World Environmental Health Day: a closer look at HaDEA-managed projects exploring the links between the environment and our health

Environmental factors such as air, soil and water quality, climate change and exposure to chemicals, nanomaterials, noise and radiation have a significant impact on human health and can affect the incidence of disease.

In Europe, increasing environmental degradation is responsible for almost 20% of deaths per year.

The “One Health" approach* recognises that a healthy environment is essential to human health and thus it is critical to address the impacts of environmental factors on health.   

To tackle emerging environmental challenges, the EU has stepped in by supporting and financing environment and health research. Several clusters of projects have been formed, increasing synergies and driving scientific innovation.

HaDEA is managing two clusters of projects on environmental health under Horizon Europe programme Cluster 1 ‘Health’:

• The European Cluster on Health Impacts of Micro- and Nanoplastics (CUSP) studies the effects micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) have on the environment, human and animal health. The cluster comprises five research projects,  AURORA, IMPTOX, PlasticsFatE, POLYRISK and Plasticheal, each with a specific focus area (e.g. early-life health, allergic diseases, chronic inflammatory diseases). CUSP aims to provide new evidence that could be used in regulating the use of MNPs, contributing to the EU’s policies on plastics.
• The European Human Exposome Network (EHEN) explores how exposure to environmental factors (e.g. pollution, diet, lifestyle, socioeconomic factors, work, environment, infections) affects our health and wellbeing throughout life. The cluster brings together 9 research projects, ATHLETE, EPHOR, EXIMIOUS, EXPANSE, HEAP, HEDIMED, LONGITOOLS, REMEDIA and EQUAL-LIFE. It aims to facilitate a better understanding of the causes of many common diseases and to improve disease prevention.

_{* The 'One Health' approach is a multi-level, multi-sectoral and transdisciplinary approach to health which recognises the interconnection between people, animals, plants and the environment.}

Background

Horizon Europe is the research and innovation programme of the EU for the period 2021-2027. The aims of Cluster 1 ‘Health’  include improving and protecting the health and well-being of citizens of all ages by generating new knowledge, developing innovative solutions and integrating where relevant a gender perspective to prevent, diagnose, monitor, treat and cure diseases. Horizon 2020 (H2020) was the EU’s multiannual funding programme between 2014 and 2020.

EU Environment and Health research

Research and innovation to address the impact of environmental factors on health