Understanding the link between human health and the environment might be the key to saving human existence and planet earth, at least as we know it. Yet today forces in the United States health care system are combining with human behaviors to diminish these vital connections. Fortunately, a strong counter movement is emerging that offers great hope that we will strengthen, not weaken, these links in the future.

For my beat, I am investigating Environmental Health Literacy (EHL). EHL is an emerging sub-field of health that aims to understand the relationship between environmental factors and health outcomes in order to combat environmental exposures that harm peoples’ health. The field of EHL combines health literacy, environmental literacy, and risk communication. Through making essential information accessible, EHL offers individuals and communities skills and competencies to take initiative in protecting their health and reducing their environmental risk.

Throughout the semester I will investigate EHL efforts and effects across a variety of domains- from large institutions to small communities and individuals. I will explore the National Institute of Environmental Health and the Environmental Public Health Tracking Network created by the Center for Disease Control as they are paving the way with EHL research and initiatives. I will go into Boston to where asthma prevention work conducted by John Snow Inc. and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health are changing how we view health though a community health worker model. In schools, an organization called Alternative for the Community and Environment, is utilizing EHL to teach environmental justice to youth in vulnerable communities. On an individual level, I will look at the story of one family’s tough fight against fracking in Appalachia.

America’s largely private, profit driven health system exacerbates disparities in health and medical care.  Language, education level, race, class, and geographic location are all significant barriers to health. Current research illuminates the story of how environmental hazards disproportionately affect racial minorities and those who live in poor and low-income communities. EHL fights disparities and barriers in health by translating language and improving access to public information for all people. EHL is critical in disease prevention at this time when we are witnessing increasing harmful environmental exposures that take a severe toll on health.

My beat will explore and examine these various examples of EHL efforts to ask if and how the promise of EHL is being realized. EHL is an emerging and evolving field already gaining momentum as a powerful tool for change. As an interdisciplinary concept it is valuable in bringing together environmental and health studies through a social justice lens. Our world has a growing pollution problem. Environmental issues often feel distant to many people’s daily lives, yet the environment and health are deeply connected. EHL takes a community- based approach that empowers people to take control over protecting their health and the environment. This beat opens up exciting avenues of exploration about combating vital contemporary health issues.