Sonmez Omer Faruk, Behbod Behrooz, Roberts Christopher, Barracchia Marco, Baghinyan Astghik, Indra Lichita, Czabanowska Katarzyna
Department of International Health, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 Sep 18;22(9):1452. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22091452.
Climate change and environmental degradation pose significant challenges to public health globally, intensifying the frequency and severity of related health incidents. Field epidemiology, traditionally focused on infectious disease outbreaks, is now increasingly recognised as vital in addressing environmental and climate-related health threats. This study explores how organisations like Public Health Wales (PHW) can develop field epidemiology services responsive to these emerging challenges. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 global and national experts in field epidemiology, environmental health, and related disciplines. An inductive content analysis approach was used to identify themes relating to best practices, challenges, competencies, and future directions in environmental field epidemiology. Key findings emphasise the necessity for integrated, multi-sectoral collaboration, capacity building in One Health competencies, and innovative surveillance systems that incorporate environmental and climate data and exposure measures. Participants highlighted barriers such as fragmented governance, data quality issues, and resource constraints. The evolving role of field epidemiology includes applications of environmental and climate-related health phenomena to encompass prevention, preparedness, and recovery phases, supported by technological advancements and holistic health security frameworks. To effectively address environmental and climate-related health incidents, field epidemiology services must evolve towards integrated, multidisciplinary, and adaptive frameworks. Organisations like PHW may consider strengthening international collaboration, investing in workforce development, and implementing integrated surveillance systems that incorporate environmental drivers of health. These strategic priorities align with global public health functions and support resilient health systems capable of mitigating climate-related health risks.
气候变化和环境退化给全球公共卫生带来了重大挑战，加剧了相关健康事件的发生频率和严重程度。传统上专注于传染病爆发的现场流行病学，如今越来越被认为在应对与环境和气候相关的健康威胁方面至关重要。本研究探讨了像威尔士公共卫生署（PHW）这样的组织如何能够发展出应对这些新出现挑战的现场流行病学服务。对18位现场流行病学、环境卫生及相关学科的全球和国家专家进行了半结构化访谈。采用归纳式内容分析法来确定与环境现场流行病学的最佳实践、挑战、能力和未来方向相关的主题。主要研究结果强调了综合、多部门协作的必要性，“同一健康”能力方面的能力建设，以及纳入环境和气候数据及暴露测量的创新监测系统。参与者强调了诸如治理碎片化、数据质量问题和资源限制等障碍。现场流行病学不断演变的作用包括将与环境和气候相关的健康现象应用于预防、准备和恢复阶段，并得到技术进步和整体健康安全框架的支持。为了有效应对与环境和气候相关的健康事件，现场流行病学服务必须朝着综合、多学科和适应性框架发展。像PHW这样的组织可以考虑加强国际合作、投资于劳动力发展，并实施纳入健康环境驱动因素的综合监测系统。这些战略重点与全球公共卫生职能相一致，并支持有能力减轻与气候相关健康风险的有韧性的卫生系统。
