Best-Cost

The outdoor environment has a significant impact on health and well-being. According to the recent Global Burden of Disease 2021 (GBD 2021) study, ambient air pollution is Europe’s most significant environmental risk factor for ill health and premature death. The environment also exposes us to noise from traffic and other sources, also contributing to worse health outcomes. Air pollution and environmental noise have been linked to the development and exacerbation of severe diseases, including cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and to premature deaths. 

Although everyone is exposed to ambient air pollution and environmental noise, these risk factors do not affect everyone equally. The impact of these environmental stressors varies significantly based on several factors, including age, pre-existing health conditions, genetic predisposition, socioeconomic status (SES) and whether someone lives in an urban area. Socially disadvantaged groups may also be disproportionately exposed to air pollution and noise, contributing to the large socioeconomic inequities in health observed in Europe. 

The overall objective of BEST-COST is to improve the methodology for the assessment of the socioeconomic costs of ambient air pollution and environmental noise to i) enhance regular usage of economic and health modelling in policy impact assessments and policy evaluation by the European Union (EU) and national public authorities, and ii) promote harmonised and consensual population health, quality of life, and economic metrics for integrative socioeconomic assessments of environmental pollution in Europe and health impact and cost-benefit assessments of related policies.  

The expected results from BEST-COST will contribute to improved policies and practices that reduce the burden of disease, and to creating living and working environments that are more health-promoting, equitable, and sustainable across the whole of Europe. 

BEST-COST will work with five identified case study countries: Norway, Belgium, France, Estonia, and Portugal. 

HORIZON Europe (funding period: January 2023 - December 2026) 

• Principal Investigator: Brecht Devleesschauwer, Sciensano, Belgium 

• The project involves 19 organisations from 10 European countries (Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Switzerland) and the United States of America (USA).