Catherine Bouland

Université Libre de Bruxelles | ULB · CR4 - Environmental and Occupational Health (CRSET)

Background: Several indoor pollutants such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter under 2.5μm (PM2.5) and endotoxin in house dust contribute to increasing the risk of chronic respiratory diseases. The types of dwellings and housing ventilation can affect indoor pollutant concentr...

Aims The aim of our study was to provide a synthesis of successful policies applied in the fight against malaria in African countries at different stages of intervention; Burkina Faso and Senegal. Background Malaria is a global public health problem with many cases each year in the world (241 million cases with 247,000 deaths; 67% were under five...

Background Poor housing conditions have been associated with increased mortality. Our objective is to investigate the association between housing inequality and increased mortality in Belgium and to estimate the number of deaths that could be prevented if the population of the whole country faced the mortality rates experienced in areas that are le...

A sustainable food production is essential for human sustainability. According to available data, the world's diets and food habits must evolve and change intensely. Nowadays, more than 800 million people suffer from deficient food. On the other hand, more consumers have an unhealthy diet contributing to premature death, obesity, food related non-c...

Nature deprivation under COVID-19 lead to reduced well-being. Urban design interventions were also identified as an important contributor to the restoration of community confidence, choice, and safety. Factors related to sociodemographic, housing and lockdown were linked to changes in exposure to nature during the pandemic lockdown. Changes in expo...

The effects of the environment on health are well documented and prove to be a real public health problem. It is therefore essential to raise public awareness of these issues to induce preventive and protective behaviours. We focused on two methods: passive information transmission (top-down approach) and citizen science (bottom-up approach). The s...

COVID-19 pandemic yet again showed that health crises and epidemics are introducing urban planning as a public health response. Globally, we saw a renewed interest in urban environment and healthy living and the changes in urban environments which can make for a healthier living. Even before the pandemic, various urban concepts and models that take...

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a renewed interest in urban environment and healthy living and the changes in urban environments which can make for a healthier living. Today, more than 50% of the global population lives in urban areas, and in Europe the number is 75%. We present a narrative review to explore considerations and necessary requireme...

As more people live in cities, the impact of urban settings on population health has been increasing. One of the main strategies to cope with urbanization is adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and new digital technologies to develop new urban services that improve citizens’ health and well-being. The aim of this study is to review urban interven...

We are the witnesses of huge changes and health sector disorder due to COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Such real-world scenarios only showed us how fragile the health workforce is and how much action we need to undertake to adapt to future climate changes and related disruptions. For two years, the whole health workforce was in an emergency state. Burnou...

Background Poor housing conditions have been associated with increased mortality. Our main objective is to investigate association between housing inequality and increased mortality and to estimate the number of deaths that could be prevented if the population of Belgium faced the mortality rates of the least deprived housing deprivation decile.Met...

The Climate Pact was launched in December 2020, with hope that the upcoming vaccine would help us overcome the COVID-19 pandemic “storm”. Even though humans are in the canter of the Covid pandemic storm, it is still important not to forget the climate change challenge, as it is a highly active “factory”. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for the c...

The health of the population in the modern world must be perceived in the context of the interaction between animal and human diseases, in an environment that has changed substantially due to human activities and predominantly negative impacts. The interaction and connection between humans, animals and the environment gives an opportunity for vario...

Introduction: People reporting electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) attribute various functional disorders to their exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). To date, the results of provocation studies do not support the existence of a causal relationship between EMF and the reported symptoms. However, these studies suffer from various methodolo...

The WB Green Agenda (WB GA) aims to implement the GD principles in this region and has defined five priority areas: climate, energy, mobility; circular economy, pollution reduction, sustainable agricultural and food production, and biodiversity. Some of the WB GA goals are strongly related to health: e.g. the continent's carbon neutrality by 2050,...

