Public Health

The environment factors into public health on multiple fronts. To address them, Woods brings Stanford’s world-class medical scholars together with experts on environmental health and other disciplines to solve complex challenges in areas where resources are scarce. Scholars with our Water, Health and Development program are working with partners in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean to deliver affordable water supply and sanitation services in a way that enhances human health through safer, more sustainable water and wastewater management. In Haiti, an initiative run by Stanford graduate students is reducing water contamination from human waste while creating jobs and compost. In Bangladesh, a team led by Woods researchers is developing low-cost chlorination devices that treat water at the point of collection for thousands living in urban slums. In Senegal, researchers funded by Woods’ Environmental Venture Projects program are pioneering natural – and effective – approaches to curb the spread of schistosomiasis, a deadly neglected tropical disease. Read on to learn more about these projects and other work Stanford researchers are doing to sustain the health and well-being of people around the world.

In The News

How Walking in Nature Changes the Brain

Features research co-authored by Woods Senior Fellow Gretchen Daily (Biology) about how a walk in nature affects the brain.
July 22, 2015 - By Gretchen Reynolds, New York Times / Well

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How Giant Prawns Could Fight Tropical Disease and Poverty

Quotes Woods Senior Fellow Giulio De Leo (Humanities and Sciences) and Woods Affiliate Susanne Sokolow on their research using prawns...
July 20, 2015 - By Ed Young, National Geographic

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River Prawn Becomes New Weapon Against Schistosomiasis

Discusses research findings from  Woods Senior Fellow Giulio De Leo (Biology), Woods Affiliate Susanne Sokolow and other researchers on...
July 20, 2015 - By Faith Lapidus, Voice of America

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Can You Prescribe Nature?

Discusses research, co-authored by Senior Fellow Gretchen Daily (Biology) on the mental health benefits of time in nature
July 8, 2015 - By Helen Briggs, BBC News

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