Research

Water Quality

Water contamination comes from naturally occurring sources (e.g. uranium or selenium) and human activity (e.g. agricultural production) and can result in negative human health outcomes. Atrazine and nitrate are important for agricultural production, but frequently make their way into groundwater, sometimes contaminating private drinking wells. Atrazine exposure is associated with various negative reproductive outcomes such as pre-term delivery, low birth weight, and birth defects. Nitrate exposure in drinking water is also associated with many negative health outcomes such as methemoglobinemia (“blue baby syndrome”), specific types of cancer and birth defects. This is particularly important for Nebraska as one in five citizens rely on private wells for drinking water, which are not routinely tested or regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act.

The Water, Climate and Health Program is dedicated to researching the human health outcomes associated with water contamination, with primary focus on water quality issues of relevance to Nebraska, such as nitrate and atrazine contamination of private drinking wells.

See our projects and publications on water quality & health.

Climate Change

The Water, Climate and Health Program is committed to exploring the ways that climate change and extreme events impact human health. We have a focus on issues most relevant to Nebraska and the Northern Great Plains like extreme heat, flooding, and drought.

As the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation contribute to Earth's climate changing, social/environmental determinants of health like air quality, water quality, heat exposure and access to food and secure shelter are impacted. This means that shifts in our climate have consequences to our communities and our health. The consequences to human health are sometimes immediate, like a drowning death from flooding or heat stroke cases during a heatwave. Other times. these consequences are delayed or indirect. For example, a drought that creates ideal conditions for mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus. All people are vulnerable to health impacts associated with climate change, but some populations are more at-risk than others. In the United States, these populations are typically people of color, children, older adults, and people in low income communities.

See our projects and publications on water quality & health.

Flooding, Drought, & Extreme Weather

Precipitation patterns have changed nationwide over the past century. Currently, there are increased flooding risks, increased yearly precipitation estimates and future rising projections of winter precipitation. This is particularly relevant in Nebraska, since it is one of the most flood-prone states in the nation. For example, Nebraska experienced experienced the costliest inland flooding event in history during 2019, which was attributed to variable climate and extensive rivers.

The consequences of flooding are sometimes immediate, like injuries or drownings. On the other hand, consequences like water contamination or infrastructure damage are delayed. By researching flooding population impacts, we can enhance public health readiness and reduce future costs.

Like flooding, drought also has significant health implications. While it is often associated with agriculture, drought has caused more international deaths than other climate disasters through famine and malnutrition. A drought can become a threat multiplier by reducing an areas water quality/quantity, causing poor air quality, and intensifying heat waves and fires. While the U.S's understanding of drought's health linkages is evolving, it's threat multiplication as well as it's slow onset and indirect impacts underscore the importance of understanding it's impact on human health.

See our projects and publications on water quality & health.

Extreme Heat

The United States is experiencing more frequent and intense heatwaves than in the past, and this trend is expected to continue to worsen. For example, temperature is the leading cause of U.S. deaths among climate-related events. These deaths are caused by the spatial and temporal occurrence of extreme heat events, as these can occur multiple times a year in any location.

Increased hospitalizations can occur due to acute (e.g. heat stroke) and chronic (e.g. asthma and diabetes) health issues. Some populations are more at-risk, such as outdoor workers, student athletes, people without air conditioning, older adults and children. Extreme heat also puts stress on agricultural crops and livestock.

It is important to understand how extreme heat is affecting our populations. By better understanding these issues, we can better prepare our communities for these threats.

See our projects and publications on water quality & health.

Air Quality

Air quality profoundly impacts health and contributes to respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Exposure to pollutants like particulate matter and ozone correlates with respiratory infections, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases, which poses a substantial health risk. This is why research on air quality is crucial for targeted interventions, identifying emerging pollutants in evolving environments, and quantifying the health and economic burdens. Understanding specific pollutants and their sources informs policy decisions, promotes public awareness, and is essential for safeguarding community well-being in the face of ongoing urbanization and industrialization.

See our projects and publications on water quality & health.