Descriptions of Environmental Health Mock Interview Jobs.Xlsx

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Descriptions of Environmental Health Mock Interview Jobs.Xlsx Position Title Organization Responsibilities Qualifications Compensation Classification Industry Air Quality NYC Department of The Bureau of Environmental Surveillance and Policy (BESP), Division of $63,622‐ Environmental Government Environmental Health, within The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), works to inform and improve environmental health policies and Specialist Health and Mental For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and $79,899/ year Health programs through conducting environmental health surveillance and epidemiologic environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree Hygiene studies, analyzing program data, conducting research, and disseminating findings from an accredited college or university with a specialization in through reports and public and internal data portals. BESPs work covers a range of an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental topics including air quality, extreme weather events, asthma, acute poisoning, science or in public health. To be appointed to Assignment exposures to pesticides, mercury, and other toxicants, child care services, and Level II and above, candidates must have: 1. A doctorate restaurant food safety. BESP is seeking an individual with experience in air pollution degree from an accredited college or university with monitoring and analysis to coordinate field operations, data quality assurance and specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, conduct independent analyses on air quality data for the DOHMH New York City environmental or social science and one year of full-time Community Air Survey (NYCCAS). experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or 2. Specific responsibilities include: A master's degree from an accredited college or university with - Coordinate ambient air pollution sampling and monitoring studies for DOHMH in specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, cooperation with Queens College. environmental or social science and three years of responsible - Conduct short term field surveys to measure ambient air pollutants. full-time research experience in the appropriate field of - Oversee air monitoring data quality assurance and quality control activities. specialization; or 3. Education and/or experience which is -Conduct field surveys to identify potential monitor installation locations. equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must -Create maps, standard operating procedures, and manage data for environmental have at least a master's degree in an appropriate field of data collection specialization and at least two years of experience described in - Conduct descriptive analyses of air pollution and emissions data. "2" above. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can -Participate in conducting analyses of the health impacts of air pollution be substituted for the experience required in "1" and "2" above. - Develop and contribute to the development of presentations, scientific and public reports, web content and other products to document methods, disseminate study findings within and outside the agency. EcoHealth Alliance seeks an organized, self-motivated research assistant for our Research Ecohealth Alliance economics and disease emergence programs. The successful candidate would be DOQ Environmental Non‐ Assistant (ecohealthalliance.org) expected to liaise closely with Program Staff to evaluate wildlife trade, land-use Health profit/NGO change, and pandemic risk. Responsibilities of the Research Assistant will include • BA degree in economics is preferred performing statistical analyses on large datasets, data mining and literature reviews, • Candidates with Master's degree in disease ecology, researching detailed background on projects both new and old, and designing and epidemiology, or a related field running simulations of theoretical models that integrate economics and ecology. The • Candidates with experience in data analysis, publications, candidate should be self-motivated and proactive in seeking to collaborate on current behavioral survey design are preferred projects and designing new research projects that fit with the mission and direction of • Excellent written and verbal communication skills EcoHealth Alliance. • Familiarity with Microsoft Office, EndNote, and open source statistical software, preferably R. Responsibilities: • An understanding of life sciences and emerging diseases is a Mine relevant data and construct unique data sets plus • Provide modeling and analytical support to EcoHealth Alliance scientists • Design surveys and questionnaires • Provide detailed background on projects • Assist with grant and manuscript writing • Have responsibility for some grant The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is a non-profit health-advocacy Research Center for Science in group based in Washington, D.C., that focuses on nutrition and food safety. CSPI DOQ Environmental Non‐ Associate, Food the Public Interest publishes Nutrition Action Healthletter , the nation’s largest circulation health newsletter. Health profit/NGO CSPI provides valuable, objective information to the public; represents citizens’ Safety interests before legislative, regulatory, and judicial bodies; and ensures that advances in science are used for the public’s good. CSPI is supported largely by the 900,000 U.S. and Canadian subscribers to its Nutrition Action Healthletter and by foundation grants. Master’s degree (epidemiology, public health or environmental preferred) from an accredited graduate school; or two to three The