Cleaner air, better lungs
Reducing air pollution was associated with increased lung function in children ages 11 to 15, according to a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine. The new findings suggest that it’s important to continue efforts to…
Landmark air pollution study turns 20
January 7, 2014 — Last month marked the 20th anniversary of the publication of Harvard School of Public Health’s groundbreaking Six Cities study, which—by revealing a strong link between air pollution and mortality risk—paved the way for strengthened U.S. regulations…
Symposium explores trends in cardiovascular disease in Brazil, Mexico
November 8, 2013 —The rise of cardiovascular disease in two rapidly growing countries—Mexico and Brazil—was the focus of a symposium organized by Swiss Re and Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) on October 15-16, 2013 at the American…
Deadly environments
[Fall 2013 Centennial issue] On a October afternoon in 1948, daylight barely trickled into the storefronts of Donora, Pennsylvania. Stagnant weather had trapped a noxious black cloud of emissions from nearby steel and zinc plants above the town,…
Declining air pollution levels continue to improve life expectancy in U.S.
For immediate release: Monday, December 3, 2012 Boston, MA — A new study led by researchers at Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) has found an association between reductions in fine particulate matter and improved life expectancy in…
Prevailing winds
[ Fall 2012 ] A decades-long fight to bring clean air standards in line with environmental health science offers lessons for today. On a raw January day in Washington, DC, Douglas Dockery climbed Capitol Hill on his way…
Mary Ellen Avery, pioneer in medicine and public health, dies at 84
December 8, 2011 -- Mary Ellen Avery, a major figure in Boston medicine and public health whose work while a research fellow at HSPH in the 1950s led to one of the most important strategies to improve care for…
Symposium honors 60-year legacy of HSPH's Melvin First
October 21, 2011 -- Family, colleagues, and former students traveled from across the world to celebrate the life and career of HSPH Prof. Emeritus Melvin W. First at a memorial symposium on September 30, 2011. First passed away on June 11…
Smog or jobs? HSPH Forum panel debates Obama decision to forgo tightening ozone standards
September 28, 2011 -- Are clean air protections and job growth at odds in a tough economy? The latest Harvard School of Public Health Forum took on the issues raised by President Obama’s surprise September 2, 2011, request that Environmental Protection…
Smoke-free air laws effective at protecting children from secondhand smoke
No Protection Found for Children Exposed to Secondhand Smoke in Homes For immediate release: Monday, June 7, 2010 Boston, MA—Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) have found that children and adolescents living in non-smoking homes in…