Our place within nature is increasingly being challenged. Gradually we are continuing to emerge from the COVID -19 pandemic, which is now not such a threat to society. It was encouraging to see how international collaborations stepped up to the challenge posed by the virus, however, we will still be faced with new viruses emerging which will confront global public health programmes.
Human health and wellbeing depend on the health of our planet and its ability to provide us with sufficient nutritious food, safe water, and clean air to breathe. Our climate is changing and as the planet warms it is affecting our ability to thrive and survive and this global crisis also requires a united front. Climate change is now thought to be the most important health threat this century. It is also ‘the greatest opportunity to redefine the social and environmental determinants of health’ (https://www.thelancet.com/countdown-health-climate). The 2021 Lancet Countdown on health and climate change makes solemn reading (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01787-6/fulltext). The lack of preparedness for the COVID-19 epidemic took many by surprise and left in its aftermath long COVID, mental health problems, pressure on health services, resulting in many other changes to society. As with the COVID-19 response, tackling climate change will require global co-operation in order to provide sustainable opportunities to deliver improved health, reduce inequality etc, but the world must be prepared to act together and synergistically.
The role for public health initiatives is even more increasingly important. In the UK social prescribing has been developing over the last 10 years to provide universal personalised care through link workers who focus on ‘what matters to me’ i.e., the individual. This initiative encompasses a holistic approach to health and wellbeing connecting people to appropriate practical and emotional support through active signposting by giving people choice and control over their mental and physical health. (https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/universal-personalised-care-implementing-the-comprehensive-model/). Such shared decision-making enables choice and supports self-management. Social prescribing follows on from personal health budgets reported nearly 10 years ago in a EuJIM editorial (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2013.02.003), providing a much wider access to a much broader scope of health and social care approaches. What is happening in other countries?
Change can be positive and can transform cultures and societies. The context in which research is conducted and published also changes. The growth in COVID-19 articles over the last 2 years has shown ‘what mattered’ during the challenging times of the pandemic, with research mainly focussed on approaches to COVID-19 management, protection and prevention. What will be the next research focus, health and climate change?
EuJIM's special issues are moving the research agenda in integrative care forward, for example looking at novel methodology and implementation of integrated care. In the spirit of enabling change, and after being Editor in Chief since March 2011, it is now time to hand over the reins. As of 1st January 2023, Dr Ava Lorenc will take over as the Editor in Chief, ably supported by Co-editor, Dr Jennifer Hunter. I certainly would like to thank all the Editorial Board for their hard work, support and help over the last 10 years. Everyone has been a delight to work with, our last zoom board meeting welcomed 23 of the board members, an amazing turn out despite crossing huge time zones. The journal will continue to move forward encouraging new initiatives. We have already started to embrace social media with Twitter and WeChat platforms to disseminate EuJIM news and articles and initiate discussions. These are facilitated by our social media editor, Sandro Graca and managing editor, Jenny Lu who are working to connect with our readers and authors. New board members have recently joined us to expand our remit into the areas of social prescribing, the environment and health and physical activity. Ava is in a good position to continue to grow the journal and develop her ideas with the board's support. I have been invited to remain as Honorary Editor, but I will take a back seat role and enjoy watching the journal's ‘climate change’.
Thank you to all our readers and researchers that have helped us to grow the journal and have made it successful. Wishing you all a successful and productive 2023.
Emeritus Prof Nicola Robinson, London South Bank University
Editor in Chief
