HEALS studies the impact of environmental exposures air pollutants (PM2.5, NO2, O3) and extreme temperatures on health across the life course in India and the US. The project combines high-resolution environmental data with multi-cohort health assessments to generate evidence for policy and preventive interventions.

Study Setting

This is a multi-center study with the following study sites at Bikaner, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, Vizag, Delhi and Sonipat in following cohorts- LIFE & MILES (Hyderabad), GARBH (Bikaner), PMNS (Pune), CARRS (Delhi & Chennai) and UDAY (Sonipat & Vizag).

Study Variables to be assessed

Environmental exposures such as air pollutants like fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and particulate matter (PM) speciation analysis for metals, ionic species, elemental and black carbon, personal monitoring for air pollution (subset of participants) and ambient temperature.

Study Outcomes

The proposed project will investigate multiple health outcomes in the respective cohorts (Pregnancy related health outcomes (Cohorts: LIFE & GARBH) including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, still birth, gestational period; Child health outcomes (Cohort: PMNS) includes birthweight, preterm birth, anthropometry, neurodevelopment/cognitive function; Cardio metabolic risk factors (Cohorts: CARRS & UDAY) includes anthropometry, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, blood pressure, lipid markers, HOMA-B, HOMA-IR, Disposition Index, blood pressure and arterial stiffness, adiposity, growth trajectories; CVD Incidence includes incidence of Heart disease; Stroke; type 2 diabetes mellitus; hypertension, CVD mortality and all-cause mortality; Age related & Neuro-degenerative outcomes (Cohorts: CARRS, UDAY & MILES) including physical function, cognitive decline, bone and muscle quality) using a modified life course approach.