Advancing Healthy Homes / Healthy Communities

Scientists have long recognized that indoor toxic hazards typically pose far greater risks to children’s health than outdoor exposures, because of the concentrated levels. Health hazards encountered in the home include:

1) Dust, mold, and pests which can cause asthma and respiratory ailments

2) Lead (and other heavy metals), pesticides, food additives, and other toxic materials which can result in learning disabilities, and behavioral and health problems

3) Dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide and radon which can result in long term brain damage, cancer, and death

These environmental toxins and their negative consequences can be viewed in our Burden of Unhealthy Housing Chart

In response to the risks that indoor toxic hazards pose to children and families’ health, the Center for the Human Rights of Children, Center for Urban Environmental Research and Policy, Center for Urban Research and Learning, Loyola University Medical Center, and Loyola Law School’s Civitas ChildLaw Center (“The Centers”) at Loyola University Chicago have developed the Advancing Healthy Homes/Healthy Communities – Tackling Environmental Disparities (HHHCI) project. The mission of the project is to develop Loyola University’s capacity as a leading educational institution with a commitment to building healthy homes and healthy communities free of environmental and social toxins. The project will use an integrative research and advocacy model to address the public health and housing problems associated with environmental toxins. This approach integrates a unique set of strategies and tactics, including applied research, public education, organizing, coalition building, legislative and policy advocacy, and policy implementation.

To view an illustration of our plan of action, please refer to our Research and Action Matrix

For the full concept paper, please click here: Advancing Healthy Homes / Healthy CommunitiesAdvancing Healthy Homes / Healthy Communities

Questions about the initiative should be brought to the attention of Adrian J. Segura or a member of the Steering Committee (see below)

*Includes Steering Committee members