The project is based on the availability of two population-based cohorts characterized by a large number of participants and extensive data, providing high detail on health determinants, including air pollution. The objectives of the project are: (i) to collect detailed data on climatic variables and acquire additional information on environmental pollution to improve the level of detail; (ii) to analyze the influence of environmental exposures related to climate change and air pollution, also considering their combined effects; (iii) to develop guidelines for the prevention or mitigation of health risks and disseminate them both among professionals and the general population, with particular attention to the most vulnerable groups, such as older adults.
December 2024 – April 2025
The AIRCLIMACT project has completed all planned activities under Work Packages (WPs) 1–5 for the reporting period.
In WP1 (Coordination), the coordinators managed the collection of air pollution and climate data from the participating regions, coordinated research activities on the study cohorts, and initiated the project’s dissemination efforts along with the presentation of preliminary results.
In WP2 (Data Source Integration), environmental and climate data (2000–2020) were obtained from the Expanse consortium and subsequently integrated into the project databases. Analyses of pollutant concentrations and correlations between air pollutants were carried out, and the first maps were produced. Similar analyses on temperature data are currently ongoing.
In WP3 (Moli-sani Cohort Analysis), the follow-up of the Moli-sani cohort was updated through linkage with regional information systems for mortality and chronic diseases.
In WP4 (RoCAV Cohort Analysis), the same activities were conducted in parallel for the RoCAV cohort, updating follow-up data related to chronic-degenerative diseases.
Finally, in WP5 (Dissemination and Guidelines), a scientific article previously initiated on environmental risks and COVID-19 was completed, followed by public dissemination activities through the media. The project was also presented to the local population, and preliminary findings were shared with university students and professionals who responded to our invitation.
May 2025 – September 2025
For WP2, the first analyses were conducted to develop variables related to climate.
For WP3, survival analyses were performed to examine the effects of pollutants and climate indices on health, and the harmonization of all analyses across the two centers is currently underway.
For WP5, the results obtained so far have been summarized in abstracts for national and international conferences (some of which have already been presented). A manuscript is being finalized on the association between air pollution and the risk of cardiovascular diseases in the general population, stratified by age and other risk factors.