It is with this background that a 'scoping study' is being set-up to advise on future needs for research as well as on potential value of the proposed research for public health decision making in the affected countries.
The specific objectives of this study are as follows:
- to review the present position, building on existing reviews made by the Chernobyl Forum, UNSCEAR, various national bodies in EU member states and elsewhere, new data, and the knowledge and experience of experts from the most affected states, from Europe as a whole and from Japan and North America;
- to review ongoing studies, their objectives, timelines, resources, expected outcomes;
- to identify specific current priorities and longer term needs for further research (scientific, public health and organisational);
- where necessary, to evaluate the feasibility of conducting studies in the identified research areas;
- to evaluate the scientific value and the drawbacks of the proposed research, as well as the strategic resource needs, potential outcome, and risks of any further studies;
- to compile a strategic research agenda based on the current situation for the short, medium and long term and thus advance the scientific agenda for the study of health effects from low doses and dose-rates.