An observatory to gather and disseminate information on the health-related effects of environmental and climate change / Un observatorio para recopilar y difundir información sobre los efectos del cambio ambiental y climático relacionados con la salud
Rev Panam Salud Publica
; 40(3),sept. 2016
Article
in English
| PAHO-IRIS
| ID: phr-31231
Responsible library:
US1.1
ABSTRACT
This report sought to critically examine proposals, potentials, and challenges of environmental health observatories with an emphasis on climate change processes. A critical review of existing environmental health observatories was performed, examining their purposes, potential audiences, and technological platforms. The implementation of the Brazilian Climate and Health Observatory (C&HO) is described, and two stages are defined (i) the requirement analysis and negotiation stage that identified the national and regional institutional players and their roles as data producers/users; and (ii) thematic health-related workshops that reviewed water-related diseases, vector-borne diseases, extreme climate events, and health problems derived from forest fires. The C&HO is an example of making information on climate and health available through an Internet site where data from different origins can be accessed on a common platform. Complex queries are made by users and can be executed over multiple sites, geographically distributed, with all technical details hidden from the end user. At this stage of the C&HO prototype, alongside the queries, users can also produce semi-qualitative graphs and maps. A multi-scale approach was developed using the platform by setting up sentinel sites. Building a successful observatory is a participatory process that involves choosing indicators, data sources, information technology, and languages to best reach different audiences, such as researchers, citizens, public health professionals, and decisionmakers.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Health context:
SDG3 - Health and Well-Being
Health problem:
Target 3.9: Reduce the amount of deaths produced by dangerous chemicals and the pollution of the air, water and soil
Database:
PAHO-IRIS
Main subject:
Climate Change
/
Health Surveillance
/
Brazil
/
Environment and Public Health
/
Information Services
Type of study:
Qualitative research
/
Screening study
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Brazil
Language:
English
Year:
2016
Document type:
Article