BEST-COST is a 4-year EU-funded research project aiming to improve methodologies for understanding the socioeconomic cost of environmental stressors, with a focus on air and noise pollution.

BEST-COST consortium partners published a WHO report based on the “European noise disability weights measurement study”, which aimed to derive disability weights for several environmental and non-environmental noise related health states. By understanding the ‘weight’ of health effects from noise, it can help policymakers prioritise actions or health outcome measurements.

On Wednesday 23rd October, BEST-COST will host an online workshop on the co-creation of research methodologies to understand the burden of disease impacts from air and noise pollution. The workshop will dive into the BEST-COST research, and will identify challenges and potential solutions in improving methodologies to understand the health impacts. We will also explore how this can be a basis for improved policy measures. The workshop will be open to researchers interested in Burden of Disease, and those involved in European, national and local policymaking who want to learn more about how research can support initiatives to reduce Burden of Disease impacts from environmental stressors.

More information will be provided closer to the date. Invitations will be sent out in September. To express your interest in joining, please contact Juanita Haagsma - j.haagsma@erasmusmc.nl

BEST-COST has been researching methods to assess social inequalities from health costs of environmental stressors, with a focus on air pollution and traffic-related noise. The project is identifying a methodological framework to develop a multiple deprivation index (MDI) in five European case study countries (Belgium, Estonia, France, Norway and Portugal). The MDI was developed by BEST-COST using a three-step approach with census data, as well as administrative and registry data, to develop the index. Based on these findings, BEST-COST will host a consensus workshop later this year to collaborate on developing methodologies used to assess social inequalities. Please get in touch if you would like to find out more about this work and join the workshop.

BEST-COST launched its brochure which outlines the key features of the project including its objectives, the partners involved, and key outcomes. It is a digital brochure available on the BEST-COST website to be shared among those interested in understanding the socioeconomic costs of environmental stressors.

This year’s World Health Day explored the theme, “My Health, My Right,” to remind us that every human being has the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. This theme takes on particular importance when considering the silent threat of air pollution. Clean air is not just about survival; it’s about living a full and healthy life.

The METEOR Cluster has launched its brochure, a digital tool that provides an overview of the Cluster work and its objectives, as well as highlights each project’s specific aims.

 BEST-COST is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under Grant Agreement No.101095408.