RealForAll -Real-time measurements and forecasting for successful prevention and management of seasonal allergies in Croatia-Serbia cross-border region – RealForAll (2017HR-RS151)

Project aim: Improving the public health system to fulfill its role in the prevention and treatment of seasonal allergies

 

About the project: Exposure to aeroallergens is associated with allergic rhinitis and asthma that significantly reduce quality of life and have a notable economic impact on society. Timely information on exposure risk is prerequisite for preventing symptoms and management allergic disease. There is a long-term awareness on the importance of aerobiological data in Europe, but applied methodology using the volumetric spore trap of the Hirst design provides only past data (1-7 days old). Such data, from public health point of view, can be used for observational retrospective analysis and strategy development only. In order to be of use for improvement the quality of life in pollen sensitive population, public health system in the region should provide real-time measurements of atmospheric pollen concentrations and forecasts, similarly as seen in the case of meteorology and air quality where assimilation of real-time data is necessary to increase the performance of atmospheric models.

 

RealForAll modernized public health service in the region and notably enhanced the quality and applicative value of the information it provides by introducing real-time monitoring of airborne allergens, developing models for prediction exposure and by creating a joint platform for instantaneous dissemination of these information. In addition, the project made an effort to educate end-users on the benefits from using aerobiological information for prevention and management of allergy symptoms.