Food Safety department works to ensure that government regulators, policy years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent makers, and industry work harder to protect American consumers from the threats of combination of education and experience. food contamination and to reduce the burden of foodborne illnesses. The Research • Excellent research, data management and analysis Associate manages large volumes of data and provides research and project support experience. to the Director of Food Safety. • Excellent writing skills with the ability to define problems, collect data, establishfacts, and draw valid conclusions. Responsibilities: • Must have excellent organizational skills and attention to • Help maintain Outbreak Alert database including data analysis, and developing detail. • Computer proficiency with MSOffice, specifically annual reports. • Update the Food Safety website as needed. Access, Excel and Word; database management skills; and • Provide assistance with reports, research and other project-related tasks including experience with Internet-based researchtools. data collection and analysis, writing, proof reading and editing. • Ability to work independently is essential; and ability and • Attend meetings on current food safety issues and report back to the project Director.• willingness to work as part of a team. Perform cite-checking of major documents for Food Safety staff. • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with • Prepare speeches, PowerPoint presentations and other materials for presentation by multiple priorities and frequent deadlines. different members of the department. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including • Keep department informed of food safety news and information, as appropriate. public speaking experience. •Meet with individuals and groups to discuss data-related issues covered by Food • Ability to work with mathematical concepts, including statistics Safety project. and epidemiological analysis. • Assist Director with Codex related matters and other informational issues as they • Interest and commitment to CSPI’s work and mission. arise. • Coordinate with International Association of Consumer Food Organizations / Safe Food International (IACFO/SFI) and Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD). • Coordinate scheduling, budget, travel, and department staff meeting agenda, as needed. • Provide administrative support including respond to requests for information, copy and fax materials maintain paper and electronic files handle incoming mail prepare Service National Center for The Service Fellow will plan and conduct studies related to environmental health for Environmental Government NCHS reports, scientific journals, and presentation at scientific meetings. In addition, Fellowship in Health Statistics, CDC the Fellow will contribute to the geographic-linkage activities of SPB. Geographically Health linked data files enable researchers to xamine potential contextual factors that Environmental Applicants must have successfully completed a master’s influence chronic disease, health care utilization, morbidity, and mortality. The Fellow degree or higher in biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental Health will provide technical consultation and assist with evaluation and dissemination of health, or a related field (e.g., medicine, economics, or health geographically linked data for the purposes of environmental health research. sciences). Experience or applied coursework in collecting, computing, and analyzing statistical data and applying statistical NCHS is the nation’s principal health statistics agency, and its mission is to collect and techniques is required. Strong skills using SAS, STATA, SPSS, compile accurate, relevant, and timely statistical information to guide actions and SUDAAN, or other statistical software for complex data are policies that improve
Recommended publications
  • One Health Newsletter
    The One Health Newsletter is a collaborative effort by One Health Newsletter a diverse group of scientists Winter 2014 Volume 7, Issue 1 and health professionals committed to promoting This quarterly newsletter is dedicated to enhancing the integration of animal, human, One Health. and environmental health for the benefit of all by demonstrating One Health in practice. In this issue: Co-Editors 1 Transition Announcement Mary M. Merrill, MHS One Health Center of Excellence for Bruce Kaplan, DVM, Mary M. Merrill, MHS, and Sarah K. White, MPH Research & Training, University of Florida 2 Texas National Veterinary Stockpile Exercise [email protected] Holly Hughes-Garza, DVM and Michael Poole, MSPH, CPH, MEP Sarah K. White, MPH One Health Center of Excellence for 4 Coming (Back) to America? What 2013 Can Teach Us about Dengue Research & Training, University of Florida in the United States [email protected] Tyler Sharp, PhD Associate Editors 6 An Analysis of the Linkages between Public Health & Ecosystem Ariena van Bruggen, PhD Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Integrity, part 2 of 6 University of Florida Steven A. Osofsky, DVM and Anila Jacob, MD, MPH Helena Chapman, MD, MPH College of Public Health & Health 9 ISAAH-7: One Health Focus on Environmental and Aquatic Professions, Animal Health University of Florida Andrew S. Kane, MS, PhD Gregory C. Gray, MD, MPH, FIDSA 9 One Health in Practice: The Florida Interagency Wildlife Disease College of Public Health & Health Working Group Professions; One Health Center of Excellence Samantha M. Wisely, PhD for Research & Training, University of Florida 10 ProMED Quarterly Update Ramiro Isaza, DVM, MS Jack Woodall, PhD College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida 15 Advancements in One Health Andrew S.
