EurekAlert! News by Subject: Policy & Ethics - Home

Policy & Ethics

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 22-May-2026 11:16 ET (22-May-2026 15:16 GMT/UTC)

Researchers develop user-friendly tool for improving ocean equity

Duke University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The Ocean Equity Index is a scorecard that anyone can use to assess the extent to which ocean projects and policies recognize relevant stakeholders, include them in decision-making and otherwise treat them fairly.

Journal: Nature

US state-level prevalence of adult obesity by race and ethnicity from 1990 to 2022 and forecasted to 2035

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: This cross-sectional analysis estimated that in 1990, 19.3% of the U.S. adult population were living with obesity; by 2022, this had increased to 42.5%. By 2035, this was forecasted to increase to 46.9%. There was substantial variation by state and race and ethnicity group, indicating large disparities in obesity prevalence. Differences in the prevalence of obesity by population group may be used to develop health policy and interventions to reduce inequities and the large burden of obesity in the U.S.

Journal: JAMA

InterACT: International postdoctoral fellowships build bridges between science and policy

Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Grant and Award Announcement

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) will launch the InterACT COFUND postdoctoral fellowship programme in September 2026, co-funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. The initiative is managed by the European Research and Innovation Support (ERIS) team of the Vice Rectorate Innovation and Industry Relations. Over a period of five years, the postdoctoral programme will recruit 14 international researchers through two competitive calls.

New Alzheimer Europe report projects 64% increase in dementia across Europe by 2050

Alzheimer Europe
Reports and Proceedings

Alzheimer Europe has today launched the “The Prevalence of Dementia in Europe 2025” report, which provides updated prevalence figures for the number of people living with dementia both for Europe as a whole, as well as the countries within. The report builds upon Alzheimer Europe’s previous work in the “Dementia in Europe Yearbook 2019”.

Restoring ecosystem function can reverse desertification in Europe’s drylands

Pensoft Publishers
Reports and Proceedings

Desertification is accelerating across Europe’s drylands under climate change, reducing biodiversity, ecosystem services, and rural livelihoods. A new eLTER policy brief shows that functional restoration — restoring key ecosystem functions such as water regulation and soil stability — can reverse degradation even where full ecological recovery is no longer possible. Long-term research demonstrates that rebuilding water-retaining structures restores ecosystem resilience and services. The approach supports major EU and global policy frameworks and offers a scalable solution for climate-resilient land management.

Funder: Horizon Europe

Institut Pasteur statement on U.S. administration's attacks against biomedical research, global public health action and vaccination

Institut Pasteur
Business Announcement

For several months now, the current U.S. administration has consistently attacked and endeavored to weaken biomedical research and public health action in the United States and worldwide with unparalleled vigor. This situation has many consequences – both ethical and economic – but above all it is a grave attack on healthcare protection, and an unprecedented assault on the systems and institutions responsible for protecting lives.

First national survey shows Timor-Leste eating more fish than ever before

WorldFish
Reports and Proceedings

Timor-Leste is eating more fish than ever before. The country’s first national survey on fish consumption shows people now eat an average of 8.7 kilograms per person per year, up from an estimated 6.1 kilograms *in 2011. The findings show strong progress toward the government’s goal of 10 kilograms per capita, per year, and are already informing budget planning and fisheries policy.

79
80
81
82
83