Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-10-18DOI: 10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101205
R.P. Malinda, V.N. Pamisaran, G.S. Layocan
{"title":"Ritual smoke: Rethinking tobacco harm reduction in the cultural context of Philippine indigenous communities","authors":"R.P. Malinda, V.N. Pamisaran, G.S. Layocan","doi":"10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101205","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101205","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":37707,"journal":{"name":"Ethics, Medicine and Public Health","volume":"34 ","pages":"Article 101205"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145324608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-03-10DOI: 10.1016/j.jemep.2026.101272
J. Maalouf, H. Fares
Purpose
The mismatch between body and mind is well established in the literature on human nature. The present study aims to reconsider the problem from a philosophical and holistic perspective using the concept of “crisis” and focusing on body’s imperatives. The goal is to define a model that has practical applications for improving different human systems and promote wellbeing.
Results
The body-mind crisis belongs to human nature as Homo criticus, subject of the crisis, and as Homo criticum, object of the crisis, in a hermeneutical, epistemological, and practical circularity. We elaborate a Crisis Model, an ideal model that unfolds and integrates together the circular relations in and between self (body and mind), life-system (environment and world), and purpose (survival and thrival). The main symptom, also a potential cause, of a disempowering crisis is the altered alignment in purpose between survival and thrival. We describe these altered configurations of the Crisis Model and elaborate a set of body’s imperatives, inspired by Kant and Jonas. These body’s imperatives are correlated with a true survival of the human species that must be cooperative.
Conclusion
The Crisis Model provides a practical framework for humans to design different systems, educational, public health, and others, that promote independently stable individuals within strong communities. Basing interventions on this Crisis Model can restore the balance of human nature, especially by focusing on the choice of our life purpose.
{"title":"Homo criticus and the body’s imperatives","authors":"J. Maalouf, H. Fares","doi":"10.1016/j.jemep.2026.101272","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jemep.2026.101272","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>The mismatch between body and mind is well established in the literature on human nature. The present study aims to reconsider the problem from a philosophical and holistic perspective using the concept of “crisis” and focusing on body’s imperatives. The goal is to define a model that has practical applications for improving different human systems and promote wellbeing.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The body-mind crisis belongs to human nature as <em>Homo criticus</em>, subject of the crisis, and as <em>Homo criticum</em>, object of the crisis, in a hermeneutical, epistemological, and practical circularity. We elaborate a Crisis Model, an ideal model that unfolds and integrates together the circular relations <em>in</em> and <em>between</em> self (body and mind), life-system (environment and world), and purpose (survival and thrival). The main symptom, also a potential cause, of a disempowering crisis is the altered alignment in purpose between survival and thrival. We describe these altered configurations of the Crisis Model and elaborate a set of body’s imperatives, inspired by Kant and Jonas. These body’s imperatives are correlated with a <em>true</em> survival of the human species that must be <em>cooperative</em>.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The Crisis Model provides a practical framework for humans to design different systems, educational, public health, and others, that promote independently stable individuals within strong communities. Basing interventions on this Crisis Model can restore the balance of human nature, especially by focusing on the choice of our life purpose.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37707,"journal":{"name":"Ethics, Medicine and Public Health","volume":"34 ","pages":"Article 101272"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147420436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-03-11DOI: 10.1016/j.jemep.2026.101273
M.T. Nieto-Coronel , D. Shveid Gerson
{"title":"Behind the data: Breast cancer care in Bolivia and the human cost of global inequity","authors":"M.T. Nieto-Coronel , D. Shveid Gerson","doi":"10.1016/j.jemep.2026.101273","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jemep.2026.101273","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":37707,"journal":{"name":"Ethics, Medicine and Public Health","volume":"34 ","pages":"Article 101273"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147420605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101236
L. Suárez , V. Asensi , S.T. Donell , A. Perciaccante , P. Charlier , A.I. Cucu , J. Hanning , A.G. Nerlich , R. Bianucci
Background
In 1989, the AIDS pandemic spread worldwide with a heavy death toll in developing countries, generating fear and profound social stigma. HIV was initially associated with men who have sex with men and people who inject drugs, reinforcing marginalization, even within healthcare. Early antiretroviral therapies were costly, difficult to access, and highly toxic.
