This study aimed to develop a slogan poster designed to systematically inform individuals and encourage protective actions against Extreme Hot Weather Events (EHWE).

A quasi-experimental single-group pretest–posttest design was employed, following the TREND guideline. EHWE knowledge was measured before exposure (Measurement 1), immediately after exposure (Measurement 2), and 2 months later (Measurement 3). Fifty-seven participants completed Measurements 1 and 2, and 45 completed all 3. Repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons were conducted; qualitative feedback was collected after Measurement 2.

Knowledge scores increased from Measurement 1 (M = 9.36, SD = 2.39) to Measurement 2 (M = 13.93, SD = 0.94), then decreased at Measurement 3 (M = 12.07, SD = 1.80), while remaining above baseline. ANOVA confirmed a significant effect of time (F[2.88] = 129.13, P < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.70). Feedback indicated clarity and practicality, with suggestions for design improvements.

Poster exposure was associated with immediate knowledge gains, though a partial decline occurred by 2 months. Broader and controlled studies are needed to evaluate long-term effectiveness.

Substantial investments have been made in hospital emergency preparedness. The Hospital Medical Surge Preparedness Index (HMSPI) has been proposed as a metric to assess health system readiness. This index summarizes hospital system characteristics, space and facilities, staff availability, and supply planning.

The primary objective was to evaluate the relationship between the HMSPI and characteristics of the respective hospitals, including size, type, location, performance on the Hospital Resilience Index (HRI), and Social Determinants of Health (SDoH).

Higher HMSPI scores were found in suburban compared to rural hospitals, a higher HMSPI in larger hospitals with greater patient volumes and capacity (43.2 [42,44]) versus medium (26 [25,27]) and small (18 [17,19]) hospitals, and teaching status (29 [28,30]) versus non-teaching status (25 [25,26]). Investor-related hospitals and those caring for more patients with Medicare/Medicaid coverage had a lower HMSPI.

In conclusion, hospital medical surge preparedness is unevenly distributed across the U.S. health care system, with larger, not-for-profit, and teaching institutions having higher preparedness scores on the HMSPI, while a greater percentage of patients covered by Medicare/Medicaid is linked to lower scores.

We aimed to describe representative activities related to radiation risk management and community-based revitalization in Fukushima following the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident by chronological phase and provide an overview of effective recovery projects and future prospects.

We systematically reviewed projects and research on the FDNPP accident in PubMed. For convenience, we defined the first, second, and third phases as 2011-2014, 2015-2018, and 2019-2023, respectively. The main project, purpose, organization, core location, and validation in each phase after the disaster were briefly summarized.

We found that lessons learned from the FDNPP disaster have been continuously and professionally conveyed across generations, regions, and nations by effectively disseminating easy-to-understand information, avoiding any misunderstanding and prejudice. A continuous flow of scientists, researchers, and trainees from Japan and abroad to the affected areas will create a positive cycle of attracting people and residents, eventually accelerating recovery and contributing to the development of safe and vibrant communities in disaster-affected areas.

Continued efforts are required to enhance expertise at the field level, strengthen organizational capabilities, and promote international cooperation, thereby ensuring that a similar nuclear accident never happens again.

To assess interagency emergency response capabilities for radiological threats through a tabletop exercise (TTX) simulating a nuclear power plant accident, with focus on communication protocols, patient referral pathways, and public information management in Ukraine’s current security context.

A structured 3-day TTX was conducted in September 2024 by the WHO Ukraine Country Office, simulating a cooling system failure at a fictional North-West Nuclear Power Plant. Twelve organizations participated, including regional health authorities, emergency services, and international partners. The exercise employed a progressive scenario that injects testing accident notification, media management, medical response, and evacuation procedures. Performance was evaluated using structured criteria (Achieved, Partially Achieved, Not Achieved) across predefined indicators.

The exercise identified critical preparedness gaps including the absence of regular radiological-nuclear emergency drills in regions without nuclear facilities, challenges in potassium iodide procurement and distribution, staff hesitancy due to inadequate insurance coverage, and lack of standardized decontamination procedures. Communication protocols functioned effectively, though coordination delays were noted. Patient referral pathways required strengthening, particularly for contaminated casualties.

While Ukraine demonstrates functional emergency response frameworks, specific radiological preparedness requires enhancement. Regular multiagency drills, improved staff protection policies, standardized decontamination protocols, and robust public information systems are essential for effective radiological emergency response.

Disaster medicine (DM) prepares health care professionals to manage emergencies caused by significant societal disruptions. Training recent graduates and final-year students is an essential element of disaster preparedness. This review aims to examine the use of Virtual Simulation (VS) in undergraduate students’ DM training.

The research team searched Scopus, PubMed, WOS, and Scielo. The team followed the 6-step approach described by Mak to conduct Scoping Reviews. We identified 262 reports, and 17 articles met the inclusion criteria. We extracted and analyzed data, focusing on educational settings, professions involved, and intervention characteristics. The report followed PRISMA guidelines.

The implementation of VS in DM training has been geographically concentrated, with most studies focused on nursing education. Most programs use virtual reality, with limited augmented or mixed reality integration, principally in nursing students. The training focused primarily on triage, disaster preparedness, evacuation, decontamination, improving knowledge retention, self-confidence, and decision-making.

