Global environmental health: Using niehs science to help address the major environmental causes of death and disease around the world

The recent Global Burden of Disease and Comparative Risk Assessment study published in the Lancet in December 2012 again confirmed the significant burden of death, disease and disability associated with environmental exposures around the world. Previous analyses have estimated that roughly 23% of the total global burden of disease can be attributed to environmental factors. In recognition of this, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has given global environmental health issues a prominent place in its new strategic plan. A new Global Environmental Health (GEH) Program has been created to coordinate activities across the Institute and provide a focal point for external partnerships. This presentation will review the major environmental causes of death, disease and disability around the world and highlight research initiatives underway to increase understanding of the environmental role and effective interventions. It will also describe ongoing work to develop science-based indicators of health risk and progress towards solutions for “upstream” sectors whose activities influence health globally, such as energy, transportation and agriculture. Finally, the presentation will examine the linkages between environmental exposures and non-communicable diseases and NIEHS efforts to inform effective environmental interventions for non-communicable diseases.