scholarly journals Public Health Tracking to address the complexity of environmental health: The case of France

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Medina ◽  
A Le Tertre ◽  
C Caserio-Schönemann ◽  
A Fouillet ◽  
G Leonardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Syndromic Surveillance ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Complex Relationship ◽  
Environment And Health ◽  
Health Tracking

Abstract To address the complex relationship between environment and health, public-health professionals have recognized the benefits of building enduring interdisciplinary partnerships and of developing innovative Environmental and Public Health Tracking (EPHT) systems. In specific, EPHT can increase understanding of environmental health threats; improve comparability of risks between different areas of the world; enable transparency and trust among citizens and institutions; and inform preventive decision making. EPHT does so by sharing data and knowledge; and by identifying and supporting best practices. In France, the concept of EPHT builds on the observation that our changing environment creates new risks that require both specific surveillance of the link between exposure and health indicators, and syndromic surveillance (SyS) of sentinel health indicators. A specific surveillance of air pollution and health has been informing French policies on air pollution for 23 years. France has also coordinated the European Apheis and Aphekom specific-surveillance projects. Using routine pollution and health data, these projects succeeded by being built on a Europe-wide collaborative network that facilitates decision-making on local and national levels. In addition, since the 2003 heat wave France has developed syndromic surveillance for detecting the health impacts of new threats as diverse as environmental phenomena and emerging infectious diseases. France also coordinated the Triple-S project, which inventoried SyS activities in Europe; and produced guidelines for human and veterinary SyS in Member States and a proposal for a European SyS strategy. Examples of the complementarity between specific and SyS in environmental health in France include: heat and cold waves, air pollution, flooding, storms and industrial accidents. In today's world of open data, EPHT shows great promise for contributing to better informing decision makers and the population on environmental-health risks. Key messages Environmental and Public Health Tracking (EPHT) systems and enduring interdisciplinary partnerships provide an innovative way to address the complex relationship between environment and health. France has been in the forefront of applying innovative EPHT (Environmental and Public Health Tracking) by using complementary specific and syndromic (SyS) surveillance systems.

scholarly journals The Growing Relation between Environment and Public Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-115
Author(s):  
Françeska Korançe
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Environmental Medicine ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Qualitative Method ◽  
National Level ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Environment And Public Health ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
Health Tracking ◽  
The Relationship

Introduction: Environmental health is deteriorating worldwide. Evidence shows that exposure to air, water and soil pollution has caused many deaths worldwide, a trend that is increasing day by day. Health consequences from exposure to environmental pollutants range from cancer, lung disease, heart disease and a series health problems which often lead to death. The majority of pollution related deaths happens mostly in low and middle-income countries. Environmental and pollution health related issues are not getting the attention they deserve in Albania. The main purpose of this article is to identify the relationship between environmental problems and public health consequences, by analysing public policies, case studies and instruments for measuring environmental health indicators. The article also presents suggestions regarding development of Environmental Medicine in Albania, and Public Health Tracking methods. Methods: Qualitative method is thoughtfully used in this article. Specifically, literature review methodology is used to identify environmental indicators that directly affect public health, adequate policies and instruments for the protection of public health, as well as environmental health at the international and national level. Qualitative method is used to reveal and evaluate the topic through multiple facets covering relevant contextual conditions. This method helps identifying the link between public and environment health indicators in a real-life situation, and to understand the relationship between these indicators in the Albanian context. Results and Discussion: Albania lacks a specific measurement system of Environmental Public Health Tracking, as well an established methodology for linking environmental and public health. Potential capacities for measuring environmental and health indicators are limited at the national level, thus, the public health policies do not clearly and fully integrate environmental health indicators for the protection of public health. Vocational training in health and environment is being practiced through various disciplines, but there is a need for specialized environmental medicine health professionals, with adequate competences in the field. Conclusions: The correlation between environment and public health is gaining attention nationally and globally. As in other countries, the need for Environmental Medicine professionals is growing also in Albania. Strong correlations between of environmental pollution indicators (air, water, land pollution) and public health indicators (such as infant and general mortality, morbidity rates, respiratory diseases, etc.) have increased in the last years. Use of instruments (such as EPHT), a fully integrated university curricula and a specific discipline of Environmental Medicine should be made a priority not only nationally, but also globally as environmental problems such as climate change do not recognize national borders. In order to manage the rising cases, states need to be resilient, and build appropriate research based policies and action plans to prevent the occurrence of environmental related public health consequences. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-0302-3 Full Text: PDF

scholarly journals Evidence-to-decision frameworks: a review and analysis to inform decision-making for environmental health interventions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan L Norris ◽  
Max T Aung ◽  
Nicholas Chartres ◽  
Tracey Woodruff
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Clinical Medicine ◽  
The Body ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Health Objectives

