Three research projects on the interaction between health and the environment supported by the Orcadia Fund

What impact does climate change have on excess mortality in Belgium? What impact can policies of reducing air pollution have on illnesses and deaths? To what extent can environmental pollutants be passed on to new-born babies in their mother’s milk? Three applied research projects aimed at studying the interactions between health and environmental factors are benefitting from support by the Orcadia Fund, created and financed by Orcadia Asset Management and managed by the King Baudouin Foundation.

The environment and human health are intimately linked: on the one hand the degradation of the environment can have serious effects on both physical and mental health, yet on the other hand, nature and the environment can contribute to improving human health. The Orcadia Fund was set up within the King Baudouin Foundation with the precise objective of supporting applied research projects designed to examine interactions between health and the environment. The fund aims to help young researchers to launch their scientific career, to support research that is strongly connected to the professional field, to citizens and politics, and to highlight the strong connection between human health and the environment

Three projects will benefit for the first time from Orcadia Fund support. They will be launched in the coming months. A brief outline of the projects is given below:

‘Excess mortality linked to climate change and attributable to rising temperatures among various population groups in Belgium’ (VUB). Climate change poses a major risk to health at global level due to greenhouse gases and increasing temperatures. Future projections confirm an increase in environmental and health risks. In Belgium, data relating to the impact of climate change are still scarce. Led by Dr Mariska Bauwelinck, this project aims to evaluate excess mortality linked to the ambient temperature. The results of the research could provide input to the development of targeted policies as well as raising public awareness.

‘Evaluation of the benefits of hypothetical policies for reducing air pollution on non-communicable diseases, multimorbidity and mortality in Belgium’ (Sciensano). Poor air quality is responsible for numerous health problems and in particular for respiratory and cardio-vascular problems, and is the main environmental cause of premature death in the EU. In Belgium, despite efforts made to reduce air pollution, a large part of the population remains exposed to levels of pollution that are higher than those set by the WHO. This research, led by Dr Ingrid Pelgrims, will evaluate the impact of intervention scenarios targeted at reducing exposure to pollutants in Belgium, with the provision of results in the form of percentages of avoidable illnesses or deaths resulting from these measures. The results are destined to help decision makers to better understand the advantages of air pollution reduction policies and of prioritising strategies relating to air pollution.

‘Post-natal exposure to black carbon particles: maternal milk and its impact on cognitive functions during the first months of life’ (UHasselt). Whilst breast-feeding presents numerous advantages for new-born babies, several studies have shown the presence of environmental pollutants in mother’s milk. Black carbon particles (from road traffic), whose harmful impact on pregnancy and the foetus have already been demonstrated, could therefore be transmitted to babies through breast-fed milk. This research, led by Dr Charlotte Cosemans, aims to analyse for the first time the possibility that maternal milk could present a means of transferring black carbon to the new-born child. The study would therefore provide essential information about protecting babies from the very first months of life.

If you would like to know more about these projects, please don’t hesitate to contact Thierry Van Noppen (vannoppen.t@kbs-frb.be, 0479 31 85 56). We will be delighted to put you in contact with the researchers concerned.

More about the Orcadia Fund

Created within the King Baudouin Foundation by Orcadia Asset Management, a wealth management company that integrates sustainability into its clients’ investments and chaired by Etienne de Callataÿ, the Orcadia Fund helps young researchers to launch their scientific career by supporting post-doctoral applied research projects on subjects relating to the interactions between health and the environment. In addition to a (bi-)annual call for projects, the Orcadia Fund provides one-off support to initiatives of general interest or to philanthropic organisations, on the recommendation of its founders.