The Role of Environmental Pollution In Non-Communicable Diseases: Air, Noise And Light And Hazardous Waste Pollution.
Call ID: (HORIZON-HLTH-2024-ENVHEALTH-02-06-two-stage)
Deadline model: Two Stage
Opening date: 30 March 2023
Deadline date: 19 September 2023 | 11 April 2024
Expected Outcome:
This topic aims at supporting activities that are enabling or contributing to one or several expected impacts of destination 2 ‘Living and working in a health-promoting environment’. To that end, proposals under this topic should aim for delivering results that are tailored towards and contributing to all of the following expected outcomes:
- National and EU authorities apply user-friendly tools to produce and use generated data on the impact of pollutants on health;
- National and EU authorities benefit from access to robust and transparent indicators for health impact assessment to monitor efficacy of pollution-mitigating actions and policies;
- Policymakers and other stakeholders, e.g. public authorities such as urban planners, health professionals, employers, civil society organisations and citizens, use developed guidelines to take action to prevent pollution-related illnesses and impairments, and choose healthier lifestyles and behaviours;
- EU, national and regional authorities receive guidance and recommendations for updates of (1) scientific evidence about health risks caused by environmental pollutants (2) advice on management and mitigation of these health risks and (3) guidance and recommendations for updates of limit values for different classes of pollutants in the environment; these recommendations should take into account vulnerable population groups and people with increased vulnerability because of pre-existing medical conditions;
- The implementation of the Zero-Pollution Action Plan, the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability and the EU legislation on air quality, noise and waste continue to be supported by a strong evidence-base;
- Relevant actors in our daily lives, e.g. medical personnel, building engineers, teachers, urban planners etc., have access to information such as training courses on pollution and health impacts.
Scope:
The European Green Deal set out by the European Commission recognises that man-made environmental pollution is an increasing threat for human health and wellbeing. Opinion polls[1] show that climate change, air pollution, and waste are the three most important environmental issues that European citizens are concerned about. Over three-quarters (78%) of respondents believe that environmental issues have a direct effect on their daily life and health.
Pollution affects a large number of people in Europe and beyond: A 2018 assessment attributed 16% of total global mortality to pollution-related disease. Over 7 million people die of exposure to polluted air every year worldwide[2]. For 2019, the European Environment Agency has estimated that around 350 000 premature deaths in the EU can be attributed to air pollution (namely from particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and ozone)[3]. Today, more than 1 in 4 Europeans is exposed to traffic noise levels dangerous to their health in their homes, schools and workplaces[4]. The increase of artificial light at night (ALAN) in cities has altered the natural light levels in the environment and extended human activities to the usually dark hours. It has been estimated that more than 80% of the world population is living under light polluted skies[5]. Waste[6] continues to be a persistent environmental issue in Europe, and it is estimated that there are 2.5 million contaminated sites in Europe, with potentially significant adverse health effects[7].
The global burden from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has consistently increased over the last decades, being now estimated to account for 70% of deaths globally (World Health Organization). The growing burden of chronic diseases will also be a challenge for Europe’s healthcare systems, these diseases already accounting for an estimated 70-80% of healthcare costs. Currently, around 50 million European citizens suffer from two or more chronic conditions and most of these people are over 65.[8] The most recent WHO environmental burden of disease estimations suggest that, annually, 13% of deaths (630 000) in the WHO Europe region are attributable to environmental stressors and an EEA report concluded that, 90% of deaths attributable to the environment result from non-communicable diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, mental, behavioural and neurological disorders, diabetes, kidney disease and asthma[9]. While early childhood deaths have declined, the years lived with disability have increased, particularly with chronic disease.
The proposed research should strengthen the knowledge base available to policymakers regarding pollution-disease associations and causal mechanisms at different phases of the life course, taking advantage of latest molecular, cellular and computational technologies to elucidate biological pathways from exposure (including combined exposures) to disease. The work should bring together toxicology, exposure science, public health engineering and environmental epidemiology, and build on data from sources such as pollution-related databases, disease registries, epidemiological studies and biobanks, environmental and human biomonitoring data and new generated data and could consider citizen science and other innovative approaches. All exposure routes should be considered where relevant (oral/digestive tract, inhalation, dermal).
Topic Eligibility and Documents: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-13-general-annexes_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf
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