climate change emerges.

One area that has been understudied is the nexus between climate change and behavioral health. In my research, I’ve found that as winters become more inclement—not necessarily colder, but wetter—people experiencing homelessness often find themselves confined to their tents. This confinement can lead to boredom and anxiety, which some individuals cope with through activities like adult coloring books or reading. However, when those distractions run out, cravings for substances can set in. People have reported using substances as a coping mechanism in extreme weather, whether it’s too hot to sleep, too cold, or they’re isolated for extended periods.

Looking ahead, I think artificial intelligence will play a role in this field as well. AI-driven climate models could help better predict extreme weather and redefine what constitutes extreme weather for different populations, whether housed or unhoused. Currently, there’s no effective way to warn people living in camps about impending extreme weather because they often lack cell phones and live off the grid. Developing mechanisms to inform and protect these vulnerable populations is crucial.

So, in summary, the impacts of climate change on physical, mental, and behavioral health, policy recommendations, community responses, and the role of AI in predictive modeling and outreach to hard-to-reach populations are all critical areas of focus moving forward.

4. Do you have any advice for aspiring young researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?

I would say that collecting primary data is one of the best approaches. When you talk to people and hear their stories, many of your assumptions can be dispelled, refined, or changed. This firsthand insight gives you a deeper understanding of the issues. Seeing the conditions people are living in—whether it's without permanent shelter, in crumbling affordable housing, or after being evicted—provides invaluable perspective. Experiencing situations like standing at a bus stop in 90-degree heat with cars speeding by, because public transportation is the only option, further illustrates the challenges people face. In addition to collecting data, I strongly recommend reading extensively. The more you read about what others are doing, the better you'll understand the direction of the research and the field as a whole. These are the two best pieces of advice I can offer.

5. What is your impression of the publishing experience with the IJERPH journal?

I thought the experience was quite positive. The journal and I went back and forth on revisions, and I appreciated their commitment to pushing me to produce the most critically thoughtful piece possible. This demonstrated a genuine dedication to the peer review process rather than a profit-driven publishing approach.

6. What is your opinion of the open access model of publishing?

I believe the open access publishing model, combined with rigorous peer review, represents the gold standard for the future of scholarly communication. Information should not be restricted by privilege or positionality, ensuring that everyone has access. However, this doesn’t mean that just anyone should be able to publish anything and claim it as science. Peer review is crucial because it ensures that what is published is rigorous, valid, honest, and critically evaluated. While mistakes can still occur, the peer review process provides a necessary framework for maintaining the quality of scholarship. Therefore, rigorous peer review within an open access framework is likely the best model for the future of science.

Five new journals covering a diverse range of subjects launched their inaugural issue in September 2024. Like other journals in MDPI’s portfolio, these journals are dedicated to sharing the latest research through open access, reflecting our commitment to making knowledge accessible to all.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Editorial Board Members for their dedication to the launch and development of our new journals. Each journal will ensure its high-quality output via excellent editorial and rigorous peer-review processes so that the published articles achieve significant impact and broad visibility.

We invite you to explore and learn more about these new journals below.

Journal	Founding Editor-in-Chief	Journal Topics (Selected)
	Prof. Dr. Nejat Düzgüneş, University of the Pacific, USA | Editorial | view inaugural issue	biological therapy and stem-cell therapy; drug therapy; chemotherapy; radiation and other nonsurgical therapeutic strategies | view journal scope | submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Magda Tsolaki, Greek Federation of Alzheimer’s Disease, Greece; Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece | Editorial | view inaugural issue	surgical/procedural complications; complications; perioperative adverse events; postoperative adverse events | view journal scope | submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Steven R. Fassnacht, Colorado State University, USA; Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, USA | Editorial | view inaugural issue	ice as a mineral; atmospheric ice; sea ice; freshwater ice; ice sheets; ice caps and ice shelves | view journal scope | submit an article
	Dr. Francisco Epelde, Hospital Universitari Parc Tauli, Spain; University Autonoma of Barcelona, Spain | Editorial | view inaugural issue	hospital management; hospital facilities; hospital services; hospital risk management; health law | view journal scope | submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Nicola Ferri, University of Padova, Italy | Editorial | view inaugural issue	lipids in cells and whole organisms; lipid structure and function; lipid products and processes; dietary lipids and nutrition | view journal scope | submit an article

We wish to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. You are welcome to send an application here or contact the New Journal Committee ([email protected]) if you would like to create more new journals.

Older individuals are vital to society as the custodians of history, culture, and wisdom. Their experiences enrich communities and provide essential perspectives for decision-making and the nurturing of intergenerational connections. As the global population ages, recognizing the contributions and dignity of the elderly has never been more critical. Many societies overlook the unique challenges faced by older adults, such as access to healthcare, social services, and legal protections. Since their daily functions rely on factors beyond physical capabilities or limitations, by prioritizing the establishment of frameworks to strengthen the care and support systems of older individuals, we can empower them to maintain their autonomy and thrive in their later years.

In recognition of this day, we recommend the following related articles, Special Issues, and journals spanning multidisciplinary fields, including public health and healthcare, as well as social sciences, arts and humanities. We believe that sharing such research can enhance the understanding of ageing’s challenges and opportunities. By disseminating these findings, we hope to inspire positive change, advocate for innovative caregiving approaches, and support the global community in its efforts to improve the quality of life for all ages, fostering a more inclusive and compassionate society.

“Dyadic Satisfaction and Shared Affectivity Are Associated with Psycho-Sexual Functioning in Elderly Men and Women”
by Erika Limoncin, Daniele Mollaioli, Andrea Sansone, Elena Colonnello, Giacomo Ciocca, Giancarlo Balercia, Nguyễn Hoài Bắc, Thắng Nguyễn Cao and Emmanuele Angelo Jannini
Sexes 2022, 3(1), 68–77; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes3010006

“Health, Functional Ability, and Environmental Quality as Predictors of Life Satisfaction in Physically Active Older Adults ”
by Rafael Zapata-Lamana, Felipe Poblete-Valderrama, Andres Ledezma-Dames, Patricia Pavón-León, Ana María Leiva, María Trinidad Fuentes-Alvarez, Igor Cigarroa and María Antonia Parra-Rizo
Soc. Sci. 2022, 11(6), 265; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11060265

“Planning for Aging and Frailty: A Qualitative Study on Older Adults’ Perceptions, Facilitators, and Barriers”
by Erica Frechman, Harleah Buck, Mary S. Dietrich, Bethany A. Rhoten, Amanda Davis and Cathy A. Maxwell
J. Ageing Longev. 2023, 3(1), 72–89; https://doi.org/10.3390/jal3010006

“Metacognitive Illusions: A Positivity Effect in Judgments of Learning for Older but Not Younger Adults”
by Xiaojun Sun and Yingjie Jiang
J. Intell. 2023, 11(3), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence11030040

“Is Social Participation Associated with Successful Aging among Older Canadians? Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)”
by Mabel Ho, Eleanor Pullenayegum and Esme Fuller-Thomson
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(12), 6058; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20126058

“The Quiet Epidemic: An Overview of Emerging Qualitative Research Trends on Sedentary Behavior in Aging Populations”
by André Ramalho and João Petrica
Healthcare 2023, 11(15), 2215; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11152215

“The Experiences of Older Adults with Dementia of “Balance Wise”—An Individual or Group-Delivered Exercise Programme: A Qualitative Study”
by Normala Mesbah, Meredith Perry, Keith D. Hill, Donald Manlapaz and Leigh Hale
Disabilities 2024, 4(1), 11–26; https://doi.org/10.3390/disabilities4010002

“Reducing Loneliness and Improving Social Support among Older Adults through Different Modalities of Personal Voice Assistants”
by Valerie K. Jones, Changmin Yan, Marcia Y. Shade, Julie Blaskewicz Boron, Zhengxu Yan, Hyeon Jung Heselton, Kate Johnson and Victoria Dube
Geriatrics 2024, 9(2), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics9020022

“Spiritual Needs of Older Adults Living with Dementia: An Integrative Review”
by Katherine Carroll Britt, Augustine C. O. Boateng, Hui Zhao, Francesca C. Ezeokonkwo, Chad Federwitz and Fayron Epps
Healthcare 2023, 11(9), 1319; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11091319

“Effects of Future Subjective Expectations on Cognitive Decline and Dementia among Middle-Aged and Older Adults ”
by Minsung Sohn, Xianhua Che and Hee-Jung Park
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(5), 421; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14050421

Topical Collection “Ageism, the Black Sheep of the Decade of Healthy Ageing”	Special Issue “Promoting Healthy Cognitive Aging: Psychological Approaches and Interventions”
Special Issue “Mental Health and Wellbeing in Elderly People: The Forgotten Loneliness”	Special Issue “The Health-Related Quality of Life of Older People with Chronic Disease”

As a leader in open access publishing, MDPI is eager to explore new collaboration opportunities, including the launch of new journals and the transfer of existing ones. At present, MDPI publishes over 400 journals, more than 160 of which have established partnerships with academic organizations. Additionally, we publish 19 association journals.

