UR Environmental Health Community Engagement

06/02/2026

What if pregnancy could help predict health decades later?

As the number of women with metabolic and neurological diseases rises, our researchers are furthering our understanding of how environmental exposures during pregnancy (like chemicals found in plastics) may influence long-term maternal health.

This work is part of a broader shift in medicine ➡️ recognizing pregnancy as a window into future health, with implications for prevention, early detection, and public health policy.

05/28/2026

The new department combines nationally recognized strengths in toxicology, epidemiology, policy, and community health research and will build upon decades of leadership in environmental health, prevention science, and community engagement.

05/28/2026

05/22/2026

The "Meet the Plastics" fact sheets created by our Lake Ontario MicroPlastics Center (LOMP) are a featured material for the Partnerships for Environmental Public Health (PEPH) Resource Center.
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/environmental-medicine/lake-ontario-microplastics-center/resources

University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry
University of Rochester
RIT Collaborative for Plastic and the Environment
Rochester Institute of Technology

05/04/2026

The SHARE conference focused on advancing health equity through addressing four important themes: access to care, financial toxicity, health literacy and psychosocial impact for those living with breast or gynecologic cancer.

04/30/2026

Today is the last day of National Healthy Homes Month! The last two principles are affordable and ready. Access or lack of access to safe and healthy housing impacts every aspect of someone’s life.
Learn more about access to housing from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development: https://www.hud.gov/helping-americans

Ready is referring to being prepared for when natural disasters strike. You can act proactively and take steps to ensure that your home is a safe place to be before, during, and after extreme weather events!
Learn more about preparedness here: https://www.ready.gov/kit

04/27/2026

The National Center for Healthy Housing

04/27/2026

The eighth and ninth healthy home principle is thermally controlled and accessible. Ensuring your home is thermally controlled is important since prolonged exposure to extreme heat or cold can lead to various health problems.
Increasing accessibility in and out of your home can help decrease trips, falls and isolation. Accessibility can help improve mental health and physical activity. Is your home accessible?

Learn how to improve access here: https://www.cdc.gov/prepare-your-health/create-community/improve-access.html

04/24/2026

The sixth and seventh healthy home principles are contaminant- free and maintained. Chemical exposure includes lead, radon, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, PFAS, and environmental to***co smoke. These exposures are far worse inside than outside.
Maintaining your home can reduce moisture and pest problems. Deteriorating lead paint is the leading cause of lead poisoning.

Take this virtual house tour to learn about reducing contaminants and maintaining a home: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/environmental-health-sciences/community-engagement-core/projects-partnerships/healthy-homes/tour

04/24/2026