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The Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) was established in 2010 with $500 million in funding provided by British Petroleum over a 10‐year period to support research on the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and recovery. Contributions of the GoMRI program to date focused on human health are presented in more than 32 peer‐reviewed papers published between 2011 and May 2019. Primary findings from review of these papers are (i) the large quantity of dispersants used in the oil cleanup have been associated with human health concerns, including through obesogenicity, toxicity, and illnesses from aerosolization of the agents; (ii) oil contamination has been associated with potential for increases in harmful algal blooms and numbers of pathogenic Vibrio bacteria in oil‐impacted waters; and (iii) members of Gulf communities who are heavily reliant upon natural resources for their livelihoods were found to be vulnerable to high levels of life disruptions and institutional distrust. Positive correlations include a finding that a high level of community attachment was beneficial for recovery. Actions taken to improve disaster response and reduce stress‐associated health effects could lessen negative impacts of similar disasters in the future. Furthermore, GoMRI has supported annual conferences beginning in 2013 at which informative human health‐related presentations have been made. Based on this review, it is recommended that the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 be updated to include enhanced funding for oil spill impacts to human health. Key Points Nearly 3% of >1,200 Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative publications were directly related to human health, a higher proportion than previous oil spill research Dispersants contained possible obesogens and decreased aerosolized volatile organic compound exposure but increased particulate matter concentrations Those who rely on natural resources are more vulnerable to oil spills and cleanup methods that may increase exposure to harmful chemicals, algae, and bacteria

Impaired fertility is the main reason for involuntary culling of dairy cows in Sweden. The objective of this study was to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing fertility and calving traits in the Swedish dairy cattle population. The traits analyzed were number of inseminations, 56-d nonreturn rate, interval from calving to first insemination, fertility treatments, heat intensity score, stillbirth, and calving performance. A genome scan covering 20 bovine chromosomes was performed using 145 microsatellite markers. The mapping population consisted of 10 sires and their 417 sons in a granddaughter design. Nine of the sires were of the Swedish Red Breed, and one was a Swedish Holstein. Least squares regression was used to map loci affecting the analyzed traits, and permutation tests were used to set significance thresholds. Cofactors were used in the analyses of individual chromosomes to adjust for QTL found on other chromosomes. The use of cofactors increased both the number of QTL found and the significance level. In the initial analysis, we found 13 suggestive QTL that were mapped to chromosomes 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 20, and 29. When cofactors were included, 30 QTL were detected on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 18, 19, 22, and 25, in addition to the 8 previously mentioned chromosomes. Some of the results from the cofactor analysis may be false positives and require further validation. In conclusion, we were able to map several QTL affecting fertility and calving traits in Swedish dairy cattle.

Background Evidence often shows that migrants in the European region have poor access to quality health care. Having a large number of migrants seeking towards Europe, crossing through i.e. Serbia, it is crucial to improve migrants' access to health care and ensure equality in service provision Aim To investigate what are the barriers and facilitators of access to health care in Serbia, perceived by migrants, policy makers, health care providers, civil servants and experts working with migrants. Methods six migrants in an asylum center and eight civil servants in the field of migration were conducted. A complementary questionnaire to key civil servants working with migrants (N = 19) is being distributed to complement the data. The qualitative and quantitative data will be analysed through Grounded Theory and Logistic Regression respectively. Results According to preliminary findings, migrants reported that they were able to access the health care services quite easily. Migrants were mostly fully aware of their rights to access these health care services. However, the interviewed civil servants experienced that, despite the majority of migrants in camps were treated fairly, some migrants were treated inappropriately by health care professionals (being addressed inappropriately, poor or lacking treatment). The civil servants believed that local Serbs, from their own experiences, were treated poorer than migrants (I.e. paying Informal Patient Payments, poor quality of and access to health care services). The interviewed migrants were trusting towards the health system, because they felt protected by the official system that guaranteed them services. The final results will be presented at the conference. Conclusions There was a difference in quality of and access to health care services of local Serbs and migrants in the region. Migrants may be protected by the official health care system and thus have access to and do not pay additional fees for health care services. Key messages Despite comprehensive evidence on Informal Patient Payments (IPP) in Serbia, further research is needed to highlight how health system governance and prevailing policies affect IPP in migrants. There may be clear differences in quality of and access to health care services between the local population and migrants in Serbia.

Since public health problems are complex and the related policies need to address a wide range of sectors, cross-sectoral collaboration is beneficial. One intervention focusing on stimulating collaboration is a ‘policy game’. The focus on specific problems facilitates relationships between the stakeholders and stimulates cross-sectoral policymaking. The present study explores stakeholders’ learning experiences with respect to the collaboration process in public health policymaking. This was achieved via their game participation, carried out in real-life stakeholder networks in the Netherlands, Denmark and Romania. The policy game (In2Action) was developed and implemented as a 1-day roleplay. The data consisted of: (i) observations and evaluation notes during the game and (ii) participant questionnaire after the game. All three countries showed similar results in learning experience during the collaboration processes in local policymaking. Specific learning experiences were related to: (i) the stakeholder network, (ii) interaction and (iii) relationships. The game also increased participant’s understanding of group dynamics and need for a coordinator in policymaking. This exploratory study shows that the game provides participants with learning experiences during the collaboration process in policymaking. Experiencing what is needed to establish cross-sectoral collaboration is a first step towards enhancing knowledge exchange and more effective public health policies.