In order to enhance exchange and cooperation with scientific researchers and share the results of open science, MDPI invites experts and scholars from various fields to submit proposals for new journal collaboration opportunities. If your proposal is approved, you could take on the role of Editor-in-Chief, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, or Editorial Board Member of the journal. This position allows you to manage the manuscript review process alongside our editorial department, participate in calls for papers, strengthen your network with scholars in the field, expand scientific research cooperation, enhance your personal and academic influence internationally, and play a leading role in academia.

Once the new journal is online, MDPI will provide a variety of promotional channels to market the journal internationally.

MDPI will offer various promotional channels to enhance its visibility and promote it internationally.

How can you determine the theme of a new journal?

• Assess research hotspots/academic frontiers;
• Assess pioneers in the field/key research directions of universities;
• Determine whether MDPI has already established a journal in the field.

You can browse MDPI’s existing journals at the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/about/journals.

Advantages of collaborating with MDPI:

• MDPI is a global leader in open-access publishing with extensive academic resources.
• MDPI offers a professional publishing team that provides comprehensive support throughout the publishing process.
• MDPI’s diverse promotional platforms and channels help journals quickly increase their international visibility and influence.

We invite you to submit new journal proposal here, and contribute to academic development! In addition, if your institution (university, institute, college, national key laboratory, society, etc.) intends to establish a journal, you can also submit a draft to MDPI on its behalf.

MDPI journals frequently grant travel awards to empower junior researchers to showcase their latest research at academic conferences, thereby amplifying their impact within their research fields.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 103 recipients of MDPI's 2023 Travel Awards from different countries and territories for their exceptional presentations. These outstanding individuals were selected by the journal editors based on the strength of their research proposals and the anticipated impact of their presentations at academic conferences. We commend their exceptional contributions and wish them continued success in their academic endeavors.

MDPI will continue to provide support and recognition to the academic community. To learn more about the list of awardees, please visit the following pages:

• Biology and Life Sciences;
• Chemistry and Materials Sciences;
• Engineering;
• Environmental and Earth Sciences;
• Medicine and Pharmacology;
• Public Health and Healthcare;
• Others.

About MDPI Awards:

To reward the academic community, especially young researchers, and enhance communication among scientists, MDPI journals regularly offer various awards to researchers in specific fields. These awards, serving as a source of inspiration and recognition, help raise the influence of talented individuals who have been credited with outstanding achievements and are making a significant contribution to the advancement of their fields.

To explore more MDPI awards, please click here.

We are very pleased to announce an impressive interview conducted with Dr. Gerda de Kuijper, who has recently published an outstanding article in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH, ISSN: 1660-4601). In this interview, we delve into the latest advancements, challenges, and future directions pertaining to her research.

Name: Dr. Gerda de Kuijper
Affiliation: ¹Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, the Netherlands; ²Mental Healthcare Drenthe, Department Centre for Intellectual Disability and Mental Health, Middenweg 19, 9404 LL Assen, the Netherlands
Interest: psychopharmacology; mental illness; intellectual disabilities; clinical assessment; dual (psychiatry) diagnosis

Paper:

“Integrative Care for Challenging Behaviors in People with Intellectual Disabilities to Reduce Challenging Behaviors and Inappropriate Psychotropic Drug Prescribing Compared with Care as Usual: A Cluster-Randomized Trial”
by Gerda de Kuijper, Josien Jonker, Karlijn Kouwer, Pieter J. Hoekstra and Annelies de Bildt
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(7), 950; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21070950
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/7/950

The following is an interview with Dr. Gerda de Kuijper:

I live in the Netherlands, in the northeast of the Netherlands, and I am an intellectual disability physician, but also a researcher. I'm affiliated to a center for intellectual disability and mental healthcare and the Academic Collaborative on Intellectual Disability and Mental Health, Medical Centre University Groningen, Netherlands. It's important to know that in the Netherlands the care for people with intellectual disability is organized separately from the care for people with mental health problems, so our center and the research activities of the Academic Collaborative, at the cutting edge of mental healthcare and intellectual disability care is rather unique in the Netherlands.

My current area of research is people with intellectual disability and comorbid mental disorders. I'm especially interested in challenging behaviors, because there are a lot of underlying causes of these behaviors, including somatic causes but also mental disorders and environmental circumstances. Often people with intellectual disability get treatments with psychotropic drugs for challenging behavior, but often that may be not a very good choice because underlying causes are not treated.

People with intellectual disability form a very interesting study population, and they are nice people to engage with. Currently, I have no clinical practice anymore, but I have ample clinical experience and practiced for many years with people with intellectual disability as my patients. This patient group shows a large variety i.e., when you have someone who has a mild intellectual disability, you often can't see anything on the outside, but when you talk with that person you have to use simple language. When people have a more severe intellectual disability, then you have to talk with the parents, the family, the support professionals, et cetera.

Yes, it may be very difficult to carry out a research project in the intellectual disability care field. Because people who work in this care sector are often not very interested in research or have no time to cooperate. Their priorities lie in the care of their clients. Also, they are not used to registering in a standardized way what they are doing, how the patient’s health is, or how the patients behave. And often they have a day-to-day business which is more important to them than carrying out a research project. So, it is difficult to collect data.

I think, regarding people with a disability, have you got what is a good living situation for them? In the Netherlands, there are lots of institutions and there may be groups of people living with behavior problems congregated in one institution. Well, the advantage may be the specialized care they receive, the disadvantage is that they may harm each other and often cannot rely on each other, so I think it's better when people with intellectual disabilities live in small living facilities in the community. In the Netherlands, that is difficult to do, but when they live in the community, it's difficult to organize the right kind of care for them because all the specialized professionals are in the institutions and they are not available for the community. And that's a problem not only in the Netherlands, but also in other countries.

It's environmental, and I told you about the importance of the environment for people with intellectual disabilities. And it's also a public health issue. My area of research also is how you organize your care, which is a public health issue. So, I think it's a very good journal for the paper I've published.

It's more accessible for a lot of students and clinicians.

Conference: McGill International Palliative Care Congress 2024
Date: 15–18 October 2024
Location: Montreal, Canada

MDPI will be attending the McGill International Palliative Care Congress 2024 as an exhibitor (booth: 10B), and we welcome researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas with us.

McGill University’s International Congress on Palliative Care is the longest running congress for this field. Founded in 1976 by Dr. Balfour Mount and his colleagues, it is now organized and hosted biennially by Palliative Care McGill. Over 1500 delegates, from more than 65 countries participate in making this one of the most interdisciplinary palliative care congresses. Every other year physicians, researchers, nurses, psychologists, social workers, pharmacists, music therapists, art therapists, physical therapists, spiritual care workers, volunteers and many others gather from around the globe to learn from and with each other for the betterment of palliative care. Please join us in celebrating and enriching palliative care around the world.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Cancers;
• Healthcare;
• IJERPH;
• Religions;
• Behavioral Sciences;
• Nursing Reports;
• Current Oncology;
• Social Sciences;
• Psychology International;
• Geriatrics.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please do not hesitate to start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. We welcome researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas with us.

For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.mcgill.ca/palliativecare/congress.

The following webinar by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH, ISSN: 1660-4601) is open to all who enjoy conducting any type of research on the topic of health effects of airborne pollution or are passionate about learning about this exciting and competitive research area. The webinar speakers will present new findings from basic to translational research. Any interesting ideas for topics and speakers are welcome.

Keywords: human health, air pollution, dust, aerosol
Date: 19 September 2024 at 9:20 a.m. EDT| 3:20 p.m. CEST | 9:20 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 895 3197 5601

Register now for free!

Program:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we will let you know when the recording is available to view.

Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:

• Jonathan E. Thompson, School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, TX, USA;
• Karin Ardon-Dryer, Department of Geosciences, Atmospheric Science Group, Texas Tech University, USA;
• Dr. Christie M. Sayes, Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.

For more information about the webinar, please visit the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/IJERPH-13.

We are very pleased to announce an impressive interview with Dr. Ian Mudway, who has just published an outstanding article in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH, ISSN: 1660-4601). In this interview, we delve into the latest advancements, challenges, and future directions of his research.

