Environmental Impacts on Human Populations


Malaria risk mapping in Senegal: combining environmental and human factors - C. Linard

(2022-2025)

MAPnSEE - C. Linard, J. Marescaux

Pathogen Monitoring - Environmental Epidemiological Surveillance Covid 19. (2021)

Impacts of nitrogen deposition in the natural environment on pollen allergy and respiratory infection outcomes in Belgium - C. Linard, N. Dendoncker

NITROPOL-BE’s main objective is to understand how nitrogen deposition affects pollen allergy burden in Belgium, adjusting for potential confounding by air pollution and climate. First, we will examine the effects of nitrogen enrichment and induced plant community shifts on pollen abundance, species composition, and pollen potency by setting up a monitoring scheme in natural environments across a nation-wide nitrogen enrichment gradient. Second, we aim to experimentally test the hypothesis that nitrogen enrichment induces increased potency Catherine Lianrd, Nicolas Dendonckerof airborne pollen through quantifying pollen allergens and clinically testing allergen potency of pollen of allergenic grass and tree species collected in natural environments and from plants subjected to experimental nitrogen enrichment. Finally, we aim to explore the burden of allergic and respiratory disease including the recent COVID19 outbreak attributable to nitrogen deposition and aeroallergen exposure and to evaluate health care costs and benefits under a range of nitrogen deposition scenarios and policy interventions through a disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) approach. NITROPOL-BE will engage a multidisciplinary team of scientists, biodiversity conservationists, policymakers, and citizens (allergy patients) in Belgium. It aims to provide the scientific basis and evidence to support regional nitrogen deposition reduction and environmental policies as well as national health policies. (2021-2025) More information

Landslide and flood hazards and vulnerability in NW Rwanda: towards applicable land management and disaster risk reduction - S. Henry

A dynamic estimation of the vulnerability to landslides and floods in the rural region of N-W Rwanda. Based on satellite images, the aim is to improve population estimates at a fairly fine scale. (2020-2025)

PEEMPASS - Perceptions of environmental modifications and human mobility in Sub- Saharan Africa - S. Henry

This project aims at better understanding of the role of people’s subjective perceptions and representations of climate change on the decision to migrate in West Africa. Quantitative and qualitative approaches based on the exploitation of existing data and new fieldwork in Senegal will be combined. In Step 1, data from surveys and meteorological stations will jointly address questions such as: What are the perceptions of climate change that influence the decision to migrate? What are the characteristics of households intending to migrate in response to perceived changes? Step 2 will concentrate on household surveys, focus groups and interviews with stakeholders to characterize differences in perceptions of climate change between migrants and non-migrants, by controlling factors as climate zone, political and socio-economic context, climate-sensitivity and household vulnerability, to determine the relative influence of these perceptions on the decision to migrate. Step 3 will propose a conceptual framework that includes the role of perceptions of climate change in the decision to migrate. Thresholds of vulnerability to climate change will be defined that provoke individuals migrate or stay, or render them unable to migrate. The results will improve the understanding of potential future climate impacts on migration decisions and will help to develop adaptation programs in response to climate change. (2020-2024)

Earthquake Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment – Developing Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Risk Reduction and Communication in Haiti - S. Henry

Assessment of the vulnerability of households to earthquakes to be integrated into a prevention tool. A pedagogic component includes the development of a board game to raise awareness to seismic risk among primary school children as well as a continued training module for teachers at primary level. (2019-2024)

LEVERAge: Mobile phone data for transformative urban adaptation pathways - C. Linard, S. Dujardin

The project aims at developing transformative urban adaptation strategies based on mobile phone data in the Philippines and Vietnam. The approach combines advanced spatial modelling techniques and interviews with local actors involved in spatial planning. (2020-2023)

Improve the understanding of the aim of the perceptions of climate change on the migration decision for the households in West Africa - S. Henry

FNRS – Mandat de Chargé de recherche (2018-2021)

MIGRoBe - Défis socio-culturels de la migration européenne. Le cas des roumains en Belgique - S. Henry

Socio-cultural challenges of european migration - the case of Romanians in Belgium. (2017-2019)

REACT (Remote Sensing for Epidemiology in African CiTies) - C. Linard, S. Dujardin

Rapid urban growth and associated demographic, environmental and socioeconomic changes modify the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases, e.g. malaria. The project aims at improving the knowledge of intra- and inter-urban malaria risk by integrating remote sensing data at different spatial and temporal resolutions into various modelling approaches. (2016-2020; 2021-2022) Read more

ASSESS (Améliorer les Statistiques de décès pour mieux Suivre les Évolutions Sanitaires dans la région de Dakar, Senegal) - C. Linard, A. Gadiaga

Life expectancy in Senegal is very high, on average 65 years, but unequal access to health care, equipment or wastewater treatment leads to persisting inequalities within cities and between rural and urban milieus. Aims are to refine mortality statistics and provide the civil state of Dakar with an efficient sanitary planning tool. (2016-2021) Read more

RespirIT: Assessing spatio-temporal relationships between respiratory health and biodiversity using individual wearable technology - N. Dendoncker, C. Linard, S. Dujardin

Unravelling the complex interactions between exposure to biodiversity such as urban green elements, forests or nature in general and allergic ‘hay fever’ symptoms. Data on the whereabouts, activities and allergic symptoms will be collected from volunteers allergic to tree pollen (hazel, alder, birch). Combining these with maps of biodiversity, air quality and pollen concentrations will enable models to predict relative risks for allergic symptoms.
(2016-2020) Read more here or here

Population map for Benin- C. Linard (in collaboration with BlueSquare)

How can Big Data sources such as satellite data, mobile phone data and large scale user feedback enhance strategic purchasing in health by integrating population and poverty maps into DHIS2/Open RBF tools? (2016)