SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Jan. 3 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Research Unit of the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria University Hospital, in collaboration with the La Palma Health Area, will develop a research project entitled ‘Impact on the health of the population of the island of La Palma during the recent volcanic eruption’. More than a dozen health professionals from La Palma participate as collaborating researchers in the study.
This study, also known as ISvolcan, aims to analyze the consequences that may arise from the eruption of the volcano on the health of the population and has been approved by the Health Area Directorate and Health Services Management of the Island. The study, which began last December, is expected to be launched in the coming months in various health centers on La Palma.
To develop it, a large sample of the general adult population residing in the municipalities of the western region, such as El Paso, Los Llanos de Aridane, Tazacorte and Puntagorda, has been randomly selected compared to the population of the eastern region, residing in Mazo, Santa Cruz and San Andrés y Sauces, thus guaranteeing the representativeness of the most exposed and least exposed nuclei by distance from the volcano.
The study will be carried out in two phases. The first will be based on a health questionnaire that will be carried out by primary care health professionals, both in medicine and in nursing, in the island’s health centers; The second phase of the study will consist of performing a respiratory function test or spirometry to assess lung capacity, a physical examination, and a blood test to assess the presence of heavy metals related to the volcanic eruption.
Thanks to this study, the people who participate will be followed for five years to be able to verify and measure the possible effects and changes that have been experienced in health due to the volcano.
Both the Island Health Authorities and the Insular Corporation have shown great interest in this study, as well as their intention to collaborate in its development.
