The Environmental Epidemiology and Disease Registers Research unit studies the health status of local populations and communities through the development of pathology registers, the use of current informative sources and specific ad hoc studies.

Particular attention is paid to the health effects of exposure to environmental pollutants of anthropogenic or natural origin.

Starting from the development of the epidemiological study design, through the use of analysis models and advanced statistical techniques, the complex relationships between the determinants of health and diseases in defined populations or groups are studied. Health data relating to mortality, disease, reproductive outcomes, use of medications, along with demographic, socio-economic and lifestyles data are used to perform multidisciplinary epidemiological studies using innovative approaches and tools such as health impact assessment, human bio-monitoring, use of genetic and epigenetic biomarkers, and study of risk perception.

The geographical geo-referencing of pollutants and disease events constitutes the consolidated basis for conducting geographic studies and time trends monitoring research work.

Surveillance and follow-up activities are carried out in the context of the management of the Pathology Registers for congenital defects and rare diseases.

The Environmental Epidemiology and Disease Registers Research unit holds numerous national and European research projects aimed at increasing knowledge and supporting decisions.

The Unit has specific skills on communication and risk management, aimed at involving the population and the stakeholders, the transfer and the exchange of scientific knowledge.

Collaborations:

  • Babes-Bolyai University (UBB), (RO)

  • Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, UK

  • Children University Hospital Zagreb (HR)

  • CREAL, Barcelona (ES)

  • Dutch Institute for Healthcare Improvement (CBO), (NL)

  • EURORDIS Rare Diseases Europe, Bruxelles (B)

  • Hospital Lillebaelt, Kolding (D)

  • ICBD International Centre on Birth Defects, Roma, (I)

  • Joint Research Centre, Ispra (Varese), (I)

  • London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine London (UK)

  • National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), (FIN)

  • Poznan University of Medical Science, (P)

  • Research Centre for Prevention and Health (RCPH), Capital Region of Denmark, (DK)

  • Swansea University, (UK)

  • Tilburg University (NL)

  • University Medical Center Groningen, (NL)

  • Regional Health Agency (ARS), Florence (I)

  • Regional Agency for Environmental Protection (ARPA) Emilia-Romagna Region (I)

  • Regional Agency for Environmental Protection (ARPA) Lombardia Region (I)

  • Regional Agency for Environmental Protection (ARPA) Marche Region (I)

  • Regional Agency for Environmental Protection (ARPA) Piemonte Region (I)

  • Regional Agency for Environmental Protection (ARPA) Puglia Region (I)

  • Regional Agency for Environmental Protection (ARPA) Sicilia Region (I)

  • Regional Agency for Environmental Protection (ARPA) Toscana Region (I)

  • Regional Agency for Environmental Protection (ARPA) Veneto Region (I)

  • Local Administrative and Operative Facilities of the National Health Service (ASL) TO 4, Torino (I)

  • Distributed Ubiquitous Sensor Technology lab Association (DUSTLAB) Pisa (I)

  • Italian National Association of Dravet Syndrome (I)

  • Tuscany Region Rett Syndrome Centre, Versilia Hospital, Lido di Camaiore (LU) (I)

  • Municipality of Pisa (I)

  • Municipality of Ravenna (I)

  • Regional Epidemiology Departement SSR Lazio, Roma (I)

  • G. Monasterio Foundation, Regional Health Service, Tuscany Region (I)

  • Institute for Chemical and Physical Processes, National Research Council (IPCF-CNR) Pisa (I)

  • IST Genova (I)

  • Institute for Research on Population and Social Policies, National Research Council (IRPPS-CNR), Roma (I)

  • Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Roma Higher Institute of Health, Rome (I)

  • Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, ISPRA, Roma (I)

  • Epidemiological Observatory, Local Administrative and Operative Facilities of the National Health Service (ASL) Varese (I)

  • Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa (I)

  • Italian Society of Neonatology (I)

  • Society of Health, Alta Val di Cecina, Volterra (I)

  • Society of Health, Valdarno Inferiore, Florence (I)

  • Suor Orsola Benincasa University of Naples UNISOB Napoli (I)

  • University of Milan (I)

  • University of Pisa (I)

  • University of Groningen, (NL)

  • University of Ottawa, (CDN)

  • University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Unit for Health Promotion Research (SDU-Health Promotion) and Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics (SDU-IOB), (DK)

  • University of Ulster, (UK)

  • University Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (DK)

  • WHO Europe, Bonn (D)