Partners as Associated Beneficiaries
Italy, ASL TO3 Piemonte (SEPI)
The SCaDU Epidemiology ASL TO3 is linked to Medical School San Luigi Gonzaga, University of Turin, through its scientific director Prof. Costa; it is also a member of the regional epidemiology network and the coordinating centre of the national network for the study of inequalities in Italy. Its activities range from occupational epidemiology to chronic disease epidemiology to substance abuse surveillance and public health.
During the last twenty years, the SCaDU Epidemiology has developed specific experience within the social epidemiology field, particularly focusing on social inequalities in health and health care and on the investigation of related mechanisms, through the analysis of the archives of the Turin Longitudinal Study and of the National Health Interview Surveys. More recently, it has also developed good experience in the evaluation of health and non health policies, in terms of their impact on health and inequalities in health (Health in All Policies strategy).
This unit (either as ASL TO3 or Turin University) has always represented Italy in many past and ongoing European collaborative studies financed by the European Commission, with the objective of extending the capacity of EU member states in monitoring inequalities, understanding mechanisms of inequality generation, and identifying best practices to tackle inequalities. Within these projects (EUROTHINE, INEQCITIES, EUROGBD-SE, DEMETRIQ, SOPHIE), the unit has gained substantial experience as work package leader, with the specific responsibility of analysing the effectiveness of health care policies and interventions to reduce health inequalities and formulating policy recommendations.
Contact : COSTA, Giuseppe
Italy, ENEA Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA)
ENEA is a public agency targeted to research, innovation technology and services in the fields of energy, environment and new technologies to support Country's competitiveness and sustainable development.
The Air Quality Laboratory of the Technical Unit for Environmental Assessment Models, Methods and Technologies the is composed by 20 scientists who gather a multidisciplinary approach in research, promotion and technology transfer for the understandings of atmospheric processes and air quality including climate system, to support stakeholders at national and international level.
Main activities are:
Research on atmospheric processes, meteorology, numerical modeling on atmospheric pollution for current and future scenario analysis.
Since 2002, on behalf of the Italian Ministry of the Environment Land and Sea, development and validation of the “National Integrated Modeling system for International Negotiation on atmospheric pollution (MINNI)” project. Model assessment includes performance and diagnostic evaluation, probabilistic appraisal and comparison with fields observations. The MINNI system is able to estimate the effectiveness of reduction of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter emissions. The system is also used to study the effect of the reduction of volatile organic compounds and NOx on ozone concentrations to reduce the ozone effects on vegetation and human health. The outputs are used to deal with the International Negotiation for emissions reduction and accomplishment of concentration thresholds according to the Kyoto protocol and international legislation.
Analysis of environmental risks due to air pollution for mitigation strategies and policies on long-term environmental sustainability.
Evaluation of air quality effects on human health, vegetation, and cultural heritage; air quality trend assessments are addressed as well as cost-benefit analysis.
Geodatabases analysis and management using GIS.
Contact : ZANINI, Gabriele
Slovenia, National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ)
The National Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Slovenia (NIJZ) is a national institution, whose main purpose is to study, protect and increase the level of health of the population of the Republic of Slovenia (RS) through raising the awareness of the population and other preventive measures. NIJZ is funded by The Ministry of Health of Slovenia. Its activities include: provision of data on health and health protection, monitoring and evaluation of public health, identifying health threats and devising measures for their control, health promotion and creating expert based health-friendly policies, programs and actions to prevent diseases, monitoring and evaluation of the health care system and developing public health professionals and research. In addition to its central role in public health activities in Slovenia, NIJZ also actively participates in international projects, which span different areas of health and public health problems in the general population.
NIJZ took part at few studies concerning impact of air pollution on health (APHEA, APHEIS, APHEKOM). The most recent study that NIJZ took part was APHEKOM study about Decision Making on Air Pollution and Health in Europe DG Sanco (2008 - 2011).
NIJZ serves as a National body for evaluation and assessment of air pollution data and impact on health of population.
NIJZ conducted first Health Survey in the country European Health Interview Survey in 2007. NIJZ is running National Data sets on mortality and morbidy.
The important role is giving proposals how to improve health of the population also in relation to exposure to environmental health risks.
NIJZ is headed by director (in the current term, acting director Ivan Eržen) and managed by the Institute’s Council, while the Medical Board plans, discusses and directs the professional activity of the Institute.
Contact : OTOREPEC, Peter
Spain (Cataluña), ISGlobal, Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL)
In 2012, the Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology (CREAL), the Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB) and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) initiated an alliance with the ultimate goal of building a world-class institution in Barcelona for research, education and innovation in Global Health. This alliance has evolved towards an integration process of the three institutions which was completed by July 1st, 2016. The integrated ISGlobal has become one of the larger research centers in Global Health in Europe with about 30 research groups and more than 350 people with affiliation to two leading universities (University of Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra University) and strong capabilities for the translation of knowledge.
A characteristic of ISGlobal is the integration of research in communicable and non-communicable diseases with a strong emphasis on its environmental determinants.
The result of this integration is a broad research portfolio which offers unique opportunities to contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiological transition in LMIC's, to lead research on main environmental health determinants including climate in a wide range of countries and populations, and to initiate innovative research on the interactions between CDs and NCDs.
Contact : BASAGANA FLORES, Xavier
France, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC)
Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6 (UPMC), devoted to science and medicine, is one of the largest universities in France: 4 000 researchers and teachers, 180 laboratories, 30 000 students, 700 scientific PhD delivered per year. UPMC is involved in numerous European and International partnership agreements (European research projects, international Masters, etc.). This gives access to facilities only found at the largest institutions: France's largest scientific library, scientific infrastructures facilities, large conference venues and strong intellectual environment.
UPMC has a wide experience of EU contracts through previous framework programs. Its European Office, part of the Department for Relations with Industry and Technology Transfer (DGRTT-SAIC), has developed an expertise in the management of EU project with about one hundred EU FP6 projects, as coordinator or partner. This Office will provide specific support for all financial, administrative and legal aspects of the management of the project.
Furthermore, Dr. Isabella Annesi Maesano has been involved is several EU funded actions including GERIE, HESEINT, and SINPHONIE.
Contact : ANNESI MAESANO, Isabella
France, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM)
Founded in 1964, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) is a public scientific and technological institute entirely dedicated to biological, medical and human health research. It is positioned across the entire pass from the research to the bedside, which operates under the joint authority of the French Ministry of Health and French Ministry of Research. Inserm has 15000 people working in 300 research units.
As the only French public research institute to focus entirely on human health, in 2008 Inserm took on the responsibility for the strategic, scientific and operational coordination of biomedical research. The decree adopted in March 2009 will enable Inserm to perform its research missions in the face of the new scientific, health and economic challenges of the 21st century. Scientific monitoring and expertise are now part of the Institute’s official missions.
In April 2009, national coordination was strengthened by the Alliance nationale pour les sciences de la vie et de la santé (French National Alliance for Life and Health Sciences), which Inserm co-founded with other research institutes and the Conférence des présidents d’université (Association of University Presidents). To extend the strategic and programmatic coordination of research to all life and health sciences, the Alliance relies on 10 multi-body thematic institutes jointly overseen by two research institutes (Inserm, CNRS, French Atomatic Energy Commission/CEA or French National Institute for Agricultural Research/Inra), depending on the research field.
Lastly, Inserm plays a leading role in creating the European Research Area and boosts its standing abroad through close partnerships (teams and partner laboratories abroad).