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Please see the most updated version of our newsletter. An earlier draft was sent in error.
Dear Maricela,
Last week, cities across the Northeast experienced hazardous air quality from smoke that traveled south from wildfires raging in Canada. Residents were advised to wear masks and stay indoors, and kids in school were temporarily banned from outside recreational activities. We expect to see more of these occurrences throughout the summer as wildfires become more common due to climate change.
It is crucial that we take proactive measures to address this issue and safeguard our children's health. Here at the Center, we are deeply committed to raising awareness within our community, tackling health disparities, and advocating for robust air quality policies and regulations. This newsletter covers some of the work we are doing.
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Climate Change and Children’s Health | |
May was National Clean Air Awareness Month and Dr. Perera has been making the rounds promoting action around the causes of air pollution and climate change to improve the health of children and families. Her new book “Children and the Perils of Climate Change,” has garnered significant attention, leading to in-depth interviews with esteemed experts and influential leaders in this field. Please find below some noteworthy highlights: | | |
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Clinton Global Initiative Too Small to Fail Conference
On May 11, leaders from philanthropy, media, health, climate, early childhood, government and business came together at the Clinton Global Initiative Too Small to Fail Conference in NYC to discuss the implications of climate change and strategies to support young children’s healthy development. Dr. Perera was interviewed on her new book, where she discussed the latest science on the impact of climate change on children's health and brain development and touched on effective climate mitigation strategies from the community based and policy level. The conference's multi-sectorial approach to tackling climate change is a first step towards finding scalable solutions to the impacts on climate change on children’s health.
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Early Learning Nation Interview
For Mother’s Day, Early Learning Nation Magazine asked researchers and advocates what’s one thing our readers can do to make the world better for mothers? Here is what Dr. Perera said:
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Protecting Yourself From Unhealthy
Air Pollution
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The Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act is now law in Washington State! | |
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Last month, Dr. Ami Zota and a group of experts presented compelling testimony before the Washington State Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee during their deliberations on the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act. Dr. Zota emphasized the disproportionate impact of unregulated chemical use in cosmetics on minoritized women from underrepresented groups. Their testimony shed light on the urgent need for comprehensive regulation.
As of May 15, 2023, Governor Inslee of Washington State signed the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act into law. This landmark legislation is the most robust and stringent regulation of toxic chemicals in cosmetics nationwide. With its passage, Washington State takes a significant stride towards safeguarding public health and ensuring the well-being of its residents.
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Meghan L. Buchar, Faith L. Anderson, Yunjia Lai, Jocelyn Dicent, Gary Miller & Ami Zota | | |
Community Outreach & Translation Core | |
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Celebrating Partnerships and
Community Engagement
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Our team has been hitting the streets to engage with community-based organizations, stakeholders, and research participants in order to better understand community concerns and share scientific findings in a relatable way. Through these efforts, we aim to increase the community's knowledge about Environmental Health and Justice and to promote action to help reduce exposure to air pollution and other hazardous environmental toxins.
Thanks to our partners, our science can be used for advocacy and education and to ultimately make an impact and improve the community's health. Thank you to all our Community Advisory and Stakeholders Board Partners. We want to give a special shout-out to our partners at the Dominican Women's Development Corporation and the Children’s Aid Salome Ureña parent group for offering to assist with recruitment for a pilot study on Rice and Arsenic Exposure; also to NYP Lang Youth / NYP Summer Youth Experience program for linking some of our participants with an internship for youth ages 16 to 20 at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital this summer. Interns will gain valuable workplace experience and skills in a variety of settings throughout the hospital.
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EHJ Advocates Participate in Gardening Education with MS 331 8th grade students | |
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On Wednesday, April 19th, CCCEH Youth Advisory Council steering committee members Yesibel P. and Joseph C. met to plan and coordinate a gardening activity being held on Monday, April 24th. As part of a collaborative Earth Day Celebration with Leave it Better Foundation and 8th-grade students at MS 331, they prepared to plant sunflowers in the school's Leave it Better Kids Garden. The meeting was full of laughs as they figured out the best ways to germinate sunflower seeds for the gardening event happening five days later. It was entertaining and messy as they tested and labeled different methods in the name of science to see which way would yield the best results. They took their projects home and learned over the weekend that germinating on a moist paper towel (not soaking wet) and then placing it in a resealable bag yielded the fastest results. On Monday, we made the trip to the science classroom, sprouted seeds in hand, to lead the students in learning about the benefits of sunflowers in their garden and the process of germinating, planting, and observing the life cycle of the flower that faces the sun.
"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows. It's what the sunflowers do." – Helen Keller.
