Developing environmental health indicators [EHIs] for Iran based on the causal effect model

Abstract

Background Environmental health monitoring and its effects on health are very important in health systems. Relationship between environment and health can be done by simplifying data in understandable indicators for people and policy-makers. The present study presents the general framework for formulating environmental health quality index for Iran. Methods This study was implemented through expert panel at two levels: indicator domain determination and domain specific variables selection. Domain specific variables were selected based on the Driving force-Pressure-State-Exposure-Effect-Action (DPSEEA) framework from the list of national and international variables. Results Seven environmental health issues [air quality, drinking water, sewage disposal, food, radiation management and housing and human settlements] were determined, and three variables were selected for air quality, 8 variables for water quality, 5 variables for sanitation, 1 variable for food quality, 3 variables for housing and human settlements, 4 variables for solid waste management and 3 variables for radiation management. Conclusions Environmental health indicators determination based on the causal effect model leads to a better understanding of the relationship between the environment and health by simplifying data in an understandable format for public and improves prioritization of policy-making in the environmental health. In this study, environmental health indicators for Iran were proposed.

Selecting Indicators to Monitor and Assess Environmental Health in a Portuguese Urban Setting: A Participatory Approach

“…A search in Portuguese national and local open-access databases, the Instituto Nacional de Estatística (National Institute of Statistics, INE, Portugal) [ 42 ], Lisbon city council [ 15 ], and PORDATA [ 43 ], was performed to collect data and analyze available information for each indicator proposed in the initial list, and to inquire about the spatio-temporal availability of these indicators for the city of Lisbon. Accordingly, a list of thirty-four indicators grouped into nine dimensions was gathered.…”

“…Associated with this challenge, comes the need to do so while collecting population’ intelligence through collaborative practices and to support innovation in EH interventions [ 13 , 14 ]. EH indicators are particularly important in monitoring and assessing the environment status and its trends in urban settings [ 15 ], in order to improve interventions, allocate resources, and investigate the effectiveness of health policies [ 16 ]. It is known that the collection of monitoring and surveillance data is a key task for many governmental organizations and industries charged with ensuring the wellbeing of the population [ 17 ].…”

“…Methods for selecting indicators vary from statistical and causal models [ 15 ] to systematic reviews of the literature [ 24 , 25 ] and participatory processes [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. The use of participatory processes in EH research is especially important because of the complexity of the EH concept and of the interactions between EH determinants and health outcomes, as well as because of the importance of engaging experts with different knowledge in expressing their views and discussing local EH problems [ 30 , 31 ].…”

Investigation of Potential Environmental Impacts and Sustainable Management of Municipal Solid Waste using the Driving force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response-Outcome (DPSIRO) framework: Case of Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

“…Air pollution is one of the world's most important challenges, with long-and short-term health consequences in countries of all socioeconomic levels (Luiz et al, 2020;Maroosi et al, 2019).…”