The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic revealed the unambiguous impact of health disparities on morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 in frontline populations. Patients with chronic health conditions and Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities have disproportionally and dramatically suffered in the ongoing pandemic. The Clinical Climate Change Conference brought together a broad audience of allied health professionals seeking to improve understanding, performance and patient outcomes. It aimed at filling the current gap and provide learners with an opportunity for exposure to up-to-date evidence based information on climate change impacts. Mount Sinai TCEEE researchers and SAB partners discussed the role of community advocacy and ways to build new partnerships between community and health care leaders.
December 2020: Dr. Elza Rechtman awarded the 2019-2020 Postdoctoral Award For Excellence in Service to the Mount Sinai Community
We are excited to announce that Dr. Elza Rechtman is the recipient of the “2019-2020 Postdoctoral Award for Excellence in Service to the Mount Sinai Community” from The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and the Postdoc Executive Committee at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS). Dr. Rechtman’s peers have recognized the extraordinary service to the Mount Sinai community through advocacy and volunteering. Congratulations!
Dr. Sonali Bose talks about wildfires and COVID-19 with Spectrum News NY1
Wildfires may be causing more than just hazy skies across the country. Dr. Sonali Bose from the Institute of Exposomics spoke to Spectrum News NY1 about wildfires and their potential to worsen symptoms of COVID-19 and Flu. Dr. Bose worries poor air quality may worsen respiratory symptoms in patients with COVID-19 and flu. To read article (click here).
Sarah Evans and Lauren Zajac Provide Commentary for Pediatric Research
Commentary by Sarah Evans, PhD, MPH and Lauren Zajac, MD, MPH, provides an overview of recent regulatory rollbacks and highlights the need to promote and provide equitable access to clean drinking water for all children. Read at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41390-020-1062-8
Assessing capacity to social distance and neighborhood-level health disparities during the COVID-19 pandemic
P30 Center members Allan Just, Elena Colicino and team investigated neighborhood social disadvantage, capacity to social distance, and COVID-19 disparities in NYC. Here’s a link to the preprint: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.06.02.20120790v2
Dr. Corina Lesseur Recipient of the 2020 Basin O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Award
March of Dimes announces three young investigators as recipients of the 2020 Basil O’Connor Starter Scholar Research Awards: Dr. Ripla Arora from Michigan State University, Dr. Corina Lesseur from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Dr. Jamie Lo from Oregon Health & Science University. The annual award supports early-career scientists embarking on independent research careers who are committed to fighting for the health of all moms and babies. To read more click here.
Dr. Arora and Dr. Curtin were interviewed by the Miami Herald to talk about their recent study on teeth and it’s link to ALS
Dr. Manish Arora and Dr. Paul Curtin explain the methodology, results and conclusions of their study on teeth and its link to ALS. It is the first study to use teeth to show that from birth, patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis process metals in higher concentrations and do so differently than healthy individuals, bringing scientists closer to understanding what causes the debilitating disease. The paper was published in the journal Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology. To read the article click here.
Dr. Lauren Petrick Featured in NIEHS Center Spotlight
Mount Sinai TCEEE Center Member, Lauren Petrick, Ph.D., was featured in the NIEHS Center Spotlight. Her work identifies how molecular signatures in the body can tell a more complete story about prenatal and neonatal chemical exposures. To read the Center Spotlight click here.
The Guardian Op-ed by Dr. Robert Wright
Dr. Robert Wright, Director of the Institute for Exposomic Research at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, wrote an Op-ed for The Guardian. In the Op-ed, “New year health kicks are Great–but your environment is also vital”, Dr. Wright discussed understanding how environment impacts health will empower us to make the lifestyle changes that matter most. “Genes never work in isolation. Instead, they determine how we react to our diet, social surroundings, physical environment, infections and chemical exposures. Environment is the missing piece of the puzzle,” said Dr. Wright. To read the full article click here.
Dr. Megan Horton Speaks to Buffalo News about Chlorpyrifos
Dr. Megan Horton and Dr. Bruce Lanphear wrote an Op-Ed for Buffalo News where they discussed the need to protect children by banning chlorpyrifos. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo vetoed legislation to ban chlorpyrifos, a pesticide known to harm children. The governor announced that the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation would begin a process to ban the chemical. In a review of 27 human studies that examined organophosphate pesticides like chlorpyrifos, all but one found harmful effects on the developing nervous system. To read the full article click here.