The challenges of environmental health are diverse—ranging
from the chronic health effects of urban air pollution to the
immediate and long-term threat of toxic waste to increases in
infectious disease from unsafe water supplies. JSI staff provide
services at international, national, regional and local levels
advocating sound environmental policy, enhanced capacity for
managing programs, and strengthened grassroots organizations
at the community level to implement environmental health action.
As part of these endeavors, JSI documents its research and programs
to increase the understanding of how environmental elements contribute
to people's health.
Please note the following are listed in chronological order starting
with the most recent publication.
Needs Assessment Survey Report of K-12 Science Teachers on Cape Cod (PDF, 2.14 MB)
This report is a summary of results of a Needs Assessment Survey of K-12 Science Teachers in public and private schools on Cape Cod in Eastern Massachusetts. The study is part of a coordinated national initiative by the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to evaluate system-wide efforts and help shape future educational activities. The data will be used to define a baseline of estuaries education, identify and establish trends that could influence NERRS policy and strategic planning, and inform future educational priorities on Cape Cod and on National Estuarine Research Reserves across the country. JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. 2011.
Market Analysis Survey Report of Environmental Eudcation Programs and Resources on Cape Cod (PDF, 1.46 MB)
This report is a summary of results of a market analysis of environmental education and interpretive programs offered by organizations on Cape Cod in Eastern Massachusetts. It is part of a coordinated national initiative by the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to ensure the effectiveness of NERRS education activities across the country. Findings of the analysis will enable WBNERRs education staff to form collaborations with other environmental educators to meet training needs and to fill gaps and avoid overlap in educational programming for teachers, students, and community members in the region. It will be used for strategic planning and to inform future educational programs on Cape Cod and on National Estuarine Research Reserves across the country. JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. 2011.
Integrating Human and Animal Health for Conservation and Development: Findings from a Program Evaluation in Southwest Uganda (PDF, 2.63 MB)
This report documents the process through which a Ugandan conservation organization, Conservation through Public Health (CTPH), successfully integrated interventions to reduce threats to mountain gorillas and their habitat and improve the well-being of local communities directly dependent upon the health of the former (for ecotourism and natural resource use). JSI was instrumental in helping CTHP integrate family planning (FP) as a key primary health care intervention into its program around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Gaffikin, L and Kalema-Zikusoka, G. Conservation through Public Health, Evaluation and Research Technologies for Health, and John Snow, Inc. 2010.
JSI Adolescent Breast Cancer Curriculum (PDF, 188 KB)
This curriculum is for use in high school classrooms or in special sessions for youth to introduce breast cancer as a health topic. It focuses on health disparities affecting Latino populations. Using the curricula will help adolescents learn about breast cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and support services. It draws upon educational resources from Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Library of Medicine. John Snow, Inc., 2010.
Casa de Salud: A Model for Engaging Community in Lawrence, MA (PPT, 18.05 MB)
This presentation made at the Third International Conference on Children's Health and the Environment, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England. The presentation documents the approach and accomplishments of the Casa de Salud project.
Casa de Salud: A Model for Engaging Community is an outreach and education effort designed to engage the residents of highly stressed neighborhoods of Lawrence, Massachusetts, in activities to mitigate the health impacts of environmental toxins and their effects on public health. Casa de Salud has become an umbrella entity for several additional JSI collaborative programs that addressed issues such toxic exposures for Latino auto body workers, high rates of accidents and deaths for Latino construction workers, access to environmental resources for youth, the use of mercury for spiritual and superstitious purposes, exposures in the home that affect children's health, particularly high rates of pediatric asthma and lead poisoning, and reducing exposures in child care settings. Gretchen Latowsky, JSI Center for Environmental Health, 2009.
