This research project aims to fill existing gaps in cumulative burden analysis, including air and water pollution burdens, and to better inform locally-tailored policies and strategies to mitigate…

This Project Grant award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Research Program (CFDA 66.509) provides $500,000.00 in funding to Physicians, Scientists, And Engineers For Sustainable And Healthy Energy, Inc. (PSE) to develop a Cumulative Burden Index (CBI) for Georgia and New Mexico. The project aims to fill gaps in cumulative burden analysis, including air and water pollution, to inform locally-tailored policies and strategies that mitigate environmental health disparities in underserved communities in those states. Key activities include developing statewide CBIs, integrating community-driven priorities to create high-resolution local CBIs for Bernalillo County, NM and Richmond County, GA, and applying the analysis to case study facilities to generate policy recommendations and identify best practices. Project sub-awardees include the University of New Mexico, Los Jardines Institute, and Georgia Women's Action for New Directions, who will support community engagement, qualitative data collection, and research translation efforts. The award has an ultimate completion date of April 29, 2025.

This research project aims to fill existing gaps in cumulative burden analysis, including air and water pollution burdens, and to better inform locally-tailored policies and strategies to mitigate environmental health disparities in selected partnering underserved communities in georgia and new mexico. Activities:the research project will develop a statewide cumulative burden index (CBI) for georgia and new mexico using a novel health impact analysis method. The project will then integrate community-driven priorities to develop local high-resolution cbis for bernalillo county, NM and richmond county, GA. Finally, the project will apply the analysis to case study that facilities in each county to inform local policy recommendations and identify best practices for similar efforts nationwide.subrecipient:university of new mexico ($389,429) - UNM will provide legal and policy analysis and support engagement with community groups and oversee the engagement activities and qualitative data collection and analysis tasks, working with DR. Nunez and other CO-investigators on analyses for aim 2. LOS jardines ($389,454) - LOS jardines will engage community leaders and host grassroots community workshops to disseminate research and to describe broader resident's perspectives on cumulative burdens; conducting community focus groups; and host public convenings to VET qualitative research findings and solidify recommendations for integrating local data. Georgia wand ($313,820) - georgia wand will engage community leaders and host grassroots community workshops to disseminate research and to describe broader resident's perspectives on cumulative burdens; conducting community focus groups; and host public convenings to VET qualitative research findings and solidify recommendations for integrating local data.outcomes:deliverables include annual and final research reports, peer reviewed journal publications, and scientific reports as well as educational materials and policy recommendations for state and local public health agencies, environmental managers, health professionals, and community planners and leaders. Expected outcomes include a reduction of harmful pollutant exposures and a general improvement in environmental health among residents in the underserved communities in georgia and new mexico. Intended beneficiaries include state and local public health agencies, environmental managers, health professionals, community leaders, and vulnerable populations in the underserved communities in georgia and new mexico.