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. Many of our colleagues, scientists, researchers, policy experts, grant managers, and educators, were dismissed from key federal agencies. These are experts in their field, tasked […]
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 wealth of experience in community health and self-care education. We sat down with Mia to learn more about her journey and the vital work she’s […]
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 becoming a leading voice in radon safety advocacy. Jackie, a lifelong non-smoker and active member of her community, was shocked to learn she had lung […]
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 the stories shared by those we’ve helped as noted further below: Renovated 15 homes, addressing health hazards Held 90 community workshops, educating over 1,300 people […]
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 year, in the deep south, in predominantly rural communities in Warren County, NC the birthplace of the environmental justice movement in the United States emerged. […]
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 sensitivities. WHE recently released a study focused on improving air quality within childcare centers. The results are truly remarkable, demonstrating the impact of targeted interventions […]
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, especially in underserved communities where residents face higher exposure to industrial emissions. The Mon Valley, home to significant industry, has long been plagued by toxic […]
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 our collaborative report, Measuring Up, Grading drinking water quality, affordability, and transparency practices in Allegheny County Water Systems. The Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory for Water Research, […]
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 decaying radioactive radium in the rock beds and soil. It then enters buildings through cracks in the foundations, potentially accumulating to dangerous levels if left […]
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, Community Health Workers obtain specialized COVID-19 training to provide education and connection to resources in the communities they are working in. Additionally, WHE has partnered […]
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 in protecting and preventing our skin from harmful levels of radiation, sun damage, and skin cancer. Many of us buy sunscreen based on the SPF […]
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.
Something’s in the Water
A System Analysis on Quality and Transparency in Allegheny County Community Water Systems Is the tap water healthy to drink? Where is information about levels of contaminants in drinking water found? How are ratepayer concerns brought to the attention of water systems? What measures do water systems have in place to protect consumers from exposures […]
WHE Recognizes World Cancer Day
As WHE recognizes World Cancer Day, we want to take a moment to shed light on the impact the environment and environmental exposures have on our health, specifically our risk for cancer.
Community Health Worker Virtual Summit
Learn best practices CHW’s should follow and hear from local community health workers & CHW leaders making neighborhoods stronger in Southwestern PA.
Obesogens: Hidden Chemicals
Having trouble losing those last couple of pounds? It may be the hidden chemicals in your food. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)are found in a variety of our food, consumer products, and other daily items (be on the lookout for another blog going into more detail about EDCs). EDCs impact hormones and are linked to a variety […]
“A-ha” moments
The importance of Public Health. “A-ha” moments usually come when you least expect them, even during the most ordinary experiences. Sophomore year of college I was sitting in my infectious disease class and I was introduced to a term that I had never heard about- public health. I realized that all the aspects that I […]