Black Americans, low-income Americans may benefit most from stronger policies on air pollution
Stronger regulations lowering levels of fine particulate air pollutants (PM2.5) would benefit the health of all Americans, but Black Americans and low-income Americans would likely reap the most benefits, including a lower risk of premature death, according to…
Time spent in nature may reduce hospitalization risk for neurodegenerative diseases
Living near green spaces, parks, or bodies of water may help protect older adults from first-time hospitalizations for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, according to a large new study led by Harvard Chan School.
The Supreme Court curbed EPA’s power to regulate carbon emissions from power plants. What comes next?
Harvard Chan School experts discuss the implications of a Supreme Court ruling limiting the EPA's power to curb power plant emissions.
Living near or downwind of unconventional oil and gas development linked with increased risk of early death
Elderly people living near or downwind of unconventional oil and gas development—which involves extraction methods including directional (non-vertical) drilling and hydraulic fracturing, or fracking—are at higher risk of early death compared with elderly individuals who don’t live near…
Racial, ethnic minorities and low-income groups in U.S. exposed to higher levels of air pollution
Certain groups in the U.S.—Blacks, Asians, Hispanics, Latinos, and low-income populations—are being exposed to higher levels of dangerous fine particulate air pollution than other groups, a study found.
Wildfires, extreme heat causing health harms
An uptick in extreme heat and wildfires around the world, driven by climate change, is leading to more illness and more deaths, according to experts.
Long-term exposure to permissible concentrations of air pollution linked with increased mortality risk
Exposure to low concentrations of air pollution, even at levels permitted under federal regulations, may be causing tens of thousands of early deaths each year among elderly people and other vulnerable groups in the U.S., according to a…
Artificial Intelligence’s Promise and Peril
As algorithms analyze mammograms and smartphones capture lived experiences, researchers are debating the use of ai in public health.
Wildfire smoke may have contributed to thousands of extra COVID-19 cases and deaths in western U.S. in 2020
Thousands of COVID-19 cases and deaths in California, Oregon, and Washington between March and December 2020 may be attributable to increases in fine particulate air pollution from wildfire smoke.
Stronger air pollution standards in U.S. would have significant public health benefits
Reducing certain air pollutants in the U.S. by small amounts would prevent thousands of early deaths each year among elders, according to new research led by Harvard Chan School.
