A European Health and Environment Information System for disease and exposure mapping and risk assessment

The European Health and Environment Information System (EUROHEIS) project aims to improve understanding of the links between environmental exposure, health outcome and risk, by developing integrated information systems for the rapid assessment of relationships between the environment and health at a geographical level. The project is a feasibility study to assess the possibility of implementing systems for point source investigations and disease and exposure mapping in eight European countries (UK, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Spain, Italy, France and Eire). The partners involved in this project have been at the forefront of developing systems and methodologies for the appraisal and analysis of disease occurrence in small geographical areas as related to point source exposures and disease mapping within their respective countries. A system for point source investigations, including some disease mapping capabilities, has already been developed within the UK. The project aims to use this expertise and experience to extend and apply the systems and methodologies across the participating countries. The project provides a detailed report of the geographically referenced health, environmental, population, socio-economic and geographical datasets available for use in developing the systems within the participating countries. Accessibility, coverage, completeness, quality, and feasibility issues related to their use are addressed. Recommendations, specifications and guidelines on the practical implementation of computerised systems for rapid point source investigation and disease and exposure mapping within each partner country are developed. Sets of core data requirements for various levels of implementation are identified. The possibilities for assessing socio-economic status from the various routinely collected data sources within the participating countries and incorporating these into the systems are explored, together with mechanisms for elucidating inequalities in health and exposure. The impact of data quality and resolution on estimates of disease occurrence are also considered. Previously developed statistical methodologies (including Bayesian statistical models using WinBUGS) are applied within some of the participating countries. The results from the project are to be widely disseminated within the partner countries and the European Community as a whole (including the development of an internet site) and should form the basis for the future practical implementation of the systems and methodologies within the participating countries.