    [Show full text]
  • Applying an Ecohealth Perspective in a State of the Environment Report: Experiences of a Local Public Health Unit in Canada
    Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2015, 12, 16-31; doi:10.3390/ijerph120100016 OPEN ACCESS International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ISSN 1660-4601 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph Article Applying an Ecohealth Perspective in a State of the Environment Report: Experiences of a Local Public Health Unit in Canada Steven Lam 1,2,*, Alanna Leffley 2 and Donald C. Cole 3 1 Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada 2 Grey Bruce Health Unit, 101 17th St E, Owen Sound, Ontario N4K 0A5, Canada; E-Mail: [email protected] 3 Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3M7, Canada; E-Mail: [email protected] * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: [email protected]; Tel.: +1-519-830-8202. Academic Editor: Paul B. Tchounwou Received: 10 November 2014 / Accepted: 15 December 2014 / Published: 23 December 2014 Abstract: We applied an Ecohealth perspective into a State of the Environment report for Grey Bruce Health Unit and summarized environmental and health data relevant for public health practice. We aimed for comprehensiveness in our data compilation, including: standard media categories (e.g., air, water, land); and ecological indicators (e.g., vectors, forests, wetlands). Data sources included both primary (collected by an organization) and secondary (assembled by others). We organized indicators with the Driving forces-Pressure-State-Exposure-Effect-Action (DPSEEA) framework created by the World Health Organization. Indicators of air, water and land quality generally appeared to point towards a healthy state.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction to Ecohealth
    EcoZD-FBLI Ecohealth/One Health training course 27-30 May 2013, Pullman hotel, Hanoi Introduction to Ecohealth Nguyen Viet Hung Center for Public Health and Ecosystem Research Hanoi School of Public Health Content • Ecohealth: history and concept • Ecohealth: main principles • Application of ecohealth in SEA • Integrative Approach What is Health? Negociating Health A STATE: “... of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease” (WHO Constitution, 1948). “The extent to which an individual or group is able, on the one hand, to realize aspirations and satisfy needs; and, on the other hand, to change or cope with the environment.” (WHO, 1984). Ecosystem? Ecosystem is a description of interaction between biota and environment of a place in a given period (Allen et al 1993). Global context of health Zoonoses Sick animals Global context of health Climate Happy Unusually Heavy Travel Change Rainfall Farmers In short time Energy: labour, fossil fuel, Large Scale technology Efficient Poultry Production EverythingFood is Connected – Happy Exports Consumers It’s a web, notFeed a Importschain Water Offal, Deadstock Political Manure Decentralization’ Deregulation DWT, 2012 Ecohealth Ecohealth framework assumes human, animal, and environmental health are integrally related Zoonoses Sick animals Ecohealth: Ecosystem approaches to health A way of thinking about and tackling complex problems at the intersection of health, environment, livelihoods and development Ecosystem approaches to health • Systemic, participatory approaches to understanding and promoting health and wellbeing in the context of complex social- ecological interactions. • Ecosystem approaches to health formally connect ideas of environmental and social determinants of health with those of ecology and systems thinking in an action-research framework applied mostly within a context of social and economic development (Charron).
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report Annual Report
    ANNUAL REPORT 2013 PROVIDING FOCUS AND LEADERSHIP FOR RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND KNOWLEDGE DISSEMINATION IN ANIMAL-RELATED ASPECTS OF PUBLIC HEALTH Welcome elcome to the 2013 Annual Report for the VISION W Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses! The Through our engagement in research, education, past year has been a busy one. Our Annual Symposium and knowledge dissemination, members of in June was attended by almost 200 people from CPHAZ will identify and solve problems and the University of Guelph and collaborations from implement solutions in public health at the human- animal-environmental interface, contribute to animal and human public health organizations at rapid response to new and emerging zoonotic all levels of government. CPHAZ student members diseases, and highlight the societal relevance were involved in a number of activities, from our of veterinary medicine in public health. CPHAZ annual “meet and greet the public health community” will create and support productive and effective lunch to the MPH forum held in November. The working relationships between researchers in CPHAZ research laboratories are being used by an diverse fields, advance education related to increasing number of scientists to conduct cutting zoonoses and public health and will forge new edge research. In this year’s annual report, we relationships with human public health activities. have featured some of the work by CPHAZ members in the thematic area of surveillance, as well as highlighting some of our member’s projects in other areas of animal and human public health research. Many of these initiatives involve collaboration with government scientists and collaborators from other academic institutions, and we look forward to continually expanding these networks.
    [Show full text]
  • Where to Now for One Health and Ecohealth?
