The program aims to strengthen the evidence base in the field of the health effects of climate change and urban exposures, and assess the health co-benefits of climate action. We focus on exposures such as noise, air pollution, temperature and green spaces in outcomes such as premature mortality, cardiovascular and respiratory health and cognitive function. This research is complemented by computational modelling of global climate variations and tipping points and their impact on health. The ultimate objective is to support healthy (urban) living, and forecast and mitigate the health impacts of climate change.
We use tools such as geographical 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 health co-benefits of climate action, green spaces and health, air pollution epidemiology, health impact of urban and transport planning and citizen science and modelling climate variations in infectious disease transmission.
Our Team
Leadership
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Mark J Nieuwenhuijsen Research Professor, Director of the Urban Planning, Environment and Health Initiative, and Head of the Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health Programme
Principal lnvestigators of the Programme
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Joan Ballester Associate Research Professor -
Xavier Basagaña Research Professor -
Guillaume Chevance Assistant Research Professor and Head of the eHealth Group -
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 Research Professor -
Sarah Koch Assistant Research Professor -
Jill Litt Senior Researcher -
Eider Arenaza-Urquijo Assistant Research Professor
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Natalie Mueller Assistant Research Professor -
Cristina O'Callaghan Associated Researcher -
Otavio Ranzani Assistant Research Professor -
Ioar Rivas Assistant Research Professor -
Xavier Rodó López
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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
How to Reduce Risk from Air Pollution during Physical Activity
In summer, many take advantage of the warmer temperatures to be physically active outside. If you're one of them, you're probably already...
Research, Urban Planning, Environment and Health 15.06.2023
Commercial Interests Lead to Unhealthy Transport
We need to think about how we want to move, without being driven by commercial interests that do not take our health into account. Freedom is not...
Research, Urban Planning, Environment and Health 15.05.2023
Electric Cars Will Not Save Cities
As a recent social media campaign put it, "electric cars weren't invented to save the planet, they were invented to save the car industry". They...
Research, Urban Planning, Environment and Health 13.03.2023
Tackling Noise Pollution in Cities: Why and How
Noise pollution is the second most important environmental health risk in Western Europe, only after air pollution. It affects our sleep, our mood,...
Research, Urban Planning, Environment and Health 01.03.2023
Sea Transport: The Forgotten Air Pollution
Eighty percent of the goods transported worldwide takes place by sea, generating 13% of annual nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and 12% of sulfur...
Research 17.02.2023
Better Understanding Dengue Dynamics: How Long Does Immunity Last?
Immunity to dengue might not be as long-lasting as thought but rather decreases over time. This is the conclusion of an important study for...
Research 15.02.2023
Spain Must Act More Quickly and Decisively to Protect its Citizens From Ambient Air Pollution
The recent ruling of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) against Spain for its failure to comply with the European Directive on ambient air quality...
Policy & Global Development, Urban Planning, Environment and Health 22.12.2022
Why We Need to Start Talking About Climate Impacts on Health and Livability (During COP27 and Beyond)
[This text has been written by Ivana Cvijanovic, Assistant Research Professor of ISGlobal's Climate and Health Program, and Laura Chica, Research...
Research 11.11.2022
4 Take-Home Messages on Climate Change
Yes, we know. A fraction of the potential readers that encountered the headline above while browsing were probably too busy to read this article....
Research 03.08.2022
COP26 Climate Crisis: Why Public Money Should Not Go to Electric Cars, But to Urban Planning
Government investments, subsidies and tax breaks should not go to electric cars, but towards better urban planning and new urban models...
Urban Planning, Environment and Health 04.11.2021
Why More Green Space Is Essential for Cities
World Cities Day 2021 Green space is essential for good health but, in many cities, we don’t have enough of it or it is in the wrong...
Research, Urban Planning, Environment and Health 28.10.2021
How Does Urban Planning Affect Human Health? Our Health and the Health of Our Planet Depend on the Design of Our Cities
[This text was written by Mònica Ubalde, Carolyn Daher, Mireia Gascon, Ioar Rivas, Jordi Sunyer and Mark...
13.05.2021
Are we Designing Cities that Belong to People or to Cars?
[This article has been published in Spanish in Planeta Futuro - El País, on the occasion of the Car-Free Day] Most of us take moving around for...
Policy & Global Development, Urban Planning, Environment and Health 22.09.2017
