The Lancet Regional Health Europe in conversation with

Can a comparison of lungs from 1991 and 2024 show how plastic exposure is changing? In this episode of In Conversation With…, Evgenia Koutsouki, Senior Editor at The Lancet Group, speaks with Dr Francesco Prattichizzo of IRCCS MultiMedica about the study on “Microplastics in human lung tissue from autopsy samples collected in 1991 and 2024: a comparative post-mortem study.” The study found that microplastics were more common in 2024 than in 1991 in lung tissues, with higher particle burdens, smaller particles, and a wider range of polymers. Lung samples containing microplastics also showed markers associated with inflammation and fibrosis, although the study cannot establish causation. Dr Prattichizzo discusses what these findings mean, how the samples were analysed, the risk of contamination, possible exposure routes, and what evidence is needed next, including studies in living populations. Click here to read the full article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-776226002164/fulltext

In this episode of In Conversation With, Ivana Nedic, Deputy Editor of The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, speaks with Sydney Tucker, Dr Susan Hillis, and Dr Tetiana Machabeli about their study evaluating Hope Groups, a group-based mental health, parenting, and violence prevention intervention for Ukrainian parents and caregivers affected by war and displacement. The conversation explores how Hope Groups were co-created in response to the needs of Ukrainian families, how the programme combines support for caregiver mental health with parenting skills and violence prevention, and what it took to conduct a cluster randomised controlled trial during an active war. The guests discuss the study’s findings, including improvements in caregiver mental health, parenting practices, and violence against children, as well as the importance of flexible, community-based delivery. The episode also examines the broader methodological and ethical challenges of conducting rigorous trials in conflict settings, including how researchers can balance scientific validity with the urgent need to provide potentially beneficial interventions and support families in crisis-affected settings. Click here to read the full article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(26)00195-X/fulltext

In this episode, Senior Editor Anna Johnson is joined by Giulio Stefanini and Hannah van Kolfschooten to discuss the prominence of AI in the European Commission’s Safe Hearts Plan. They discuss the significant opportunities AI is likely to bring, while highlighting the need for robust legal, institutional, and operational frameworks to improve cardiovascular outcomes rather than simply generating more accurate predictions. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2026.101784

In this episode of In Conversation With, Larissa Otero, Senior Editor of The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, speaks with Dr Judith Bonnes and Dr Roos Edgar about their study on automated cardiac arrest detection using wrist-worn photoplethysmography devices. The discussion traces the journey from the DETECT-1A and DETECT-1B studies to the latest DETECT-1C validation, describing how a light-based sensor or photoplethysmography on the wrist can reliably detect the loss of pulse and trigger an automated alert — with potential implications for prompt detection of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The conversation also addresses the practical and logistical questions around real-world deployment, the limitations of the technology across diverse populations, and the unique ethical challenges of conducting research in end-of-life settings. The episode closes with what remains unanswered in the DETECT programme and the team's next steps Click here to read the full article: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(26)00203-6/fulltext

In this episode, Senior Editor Stephanie Becker speaks with Professor Nicolas Rüsch about mental illness stigma and why self-stigma can have a profound effect on people’s lives. Professor Rüsch explains why deciding whether to disclose a mental illness is often complex, and why the Honest, Open, Proud programme supports people to make informed, individual decisions rather than simply encouraging openness. The conversation also explores how the peer-led programme works, what distinguishes it from other approaches to reducing self-stigma, and the importance of testing interventions under real-world conditions. Professor Rüsch outlines the main findings of their recently published trial and considers the next steps for research and implementation in this field. Click here to read the full article:  https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(26)00163-8/fulltext