    EcoHealth 13, 12–17, 2016 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-016-1112-1 Ó 2016 International Association for Ecology and Health Forum Where to Now for One Health and Ecohealth? Emma Mi,1 Ella Mi,1 and Martyn Jeggo2 1Polygeia, Cambridge, UK 2Geelong Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases (GCEID), Deakin University Medical School, Deakin University, Geelong, 25 South Shore Avenue, Melbourne, VIC 3030, Australia Keywords: One Health, Ecohealth, public health, human health, environmental health, animal health INTRODUCTION emphasis on optimising ecosystem health to benefit human health. It is traditionally applied in a development context: Whilst subdivided and with complex interactive origins, socioeconomic development activities give rise to social two broad groups, One Health and Ecohealth, currently factors (e.g. poverty reduction) which improve health but characterise global efforts to tackle the health of people, also ecological factors (e.g. natural resource depletion) animals and our environment. One Health and Ecohealth which threaten health. These factors are exacerbated by have much in common conceptually in the issues they social inequity factors (Charron 2012b). Ecosystem ap- address (although they differ in their emphasis) and insti- proaches use an action-research framework informed by six tutionally in their emphasis on interdisciplinary collabo- principles: systems thinking, transdisciplinarity (incorpo- ration, but both suffer from limited resources and support. rating nonacademic knowledge of communities and deci- We explore the possibilities for further convergence or sion makers), multi-stakeholder participation, unity. sustainability, social and gender equity and knowledge-to- action (Charron 2012b). Ecological approaches to public health, represented EVOLUTION OF ECOHEALTH mainly by the field of environmental health, seek to understand and mitigate physical and social environmental Ecohealth seeks to understand how social, economic and factors affecting health.
    [Show full text]
  • Patterns of Asthma Exacerbation Related to Climate and Weather in the Orn Theast Kingdom of Vermont Quincy Mckenzie Campbell University of Vermont
    University of Vermont ScholarWorks @ UVM Graduate College Dissertations and Theses Dissertations and Theses 2016 Patterns Of Asthma Exacerbation Related To Climate And Weather In The orN theast Kingdom Of Vermont Quincy McKenzie Campbell University of Vermont Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis Part of the Climate Commons, and the Nursing Commons Recommended Citation Campbell, Quincy McKenzie, "Patterns Of Asthma Exacerbation Related To Climate And Weather In The orN theast Kingdom Of Vermont" (2016). Graduate College Dissertations and Theses. 428. https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis/428 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Dissertations and Theses at ScholarWorks @ UVM. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate College Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ UVM. For more information, please contact [email protected]. PATTERNS OF ASTHMA EXACERBATION RELATED TO CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN THE NORTHEAST KINGDOM OF VERMONT A Thesis Presented by Quincy M. Campbell to The Faculty of the Graduate College of The University of Vermont In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science Specializing in Nursing January, 2016 Defense Date: October 29, 2015 Thesis Examination Committee: Sarah Abrams, Ph.D., R.N., Advisor Christine Vatovec, Ph.D., Chairperson Lesley-Ann Dupigny-Giroux, Ph.D. Ellen Watson, M.S.N., F.N.P. Cynthia J. Forehand, Ph.D., Dean of the Graduate College ABSTRACT Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by long- and short-term inflammation and bronchospasm susceptible to multiple triggers that affects patients across the lifespan. Asthma management is a primary care priority in Vermont, where there continues to be an above-average prevalence of asthma among both children and adults as compared to other states.
    [Show full text]
  • Disparity in Sin Nombre Virus Antibody Reactivity Between Neighboring Mojave Desert Communities
    VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES Volume XX, Number XX, 2018 ª Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2018.2341 A Tale of Two Valleys: Disparity in Sin Nombre Virus Antibody Reactivity Between Neighboring Mojave Desert Communities Risa Pesapane,1 Barryett Enge,2,* Austin Roy,3,{ Rebecca Kelley,4 Karen Mabry,4 Brian C. Trainor,5 Deana Clifford,3 and Janet Foley1 Abstract Introduction: Hantaviruses are a group of globally distributed rodent-associated viruses, some of which are responsible for human morbidity and mortality. Sin Nombre orthohantavirus, a particularly virulent species of hantavirus associated with Peromyscus spp. mice, is actively monitored by the Department of Public Health in California (CDPH). Recently, CDPH documented high (40%) seroprevalence in a potentially novel reservoir species, the cactus mouse (Peromyscus eremicus) in Death Valley National Park. Methods: This study was performed in the extremely isolated Mojave Desert Amargosa River valley region of southeastern Inyo County, California, 105 km from Death Valley, approximately over the same time interval as the CDPH work in Death Valley (between 2011 and 2016). Similar rodent species were captured as in Death Valley and were tested for select hantaviruses using serology and RT-PCR to assess risk to human health and the conservation of the endemic endangered Amargosa vole. Results: Among 192 rodents tested, including 56 Peromyscus spp., only one seropositive harvest mouse (Reithro- dontomys megalotis) was detected. Discussion: These data highlight the heterogeneity in the prevalence of hantavirus infection even among nearby desert communities and suggest that further studies of hantavirus persistence in desert environments are needed to more accurately inform the risks to public health and wildlife conservation.
