New research by Drs. Jaime Hart and Francine Laden explores how environmental factors such as air pollution may influence breast cancer risk and progression. The findings add to growing evidence that environmental exposures can play an important role in cancer outcomes. Read more in Medical Xpress:

"Living near a nuclear power plant may carry a measurable cancer risk—one that lessens with distance,” says Dr. Petros Koutrakis, author of a new paper examining potential links between living near nuclear plants and cancer mortality. Read more in @Forbes.com : buff.ly/oSJSK02

In coverage from @AAN, research led by Ruby Hickman shows that adults exposed to lead before birth tend to perform worse on cognitive tests later in life. The study underscores the lasting impacts of early environmental exposures on brain health.

In coverage from @wgbhnews, Petros Koutrakis is leading a study to assess whether airborne emissions from evaporated wastewater at the former Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station pose health risks to nearby communities. Read more via GBH news.

New research from Harvard School of Public Health led by Dr. Jin-Ah Park shows that airway tightening during asthma attacks can trigger a cycle of inflammation and disease, improving understanding of severe asthma and informing potential strategies to interrupt this feedback loop.

Coverage in Nature highlights how declining support threatens studies on wildfire smoke, microplastics, and other emerging respiratory risks. Dr. Mary Rice notes these cuts come at a time when air pollution and lung health research are critically needed.

Urban tree cover is linked to lower heart disease risk, according to new research led by Peter James. The findings suggest that preserving and expanding tree canopies should be a public health priority in urban neighborhoods.

In a recent ABC News story, Dr. Arianne Shadi Kourosh explains why winter conditions can worsen skin dryness and irritation and shares practical advice on moisturizers, sun protection, and daily skincare routines to maintain healthy skin.

In recent Harvard Chan News coverage, Vanessa Kerry discusses how actions by the Trump administration, from changes to air pollution regulations to dismantling USAID and withdrawing from WHO could have significant consequences for public and global health.

Interested in working at the intersection of climate & health? C-CHANGE is looking for a new Postdoctoral Fellow. See details below.

In a Harvard Chan News article, Dr. Kari Nadeau discusses the long-term health consequences of wildfire smoke exposure and the need for sustained research and prevention efforts, joined by colleagues including @joeallenjoe.bsky.social.

ECHO Study research shows children exposed to both outdoor air pollution and adverse home conditions face higher asthma risk. Diane Gold notes the importance of considering combined indoor and outdoor exposures for prevention.

As the EPA shifts how it evaluates air pollution regulations, health impacts risk being sidelined. Dr. Lisa Robinson warned that ignoring the lifesaving benefits of cleaner air could undermine public health protections, via the Salata Institute.

Wildfire-related health impacts can persist long after the flames are out. Dr. Mary Johnson discussed ongoing risks for affected communities in a recent interview with the Malibu Times.

The long-term health impacts of the Los Angeles wildfires are becoming clearer. Dr. Kari Nadeau recently highlighted emerging evidence of lasting respiratory and cardiovascular risks for affected communities, on @npr.org 's All Things Considered. buff.ly/0IkXoqN

As the EPA reconsiders how it weighs the costs and benefits of air pollution rules, health impacts remain central, says Dr. Mary Rice. “Children, older adults, and people with chronic lung disease are especially susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution,” via NPR.

Researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan developed a new technique to deliver biological “cargo” into targeted cells, a breakthrough that could lead to safer, more effective disease treatments. Dr. Quan Lu highlighted its potential as a precise delivery system, via Harvard Chan News.

As climate change reshapes global food systems, nutrition and food security remain central to public health. Christopher Golden notes that “there are no issues more important than conserving our planet and supporting human well-being,” – Harvard Center for International Development.

New research following the Los Angeles wildfires shows that toxic exposures can persist long after flames are out. @joeallenjoe.bsky.social highlighted how lingering pollutants may pose ongoing health risks for affected communities, via The Washington Post. www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026...

