MARCHES in Brief
The MARCHES project is a 4-year EU-funded research project which brings together a consortium of 11 partners from across Europe and is led by Aarhus University.
MARCHES aims to improve methodologies to assess the health costs of environmental stressors, focusing on air and water pollution.
MARCHES is an abbreviation of "Methodologies for Assessing the Real Costs to Health of Environmental Stressors".
Drinking water contamination and air pollution
The MARCHES project is developing and refining a methodology to assess health costs of environmental stressors, particularly on the air we breathe and the water we drink, using findings in six European regions of the following countries: Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Kosovo, Spain and Sweden.
Around 200 million people in the EU rely on surface water for drinking, and many rural residents use wells. These two sources of drinking water can be contaminated by nitrate used in fertilizers, which can lead to serious health risks, including cancer, when consumed over many years.
On the other hand, air pollution causes about 350,000 premature deaths annually in the EU, contributing to chronic health problems and reducing quality of life for many people.
In both cases, it's important to calculate the economic costs to society, including both deaths and long-term health issues, such as life years lived with disabilities.
Target groups of the MARCHES project
The MARCHES project and its results are aimed at policy makers, regulators, health professionals, and organizations in sectors like energy, transport, and water across the EU, EFTA, and West Balkan countries. It also targets international organizations (OECD, WHO), the general public, and the media.
Results of the MARCHES project
The MARCHES project aims to produce the following scientific results:
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An updated set of exposure-response functions tailored to European conditions, derived from systematic reviews of health impacts.
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A consistent method to economically value life years lived with disabilities due to environmental stressors.
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An improved integrated assessment model (EVA) that calculates the external costs of air pollutants, incorporating disability adjustments and new health impact data.
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A novel catchment modelling approach for assessing the costs of nitrogen contamination in drinking water from fertilizers.
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A comprehensive guidance document with sector-specific unit prices for air pollutants, applicable to all EU Member States, EFTA, and West Balkan countries.
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Enhanced research capacity through the training of personnel, providing expertise and guidance to public authorities.
Expected outcomes of the MARCHES project
The Knowledge gained by the MARCHES project aims at achieving the following outcomes:
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More public authorities will use economic and health models in policy assessments, helping to shape better decisions.
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A consensus will be reached on the best health and quality-of-life measures to use for these analyses.
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Stakeholders will adopt common methods for assessing the socio-economic impact of environmental stressors.
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Better compliance with EU pollution regulations and the creation of new data for future policy updates.
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Increased public awareness about the impact of pollution on health and the economy.
Expected impacts of the MARCHES project
The MARCHES project aspires to have long term effects on:
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Healthier lives: Lower pollution levels will result in longer, healthier lives, especially in areas with high pollution.
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Reduced burden on health systems: Fewer cases of common diseases like COPD will free up resources for other health issues.
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Stronger economy: A healthier workforce will contribute to better economic performance and higher GDP per capita.
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Increased well-being: Improved health and environmental conditions will boost overall happiness and societal welfare.