Discover Environmental Health
Environmental factors can influence human health, including physical, chemical, and biological factors that are external to a person, and all related behaviors. Collectively, these are referred to as environmental determinants of health (EDHs). Threats to any one of the EDHs can have an adverse impact on the health and well-being of the population. These environmental threats can occur naturally, human-made, or because of social conditions and ways people live. Addressing these EDHs will directly improve the health of the population.
As we Celebrate Earth Day in May, let's recognize the importance of environment on our health. Discover and NNLM Reading Club book selection, and get the conversation started.
Discover MedlinePlus
MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine, the largest biomedical library in the world. Use MedlinePlus.gov anywhere, anytime, on any device - for free - to discover high-quality health and wellness information that is reliable, easy to understand, and free of advertising, in both English and Spanish.
Discover information on:
Discover NIH
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers, each with a specific research agenda, often focusing on particular diseases or body systems.
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
- National Center for Environmental Health
- Environmental Protection Agency
Discover More
Social Media
Environmental Health Media Toolkits (CDC)
Handouts
Asthma and Outdoor Air Pollution PDF
How to Dispose of Medicines Properly PDF
Podcasts
Living on Earth is a go-to source for the latest coverage of climate change, ecology, and human health. Hosted by Steve Curwood and brought to you by Public Radio Exchange - PRX.
Explore the Data
The National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network brings together health data and environment data from national, state, and city sources and provides supporting information to make the data easier to understand. The Tracking Network has data and information on environments and hazards, health effects, and population health. Interact with the data by visiting https://ephtracking.cdc.gov/DataExplorer/#/
AirNow reports air quality using the official U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI), a color-coded index designed to communicate whether air quality is healthy or unhealthy for you. The website highlights air quality in your local area first, while still providing air quality information at the state, national, and world views. An interactive map lets you zoom out to get the big picture or drill down to see data for a single air quality monitor. There's even a mobile app for your phone. When you know the AQI in your area, you can take steps to protect your health.
Engage Youth
Based on original reporting by a Pulitzer Prize finalist and an industry veteran, Poisoned Water is the first book for young adults about the Flint water crisis. Through interviews with residents and intensive research into legal records and news accounts, journalist Candy J. Cooper, assisted by writer-editor Marc Aronson, reveals the true story of Flint. Poisoned Water shows not just how the crisis unfolded in 2014, but also the history of racism and segregation that led up to it, the beliefs and attitudes that fueled it, and how the people of Flint fought―and are still fighting―for clean water and healthy lives.
Poisoned Water | Candy J Cooper and Marc Aronson | Bloomsbury Children's Books | 256 pages | ISBN: 978-1547602322 | Grade Level 5 - 9 | WorldCat
Watch and Discuss
Poisoned Water
Screen the PBS NOVA special report of the Flint, Michigan water crisis. Poisoned Water uncovers the science behind this manmade disaster— from the intricacies of water chemistry to the biology of lead poisoning to the misuse of science itself. NOVA follows ordinary citizens and independent scientists who exposed the danger lurking in Flint’s water and confronted those who turned a blind eye. Poisoned Water Video Questions
Bag It
In this touching and often flat-out-funny film, Bag It, we follow "everyman" Jeb Berrier as he embarks on a global tour to unravel the complexities of our plastic world. What starts as a film about plastic bags evolves into a wholesale investigation into plastic and its effect. Bag It Video Questions
Invite Speakers
NIEHS Speakers Bureau offers opportunities for scientists, technicians, and administrators to speak about a variety of topics in environmental health sciences, as well as educational preparation and career paths. Speakers are also available as judges and/or to participate in science fairs and festivals.
Offer Instruction
- NNLM National Health Observances Library Program Kit: Air Quality Awareness Week
- NIEHS Science Education: Climate Change and Human Health Lesson Plans
- Environmental Health Student Portal provides educational materials about environmental issues that can affect health just for middle school students.
Terms of use: Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) staff offer these health discussion resources for educational use. The materials included do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the author, publisher, or the sponsoring agencies of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).