What if we’re measuring only the tip of the iceberg in air pollution? Dr. Peng Gao argues that moving beyond traditional pollutant metrics is essential for understanding health impacts of complex pollution mixtures, especially in overburdened communities, via Harvard Chan News

Smoking history may help guide lung cancer treatment decisions. In a new study, Dr. David Christiani’s team found that smoking exposure patterns were linked to how patients responded to different immunotherapy and chemotherapy combinations.

Though the #lafires continue to pose health risks in homes near impacted areas, there are simple things you can do to reduce risk, says @joeallenjoe.bsky.social “Control the dust by removing shoes inside your home and make sure all vacuums and air purifiers have a HEPA filter,” via @abc7.bsky.social

Did you miss us? Excited to be back on socials to share how EH is making a difference in public health. Stay tuned for weekly updates from our faculty, students, and community. #HarvardChan #EnvironmentalHealth #PublicHealthResearch

Happening now! Join today's #HarvardClimateActionWeek webinar, "Smart Solutions, Hidden Costs: Weighing AI’s Climate and Health Impact," at 2pm ET. The panel features Drs. Mary Rice, Amruta Nori-Sarma, Francesca Dominici, and more. Watch Live on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=incE...

It's #HarvardClimateActionWeek! Join today's live webinar, "Smart Solutions, Hidden Costs: Weighing AI’s Climate and Health Impact," at 2pm ET. The panel features Drs. Mary Rice, Amruta Nori-Sarma, Francesca Dominici, and more. Learn more and register: salatainstitute.harvard.edu/hcaw/

Welcome to our new students! Today we are excited to welcome many new environmental health students who will be beginning the Master of Science, Master of Public Health, and PhD in Population Health Sciences programs. #backtoschool #orientation

"‘It breaks my heart.’ Trump cuts to Harvard leave Boston’s vulnerable sweltering without AC." Read the Boston Globe story featuring Dr. Adamkiewicz and Dr. Rice discussing impacts to their research aimed at helping Boston communities cope with heat and pollution. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/30/m...

#ClimateChange both worsens wildfires and increases negative health impacts caused by wildfire smoke. “Normally, immune cells are highly regulated, but after smoke exposure, some of those cells began to behave abnormally — to be hyperactivated," - Dr. Abhinav Kaushik, told the Harvard Gazette.

High risk patients in Black/Latinx communities have lower cancer screening rates but a new AI tool may be able to make screening more accessible. Dr. David Christiani explains for @fastcompany.com that these advances could help reduce cancer's impact on mortality. buff.ly/d7eqy37

New research from Dr. Marc Weisskopf shows how waste from the Manhattan Project may have led to higher cancer rates in a St. Louis community. “The closer the childhood residence got to Coldwater Creek, the risk of cancer went up, and pretty dramatically," Dr. Weisskopf told @wsj.com. buff.ly/BbiY90I

New Research from Dr. Kari Nadeau and @lafirehealth.bsky.social has shown that urban wildfires increase lead exposures for first responders. An @LATimes.com reporter decided to test his blood to see what type of impact the fires posed to residents.

The Nurses Health Study has pioneered women's health advancements for nearly 50 years, but this landmark study is threatened by federal funding cuts. @CNN.com spoke with study participants who are concerned that their scientific contributions will be lost. buff.ly/Vn0eQ4e

Funding cuts pose risks to over 50 years worth of biobank data in the Nurses' Health Study, investigated by Drs. Francine Laden, Jaime Hart, Peter James, and Marc Weisskopf. The Harvard Gazette explains that this groundbreaking study needs long-term funding solutions.

This morning on Good Morning America, Dr. Kari Nadeau discussed results from her new study in @natmed.nature.com‬ looking at how wildfire smoke affects firefighters. She found that toxins from smoke can penetrate into cellular DNA. See more on ABC News tonight at 7p. abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/vid...

Extreme heat worsens air quality. “Air pollution is very harmful for respiratory and cardiovascular admissions and also stroke. Those together can further enhance cardiovascular and respiratory risk.” says Dr. Mary Rice for @nytimes.com.