Madagascar: Scaling Up Across Sectors - The Growth of the Population Health Environment Program (PDF, 385 KB)
This case study, produced as part of JSI's Best Practices in Scaling Up series, describes the collaboration of population, health, and environmental (PHE) interventions to strengthen development efforts in Madagascar. Prior to JSI's PHE program, Madagascar's high population growth rate was a significant stressor both on its inhabitants and environment. In the early 2000s, JSI collaborated with various partners to apply PHE initiatives to address inhabitants' limited access to health care, family planning services, and agricultural extension services. The PHE program noticeably improved key health indicators and land-use practices during its span, and is now a model for other countries seeking to link health and environmental initiatives. G. Yvette Ribaira and Elaine E. Rossi, John Snow, Inc., 2008.
Waquoit Bay Cultural Needs Assessment (PDF, 546 KB)
Cultural competency is gaining recognition as an important element of open space/environmental management. This community cultural assessment obtained information about the demographics, beliefs, needs, and interests of recent immigrant populations whose first language is not English. The goal was to assist the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve to develop a well-targeted program that will better engage underserved populations in the Reserve's activities, both to enrich their lives and to enlist them as stewards of the coastal environment. Terry Greene, JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. 2008.
The Lawrence Campaign Leadership Story: Reducing Air Toxics Through Compliance Assistance for Spanish Speaking Auto Body Shop Workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts (PDF, 1.57 MB)
The following case study features the JSI Project Reducing Air Toxics through Compliance Assistance for Spanish Speaking Auto Body Shop Workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts. It has been named by the EPA Office of Air Toxics in Washington, DC as a National Model of Leadership for overcoming barriers of language, literacy, and cultural differences that prevented Spanish-speaking auto body shop workers from compliance with regulations.
Environment and Health: Learn About the Environment Where You Live. Protect the Health of Your Family and Community (PDF, 931 KB)
This tutorial by JSI walks you through the process of creating a profile of environment and health in your community. Residents, local officials, students, and others can use this as a guide to locating pollution sources and addressing health risks. Filled with valuable sources of information, it uses a case study of Woburn, MA, along with other community models. Patricia Coogan and Terry Greene, JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. August 2005.
JSI Health and Environment Contact Guides (PDF, 168 KB)
The JSI Center for Environmental Health Studies compiled this guide to provide ready starting points for individuals interested in investigating potential environmental sources of health problems in their communities.
From Confrontation to Collaboration: A Case Study of the Dow Chemical Company Hazardous Waste Site (PDF, 597 KB)
In January, 2004 JSI released a case study documenting a multi-year effort by residents of Wayland, Massachusetts to negotiate investigation and cleanup of a Dow Chemical Company Research and Development facility. The case study was written by Anne Marie Desmarais, MSPH, LSP and Irwin Silverstein, PH.D, P.E., LSP who served as Technical Advisors to the NED/DOW Neighbors Group. It documents a confrontational process that led to a collaborative working relationship among all parties as the residents concern were validated and addressed. January 2004.
Asthma and the Environment (PPT, 2.15 MB)
This presentation was made to the New Hampshire Public Health Network to share model best practices for communities to reduce the burden of asthma through addressing factors in home, school, community and workplace environments.
Asthma and the Environment - Contact Listing (PDF, 32 KB)
This listing was adapted from those compiled by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Asthma Control Program. It contains contacts that can help communities address asthma by improving environmental conditions. 2004.
Community best practice models on asthma and the environment: A resource for New Hampshire communities (DOC, 757 KB)
This listing of best practices is intended to help communities plan effective strategies, tailored to their community's unique needs and resources, to advance indoor and outdoor environmental protections that can protect residents from the harm caused by asthma. With a focus on New Hampshire, the models are of value to all communities. February 2004.
Ritual Use of Mercury: Assessment and Education Project Report (PDF, 233 KB)
In June 2003, JSI conducted an educational program and assessed the use of elemental mercury for spiritual, ritual, and cultural practices among Latino residents of Lawrence, Massachusetts. The study was conducted by Latino residents who have been hired and trained as environmental health educators in the community. JSI Center For Environmental Health Studies. 2003.
Finding Information on Environment and Health (PPT, 5.41 MB)
This PowerPoint presentation was created for JSI's Informed Communities Project. It showcases the environmental health resources available through the National Library of Medicine which communities can use to protect their environment and health. May 2003.
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