Name: Dr. Ian Mudway
Affiliations:
1. Wolfson Institute for Population Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AB, UK;
2. MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK;
3. NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK.
Research interests: environmental exposures and health and chemical and radiation threats and hazards

Published Paper:
“Assessing the Impact of Non-Exhaust Emissions on the Asthmatic Airway (IONA) Protocol for a Randomised Three-Exposure Crossover Study”
by James Scales, Hajar Hajmohammadi, Max Priestman, Luke C. McIlvenna, Ingrid E. de Boer, Haneen Hassan, Anja H. Tremper, Gang Chen, Helen E. Wood, David C. Green, Klea Katsouyanni, Ian S. Mudway and Christopher Griffiths
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(7), 895; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21070895
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/7/895

The following is an interview with Prof. Robert J. Gregory:

1. Could you give us a brief introduction about yourself to our readers?
I am a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Toxicology at the School of Public Health at Imperial College London. I also serve as a Co-Investigator on the Impact of Non-Exhaust Emissions on the Asthmatic Airway (IONA) study.

2. Can you tell us about any research you are currently undertaking that is related to the paper?
We recently published our protocol paper for the study, known as the IONA Study, in your journal (https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/7/895). The study’s primary focus is to understand the impact of non-exhaust emissions from traffic on asthma. As regulations on tailpipe emissions from diesel and gasoline vehicles become stricter, there is a common perception that air quality will improve, potentially resolving health issues like the exacerbation of asthma symptoms related to air pollution.
However, what is less widely recognized is that a significant portion of urban air pollution actually comes from tire wear, the resuspension of road dust, and brake wear—all of which remain even as we transition to electric vehicles. Simply replacing combustion engines with electric vehicles does not eliminate pollution; it just changes its nature. The IONA Study aims to explore this issue in depth by determining whether this new form of pollution is as harmful to asthma as combustion-derived particles, or if it is safer. The study is designed specifically to address this critical question.

3. Are there any recent hot topics in your field of study?
There are two main areas of focus in this discussion. First, much of the attention is on achieving net-zero emissions and mitigating climate change. Reducing the use of combustion engines and transitioning to an electrified vehicle fleet are key targets for net zero, along with urban regeneration and city design. However, it is crucial to anticipate and avoid unintended consequences of these changes.
As we shift toward battery-powered vehicles, we must consider the entire lifecycle of these batteries and the pollutants that remain, or even increase, due to the shift in transportation methods. This study is really about looking ahead and asking whether, as we tackle the challenges of net zero and reduce CO₂ and greenhouse gas emissions, we are also being mindful of the broader impacts on public health. Specifically, the focus on non-exhaust emissions (NEEs) is a hot topic in air pollution right now. As the vehicle fleet becomes more electrified, the number of vehicles will likely remain the same or even increase, but the types of particles they emit will change.
Additionally, climate change itself is altering the chemistry of our atmosphere. As we introduce more solar energy into the air due to a warming planet, secondary chemical reactions occur, producing new pollutants and changing the types we will be exposed to in the future. So, this discussion is really about what comes next. We already know diesel and exhaust emissions are harmful—that is settled. We are now entering a phase where these emissions are being phased out, which should lead to health benefits, unless the alternatives we are introducing are equally harmful. It is essential to ensure that this is not the case.

4. What do you hope that readers will gain from reading your paper?
It is a protocol paper. The purpose of a protocol paper is to clearly outline what we are going to do, explain the motivation behind the work, and explicitly state our hypothesis and what we intend to test. Essentially, it is a pre-publication of the study's intentions, which is incredibly important in my field.
In drug trials, for instance, it is mandatory to publish the aims, objectives, and hypothesis beforehand, so that when the data is analyzed later, it is clear that the study stayed true to its original intentions. Unfortunately, in my field, there has been a history of post hoc re-evaluation, where data are generated and then papers are written to fit a hypothesis to the results. By specifying and publishing a protocol upfront in environmental health studies, we adhere more closely to the principles of clinical trials.
Our goal is to ensure that environmental health studies are as robust as drug studies. This is especially important when the data eventually reaches the public domain, which can become contentious, particularly in areas like air pollution, car ownership, and potential restrictions on driving. These are politically sensitive topics, and it is crucial to demonstrate that the scientific process has been rigorous.
This is why protocol papers matter. As subsequent papers are published, reviewers can refer back to the protocol paper to ensure that the study adhered to its original plan. This is key to maintaining robust, evidence-based science.
The IONA study, for example, is funded by the United States Health Effects Institute, which has an interesting funding model—half of their funding comes from industry, and the other half from the U.S. government. This positions them as an independent arbiter between these potentially conflicting interests, especially in areas with significant economic impact. In studies like this, there is an added layer of due diligence to ensure that everyone knows the study's objectives and that we remain true to them.

5. What advice would you give to young investigators who aspire to be where you are now?
Do not be afraid of being wrong. In fact, any scientist should expect to be wrong about 95% of the time. If you are not wrong that often, it might be a sign that something needs closer examination. No one can always be universally right. Be wary of someone who has never had a hypothesis disproved—that likely means they either knew the outcome before they started or they are not asking sufficiently challenging questions.
Science is about pushing the boundaries of knowledge, and that means accepting that you will make mistakes. Often, it is those unexpected outcomes and the mistakes you make that lead to the most valuable discoveries in your field.

6. What is your impression of the publishing experience with IJERPH?
The submission process itself was painless—or as painless as submitting to a journal can ever be. Publishing is a strange business model if you think about it. We, as researchers, need the publishers, and they need our content, so it is a symbiotic relationship.
I imagine we can be frustrating at times because we do not always meet deadlines, but we are often juggling multiple demands. Conversely, I do not think many people in the scientific community fully grasp the pressures and workload that journal editors face. This can lead to mutual frustration.
That said, I found the process of publishing with your journal to be quite straightforward. Once we passed the review stage, the editorial process, manuscript preparation, and the advice we received were all clear and easy to follow—something that is not always the case.

7. We are an open access journal. How do you think open access impacts authors?
Firstly, most of our research councils require that our publications appear in open access journals. For papers funded by the latest Horizon 2020 European funding mechanism, not only must they be published in open access journals, but the data also have to be released simultaneously under FAIR data principles. This has caused a lot of concern, as everyone is trying to navigate what that actually entails, but it is absolutely essential.
Additionally, because I work in public health, where studies often become quite relevant very quickly, the days of quietly publishing and moving on are over. Once a paper goes to press, it can become a significant issue almost immediately. As I mentioned earlier, transparency in the research process is crucial. However, transparency is meaningless if people do not have access to the research. Open access publication is therefore essential to maintain public trust in science. When research is hidden behind a paywall, it creates opportunities for misinformation and mistrust, with people claiming that information is being concealed or that the system is rigged.
In my field, it is absolutely essential. You simply cannot conduct public health research if the public cannot access your findings.

We are very pleased to announce an impressive interview conducted with Prof. Linda L. Chao, who has recently published an outstanding article in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH, ISSN: 1660-4601). In this interview, we delve into the latest advancements and challenges in and future directions of her research.

Published Paper:
“PON1 Status in Relation to Gulf War Illness: Evidence of Gene–Exposure Interactions from a Multisite Case–Control Study of 1990–1991 Gulf War Veterans”
by Lea Steele, Clement E. Furlong, Rebecca J. Richter, Judit Marsillach, Patricia A. Janulewicz, Maxine H. Krengel, Nancy G. Klimas, Kimberly Sullivan and Linda L. Chao
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(8), 964; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21080964
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/8/964

The following is an interview with Prof. Linda Chao:

1. Could you please give us a brief introduction of yourself and your current research topic to our readers?
My name is Linda Chao and I’m a professor of radiology and psychiatry at UCSF. I’m also a research career scientist at the San Francisco VA. I’m a cognitive neuroscientist by training, and my research examines normal aging neurodegenerative processes and how exposures to things like stress and neurotoxins affect the brain and cognition. I also study the effects of nonpharmacological interventions for conditions like mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and Gulf War illness (GWI).

2. What inspired you to pursue this field of research?
Well, I’ve always been interested in the brain and how the mind works, particularly memory, and why some people have good memories and other people can’t seem to remember anything at all. When I took my first cognitive psychology class in college and the professor broke memory down into three processes—encoding, storage, and retrieval—I found out that people were doing research to find out which parts of the brain were responsible for different parts of cognition. I thought, “That’s what I want to do”.

3. Can you tell us about any research you’re currently undertaking that is related to the paper?
GWI has been a major focus of my research for the past 25 years. I currently have a study looking at veterans who were exposed to large amounts of pesticides during the Gulf War, and I’m studying whether they’re at increased risk for Parkinson’s disease. I have another study looking at whether deployed Gulf War veterans have higher than expected rates of mild cognitive impairment, which is considered a prodromal or early stage of dementia. Finally, I have a clinical trial looking at whether we can improve symptoms of GWI by treating veterans with GWI, insomnia, and undiagnosed or untreated sleep apnea with behavioral sleep therapy and a positive airway pressure (PAP) device.

