Luca Arfini is Italian communications professional based in Amsterdam, passionate about telling impactful stories that connect with diverse audiences. In 2023, he founded Creative Tractus L.A to mainly focus on science communication. Luca studied Political Science & International Relations and European Studies, and is completing a part-time master’s degree in Science Communication and Public Engagement, further enriching his skills and knowledge on how to bring science closer to the lay public. Writing about health, sustainability, innovation, European affairs and human rights.
Contributor: Luca Arfini
Heatwaves: how can Europe make its cities healthier and be better prepared?
Extreme weather events such as heatwaves are no longer merely an environmental concern; they are recognised as a global public health emergency. According to the WHO, approximately 175,000 deaths annually in the European region are linked to extreme heat. As these harmful events become more frequent, affecting both our health and our healthcare system, the ...
A scientist’s opinion: interview with Prof. Roel Vermeulen on extreme weather and the impact on our health
“We should treat extreme weather events as an important health issue in Europe,” says Prof. Roel Vermeulen, professor of Environmental Epidemiology and Exposome Science at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences at Utrecht University, the Netherlands. Across Europe, we’re seeing more extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, floods, droughts, and wildfires. What are the main ...
A scientist’s opinion: interview with Dr Paulo Morgado on extreme weather and the impact on our health
Dr Paulo Morgado is associate professor at the Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning of the University of Lisbon (Portugal). He studies smart cities and how city design affects the human brain and health. We often talk about the physical health effects of extreme weather. How does it also affect stress and mental well-being in ...
The changing attitudes of Generation Z towards substance use and risky behaviours
For approximately 30 years, the Italian National Research Council has partnered with the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) to survey more than 113,800 students aged 15–16 across Europe to monitor adolescent risk behaviours. The latest findings reveal that, although cannabis, alcohol, and traditional cigarettes use among European teenagers has steadily declined, new behavioural and health ...
A scientist’s opinion: interview with Dr Margreet de Looze on adolescent health and risk behaviours
Margreet de Looze is an Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Social Science at Utrecht University. Her research examines how social and cultural contexts shape young people’s health and well-being, with a particular focus on adolescent substance use, mental health, and sexual health. Over the past 17 years, her interdisciplinary and cross-national research has documented how adolescent ...
A scientist’s opinion: interview with Dr Sabrina Molinaro on substance use among adolescents
Sabrina Molinaro is the Director of the Laboratory of Epidemiology and Health Services Research at the Institute of Clinical Physiology of the National Research Council (IFC-CNR) in Italy. Over the years, she has conceived and led more than 50 research projects, including both competitive (European and national) calls and institutional collaborations with the Presidency of ...
A scientist’s opinion: interview with Dr Kamran Niaz on the World Drug Report
Dr Kamran Niaz is a public health physician with postgraduate training in public health, specialising in epidemiology. He is currently working as an epidemiologist in the Research Branch of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Over the past 30 years, mainly working with UNODC and based in different countries, his main focus ...
Long Covid: The ‘invisible illness’ people must learn to see
In Europe, Long Covid has impacted around 36 million people over the first three years of the pandemic. However, the disease’s complexity, novelty, and often invisible symptoms, combined with a lack of public understanding, have led to many patients being dismissed or doubted by doctors, policymakers, colleagues, and even their loved ones. As a result, ...