ePO 98-Research protocol for developing a national health-environment research and development agenda in portugal
Carolina Bargado1, Paulo Nicola2
1 Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, 2 Unidade de Epidemiologia, Instituto de Medicina Preventiva e Saúde Pública, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa; Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Universidade de Lisboa; Laboratório Terra; Departamento de Engenharia e Gestão, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa; Observatório da Saúde e Ambiente, Conselho Português para a Saúde e o Ambiente
This protocol outlines a structured, participatory process to co-create a National Research Agenda on Health and Environment in Portugal. It integrates bibliometric research mapping with a comprehensive 15-year bibliometric review of scientific literature, in-depth key-informant interviews, and an online stakeholder survey to capture existing agendas, needs, resources, priorities, knowledge gaps, and emerging trends. A multi-stakeholder approach (researchers, policymakers, institutional leaders, municipalities, professional and scientific associations, civil society, industry, and funders) is used. Rather than producing a single linear list, the method generates interconnected agendas reflecting the complexity of the health–environment interface and stakeholder interplay, which are more like to result in the best research opportunities and impacts.
The primary output is a value-driven, actionable agenda identifying high-priority research themes and questions at the health–environment intersection in Portugal. It aims to support public and private funding decisions, inform governmental and institutional strategies, and foster collaboration among researchers, decision-makers, and stakeholders. By mapping alignment between priorities, ongoing initiatives, and policy/decision-making needs, the process identifies “quick wins” that can be advanced rapidly using existing knowledge and infrastructure, while also highlighting medium- and long-term priorities requiring investment and capacity building.
A structured e-Delphi involving a diverse panel refines and ranks priorities by relevance, knowledge gaps, policy actionability, and feasibility. Integrating evidence across phases yields a ranked set of priority projects, themes, and cross-cutting areas, culminating in a comprehensive agenda with recommendations and an implementation roadmap to maximise scientific and societal impact of health and environment research in Portugal.