4. What do you hope that readers will get from your paper?
For the longest time, Gulf War illness was this mystery illness, and no one could figure out why the soldiers who returned from a very brief conflict in the Persian Gulf region were getting so sick. We now know that Gulf War veterans were exposed to a lot of different types of chemicals, some of which are neurotoxins, but it’s long been a mystery why certain soldiers became so sick while others, who appeared to have similar deployment-related exposures, didn't get sick.
Dr. Lea Steele, our study’s first author, had some preliminary findings early on suggesting that genetic factors may have played a role in the development of Gulf War illness. Dr. Robert Haley also published some early studies suggesting that veterans with the RR genotype PON1 enzyme, which detoxifies toxic chemicals, may be more susceptible to the adverse effects of nerve agents.
I think what’s unique about our study is that we considered all deployment-related exposures, not just chemical nerve agents. By doing so we are seeing just how complicated the etiology of Gulf War illness likely is. Our results suggest that veterans who have QQ or QR types of the PON1 enzyme, which is much more common among the Gulf War veteran population than the RR type of PON1 enzyme, were likely more susceptible to the adverse effects of skin pesticides, which nearly every Gulf War veteran used during deployment. Furthermore, our findings hint at possible interactions between Pyridostigmine bromide (PB), which was used to protect the troops against possible nerve agent exposure, and nerve agents and skin pesticides that were used during deployment. In other words, the PB pills that many soldiers were ordered to take to protect them against nerve agents may actually have made things worse. We also saw hints that being a regular smoker during deployment may have also exacerbated the effects of exposure to skin pesticides.

5. What is your impression of your publishing experience with the journal IJERPH?
I was really impressed by the fast turnaround time from submission to publication. There aren’t that many Gulf War illness researchers in the field, and sometimes journals can have a hard time finding referees with the appropriate expertise who are willing to review Gulf War illness-related papers. So, we’re appreciative of the fast turnaround time from submission to publication. I also appreciate this opportunity to talk to you about our work.

6. We are an open access journal. How do you think open access impacts authors?
I think open access journals are great, and in particular, open access makes our work and our research more visible and available to the general public, journalists, and policymakers because they can access our papers without needing a subscription to the journals, which is nice.

7. What advice would you give to young investigators who aspire to be where you are now?
If there’s a topic that interests you, pursue it with passion, even if it’s not currently a hot or trendy topic. What’s trendy in research tends to have a cyclical nature, and if you’re studying something that you’re genuinely interested in, it’ll be easy for you to put in the number of hours that’s necessary to become successful. So, don’t worry if the rest of the world doesn’t think what you’re studying is cool or interesting because they’ll eventually catch up.

MDPI will attend the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) 101st Annual Conference. Great minds come together at the ACRM Annual Fall Conference, the place to fuel creative energy, promote innovation and spark collaboration—the kind of collaboration needed to help bring the latest science into practice faster. With 150+ inter-professional groups at ACRM, including community groups, committees, and task forces, the 100th anniversary conference is planning 4 powerful plenaries, 15+ symposia, 300+ educational sessions, symposia and lectures, and 600+ scientific papers and digital poster presentations.

The mission of ACRM is to enhance the lives of those with disabling conditions through interdisciplinary research. To optimize patient care, it is essential for researchers to effectively communicate their findings, and for clinicians to provide valuable feedback to inform and advance research efforts. The objective of the ACRM 101st annual conference is to foster engagement among attendees, encouraging discussions and collaborations that will propel the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation forward.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Healthcare;
• IJERPH;
• Behavioral Sciences;
• Trauma Care;
• Nursing Reports;
• Brain Sciences;
• JFMK;
• Biomechanics;
• Prosthesis;
• EJIHPE;
• Sensors;
• Sclerosis.

If you plan on attending this conference, please feel free to stop by our booth #434 and start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit https://conference.acrm.org/.

MDPI’s Best PhD Thesis Awards are granted to promising young scholars whose PhD theses are deemed exceptional within their respective research fields. These awards aim to encourage young scholars to continue their outstanding accomplishments and further contribute to their field.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 54 winners of the 2023 Best PhD Thesis Awards and wish them success with their future research endeavors.

MDPI will continue to provide support and recognition to the academic community. To learn more about all the awardees and their research projects in your field of study, please visit the following pages:

About MDPI Awards:

To reward the academic community, especially young researchers, and enhance communication among scientists, MDPI journals regularly offer various awards to researchers in specific fields. These awards, serving as a source of inspiration and recognition, help raise the influence of talented individuals who have been credited with outstanding achievements and are making a significant contribution to the advancement of their fields.

To explore more MDPI awards, please click here.

MDPI will be attending the GSA 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting (GSA 2024), which will be held from 13 to 16 of November 2024, in Seattle, USA.

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) Annual Scientific Meeting draws professionals in the field of aging on a global scale, representing specialties including geriatrics, biological sciences, nursing, nutrition, medicine, social work, economics, policy, and psychology. The GSA is the largest and most established international, interdisciplinary scientific organization devoted to the advancement of gerontological research.

GSA 2024 offers numerous opportunities for career development and networking. Nearly 4,000 researchers, clinicians, educators, and other professionals will gather in Seattle to learn about and discuss the latest trends, research, and key issues in aging.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Healthcare;
• Geriatrics;
• Nursing Report;
• Epidemiologia;
• Journal of Clinical Medicine (JCM);
• International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH);
• European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education (EJIHPE);
• Journal of Personalized Medicine (JPM);
• Nutrients;
• Journal of Ageing and Longevity (JAL);
• International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS);
• Societies;
• Behavioral Sciences.

If you are planning to attend the conference, we encourage you to visit our booth and speak to our representatives. We are eager to meet you in person and assist you with any queries you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the official website at https://www.gsa2024.org/.

We were very pleased to announce an impressive interview with Prof. Robert J. Gregory, who has just published an outstanding article in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH, ISSN: 1660-4601). In this interview, we delve into the latest advancements, challenges, and future directions of his research.

Name: Prof. Robert J. Gregory

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA

Interests: borderline personality disorder; suicide prevention; addictions; psychotherapy

Published Paper: “Dynamic Deconstructive Psychotherapy for Suicidal Adolescents: Effectiveness of Routine Care in an Outpatient Clinic”
by Rebecca J. Shields, Jessica P. Helfrich and Robert J. Gregory
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(7), 929; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21070929
Article Link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/7/929

The following is an interview with Prof. Robert J. Gregory:

I am a researcher, clinician, and teacher, and I was part of a regional youth mental health task force. Back in 2016, one of the recommendations from that task force was to improve care for suicidal individuals in our region. Since around 2007-2008, adolescents in the United States—and to some extent worldwide—have not been doing well. Even before the pandemic, there were rising rates of suicide and suicide attempts. In fact, during that time in the United States, there was a fivefold increase in adolescents coming to emergency rooms for suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts. The health system was overwhelmed, and we did not have adequate services for them. Frankly, we still do not have enough.

In 2017, I established a program called the Psychiatry High Risk Program, specifically for suicidal teens and young adults. The program utilizes an evidence-based psychotherapy that I developed about a decade earlier, called Deconstructive Dynamic Psychotherapy (DDP). Although DDP was well researched, it had not been used specifically for suicidal individuals. We decided to apply it to this population because it targets core vulnerabilities that lead to suicide—vulnerabilities such as impaired emotion processing, poor self-compassion, feelings of worthlessness, and a sense of alienation and isolation.

The goal of DDP is to address these core vulnerabilities over the course of up to a year, offering transformative healing rather than just helping people cope with their psychiatric disorders. Our recent study focused on adolescents aged 13 to 17 in our program. We looked at 65 consecutive adolescents who were highly suicidal, with a median of seven lifetime suicide attempts per person. Over six months, there was an 84% reduction in suicide attempts and a significant reduction in suicidal ideation. We also saw broad improvements in depression, anxiety, self-compassion, social functioning, and school performance, as well as a two-third reduction in emergency room visits and hospitalizations, saving an average of four hospital days per patient.

There is little research on adolescent suicide interventions, and our recovery-based approach seems to be working. I hope other institutions will consider adopting a similar model, as there is nothing about our program that cannot be replicated in other communities.

