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On the 14 February 2014, a dialogue on Integrated Local and Regional Scale Air Quality Modelling using the GAINS (Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies) Model was held in Pretoria. The model provides a consistent framework for the analysis of co-benefits reduction strategies from air pollution and greenhouse gas sources. Several of the presentations given on the day are available here and the full dialogue report will be available soon.
Theory plays a critical role in how interventions are conceptualised and implemented. Scientists and
practitioners have a range of theoretical influences to assist them with planning the content of
interventions and deciding on what level(s) interventions are pitched. Despite this, the role of theory
has been poorly discussed in the environmental health literature in developing countries. This
presentation reviewed the role of theory in environmental health intervention studies published
between 2000-2010. Reviewed studies included, but were not limited to, water, sanitation and
hygiene; malaria control and indoor air pollution. It is argued that while evidence of formal health
promotion theory is limited, this does not mean that interventions are necessarily a-theoretical. The
presentation, therefore, also focused on some of the underlying assumptions of interventions that
may be important to consider when designing environmental health interventions in developing
countries.
The first virtual workshop of the EHRN was held in August 2009, where the need for a central networking website was identified. The next step will be to identify and start working on future priority research needs to address environmental health challenges facing South Africa.
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