The European Centre for Environment and Human Health

Truro Health & Wellbeing CampusCornwall, UK

Professor Lora E Fleming MD PhD MPH MSC

Introducing the Centre

The European Centre’s Mission is:

“To explore the interconnections between the Environment and Human Health using a unique cross-cutting interdisciplinary approach.”

• Director, Manager, Chair Advisory Board• 45+ Researchers & Staff• 20+ PhD Students• 16 Masters Program Environment & Human Health • External Oversight

• Advisory Board • SW Environmental Health Forum & Other Forum

• Interdisciplinary approach • Excellence in Science• Interactions with Business• Local, National, International Collaborations & Interactions

Selected Interdisciplinary Research & Approach

Increasing Toxin Levels with Age:

Jess Tyrrell PhD et al

Demographic Change & Pharmaceutical Use

Selected Interdisciplinary Research

Pharmaceuticals in the Terrestrial Environment

Which pharmaceuticals should we research?How much is excreted?What are the metabolites?Degradation in the sewage treatment works?Partition into sludge or biosolids?Can we use models to predict this?Does the biosolid form matter?Does the soil type matter?Does it degrade?

Do crop plants uptake?Does the crop matter?Can we predict uptake?

Is it bioactive/toxic?Is it bioavailable?

ResearchQuestions

Clare Redshawe PhD et alWill Gaze PhD, Clare Redshaw et al

Health and Wellbeing from the Environment

Rockpool rambles Sailing

Coastal walks

Swimming

Kayaking

Surfing Diving

Bluegym.org.ukBlue Gym = Campaign + Research

Rigorous scientific studies (Secondary Data, Intervention & Mechanistic studies)

Health & Wellbeing in the Natural Environment Across the Life Course

Transitions into Retirement

Young Adults & Outdoor Physical Activity (ESRC/National Trust)

‘Stories of the Sea’: Exploring Embedment in Deprived Coastal Communities

Cassie Phoenix PhD et al

Choice Card Example

Source: Taylor, T., Longo, A. (2010) Valuing algal bloom in the Black Sea Coast of Bulgaria: A choice experiments approach. Journal of Environmental Management 91:1963-1971.

Fig 1. The coast and good health in urban areas. Age standardised % of population stating ‘good health’ relative to those in areas furthest from the coast (>50km) - adjusted regression coefficients with 95% confidence intervals; total and by income deprivation quintile.

Wheeler, White, Stahl-Timmins & Depledge (in press). Does living near the coast improve health and well-being? Health & Place.

Self-reported Health Census Data (England, n = 48 million)

Selected Interdisciplinary Research

Basic Experimental Paradigm

StressorT1

Mood Physio.

T2Mood

Physio.

Green Space

Blue Space

GreySpace

Lab work: Applied Settings & Different PopulationsDental surgeries (+ VR)(Films, Sounds, + During Exercise)

Mat White PhD et al

Applied field work

White, Hignett & Pahl (2012). Surf to Success Outcomes: Can Learning to Surf Promote Individual and Environmental Well-Being? Project Report for Ecominds.

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Vulnerable Communities

Cornwall Healthy & Sustainable Workplace Research Programme

• ↓Absenteeism• ↑Productivity• ↑Mental Health & Wellbeing• ↓MD Visits, Rx, Referrals

↑Protection & Appreciation of the

Natural EnvironmentJane Abraham et al

Carbon & Cost Model: NHS

Adam Pollard PhD et al

Visual information presentation

Investigating the use of information graphics to explain the effects of climate change on health, comparedto textual presentation.

Will Stahl TimmonsPhD et al

Metorologic Data

Nick Osborne PhD et al

Ruth Garside PhD et al

Environment & Human Health Reviews

Business Interactions

Thandie Hara, Cath Hale et al

Will Stahl-Timmins PhD et al

An interdisciplinary discussion forum, aimed at encouraging collaborationbetween scientists, media professionals, educators and businesses.

SouthWest Fora

www.ecehh.org

Questions?Collaborations?

Masters and PhD Programmes in Environment and Human Health

lora.fleming@pcmd.ac.uk