Scientific objectives and research project

WHO has declared that air pollution is one of the greatest environmental risks to health. It impacts both infectious (Acute Respiratory Infections, ARI) and non-communicable respiratory diseases (e.g. Asthma), thereby representing a major global public health issue. The health impacts of poor air quality are particularly severe in Africa, where access to health services is most limited. Moreover, children are the most affected population with more than 10% of the deaths related to air quality are among children under 15 years old, 11% of those deaths occurring in Africa. Several IRD research teams have been working on this important topic in sub-Saharan Africa for many years, thanks to robust and productive collaborations with national partners in Senegal, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC and Ghana, within the context of pluri-disciplinary projects (ANR A4A, ANR APIMAMA, IPORA), JEAIs (CLISAS, RIPE, PATI), LMI (NEXUS) and in strong relationships with the 2 IRD COSAVs, “Sustainable cities” and “Climate Change”. The aim of the REALLITYS international research network (IRN) is to bring together the various research initiatives dealing with the relationship between respiratory health and air quality in large African cities. The REALLITYS IRN participants come from a variety of scientific backgrounds and disciplines that include epidemiology, ecology, pneumology, atmospheric chemistry and physics (ACP), numerical modelling, demography, geography, climate, remote sensing, sociology, anthropology, and immunology. REALLITYS will provide insights and policyoriented recommendations for improving air quality and reducing its health impact in populations, whilst simultaneously participating in the development of sustainable cities. REALLITYS brings together 62 participants from 10 French research units (7 affiliated to IRD) and 15 Institutions of partners located in 5 African countries (Ghana, Senegal, Benin, Ivory Coast, DRC).

IRD units involved

• Département société et santé (SAS)
• MIVEGEC
• GHIGS
• MERIT
• Département Dynamiques internes et de surface des continents (DISCO)
• LAERO
• GET
• Département sociétés et mondialisation (SOC)
• UMMISCO
• PRODIG

Member Institutions

UCC : University of Cape Coast

IRD : Institut de recherche pour le développement

CHNU Fann : Centre hospitalier national universitaire de Fann

CNRS : Centre national de la recherche scientifique - France

Centre National Hospitalier et Universitaire de Pneumo-phtisiologie (CNHU-PPC)

Institut National d’Hygiène Publique (INHP)

KNUST : Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Ministère de l’Environnement - Sénégal

UCAD : Université Cheikh Anta Diop

UAC : Université d'Abomey-Calavi

UB : Université de Bordeaux

UB : Université de Bourgogne

UNIKIN : Université de Kinshasa

UT : Université de Thiès

ULCO : Université du littoral de la Côte d'Opale

UFHB : Université Félix Houphouet-Boigny

UGB : Université Gaston Berger de Saint-Louis

UT3 : Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier

Targeted Sustainable Development Goal(s)

ODD03 - BONNE SANTE ET BIEN-ETRE

ODD11 - VILLES ET COMMUNAUTES DURABLES