Exploring cognitive-motivational determinants of health (inequities) in the context of the European Environmental Noise Directive

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Traffic-related noise exposure has advanced as major public health problem. In response, the European Commission enacted the Environmental Noise Directive 2002/49/EU (END). In order to reach a high level of environmental protection and health, the END describes two fields of action: (1) the assessment of noise exposure and health effects using dose-response-relations based on the population average and (2) noise action planning requiring citizens capacity, motivation, and readiness to understand noise as a public health problem and to be involved in public information and consultation. Considering social epidemiological and environmental psychological arguments, current END planning practice might carry the risk of exacerbating health inequities, thereby violating the precautionary principle of environmental planning. The proposed project therefore aims to achieve two objectives. (1) A new conceptual model on cognitive-motivational determinants as key to health (in-)equities is tested empirically by using a large epidemiological study. Statistical analyses shall (a) identify cognitive-motivational patterns predictive of exposed residents civic engagement in local noise policies, (b) assess the role of cognitive-motivational determinants as effect modifiers in the association of exposure to road traffic noise with hypertension as an indicator of cardiovascular health, and (c) examine social differences in cognitive-motivational determinants and their potential contribution to health inequalities. (2) Implications of empirical findings for a precautionary planning practice shall be discussed with experts at the interface of science and practice in a workshop. This project outlines a new approach to integrate insights from environmental psychology and social epidemiology in order to evaluate the health (in-)equity outcome of environmental planning interventions.