    [Show full text]
  • Climate Change and Health: Transcending Silos to Find Solutions
    Annals of Global Health VOL. 81, NO. 3, 2015 ª 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. ISSN 2214-9996 on behalf of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aogh.2015.08.002 VIEWPOINT Climate Change and Health: Transcending Silos to Find Solutions Catherine Machalaba, MPH, Cristina Romanelli, MSc, MA, Peter Stoett, PhD, Sarah E. Baum, Timothy A. Bouley, MD, Peter Daszak, PhD, William B. Karesh, DVM New York, NY; Montreal, Canada; and Washington, DC Abstract BACKGROUND Climate change has myriad implications for the health of humans, our ecosystems, and the ecological processes that sustain them. Projections of rising greenhouse gas emissions suggest increasing direct and indirect burden of infectious and noninfectious disease, effects on food and water security, and other societal disruptions. As the effects of climate change cannot be isolated from social and ecological determinants of disease that will mitigate or exacerbate forecasted health outcomes, multidisciplinary collaboration is critically needed. OBJECTIVES The aim of this article was to review the links between climate change and its upstream drivers (ie, processes leading to greenhouse gas emissions) and health outcomes, and identify existing opportunities to leverage more integrated global health and climate actions to prevent, prepare for, and respond to anthropogenic pressures. METHODS We conducted a literature review of current and projected health outcomes associated with climate change, drawing on findings and our collective expertise to review opportunities for adaptation and mitigation across disciplines. FINDINGS Health outcomes related to climate change affect a wide range of stakeholders, providing ready collaborative opportunities for interventions, which can be differentiated by addressing the upstream drivers leading to climate change or the downstream effects of climate change itself.
    [Show full text]
  • From One Health to Ecohealth, Mapping the Incomplete Integration of Human, Animal and Environmental Health
    From One Health to Ecohealth, mapping the incomplete integration of human, animal and environmental health Serge Morand (CNRS-Cirad), Jean-François Guégan (INRAE-IRD), Yann Laurans (IDDRI) Over the last twenty years several concepts have emerged advancing the integration of human health into its animal and ecological environment. In the context of the environmental crisis, particularly global warming and biodiversity collapse, as well as economic globalization, some of these concepts have today taken on a significant media and political dimension. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has underlined the less than satisfactory integration of these issues. This Issue Brief provides a critical analysis of the various concepts proposed, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, considered from the perspectives of the effective integration of sustainable development dimensions and their policy implementation. KEY MESSAGES The One Health approach, and the tripar- Finally, the Planetary Health concept stems from tite association between the World Health a recognition of the planet’s limits, proposing an Organization (WHO), the World Organisation inclusive approach with a particular emphasis on for Animal Health (OIE), and the United Nations the social dimensions of health, but has not led Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), had to practical and effective recommendations. great potential for the integration of all dimen- sions of the issues raised by the risk of human infectious diseases of animal origin (zoonoses). Overall, two issues are apparent, firstly the dif- However, this concept has largely maintained ficulty of truly integrating the three dimensions the disconnection, instead favouring a veterinary of human, animal and environmental health, infectious disease approach, lacking a real capac- and secondly the difficulty involved in the pol- ity to address environmental dimensions and the icy implementation of the concepts, potentially means to develop policy instruments.
