Earth Observation Data Strengthens Global Public Health Research
A new comprehensive study has revealed how Earth Observation (EO) technologies and Big Data platforms are transforming the way public health challenges are monitored and managed. The review, published in Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment, highlights EO’s growing role in disease modelling, environmental exposure assessment, and evidence-based health decision-making.
Earth Observation involves collecting data about the Earth’s surface, atmosphere and oceans using satellites, aircraft, drones and ground sensors. Over the past 30 years, the integration of EO and Big Data into human health research has expanded dramatically—from just two studies in 1991 to 266 in 2024.
Researchers analysed 1,751 scientific documents and identified 22 major platforms combining EO and health data. Their findings highlight the importance of cross-sector collaboration, better data integration and improved accessibility to maximise EO’s benefits for health outcomes.
Dr Dhritiraj Sengupta, lead author and former Earth Observation Scientist at Plymouth Marine Laboratory, said the study encourages closer cooperation between Earth observation experts and health professionals.
“This review provides a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead, encouraging collaboration between the two fields,” he said.
The report found that EO technologies are increasingly being used to track diseases such as dengue fever and cholera, monitor air pollution, and assess environmental risks linked to climate change. However, the study also notes that EO data remains underutilised in health research and calls for more integrated approaches.
Professor Shubha Sathyendranath MBE, co-author and Merit Remote Sensing Scientist at Plymouth Marine Laboratory, said: “The strength of EO data lies in its ability to provide ready-to-use information at multiple scales, supporting evidence-based decisions and better spatial coverage. However, challenges remain, including skill gaps, privacy issues and limited political recognition.”
The review outlines the economic, social, and technological potential of EO data while emphasising the need to address issues such as funding, accessibility, and environmental impact.
The study was conducted by scientists from Plymouth Marine Laboratory, University of Southampton, GMV (Portugal), Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale” (Italy), Environmental Research Group Oxford Ltd (UK), Gmatics (Italy) and Brockmann Consult GmbH (Germany).
📄 Full paper: Sensing Human Health from Space: An Assessment of Applications and Big Data Platforms
🌐 Read more: Plymouth Marine Laboratory – How Earth Observation Can Help Public Health