Methods
We reviewed and analyzed representative works of visual art produced during different phases of the HIV pandemic, including paintings, posters, and photography, to explore how artistic expression reflected and shaped social perceptions, activism, and biomedical progress.
Results
Numerous artists and collectives, many living with HIV, used art to denounce systemic failures, confront stigma, raise public awareness, and pressure regulators and politicians to accelerate drug approval and resource allocation. As scientific advances progressively transformed HIV from a fatal disease into a chronic, manageable condition requiring lifelong therapy, the visual language of HIV also evolved. Early works emphasized fear, uncertainty, and devastation, while later imagery increasingly reflected hope, survival, normalization, and ongoing vulnerability. Despite major therapeutic successes, the pandemic continues to exert a substantial impact, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where vertical and heterosexual transmission remain critical challenges. Across emerging infectious diseases, societal responses tend to follow recurrent phases—recognition, crisis, therapeutic development, containment, and long-term management—accompanied by shifting collective emotions from panic and blame to acceptance and cautious optimism.
Conclusion
The HIV pandemic illustrates the powerful role of visual art as a mirror of social trauma and a catalyst for empathy, activism, and public health engagement, beyond historical value.
{"title":"Art to Art during the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Pandemic","authors":"L. Suárez , V. Asensi , S.T. Donell , A. Perciaccante , P. Charlier , A.I. Cucu , J. Hanning , A.G. Nerlich , R. Bianucci","doi":"10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101236","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101236","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>In 1989, the AIDS pandemic spread worldwide with a heavy death toll in developing countries, generating fear and profound social stigma. HIV was initially associated with men who have sex with men and people who inject drugs, reinforcing marginalization, even within healthcare. Early antiretroviral therapies were costly, difficult to access, and highly toxic.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We reviewed and analyzed representative works of visual art produced during different phases of the HIV pandemic, including paintings, posters, and photography, to explore how artistic expression reflected and shaped social perceptions, activism, and biomedical progress.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Numerous artists and collectives, many living with HIV, used art to denounce systemic failures, confront stigma, raise public awareness, and pressure regulators and politicians to accelerate drug approval and resource allocation. As scientific advances progressively transformed HIV from a fatal disease into a chronic, manageable condition requiring lifelong therapy, the visual language of HIV also evolved. Early works emphasized fear, uncertainty, and devastation, while later imagery increasingly reflected hope, survival, normalization, and ongoing vulnerability. Despite major therapeutic successes, the pandemic continues to exert a substantial impact, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where vertical and heterosexual transmission remain critical challenges. Across emerging infectious diseases, societal responses tend to follow recurrent phases—recognition, crisis, therapeutic development, containment, and long-term management—accompanied by shifting collective emotions from panic and blame to acceptance and cautious optimism.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The HIV pandemic illustrates the powerful role of visual art as a mirror of social trauma and a catalyst for empathy, activism, and public health engagement, beyond historical value.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37707,"journal":{"name":"Ethics, Medicine and Public Health","volume":"34 ","pages":"Article 101236"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145924079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-03-06DOI: 10.1016/j.jemep.2026.101263
G. Pulin , G. De Donno , F. Introna , A. De Donno
Torture remains a severe human rights violation and a relevant medico-legal issue in asylum procedures. The Istanbul Protocol provides a standardized framework for documenting alleged torture and assessing the consistency between reported events and clinical findings. The objective of the study is to describe the demographic characteristics, reported contexts, injury patterns, availability of contemporaneous documentation, and Istanbul Protocol consistency ratings among asylum seekers referred for medico-legal evaluation at a single Italian center during 2009–2014 (a period overlapping with major geopolitical instability in several regions). We retrospectively reviewed 36 consecutive cases evaluated at the Unit of Legal Medicine of University of Bari, Southern Italy, between 2009 and 2014. Examinations followed the Istanbul Protocol and were conducted by a multidisciplinary team with cultural mediation. Data included demographics, country of origin, reported reasons for persecution, migration route, alleged