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Dear Maricela,
This Fourth of July we honor those who have defended our country's democracy.
It is 60 years since Freedom Summer, a time in our country's history when many suffered horrific abuse and three young men died for their belief in democratic principles and the fundamental democratic process of registering voters.
We remember James Chaney of Meridian, Mississippi, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, both from New York. The three young men signed up to participate in Freedom Summer's voter registration activities and were murdered by the Klan on June 21st 1964.
Voting rights mattered then and matter now!
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Let's honor those who stood valiantly for voter rights and the preservation of democracy.
- November 5th is Election Day.
Our efforts can make a difference.
Please remind family and friends to register to vote and let's all help "get out the vote".
Happy Fourth of July
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A Transition Celebration for
Frederica P. Perera, MPH, DrPH, PhD
Professor of Environmental Health Sciences and
Director, Translational Research Program, Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health
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On Monday, June 24th, we celebrated the career of Dr. Frederica, (Ricky) Perera. In her congratulatory statements, Mailman School of Public Health's Dean Fried said, "She stands as one of the most distinguished alumni of the Columbia University School of Public Health." Dr. Perera has been affiliated with Columbia’s School of Public Health since 1981 and founded the Center for Children's Environmental Health in 1998. In her first publication, in 1982, Dr. Perera introduced the concept of molecular epidemiology and helped move a new discipline forward.
Dr. Perera has published in reputable journals such as The Lancet, New England Journal of Science, Environmental Perspectives, JAMA, Journal of American Medical Association, and many others. Her research has been cited over 22,940 times. As a result of her contributions, it is no surprise she was recently recognized among the top 100 female scientists in the world.
As a scientist, Ricky has navigated through several paths. She initially focused on molecular epidemiological cancer research and later applied this method to study children’s exposure to air pollution and other toxins as early as in utero. The 20+ year cohort maintained by the Center has shed light on several adverse health outcomes among children including low birth weight, respiratory conditions, including asthma, endocrine disruption, obesity, neurodevelopment, and behavioral outcomes.
As a visionary, she has known that it is critical to communicate the Center's research findings to the public and our legislative leaders. Throughout her career, she has written opinion pieces and testified before Congress. Now as the Center’s Director of Translational Research, she is dedicating her efforts to disseminating children’s environmental health and justice (CEHJ) research and developing scientific models to demonstrate the potential for change and improving CEHJ. Dr. Julie Herbstman, Director of CCCEH, shared the following words about Ricky, "She has always been a few steps ahead, she’s flipping our scientific findings to the positive…which politician doesn’t like a positive spin?”
Her work on pollution and climate focuses on translating the science to policies that protect children's health and advance environmental and climate justice. To this point, Peggy Shephard, Director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice, longtime CCCEH partner, and a member of President Biden’s Environmental Justice Advisory Council Member, reminded us all -"...when you see a hybrid or electric bus here in NYC, thank Ricky- her research on PAH, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from fossil fuel emissions made this change a reality.”
We thank you, and cheers to you Ricky!
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ECHO Study Finds Link Between Phthalate Exposure and Preterm Birth, Estimates Potential Costs
Leonardo Trasande, Morgan E Nelson, Akram Alshawabkeh, Emily S Barrett, Jessie P Buckley, Dana Dabelea, Anne L Dunlop, Julie B Herbstman, John D Meeker, Mrudula Naidu, Craig Newschaffer, Amy M Padula, Megan E Romano, Douglas M Ruden, Sheela Sathyanarayana, Susan L Schantz, Anne P Starling, Ghassan B Hamra
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Phthalates are widely used chemicals found in some consumer products, and previous research has linked phthalate exposure to preterm birth.
When the researchers grouped mothers based on the amount of DEHP metabolites (substances produced when the body breaks down DEHP) found in their urine, they found that the 10 percent with the highest levels had a 50 percent higher chance of giving birth before the 37th week of pregnancy compared to the 10 percent with the lowest levels.
Researchers estimated that the number of premature births in the U.S. that could be linked to phthalate exposure in 2018 was between 24,000 and 120,000, potentially costing between $1.6 billion and $8.1 billion in medical expenses over the lifetime of the children.
