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Dear Maricela,
March has been a month of collaboration - things are easier, “with a little help from our friends.”
When the assistant principal at Gregorio Luperon High School, Janice Alejandro discussed student needs, including the medical needs of the school community, it was easy enough to connect the school with our Community Outreach and Translation Core, COTC advisory board members and partners to help expand their community service networks.
We would like to acknowledge our COTC advisory board members and partners for their instant willingness to help and attend the Gregorio Luperon PTA meeting on March 12th in which over 70 parents attended. Thank you to Columbia School Nursing Heidi Hahn-Schroeder, DNP, RN, Assistant Dean, Academic Affairs and nursing student Kelly Rojas, and the team at the Young Men’s and Family Planning Clinics, Elsa Valdivieso, Meredith Nechitlo, Marisol Lucero, and Leslie Berrocal for informing the Gregorio Luperon High School community of the accessible medical and clinical services available through Columbia University and New York Presbyterian Hospital.
This month, we are also proud to connect EHS Professor, Dr. Yoshira Ornelas Van Horne with community youth and parents. Dr. Ornelas Van Horne was able to conduct focus groups with Gregorio Luperon High School students and parents at the Inwood Academy and the Salome Urena Children’s Aid Society school. Dr. Ornelas Van Horne's research will identify environmental health and justice, EHJ, issues of concern among community members, and determine what are the best methods or platforms to communicate EHJ. We are excited to share her results and plan of action in the coming months. Read more on our COTC Partners in Action section below.
Join us at the COMBO & CCCEH Play Date as we kick-off Earth Month.
Sign-up for Earth Month Events
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JOIN THE VIRTUAL EVENT APRIL 18th 6-7 PM | |
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As concerns about plastic pollution reach a crescendo, recent research has uncovered a hidden threat in one of our most common commodities: bottled water. This groundbreaking study, conducted by researchers at Columbia Climate School’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), has revealed the presence of hundreds of thousands of previously uncounted tiny plastic particles in bottled water samples.
Moderator
Jeffrey Shaman: Interim Dean, Columbia Climate School; Professor of Environmental Health Sciences and of Climate
Panelists
Beizhan Yan: Lamont Associate Research Professor, Geochemistry, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Julie Herbstman: Professor of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University; Director of the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health
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Tell the U.S. Government: Take a Stronger Stance on the Global Plastics Treaty | |
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Climate Policies to Reduce Motor Vehicle Emissions Can Improve Children’s Health, Save Money
March 18, 2024
A new study finds that policies to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from motor vehicles combined with investments in electric vehicles and public transportation would reduce air pollution and bring large benefits to children’s health. They would also save money.
“Health benefits assessments often overlook children’s health outcomes. Yet we know that early exposure to air pollutants has multiple detrimental effects on children’s health and well-being; and these are preventable,” says co-author Frederica Perera, PhD, DrPH, professor of environmental health sciences and director of translational research at the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health at Columbia Mailman.
READ MORE
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Indoor Temperature and Energy Insecurity: Implications for Prenatal Health Disparities in Extreme Heat Events, March 6, 2024
Extreme heat events are a major public health concern and are only expected to increase in intensity and severity as climate change continues to accelerate. Pregnant people are physiologically more vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat, and exposure can induce harm on both the pregnant person and the fetus.
The authors propose that research on the association between indoor heat exposure, energy insecurity, and pregnancy could provide an evidence base to inform potential policies and practices that can enhance resilience to extreme heat and reduce maternal/child health disparities. These could include improved guidelines surrounding indoor heat exposure for pregnant people issued by medical providers, policymakers, and public health professionals; energy assistance programs or provision of supplemental air conditioning for pregnant people and new parents; or special protections for pregnant people to avoid disconnections by utility companies.
READ MORE
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Community Outreach & Translation Core
(COTC)
Partners in Action
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Career Preparedness Month | | |
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Darby Martinez, former EHJ Advocates' Intern, met with new EHJ Advocates, the Center's youth advisory council, to discuss paths to employment: interviewing strategies, preparation and anticipating common questions, dos and don'ts, and planning proper attire. He and the youth shared personal experiences to highlight challenges and successes. The following week, EHJ Advocates practiced mock interviews with Anabel Cole, COTC EHJ Advocates Coordinator, and CCCEH research workers Didi Diaz and Judy Ramirez. Judy Ramirez offered to provide youth with professional headshots to close out Career Preparedness Month activities.
Thank you - Darby, Judy, and Didi for meeting youth needs and sharing your expertise!!
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Dominican Women's Development Center, Healthy Families Program is hosting CCCEH Series Reducing Exposures-Protecting Children's Environmental Health and Justice, from March 4-April 4th. Topics include: Managing Plastics-BPA, Micro and Nanoplastics; Air Pollution and Asthma Basics; Pesticides and Flame Retardants; and Beauty & Personal Care Products. DWDC families showed genuine interest in the sessions and also agree to share CCCEH materials and what they learn with friends and family. | |
We are proud to be of service to our local high school partner, Gregorio Luperon. In the last month, COTC Coordinator, Ms. Ureño, held "Applying to Columbia University". Youth learned about the requirements, financial resources and other services available to assist youth interested in applying. They also heard from CCCEH staff member Laura Pinilla about how she transferred from Westchester Community College and completed her undergraduate degree at Columbia University. The School's Media class has also integrated an environmental health component which includes educational sessions, field trips to meet CCCEH scientists and write-up EHJ stories in their school paper. Over 54 students have participated in these COTC activities this past month. | |
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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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