AIS LIFE 

Scientific strategy

 

Project specific objectives

 

1. To improve pollen-related allergic respiratory disease management in the general population, through the permanent uptake of Aerobiological Information Systems in three European countries, contributing to disease control, improved quality of life and direct/indirect reductions in health system costs.

2. To assess exposure to pollen at the general population level, by considering pollen count and allergens and their interaction with particulate matter pollution.

3. To provide a comprehensive evaluation of the use and effectiveness of Aerobiological Information Systems in different contexts, in terms of  environmental, social and economic impact (including potential reduction of costs socio-economic costs of respiratory allergies in Europe).

4. To increase awareness among target groups identified across Europe (local communities, local health agency, legislators, end-users) on the importance of integrated information on aerobiological / chemical / clinical forecasts for health improvement among people suffering from pollen allergies.

5. To increase awareness of possible lifestyle changes and preventative measures among sufferers of pollen-related allergic respiratory diseases, through the use of the Aerobiological Information Systems and supporting educational initiatives.
6. To provide input to public health policy on the environment and health, in the project areas and beyond, in line with the recommendations of the Environment and Health Action Plan).

 

 

Actions and means involved

 

The above described objectives will be reached through the following actions and means:
1. Set up of an integrated information system (IIS) including weekly pollen count, chemical air pollutants, weather monitoring and forecast and clinical recommendations in the three countries (Preparatory actions).
2. Set up of an enhanced personalised information system (PPI) in France and Italy in combination with an in depth Quality of Life (QoL) survey via www.pollendiary.com. (Preparatory actions).
3. Implementation of IIS and PPI in three countries (enrolment, randomisation, educational intervention) (Implementation actions).
4. Health assessment of patients, with a particular attention for susceptible groups (children and elderly) (Implementation actions).
5. Development of case studies concerning: i. provision of recommendations for plant occupation of public green areas through a field surveys collecting data on pollen count and allergenicity in different seasons of the year; ii. mapping of urban and rural environments through land use and allergic plants
data, agroclimatic indices (Implementation actions).
6. Monitoring of the long-term implementation of Aerobiological Information Systems (Monitoring the impact of the project).
7. Validation and comparison of the effectiveness of the two Aerobiological Information Systems (Monitoring the impact of the project).
8. Communication and dissemination of AIS results to scientific community, stakeholders, target and the general public in order to aid information management and exchange (Communication and dissemination of results).

 

The successful implementation of these actions will be assured by the establishment of a multidisciplinary network and a solid system of coordination, management and monitoring, under the responsibility of the experienced project coordinator and a Steering Committee with representatives from all partners (Project Management and monitoring of the project progress).

 

 

Expected results

 

The main results expected at the end of the AIS project can be grouped into outputs and quantified achievements and summarised as follows:

 

1. Establishment and consolidation of 1 multidisciplinary, transnational network of experts in medicine, epidemiology, biology, environmental chemistry and computer information systems, working in the field of environment and health, with particular attention to allergic respiratory health.

2. Three Integrated Information Systems (IIS) and 3 enhanced Personalised Information Systems (PPI) developed, implemented and disseminated (including computerised means) in Italy, France and Austria, including the following site specific results:

• Widening of the Tuscan monitoring network of aerobiological components, through the activation of a sampling station placed in Pisa (Italy)

• Implementation of a PPI to be linked with objective assessment of health status (allergic markers) and QoL in France

• Improvements to existing PPI and introduction of integrated IIS in Austria

3. One centralised database with AIS data from the 3 countries to obtain baseline measures for assessment of future trends in pollen exposure and pollen-related diseases.

4. Three educational campaigns (Italy, France and Austria) with investigated patients (c.700) on the use of the Aerobiological Information Systems, promotion of improved life styles and prevention of respiratory allergic diseases. Sub-sample of susceptible patients will be included (children and elderly).

5. Three assessment reports (Italy, France and Austria) on the effectiveness of user-friendly access to the IIS and PPI in improving allergic respiratory disease management and on the potential long term implementation of the systems by identified stakeholders.

6. One map of urban and rural environments through land use and allergic plants data, agro-climatic indices in Tuscany 7. One report with recommendations for plant occupation of public green areas in France (Paris and Lyon), through the assessment of potential danger of exposure to pollens in public green spaces of citizens.

8. One carefully designed and widespread communication campaign, to disseminate activities and results to all identified target groups and to involve stakeholders actively.

9. Increasing knowledge about the effects of interaction between pollens and chemicals on allergic symptoms across Europe, in order to guide environmental and health policy decisions.