Short-term exposure to low levels of air pollution linked with premature death among U.S. seniors
Short-term exposures to fine particulate air pollution and ozone—even at levels well below current national safety standards—were linked to higher risk of premature death among the elderly in the U.S. according to a new study.
“Speed dating” for scientists: Data experts from Harvard and Elsevier make research connections
Researchers from Harvard tackled big questions in data science and explored possibilities for collaboration with executives from Elsevier—an information and analytics company specializing in scientific, technical, and medical information—during a series of roundtables sponsored by the Harvard Data Science…
Pollution has steep price in lives lost, economic damages
Toxic air, water, and soil contribute annually to 9 million deaths and $4.6 trillion in economic damages globally, according to a new report by the Lancet Commission on Pollution and Health. Illness and death related to pollution in less-developed…
How ‘heat islands’ can harm health
Heat islands—dense urban areas with lots of heat-retaining cement and asphalt, many apartment buildings made of brick or stone, and few trees—can spike 20-50 degrees hotter in the summer than leafy, less-dense suburbs and can pose serious health…
A call for stricter air pollution standards
A new study of 60 million Americans is strengthening the link between air pollution and premature death.
Nationwide study of U.S. seniors strengthens link between air pollution and premature death
For immediate release: Wednesday, June 28, 2017 Boston, MA – A new study of 60 million Americans—about 97% of people age 65 and older in the United States—shows that long-term exposure to airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and…
Harnessing data to improve health
We're now in the midst of a golden era of data. and scientists are constantly finding news ways to harness this information with applications across health care, the environment, commerce, urban planning, finance, and more.
Cardiovascular disease-related hospital admissions jump on second day after major snowfall
For immediate release: Monday, January 30, 2017 Boston, MA – Hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases decline on days with major snowfalls compared to days with no snowfall, but they jump by 23% two days later, according to a…
Putting a human face on climate change
December 22, 2016 – Focusing on the potential health impacts of climate change—such as malnutrition, an increase in infectious and chronic diseases, and more deaths from heat waves and cold snaps—may be the best way to communicate its dangers, according…
Climate talks should consider ‘immediate’ health burden of air pollution
Air pollution is not only causing long-term damage to the planet and human health, but it is already killing millions of people worldwide. In an editorial published November 14, 2016 in STAT, David Hunter, Vincent L. Gregory Professor…