Positive health effects of the natural outdoor environment in typical populations of different regions in Europe.

Transcription

1 Positive health effects of the natural outdoor environment in typical populations of different regions in Europe

2 FP7 Theme ENV ; Positive effects of natural environment for human health and well-being. Grant Agreement st January st December 2015 EC contribution: Beneficiaries: Fundació Centre de Recerca en Epidemiologia Ambiental Spain (C) Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu Netherlands Staffordshire University United Kingdom Vytauto Didziojo Universitetas Lithuania Université de Geneve Switzerland Vereniging voor Christelijk Hoger Onderwijs, Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek en Patientenzorg Netherlands Veiligheids- en Gezondheidsregio Gelderland Midden Netherlands University of California, Berkeley Campus United States

3 Objective: To investigate the interconnections between exposure to natural outdoor environments, in both rural and urban settings, and better human health and well-being and particularly: Identify the underlying mechanisms at work; Examine the effects for different population groups; Examine the effects of different characteristics of the natural outdoor environment; Cover both preventive as well as therapeutic effects of contact with the natural environment; Address the implications for land-use planning and green space management, specifically focusing on the integration of human health needs, and translating the research outcomes into recommendations for policy makers and guidelines for professional practitioners.

4 Project Structure Land use planning and natural environment Management (WP5) Natural environment: Quantitative and quality characteristics (amount, type) Different levels of urbanity (WP2) Epidemiological studies (WP3) General health/well being Mental health/neural development Cardiovascular, respiratory and cancer morbidity and mortality Birth outcomes Obesity Inclusive subgroups Large studies Mechanism assessment (WP2) Stress reduction/ Restorative function Physical activity Social interaction Environmental pollutants Inclusive subgroups Medium size studies (n=4*1000) Therapeutic studies (WP4) Mental health High stress Cardiovascular Small studies (n=4*20-40) Implications, including health impact assessment and application(wp5) Policy involvement and Dissemination, including stakeholders (WP 6)

5 WP1 Management - Technical and financial management of the project WP 2 - Mechanisms To examine underlying mechanisms of positive health impact through the quantitive relation of factors including stress, physical activity, social interaction and pollution, with the natural environment subjects to be recruited in all participating countries. Case-study of 100 subjects working with Calfit. WP3 - Epidemiological Studies To evaluate the relationship between natural environment indicators and various health outcomes in different regions of Europe. Analysis of large routine databases containing health outcome data, cohort study data and natural environment indicators. 17 Studies, n>24m Outcomes covered: respitory health, BMI, neural development, birth weigth/gestation, all cause and specific mortality, asthma, serum cholesterol, (health) quality of life, psychological factors, cancer, general health.

6 WP4 - Therapeutic Studies To measure stress reduction and restorative function of different environments, as well as behaviour and social interaction to further explore mechanisms implicated in the health-natural environment relations subjects to be recruited in Netherlands, Lithuania, UK and Spain WP5 - Implications, Health Impact Assessment and Planning To integrate human health needs into land use planning and green space management in rural and urban areas. Considering: Qualitative characteristics of natural environements; Facilities, maintenance and services; Accessibility Guidelines to natural environments. WP6 - Policy involvement and dissemination To establish a framework for dissemination, engagement and stakeholder dialogue. In particular focussed on natural environment and related DG- Environment programmes.

7 Geographical Expertise North Western Europe -United kingdom -Netherlands *Natural outdoor Environment *Mechanisms *Health outcomes *stakeholders Southern Europe -Spain Natural outdoor Environment *Mechanisms *Health outcomes *Stakeholders INPUT FROM DIFFERENT EUROPEAN REGIONS Standardized and comparable European data base Natural outdoor Environment -green and blue -Quantity and Quality Mechanisms -Stress reduction/ Restorative function -Physical activity -Social interaction -Environmental pollutants Health outcomes -General health/well being -Mental health/neural development -Cardiovascular, respiratory and cancer morbidity and mortality -Birth outcomes -Obesity Susceptible group Pregnancy Age Socio-economic status Ethnic minorities Eastern Europe -Lithuania Natural outdoor Environment *Mechanisms *Health outcomes *Stakeholders Central Europe -Switserland -Policy and guidelines -Stakeholders

8 Use of novel application for measurements of spatial, physical a.o. factors Figure 3. Calfit Phone Showing (a) Basic Interface, (b) Calorie Counts by 30 second Epoch, and (c) Google Maps Display of Activity Levels in Different Locations

9 Mark Nieuwenhuijsen Coordinator Diana van Gent Project Manager and contact CREAL - Centre de Recerca en Epidemiologia Ambiental Parc Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona Doctor Aiguader, Barcelona Tel Fax

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