One of the challenges that we face is that this is a self-supporting program. We do not receive any state funding or other government support. We have received some donation money, which has been very helpful and has allowed us to conduct certain studies. One particularly helpful aspect was working with a few managed medical companies to secure slightly higher reimbursement rates. Unfortunately, the state did not cooperate, as they have a different, more short-term model in mind. However, the managed medical insurance companies were willing to work with us given our outcomes, especially since we were saving them a significant amount of money by reducing hospitalizations. This has allowed us to treat those patients who may not have private insurance or the means to afford it.

In terms of dissemination, I have found that it can be a significant challenge for any innovative treatment model. People are often skeptical of data unless they see patients improving with their own eyes. We have had some interest from different places around the world, and we have conducted training in Mexico and Israel and a residency program in North Carolina. We have also trained staff at a hospital in San Diego. However, progress is slow because of skepticism. Once people see the power of the method, especially in adolescents or young adults who have not responded to multiple other treatments, they become much more open to it.

Globally, the trend is moving in the opposite direction towards short-term interventions such as ten-session CBT or three-session approaches. While these have their benefits, particularly in helping people become less suicidal and get through a crisis, they also have limitations. Because these approaches are so short-term, they do not address the core vulnerabilities, which means that they do not break the cycle of chronicity. As a result, people may still be at risk when the next major stressor arises.

I hope it inspires them to see that there is another way—that they actually can make a difference. Many of the therapists I train, both regionally and internationally, are feeling burnt out. They feel like they are in a mill, trying to do the best they can, but no one is getting better, and clients keep cycling back into the clinic. This can be very discouraging. However, one thing that I have noticed with the training is that the morale of the therapists I train significantly improves. After initial skepticism, when they start seeing changes in their clients, they get really excited about it. Almost no therapist who begins training leaves; nearly all of them continue because they are inspired by the transformational changes they witness.

There is so much psychotherapy today that is ineffective, more akin to hand-holding and offering advice to get people through crises. Compared to 20 or 30 years ago, many have given up on psychotherapy as a solution. It can be hard to even get psychotherapy studies published, because not everyone realizes that not all therapy is the same. The counseling you might get in the community is very different from evidence-based, focused, structured psychotherapy. Many people are turning to quick solutions for their suicidality—a better drug, a new boyfriend or girlfriend—without realizing that more transformative healing is possible. They do not need to live the rest of their lives suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts.

Most of our clients have been struggling with suicidal thoughts since at least their early teens, and they are amazed and relieved when those thoughts finally go away for the first time in their lives. I have had clients tell me that they have been on their knees in their living room, with tears streaming down their faces. They are finally free from depression and suicidal thoughts. It is an incredibly gratifying treatment for the therapist as well. In most clinics, there is a lot of staff turnover, but we have almost zero turnover because therapists feel like they are finally making the kind of meaningful impact they hoped for when they entered the field.

I would say, contact me or email me at my email address. I am the corresponding author on the paper published. Email me to express an interest in collaboration. In fact, that is how the collaborations with Israel and Mexico started. Very often, it begins that way, and then we conduct research and publish together. It is about getting the word out. I love to collaborate, and it is definitely possible to do that.

I thought the process was a very good one. Publishing in IJERPH followed a rigorous scientific process. The peer reviews I received were objective and very helpful. We had two peer reviews as part of the manuscript submission process and were able to make the necessary changes. Once we had the final manuscript, the publication process went very quickly—within a week or two, we were able to publish it. I have been very impressed with the efforts towards dissemination and the partnership in that process. This interview is a good example of that. I definitely plan to make submissions to this journal in the future, as it has been a very positive experience thus far.

I think there has been a real transformation over the last 20 years in how knowledge is disseminated within the field of medicine more broadly, and also in psychiatry and mental health. Open access has clearly been the direction of the future, and indeed, the present, over the last 20 years. With search engines, it is now relatively easy to find the information you need, and the process of obtaining information out there through an open access journal is much faster. I am used to articles, once accepted, taking six months to a year before being published, rather than one to two weeks. The ability to have new findings disseminated quickly and make them available in search engines, where people can easily find them, is incredibly helpful.

MDPI’s Young Investigator Awards recognize promising early career scientists, acknowledge their contributions, and foster collaboration within the scientific community. We are proud to announce the recipients for 2023, who were carefully selected by the journals’ esteemed Award Evaluation Committee.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 79 winners of MDPI’s 2023 Young Investigator Awards for their excellent contributions in their research field. We look forward to seeing these rising stars continue to contribute to the advancement of science.

MDPI will continue to support and recognize the academic community. To explore details about the awardees by field, please visit the individual pages listed below:

Congratulations to all the winners for their exceptional contributions and dedication to advancing scientific research.

About MDPI Awards:
To support the academic community, particularly young researchers, and to enhance communication among scientists, MDPI journals regularly offer various awards to researchers in specific fields. These awards, serving as a source of inspiration and recognition, help to elevate the profiles of talented individuals who have made outstanding achievements and are making significant contributions to advancements in their respective fields.

To find out more about MDPI awards, please click here.

Conference: 1st International Conference of Environmental Medicine—Environmental Threats to Human Health: From Genetics to Epigenetics
Date: 11 September 2024
Location: Chieti, Italy

The 1st International Conference of Environmental Medicine is presented by the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (SIMA) and the University "Gabriele d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, addressing the impacts of environmental exposures on human health with an epigenetic perspective. The event is organized in collaboration with the Environmental Health Research Organization (EHRO), the Spanish Society of Environmental Medicine and Climate Changes (SESMA), and the Laureate Science Alliance (LSA). Fostering the application of the precautionary principle, the conference aims to promote a new vision of medicine and epidemiology focused on the primary prevention of the most common diseases or conditions where the role of environmental exposures has already been investigated in the medical literature.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• IJERPH;
• Diseases;
• Air;
• Infectious Disease Reports;
• Biology;
• Adolescents.

Join us as we engage with our IJERPH 2023 Outstanding Reviewer Award winner, Dr. Carol Nash, to discuss her scholarly insights and journey as a reviewer for the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH, ISSN: 1660-4601).

Name: Dr. Carol Nash
Affiliation: History of Medicine Program, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1W7, Canada
Interests: self-directed learning; narrative research; history of medicine; health promotion; bioethics

The following is an interview with Dr. Carol Nash:

1. Can you give us a brief introduction of yourself and the main content of your current research? Additionally, could you share some emerging research directions in this field?
I am a full-time researcher, devoting time to writing articles and reviewing for peer-reviewed journals. I write and review by responding to the invitations I receive from journals. My current research concerns the responses of various appointment-based medical specialties to emergency redeployment during COVID-19. I recently published a comprehensive examination of the reaction of several specialties. I am now writing articles for various journals on the response of individual appointment-based medical specialties during the COVID-19 redeployment. The outcome of each specialty differed. I mention the emerging research directions for this topic in my recent publication: https://www.mdpi.com/2813-7914/1/2/19.

2. When and how did you first become aware of the open access IJERPH journal? How do you think open access impacts scholar communities?
In 2018, the MDPI journal Challenges invited me to review a submission. This manuscript was the first review I did for any MDPI journal. In 2019, I received my first invitation from IJERPH to review an article. By the end of 2019, I had refereed six papers for IJERPH. I cannot speak for scholar communities; I can only speak for myself. How it impacted me was to redirect how I structured my research to fit the requirements of MDPI journals. I am very supportive of research being open to all.

3. Which qualities do you think reviewers need?
To learn what qualities I believe reviewers need, please see my article on this topic in the MDPI journal Publications: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6775/11/2/32.

4. What are the key factors and aspects that you consider most when reviewing a manuscript?
Again, rather than me providing a short answer here to this question, please read my article: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6775/11/2/32. It provides the answers.

5. Based on your rich reviewing experience, could you please share the common problems that authors face?
One common problem that authors face regarding the review process is that they often fail to read the review thoroughly, jumping to conclusions concerning their response. When this happens, it prolongs the review process, as the reviewer must ask the authors more than once to make the same changes. Another problem is that authors often neglect to see the value in ensuring that their citations reference both seminal work and current research, demonstrating that the interpretation of the original work cited remains the same. In many cases, the interpretation has changed, requiring that authors provide a history of the term’s evolution. For those authors for whom English is not their first language, submissions are sometimes written in poor English. When the English language usage is difficult to decipher, reviewers are less likely to take up the invitation to do the review, and it takes longer for the author to receive the review. To ensure a review of their work, authors should use an aid, such as Grammarly, to check their English before they submit.

6. What are the advantages of the MDPI review platform in your opinion?
The advantages of the MDPI review platform are as follows: it is standardized for most (but not all) MDPI journals, allows reviewers to examine their past reviews indefinitely, permits reviewers to see the reviews of the other referees of an article once all the reviews are in, and these other reviews are also available in perpetuity.

