Air pollution, extreme heat and cold, and health in the rural South
Air Pollution, Heat, Cold, and Health in the Rural South
This project looks at how air pollution and very hot or cold weather affect the health of people living in rural Southern communities, including Appalachia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251742 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work focuses on people who live in rural parts of the Southern U.S., with special attention to Appalachian communities and groups that face health disparities. Researchers will combine local air quality and temperature data with health records and demographic information to see how pollution and extreme temperatures relate to outcomes such as infant and older adult health. The team will compare patterns in rural areas to what is known from cities and look for community-level factors that increase risk. Findings will be used to suggest more protective policies and actions tailored to rural settings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who live in rural Southern counties—especially in the Appalachian region—including older adults, infants and their families, and other residents of these communities would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People who live outside the rural Southern U.S. or whose health issues are unrelated to air pollution or extreme temperatures are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to better warnings, policies, and local interventions that reduce harm from pollution and extreme temperatures in rural Southern communities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research in cities has linked air pollution and extreme temperatures to health problems, but applying those findings to rural Southern populations is less common and this work is relatively novel for that region.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bell, Michelle L — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Bell, Michelle L
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.