Why Neighborhoods Matter: Brain Development in Children

This episode explores how the environment, gut microbiome, and brain interact to influence the development and progression of Parkinson’s disease. We’ll also hear how better understanding these complex interactions can help scientists develop interventions to slow, or even stop, progression of the disease.

In this podcast, we’ll hear from Jasmine McDonald, Ph.D., who studies the link between hair product use and breast cancer risk among women of color. McDonald talks about differences in hair product use by race, what exposure to the chemicals in these products means for health, and an intervention study she is leading to reduce the use of hair products containing harmful chemicals among pregnant women of color.

In this podcast, Megan Herting, Ph.D., discusses why neighborhoods matter when it comes to brain and cognitive development. She also shares her thoughts on how we can promote neighborhood equity to improve children’s health and development.

In this podcast, we’ll hear from Dawn Brewer, Ph.D., who discusses how a eating a healthy diet may protect against the harmful effects of pollution.

In this podcast, we’ll hear from NIEHS grantee Aruni Bhatnagar, Ph.D., who leads the Green Heart Study, an ambitious and first of its kind project to examine the impacts of green neighborhoods on heart health.

In this episode, we’ll hear from Jessa Ellenburg, director of educational outreach at 2B Technologies. Ellenburg talks about why it’s important to get students and communities involved in citizen science and shares lessons learned from her more than 10 years in science education and outreach.

In this episode, Robert Bullard, Ph.D., often referred to as the father of environmental justice, shares his knowledge and insights from more than 40 years as a leading voice in the field. He also talks about the future of the environmental justice movement.

In this episode, we’ll hear about the power of partnering with the cooperative extension system for research translation. We’re joined by Molly Kile, Sc.D., and Allison Myers, Ph.D., who discuss how they work with Oregon State University’s cooperative extension to improve children’s environmental health across the state.

In this episode, Abbey Alkon, Ph.D., R.N., talks about her NIEHS-funded research to reduce pesticide exposures in child care centers and educate child care facility staff about integrated pest management. Her goal is to create healthy environments to support children’s early learning and development.

In this episode, NIEHS-funded scientist Phoebe Stapleton, Ph.D., talks about her research to track the movement and potential health effects of micro- and nanoplastics in the body. Plus, she offers practical tips to reduce your exposure to plastic particles.