Exploring How Childhood Environments Shape Health: Insights from ISEE 2026
At the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE) 2026 conference, members of our team presented research examining how environmental exposures across childhood, from before birth through the school years, can influence children’s health and wellbeing.
Our work highlights the important role that schools, neighbourhood environments, and everyday journeys play in shaping health outcomes. Together, these studies provide new evidence on respiratory health, air pollution, and active travel among children in England.
Understanding Respiratory Health Patterns in Schools
Respiratory illnesses are a major cause of hospital admissions among children, yet little is known about how patterns of respiratory admissions vary between schools.
Research led by Niloo Shoari analysed data from more than 22,000 schools across England to examine school-level variation in respiratory hospital admissions. The study found that schools differed not only in their baseline rates of respiratory admissions, but also in the seasonal patterns of illness experienced by their pupils.
These findings suggest that some schools may experience distinct respiratory health challenges throughout the year. Understanding why these differences occur could help identify opportunities for targeted prevention efforts and support the development of healthier school environments. The research was also featured in a poster discussion presented by Professor Pia Hardelid at the conference.
Air Pollution Exposure Before Birth and Infant Respiratory Infections
Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy has been linked to a range of adverse health outcomes, but the pathways underlying these associations remain unclear.
Mariana Riccio’s research investigated whether birthweight mediates the relationship between prenatal exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and respiratory infections during infancy. The study used antibiotic prescriptions during the first year of life as a proxy measure for respiratory infections.
The findings suggest that higher exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy may increase the risk of respiratory infections in early life. However, birthweight appeared to explain only a small part of this relationship, indicating that other biological mechanisms may be involved.
These results contribute to a growing body of evidence highlighting the importance of reducing air pollution exposure during pregnancy to support child health outcomes.
Promoting Healthier and More Sustainable School Travel
The journey to school represents an important opportunity for children to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives. Active travel, such as walking, cycling, or scooting, can benefit both health and the environment.
Research led by Liliane Broschart examined factors associated with active travel to school among children. The study found that pupils attending independent schools were substantially less likely to travel actively compared with those attending state schools.
The findings highlight potential opportunities to encourage more active and sustainable school journeys, particularly within groups where active travel is less common. Supporting children to walk, cycle, or scooter to school could contribute to increased physical activity levels while also helping reduce traffic-related emissions around schools.
A Lifecourse Perspective on Children’s Health
Although these studies focus on different stages of childhood, they share a common theme: children’s environments matter.
From exposure to air pollution before birth, to the respiratory health patterns experienced within schools, and the ways children travel to and from school each day, environmental factors can have lasting consequences for health and wellbeing.
By adopting a lifecourse perspective, this research helps build a more comprehensive understanding of how early-life and school-age exposures influence children’s health. Ultimately, this evidence can inform policies and interventions that create healthier environments for all children.
The team’s presentations at ISEE 2026 demonstrate the value of environmental epidemiology in understanding and addressing the factors that shape child health, providing important insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers alike.