7. What’s the secret to a happy scientific life? Have you ever encountered any difficulties conducting research, and how did you overcome them?
As a researcher who has (among other topics) focused on burnout in researchers, the secret to a happy scientific life is researching because you want to find out the truth and will not be satisfied until you do. There is a difference between researching because it is fun and researching because you are looking for the truth. If your focus is fun, when work gets hard, you likely give up and will not be happy continuing the research. A researcher driven by the desire for truth is not concerned with what is momentarily fun. What is relevant is being self-directed in your research process based on a passion for finding the truth. An article of mine in the MDPI journal Challenges focuses on the happiest and most self-directed researcher I ever met. Here is a link to that article: https://www.mdpi.com/2078-1547/13/2/45. It gives a more detailed answer to this question.
Regarding whether I have ever encountered any difficulties conducting research, before computers and the internet, my problems when researching were innumerable. In the past, to write an article, a researcher had to have access to the appropriate library and spend hours searching journals and books by hand to find the needed information. Notes were hand-written and then transcribed to the typewriter. The only mechanized part of researching then was that at least I had an electric, rather than manual, typewriter! It was almost impossible to be published as there were few journals, and the time reviewers took to read and comment on the article meant that submissions often took years to complete the acceptance process. Research in those days was agony. The only researchers who could get ahead in this system were those who had enough money to have secretaries and many research assistants to complete the work that was drudgery. Now, with computers, the internet, and so many journals to choose from for publication, one lone researcher can do the work of twenty in the past and have the results published in a tenth of the time it used to take. This time is history’s golden period for research.

In May, MDPI Romania held three author training sessions – one endorsing an external event and two stand-alone sessions.

The National Session of Scientific Student Communications took place at Technical University Cluj on 17 and 18 May 2024. MDPI Romania sponsored this event and contributed an author training session on the production of research papers and case study analyses. JRS Norbert Kiss gave a presentation called The World of Open Access to explain different open access publishing models and the benefits of open access publishing. His presentation highlighted the impact of open access publishing on scientific progress and innovation.

On 29 May 2024, MDPI Romania hosted an author training session for Ph.D. students, early career researchers, and professors at the Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy. In collaboration with Prof. Andreea Arsene, JRS Ioana Paunescu prepared two presentations: The Steps of the Publishing Process and Elaboration of a Peer Review Report. In her first presentation, she delved into MDPI’s history and mission, MDPI’s editorial process, and MDPI journals of various scopes that are accepting submissions. Her second presentation outlined the types of peer review, the contents of a peer review report by an MDPI reviewer, and the responsibilities of an MDPI reviewer.

MDPI Romania also hosted an author training session at the Iasi University of Life Sciences on 29 May 2024. JRSs Laurentiu Preda and Cosmin Artan gave four presentations: Efficient Writing of an ISI-Indexed Scientific Article, Benefits of Publishing in the Open Access Model, Various Methods of Open Access Publishing, and MDPI Guide for the Article Review Process. The first three presentations offered guidance on how to improve academic writing, the fourth focused on how to write peer review reports. A highly interactive discussion followed the presentations, during which the JRSs provided extensive answers to attendees’ questions.

MDPI is grateful for all the attendees, speakers, and organizers involved in these events. Through their enthusiasm and dedication, these events were great successes.

In order to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week 2024, MDPI is launching a special webinar to encourage researchers to come together, take action, and highlight how the exchange of findings facilitates efforts to raise awareness on breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding plays a crucial role in the early development of infants, providing essential nutrients and antibodies that bolster the immune system and promote healthy growth. It fosters a strong bond between mother and child while reducing the risk of infections, allergies, and chronic conditions. Moreover, breastfeeding supports cognitive development and contributes to long-term health benefits, including lower risks of obesity and diabetes. For mothers, it aids post-partum recovery and reduces the risk of certain cancers. Promoting breastfeeding is vital for public health, ensuring the well-being of both infants and mothers and fostering a healthier future generation.

We are very much looking forward to seeing you at the MDPI World Breastfeeding Week Webinar 2024.

Date: 07 August 2024 at 03.00 p.m. CEST | 9:00 a.m. EDT | 9:00 p.m. CST Asia
Webinar ID: 839 4244 6710
Webinar Announcement: https://sciforum.net/event/MWBWW2

Register now for free!

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway and we will inform you when the recording is available.

Keynote Speakers:

• Dr. Shela Hirani, University of Regina, Faculty of Nursing, Regina, Canada;
• Dr. Sylvia H. Ley, Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A.;
• Dr. Natalie Shenker, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, England; Human Milk Foundation, Gossoms End Health Centre, Hertfordshire, England.

Relevant Special Issues:
“Health Promotion and Interventions for Marginalized Mothers and Children”
Guest Editor: Dr. Shela Hirani
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025

“Anxiety and Depressive Disorders among Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women”
Guest Editor: Dr. Georgios Eleftheriou
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2024

“Association between Breast Milk Composition and Neonates Growth”
Guest Editor: Dr. Maria Elisabetta Baldassarre
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2024

“Breastmilk for Healthy Development”
Guest Editors: Dr. Monika Zielińska-Pukos and Prof. Dr. Jadwiga Hamułka
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 October 2024

“What’s New in Breastfeeding?”
Guest Editor: Dr. Patricia Markham Risica
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 October 2024

“Breast Cancer: New Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches”
Guest Editors: Dr. Erika Bandini, Dr. Tania Rossi and Dr. Sara Bravaccini
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2025

“Molecular and Pharmacological Basis of Breast Cancer Resistance to Therapies”
Guest Editors: Dr. Stefania Crucitta and Dr. Rossana Roncato
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024

“Women’s Special Issue Series: Biomedicines (2nd Edition)”
Guest Editors: Dr. Letizia Polito, Dr. Federica Falà and Dr. Riuko Ohashi
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2024

“Impacts of Newborn Breast Milk Feeding”
Guest Editors: Dr. Ivan Hand and Dr. Lawrence M. Noble
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 January 2025

“Infant Feeding: Advances and Future Challenges: 2nd Edition”
Guest Editors: Dr. Evangelia Antoniou, Dr. Maria K. Tzitiridou-Chatzopoulou and Dr. Eirini Orovou
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2024

“Promoting Breastfeeding and Human Milk in Infants”
Guest Editors: Dr. Pasqua Anna Quitadamo and Prof. Dr. Luigi Corvaglia
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 March 2025

“2nd Edition: Pregnancy and Perinatal Health”
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Claude Billeaud and Dr. Virginie Rigourd
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2024

“Nutritional Management of Newborn Infants”
Guest Editor: Dr. Maria Skouroliakou
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 27 November 2024

“Pregnancy, Childbirth, Puerperium, Breastfeeding and Sexuality in the World of Rare Diseases”
Guest Editors: Dr. Juan Carlos Sánchez-García, Dr. Raquel Rodríguez-Blanque and Dr. Jonathan Cortés Martín
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2024

MDPI will attend the ESC Congress 2024, held in London, UK, from 30 August to 2 September 2024, at booth #G 160. We invite researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas with us.

The Spotlight of the ESC Congress 2024 will be “Personalising Cardiovascular Care”, a topic devoted to empowering patients through tailored treatments to improve outcomes, reduce risk, and redefine the standard of care.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Medicina;
• JCM;
• Healthcare;
• IJTM;
• Diseases;
• IJERPH;
• Genes;
• Clinics and Practice;
• Medicines;
• EJIHPE;
• Cardiogenetics.

If you are participating in this conference, please feel free to contact us online prior to attendance. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at booth #G 160 and answering any questions you may have. For more information regarding the conference, please visit the following link: https://www.escardio.org/Congresses-Events/ESC-Congress.

Throughout the second quarter of 2024, research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH, ISSN: 1660-4601) was featured over 485 times in news articles published by reputable media sources, such as BBC News, Forbes, TIME Magazine, and National Geographic.

Learn more about this research below.

