Developing Environmental Health Indicators for New Zealand–Towards a National Environmental Health Information System

Presented are the results, with emphasis on the situation in Greece, of the ENHIS-2 project “Establishment of Environment and Health Information System Supporting Policy Making”. The information system is based on a set of Environmental Health Indicators developed and updated by the project, organized according to the four WHO CEHAPE (Children’s Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe) Regional Priority Goals (RPGs). In total 30 indicators have been developed and calculated using data from international and national databases. The outcome of the indicator piloting and the collection of information on relevant policies is used to make a preliminary assessment for Greece of the effects of environmental agents to population health in general and to children’s health in particular. The preliminary conclusions are that environmental problems in Greece are similar to those experienced by other European countries. Regarding legislation and policies, Greece as a European member state has a well established legislative framework based mainly on the ratification of E.C. Directives. There is however a lack in more specific policies and action plans , and a lack of a well organized system for inspecting, monitoring and reporting environmental health problems.

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Southeastern Regional Health Information System: a mapping tool for public health actors

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.601 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

M Jardin ◽

P Kurkdji ◽

L Dagnet ◽

G Tonnaire ◽

S Nauleau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Information System ◽

Health Information ◽

Geographical Area ◽

Health Information System ◽

Health Indicators ◽

Health Priorities ◽

Free Access ◽

Local Public Health ◽

Mapping Tool

Abstract Issue/problem Local public health actors often need to identify public health priorities in their territories to guide public health policy and/or action. Description of the problem The Southeastern Health Regional Observatory (ORS Paca) has been developing since 2006 a health information system for Southeastern France (SIRSéPACA). The objective of this mapping tool is to give access to regional and local public health actors to public health indicators for various population groups and geographical scales (municipality, districts...) within the region. Results Indicators are displayed under the format of maps and tables on the following topics: morbidity, mortality, health social, economic or environmental determinants. Indicators are constructed using national and regional databases (open or accessible through agreements). SIRSéPACA is in free access (www.sirsepaca.org) and regularly updated. A function allows the users to obtain a portrait for a defined geographical area and to obtain in one click a description of various indicators (socio-economic and demographic characteristics, mortality and morbidity causes, health care and prevention, environmental health). Indicators for a given territory can be compared to the regional average (or another area). SIRSéPACA is regularly used to provide a description of the main public health characteristics of territories (“territorial diagnose”), e.g. to help health professionals intending to set up of a multidisciplinary group practice designing their project. Lessons Trainings on how to use the tool, interpret the maps produced, and about territorial diagnoses implementation are regularly done. We are also developing a similar tool for all French regions for the Ministry of Health. Key messages SIRSéPACA facilitates access to and overview of a lot of indicators and data for local public health actors. This regional experience has been expanded to national level.

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