National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

DOHAD: Addressing Determinants of Health Through the Life Course Around the World

In the field of study now referred to as the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD), scientists are seeking to understand the connection between fetal exposures with negative effects, including environmental toxicants, and different health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. More than 20 years ago, David Barker, M.D., Ph.D., published research that showed a correlation between low-infant birth weight and adult death from coronary heart disease. In what came to be called the Barker Hypothesis, he found that a pregnant mother’s nutritional deficiencies not only affected her child at birth, but for decades later as that infant grew into adulthood. Since then, this nutrition-related, early-life research has continued, while inquiry into the long-term effects of other prenatal exposures on adult health has also expanded.

Full Article (428KB)

GEH Podcasts

Cookstoves and Indoor Air Pollution

In this two-part series, experts discuss the health, safety, environmental, and economic implications of solid fuels in developing countries. We also consider the goals and challenges of efforts to improve cookstoves to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

Common Food Contaminants Linked to Poor Childhood Growth in Tanzania

A group of researchers funded by the NIEHS and the Royal Society is examining how natural contaminants in food may contribute to poor childhood growth in Tanzania, a country where nearly half of the children under the age of five experience stunted growth. Despite efforts to address the direct causes of poor childhood growth — malnutrition and infection — the prevalence of impaired growth in Tanzania remains unacceptably high, suggesting there are other contributing factors. To better understand these less-explored factors, a team of researchers led by Yun Yun Gong, Ph.D., in collaboration with Martin Kimanya, Ph.D., and the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority, examined the relationship between child growth and exposure to mycotoxins, which are common food contaminants in Tanzania.

Full Article (370KB)

Other Research

No feature article this month

• Children’s Health in Latin America: The Influence of Environmental Exposures Full Text
• Interaction Effects of Temperature and Ozone on Lung Function and Markers of Systemic Inflammation, Coagulation, and Fibrinolysis: A Crossover Study of Healthy Young Volunteers Full Text
• Blood Lead Levels in Mexico and Pediatric Burden of Disease Implications Full Text
• Ambient Particulate Matter Air Pollution in Mpererwe District, Kampala, Uganda: A Pilot Study Full Text
• Evolution of DOHaD: the Impact of Environmental Health Sciences Full Text

Chinese Translation of ‘Lead Exposure Linked to Thyroid Dysfunction During Pregnancy’

By: Simon Chu

(中文繁體) Traditional Chinese (280KB)

(中文简体) Simplified Chinese (237KB)

Original Article Featured in October 2014 Global Environmental Health Newsletter

• Global Brain Disorders Research
• International Research Scientist Development Award (IRSDA)
• Mobile Health (mHealth): Technology and Outcomes in Low and Middle Income Countries
• Partnerships for Enhanced Engagement in Research

• WHO Guidance to Protect Health from Climate Change Through Health Adaptation Planning
  Published following the World Health Organization (WHO) Climate and Health Summit in 2014, new guidance from WHO aims to ensure the health sector works with partners and communities to develop health adaptation plans and goals for building climate resilience.
• WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality
  WHO recently released updated indoor air quality guidelines, focusing on household fuel combustion.  The new guidelines include material for policy makers, recommendations and best practices and address the importance of community action and assessment.
• WHO Chemical Risk Assessment Network Newsletter
  The WHO Chemical Risk Assessment Network, an initiative that aims to improve chemical risk assessment around the world, recently released a network update via newsletter. The update includes details of the recent network meeting and network activities that are being planned.
• Climate Change: Interface with Human Health
  A recent podcast with NIEHS Senior Advisor for Public Health Dr. John Balbus explores the health impacts of climate change.
• Primary Protection: Enhancing Health Care Resilience for a Changing Climate
  The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), working in a public-private partnership with the health care industry, has developed a guide that describes best practices for developing sustainable and climate-resilient hospitals. This best practices document is part of HHS’s Sustainable and Climate Resilient Health Care Facilities Initiative and the President’s Climate Action Plan.