On April 24, 2025, the Exposome Congress on Cancers & Respiratory Diseases took place in Nice, chaired by Professor Paul Hofman, Director of IHU RespirERA. The event gathered around fifty healthcare professionals, researchers, and regional experts to explore a crucial issue: the impact of our environment on our health.
The Exposome: A Major Public Health Concern
First introduced by Christopher Wild in 2005, the exposome refers to the totality of environmental exposures (chemical, physical, biological, and psychosocial) that individuals face throughout their lives, from conception to death. This approach aims to understand how these exposures contribute to disease development, particularly cancers, respiratory conditions, neurodegenerative, and endocrine disorders.
While genetic causes of certain diseases are well documented, non-genetic causes remain less understood. The exposome enables researchers to study the complexity of lifelong exposures and their effects over time. It is also tightly linked to epigenetic changes, which are influenced by aging and environmental factors.
In a region like southeastern France, where both the aging population and exposure to air pollution are rising, this field of research is more important than ever.
IHU RespirERA at the Heart of Scientific Exchange
Several members of IHU RespirERA actively participated in the congress, delivering presentations on genetics, environmental exposure, thoracic oncology treatments, and new perspectives in prevention.
Their contributions were praised for their clarity, accessibility, and scientific value. Attendees described the sessions as “engaging” and “brilliantly delivered,” highlighting the ability of the speakers to make complex topics understandable.
A Regional Commitment to Prevention
Beyond the scientific insights, the congress highlighted the need for local strategies to reduce harmful exposures and protect vulnerable populations. IHU RespirERA is strongly committed to developing respiratory prevention and care programs, particularly those tailored to the specific environmental challenges and demographic realities of the region.
A Tangible Educational Benefit
To measure the impact of the congress, a knowledge test was given to participants before and after the event. Results showed a significant improvement (+2.21 points on average), confirming the relevance and effectiveness of the scientific content. 80% of attendees felt that the educational objectives were achieved, and 75% believed the congress would have a positive influence on their practice.
A Highly Acclaimed Event
With an overall satisfaction rate of 85.7%, the Exposome 2025 Congress was widely praised by its participants. It provided a valuable platform for sharing cutting-edge knowledge and advancing the fight against environment-related respiratory diseases.
