Public Health Archives - Women For a Healthy Environment

The Data Is Clear, Schools Need More Funding to Protect Health and Succeed

When we send our children to school, we expect them to be in a safe, healthy environment that promotes learning and growth. Unfortunately, for too many Pennsylvania students, that’s not […]

New Report Reveals Persistent Environmental Risks Facing Pennsylvania Schoolchildren

Pittsburgh, PA — Aug. 20, 2025, Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) unveiled the State of Environmental Health in PA Schools 2025 report, the most comprehensive statewide assessment ever conducted […]

Public Health Highlighted This Week

National Public Health Week is here; we are taking this time to celebrate progress and highlight successes but also making a commitment to you. Last week, public health was impacted. […]

Meet Mia Meridith: Supporting Families Through Healthy Homes Assessments

At Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE), our team is committed to helping families create healthier living spaces. One of the newest members of our team, Mia Meridith, brings a […]

From Diagnosis to Advocacy: Jackie’s Story of Radon Awareness

Every January, we spotlight the critical importance of radon awareness and action. This year, we are privileged to share Jackie’s powerful story—a journey from an unexpected lung cancer diagnosis to […]

A Year in Review – 2024

As 2024 ends, I’m proud of the work Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) has accomplished. The numbers reflect the dedication of our staff, but the true impact lies in […]

Warren County, NC and the Earliest Protests of the Environmental Justice Movement

The year was 1982. To remind you of that time, here is a list of several global and national events that were happening, to jog your memory: And in that […]

Breathing Easy: New Study Shows Dramatic Improvement in Childcare Center Air Quality

Every child deserves to breathe clean air, especially during their crucial developmental years. However, indoor air pollution can pose a significant health threat, especially for children with asthma or respiratory […]

Top 20 for All the Wrong Reasons: Pittsburgh’s Air Quality Crisis

Pittsburgh’s air quality consistently ranks among the worst in the nation, placing the city in the top 20 for year-round and short-term particle pollution. This pollution poses serious health risks, […]

Town Hall to Highlight Allegheny County Water Quality

We will be hosting a Town Hall on Thursday, 9/14 at the Homewood Community Engagement Center, Main Classroom 622 N. Homewood Ave., in Pittsburgh to discuss water quality ratings from […]

January is National Radon Action Month: Here’s What You Need to Know

Radon gas – it’s odorless, colorless, and the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. This invisible poison rises from the ground beneath our feet, a result of […]

Highlighting Community Health Worker Response to COVID-19

Over the past year, Women for a Healthy Environment received funding through the Allegheny County Health Department to support the expansion of our Community Health Worker team. Through this opportunity, […]

WHE celebrates the signing of the Infrastructure Bill and urges Congress to pass the Build Back Better Act

We celebrate President Biden’s signing of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act today. We also urge Congress to swiftly pass the Build Back Better Act that will provide funding for equally necessary steps to respond to climate change at scale, prevent families from having to choose between basic needs like childcare or housing, and remediate environmental hazards in our homes.

Forever Chemical (PFAS) Causes a Water Crisis

On July 16th, McKeesport, PA residents were advised to not use their tap water for any purpose following a fire in the community. It was believed that more than 500 homes could have water contaminated with PFAS, a toxic class of chemicals that had been released from a chemical-based firefighting foam, known officially as aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF).

Choosing Safer Sunscreens for the Summer

Written by Kelsea Siter, Americorps KEYS member Looking for safe sunscreen options for this summer? You have come to the right place! Sunscreen is one of the most important steps […]

The Link Between Environmental Factors and Alzheimer’s Disease

Although research shows that Alzheimer’s disease is mostly a genetic condition, the other 30% is said to be attributable to lifestyle factors and environmental risk factors.

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

EDCs can be found in many everyday products, including some plastic bottles and containers, liners of metal food cans, detergents, flame retardants, food, toys, cosmetics and pesticides. Because of how they are incorporated into products and packaging, EDCs can take a really long time to break down, which makes them ever present in our natural environment. EDCs have been found in sources of drinking water, and in fact, some of the chemicals used to treat drinking water, in particular disinfectant by-products, are known EDCs.