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Las Hermanas De Apoyo Mother's Day Event | |
On May 13th, CCCEH research workers Anabel Cole and Diurka Diaz attended a Dominican Mother's Day celebration sponsored by Las Hermanas de Apoyo, a community-based group providing education and support services to women in northern Manhattan and in the Dominican Republic. The event featured presentations by a Gynecologist, an Emergency Medicine Physician, and Anabel, a member of our Community Engagement and Research Translation team. The presenters spoke about the importance of prenatal care and family planning, identifying emergencies during pregnancy, and reducing harmful environmental exposures. | |
EL NIDO Wins Calderone City Health Award in Public Health | |
Congratulations to Nido de Esperanza, a long time partner and member of the CCCEH Community Advisory and Stakeholders Board, for receiving the Drs. Frank and Mary Calderone City Health Award. Nido de Esperanza is a community-based organization in New York City and has demonstrated exceptional dedication to grassroots work in the field of public health. Nido de Esperanza has been providing maternal, child, and family health services to the Washington Heights neighborhood since 2016, focusing on evidence-based approaches during the crucial first 1,000 days of a child's life. The organization has a strong partnership with Columbia Mailman and the Medical Center, collaborating on projects and grant applications that address health equity and maternal morbidity and mortality. | |
Community Activities/Resources | |
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Juneteenth Resources and Activities
Juneteenth honors the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality and pursuit of social justice. Juneteenth is an opportunity to recognize the resilience, contributions, and cultural heritage of the Black community and serves as a catalyst for collective healing and the transformation towards a truly inclusive society.
Here are some events taking place in NYC for Juneteenth:
The Schomburg Center 5th Annual Literary Festival (June 17, 11:30am
The Schomburg Center Literary Festival is held both outdoors and throughout the historic research library in Harlem, featuring discussions, workshops, and book signings with established and emerging writers across the Black Diaspora.
Juneteenth in Seneca Village (June 17, 10am)
Weekend in Central Park for a family-friendly celebration of Black wellness through dance, music, art-making, comedy, self-care, and more!
Juneteenth Summit 2023 (June 16 -18)
Enjoy a vibrant day of rich culture through music, dance, poetry, skits, history, vendors, and family activities for single-family homes, married with children, and extended family.
Juneteenth Battery Park (June 17, 4-6pm)
Celebration offers fun and history, art and music. There will be pony rides as well.
Greenwich House Juneteenth Jubilee (June 17, 4-6pm)
Festivities are for all ages and will include music, games, storytelling, crafts, and plenty of fun!
The Broadway League Juneteenth Concert (June 18, 11-12:30pm)
This free outdoor concert is open to all as the community gathers to honor this important holiday. Black culture and expression will be celebrated by Black Broadway artists performing songs, dances, and spoken word accompanied by live music provided by The Music Performance Trust Fund.
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Free Prenatal and Postnatal Resources from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
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Join the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine for a one-day CME event on the state of the science of environmental carcinogenesis and the role physicians, nurses, community leaders, and public health practitioners play in engaging on environmental chemicals and cancer risk reduction.
Cancer and the Environment CME
Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Time: 9:30AM - 5:00 PM
Address:
Vagelos Education Center Auditorium
104 Haven Avenue
New York, NY 10032
For more information click here
Sessions will cover:
- What we know about environmental exposures and cancers
- Community level exposures and how policy and systems-level changes can reduce the burden of cancer
- The role of health providers as trusted communicators addressing environmental exposure
This event is intended for clinicians, nurses, community leaders, public health practitioners, trainees, and students.
Featuring speakers from Columbia, Mount Sinai, Silent Spring Institute, WE ACT, Weill Cornell, Einstein College of Medicine, IARC, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and UMass Lowell. A full speaker list will be made available closer to the event.
Register now
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Join us for a free, online summer enrichment program at Columbia’s Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center!
Scientific Enrichment Month – July 5th- 27th , 2023
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High School and College students; middle school and post- baccalaureate students are also welcome
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
4:00-5:30pm
Topics will include:
- An introduction to cancer research with panel discussions feature professors and professionals in the field
- Environmental equity in your community
- Professional development: Communication, personal statements and college admissions
- Hands-on, student-led activities and more!
Click here to register for Scientific Enrichment Month!
Participants who complete the program will receive a certificate of completion.
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Help us create a world in which every child has a healthy start.
The Center’s research is powering action to reduce the impacts of climate change, air pollution, and toxic chemicals on children and families.
Your support is yielding both immediate and long-term benefits to children’s health today and in the future. Your gift will protect the gains that we have achieved together.
We hope you will make a tax-free gift donation to the Center in order to continue this important work.
With Gratitude
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Julie Herbstman, PhD
Director, Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health
Frederica P. Perera, DrPH, PhD
Director of Translational Research and Founding Director
Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health
Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health
mailman.columbia.edu/ccceh
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