The programme aims to strengthen the evidence base in the field of climate change and urban exposure effects on health, and to assess the co-benefits of climate action on health. We focus on exposures such as noise, air pollution, temperature and green spaces, and on outcomes such as premature mortality, cardiovascular and respiratory health, and cognitive function. This research is complemented by computational models of global climate variation and tipping points and their impact on health. The ultimate goal is to support (urban) healthy living and to forecast and mitigate the health impacts of climate change.
We use tools such as geographic information systems, satellite data and smartphone technology for exposure assessment, participatory citizen science, health impact assessment, computational modelling and forecasting. Our international leadership extends to areas such as the health co-benefits of climate action, green spaces and health, air pollution epidemiology, the health impact of urban and transport planning, citizen science, and modelling climate variation in the transmission of infectious diseases.
Related impact stories
Clearing the Air Elevating Europe’s Air Quality Standards for Better Health
Our Team
Leadership
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Mark J Nieuwenhuijsen Research Professor, Scientific Director of the Severo Ochoa Programme, and Director of the Urban Planning, Environment and Health Initiative
Administrator
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Clara Castelló Programme and Project Manager
Principal lnvestigators of the Programme
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Joan Ballester Associate Research Professor -
Xavier Basagaña Research Professor -
Guillaume Chevance Associated Researcher -
Ivana Cvijanovic Assistant Research Professor -
Payam Dadvand Associate Research Professor -
Judith Garcia Aymerich Research Professor and Head of the Environment and Health over the Lifecourse Programme -
Mònica Guxens ICREA Research Professor -
Sarah Koch Associated Researcher (external) -
Jill Litt Senior Researcher -
Eider Arenaza-Urquijo Assistant Research Professor -
Natalie Mueller Assistant Research Professor -
Cristina O'Callaghan Associated Researcher -
Otavio Ranzani Assistant Research Professor -
Ioar Rivas Associated Researcher (External) -
Xavier Rodó ICREA Research Professor -
Jordi Sunyer Research Professor -
Cathryn Tonne Research Professor -
Margarita Triguero-Mas Associated Researcher -
Michelle Turner Associate Research Professor -
Matilda van den Bosch Senior Researcher -
James Woodcock Associated Researcher
Highlighted Projects
TwinAir
Digital Twins Enabled Indoor Air Quality Management for Healthy Living
CATALYSE
Climate Action To Advance HeaLthY Societies in Europe
The European Urban Burden of Disease Project
RECETAS
Re-imagining Environments for Connection and Engagement: Testing Actions for Social Prescribing in Natural Spaces
CalTraS
Calor, Trabajo y Salud
REMEDHY
Researching Environments that Magnify Health Everyday
ACTIVID
Impact of the health crisis due to COVID-19 on Physical Activity and Mental Health in Spain
EARLY-ADAPT
Signs of Early Adaptation to Climate Change
Climate Change Challenge. Big Data for the City
Pla Clima
CHAI
Cardiovascular Health effects of Air pollution in Andhra Pradesh, India
PASTA - Physical Activity through Sustainable Transport Approaches
Other projects
B-COOL@HOME
Cooling older adults' homes in Barcelona
EXPLICA - Uso del EXPosoma para eLucIdar los factores promotores del riesgo CArdiovascular en entornos urbanos
Project Code: PI21/00930
Base genética materna y fetal de la función placentaria
Project Code: PI20/01116
ONES
Fine Particle Matter, Fetal Growth, and Neurodevelopment: Examining Critical Windows of Susceptibility
Calor, trabajo y salud: caracterización de la exposición, marcadores de salud y efectividad de intervenciones
Project Code: PI20/00608
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