bims-cieche 2025-09-07 papers

Issue of 2025–09–07
two papers selected by
Jonas Stefaan Steel, IDEWE

Front Psychol. 2025 ;16 1556796

More sustainable choices in the workplace: a systematic review of nudge theory applications.

Giulia De Paolis, Lorenza Tiberio, Federica Caffaro.

Nudge theory proposes subtle changes to the choice environment to influence behavior without restricting autonomy. This scoping review investigates the application of nudging strategies within workplace settings to promote pro-environmental behaviors among employees. Sixteen peer-reviewed empirical studies were selected using PRISMA guidelines from four major databases. The analysis examines the characteristics of the selected studies, theoretical definitions of nudging, intervention types, and observed effectiveness. Findings show a notable increase in publications from 2020 onward, reflecting growing academic and institutional interest in sustainable organizational practices. Most studies are based in high-income Western countries, particularly within the tertiary sector. A clear heterogeneity emerged in how nudging is defined, with only half of the studies explicitly referencing Thaler and Sunstein's classical framework. Others relied on broader psychological theories, such as social norms or cognitive biases, often without operational clarity. The nudges identified were classified into five categories: informational, reminders and notifications, financial incentives, non-financial incentives, and positioning and default options. Informational nudges and reminders were most commonly applied due to their low intrusiveness and implementation costs, but positioning and incentive-based strategies showed promising results in certain organizational contexts. Effectiveness was highest when nudges were paired with tangible incentives, required minimal effort, and were socially supported by leadership or peers. Conversely, interventions targeting high-cost behaviors or lacking enabling infrastructure were less successful. A lack of long-term follow-up assessments also limits conclusions about the durability of effects. This review highlights the need for consistent operational definitions, context-sensitive design, and longitudinal research. It emphasizes the importance of integrating behavioral insights into organizational structures and processes to foster environmentally responsible behaviors at work and beyond.

Keywords: nudge theory; scoping review; sustainable behavior; sustainable organizations; workplace

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1556796

Cancer Med. 2025 Sep;14(17): e71213

Global Burden, Projection, and Inequalities Analysis of Cancer Attributable to Occupational Carcinogen Exposure in Individuals Aged Over 40 Years.

Nanxi Hu, Hui Li, Kaili Yu, Yang Yu, Xiaohua Wu, Xinyi Huang, Hongtao Lin, Shuqing Zou, Jinluan Li.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we investigated the global burden, projection, and inequalities of cancer attributable to occupational carcinogen exposure in individuals aged over 40 years.
METHODS: Using the Global Burden of Disease 2021 dataset, we examined age-standardized disability-adjusted life years (ASR-DALYs) and deaths associated with cancer attributable to occupational carcinogen exposure. Statistical analyses included: the estimated Annual Percentage Change to assess trends (1990-2021); Bayesian age-period-cohort modeling for projections to 2030 and 2050; decomposition analysis to quantify contributions of aging, population growth, and epidemiological changes; and slope and concentration indices (SII, CI) to evaluate health inequalities by sociodemographic index (SDI).
RESULTS: In 2021, the global ASR-DALYs attributable to occupational carcinogen exposure were 239.3 per 100,000 (95% uncertainty intervals [UI]: 180.76-300.91), with significant declines found since 1990. The ASR-deaths in the same year were 11.45 per 100,000 (95% UI: 8.57-14.29). By 2050, ASR-DALYs and ASR-deaths are projected to decline to 177.24 and 8.50 per 100,000, respectively. Men exhibited higher DALYs and mortality (3.92 million DALYs, 0.18 million deaths) compared with women. From 1990 to 2021, high SDI regions exhibited the most substantial decline, whereas low-middle SDI regions experienced the highest increase. The most prominent occupational carcinogens were asbestos (ASR-DALYs: 142.36 per 100,000), silica (50.36 per 100,000), and diesel engine exhaust (20.56 per 100,000). Among the seven types of occupational cancers observe, tracheal, bronchial, and lung cancers exhibited the highest ASR-DALY and ASR-deaths. Population growth is the primary contributor to both DALYs and deaths globally, followed by epidemiological changes.
CONCLUSION: This study highlights the declining global burden of cancer due to occupational exposure to carcinogens; however, significant disparities persist. Addressing occupational cancer risk in low-SDI regions and under-researched populations is crucial for reducing this health burden.

Keywords: Global Burden of Disease; asbestos; cancer mortality; disability‐adjusted life years; lung cancer; occupational carcinogen

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.71213