Customized webgis solutions for exposomics

Abstract

Exposomics is a science aiming at quantifying the effects on human health of all the factors influencing it, but genetic ones. They include environment, food, mobility habits and cultural factors. The percentage of the world's population living in the urban areas is projected to increase in the next decades. Rising industrialization, urbanization and heterogeneity are leading to new challenges for public health and quality of life in the population. The prevalence of conditions such as asthma and cardiovascular diseases is increasing due to a change in lifestyle and air quality. This enlightens the necessity of targeted interventions to increase citizens' quality of life and decrease their health risks. Within the EU H2020 PULSE project, a multi-technological system to assist the population in the prevention and treatment of asthma and type 2 diabetes has been developed. The system created in PULSE features several parts, such as a personal App for the citizens, a set of air quality sensors, a WebGIS and dashboards for the public health operators. Citizens are directly involved in an exchange paradigm in which they send their own data and receive feedbacks and suggestions about their health in return. The WebGIS is a very distinguishing element of the PULSE technology and the paper illustrates its main functionalities focusing on the distinguishing and innovative features developed.