OBSERVER: A Closer Look at Copernicus Health Hub
When we think of a healthy lifestyle, we might tend to think of being free of disease, having a good workout routine, eating a balanced diet and so on. And we wouldn't be wrong; part of a healthy lifestyle is just that. But there's more to what affects our health, and therefore our lives. Much of what surrounds us — and ultimately the state of our planet — affects our overall health. Air pollutants affect our respiratory system. UV rays affect our skin. And while these are all obvious, other aspects of our planet also affect our well-being, albeit in more subtle ways. Heatwaves affect our cardiovascular system. Storms influence how insect-borne diseases spread to humans. Mapping and understanding this dense web of cause and effect is a challenge, and one way to do it properly is to look at the big picture from high above the Earth.
So, in this week's Observer, we'll look at the many ways in which Copernicus data and services are helping us to understand how health is affected by our environment, through the recently launched Copernicus Health Hub.
The Hub
Last year, we launched the Copernicus Health Hub, a one-stop-shop for a selection of Earth observation data, products and information, that can help build knowledge on the interdisciplinary field of Earth science and human health. It facilitates access to information and supports professionals working with physical health, mental health and well-being. The Hub provides information on diseases and epidemics, but also on green spaces and adapting cities to a changing climate, as these affect our human health.
Many aspects of our environment can affect our health, from UV radiation to pests and air pollution. Credit: Chuttersnap, Erik Karits and Daniel Moqvist, Unsplash.
When you enter the hub, you're invited to explore datasets, applications and a wealth of use cases that will guide you through the tangible, yet sometimes subliminal, ways in which environmental phenomena affect our health. For example, you can explore the intersection of space science and the Covid-19 pandemic, and how the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) provided data to scientists studying the virus and how it spread.
"In the early days of the pandemic, Covid-19 really showed us that the environment can have an impact on human health. At the time, it was impactful to the general public," says Julie Letertre, officer in charge of the implementation of the Copernicus Health Hub at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).
Animation of PM10 levels over Europe. Credit: Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service.
But if you want to dive straight into the datasets and applications rather than navigate through the use cases, you should go straight to the Health Data Store.
The Health Data Store
The Health Data Store provides access to a range of health-related datasets grouped into the domains of physical health, mental health and well-being. In addition to the datasets, it also provides a wide range of high quality environmental datasets, together with the tools needed to process the data online. As you browse it, you'll find applications on heatwaves and air pollutants, as well as datasets on UV radiation and green spaces. All of these relate to aspects of our physical and mental health.
Video of user accessing the Health Data Store from the homepage of the Health Hub.
Copernicus for Mental Health?
The environment has a significant impact on our mental well-being; affecting moods, stress levels and cognitive function. One noticeable example is the positive effect of green spaces on mental health. Access to parks, gardens or natural landscapes has been linked to reduced stress, increased feelings of relaxation and improved overall emotional well-being. The Health Data Store includes products such as The Street Tree Layer from the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service (CLMS), which helps users to better understand the green cover of streets in urban areas.
Studies show green spaces are crucial for the well-being of city dwellers. Credit: Scott Webb, Unsplash.
Another compelling example is the influence of air pollutants on our mental well-being. While it's evident that air pollutants harm our lungs and respiratory system, they can also have a direct impact on mental health. Studies have shown that exposure to air pollution is associated with a higher risk of psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. The Health Data Store includes products and datasets on air pollution across Europe.
Next Steps - Your Help is Welcome!
The Copernicus Health Hub is the first step in an ongoing effort to help the many Copernicus users around the world work better together, whatever their background. "With the Health Hub, we are representing the whole Copernicus system. This is a good opportunity to stop working in silos," said Cristina Ananasso, team leader at ECMWF.
The people behind the hub are keen to hear from users so that the hub can be continually improved. As most of the people building the hub have a background in environmental research, they appreciate being contacted by users who are more familiar with health issues. "These are still the first steps, and we are listening to the needs of the users and what is important to the communities. Since we're building something for the health community, we appreciate it when users see a gap and contact us, and we're happy to adapt and include missing metrics," added Letertre.
Copernicus provides a unique opportunity for professionals from different fields to synergise their efforts. As health-related issues underline the need for interdisciplinary cooperation, the Copernicus Health Hub plays a key role in fostering this cooperation by serving as a platform where experts from different fields can come together. By facilitating collaboration, it represents an important step towards a more integrated and holistic approach to addressing health issues using Copernicus services.
If you have any feedback you'd like to share with the team behind the hub, you can contact them here.