Environmental health is a branch of environmental sciences that examines the impacts of the environment on health and welfare, including quality of life.
In 2004 alone, 4.9 million deaths (8.3% of world total) and 86 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), were attributable to environmental exposures (Environmental Health, 2011). Environmental health research is critical given the large populations at risk and the multitude of environmental factors (e.g. biological and chemical agents, neighborhood safety, socioeconomic status, access to healthcare, etc.) that populations are exposed to over a lifespan. NORC is working with governmental agencies, researchers, and communities on projects intended to assess environmental health risks, to identify population sub-groups most susceptible to these risks, and to develop tools and strategies to facilitate these efforts. NORC is involved with National Institute of Health’s National Children’s Study, the largest and most comprehensive long-term study of children’s health and development in the U.S., tracking the health of 100,000 children from before birth through age 21.
NORC is contracted to evaluate how extant environmental data bases and exposure assessment tools can be used in the NCS to assess exposures to multiple contaminants in the air, water, soil and food. NORC is also funded by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to examine the relation between pollutant properties and hospital admissions in 4 United States (US) cities.
Other research projects include the development and validation of GIS-based spatio-temporal models to estimate air pollution exposures for any person living in the US as well as the application of new approaches to correct chronic mortality risks for exposure error.
NORC is able to draw upon its rich experience in data collection and analysis to provide its clients with data-driven conclusions and recommendations. NORC’s expertise and knowledge of nationwide survey data improves our ability to understand and improve human health through linking environmental and survey data and looking at various health outcomes more completely.
Specific areas of expertise include:
- Air Pollution
- Nanotechnology
- Climate Change
- Sustainability
- Environmental Justice
- International Health