Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health recently hosted a two-day Environmental Justice Boot Camp, aimed at training environmental health scientists in methods to tackle health disparities driven by environmental factors. The event, held both in-person and online, gathered around 60 participants from various fields to explore how race, socioeconomic status, and environmental exposure contribute to health inequities.
Co-directed by Dr. Tamarra James-Todd of Harvard and Dr. Joan Casey of the University of Washington, the boot camp focused on solutions-driven research approaches. Participants engaged in multidisciplinary seminars and workshops covering topics such as the link between harmful chemicals in hair products and women’s reproductive health, as well as environmental exposure and gestational diabetes. The aim was to equip scientists with the necessary tools to design effective studies, analyze data, and implement interventions that reduce the adverse health effects disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.
The program also emphasized the importance of community engagement in environmental justice research, encouraging researchers to work directly with impacted communities to develop meaningful and effective health policies. According to the organizers, the training is part of a broader effort to advance health equity by identifying and addressing the underlying social and environmental factors that contribute to chronic health conditions in communities of color and low-income areas.
This initiative highlights Harvard’s commitment to addressing environmental health disparities and fostering research that leads to actionable change in public health policies.
See “Environmental justice boot camp offers training on solutions-driven research” (August 21, 2024)
