EH Nexus Newsletter - January is a time for reflection!
Tomei-Torres, Francisco A. (ATSDR/OAD/OCDAPS)
January 2025 | Volume 36
A CDC Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice communication network
 EH Nexus newsletters provide information about environmental health issues and promote actions to help save lives. The newsletters explain how to reduce harm from many threats, such as climate change, contaminated food and water, toxic environments, and inadequate systems and practices.
This special newsletter issue is dedicated to recapping all the dynamic communications we've shared throughout the year. Whether you missed a webinar, want to revisit a key podcast episode, or simply need an overview of the topics we tackled, we've got you covered. Dive in to find links to recordings, resources, and more—all designed to help you stay informed and connected in the world of environmental health. |
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Tune in for EH Nexus podcast episodes and other communication activities where we discuss actionable research and effective interventions with leaders and innovators.
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2024: A Year in Review In 2024, EH Nexus demonstrated a commitment to disseminating critical environmental health information and fostering collaboration through a diverse range of communication activities. These activities included webinars, podcasts, a national meeting, and a workshop, all designed to reach a wide audience of public health professionals, clinicians, students, and community members. The content covered pressing environmental health issues like lead exposure, extreme heat, wildland fires, and health equity, with a focus on providing practical guidance, promoting best practices, and highlighting innovative approaches.
EH Nexus leveraged these communication platforms to facilitate knowledge sharing and partnership building among various stakeholders, including government agencies, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations. By presenting expert perspectives, showcasing research findings, and fostering insightful discussions, EH Nexus successfully contributed to a greater understanding of environmental health challenges and promoted effective strategies for protecting public health. |
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Podcasts |
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Episode 7
This podcast episode provides a career overview for those interested in environmental health science. Ana Pomales, an environmental health scientist, offers practical advice and perspectives on pursuing a career in this dynamic field, inspiring and empowering listeners interested in the intersection of health and the environment. |
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Episode 8
This podcast episode explores the importance of mentorship in environmental health science, featuring Dr. Bryan Brooks from Baylor University. Dr. Brooks shares his career journey, research, and insights on interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing environmental health challenges. The episode also highlights the growing need for mentorship and well-prepared graduates in the field. |
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Episode 9
This podcast episode examines the link between environmental factors and healthcare access, highlighting the disproportionate impact of environmental issues on vulnerable communities. Dr. Francisco Tomei-Torres, an environmental health expert from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, discusses how pollution, hazardous waste, and poor air quality contribute to health disparities. The episode emphasizes the need for equitable healthcare access to address these environmental impacts. |
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Webinars |
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This webinar provides information on staying safe and healthy while visiting national parks. Experts from the National Park Service and CDC discuss resources for planning injury and illness-free visits, key considerations for preventing health issues while recreating in parks, and the power of parks for promoting health and well-being. |
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This webinar addresses the impact of extreme heat on vulnerable communities and strategies for promoting heat equity. Experts from CDC, federal and state agencies, and nonprofit organizations discuss the dimensions of heat risk, public health approaches to enhance heat resilience, and federal resources available to support community preparedness. |
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This webinar provides an overview of wildland fires and their impact on public health. Experts from CDC, the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Department of the Interior discuss types of wildfires, health concerns related to wildfire smoke, and strategies for reducing smoke exposure. |
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This webinar features an open forum discussion on the role of public health agencies in wildland fire activities. Experts from CDC and state health departments discuss public health protection efforts during wildfires, effective communication strategies, approaches to reducing smoke exposure, and lessons learned from previous wildfire events. |
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This webinar for clinicians focuses on the health impacts of various environmental exposures, emphasizing the importance of recognizing signs and symptoms associated with these threats. Topics covered include innovative asthma management strategies, recognizing heat-related illnesses, understanding environmental contaminant exposure, and the clinician's role in disaster response. The webinar features a panel of experts from CDC's Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. |
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This webinar highlights the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Lead-Free Communities Initiative (LFC), aiming to eliminate lead exposure. Topics include the goals of the LFC, the newly released LFC Toolkit, and opportunities for partnership and collaboration. The webinar features Quanza Brooks-Griffin, Unit Lead for Strategic Priorities and Innovation in CDC's Lead Poisoning Prevention & Surveillance Branch. |
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Meetings & Workshops |
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This national meeting brought together stakeholders from various sectors to discuss heat and health, with a focus on reducing heat-related risks. The meeting emphasized community engagement and the importance of developing a shared vision for community heat resilience, covering topics such as personal heat exposure and community action in response to heat. |
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Along with colleagues at CDC, EH Nexus hosted this third annual workshop, focusing on innovative methods for analyzing environmental mixtures in epidemiology. Designed for epidemiologists, statisticians, and other environmental health professionals, the workshop provided training on cutting-edge techniques for studying the health effects of combined environmental exposures. |
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What's to Come Looking ahead to 2025, the EH Nexus team is energized and ready to explore new horizons in environmental health. We are committed to expanding our reach, fostering deeper connections within our community, and continuing to provide you with the highest quality resources and information. We envision a future where collaboration and knowledge sharing pave the way for a healthier and more sustainable world for all.
Thank you for being a part of the EH Nexus community. Your engagement and dedication inspire us. We look forward to another year of learning, growing, and working together to protect public health and the environment. Here's to a bright and impactful 2025! |
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 Webinar: Environmental Public Health Threats in the 21st Century – A Primer for Clinicians, Part 2  Join us for another EH Nexus webinar on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will serve as presenters for this webinar.
Environmental health exposures are a risk to patients every day. Therefore, it is imperative for clinicians to have a strong understanding of the different illnesses patients can present with following different kinds of environmental exposures. During this webinar, the audience will learn how to
This webinar is ideal for healthcare professionals looking to expand their expertise.
Registration: To register for this event on Zoom, please visit https://bit.ly/4fEMsUR.
For more details, including information regarding continuing education credit, visit the Environmental Health Nexus website.
January 27–31, 2025 is Radon Awareness Week  January is National Radon Action Month Over the last few years, CDC has chosen the last week of January to observe Radon Awareness Week. This important event sheds light on the dangers of radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States after cigarette smoking.
This year’s theme is “What’s Your Radon Story?” Each day of the week features facts about radon with related graphics, social media messages, and a highlighted radon story:
For more information, visit the CDC Radon Awareness Week website. Webinar: Radon Risk Reduction Initiatives in Tribal Communities  Join us for another EH Nexus webinar on January 27, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET.
Subject matter experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, the Nez Perce Tribe Air Quality Program, and the United States Department
of Housing and Urban Development will serve as presenters for this webinar.
During this webinar, you will learn about
This webinar will be broadcast via Zoom. Visit the Environmental Health Nexus website for more details.
Registration: To register for this event on Zoom, please visit https://bit.ly/RADON2025. For more details, visit the Environmental Health Nexus website Thank you for reading and for helping to keep our environments healthy.
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