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Urban residency is associated with exposure to environmental factors, which can influence health in many ways. Neuroscientific research, as well as Public Health research, aim towards broadening evidence in the field of Urban Health. However, it is unclear whether the association between urban living and mental illnesses is causal rather than explainable by other selective effects. This review seeks to gather information on the current evidence regarding urban living and neurological outcomes to demonstrate how Public Health and Neuroscience could complement each other in the field of Urban Health. A scoping review was conducted in four electronic databases according to the PRISMA-statement guidelines. 25 empirical studies were included. Outcomes such as schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, social and cognitive functioning were scrutinised. Evidence was found for alteration of brain functioning and brain structure. Most studies researching cognitive functioning or cognitive decline displayed possible protective effects of urban living compared to rural living. The different study designs in Public Health and Neuroscience could profit from each other. Although the comparability of studies is limited by the inconsistent assessments of urbanity. Synergies and potentials to combine aspects of Public Health and Neuroscience in the field of Urban Health to improve population health became apparent.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and climate change are two simultaneously occurring large scale environmental health crises. This provides an opportunity to compare the risk perception of both crises in the population. In particular, whether experiencing the acute pandemic sensitizes people to the risks of ongoing climate change. Methods: Panel participants answered a web-based questionnaire. The risk perception of SARS-CoV-2 and influencing factors were assessed. Differences of risk perception dimensions regarding SARS-CoV-2 and climate change were analyzed as well as associations between dimensions. Results: The results show that an economic impact by the pandemic is associated with more dimensions of SARS-CoV-2 risk perception than an experienced health impact. Moreover, dimensions of risk perception of the pandemic and climate change are perceived differently. Furthermore, the affective dimension of pandemic risk perception is significantly associated with all dimensions of climate change risk perception. Conclusions: Emotional-based coping with the risks of SARS-CoV-2 is associated with risk perception of climate change as well as various factors that shape the individuals’ risk perception. It is currently necessary and will be increasingly necessary in the future to solve coexisting crises, not selectively, but in a common context within the framework of a social-ecological and economic transformation.

Zusammenfassung Wassersysteme geraten weltweit immer mehr unter Druck. Dies kann zu gesundheitlichen Gefahren führen. Wasser als Ressource ist Grundlage verschiedener Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung (SDG). Anstrengungen, um einzelne Ziele zu erreichen, unterstützen auch die Erreichung anderer Ziele. Diese Synergieeffekte müssen genutzt werden, um eine faire und effiziente Allokation von sauberem Wasser zu ermöglichen.

A newly developed specialized psychosocial aftercare program (PAC) for pediatric patients with chronic pain following an intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment (IIPT) was found to be significantly more effective than IIPT alone. This qualitative study aimed to gain further insight into the mechanisms and prerequisites for the effectiveness of this specialized aftercare program. We conducted structured telephone interviews with patients, parents, and health care professionals conducting PAC. A total of 16 interviews were conducted—seven interviews with parents, six interviews with patients, and three interviews with health care professionals—and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four major themes consisting of 20 subcategories were identified, namely (1) frame conditions, (2) person factors, (3) stabilization and (4) catalyst. The foundations of treatment success are frame conditions, such as flexibility or constancy, and person factors, such as respect or expertise. Based on these foundations, stabilization is achieved through security, mediation, orientation and support. Altogether, these components of PAC reveal their potential as catalysts for further improvement even after discharge from IIPT. Overall, patients and their families emphasized widespread personal relevance and acceptance of the PAC program. The findings of this study may be employed in the development of other aftercare programs or interventions involving families in the context of psychotherapeutic and psychosocial health care.