In 2019, 21.1 % of the EU-27 population were at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Energy poverty is one of many poverty forms and it is a widespread problem across Europe, as between 50 and 125 million people are unable to afford proper indoor thermal comfort. Energy poverty is linked to low household income, high energy costs and energy ineffic...

Urban Green Spaces (UGS) are providing multiple health related ecosystem services (ES) to Public Health by improving quality of life (QoL) and well-being. The aim of research is to provide an insight of UGS in Novi Sad, and its potential to support public health, using publicly available data. Novi Sad, as the capital of Vojvodina Province (Republi...

Although the pandemic has caused substantial losses in economic prosperity and human lives, it has also some positive impacts on the environment. Restricted mobility, complete closure, less traffic and industry have led to improved air quality especially in urban settings. Not only is air pollution an important determinant of chronic diseases, such...

Climate change requires swift action aimed at adaptation and mitigation. Health sector is witnessing increased healthcare needs due to climate change and emerging diseases. Globally, health sector is emitting 5% of total greenhouse gases (GHG) . It is necessary, thus, to make a strategic decision for the decarbonization process of this sector. To b...

SDGs in the Covid 19 storm (example on Climate Pact Ambassadors role) ABSTRACT: The Climate Pact was launched in December 2020 with hope that the vaccine which was coming would help us overcome the COVID-19 pandemic “storm”. Even though the humans are in the middle of Covid pandemic storm, it is yet important not to forget the climate change challe...

Background: Malaria is a global public health problem with many cases each year (228 million cases in 2018 with 405,000 deaths). Most malaria cases occur in Africa. Methods: Data used for analysis are from Demographics and Health Surveys (DHS) 2017-2018 for Burkina Faso and DHS 2017 for Senegal. We added information from a synthesis of literature....

The recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) contaminates ecosystems with metals, though a compilation of data from across sites worldwide is lacking, without which evidence-based comparisons and conclusions cannot be realized. As such, here, a systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify peer-reviewed studies concerning e-waste sit...

In the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear that primary healthcare systems play a critical role in clinical care, such as patient screening, triage, physical and psychological support and also in promoting good community advice and awareness in coordination with secondary healthcare and preventive care. Because of the role of socia...

What kind of Planet we are giving to our children? Do we have enough tools, persistence and determination to leave a healthy Planet to the next generations? Out of 169 concrete targets measured by 232 specific indicators related to the Sustainable Development Goals, 35 are directly linked to children. Most countries have insufficient data to assess...

Environmental, economic and social impacts influence the sustainability pathway of all health care systems. Transformation of health sector is a necessary process to emphasize sustainability. Health care systems should realign themselves and work on sustainability and better adaptation to the changing environment. The mission of the health sector...

The Covid-19 pandemic crisis caused a serious 'tectonic' disturbance in all sectors, especially pointed out weaknesses of the healthcare systems. The recently adopted European Green Deal (EGD) should take into account the Covid-19 pandemic challenge and maintain its primary objectives. The pandemic crisis has shown not only individual health risks,...

Huge global changes are occurring on our Planet in the natural and urban environment. Climate change, demographic trends and other environmental and social issues form serious challenges to preserve a healthy future globally. It is necessary to take urgent actions that are forthcoming by the sustainable development goals (SDG). SDGs should not be a...

BACKGROUND: According to the WHO, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will become the third leading cause of death by 2030. In sub-Saharan Africa, the burden of the disease is unknown. We assessed the prevalence and the factors associated with COPD and chronic bronchitis among women in charge of household cooking. METHODS: A cross-sectiona...

As technology progresses, social inequality grows, the gap widens, and the environment continues to suffer. Furthermore, the social environment in societies is “ruffled” and does not appear to be constructive toward well-being. New inequalities are emerging in the availability of technology, climate change, education. The achievement reports on the...

Public health professionals (PHP) have a dual task in climate change. They should persuade their colleagues in clinical medicine of the importance of all the issues covered by the GD. The fact that the health sector contributes to the overall emissions of 4.4% speaks to the lack of awareness within the health sector itself. The issue of providing a...