Read Full Press Release
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ECHO Study Investigates Relationship Between Phthalate Exposure and High Blood Pressure, Related Complications During Pregnancy
John D. Meeker a, Kristen L. McArthur, Jennifer J. Adibi, Akram N. Alshawabkeh, Emily S. Barrett, Sara G. Brubaker, Jose F. Cordero, Dana Dabelea, Anne L. Dunlop, Julie B. Herbstman, Linda G. Kahn, Catherine J. Karr, Shilpi Mehta-Lee, Thomas G. O’Connor, Sheela Sathyanarayana, Leonardo Trasande, Jordan R. Kuiper
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The researchers evaluated phthalate exposure by measuring urine levels of certain metabolites, which are small molecules the body makes when it breaks down foods, drugs, chemicals, or its own tissues (for example, fat or muscle tissue).
This study found that higher levels of these metabolites were associated with a higher risk of developing preeclampsia, eclampsia, and/or ongoing high blood pressure during pregnancy.
Read Full Press Release
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Community Advisory & Stakeholder Board, CASB Meeting | |
On June 13th we held our bi-annual CASB meeting. Seventeen members were in attendance. CASB members received an update on this year's youth engagement activities and CEHJ research dissemination efforts. Although we have had a productive year, we solicited CASB member guidance on how to increase our CEHJ dissemination in both traditional media formats such as newspapers and radio as well as improve our social media presence, including other tools such as podcasts. For starters CASB members made the following suggestions: 1) let's share our media contacts, 2) create a chat group in which we can share posts and repost each other CEHJ messages, and 3) connect with other groups especially early childhood programs and schools to integrate our CEHJ message into their existing messaging systems. A big thank you to our dedicated CASB members for your time, guidance, and support. | |
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CCCEH
Summer Intern Placements Continue
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Grace is a rising Senior at New York University studying Global Public Health, Sociology, and Environmental Studies.
Grace is a PrIMER trainee working alongside Dr. Julie Herbstman in the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health on projects related to the ethical report back of research results to study participants. Grace plans to pursue a Master’s of Public Health in Environmental Health and is interested in the intersection of sociodemographic factors and built and natural environmental exposures.
Grace is excited to learn how research participants can be ethically centered in study designs as her ultimate goal is to address issues of environmental and climate justice through community-driven solutions and activism.
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Emme Weisenfeld is an MS candidate in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health with a track in Toxicology.
She has a background in natural sciences and received her undergraduate degree in the field from Fordham University at Lincoln Center.
During her time at Fordham, Emme gained experience in public health fieldwork, surveying individuals in the South Bronx and East Harlem and creating community flyers.
This summer, she is working with the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health to generate individualized growth pamphlets for participants. Emme is excited to work with the Center this summer and gain new skills in coding and communication.
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Manuela Montoya is a pioneering first-generation college student and is a student at Hunter college doing a major in psychology with a minor in sociology and public health.
She is currently immersed in a transformative internship at Columbia University through the PrIMER program. Currently working with the study in Guanajuato, Mexico, she is tackling the critical issue of arsenic and fluoride contamination in water, focusing on its impact at the center for children and contributing significantly to the community's well-being.
Beyond her academic and research pursuits, Manuela finds joy in reading and maintaining an active lifestyle through regular exercise.
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"For the Love of Community Work" | | |
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MS 331 LEAVE IT BETTER Youth & CCCEH EHJ Advocates
EHJ Youth Advocate, Joseph Castro and Youth COTC Coordinator, Anabel Cole met with Bronx middle schoolers.
The students shared their neighborhood concerns and learned about BPA, (Bisphenol A), PAH, (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons), and justice issues such as the history of redlining in the Bronx. COTC speakers highlighted the importance of scientific studies to understand exposures, reduce risk, and serve as a tool to affect policy.
We are proud to continue our partnership with Leave It Better, (LIB) this Fall. Thank you to Briana Black, LIB Director for a fruitful year. Happy Summer!
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Help us create a world in which every child has a healthy start.
The Center’s research is powering action to reduce the impacts of climate change, air pollution, and toxic chemicals on children and families.
Your support is yielding both immediate and long-term benefits to children’s health today and in the future. Your gift will protect the gains that we have achieved together.
We hope you will make a tax-free gift donation to the Center in order to continue this important work.
With Gratitude
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Julie Herbstman, PhD
Director, Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health
Frederica P. Perera, DrPH, PhD
Director of Translational Research and Founding Director
Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health
Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health
mailman.columbia.edu/ccceh
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