7.D. Practice session: (Probably) the best environment and health data in the world: using the EEA data in your research

Abstract The European Environment Agency collects and quality-assures a wealth of health-relevant environmental and climate data, with some of the largest validated environmental data repositories in the world. The agency collects and evaluates those data through the European Environment Information and Observation Network (Eionet), a partnership of the European Environment Agency (EEA) and its 38 member and cooperating countries. EEA and Eionet gather and develop data, knowledge, and advice to policy makers about Europe's environment. Moreover, EEA carries out health-relevant analyses and health impact assessments with the support of the European Topic Centres (ETCs) on Human Health and the Environment, Climate Change Adaptation, and Data Integration and Digitalisation, among others. These validated environmental data are freely and publicly available in various formats to researchers and practitioners for health risk assessments, policy appraisal and evaluation. Scientists and experts can also obtain support from an internal network of data managers and stewards, as well as content support from specialists in the EEA. The objective of this workshop is to provide public health practitioners and scientists with an overview of the EEA data streams of public health relevance, including on air pollution, noise, water pollution, biodiversity, industrial emissions and climate impacts, among others. It will also highlight existing examples of local and national assessments and communication products based on these data, with a focus on air pollution, environmental noise, climate risks and environmental risk visualization. The format of the workshop will be a practice session of 60 minutes with four presentations, and an ample session of questions and answers. Key messages • The EEA collects and publishes large, validated health-relevant datasets from across 38 countries on air and water pollution, industrial emissions, environmental noise, and climate change. • These data can be directly and freely used by researchers and practitioners to assess environmental and climatic risks to the health of their communities, and to design and evaluate policies.