Urban Climate and Disasters

Cities are facing unique and increasing scientific, policy, and humanitarian challenges and pressures due to climate change and natural disasters. Columbia Urban Health's goal is to build scientific knowledge around these issues in order to innovate solutions in partnership with cities to support sustainable and resilient cities.

NYC Neighborhood Asthma and Allergy study

This study aims to further understanding of the causes of disparities in asthma prevalence and morbidity between low-income urban neighborhoods as compared to higher-income communities.  This study is novel in that it is examining populations with striking difference in asthma prevalence despite being geographically close (and thus exposed to many of the same things), of a similar income, and with similar access to health care. More information

Faculty/Program: Columbia Center for Children's Environmental HealthMatthew Perzanowski

Cities: New York
 


The Mothers and Newborns Study in New York City

This study follows a group of African American and Latino pregnant women and their children from birth through adolescence. We examine the respiratory health, cognitive development, and level of cancer risk in children prenatally exposed to common urban air pollutants from fuel burning, environmental tobacco smoke, residential pesticides, cockroach and mouse allergens, phthalates and bisphenol A, mold, mercury, and lead. More information

Faculty/ProgramColumbia Center for Children's Environmental Health

Cities: New York
 


The Mothers and Newborns Study in China

This study seeks to determine the health benefits to newborns of reducing in utero exposure to toxic air pollutants generated by coal burning.  The Center launched its first study in 2001 in Tongliang and in 2009, the Center launched a multi-level research program to track the benefits of broad government intervention in Taiyuan, one of the most polluted areas of the country. More information

Faculty/ProgramColumbia Center for Children's Environmental Health

Cities: Tongliang and Taiyuan
 


The Mothers and Newborns Study in Poland

This study takes place in Krakow and follows 500 pregnant women and their children through prospective research studies, examining how multiple common urban pollutants are contributing to rising rates of asthma, developmental delays, behavioral disorders, and cancer risk. As the cohort matures, we are continuing to collect and analyze data to determine the effects of these early-life exposures on children’s health. More information

Faculty/ProgramColumbia Center for Children's Environmental Health

Cities: Krakow
 


Potential Inhaled Dose of Particulates, Biking and Cardiovascular Indicators

This study seeks to improve our toolkit for measuring human exposure to air pollution by combining data from instruments that measure air pollution concentrations every minute with estimates of how much air a given person drew into their lungs. When multiplied together, these two numbers give a better estimate of your actual dose of air pollution. We will use these new tools to understand the health impacts of cycling in New York City, and will feed this information back to urban cyclists and city planners. More information

Faculty/Program: Darby Jack

Cities: New York City
 


Engaging Community on Mobile Environmental Applications, Air Pollution Policy Impacts, and Dissemination of Center Findings

A CCCEH project,  this initiative seeks to assess the impact of policy change in New York City on air quality and health outcomes citywide and in the cohort. More information

Faculty/Program: Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health

Cities: New York
 


PRENATAL WORLD TRADE CENTER CHEMICAL EXPOSURES, BIRTH OUTCOMES, AND CARDIOMETABOLIC RISKS

This study examines the stressors and exposures associated with proximity to the World Trade Center site. It evaluates birth, neurodevelopmental, and cardiometabolic outcomes. More information

Faculty/Program: Columbia Center for Children's Environmental HealthJulie Herbstman

Cities: New York
 


WORLD TRADE CENTER 9/11 STUDY

In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Columbia University’s Earth Institute, this study through the CCCEH looks at the effects of air pollutants released by the WTC destruction and the associated fires on pregnant women and their unborn infants.

Faculty/Program: Columbia Center for Children's Environmental HealthDeliang TangVirginia Rauh

Cities: New York
 


Endotoxin, Obesity, and Asthma in New York City Head Start

This study follows children in Head Start programs for at least 2 years to identify factors associated with asthma prevalence, persistence, incidence, and severity.

Faculty/Program: Judith Jacobson

Cities: New York
 


9/11 Trauma and Toxicity in Childhood: Longitudinal Health and Behavioral Outcomes

To ensure their long term well-being of individuals exposed to 9/11 as children, it is imperative that we understand the longitudinal, lifetime effects that these traumatic and toxic exposures are having on their physical health and behavioral development, as they grow into adulthood. This study follows a cohort of children exposed to 9/11 and assesses the longitudinal behavioral and physical health effects of the toxic as well as traumatic exposures they experienced.  More information

Faculty/Program: Christina Hoven

Cities: New York
 


The Impact of 9/11 on Youth: Mental Health, Substance Use and Other Risk Behaviors

The purpose of this investigation is to improve understanding of the effects of children's direct exposure to 9/11 and future mental health disorders, substance use or abuse and other risky behaviors as they now enter into adolescence and emerging adulthood. More information

Faculty/Program: Christina HovenGeorge Musa

Cities: New York
 

 

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