torture methods categorized per Istanbul Protocol, injury distribution, time elapsed since the alleged events, presence of contemporaneous medical records, and consistency ratings. The cohort included 36 asylum seekers (32 men, 4 women; mean age 26 years), predominantly aged 21–30 years (58%). Countries of origin were heterogeneous (Pakistan 25%, Palestine 14%, Nigeria 11%, Turkey/Kurdistan 11%, other 39%). Most participants reported that the alleged torture occurred in the country of origin (92%). Detention in Libya during migration was reported by 31%. The most frequently documented categories were blunt trauma (69%), crushing injuries (47%), and psychological techniques (47%); burns were reported in 27%. Contemporaneous medical documentation was available in 17% of cases. No acute injuries were observed; in 58% the alleged events occurred 1–5 years prior to assessment and in 28% more than 5 years prior. Using the Istanbul Protocol consistency scale collapsed into three categories, full consistency was recorded in 22%, partial consistency in 75%, and inconsistency in 3%. In this retrospective single-center cohort, alleged torture reports were associated with diverse geopolitical contexts and were frequently assessed years after the events, with limited contemporaneous documentation. Despite these constraints, Istanbul Protocol–based evaluations yielded predominantly partial-to-full consistency ratings. These findings primarily inform the practical challenges of delayed medico-legal assessment in asylum seekers and support the need for earlier referral pathways and multicenter datasets; causal inferences regarding temporal or regional geopolitical events cannot be drawn from this design.
{"title":"Alleged torture in asylum seekers evaluated during the Arab spring years (2009–2014): a retrospective single-center study","authors":"G. Pulin , G. De Donno , F. Introna , A. De Donno","doi":"10.1016/j.jemep.2026.101263","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jemep.2026.101263","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Torture remains a severe human rights violation and a relevant medico-legal issue in asylum procedures. The Istanbul Protocol provides a standardized framework for documenting alleged torture and assessing the consistency between reported events and clinical findings. The objective of the study is to describe the demographic characteristics, reported contexts, injury patterns, availability of contemporaneous documentation, and Istanbul Protocol consistency ratings among asylum seekers referred for medico-legal evaluation at a single Italian center during 2009–2014 (a period overlapping with major geopolitical instability in several regions). We retrospectively reviewed 36 consecutive cases evaluated at the Unit of Legal Medicine of University of Bari, Southern Italy, between 2009 and 2014. Examinations followed the Istanbul Protocol and were conducted by a multidisciplinary team with cultural mediation. Data included demographics, country of origin, reported reasons for persecution, migration route, alleged torture methods categorized per Istanbul Protocol, injury distribution, time elapsed since the alleged events, presence of contemporaneous medical records, and consistency ratings. The cohort included 36 asylum seekers (32 men, 4 women; mean age 26 years), predominantly aged 21–30 years (58%). Countries of origin were heterogeneous (Pakistan 25%, Palestine 14%, Nigeria 11%, Turkey/Kurdistan 11%, other 39%). Most participants reported that the alleged torture occurred in the country of origin (92%). Detention in Libya during migration was reported by 31%. The most frequently documented categories were blunt trauma (69%), crushing injuries (47%), and psychological techniques (47%); burns were reported in 27%. Contemporaneous medical documentation was available in 17% of cases. No acute injuries were observed; in 58% the alleged events occurred 1–5 years prior to assessment and in 28% more than 5 years prior. Using the Istanbul Protocol consistency scale collapsed into three categories, full consistency was recorded in 22%, partial consistency in 75%, and inconsistency in 3%. In this retrospective single-center cohort, alleged torture reports were associated with diverse geopolitical contexts and were frequently assessed years after the events, with limited contemporaneous documentation. Despite these constraints, Istanbul Protocol–based evaluations yielded predominantly partial-to-full consistency ratings. These findings primarily inform the practical challenges of delayed medico-legal assessment in asylum seekers and support the need for earlier referral pathways and multicenter datasets; causal inferences regarding temporal or regional geopolitical events cannot be drawn from this design.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37707,"journal":{"name":"Ethics, Medicine and Public Health","volume":"34 ","pages":"Article 101263"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147419725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-14DOI: 10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101214
R.P. Colegado, J.C. Colegado
