Environmental Epidemiology

The goal of this course is to introduce and understand the epidemiological methods used to link health and environmental data. Using examples, we will conduct epidemiologic studies at the national and international levels that have assessed the impact of environmental risk factors on health and developed interventions to address environmental health risks.

Students will develop the ability to critically evaluate the epidemiological methods used and put theoretical knowledge into practise to address specific health problems related to environmental pollution.

They learn the basic principles of epidemiological methods and understand the role of health organisations and the importance of environmental agencies in disease prevention and surveillance at the national and global levels.

Basic knowledge of statistical methods as well as biology and chemistry is recommended.

The course addresses the following topics:
environmental factors affecting health; methods of studying population health; methods of environmental epidemiology; exposure assessment; risk assessment; methods and approaches to exposure management; methods and approaches to risk management; and case studies in environmental epidemiology.

Lectures will provide an introduction to basic methodological approaches to the study of environmental health effects. Selected lectures will focus on the health effects of risk factors in various environmental settings.

Knowledge and understanding:
Understanding scientific methods on the basis of public health monitoring, and its causal relation to environmental stressors. Understanding responsabilities of public Environmental and Health Agencies in monitoring public health at world and national levels.

• Eržen I., Gajšek P., Hlastan-Ribič C., Kukec A., Poljšak B., Zaletel-Kareglj L. Zdravje in okolje: izbrana poglavja. 1. izd. Maribor: Medicinska fakulteta, 2010. E-version
• Bonita R., Beaglehole R., Kjellström T. & World Health Organization. Basic epidemiology, 2nd ed. World Health Organization, 2006. Catalogue E- version
• Yassi A., Kjellström T., de Kok T., Guidotti T. (eds.). Basic environmental health. Oxford: University press, 2001.

• Written examination (75 %) • Oral examination (25 %)

Professor of Public Health at the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine

• GALIČIČ, An, ROŽANEC, Jan, KUKEC, Andreja, CARLI, Tanja, MEDVED, Sašo, ERŽEN, Ivan. Identification of indoor air quality factors in Slovenian schools : national cross-sectional study. Processes. [Online ed.]. 2023, vol. 11, iss. 13, 16 str., ilustr. ISSN 2227-9717. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/11/3/841, DOI: 10.3390/pr11030841.
• GILLES, Liese, ERŽEN, Ivan, HORVAT, Milena, JANEV HOLCER, Natasa, MAZEJ, Darja, SNOJ TRATNIK, Janja, VOGEL, Nina, et al. Harmonization of human biomonitoring studies in Europe : characteristics of the HBM4EU-aligned studies participants. International journal of environmental research and public health. [Online ed.]. 2022, vol. 19, no. 11, str. 6787-1-6787-23. ISSN 1660-4601. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116787.
• ŠÖMEN JOKSIĆ, Agnes, SNOJ TRATNIK, Janja, MAZEJ, Darja, KOCMAN, David, STAJNKO, Anja, ERŽEN, Ivan, HORVAT, Milena. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in men and lactating women in Slovenia Results of the first national human biomonitoring : results of the first national human biomonitoring. International journal of hygiene and environmental health. 2022, vol. 241, str. 113943-113943-14. ISSN 1438-4639. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.113943.
• JEREB, Gregor, ERŽEN, Ivan, ODER, Martina, POLJŠAK, Borut (avtor, korespondenčni avtor). Phosphate drinking water softeners promote Legionella growth. Journal of water and health. 2022, vol. 20, no. 7, str. 1084-1090, ilustr. ISSN 1996-7829. https://iwaponline.com/jwh/article/20/7/1084/89592/Phosphate-drinking-water-softeners-promote, https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/IzpisGradiva.php?id=138771, DOI: 10.2166/wh.2022.055.
• HRŽENJAK, Vesna, KUKEC, Andreja, ERŽEN, Ivan, STANIMIROVIĆ, Dalibor. Effects of ultrafine particles in ambient air on primary health care consultations for diabetes in children and elderly population in Ljubljana, Slovenia : a 5-year time-trend study. International journal of environmental research and public health. [Online ed.]. Jul. 2020, vol. 17, iss. 14, str. 1-19, ilustr. ISSN 1660-4601. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/14/4970, https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/IzpisGradiva.php?id=133866, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17144970.
• LANZINGER, Stefanie, SCHNEIDER, Alexandra, BREITNER, Susanne, STAFOGGIA, Massimo, ERŽEN, Ivan, DOSTÁL, Miroslav, PASTORKOVA, Anna, BASTIAN, Susanne, CYRYS, Josef, ZSCHEPPANG, Anja, KOLODNITSKA, Tetiana, PETERS, Annette, et al. Ultrafine and fine particles and hospital admissions in Central Europe, results from the UFIREG Study. American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine. 2016, vol. 194, no. 10, str. 1233-1241. ISSN 1073-449X. DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201510-2042OC.
• LANZINGER, Stefanie, SCHNEIDER, Alexandra, BREITNER, Susanne, STAFOGGIA, Massimo, ERŽEN, Ivan, DOSTÁL, Miroslav, PASTORKOVA, Anna, BASTIAN, Susanne, CYRYS, Josef, ZSCHEPPANG, Anja, KOLODNITSKA, Tetiana, PETERS, Annette. Associations between ultrafine and fine particles and mortality in five central European cities - results from the UFIREG study. Environment international. [Print ed.]. 2016, letn. 88, št. march, str. 44-52, ilustr. ISSN 0160-4120. DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.12.006.
• FINK, Rok, KUKEC, Andreja, ERŽEN, Ivan. Bioaccessibility of lead in sand intended for playground sandboxes in Slovenia : a preliminary study = Biološka dostopnost svinca v mivki, ki je namenjen otroškim peskovnikom v Sloveniji. Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju. [Print ed.]. 2015, vol. 66, no. 4, str. 251-256, graf. prikazi. ISSN 0004-1254. http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=220240, DOI: 10.1515/aiht-2015-66-2686.