Background Evidence-to-decision (EtD) frameworks provide a structured and transparent approach for groups of experts to use when formulating recommendations or making decisions. While extensively used for clinical and public health recommendations, EtD frameworks are not in widespread use in environmental health. Objectives This review sought to identify, compare and contrast key EtD frameworks for decisions or recommendations on interventions used in clinical medicine, public health or environmental health. Our goal was to identify best practices and guidance which will be used to inform the development of an EtD framework for formulating recommendations regarding interventions to prevent or mitigate the harmful effects of exposure to substances in the environment. Methods We identified a convenience sample of EtD frameworks used by a range of organizations. We searched Medline for systematic reviews of EtD frameworks used in clinical medicine, and public or environmental health. In a qualitative manner, we summarized the decision criteria in the selected frameworks and in the reviews. Results Fourteen key organizations provided 18 EtD frameworks; most frameworks focused on clinical medicine or public health interventions; four focused on environmental health and three on economic considerations. Only one framework was based on an underlying conceptual model, and rarely was a systematic review of potential criteria performed during the frameworks development. GRADE encompasses a set of closely related frameworks for different types of decisions. Harms of interventions were examined in all frameworks and benefits in all but one. Other criteria included certainty of the body of evidence (15 frameworks), resource considerations (15), feasibility (13), equity (12), values (11), acceptability (11), and human rights (2). There was variation in how specific criteria were defined. The five identified systematic reviews reported a similar spectrum of EtD criteria. Discussion The EtD frameworks examined encompassed similar criteria, with tailoring to specific audience needs. However, there is variation in development processes, terminology, level of detail provided and presentation of the criteria. Existing frameworks are a useful starting point for development of one tailored to decision-making in environmental health.

scholarly journals Microbial Air Quality in Neighborhoods near Landfill Sites: Implications for Public Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Stephen T. Odonkor ◽  
Tahiru Mahami
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Developing World ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Landfill Sites ◽  
The Government ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi

Air pollution has been a major challenge worldwide particularly in the developing world. Improper waste disposal and management may result in microbial air pollution. In advanced countries, landfill sites are far from neighborhoods; however, the opposite is observed for landfill sites in the developing world. In Accra, some landfill sites are 100 meters from neighborhoods. The aim of this study was to assess the microbial air quality and associated environmental health hazards of landfill sites in selected districts in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. A random sampling method was employed to select sampling sites across the dry and wet seasons from landfills and their corresponding neighborhoods. Results obtained showed a higher total count (CFU/m3) of bacteria and fungi in the air at the landfill sites than neighborhoods. Statistically significant variation p<0.05 in bacterial and fungal concentrations over two seasons was found for both landfills and neighborhoods. However, bacterial concentrations were significantly higher than fungal concentrations p<0.05 across seasons for all locations. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the highest (15.6 %) occurring microbe at both landfill sites and neighborhoods. This was followed by Staphylococcus aureus (12.7%). Other bacteria and fungi of public health importance such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus niger were also isolated from the study sites, above the WHO recommended levels. In conclusion, the landfill waste disposal and its close proximity to neighborhoods as observed in this study pose a potential environmental health risk, with dire implications for public health and safety. The government must enact and implement policies to regulate waste management and to ensure public safety.

scholarly journals Lagging and Flagging: Air Pollution, Shale Gas Exploration and the Interaction of Policy, Science, Ethics and Environmental Justice in England

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 4320
Author(s):  
Andrew Watterson ◽  
William Dinan
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Climate Change ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Environmental Justice ◽  
Shale Gas ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Health Priorities ◽  
Oil And Gas Development ◽  
Scientific Publications

The science on the effects of global climate change and air pollution on morbidity and mortality is clear and debate now centres around the scale and precise contributions of particular pollutants. Sufficient data existed in recent decades to support the adoption of precautionary public health policies relating to fossil fuels including shale exploration. Yet air quality and related public health impacts linked to ethical and environmental justice elements are often marginalized or missing in planning and associated decision making. Industry and government policies and practices, laws and planning regulations lagged well behind the science in the United Kingdom. This paper explores the reasons for this and what shaped some of those policies. Why did shale gas policies in England fail to fully address public health priorities and neglect ethical and environmental justice concerns. To answer this question, an interdisciplinary analysis is needed informed by a theoretical framework of how air pollution and climate change are largely discounted in the complex realpolitik of policy and regulation for shale gas development in England. Sources, including official government, regulatory and planning documents, as well as industry and scientific publications are examined and benchmarked against the science and ethical and environmental justice criteria. Further, our typology illustrates how the process works drawing on an analysis of official policy documents and statements on planning and regulatory oversight of shale exploration in England, and material from industry and their consultants relating to proposed shale oil and gas development. Currently the oil, gas and chemical industries in England continue to dominate and influence energy and feedstock-related policy making to the detriment of ethical and environmental justice decision making with significant consequences for public health.

scholarly journals Environmental health indicators: a review of initiatives worldwide

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 446-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Tisch ◽  
Amber L. Pearson ◽  
Simon Kingham ◽  
Barry Borman ◽  
David Briggs
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Health ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environment And Health ◽  
Exposure Response ◽  
Parent Agency ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The extent to which research into the design and development of environmental health indicators (EHIs) has translated into operational programmes is unclear. The purpose of this paper is to identify EHI initiatives worldwide, distil the EHIs and draw lessons from the experience. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic internet-based review was undertaken. Programmes were selected for inclusion if they: first, had the ability to monitor both the physical environment and associated health outcomes; and second, the parent agency had the ability to influence policies related to the environment and health. Findings – The small number of eligible programmes indicates EHI initiatives are not yet well established, especially in developing countries. The use of indicators was also limited by uncertainties in the exposure-response relationships that they implied, and the consequent inability to translate the indicators into a common measure of health impact. In addition, there is no information on the extent to which the indicators have been applied in decision making, nor on the policy implications of using indicators. Practical implications – More effort is needed to encourage the development and use of more balanced and informative sets of indicators, and to evaluate their use and outcomes in terms of health benefits. Originality/value – The time is right for a substantial review paper on EHIs as they are now being used by a number of organisations and to the knowledge this is the first review of operational EHI programmes worldwide.

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