Partnerships for Environmental Public Health (PEPH)
September 15, 2017

NIEHS has key strategic goals focused on examining, characterizing, and addressing exposures and susceptibility across the lifespan. Although much of this research to date has focused on neonates and children, susceptibility across the lifespan also includes consideration of the many factors affecting aging populations. Among these factors are lifelong exposures to numerous potentially toxic chemicals; co-morbidities affecting health resilience and disease susceptibility; and social conditions such as poverty, isolation, acculturation, and English-language proficiency. However, two of the most serious threats to the health of aging populations are extreme weather events and increases in seasonal variation. This webinar focused on the effects of environmental and sociocultural factors on specific aging subpopulations, with a particular focus on the effects of extreme events.
Presentations
- Impact of Air Pollutant Exposures and Social Connectedness on Cognitive Function and Mood Disorders (1MB) – Helen Suh, Sc.D.
- Aftermath of Extreme Events for Tribal Elders (2MB) – John Doyle
Experts

Helen Suh, Sc.D., is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Tufts University. Her research focuses on three areas within air pollution epidemiology: (1) assessment of the impact of lifestyle and neighborhoods on air pollutant exposures and human health, (2) examination of multi-pollutant impacts on mortality and disease, and (3) use of big data methods to improve our understanding of the association between air pollution exposures and health. Her work has been published in over 125 papers in leading journals. She also has performed advisory work in environmental health for numerous local, national, and international organizations, previously serving as a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, a member of several National Academy of Sciences panels, and an associate editor of the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology.

John Doyle, is a Crow tribal elder and serves as Director of the Crow Water Quality Project at Little Big Horn College. He recently completed an EPA grant titled, “Water, Our Voice to the Future: Climate Change Adaptation and Waterborne Disease Prevention on the Crow Reservation,” and is currently involved in another project investigating connections between well water and health outcomes among Crow tribal members.
We want your feedback!
Send comments, questions, and suggestions for future webinar topics to peph@niehs.nih.gov.
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