Dear Study Participants,

As the year comes to a close, we are proud to share with you many of the Center's accomplishments in which your role is critical. We offer you many thanks for your ongoing participation in this important research to protect children's environmental health.

Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season.

In gratitude and with warm wishes,

All of us at CCCEH

ESPAÑOL

*In solidarity with Ukraine

RESEARCH

Publicaciones

TIME Magazine, November 21, 2022

What Climate Change Is Already

Doing to Children's Brains

By Dr. Frederica Perera

It’s true: the data on the spiraling planetary crisis, the cascading health effects, and widening inequality due to climate change are extremely daunting. In fact, they can cause us to look away, paralyzed by the enormity of the problem. But what if our refusal to change our ways has ripple effects to future generations? Will we pay attention, then?

Ashley González, Research Assistant

Ashley joined the CCCEH Fair Study team. Ashley is a Full Spectrum Doula and spiritual herbalism apprentice supporting BlPOC families throughout NYC. Read More Español

Adriana Meade, Research Assistant

Adriana is a Study Technician for CREW and ECHO studies. She works collecting bio-specimens and coordinating data. She is originally from Quito, Ecuador, where she earned her MD degree. Read More Español

Kat Lau,

Project Coordinator

Kat works assisting Dr. Frederica Perera with research on children’s health, climate change, and air pollution. She holds a Master of Science in Toxicology from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Read More Español

COTC

Community Outreach & Translation Core

Alcance Comunitario

COTC team, Maricela Ureño and Anabel Cole, had several opportunities to disseminate CEHJ information this Fall.

Inwood Academy's Wellness Walk, Community Outreach- The COTC team tabled at the Dyckman Plaza and discussed the Center's research on CEHJ, BPA, toxic-free cleaning products, air pollution, and NYC's goal to burn cleaner oil by 2030. Over 50 visitors stopped by and an educational session with the Salome Ureña Campus parent group was scheduled.

ESPAÑOL

Salomé Ureña Campus | Children's Aid, CEHJ sessions.

Anabel was quick to meet the request of the parents and conducted two sessions with the group. The first session focused on reducing toxic exposures in the home and green cleaning. The second session addressed Beauty and Personal Care Products. At the request of the parents, the session also included learning about resources for medical professionals from Latin America. Boris Cortes, member of the Fair Start team, graciously met with the group. He shared resources to help identify and navigate careers in medicine in the United States. Boris, holds a medical degree from EDP University of Puerto Rico and nursing degree from the United States.

Thank you to Boris for helping the COTC team address information requested by the community. ESPAÑOL

Do It Yourself, DIY Beauty Night-To celebrate Children’s Environmental Health Month, WE ACT, the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, Youth council members (The EHJ Advocates), and Leave it Better (MS 331) 8th graders hosted DIY Beauty Night! The goal was to learn about ways to reduce exposure to toxins in personal care and beauty products and make your own personal care products free of unhealthy chemicals. Twenty-three teens from the community attended the hybrid session. ESPAÑOL

IS 143 PTA Meeting and CEHJ session- Cecilia Anglero, I.S.143 Parent Coordinator and CASB member hosted the first in a series of Healthy Home Healthy Child, HHHC sessions. Thirty-six parents attended and agreed to distribute BPA palm cards. We are excited to continue the series of HHHC session this coming year.

ESPAÑOL

Gregorio Luperon High School - We have initiated a school-based Children's Environmental Health and Justice, CEHJ, Curriculum this Fall. A total of 82 students in grades 10th -12th attended the Lead Prevention and Lead Water-testing class. CEHJ sessions will be integrated into three Environmental Science classes throughout the year. ESPAÑOL

Research Workers in Action

Trabajadores de los Estudios

Comfort Food and Beyond

Recruiting study participants is no easy task. The Center has maintained two longitudinal cohorts for over 20 years, a feat in itself. New studies need new participants, and front-line research workers' authentic connections are critical for successful CEHJ research. Recently, research worker, Maria de Jesus ("Marichuy") Hernandez Garcia, conveyed how she connected with a prospective study participant by "talking food" and swapping recipes. The participant described the delicious Dominican plantain dish "Mangú" and asked Marichuy for the Mexican rice-based refreshment drink "Agua de Horchata." Comfort foods - a great way to connect and build trust.

ESPAÑOL