🏫 Pollutants are prevalent in our schools. They can enter through outside air or contaminants present inside building materials. The polluted air can be particularly harmful to children. The good news is polluted air in schools is fixable, says ‪@joeallenjoe.bsky.social‬. shorturl.at/As4MB

A new study co-authored by Dr. Peggy Lai and @joeallenjoe.bsky.social‬ revealed that improvements in one's gut microbiome can protect from harms of air pollution. "Our study shows that air pollution changes the tiny microbes in our gut,” said Dr. Lai‬. buff.ly/KMlW5DE

🍼🩺 Dr. Kari Nadeau shared with ‪@cnn.com‬ about her research funding being cut. "800 infants who had a high risk for a chronic disease...now have had a clinical trial pulled because of the lack of NIH funding...When that happens you put patients' lives at risk." Watch here: shorturl.at/MngVu

💨Scientists from the LA Fire HEALTH Study are committed to studying the impacts after the wildfires and giving residents the data in real time. Dr. Parham Azimi, a researcher at Harvard, is on site collecting air quality data from residents' homes. More in ‪@insideclimatenews.org‬ shorturl.at/u21KR

A new paper in Epidemiology shows that exposure to lingering pollution from wildfires can increase cardiovascular health risks, even months after the fires have been put out. The study was co-authored by Drs. Joel Schwartz, Edgar Castro and others at Harvard Chan. Read more: shorturl.at/2PPVE

How big of a threat to public health are the recent federal funding cuts? Dr. Marc Weisskopf, who conducts research on ALS in veterans explains on @cnn.com how the recent grant terminations are a big set back for public health. Watch: app.frame.io/presentation...

Congratulations to Harvard Chan School's Class of 2025, comprising 615 graduates from 33 U.S. states and 52 countries, who will officially be granted their degrees from Harvard University today at the Commencement Morning Exercises. Watch the ceremony at hsph.me/graduation #HarvardChan25

Pure joy! 🤩 That’s how we all felt yesterday as we celebrated the amazing achievements of the @hsph.harvard.edu Class of 2025.

It's a very special day when *2* of your doctoral students get hooded! Congratulations to Dr. Shivani Parikh and Dr. Sandra Dedesko on earning PhDs from @hsph.harvard.edu. Both possess the magical combo of being brilliant and kind and were an absolute pleasure in the Healthy Buildings Program [1/2]

“Mitigating climate change would have huge benefits for reducing deaths and economic burdens from wildfire smoke,” stated Dr. Nick Nassikas for @thehill.com. Dr. Nassikas' new study found that climate change causes thousands of wildfire deaths each year.

Cuts in the NIOSH budget will cause a surge in silicosis, stated Dr. Gregory Wagner in a @theatlantic.com article. Cases will increase since NIOSH does not have the capacity to carry out research for implementing new prevention focused policy. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

“Pregnant women and their fetuses are more vulnerable to climate-related changes, especially around heat and extreme heat,” stated @smahalingaiahmd.bsky.social‬ in a new TIME article about how climate change is impacting people’s ability to have healthy pregnancies: time.com/7285515/clim...

New research finds that eating an unhealthy diet in childhood may lead to earlier onset of periods in adolescence, explained @zifanwang.bsky.social in a new @CNN.com article. Early periods are on the rise, and have been connected to chronic health conditions. www.cnn.com/2025/05/06/h...

⭐ Congratulations to Dr. Lakshmi Karthikeyan and Dr. Gary Adamkiewicz for receiving the 2025-2026 Mittal Institute Faculty Grant from The Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asia Institute! View the list of the winning proposals: mittalsouthasiainstitute.harvard.edu/2025/05/facu...

🌱 🏥 How can healthcare clinics adapt to climate change to protect their patients? In a new @harvardsalata.bsky.social blog, @calebdresser.bsky.social shared 3 areas where healthcare clinics need support: education, patient support, and knowing when to act. shorturl.at/SMoWL