Health and wellbeing

Stanford researchers are uncovering the journey of microplastics in our environment and their effects on human health, while developing practical solutions to mitigate their impact.

Climate change has already contributed substantially to the global burden of dengue fever, a new study finds. Over 260 million people live in places where dengue incidence is expected to more than double due to climate change by mid-century. The findings could help with public health planning and developing ways to mitigate such risks.

Adolescents living in flood-prone areas of Bangladesh face dramatically higher rates of anxiety and depression than their peers in lower-risk regions, according to a Stanford-led study that highlights a hidden cost of climate change with potentially devastating long-term consequences.

A new study clarifies the importance of nature for mental health in urban settings and provides low-cost recommendations for improving public health in cities.

Erin Mordecai, a senior fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment, studies mosquitos to understand how climate change is affecting the spread of infectious diseases and uses mathematical modeling to predict future outbreaks.

Two Stanford assistant professors will lead interdisciplinary projects on environment and health with seed funding from the Center for Human and Planetary Health’s Early-Career Research Awards.

Stanford research shows that large, efficient scavengers are disappearing globally, allowing carrion to persist longer and creating opportunities for disease-carrying species like rodents to proliferate.

An epidemiologist is on a mission to reduce pollution where past efforts have failed—and end an environmental health nightmare.

Stanford students are helping rural energy non-governmental organizations put health at the center of energy decisions.

Scientists estimate that reducing harmful chemical emissions could cut cancer risks from smoke exposure by over 50%.

Dozens of faculty members at Stanford are working to transform the way the world grows, distributes, and consumes food, with research and scholarship spanning topics including sustainable food systems, food security, health equity, culture, and diet.

A collaboration between Stanford researchers and Indonesian organizations aims to capitalize on aquatic food sources to improve nutrition, food security, and livelihoods.

Tiny fragments of plastic that fail to break down have pervaded our water, food, ecosystems, and the human body. Experts explain impacts on our long-term health and what can be done to address the problem on a broader scale.

In light of the Los Angeles-area wildfires, Stanford experts spanning the fields of environmental science, medicine, and public health discuss what we know about wildfires’ health impacts, what remains a mystery, and how communities can better protect themselves from the increasingly common threat.

Influenza or flu virus remains infectious in refrigerated raw milk for up to five days, according to a new Stanford study. The findings come at a time when outbreaks of bird flu – a different subtype of the same influenza virus – in dairy cattle have raised concerns about the potential for a new pandemic.

A collaboration between Stanford researchers and Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil is turning tons of hospital textile waste into new products through upcycling. This innovative initiative not only reduces environmental impact but also empowers local seamstresses, creating economic opportunity for vulnerable communities.

Stephen Luby and Jenna Forsyth have spent years examining the widespread presence of lead, including in some commonly consumed products. They discuss the prevalence of lead and share insights on food safety policies, education, and lead-free alternatives.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences-based Natural Capital Project researcher discusses efforts to assess the effects of urban nature on mental health and wellbeing.

The director of the Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health and senior fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment says increasing women’s participation in discussions about climate change and health is key to finding solutions that will benefit a broad range of people.

U.S. tropical cyclones, including hurricanes, indirectly cause thousands of deaths for nearly 15 years after a storm. Understanding why could help minimize future deaths from hazards fueled by climate change.

Soil-packed floors common in rural, low-income households in developing countries are breeding grounds for intestinal diseases. Stanford epidemiologists and engineers are developing a lower-emission concrete flooring that could improve families’ well-being with less environmental impact.