Environmental Medicine: How Technology Helps in Studying the Impact of the Environment on Health (Asst. Lecturer Ali Salim Halim)

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Environmental medicine is considered one of the modern medical disciplines concerned with studying the relationship between environmental factors and human health, particularly the impact of pollution and environmental changes on the spread of diseases and quality of life. With the rapid advancement of technology, digital tools and intelligent systems have become essential components in supporting this field through the accurate collection, analysis, and interpretation of data. Smart devices play a pivotal role in tracking the impact of pollution on human health. Wearable devices, such as smartwatches and biometric sensors, enable the measurement of physiological indicators including heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and physical activity, and link them with environmental data such as air quality and the presence of pollutants. In addition, smart sensors are used to measure levels of harmful gases and fine particulate matter in the air, helping to assess individuals’ exposure to pollution across different locations and time periods, and thus better understand the relationship between pollution and the onset of health symptoms. On the other hand, information technology contributes significantly to helping researchers identify environmental risk factors by analyzing large volumes of environmental and health data. Through the use of big data platforms, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and artificial intelligence techniques, health data can be linked with environmental and climate records to uncover hidden patterns and causal relationships between the environment and disease. These analyses enable researchers to identify regions that are more vulnerable to environmental risks and to predict the spread of certain diseases associated with pollution or climate change. These technologies also support policymakers and health authorities in developing effective preventive strategies by providing accurate and up-to-date information on sources of pollution and their health impacts. This enhances the potential for early intervention, targeted awareness campaigns, and improved health and environmental planning at both local and national levels. Technology thus represents a fundamental pillar in the development of environmental medicine, as it has deepened the understanding of how the environment affects human health and has facilitated the tracking of pollution and the identification of environmental risk factors with unprecedented accuracy. With continued integration between medicine and technology, preventive healthcare can be strengthened and communities can be protected from environmental hazards, ensuring a healthier environment and a safer future for humanity. Al-Mustaqbal University, the first university in Iraq.