    [Show full text]
  • Intertwined Strands for Ecology in Planetary Health
    challenges Perspective Intertwined Strands for Ecology in Planetary Health Pierre Horwitz 1,* and Margot W. Parkes 2 1 Centre for Ecosystem Management, School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia 2 School of Health Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 31 January 2019; Accepted: 8 March 2019; Published: 14 March 2019 Abstract: Ecology is both blessed and burdened by romanticism, with a legacy that is multi-edged for health. The prefix ‘eco-’ can carry a cultural and political (subversive) baggage, associated with motivating environmental activism. Ecology is also practiced as a technical ‘science’, with quantitative and deterministic leanings and a biophysical emphasis. A challenge for planetary health is to avoid lapsing into, or rejecting, either position. A related opportunity is to adopt ecological thought that offers a rich entrance to understanding living systems: a relationality of connectedness, interdependence, and reciprocity to understand health in a complex and uncertain world. Planetary health offers a global scale framing; we regard its potential as equivalent to the degree to which it can embrace, at its core, ecological thought, and develop its own political narrative. Keywords: romanticism; ecosystems; rationality; relationality; living systems; interdependence 1. Introduction Viewing health in the context of the living systems on which humans and other species depend, is not a new idea. Ecological thought offers a rich entrance to understanding these living systems, with its emphasis on connectedness and interdependence. This understanding is coherent and foundational within many human knowledge systems (consider Indigenous cultures, through to Hippocrates: Airs, Waters, Places) but has been overlooked and poorly addressed in our current framing of how we consider health and well-being in society, including in public health policy and health-related scholarship.
    [Show full text]
  • Aeroallergens, Allergic Disease, and Climate Change: Impacts and Adaptation
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Springer - Publisher Connector EcoHealth 6, 458–470, 2009 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-009-0261-x Ó 2009 The Author(s). This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Review Aeroallergens, Allergic Disease, and Climate Change: Impacts and Adaptation Colleen E. Reid1 and Janet L. Gamble2 1Environmental Health Sciences Division, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 50 University Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720 2Global Change Research Program, National Center for Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (MC 8601P), Washington, DC 20460 Abstract: Recent research has shown that there are many effects of climate change on aeroallergens and thus allergic diseases in humans. Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration acts as a fertilizer for plant growth. The fertilizing effects of carbon dioxide, as well as increased temperatures from climate change, increase pollen production and the allergen content of pollen grains. In addition, higher temperatures are changing the timing and duration of the pollen season. As regional climates change, plants can move into new areas and changes in atmospheric circulation can blow pollen- and spore-containing dust to new areas, thus introducing people to allergens to which they have not been exposed previously. Climate change also influences the concentrations of airborne pollutants, which alone, and in conjunction with aeroallergens, can exacerbate asthma or other respiratory illnesses. The few epidemiological analyses of meteorological factors, aeroallergens, and allergic diseases demonstrate the pathways through which climate can exert its influence on aeroallergens and allergic diseases.
    [Show full text]
  • Seoul Orthohantavirus in Wild Black Rats, Senegal, 2012–2013 Moussa M
    DISPATCHES Seoul Orthohantavirus in Wild Black Rats, Senegal, 2012–2013 Moussa M. Diagne, Idrissa Dieng, Laurent Granjon, Héloïse Lucaccioni, Abdourahmane Sow, Oumar Ndiaye, Martin Faye, Khalilou Bâ, Yamar Bâ, Mamoudou Diallo, Oumar Faye, Jean-Marc Duplantier, Mawlouth Diallo, Pascal Handschumacher, Ousmane Faye, Amadou A. Sall Southeastern Senegal has become a major trade Hantaviruses cause hemorrhagic fever in humans worldwide. However, few hantavirus surveillance cam- area because of urbanization and substantial im- paigns occur in Africa. We detected Seoul orthohanta- provement of its road and rail networks in the late virus in black rats in Senegal, although we did not find 1990s (7). Within a few years, these changes led to the serologic evidence of this disease in humans. These rapid spread of a major invasive rodent species, the findings highlight the need for increased surveillance of black rat (Rattus rattus [family Murinae]), which is a hantaviruses in this region. reservoir for Seoul orthohantavirus (SEOV) (4,5,7). To assess the prevalence of hantaviruses in rodents, we antaviruses (family Hantaviridae, genus Ortho- screened for hantaviruses in R. rattus rats and com- Hhantavirus) are RNA viruses transmitted by aero- mensal or peridomestic co-existing rodents in 2012– solized excreta from infected rodents and shrews. In 2013, approximately 15 years after the 1998 opening humans, they cause hemorrhagic fever with renal of a tarred road in eastern Senegal. syndrome (more often observed in Asia and Europe) and cardiopulmonary syndrome (more common in The Study the Americas) (1). Only 1 case has been confirmed The national ethics committee for research of Senegal in Africa, in the Central African Republic in 1987 (2).
    [Show full text]