A Multimethod Approach to Assess Sanitary Risks and Microbial Exposures Associated with Waterborne Illnesses and Infrastructure Management in Baltimore, Maryland. Marccus D. Hendricks. This study utilized a multimethod approach to assess sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) and associated risks, including exposure to bacteria in Baltimore neighborhoods, addressing deficiencies in stormwater and sanitation infrastructure and their impact on public health.
Gauging Effects of Neighborhood Trends and Sickness (GENTS) Study: Examining the Perception of Transit-Induced Gentrification in Prince George’s County, Jennifer Roberts. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of transit-induced gentrification (TIG) related to the opening of the Purple Line (PL) light rail transit in Prince George’s County, Maryland, on health outcomes and social determinants of health (SDOH) among residents.
Environmental Health
Cohort II
Environmental exposures in the home environment and COPD exacerbation, Raphael Arku. COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a leading cause of death in the U.S., with significant healthcare costs mainly attributed to hospital readmissions from exacerbations, yet limited research exists on preventable environmental triggers, particularly in the home environment. The long-term goal of this project is to identify and intervene on factors in the home environment that may exacerbate COPD, aiming to improve patient quality of life and reduce healthcare costs.
Assessing Capacity for Deployments of Data and Technology in Public Engagements with Oil and Gas Pipeline Projects, Kirk Jalbert. The study aimed to investigate advocacy coalitions’ technical practices concerning oil and gas pipelines, exploring how these practices inform legal and political campaigns and shape members’ understanding of environmental and public health issues, potentially paving the way for more informed public engagement in regulatory processes and mitigating risks associated with large-scale infrastructure projects.
Assessing Landowner Perceptions of Environmental and Public Health Risks When Signing Easements Agreements for Oil and Gas Pipelines,Kirk Jalbert and Katie Dickinson.
Environmental Health in Indigenous Communities
Cohort I
Indigenous environmental Health Science Study in collaboration with the Blackfeet Community College, Annie Belcourt. This study examined the relationships between social and cultural resources, environmental exposures, and the mental and cardiovascular health of American Indians. Also, the study looked at metabolic syndrome — increased blood pressure, a high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels — which increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Community-Defined Monitoring, Impact Assessment, And Engagement Associated with Refinery Source Exposure: Swinomish Partnership To Promote Environmental Public Health Science,Annie Belcourt. This project created local capacity in the Swinomish Nation to monitor, detect, and map exposures and health effects from toxic air pollutants. The Swinomish Nation homelands houses two refineries that release large quantities of toxic air pollutants. This project also promoted public health dissemination methods for rapid response to future accidental releases.
Environmental Justice
Cohort II
Debts & Reciprocity vs. Deficits & Harms: Developing EJ Communication Tools to Catalyze Action, Sara Wylie, Cohort I, and Katie Dickinson. This project aimed at developing and piloting environmental justice (EJ) communication tools in Massachusetts and Colorado to assess their effectiveness in changing attitudes and inspiring action, particularly targeting individuals in “low environmental risk” communities. These tools, focusing on the interconnectedness of communities and the distribution of risks and benefits, will be compared with traditional “harms-focused” maps.
Environmental Monitoring and Citizen Science
Cohort II
Exploring the Use of a Low-Cost Photopaper Tool for Citizen Science Detection of Urban Gas Leaks,Sara Wyle and Kirk Jalbert. This project explored the feasibility of using a low-cost photopaper tool to detect urban gas leaks, investigating both scientific and social dimensions to empower grassroots climate justice activists in documenting and addressing gas leak issues.
Housing
Cohort II
Improving Assessment of Residential Exposures for Home Energy Efficiency and Health Studies, Ellison Carter. This project aimed to evaluate housing interventions’ effectiveness in improving health outcomes by addressing barriers in measuring and modeling home-based exposures, thus informing future housing policy and investments in the United States.
Exploring Associations between Temperature Exposure, Housing Quality, and Health During the Winter in Energy Poor Households, Tony Reames. This study investigates the impact of chronic energy poverty on the physical and mental health of low-income households in southeast Michigan, examining indoor temperature exposure during winter, energy efficiency of homes, and associated health outcomes to inform policies addressing energy insecurity.
Housing Policy as Public Health Policy: Building a Community-Engaged Impact Evaluation of Denver’s Sun Valley Public Housing Redevelopment Project, Katherine Dickinson. This project aims to investigate the long-term impacts of the Sun Valley public housing redevelopment project in Denver, which is part of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) grant awarded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). By conducting rigorous impact evaluations, the research agenda seeks to understand how housing policy, specifically through CNI investments, can influence social determinants of health and overall social and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Maternal & Infant Health
Cohort I
Albany Infant and Mother Study (AIMS), Allison Appleton. This project aimed to determine if toxicants and stress in pregnant mothers can together explain low birth weight of their infants in disadvantaged communities in the Albany area.
Nature & Health
Cohort II
Nature exposure, mental health, and equity: a multi-method approach, Greg Bratman. Investigating the potential buffering effect of nature exposure on the negative mental health outcomes associated with childhood adversity, this study provides a crucial step towards understanding how nature exposure may mitigate stressors and promote mental well-being.
Understanding the roles of objective versus perception of green space exposure on stress and mental health, Colleen Reid. This project seeked to elucidate the impact of objective versus perceived green space exposure on stress and mental health, addressing a gap in research by examining whether perceived or objective measures better predict health outcomes associated with green space exposure.
Social Network Analysis
Cohort II
A social network investigation of fisheries stakeholder organizations’ social media activity on the topic of sustainable fisheries in the Northeast United States, Matt Cutler and Kirk Jalbert. This pilot study aimed to explore the dynamics of interactions among various stakeholder organizations involved in promoting sustainable fisheries management in the Northeast United States. Using social network analysis of social media behavior, the project sougth to understand how these organizations, spanning academic, governmental, industry, and non-profit sectors, interact and influence fisheries management direction and public attitudes toward sustainable fisheries.
Stress & Resilience
Cohort II
From the city to the cell: neighborhood determinants of adverse birth outcomes, Lara Cushing. Exploring the joint effects of environmental pollutants and psychosocial stressors on adverse birth outcomes, this project utilizes comprehensive data to evaluate the cumulative impact of neighborhood-level factors on perinatal health, contributing new knowledge to address racial disparities in birth outcomes.
Supporting Collaborative Science to Measure Impacts of the Marshall Fire, Katie Dickinson and Colleen Reid. Following the Marshall Fire in Colorado, this proposal investigated the fire’s impacts and recovery process. The project aimed to inform local recovery efforts and resilience policy decisions while building scientific infrastructure to respond to future climate-related disasters.
