AIRS Network
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Summary
The AIRS Network brings together experts from academia, clinical practice, public health, and community sectors to address the major public health challenges of air and noise pollution in Quebec. It adopts an integrated and proactive approach to environmental quality, focused on sustainable health.
Objectives
- Understand and mitigate the health effects of air and noise pollution.
- Foster intersectoral collaboration among research, clinical, and policy communities.
- Develop and share data resources such as the AIRS Biobank and NUMAIRSia platform.
- Promote prevention, care, and environmental justice through research and education.
Timeline
2024 - ongoing
Established with FRQ funding, the AIRS Network is currently active, hosting webinars, funding programs, and collaborative research activities across Quebec.
Context
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution and noise exposure are the two main environmental risk factors affecting human health. The AIRS Network responds to these challenges by offering an integrated and proactive approach to environmental quality from a sustainable health perspective.
Approach
The Network integrates research across four main axes:
- Environmental Quality Measurement;
- Omics and Biological Determinants of Health;
- Care, Prevention, and Health Promotion; and
- Society, Policies, and Environmental Justice.
Through shared infrastructure like the AIRS Biobank and the NUMAIRSia data platform, it supports data collection, analysis, and interdisciplinary research.
Outcomes & Impact
The AIRS Network contributes to improved understanding of environmental impacts on respiratory and overall health, supports sustainable health policies, and fosters the training of the next generation of interdisciplinary researchers. It also enhances public awareness and promotes evidence-based decision-making in Quebec.
The AIRS Network regularly organizes research activities, webinars, and funding opportunities.
Ongoing initiatives include bursary programs for students, interdisciplinary research collaborations, and the development of summary sheets and knowledge translation tools.
People Involved
*CIRMMT regular member
Co-directors |
Other Key Members |
| Catherine Guastavino – School of Information Studies, McGill University* | Simon Rousseau and Dr. Sze Man Tse – Co-managers, AIRS Biobank |
| Philippe Jouvet – CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal | Michaël Sauthier – Head of NUMAIRSia |
| Joanie Lemieux – Social Media Coordinator | |
| Laurianne Gratton – Student Committee Leader | |
Coordinator |
|
| André Dagenais – CHU Sainte-Justine | |
Axis Leaders |
Other involved CIRMMT members |
| Caroline Duchaine – Axis 1: Omics and Biological Determinants of Health (Université Laval) | Rachel Bouserhal - École de Technologie Supérieure* |
| Catherine Laprise – Axis 2: Care, Prevention, and Health Promotion (UQAC) | Isabelle Cossette - McGill University* |
| Audrey Smargiassi – Axis 3: Society, Policies, and Environmental Justice (Université de Montréal) | Mickael Deroche - Concordia University* |
| Philippe Apparicio – Axis 4: Environmental Quality Measurement (Université de Sherbrooke) | Philippe-Aubert Gauthier - UQAM* |
| Olivier Robin - Université de Sherbrooke* | |
| Jérémie Voix - École de Technologie Supérieure* | |
| Marcelo Wanderley - McGill University* |
Partners
The AIRS Network collaborates with institutions such as:
- CHU Sainte-Justine
- Université de Montréal
- McGill University
- Université Laval
- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
- Université de Sherbrooke
- CIRMMT
- public health and community partners across Quebec
Granting Agencies / Funding Sponsors
Resources
Publications, webinars, and research updates are available through the AIRS Network website: https://airs.quebec/en/. Also available are the organizational charts.
Members are encouraged to cite AIRS funding and platform use in their scientific communications.
Activities are archived on their website.
Keywords
Network, Air & noise pollution, Systainable health, Intersectoral collaboration, Environmental and respiratory health
Opportunities for Engagement
AIRS hosts webinars, funding competitions, and collaborative research opportunities for students and professionals: