PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — From extreme heat and air pollution to the health effects of chemicals in plastic products, society is confronting historic challenges at the intersection of climate, environment and health — challenges that require interdisciplinary expertise to drive innovative research and practical solutions.

Scientists and researchers from a range of disciplines convened in Brown’s Stephen Robert ’62 Campus Center on Monday, April 28, to celebrate the launch of the new Center for Climate, Environment and Health in Brown’s School of Public Health, which will draw on expertise from across the University to study and address the impacts of climate change and environmental toxins on well-being.

The new center builds on the work of Brown’s Center for Children’s Environmental Health and will broaden its focus beyond children’s health, evolving into a hub for environmental health sciences at Brown, according to Dean of the School of Public Health Dr. Ashish K. Jha, who moderated a panel discussion at the kick-off event, which drew many students, faculty and staff.

“It was time to take what was an excellent center … and not just rebrand it, but refocus it and broaden its perspective,” Jha said. “And thus, the launch of a new Center on Climate, Environment and Health.”

Under the leadership of environmental epidemiologist Joseph Braun, the Center for Children’s Environmental Health has advanced solutions-oriented research on topics ranges from prenatal exposure to PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” to the correlations between firearm ownership and elevated lead levels in children.

Now, the Center for Climate, Environment and Health will draw on researchers from the School of Public Health, the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society, the Swearer Center, the School of Engineering, the Division of Biology and Medicine and other academic departments at Brown to continue advancing environmental health research on clean air, climate and health, noise pollution and PFAS.

Ideally, research from the center can be used to inform public health programs and interventions, according to panelist Allan Just, an associate professor of epidemiology and environment and society. 

“Better environmental information can help us target our investment,” Just said. “It can tell us where people are going to have that additional exposure [to environmental toxins] or who may have extra susceptibilities that leave them more vulnerable. Data can help society adapt in a way that is equitable and that helps preserve public health.” 

Speaking panel, Barnes Lecture

During the panel discussion at the launch event, Braun, a professor of epidemiology and director of the Center for Climate, Environment and Health, discussed ongoing research with Just, who studies how heat and neighborhood air quality relate to human health, and Elizabeth Fussell, a professor of population studies and environment and society (research) and co-director of the new Equitable Climate Futures program at Brown, who researches environmental drivers of migration and social inequalities in migration.

Braun spoke about his years of research on the health effects of chemicals in plastic products, and the studies he’s leading to look at how early life exposure to chemicals affects health decades down the road. 

“There’s a whole array of health effects … that could affect people at different life stages,” Braun said. “Once [the chemicals are] in us, there isn’t really a good way to get rid of them; they’re stuck in us. This really highlights the need to prevent exposure.”

Braun said that in addition to measuring health effects, researchers are exploring ways to mitigate health problems. 

“In the center, we’re trying to figure out: Are there certain things that people can do when they’re exposed to these chemicals to ameliorate the effects of the exposure?” Braun said. “We need to give people tools, whether it’s pharmaceuticals, physical activity, interventions or diets, to try to help reduce the risk of health effects.”