What is SEARCH? The SEARCH initiative is a research project
implemented within the international frameworks of the EU Action
Plan on Environment and Health; and the World Health
Organization's Children’s Environment and Health Action Plan for
Europe. The project is generously supported by the Italian
Ministry for the Environment, Land and Sea (IMELS). The first
phase of the SEARCH project (2006–2009) led to the creation of a
comprehensive environment and health database through
assessments in selected countries. Based on the SEARCH I
conclusions and recommendations, the initiative was reaffirmed
at the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health,
held in Parma, Italy, in 2010. Stakeholders and experts
requested a follow-up project to continue the valuable research
activities. In keeping with the recommendations contained in the
Parma Declaration, SEARCH II was developed in order to expand
the monitoring of children’s health and air quality. This
follow-up project includes the design of environment