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

Is Targeting Access to Sanitation Enough?

Commentary by Senior Fellow Stephen Luby (Medicine) explaining why many well-funded sanitation programs may actually be misguided because...
October 10, 2014 - By Stephen Luby, The Lancet

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The Hidden Leaks of Pennsylvania's Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells

Quotes Senior Fellow Rob Jackson on emissions from abandoned oil and gas wells
September 18, 2014 - By Peter Moskowitz, Guardian

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Study Finds Alarming Level of Lead in Pregnant Women

Discusses interim results of Environmental Venture Project-supported research showing link between pesticide use and lead poisoning. 
August 22, 2014 - By Rafe Sadnan Adel, Dhaka Tribune

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Biomass Burning Accounts for 18% of CO2 Emissions, Kills a Quarter of a Million People Annually

Describes new study by Woods Senior Fellow Mark Jacobson on the effects of wildfires and other burning on human health and the environment
August 5, 2014 - By Jeremy Hance, Mongabay.com

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