Modelling the combined effects of environmental factors and urban landscape patterns on the rehabilitation of the health system on the urban micro-scale

• Applicant: Dr. Fatemeh Mayvaneh, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Physical Geography ; Epidemiology and Medical Biometry/Statistics ; Atmospheric Science
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 530489830

Air pollution and climate change are two sides of the same coin, but they are typically addressed separately. They should be tackled jointly, with a focus on protecting peoples’ health – particularly in low- and middle-income countries – to strengthen human capital and reduce poverty. Climate change can impact air quality and, conversely, air quality can impact climate change. This interdisciplinary research module (IRM) examines the health effects of air pollution and climate change (extreme temperatures) in a combined way on human health and thermal comfort in local climate zones (Microclimates). Recent evidence suggests that air pollution and climate change can also influence the growth and development of the human fetus during pregnancy, resulting in an increased risk for infant death, stillbirth, and low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth (PTB), and small for gestational age (SGA). In the first phase, we will determine the local climate zones (LCZs) in the metropolises as the main platform for examining the health effects of environmental parameters on human health and comfort. In the second phase of this interdisciplinary research unit, we will focus on identifying air pollution concentrations and temperatures in each LCZ using satellite images and remote sensing. We will try to prepare maps of hotspots, pollutants and extreme temperatures in each LCZ. In the next step, our goal will be to identify human comfort indicators and extract dangerous critical thresholds for health (especially vulnerable groups). Finally, in this phase, we aim at determining the specific health impacts of environmental factors (air pollution, extreme temperature, climate-environment index, and thermal comfort indexes) on adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women in each LCZ by using epidemiological modeling. Importantly, we will introduce the main research focus on assessing risk, providing hotspot maps and threshold data examples for designing environmental stress monitoring systems, In order to achieve the health system agility policy against environmental risks. Our concerted efforts from interdisciplinary aspects (climate, air pollution, meteorology, GIS & RS) will generate unique evidence for decision-making about policy implementation and investments in order to mitigate adverse health effects, adapt to the existing consequences, and strengthen, and agility of the health system.

• DFG Programme: WBP Position