Conducted in 99 municipalities, this study—developed in collaboration with local stakeholders and residents—aims to gather information directly from 5,000 randomly selected residents regarding their health status and their perception of the local environment, and to analyze the links between the two. The results of this fourth phase of epidemiological studies will thus complement those of studies already initiated by the Agency. Together, they will provide a comprehensive snapshot of the health status of the population in this industrial region. The initial results are expected to be available in 2025.

A comprehensive picture of the population’s health

The Lacq industrial basin is home to numerous industrial sites, sources of environmental pollution that can cause varying degrees of discomfort and are likely to affect the health and quality of life of those exposed to them. The participatory health study will collect individual health data on symptoms experienced or conditions that do not necessarily require medical follow-up or treatment, but which are nonetheless likely to affect quality of life and well-being from the perspective of the individuals themselves. It is being conducted with financial support from the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Health Agency (ARS) as part of the Regional Health and Environment Plan.

Data for the study will be collected via individual questionnaires from a sample of 5,000 people randomly selected from the population of the 99 municipalities in the study area. The results observed in this representative sample can be generalized to the entire study population.

The questionnaire will address various aspects of the health of residents living near the Lacq industrial basin: perceived health (including health-related quality of life and generalized anxiety), symptoms (irritability, sleep disturbances), and reported health (chronic diseases diagnosed by a physician).

A unique participatory approach both before and after the study

The study is being conducted using a unique participatory approach, involving local residents and community organizations alongside scientists both before and after the field survey. Seven citizen workshops have thus been organized by Santé publique France since November 2021 in Lacq and Mourenx.

Bringing together residents and local stakeholders, these workshops notably contributed to the development of the survey questionnaire by incorporating residents’ health and environmental concerns. Following a pilot survey phase in March 2023 involving approximately 100 people, the survey questionnaire was refined during a citizen workshop in the spring of 2023.

The participatory health study: the fourth phase of work on the Lacq Basin

In October 2015, Santé publique France was tasked by the Directorate General for Health with assessing the appropriateness and feasibility of establishing epidemiological surveillance of the populations living near the Lacq industrial basin.

In response to this local concern and in an innovative manner, Santé publique France proposed a series of complementary studies to understand all aspects of the situation and provide a comprehensive response. Thus, a local context study was published in May 2019 and supplemented by mortality and morbidity studies (first phase: feasibility) published in November 2021.

The participatory study on the health of residents living near the Lacq industrial basin constitutes the fourth phase of this surveillance effort, aimed at contributing to the improvement of their health and quality of life. Following an analysis phase scheduled for 2024, all study results will be made public and published on the Santé publique France website in 2025.