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Air pollutants affect cardiometabolic health even at low levels, but diet may mitigate the outcomes
New LongITools study finds exposure to air pollutants was associated with adverse changes in cardiometabolic risk factors.
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Policy
LongITools is studying the interactions between environmental, lifestyle, and biological factors to determine the risks of developing cardiometabolic disease. Research findings will be translated into a policy briefing to inform existing or help develop new policies and interventions to reduce the risk of developing these diseases and improve health equity.
How can LongITools help policymakers?
LongITools is committed to working collaboratively with policymakers and key stakeholders throughout the project by providing opportunities to inform the research activity and facilitating the exchange of knowledge. To maximise our research impact, it is critical that the findings are understandable and accessible to all stakeholders, and that research outcomes effectively address the health needs of the population.
LongITools is studying the interactions between environmental, lifestyle and biological factors to determine the risk of developing chronic cardiovascular and metabolic non-communicable diseases. With a focus on air and noise pollution, the built environment and diet, the project will study and measure how exposure to these factors contribute to the risk of developing diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart diseases and atherosclerosis across the life-course.
Taking an exposome approach, also referred to as complex systems theory in policymaking, it links individual and societal health to the environment to define disease trajectories. This will ultimately equip policymakers with intelligence about disease risk factors and help them understand how evidence-based decision-making is critical to build more resilient and equitable environments and health systems.
Providing intelligence for robust policymaking
Policy Related Outputs
The outputs expected from the LongITools project include:
New Knowledge: Much of the LongITools research activity is focused on testing hypotheses to develop our knowledge of how noise and air pollution, the built environment and diet may interact with our bodies and lead to cardiometabolic disease. The development of this new knowledge may help answer some policymakers’ questions but may also lead to the need for further research.
Publications: Researchers often capture their research findings in peer-reviewed publications and conference abstracts. We will ensure our publications and abstracts are freely available to all. Details of the publications to date can be found on our publications map.
Tools: The LongITools project will develop several analytical tools including a Metadata Catalogue to help LongITools researchers to assess the suitability of the data sets to answer specific research questions, and a LongITools Health Risk Assessment System, a personalised and precise monitoring system integrating data from users, environmental sensors and wearables, to estimate an individual’s risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Policy Options: At the end of the project, the research findings will be translated into evidence-based policy options and published in a policy briefing. This briefing will also consider current, related policies and incorporate economic aspects and ‘what-if’ scenarios, providing policymakers with intelligence to help inform the development of future policies or interventions at local, regional, national and EU levels.
Why should policymakers get involved in research
Rupert Suckling, Public Health Director, Doncaster Council, UK, and LongITools Advisory Board Member
“There are several reasons why I believe it is important for policymakers like me to get involved in research. From a professional perspective it is very rewarding, but it also means that you are more up to date on the latest thinking. I get involved because local people don’t get enough attention. Part of my job is to bring research to Doncaster and have it focus on the problems experienced locally. To do that effectively, I need an understanding of how research projects happen, how they come to life and get funded, and how the outputs get translated into actions or policy. That’s why I participate in two European funded research projects, as an External Advisory Board member.”
