Global Public Health

Medical education is gaining a new bridge to Public Health. The National School of Public Health at NOVA University Lisbon (NOVA NSPH) and the National Association of Medical Students (ANEM) have signed a collaboration agreement aimed at bringing medical students closer to the field of Public Health by promoting opportunities for education, research, academic exchange and participation in joint projects.

The agreement provides for the development of joint initiatives across a range of areas, including hosting students for Public Health placements, promoting exchange programmes, delivering educational activities, and organising scientific and pedagogical initiatives. The collaboration also extends to participation in research projects and the sharing of resources and expertise between the two institutions.

One of the first initiatives under this partnership is NOVA NSPH’s participation in the Public Health Exchanges organised by ANEM within the framework of the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA). Each year, the programme involves more than 11,000 students worldwide and offers learning experiences in professional settings, providing participants with exposure to different Public Health contexts.

In this context, an additional agreement has been signed establishing the conditions for hosting both national and international students at NOVA NSPH. The placements take place during the summer period, usually last four weeks, and provide practical experience in an academic and scientific environment.

The formalisation of this partnership strengthens the collaboration between NOVA NSPH and ANEM in promoting the value of Public Health, creating new opportunities for education and exchange for students while fostering knowledge sharing between the two institutions.

Five doctoral students from the NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH) recently participated in the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) “The First Step – The Secrets of Nutrition at an Early Stage of Life“, hosted by Kazimierz Wielki University, in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

The international programme brought together students and academics from Portugal, Italy, Germany and Poland to explore key topics related to early-life nutrition and health. Representing NOVA NSPH, the doctoral students had the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary learning activities and exchange knowledge with peers and experts from different European institutions.

As part of the programme, Carla Martins, professor at NOVA NPSH, delivered a lecture on early-life exposure to food contaminants, highlighting the importance of understanding environmental and dietary exposures during critical stages of human development and their potential implications for public health. The visit also coincided with the 15th Anniversary International Conference “Mycotoxins and Moulds”, where Carla Martins presented an oral communication, contributing to international discussions on food safety, exposure assessment and climate change challenges associated with mycotoxins.

The participation of NOVA NSPH in both initiatives reflects our commitment to internationalisation, scientific excellence and advanced training of doctoral students, while strengthening collaborative links with European higher education and research institutions. NOVA NSPH extends its appreciation to Magdalena Twarużek and the organising team at Kazimierz Wielki University for the invitation, the excellent organisation of both events, and the warm welcome extended to staff and students alike.

Sun protection is essential to prevent skin damage and reduce the risk of skin cancer. However, the way we protect ourselves also matters. Some cosmetic products, including certain sunscreens, may contain chemicals with the potential to interfere with the hormonal system, known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

To help citizens make more informed choices, the European platform NEMESIS for You, developed by the NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH) as part of the European NEMESIS project, has just launched new content dedicated to sun protection and reducing exposure to EDCs.

The guide explains, in a simple and accessible way, the difference between chemical and mineral UV filters, identifies ingredients that consumers can learn to recognise on product labels, and brings together practical recommendations for safer sun protection, particularly for children, pregnant women and families.

Among the main recommendations are choosing mineral sunscreens whenever appropriate, selecting products without added fragrance, paying close attention to product labels and expiry dates, and opting for creams or lotions instead of sprays to reduce the risk of inhalation. The guide also reminds readers that, within the European Union, cosmetics are subject to specific safety regulations, including restrictions and concentration limits for certain substances.

The platform also highlights that sunscreen is only one part of an effective sun protection strategy. Avoiding sun exposure during the hottest hours of the day, wearing a hat, sunglasses and suitable clothing, and seeking shade remain essential measures, particularly for babies, young children and pregnant women.

This new content forms part of the mission of the NEMESIS for You platform, launched by NOVA NSPH and its European partners, to make information on endocrine disruptors clearer, more useful and easier to apply in everyday decision-making. Although it is not possible to eliminate exposure to environmental chemicals entirely, small everyday choices can help reduce contact with certain EDCs.

NEMESIS is a project funded by the European Commission that brings together 13 partners from eight countries, combining expertise in toxicology, medicine, biology, environmental health and public health to improve understanding of how endocrine disruptors may influence metabolism and human health.

Read the guide on sun protection and endocrine disruptors on the NEMESIS for You platform: https://nemesisforyou.eu/en