1. Potential for Collaboration between EUCCONET and other European Projects Martine Vrijheid EUCCONET Workshop 17-18 Feb, Paris

2. CREAL Centre for Research in Environmental Epidemiology Founded in 2006 13 senior researchers, over 70 staff and students Main programs: Child Health, Respiratory Disease, Cancer Coordinators of –INMA – Spanish birth cohorts (Prof Jordi Sunyer) –RHEA – Crete birth cohort (Prof Manolis Kogevinas) Recommendations by the Scientific Advisory Committee (2007) to become more actively involved in European initiatives related to birth cohorts…

3. FP 7 calls 2008 ENVIRONMENT ENV.2008.1.2.1.6. Databases based on European cohort studies and their exploitation for advancement of knowledge of environment-health relationships (Feb 2008). ENRIECO: Environmental Health Risks in European Birth Cohorts: Exploring environment and health exposure response relationships in pregnancy and birth cohorts. Start 1 March 2009. HEALTH HEALTH-2009-3.3-4: Birth/Mother - Child Cohorts co-ordination. CHICOS: Developing a Child Cohort Research Strategy for Europe. Submitted Dec 2008. Coordination actions

4. ENRIECO Led by Mark Nieuwenhuijsen (CREAL) Partners: INSERM (France), University of Utrecht (Netherlands), Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen (Germany), University of Crete (Greece), Karolinska (Sweden), Charite University Medical Centre Berlin (Germany), Aarhus University (Denmark). Start: 1 March 2009 Duration: 2 years Aim: to advance knowledge on specific environment and health relationships in pregnancy and birth cohorts by providing support to data exploitation.

5. ENRIECO - objectives 1.Inventory of birth cohorts (WP1) Including information on health data, exposure data, biological samples, expertise, access… Build on inventory started for www.birthcohorts.net Searchable internet database Data collection through direct contact with cohorts, questionnaires, etc. Focus on pregnancy/birth cohorts that have environmental exposure data (definitions to be finalised)

6. ENRIECO - objectives 2.Evaluation of exposure data (WP 2) and health data (WP3) Evaluation of methods and tools used by different cohorts Collect information on biobanks Recommendations for potential future harmonisation Working groups on specific exposures (air pollution, water, pesticides, heavy metals, noise, etc) and health outcomes (birth outcomes, asthma, neurodevelopment, etc)

7. ENRIECO - objectives 3.Evaluation of existing exposure-response relationships (WP4) Focus on per-reviewed literature Potential for future pooled or meta- analyses Working groups on specific themes, e.g.: Air pollution and asthma Pesticides and birth outcomes Heavy metals and neurodevelopment Etc.. 4.Database building, assurance of quality and interoperability, data access, analysis and validation (WP5) Case studies to evaluate problems in database building 5.Dissemination through websites, workshops, etc

8. ENRIECO – role of cohorts Participation of birth cohorts essential –Inventory: information on protocols, tools and methods –Participation in working groups –Participation in workshops and meetings 30+ have confirmed participation Kick-Off Meeting: 28-29 May One representative from each cohort Presentation of protocols and organisation of work

9. CHICOS Developing a Child Cohort Strategy for Europe Coordination Action Led by Martine Vrijheid (CREAL) Partners: Anne-Marie Nybo Andersen – Denmark Manolis Kogevinas – Spain/Greece Franco Merletti – Italy Vincent Jaddoe – The Netherlands Camilla Stoltenberg – Norway Debbie Lawlor/Patricia Lucas – Bristol, UK Submitted Dec 2008, awaiting evaluation

10. CHICOS Aim To develop an integrated strategy for mother-child cohort research in Europe. Objectives 1.To make an inventory 2.To evaluate existing information from cohorts on child health outcomes and determinants -Identify gaps in knowledge -Develop recommendations for research action -Focus on key areas of policy concern 3.To review link between child cohort research and policy and make recommendations to improve the contribution if mother-child cohort research to policy at European level 4.Dissemination

11. CHICOS - Work packages WP 1: Inventory –Criteria for inclusion more general than ENRIECO WP 2: Childhood diseases –Perinatal outcomes; Asthma, respiratory health, allergies; Obesity, vascular and metabolic health; Neuro-cognitive and behavioural development; Accidents and injuries; Infectious diseases; Childhood cancer. WP 3: Determinants –Social/cultural determinants, inequalities; Nutrition and physical activity; Life-style exposures; Environmental exposures; Biobanks and genetics; Multiple determinants. WP 4: Policy Participation of cohorts essential

12. Potential for Collaboration? Inventory of cohorts in Europe Collection of information on tools and methods Working groups Recommendations for harmonisation and pooling/meta-analyses Meetings/workshops Websites