“If you find yourself waking up multiple times a night, consider moving your dinnertime earlier”, says Dr. Vishesh Kapur, a professor and director of sleep medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine. If you eat a very large meal too late at night, the digestion process could wake you up. Spicy foods, acidic foods, and fatty foods are particularly troublesome.”
TIME Magazine—“How to Get Back to Sleep After Waking Up at Night”
IJERPH—“Does the Proximity of Meals to Bedtime Influence the Sleep of Young Adults? A Cross-Sectional Survey of University Students”
Article link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/8/2677

“The benefits of digital substance use programs are significant and have been demonstrated in multiple peer-reviewed clinical research, with outcomes meeting or exceeding those of traditional, in-person therapy. These benefits include increased access to care, convenience, flexible scheduling, a greater sense of privacy and reduced stigma.”
Forbes—“Why There’s An Urgent Need To ‘Modernize’ Substance Use Treatment”
IJERPH—“Digital Help for Substance Users (SU): A Systematic Review”
Article link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/18/11309

“Running's mental health plusses are no less intriguing. "Running can be done on your own, but often has a social component as well, whether it's running with a friend or being part of a running club or virtual community," says Karmel Choi, a clinical psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School." This adds to the emotional benefits by reducing isolation and increasing a sense of support and motivation.”
National Geographic—“Why the world's oldest sport is still one of the best exercises”
IJERPH—“A Scoping Review of the Relationship between Running and Mental Health”
Article link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/21/8059

“Exercise and “cognitive training” can improve life for adults with Down's syndrome, research has suggested. Two Anglia Ruskin University academics based in Cambridge led a study involving more than 80 people. A university spokesman said the "Mindsets" study, external, led by Dr Dan Gordon and Viviane Merzbach and published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, was the first of its kind.”
BBC News—“Cambridge study says exercise lifts adults with Down's syndrome”
IJERPH—“The Effects of Prescribed Physical and Cognitive Exercise on Life Satisfaction, Self-Efficacy and Mood States in Adults with Down Syndrome: The MinDSets Study”
Article link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/5/610

“For example, in February, researchers at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health published a study which suggests that city dwellers who have more exposure to urban green spaces require fewer mental health services.”
Forbes—“Why Trees And Green Spaces Are Good For Our Health And Wellbeing”
IJERPH—“Nature and Mental Health in Urban Texas: A Nature Score-Based Study”
Article link: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/2/168

We are pleased to announce that the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH, ISSN: 1660-4601) ranked first in the latest Google Scholar Metrics in the subcategory Public Health. The h5-index of IJERPH is 229 and the h5-median is 328.

We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all the editors, reviewers, authors, and readers of IJERPH. Thank you for all your support. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or suggestions for IJERPH.

For more information about our ranking on Google Scholar, please visit the following website: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=top_venues&hl=en&vq=med_publichealth.

IJERPH Editorial Office

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH, ISSN: 1660-4601, CiteScore: 7.3), a transdisciplinary, peer-reviewed, open access journal that is published monthly online by MDPI. It covers Global Health, Healthcare Sciences, Behavioral and Mental Health, Infectious Diseases, Chronic Diseases and Disease Prevention, Exercise and Health Related Quality of Life, Environmental Health and Environmental Sciences.

Since the establishment of IJERPH in 2004, the journal has published over 60,000 papers, including more than 17,000 that have been cited at least 10 times. During the past 20 years, IJERPH has significantly contributed to scientific advancements in the multidisciplinary field of environmental and public health sciences.

We would like to express our sincerest gratitude to our readers, innumerable authors, anonymous peer reviewers, editors, and everyone working in some way for the journal, for your outstanding work in fostering the vision and supporting the mission of our journal. Without your support, we would never have achieved this significant milestone.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of IJERPH, we are arranging events and the release of special content. We hope that you will be able to join us in this celebration. For more information about our anniversary events, please visit: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph/anniversary.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or recommendations, please do not hesitate to contact [email protected].

IJERPH Editorial Office

Five new journals covering multiple subjects have launched their inaugural issue in June 2024. We are excited to be able to share with you the newest research rooted in the value of open access.

We would like to express our deepest appreciation to all the Editorial Board Members and each journal will ensure its high-quality output using excellent editorial and rigorous peer review processes, to ensure that the articles achieve high impact and visibility.

Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below.

Journal	Founding Editor-in-Chief	Journal Topics (Selected)
	Prof. Dr. Marco Ranucci, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Italy | Editorial | view inaugural issue	anaesthetic medications; blood and fluid management; pain management; critical care; critical illness | view journal scope | submit an article
	Dr. Giovanni E. Cacciamani, University of Southern California, USA | Editorial | view inaugural issue	surgical/procedural complications; complications; perioperative adverse events; postoperative adverse events | view journal scope | submit an article
	Prof. Dr.  Gassan Hodaifa, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Spain | Editorial | view inaugural issue	laboratory management; laboratory safety; protective equipment; laboratory problems and challenges; laboratory Innovation | view journal scope | submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Jan S. Suchodolski, Texas A&M University, USA | Editorial | view inaugural issue	companion animals health and disease; veterinary care and nutrition; genetics and genomics; behavior and welfare; human-animal relations | view journal scope | submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Pierfrancesco De Paola, University of Naples Federico II, Italy | Editorial | view inaugural issue	real estate appraisal; economic and financial valuation of real estate projects; sustainable real estate; housing and urban economics | view journal scope | submit an article

We wish to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. You are welcome to send an application here, or contact the New Journal Committee ([email protected]) if you would like to create more new journals.

MDPI is pleased to announce the inclusion of 237 journals in the 2024 release of the Journal Citation Reports (JCR) and share the key results (see above).

This year, journals covered in the Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) received category ranks together with journals in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) and Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). Overall, 139 MDPI journals indexed in ESCI are included in the new unified rankings for the first time.

Enhanced Comparability of Data

According to Clarivate, "the creation of unified category rankings [provides] a simpler and more complete category view for the evaluation of journal performance. [...] The category-first approach simplifies journal performance assessment with a holistic view of all journals in each subject category."

We are thrilled to announce that 72% of our ranked MDPI journals (171 of 237) are above average, in Q1 or Q2. Twenty-nine of our journals received their first Impact Factor this year, accounting for more than 5% of the journals accepted into the Web of Science last year.

MDPI Journals Ranked in JCR

The following data includes all MDPI journals indexed in SCIE, SSCI, ESCI and AHCI.

Source: 2023 Journal Impact Factors, Journal Citation Reports ^TM (Clarivate, 2024)

About MDPI

A pioneer in scholarly, open access publishing, MDPI has supported academic communities since 1996. MDPI is leading the transition to open science by making more research free and accessible to everyone. Over 3.5 million researchers have entrusted MDPI with publishing their scientific discoveries. MDPI’s editorial process is bolstered by a network of dedicated reviewers, a team of 6000 professional, well-trained staff members, and an in-house article submission platform that was designed to ensure efficient processes within its 440 fully open access titles.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH, ISSN: 1660-4601) is pleased to present the top 10 viewed articles in Q1 of 2024. We hope this announcement will provide useful information for this field.

1. “Nutritional Criminology: Why the Emerging Research on Ultra-Processed Food Matters to Health and Justice”
by Susan L. Prescott, Alan C. Logan, Christopher R. D’Adamo, Kathleen F. Holton, Christopher A. Lowry, John Marks, Rob Moodie and Blake Poland
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(2), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020120
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/2/120

2. “The Autism Spectrum Disorder and Its Possible Origins in Pregnancy”
by Rayane M. Botelho, Ana Lúcia M. Silva and Alexandre U. Borbely
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(3), 244; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21030244
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/3/244

3. “Women, Addictions, Mental Health, Dishonesty, and Crime Stigma: Solutions to Reduce the Social Harms of Stigma”
by Sarah Page, Sophia Fedorowicz, Fiona McCormack and Stephen Whitehead
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(1), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21010063
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/1/63

4. “Nature and Mental Health in Urban Texas: A NatureScore-Based Study”
by Omar M. Makram, Alan Pan, Jay E. Maddock and Bita A. Kash
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(2), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020168
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/2/168

5. “United States Long-Term Trends in Adult BMI (1959–2018): Unraveling the Roots of the Obesity Epidemic”
by Julia Banas, Acree McDowell Cook, Karina Raygoza-Cortez, Daniel Davila, Melinda L. Irwin, Leah M. Ferrucci and Debbie L. Humphries
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(1), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21010073
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/1/73

6. “Factors Influencing Abortion Decision-Making of Adolescents and Young Women: A Narrative Scoping Review”
by Yui Koiwa, Eri Shishido and Shigeko Horiuchi
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(3), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21030288
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/3/288

7. “Pathophysiological Mechanisms in Long COVID: A Mixed Method Systematic Review”
by Nawar Diar Bakerly, Nikki Smith, Julie L. Darbyshire, Joseph Kwon, Emily Bullock, Sareeta Baley, Manoj Sivan and Brendan Delaney
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 473; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040473
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/4/473

8. “Exploring the Lived Experiences of Caregiving for Older Family Members by Young Caregivers in Singapore: Transition, Trials, and Tribulations”
by Araviinthansai Subramaniam and Kalyani Kirtikar Mehta
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(2), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020182
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/2/182

9. “Celiac Disease: Risks of Cross-Contamination and Strategies for Gluten Removal in Food Environments”
by Fabiana Magnabosco de Vargas, Louise Thomé Cardoso, Amanda Didoné, João P. M. Lima, Janaína Guimarães Venzke and Viviani Ruffo de Oliveira
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(2), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020124
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/2/124

10. “Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and Psychosocial Functioning among Adults with Cancer: A Scoping Review”
by Arianne Côté, Paule Miquelon and Claudia Trudel-Fitzgerald
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(2), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020225
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/2/225

We are pleased to inform you that the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH, ISSN: 1660-4601) has received an updated CiteScore of 7.3, an increase of 35% when compared with the 2022 metric. The 2023 CiteScore™ was released recently, making an assessment of the scientific influence of journals in the 2020–2023 period.