Although VS has effectively enhanced technical skills and disaster preparedness, its use remains limited in undergraduate health education. Further research is needed to expand its application in interprofessional and non-nursing contexts, with deliberate practice principles to maximize efficiency. Integrating VS into community training can reduce costs and enhance large-scale emergency response.

On June 6, 2017, an accident occurred at the JAEA’s Oarai Research and Development Center, where 5 workers inhaled plutonium. This study aims to evaluate the validity of the internal dose assessments conducted by the QST and to share the findings with the dosimetry community.

In vivo measurements (lungs and liver) and bioassays were performed. The particle size of the inhaled material was estimated based on the ratio of early fecal excretion to residual lung content. The absorption types of Pu and 241Am were evaluated using urinary excretion levels from bioassay results of early fecal and pre-Ca- DTPA urine samples.

The estimated particle sizes of the inhaled materials were over 10 μm and several micrometers for 2 workers, respectively. The absorption types were evaluated as intermediate between M (Moderate) and S (Slow). A change in urinary excretion levels between before and after Ca-DTPA administration was observed, with the most significant reduction occurring after the initial treatment, followed by smaller changes.

The internal dose assessments for the 5 workers were confirmed to be conservatively conducted within a reasonable range. Comprehensive individual monitoring in cases of internal contamination by actinide is crucial to reducing uncertainties in dose assessment.

Ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) radiation, popularly known as FLASH, has been demonstrated to selectively kill tumor cells with minimal or negligible effects on normal cells but the biological effects induced by UHDR are not fully understood.

In this study, cytogenetic damage induced by UHDR radiation was compared with conventional dose rate (CDR) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Human blood samples were irradiated with 3 Gy and 8 Gy doses using 9 MeV electrons at 2 different dose rates: CDR 1 Gy/min and UHDR 600 Gy/Sec. Unstable and stable chromosomal aberrations were detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

Reduced yields of chromosomal aberrations were observed after UHDR radiation at both radiation doses and the extent of reduction was more in colcemid arrested metaphase chromosomes than in G2-PCCs.

The reduced yields of chromosomal aberrations detected after UHDR of electrons may be due to rapid delivery of radiation dose within seconds, resulting in a non-uniform exposure of lymphocytes with varying levels of DNA damage induction. Future studies using well defined human equivalent in vivo and in vitro model systems are required to determine the underlying mechanisms for the FLASH effects.

Provide a systematic overview of assessment approaches for treatment decisions after internal contamination with plutonium, americium, or curium and the efficacy of decorporation treatment with diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) among humans and animals.

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched until December 06, 2023. Controlled experimental animal studies and human studies were eligible. Hand search of relevant reports continued until December 24, 2024. Risk of bias was assessed with the OHAT and JBI critical appraisal tools. Narrative synthesis was performed.

A total of 37 studies and 1 report were included. Two studies reported averted dose in humans following DTPA ranging from 150 μSv to 1.1 Sv, but the contribution of rapid contamination assessments to treatment decisions was unclear. Numerous outcomes across different treatment schedules and observation periods were studied in animal populations. Studies provided very low certainty evidence of positive treatment effects.

Whether rapid dose assessment contributes to timely treatment decisions could not be assessed with the limited amount of informative studies. In animal studies, DTPA treatment seems to be effective in reducing radiation burden and other proximal outcomes, but risk of bias is high. Evidence for humans is based on a small number of case studies where reductions in body burden have been reported.

This article provides an overview of Korea’s National Radiological Emergency Medical System, which coordinates medical responses to radiological emergencies through specialized infrastructure, training, and research.

The system’s recent advancements are outlined, focusing on a nationwide network of emergency medical institutions and improvements in education, training, and research to enhance preparedness for radiological emergencies.

The National Radiation Emergency Medical Center (NREMC) manages 31 designated emergency medical institutions, providing specialized training for first responders and medical personnel. Virtual reality tools have been integrated into training programs to improve instructional effectiveness. A hotline offers immediate support for radiation exposure cases and public consultations during non-emergency periods. Additionally, the NREMC employs internationally accredited physical and biological dosimetry methods and strengthens its expertise through collaborations with global organizations.

Continuous advancements in medical response, training, and international cooperation enhance Korea’s radiological emergency preparedness. Ongoing research and technology integration ensure effective emergency interventions and long-term public health protection.

To estimate and improve Ukraine’s health sector’s preparedness to respond to radiation and nuclear emergencies.

Field expert assessments and analytical methods were used.

In September 2022, the WHO evaluation mission to Ukraine visited several critical regions to review the current state of health sector preparedness for a nuclear emergency and revealed many defects and items for improvement. The provision of radiation control equipment was considered for ambulance teams, admissions departments/emergency departments in designated hospitals, and tertiary level hospitals, and for National and Regional Public Health Laboratories. For cases of mass casualty, WHO procured 20 decontamination tents for the country. Training courses for medical specialists and decision-makers were launched.

The WHO mission was crucial in assessing the overall state of preparedness for CBRN threats and directing forces and resources to improve it. Donor assistance in the form of equipment for dosimetric monitoring and diagnostics of emergency-related disorders contributes to improving the preparedness of the health system of Ukraine to an adequate response to the threats of radiation and nuclear emergencies.