The hypothesis of an electromagnetic origin of idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI) attributed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) has been widely investigated by provocation studies, which consist of deliberately exposing people with IEI‐EMF in laboratory settings to particular EMF to observe volunteers’ reactions. In the majority of these studi...

Many studies have highlighted the link between indoor air pollution from the burning of solid fuels for cooking and heating and the occurrence of various health problems particularly in women and children under 5 years. In developing countries, solid fuels remain the main sources of energy. The purpose of this study aims to describe the distributio...

Background: Endotoxin exposure may cause asthma exacerbations and contribute to non-atopic respiratory diseases. Viet Nam, a country with multiple house types, is lacking data on indoor contamination by endotoxin in regard with house types. Objective: The comparison of measured settled dust endotoxin levels among house types in Ho Chi Minh city...

SETTING and OBJECTIVE: Exposure to pollutants is related to the type of dwelling inhabited. Besides tobacco smoke, indoor air pollution is a significant risk factor for chronic respiratory disease (CRD). The prevalence of CRD by type of dwelling was studied in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. DESIGN: A total of 1561 people living in four type of dwellin...

Background The improvements in cancer control led to an increase in the number of cancer survivors, notably, in the working age population (16–64 years). There is a strong need to assess and understand their reintegration on the labour market, which underlines and ensures their social integration and quality of life. The objectives of the EMPCAN st...

Background: Rapid urbanization combined with rural migration to urban areas in southern Vietnam could be risk factors for allergen sensitization, contributing to chronic respiratory diseases (CRD). We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of mite sensitization and its relation to house dust characteristics among rural and urban native and migrating pop...

Background Environmental risk factors such as air pollution, contaminated water, climate change, soil pollution, chemical exposures, ultraviolet radiation, noise pollution and others potentially contribute to diseases and mental disorders, such as depressive and anxiety disorders. Taken together mental, behavioral and neurological disorders account...

Globalization and modern economic trends bring enormous changes to civilization. The human health pattern also changes and the overall system becomes more complex. Exponential growth in demographic, in economic and in human activities alters the natural global environment beyond safe or sustainable borders, which refers to energy for the future, as...

Global changes which are present in natural environment and urban environment, on the one hand, and demographic trends on the other hand, as well as numerous challenges in the preservation of health, enforce the necessity to take urgent actions that are in principle enclosed by the sustainable development goals. It is obvious that former theories...

Context The global challenges of today are numerous, big and extremely complicated. Mass non-communicable diseases are a constantly growing problem with an emphasis on malignant diseases, cardiovascular diseases and other chronic diseases. At the same time, it does not eliminate the threat of infectious diseases is not quenching. Health systems are...

Just like the anti-tobacco campaigns of the late 20th century, doctors are sounding alarms about the health risks of poor air quality in our cities. Air pollution is now responsible for over 6.5 million premature deaths per year. Health experts are dedicated to improving the health of patients and communities. Improving air quality and reducing emi...

Background: Approximately 3 billion people, worldwide, rely primarily on biomass for cooking. This study aimed to investigate the association between respiratory symptoms among women in charge of household cooking and the type of fuel used for cooking. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted. A total of 1705 women that were...

General understanding of mental health and its connection with environment is defined as a research problem. WHO underline prediction that in 2012, 12.6 million people died as a result of living/working in an unhealthy environment. Environmental risk factors such as air, water, soil and noise pollution, chemical exposures, climate change and others...

The population of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), one of fastest growing cities in Asia, has population was doubled shortly in just a 10-year term, and this has created the development of many housing types providing for citizens with different lifestyles. The paper aims to primarily investigate houses in the city and shows their typical types in terms of...

This study identified the differences among 5 typical dwelling types in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) about the risk of indoor air pollutants accumulation (as explained in another paper [1]). Based on data collected from questionnaire, diary of occupants living in 100 houses, we organized a decision scheme evaluating the Risk of Indoor Air Pollutants acc...

