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We study the impact of our surroundings, both natural and built, on health.
The field of environmental and occupational health covers everything from the air we breathe and the water we drink to the injuries and mental health challenges we may face at work. We strive to improve health by promoting practices and policies that reduce harmful exposures and protect vulnerable populations. From improving worker health and safety, to promoting healthy housing, to creating new tools to monitor air and water quality, we work to make our homes, our workplaces, and our communities healthier places for all.
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A graduate degree in environmental & occupational health prepares you to think critically about complex challenges and to design solutions that improve public health. When you leave one of our programs, you’ll be ready to address emerging environmental and workplace issues in a way that builds on science while prioritizing real people. Our graduates work in environmental health and safety, emergency management, environmental epidemiology, and workplace safety and health in private, nonprofit, and government organizations.
Our center hosted our third annual recognition event to honor the commitment and achievements of some of our key partners. At our core, we partner with researchers, community groups, industry and government to collaborate across all we do.
"Steve has an ability to work with anyone and bring together people to collaborate in a way that advances a greater mission," said Newman at the awards ceremony. "A multidimensional human being who has mentored many and contributed to science and to the betterment of workers around the world. Steve, thank you for your partnership."
Joshua Schaeffer, PhD, a former student of Reynolds and an assistant professor of Occupational and Environmental Health at CSU remarked that beyond Steve's accomplishments as a scientist, industrial hygienist, and a researcher, "he is just an absolutely amazing person. He's generous, he's gregarious, and hilarious. No matter what is going on, Steve is looking for opportunities to connect. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with Steve, but even more grateful for his friendship."The community group was recognized for its exemplary commitment and leadership in addressing the health, safety, and well-being of workers in the region.
Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) partnered with CHWE researchers on the Mental Health Emergency Preparedness for the School Workforce intervention study. Across six schools in CCSD, researchers created a psychological preparedness training for the public-school workforce, complimenting current emergency preparedness plans and drills. By working closely with the Safety and Security team to design and deliver this training, the director of Safety and Security, Ian Lopez, was extremely involved and ensured the team's success in garnering leadership approval, connecting the researcher team with the schools, and co-facilitating the trainings.San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council (SLVEC) has been a long-standing community partner of researcher and faculty member Kathy James, PhD, MSCE, MPH, and has been instrumental in her team's success over the past year. Their collaboration helped initiate our current study on the effects of drought and exposure to inorganic arsenic in the San Luis Valley and has continued to propel this project forward.
"Due to SLVEC's proxy to our research activities, they were quick to provide support in rallying community members for our agricultural worker Total Worker Health® study, despite being outside the scope of the SLVEC's field and usual activities," said Nicholas Stoll, MPH, professional research assistant on the James team. "Over the past year they have provided access to their historical water quality data; hired two staff members to help with on-the-ground community recruitment and engagement; and played a crucial role in pivoting our recruitment efforts when we were seeing a lack of community buy-in."
"I want to encourage everyone within the public health realm now because I know you're taking on a lot, to stay creative and courageous," said Christine Canaly, director of the SLVEC. "Public health will be leading the way as we face climate change and its impacts. You will be on the forefront of developing the necessary mitigation and tools and I thank you so much for your vision and leadership."
"Without [SLVEC], their vast network in the community, and their shared passion for the health and well-being for the agriculture workers in the community, we would not have been successful ... We can all learn from them and their example," said James.