Unit of environmental epidemiology

Part of the Institute of Environmental Medicine

Research groups

Environment, nutrition and health
Anna Bergström Photo: Anna Persson
Anna Bergström's research group

Environment, nutrition and health

Our research aims to advance the knowledge on how environmental and nutritional factors influence health, in particular development of asthma and allergies and cardiometabolic markers in the first decades of life. Moreover, we conduct research on health consequences of allergic diseases and COVID-19. The majority of the research is conducted within the prospective cohort BAMSE where 4,089 children have been followed repeatedly from infancy (1994-1996).

Health effects of the Ambient Environment
Photo of Petter Ljungman. Photo: Stefan Zimmerman
Petter Ljungman's research group

Health effects of the Ambient Environment

Our group investigates health effects of ambient environmental exposures using advanced environmental epidemiological methods and geospatial modelling. Principle exposures of interest are air pollution, transportation noise, temperature, and green spaces, exposures are of particular interest with climate change. Our research includes numerous national and international collaborations including large European consortia and in lower middle income countries like India and countries in Africa.

Urban environment and children´s and youth health
Olena Gruzieva. Photo: private Photo: privat
Olena Gruzieva's research group

Urban environment and children´s and youth health

We investigate respiratory and cardiometabolic health effects of environmental exposures, including ambient air pollution, transportation noise and residential greenness in children and young adults. We also conduct large-scale molecular studies aiming to shed light on biological mechanisms behind health effects of environmental exposures. The majority of the research is conducted within birth cohorts BAMSE and EMIL, but we also incorporate data from studies conducted internationally.


 

Staff and contact

Head of Unit

All members of the group

Research area

The activities of the unit are focused on following major themes:

  • Causes of asthma and allergy
  • Health effects of air pollution
  • Health risks related to noise
  • Health effects related to residential greenness
  • Molecular epidemiology
  • Health risk assessment

Several studies are performed on health risks related to ambient air pollution, including effects in the cardiovascular system and respiratory tract. Both effects of short- and long-term exposure are of interest. Cardiovascular and metabolic effects of community noise are also investigated.  Health effects related to residential greenness is investigated in several studies. Major research activities are focused on risk factors for asthma and allergy in children, partly based on a large birth cohort (BAMSE). Molecular biomarkers are used to assess interactions between environmental and hereditary factors as well as to better characterize exposure and health effects.

Most projects are conducted in international collaboration and aim to strengthen the basis for environmental health risk assessment. Such assessments are performed for both international and national organizations and authorities, and are often based on research conducted within the unit.