Innovative health strategies pave the way for deep-space exploration and also benefit human health on Earth
May 14, 2025 (Toronto) - As space agencies and private companies gear up for missions to the Moon and also Mars, ensuring astronaut health during extended space travel has become paramount. A recent article in Nature by Dr. Farhan M. Asrar, Associate Dean, Clinical Faculty Relations at TMU’s School of Medicine and global faculty member at the International Space University, highlights cutting-edge research and technologies aimed at safeguarding astronauts' physical and mental well-being in the harsh environment of deep space, while exploring the benefits to public health more broadly.
With the Artemis program and international collaborations planning crewed lunar missions by 2026 and aspirations for Mars expeditions thereafter, the challenges of human physiology in space are subject to intense research efforts.
Astronauts face heightened exposure to cosmic radiation, leading to increased risks of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Microgravity conditions contribute to bone density loss, vision impairments, and potential kidney issues. The psychological effects of isolation and confinement also pose significant mental health challenges.
Dr. Asrar explores pivotal areas of research addressing these concerns including advanced remote health care like telemedicine which is crucial for monitoring and supporting astronauts' health. He also sees the promise of personalized medicine tailored to individual genetic profiles to enhance effective health-care interventions during missions.
Harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven diagnostic tools and decision-support systems to assist in real-time health assessments and emergency responses when immediate human expertise is unavailable will also be a future focus of space medicine. AI and virtual reality can also be used to support mental health and maintain crew morale and mental resilience.
These innovations not only promise to make deep-space travel safer but also have the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery on Earth, particularly in remote or underserved regions.
Interview opportunity:
Dr. Farhan M. Asrar, Associate Dean, Clinical Faculty Relations at School of Medicine, Toronto Metropolitan University
This press release is based on the article "How to keep astronauts healthy in deep space (external link) " published in Nature on June 2, 2025.
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