National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Air Pollution Accounts for 1 in 8 Deaths Worldwide, According to New WHO Estimates

Air pollution accounts for 1 in 8 deaths worldwide - approximately 7 million deaths in 2012, according to new data from the World Health Organization (WHO). The findings, released in late March, doubled previous estimates from just a few years ago in 2008. WHO now characterizes air pollution as “the world’s largest single environmental health risk.”

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Learn more about the history and future of the NIEHS–WHO collaboration

LeallllDid you miss the NIEHS - World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre Launch in February? To learn more about the history and future of the NIEHS - WHO collaboration download this 3-part podcast series featuring NIEHS Director Linda Birnbaum, Dr. María P. Neira of WHO, and Dr. Luiz Augusto Galvão of the Pan American Health Organization.

Podcasts: Global Environmental Health Chat

New Wristbands Provide More than Just Slogans

Rubbery wristbands with catchy slogans abound. A new type, developed by a team of NIEHS-funded researchers led by Kim Anderson, Ph.D. of Oregon State University, does more than just send a message, it actually measures the wearer’s personal environmental exposures. Read how this new wristband is giving scientists another tool to better understand how chemical exposures affect human health.

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Other Research

• Air Pollution, Climate, and Heart Disease Full Text
• Networking to Advance Progress in Children’s Environmental Health Full Text
• Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Diseases in Costa Rica: A Feasibility Study Toward A National Screening Program Full Text
• Toxic Metal Levels in Children Residing in a Smelting Craft Village in Vietnam: A Pilot Biomonitoring Study Full Text
• Violence Against Women and Gastroschisis: A Case-Control Study Full Text

Building Capacity for Children’s Environmental Health Research in China

Training and Capacity Building grantees Leonardo Trasande, M.D., from the United States and Jingping Liu, M.D. from China are partnering to provide the training and capacity building in research and research translation needed to address emerging air pollution and children’s environmental health issues in northwest China.

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• Notice of Reissuance of the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship Funding Opportunity Announcements
• Tobacco Control Regulatory Research (R01) (OD-13-011)
• Tobacco Control Regulatory Research (R03) (OD-13-012)
• Tobacco Control Regulatory Research (R21) (OD-13-010)

• Climate Change: Health Impacts and Opportunities
  A summary and discussion of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group 2 Report by The Global  Climate & Health Alliance. This briefing summarizes key findings, implications for health, and recommendations.
• Climate Data from Data.gov
  A new site aggregates climate data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other federal agencies on www.data.gov/climate. The first batch of climate data available will focus on coastal flooding and sea level rise.
• Health and Environment: Communicating the Risks
  This World Health Organization document outlines key messages and lessons learned in communicating environmental health risks to the public. Discussion includes essential elements of risk communications, multi-sector involvement, framing health risks, and the importance of embedding communications in studies.
• Free World Bank e-Institute Courses on Climate Change
  The World Bank offers free courses online at its e-Institute. Courses under the Climate Change theme include Essentials of Climate Change, Low Carbon, Resilient Development, Cities and Climate Change, and Climate-Smart Agriculture -Towards Landscape Approach.