

Environmental Health
Improving health and equity by addressing critical environmental issues
Our Impact
See all Environmental Health Impacts

- 50+ years 50 years researching links between chemical exposures during pregnancy and health across generations
- PASSED the most aggressive climate bills in the country: CA SB 32 and SB 1383
- 10x more pollution episodes identified

Our Work
Our environment, the air we breathe, the food we consume and the climate around us profoundly impact our health. Communities of color and low-income populations are disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards and the impacts of climate change. PHI is in the vanguard of improving health and equity by addressing some of the most pressing environmental issues of our time. We undertake groundbreaking studies. We show how the built environment can influence whether or not an individual will develop asthma, cancer and other illnesses. We educate the public and policy makers about the impacts of climate change on public health, and more.
PHI Priority
Building Health Equity
A network of air monitors installed by community members in California’s Imperial County, with support from PHI's Tracking California, found 10 times more episodes of high particulate matter (PM2.5) levels than had been detected by the government’s regulatory monitors. The predominantly Latino Imperial County has exceeded state and federal standards for air quality measures for decades, and it has the highest asthma-related hospitalization rate for children in the state.
Programs
Active Programs
Achieving Resilient Communities (ARC)
California Occupational Health Surveillance and Evaluation Program (OHSEP)
Center for Climate Change and Health
Child Health and Development Studies
Public Health Trust
Regional Asthma Management and Prevention Program
Roots of Change
Science for Toxic Exposure Prevention
Tracking California

Take a virtual road trip through California with PHI’s Tracking California to see communities that are disproportionately burdened by toxic air pollution, and hear from voices and experiences of leaders who are engaged in air monitoring and other efforts to improve community air quality.
Work With Us
You change the world. We do the rest. Explore fiscal sponsorship at PHI.
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Together, we can accelerate our response to public health’s most critical issues.
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