Tackling Air Pollution using science for policies to protect health

Ambient air pollution is a leading cause of morbidities and premature death. The course provides basic insights into the measurement, modelling and monitoring of exposure to air pollution, its health effects and the overall impact and costs for public health. Clean air policy solutions will be introduced with success stories, “low hanging fruits” and global challenges for the implementation of these policies. Participants will explore global examples of policy approaches and strength and limitations in their own countries. Group work of participants will draft strategies to adopt at least one clean air policy.

By the end of the course participants will:

• Understand properties and sources of ambient air pollution, its health effects, and the link of these effects with the burden of disease locally, regionally and globally;
• Train and discuss how research can be linked to policy making to improve air quality and public health.

• Professional or academic background in public health, environmental health, exposure sciences or policy making in the field of health and the environment (or related fields) are an advantage to follow this inter-disciplinary course.

• Preparatory video lecture;
• Plenary lectures;
• In-class exercises online and offline;
• Group discussions.

A. Certificate of completion:

• Active participation in class (>80%);
• Deliverable of in-class work.

B. 1 ECTS and certificate:

• Active participation in class (>80%);
• Deliverable of in-class work;
• Write a short essay about an assigned topic. Deadline to submit: 02/09/2023.

At least one facilitator will be on-site in Lugano, and some will join online. Participants are welcomed to join either on-site in Lugano, or online. In case of a change of regional policies (e.g., Covid) or personal reasons, the course could change to online.