Cognitive decline, encompassing conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, represents a growing public health challenge with profound social and economic consequences. As populations age worldwide, the prevalence of cognitive impairment is expected to rise sharply, straining healthcare systems, families, and communities. Beyond direct health impacts, cognitive decline affects workforce participation, caregiving demands, and quality…

Country foods — the traditional foods harvested, hunted, or fished by Indigenous and rural communities — are central to cultural identity, nutrition, and food security. They provide essential nutrients, support community resilience, and reinforce connections to land and heritage. However, these foods can also present risks due to environmental contamination, overharvesting pressures, or changing ecosystems…

Country foods — the traditional foods harvested, hunted, or fished by Indigenous and rural communities — are central to cultural identity, nutrition, and food security. They provide essential nutrients, support community resilience, and reinforce connections to land and heritage. However, these foods can also present risks due to environmental contamination, overharvesting pressures, or changing ecosystems…

The media plays a pivotal role in shaping public understanding of risks, influencing how individuals perceive, prioritize, and respond to threats. Whether covering public health crises, environmental hazards, or technological innovations, media narratives can amplify accurate information — or spread misinformation that erodes trust and undermines protective action. The challenges of media and risk are…

Emissions from industrial processes, transportation, energy production, and agriculture are among the most significant contributors to environmental and health risks globally. Airborne pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, greenhouse gases, and volatile organic compounds contribute to respiratory disease, cardiovascular illness, climate change, and ecosystem degradation. Managing emissions requires balancing economic development with…

Wood smoke is a significant contributor to air pollution, especially in regions where wood burning is used for residential heating or where wildfires are prevalent. Fine particulates and toxic compounds in wood smoke are linked to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease, and increased mortality. In addition to health impacts, wood smoke contributes to climate change through…

Baby formula represents a uniquely sensitive area of food safety and nutrition, given its role as the primary or sole source of sustenance for many infants. Ensuring the safety, quality, and adequacy of infant formula is critical to supporting early childhood development and preventing health risks during a period of profound vulnerability. Contamination incidents, supply…

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or “mad cow disease,” remains one of the most notable examples of how animal health risks can escalate into public health and economic crises. Linked to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, BSE outbreaks in the late 20th century caused widespread alarm, disrupted international trade, and reshaped food safety regulation globally. The…

The societal risk aspects of chemical safety have become a focal point of concern for the public, governments, and the chemical industry. This concern stems from the increasing awareness of the vast number of chemicals present in everyday life, such as in household products, foods, and workplaces. Some of these chemicals have been linked to…

Maternal health is a foundational determinant of population well-being, encompassing the safety and quality of care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Despite medical advances, maternal morbidity and mortality remain pressing challenges in many regions, often reflecting inequities in access, socioeconomic conditions, and systemic gaps in healthcare delivery. Risks span direct causes such as…