Health benefits of clean energy
Nationwide and Regional PM2.5-Related Air Quality Health Benefits From the Removal of Energy-Related Emissions in the United States (2022)
Nicholas A. Mailloux, David W. Abel, Tracey Holloway, Jonathan A. Patz - Link to Publication
In this study, we estimated the health benefits of removing emissions of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide, and nitrous oxides across the U.S. by using an EPA Co-Benefits Risk Assessment screening tool. We found that eliminating these emissions could prevent more than 50,000 premature deaths each year nationwide and provide more than $600 billion in benefits from avoided death and illness.
Featured in NPR | Washington Post | The Hill
Air-quality-related health impacts from climate change and from adaptation of cooling demand for buildings in the eastern United States: An interdisciplinary modeling study (2018)
David W. Abel , Tracey Holloway, Monica Harkey, Paul Meier, Doug Ahl, Vijay S. Limaye, Jonathan A. Patz - Link to Publication
In this research, we modeled how increased air conditioning demand over multiple climate change scenarios contributes to air pollution (PM2.5, Ozone) from power plants and the effect on human health. Results demonstrate that without intervention, air-pollution-related mortality will increase 5% to 9% from increased cooling demand.
Featured in Science Daily | Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
Health benefits of active transport
The influence of socioeconomic characteristics on active travel in US metropolitan areas and the contribution to health inequity (2023)
Samuel Younkin, Henry Fremont, Jennifer Bratburd, Daritza De Los Santos, Jonathan A. Patz - Link to Publication
Walking or cycling reduces the risk to many chronic diseases and is influenced by the built environment, accessibility, and safety. In this study, we analyzed major US metropolitan areas and found that members of low-income, low-education, Black or African American, and Asian populations in US metropolitan areas are less likely to walk or cycle than high-income, high-education, or White populations and the discrepancy in physical activity is likely to contribute to health inequity.
The Health-Oriented Transportation Model: Estimating the health benefits of active transportation (2021)
Samuel G. Younkin, Henry C. Fremont, Jonathan A. Patz - Link to Publication
The Health Oriented Transportation (HOT) Model allows researchers to investigate the health benefits (physical activity, reduced air pollution) from active travel (walking, biking). For this case study, we investigated active travel in London and estimated 1,618 and 2,720 deaths were averted in the inner and outer boroughs, respectively, due to transportation-related physical activity.
Nature-based solutions & sustainable food systems
Impacts of insect consumption on human health (2021)
Valerie J. Stull - Link to Publication
Edible insects benefit the environment with their efficient resource use and can promote human health buy providing protein, healthy fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. In this literature review, we looked for studies on the human health impacts of edible insects and cited the need for more research as only nine studies met the inclusion criteria. The resulting studies showed the potential of edible insects to (1) promote growth and iron status, (2) modulate gut microbiota with some prebiotic effects, and (3) provide amino acids similar to soya protein.
Nutritional and Health Benefits of Increasing Insect Consumption in Africa and Asia (2021)
Matthew R Smith, Valerie J Stull, Jonathan A Patz, and Samuel S Myers - Link to Publication
Farming or consuming insects is a more environmentally sensitive way to satisfy nutritional needs than traditional livestock operations. In this study, we modeled the impact of adding insects into diets in Africa and Asia for protein, zinc, folate, and vitamin B12.
Climate policy & human health
Fostering landscape immunity to protect human health: A science-based rationale for shifting conservation policy paradigms (2022)
Jamie K. Reaser, Brooklin E. Hunt, Manuel Ruiz-Aravena, Gary M. Tabor, Jonathan A. Patz, Daniel J. Becker, Harvey Locke, Peter J. Hudson, Raina K. Plowright - Link to Publication
Human-driven land use change is a major driver of zoonotic pathogen spillover – the transfer of disease from wildlife to humans. Thus, landscape conservation can be treated as disease prevention. In order to prevent future pandemics, we urge world leaders to account for the following paradigm shifts outlined in this study: (1) place humans in ecological systems, (2) regard human health as an ecological service, (3) prioritize investments in prevention, and (4) apply ecological restoration to human health goals.
Featured in Global Health Institute
Climate Solutions Double as Health Interventions (2021)
Nicholas A. Mailloux, Colleen P. Henegan, Dorothy Lsoto, Kristen P. Patterson, Paul C. West, Jonathan A. Foley, and Jonathan A. Patz - Link to Publication
Climate change threatens human health through many pathways, such as heatwave mortality, and vector-borne infectious diseases. For this study, we analyzed 80 climate change solutions across nine sectors and split them into three main groups: reducing emissions, maintain and enhancing carbon sinks, and addressing social inequities. We provide an overview of how the climate change solutions can improve human health through better air quality, increased physical activity, healthier diets, reduced risk of infectious disease, improved sexual and reproductive health, and improved universal education.
Featured in Global Health Institute