Volume 36, no. 6, June 2023. The ISS Health Impact Assessment activity and outcomes of the CCM Project 2019-2023. Behavioral addictions: dimension of the phenomenon. Non-communicable diseases among adolescents in the European Union: implications for public health. EDUISS NEWS Insert

Abstracts:

The ISS Health Impact Assessment activity and outcomes of the CCM Project 2019-2023
Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is a procedure to support decision-making processes aimed at protecting population health as a consequence of the implementation of policies, plans and projects. It is part of the environmental assessment procedures: indeed in Italy it is a mandatory requirement within the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of large combustion plants. The Ministry of Health appointed the Environment and Health Department of Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS - the National Institute of Health in Italy - to draft guidelines for the preparation of HIA studies by Proponents of projects undergoing EIA. The evaluation of the HIA studies is also carried out by the Environment and Health Department. A 3-years CCM project funded by the Ministry of Health and coordinated by ISS with the participation of some experts from Italian Regions, has just been concluded. The major aims were the further clarification of scientific methodologies applied to HIA, with the publication of an ISTISAN Report, and training along with the preparation of a dedicated FAD course and a HIA dedicated area within the ISS website.

Behavioral addictions: dimension of the phenomenon
The purpose of this paper is to offer an overview of the dimension of the phenomenon of some problems related to the use of the Internet (gaming, social media addiction). Some manifestations that are somehow related to Internet use (including cyberbullying, hikikomori, doxing, sexting, morphing) have been in the research attention for a relatively short time and there are few robust studies or surveys to give a comprehensive epidemiology. However, the main and most recent studies were examined, highlighting how these phenomena are growing especially among young people.

Non-communicable diseases among adolescents in the European Union: implications for public health
Global progress on adolescent health has been and continues to be slow. Disability and mortality due to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have increased worldwide, but their burden among adolescents remains poorly described in the European Union (EU). A recent study shows that in the EU, although mortality due to NCDs in adolescents aged 10-24 years has substantially decreased over the last 30 years, there has been a worrying rise in years of life lost and years lived in disability due to mental disorders. This underlines the need for preventive interventions, adequate and quality health services, and broader investment in adolescent health for their well-being and that of future generations.