A survey on an unprecedented scale to better protect the health of the French people

The Albane survey is structured around a schedule of cycles repeated every two years. Each cycle may include thematic focuses, which will allow for more in-depth analysis and more precise monitoring of exposure to specific substances—such as pesticides—or certain health events, and will enable the analysis of their determinants. This broad and continuous approach, based on comparisons across cycles, will make it possible to track changes in the health status of the French population and the nutritional, chemical, or microbiological risks associated with their diet, thereby measuring the effectiveness of measures implemented by public authorities and ultimately guiding public policy.

For each cycle, separate samples of more than 3,000 people (children and adults) will be recruited, selected at random from over a hundred survey areas distributed randomly across the country.

Several methods will be used to collect the data needed to calculate comprehensive and accurate indicators of participants’ health status:

• A face-to-face interview with an interviewer about their housing, occupation, and family

• A self-administered questionnaire on their lifestyle, health, dietary habits, and physical activity

• A food diary with a comprehensive record of food intake over three non-consecutive days, to be completed on an online platform or by phone with a team of dietitians

• Wearing an accelerometer for a period of seven days to measure the physical activity of a random subsample of participants

• A health examination, to be conducted in a clinical laboratory, including measurements of height, weight, muscle strength, and blood pressure. Urine and hair samples will also be collected from participants aged 3 and older, as well as blood samples from those aged 6 and older.

Data essential for advancing scientific understanding and public policy

Initially, the collected data will be used to establish:

• Exposure reference values based on the population’s body burden levels of substances present in the environment—prior to any health-related interpretation

• The environmental and dietary determinants of these exposures;

• The undiagnosed prevalence of certain chronic diseases and its trends

• The prevalence of adequate and inadequate nutritional intakes

In a second phase, the results from Albane, combined with data from the National Health Data System (SNDS), will help determine which diseases develop based on the exposures, dietary habits, and environmental characteristics described or measured. They will inform additional work conducted by ANSES aimed at establishing toxicological reference values for a substance—that is, the concentration level at which a substance poses a health risk.

In the longer term, these data will be made available to French and international research teams to better characterize the links between health, the environment, and diet.

At the European Union level, Albane’s results will be utilized within the framework of the European Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC), a large-scale collaboration bringing together 200 partners across Europe. This partnership, coordinated by ANSES, aims in particular to better anticipate emerging risks and to support the effective implementation of new European public policy guidelines for health and environmental protection.

The results of the Albane survey, particularly the updated consumption data, will also be shared with EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) to assess the risks associated with substances found in food.

Participant engagement: a key factor in the program’s success

To contribute to the health of future generations, Albane needs the full involvement of participants. Their commitment throughout the study is essential to ensure that all necessary data is collected from a sample that is representative of the population.

To ensure that those involved are well-informed, Santé publique France and ANSES are providing:

• a dedicated website: Albane Survey

• an informational brochure including a section specifically aimed at children

• a distribution plan targeting 8,000 contacts is being implemented to inform healthcare professionals, local elected officials, and communities and to secure their support.