IJERPH’s CiteScore ranks as follows:

• Q1 (88 out of 665 journals) in the “Medicine: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health” category;
• Q1 (34 out of 148 journals) in the “Environmental Science: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis” category;
• Q2 (43 out of 167 journals) in the “Environmental Science: Pollution” category. 

For more journal statistics, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph/stats.

This excellent performance is inseparable from the support and dedication of all journal editors, reviewers, authors, and readers. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have contributed to the journal.

IJERPH Editorial Office

On UNESCO’s 2024 Oceans Day, MDPI encourages the scientific community to increase the accessibility of ocean research to accelerate ocean conservation.

Basel, Switzerland, June 7, 2024: MDPI, a leading open access (OA) publisher, is proud to announce its active support for World Oceans Day 2024, celebrated under UNESCO’s Ocean Decade framework. MDPI’s CEO, Stefan Tochev hopes that “the latest ocean research can be made freely accessible to help empower scientists and communities at large to save our oceans,” under UNESCO’s Ocean Decade until 2030.

Open Access: A Catalyst for Ocean Action

MDPI’s presence at the UNESCO Ocean Decade Conference 2024 highlights our unwavering commitment to using OA to advance ocean science, support research communities, and promote sustainable ocean management.

"Our involvement in the UNESCO Ocean Decade Conference underscores MDPI's commitment to the underfunded Ocean SDG. By promoting OA to scientific articles and books on SDGs, we aim to inspire critical actions," said Tochev. "Our initiatives, like the World Sustainability Award and Emerging Sustainability Award, further demonstrate our dedication to advancing sustainability.”

Showcasing MDPI’s Contributions to Ocean Research

Over the past three years, MDPI has published 30,000 papers focused on ocean research and related topics. Key MDPI journals contributing to this body of work include:

• Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (4.9k papers)
• Remote Sensing (2.6k papers)
• Sustainability (2k papers)
• International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS) (1.7k papers)
• Marine Drugs (1.5k papers)
• Water (1.5k papers)

These publications highlight MDPI’s contributions to ocean science, reinforcing our role in the broader sustainability agenda by promoting blue innovation and economy.

Additionally, MDPI has launched Oceans, an international, peer-reviewed forum specifically aimed at publishing studies related to all branches of oceanography with an emphasis on the functioning of the ocean and the sustainable use of its resources and ecosystem services.

Affirming MDPI’s Commitment to Ocean Science

MDPI’s commitment to OA is pivotal in addressing critical global challenges, from climate change to ocean sustainability. Our efforts resonate with Outcome 4 of the UNESCO Ocean Decade action roadmap: an accessible ocean with open and equitable access to data, information, technology, and innovation. By aligning with UNESCO’s goals, MDPI continues to contribute to shaping a sustainable future for our oceans, reinforcing our position as a forward-thinking publisher dedicated to environmental stewardship and scientific excellence.

For more information, contact Rui Duarte at [email protected] or +41764313242.

About MDPI

95% of authors rate MDPI’s publication process as excellent or good, setting a new benchmark in scientific publishing – reveals 2023 Annual Report. 

Basel, Switzerland, June 4, 2024: MDPI, the leading open access (OA) publisher, proudly announces the release of its 2023 Annual Report, detailing remarkable achievements and reaffirming its leadership in advancing OA publishing. In 2023, MDPI received 655,065 submissions, of which 285,244 articles were published. The company now commands a 17% market share in gold open access articles, with a median publication time of six weeks.

Stefan Tochev, MDPI's CEO, stated, "As a pioneer in open access publishing, MDPI has long been a game-changer in the scholarly community, serving millions of authors around the world to ensure the latest research is freely available. Reflecting on our incredible journey at MDPI, 2023 has been marked by growth in paper submissions, ambitious projects and initiatives aimed at improving our internal processes and delivering top-notch services to our scientists."

MDPI's 2023 Annual Report highlights several key achievements:

• 17% market share in gold open access articles across all disciplines.
• Record satisfaction rates: 95% of authors, 82% of reviewers, and 85% of guest editors.
• Enhanced editorial standards and feedback processes.
• Increased reach and impact with 54 new MDPI journal inclusions in Scopus, 29 in Web of Science, and 77 in DOAJ.

MDPI’s unwavering commitment to advancing OA has transformed the landscape of scholarly publishing, making high-quality research freely accessible to the global scientific community. The continuous improvement in our editorial standards and feedback processes underscores MDPI’s dedication to ensuring academic integrity and excellence.

Global Reach and Collaboration

MDPI’s global footprint continues to expand, with authors from diverse regions: 37% from Asia/Pacific, 36% from Europe, 15% from the Americas, and 12% from other parts of the world. The company’s fully OA platform attracted nearly 14 million monthly visitors in 2023, reflecting its widespread influence in the scientific community.

Commitment to Partnerships

With over 800 institutional partners, MDPI continues to demonstrate its dedication to providing reliable and collaborative publishing services. The introduction of a transparent flat-fee model highlights MDPI's ongoing efforts to enhance affordability and support to the academic community. For more details read our 2023 Annual Report.

For more information, contact Rui Duarte at [email protected] or +41764313242.

About MDPI

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH, ISSN: 1660-4601) is pleased to present the top 10 cited articles in Q1 of 2024. The articles presented are prioritized by citations, with a comprehensive reference to download and views data. We hope this announcement will provide useful information for this field.

1. “Nutritional Criminology: Why the Emerging Research on Ultra-Processed Food Matters to Health and Justice”
by Susan L. Prescott, Alan C. Logan, Christopher R. D’Adamo, Kathleen F. Holton, Christopher A. Lowry, John Marks, Rob Moodie and Blake Poland
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(2), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020120  
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/2/120

2. “Celiac Disease: Risks of Cross-Contamination and Strategies for Gluten Removal in Food Environments”
by Fabiana Magnabosco de Vargas, Louise Thomé Cardoso, Amanda Didoné, João P. M. Lima, Janaína Guimarães Venzke and Viviani Ruffo de Oliveira
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(2), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020124  
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/2/124

3. “Benzene Exposure and Lung Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Human Studies”
by Manuela Chiavarini, Patrizia Rosignoli, Beatrice Sorbara, Irene Giacchetta and Roberto Fabiani
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(2), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020205
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/2/205

4. “The Impact of Interaction Time and Verbal Engagement with Personal Voice Assistants on Alleviating Loneliness among Older Adults: An Exploratory Study”
by Changmin Yan, Kate Johnson and Valerie K. Jones
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(1), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21010100  
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/1/100

5. “The Association between Functional Dyspepsia and Metabolic Syndrome—The State of the Art”
by Mile Volarić, Dunja Šojat, Ljiljana Trtica Majnarić and Domagoj Vučić
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(2), 237; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020237  
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/2/237

6. “Relational Coordination at the Primary–Secondary Care Interface: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Survey in the South Tyrolean Healthcare System”
by Christian J. Wiedermann, Verena Barbieri, Adolf Engl and Giuliano Piccoliori
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(4), 425; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21040425  
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/4/425

7. “Nature and Mental Health in Urban Texas: A NatureScore-Based Study”
by Omar M. Makram, Alan Pan, Jay E. Maddock and Bita A. Kash
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(2), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020168  
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/2/168

8. “Teleworking Effects on Mental Health—A Systematic Review and a Research Agenda”
by Elisabeth Figueiredo, Clara Margaça, Brizeida Hernández-Sánchez and José Carlos Sánchez-García
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(3), 243; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21030243  
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/3/243

9. “Perceived Factors Influencing Blue-Collar Workers’ Participation in Worksite Health Promotion Programs in Freight Transport: A Qualitative Investigation Using the TDF and COM-B”
by Marc A. W. Damen, Sarah I. Detaille, Josephine A. Engels and Annet H. De Lange
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(1), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21010116  
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/1/116

10. “Value-Based Healthcare Delivery: A Scoping Review”
by Mirian Fernández-Salido, Tamara Alhambra-Borrás, Georgia Casanova and Jorge Garcés-Ferrer
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(2), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020134  
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/2/134