This paper discusses the policy game methodology and design that will be used in a simulation that aims to assess and understand the public health policy making in Tunisia. The policy game aims to analyzes the interactions, alliances and networks formed by the institutions and stakeholders during a policy game intervention that will be organized in Tunis, in which policy makers, civil servants, researchers and practitioners will simulate the use of evidence in real life policy making. The simulation has been realized within the Erasmus+ CONFIDE project focused on enhancing transnational partnerships and building capacity to inform evidence-based policies in Tunisia. This capacity building project and policy game is built on the collaboration of four Tunisian universities, from Tunis, Sfax, Sousse and Monastir, and three universities from the European Union, from Romania, Denmark and Slovakia. The policy game will focus on the drafting and implementation of a national strategy for fighting the increase of drug consumption among the Tunisian youth, a phenomenon which is rather new in Tunisia and spreading rapidly. The policy game will be followed by an analysis aiming to explore the impact of the intervention in enhancing cross-sector collaboration and the use of local stakeholder network regarding drug policy making. The preliminary results showed that the stakeholders approached this problem in a collaborative way and were willing to up-take evidence-based measures in the creation of a national strategy to fight drug consumption. This exercise has also shown that the policy game can be an effective tool in enhancing the use of scientific arguments in policy making and encourage stakeholders to approach policy making in a cross-sector way.

Accessibility to adequate health services is a basic human right. Israeli road blocks and checkpoints inhibit access to health care for the Palestinian population. While other studies have dealt with the impact of the barriers, few are based on actual measurements of transport times between locations. Geographical information systems (GIS) and network analysis were used to generate different estimations of accessibility based on the existing road network and transport barriers. The population negatively affected were mainly people living outside urban centres and in governorates with no general hospital. Quantitative measurements using GIS can be used to confirm qualitative studies based on interviews and questionnaires and improve the understanding of the results. Working with a spatial analysis tool also helps to pinpoint weaknesses in the current infrastructure, thus improving the efficiency of future investments to improve health care in the West Bank.

Abstract Background The Sámi and Greenlandic Inuit, the indigenous peoples of the Nordic region, face a range of challenges that threaten their cultural survival, political autonomy, economic prosperity, and well-being. Rooted in nature-based livelihoods, their identities and well-being are deeply tied to tradition. Global shifts and policy changes challenge their way of life, making it vital to support their rights, languages, and role in shaping relevant policy decisions that affect their lives. Aim This study analyzes policy documents concerning the Sámi and Greenlandic Inuit people to examine their representation from an empowerment perspective. Methods Using Fairclough's discourse analysis, the study investigates how empowerment is framed in national strategies and identifies gaps in Indigenous representation and participation. Researchers reflect on their positionality, drawing from reflexive and reconciliation-based methodologies to engage respectfully with Indigenous knowledge systems. Results The study reveals ongoing challenges in health access, social equity, and cultural preservation, emphasizing the importance of bottom-up approaches and cross-border collaboration to support Indigenous self-determination and influence in policymaking. The Greenlandic policy document separates itself from previous arctic policies by focusing on Inuit identity, with Denmark as a future collaboration partner. Its main focus is on autonomy in relation to globalization. Finland recognizes Sámi rights in principle but struggles with implementation and political will. Sweden frames Sámi issues within broader equality goals, yet lacks mechanisms for real influence or land rights. Norway leads in legal recognition, including the Finnmark Act, yet challenges remain in balancing state and Sámi interests. Conclusions Across all countries, empowerment discourse often centers on inclusion, but real power-sharing and Indigenous epistemologies are inconsistently reflected in policies. Key messages • Indigenous empowerment in Nordic policies often emphasizes inclusion but lacks consistent power-sharing and respect for Indigenous worldviews. • National approaches vary: Norway leads legally, while Finland, Sweden, and Denmark face gaps in Indigenous representation and influence.

The purpose of this study was to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting health traits in Swedish dairy cattle. A genome scan covering 17 chromosomes was performed. Ten grandsire families were used in a granddaughter design. Nine of the families belonged to the Swedish Red and White breed, which is related to other Nordic Ayrshire breeds, and one family was of the Swedish Holstein breed. A total of 417 bulls were genotyped for 116 microsatellite markers distributed over 17 chromosomes. Daughter yield deviations for clinical mastitis, somatic cell count (SCC), and other diseases (OD) were included in the analysis. Least squares interval mapping using putative QTL as cofactors was applied both within and across grandsire families. Significance thresholds were set by permutation tests. In the across-family analysis, we detected 8 suggestive QTL and 3 QTL significant at the genome level. The QTL affecting clinical mastitis were found on 3 chromosomes (9, 11, and 25), 4 QTL for SCC were found (on chromosomes 5, 9, 11, and 23), and we detected 4 QTL for OD (on chromosomes 9, 11, 15, and 25). In addition, we found several QTL that segregated within single families but where the QTL effect was not significant in the across-family analysis. In conclusion, we were able to locate QTL for all 3 analyzed traits, and overlapping QTL for several traits were observed.

Accessibility to adequate health services is a basic human right. Israeli road blocks and checkpoints inhibit access to health care for the Palestinian population. While other studies have dealt with the impact of the barriers, few are based on actual measurements of transport times between locations. Geographical information systems (GIS) and network analysis were used to generate different estimations of accessibility based on the existing road network and transport barriers. The population negatively affected were mainly people living outside urban centres and in governorates with no general hospital. Quantitative measurements using GIS can be used to confirm qualitative studies based on interviews and questionnaires and improve the understanding of the results. Working with a spatial analysis tool also helps to pinpoint weaknesses in the current infrastructure, thus improving the efficiency of future investments to improve health care in the West Bank.