{"title":"‘Kaulaw’ as moral habitus: reimagining ethical barriers in the Philippines’ HIV Response","authors":"R.P. Colegado, J.C. Colegado","doi":"10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101214","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101214","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":37707,"journal":{"name":"Ethics, Medicine and Public Health","volume":"34 ","pages":"Article 101214"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145520582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2026-02-10DOI: 10.1016/j.jemep.2026.101248
H. Abdi Salad
{"title":"Déjà vu in global health: repeating the same outbreak mistakes in 2026","authors":"H. Abdi Salad","doi":"10.1016/j.jemep.2026.101248","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jemep.2026.101248","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":37707,"journal":{"name":"Ethics, Medicine and Public Health","volume":"34 ","pages":"Article 101248"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146187562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-18DOI: 10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101218
J.C. Colegado, R.P. Colegado
{"title":"No elder left behind: embedding ‘Pag-amuma’ in Philippine digital care","authors":"J.C. Colegado, R.P. Colegado","doi":"10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101218","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101218","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":37707,"journal":{"name":"Ethics, Medicine and Public Health","volume":"34 ","pages":"Article 101218"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145579396","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-05-17DOI: 10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101125
N.N. Abdelhadi
Background
Clinical research is crucial in advancing medical science and improving healthcare practices. In Jordan, international regulations have influenced the development of clinical research ethics, yet local challenges and areas for improvement still exist.
Objectives
The review aimed to map the ethical principles and frameworks applied in clinical research in Jordan and to provide recommendations for strengthening clinical research ethics in the country.
Methodology
A comprehensive search of PubMed, Medline, Clinical trials.gov, Google Scholar, Science Direct, ADI, and WHO databases was conducted through March 2025. Studies were selected based on relevance to ethical issues in clinical research, including participant consent, privacy, data protection, and research governance.
Results/discussion
Clinical research ethics in Jordan are guided by international frameworks, but several challenges hinder the effective implementation of these ethical principles. To ensure the highest standards of research conduct, researchers and ethical review committees need enhanced training.
Conclusion/perspectives
There are several opportunities for enhancing clinical research ethics in Jordan. Increasing the capacity and capability of IRBs through regular training and resource allocation can improve ethical oversight. Furthermore, promoting public awareness about clinical research ethics and the importance of informed consent can empower participants to make more informed decisions about their involvement in studies.
{"title":"Ethics of clinical research in Jordan: An overview","authors":"N.N. Abdelhadi","doi":"10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101125","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101125","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Clinical research is crucial in advancing medical science and improving healthcare practices. In Jordan, international regulations have influenced the development of clinical research ethics, yet local challenges and areas for improvement still exist.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>The review aimed to map the ethical principles and frameworks applied in clinical research in Jordan and to provide recommendations for strengthening clinical research ethics in the country.</div></div><div><h3>Methodology</h3><div>A comprehensive search of PubMed, Medline, Clinical trials.gov, Google Scholar, Science Direct, ADI, and WHO databases was conducted through March 2025. Studies were selected based on relevance to ethical issues in clinical research, including participant consent, privacy, data protection, and research governance.</div></div><div><h3>Results/discussion</h3><div>Clinical research ethics in Jordan are guided by international frameworks, but several challenges hinder the effective implementation of these ethical principles. To ensure the highest standards of research conduct, researchers and ethical review committees need enhanced training.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion/perspectives</h3><div>There are several opportunities for enhancing clinical research ethics in Jordan. Increasing the capacity and capability of IRBs through regular training and resource allocation can improve ethical oversight. Furthermore, promoting public awareness about clinical research ethics and the importance of informed consent can empower participants to make more informed decisions about their involvement in studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":37707,"journal":{"name":"Ethics, Medicine and Public Health","volume":"33 ","pages":"Article 101125"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144071917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}