Implementing more stringent environmental rules in the Western Balkans is an opportunity to reduce the number of premature deaths and improve the health of people not only in the Western Balkan region but across Europe. Controlling air pollution from coal power plants is a huge opportunity to save 6,460 lives and 2,724 mil EUR in healthcare costs i...

There is a wide scientific agreement that the global climate is changing and the energy issues are very important for the population. Actual data alerts on existing and upcoming impacts for human health. Consequences of mass migration and regional conflicts are result partly from climate change and the competition for energy resources. Do we have...

Implementing more stringent environmental rules in the Western Balkans is an opportunity to reduce the number of premature deaths and improve the health of people not only in the Western Balkan region but across Europe. Controlling air pollution from coal power plants is a huge opportunity to save 6,460 lives and 2,724 mil EUR in healthcare costs i...

Changes in The Working Status After Cancer. A Population—based Cohort Study Using A Life Course Perspective Approach. Régine Kiasuwa Mbengia,b, Victoria Nyagab, Christophe de Brouwera, Catherine Boulanda aResearch Centre for Environmental Health and Occupational Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles bBelgian Cancer Centre, Scientific Institute of P...

SDGs as guidelines for improving children’s health Background/Aim: In 2015, the UN has established SDGs on the top of agenda 2030, for all people, including vulnerable and marginalized groups, and children. We are questioning if we are on track to achieve, worldwide, the relevant SDGs concerning the target group of children. The aim is the analysi...

Background/Aim: In 2015, the UN has established SDGs on the top of agenda 2030, for all people, including vulnerable and marginalized groups, and children. We are questioning if we are on track to achieve, worldwide, the relevant SDGs concerning the target group of children. The aim is the analysis of SDGs as pillars for activities towards children...

Air pollution is a specific challenge in focus of WHO and all public health professionals widely, and it is connected with a wide spectrum of diseases, not only respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. For public health risk assessments, however, it is necessary to quantify human exposure to specific pollutants of concern. Personal exposure monitor...

Abstract: In this paper we are presenting global health professional initiative on air quality improvements with concrete tangible city level policy changes to cut pollution levels. Also, here we are zooming in to Balkan urban cities: Belgrade, Tuzla and Sofia that are part of global movement of doctors for clean air. Unmask My City[1] is global in...

Introduction: The introduction of early cancer detection and the improvement in treatment efficacy have led to a significant increase in the survival and the prevalence of (ex) cancer patients. Approximately 40 % of new cancer cases are diagnosed every year in the working age population (20-64 years). Maintaining their quality of life results, amo...

Objectives The number of workers with cancer has dramatically increasing worldwide. One of the main priorities is to preserve their quality of life and the sustainability of social security systems. We have carried out this study to assess factors associated with the ability to work after cancer. Such insight should help with the planning of rehabi...

Objective: About 40% of new cancer diagnoses are detected among working age individuals. Cancer diagnosis and treatment have high impact on the work ability of workers and represent a real challenge for the healthcare and social security systems but also for employers and the labour market. This review aims at investigating the legal frameworks set...

Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major and growing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The global prevalence of COPD is growing faster in women than in men. Women are often exposed to indoor pollutants produced by biomass fuels burning during household activities. Methods We conducted a meta-analysis to establ...

Today, when more than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas, foreseeing that by 2050 practically 70% of the population will be living in urban areas, it is obvious why cities and urban health are placed on the very top of the Priority Agenda among the major challenges for our survival and quality of life. Cities and urban areas are th...

Résumé. La pollution de l’air reste un problème crucial de santé publique, mais aussi un problème environnemental, politique et socio-économique. La question n’est plus, aujourd’hui de savoir si l’air de Bruxelles est pollué, mais plutôt à quel point il l’est et quelles en sont les conséquences. Dans ce contexte, la discussion sur les impacts de la...