Translational Research Program

Translational Research applies scientific knowledge to policies, tools and techniques for the purpose of improving health outcomes. The Center's Translational Research Program focuses on applying our epidemiological understanding of the negative health effects of toxic air pollution exposure to inform climate change mitigation policy and air pollution regulations. 

Health Benefits of Climate Change Mitigation Policies 

Researchers at the Center are collaborating with partners at Harvard University's Center for Climate Health and the Global Environment (C-CHANGE), Boston University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to assess how  transportation strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions may impact children's health and address inequalities. The Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI) is a regional collaboration between twelve Northeast and mid-Atlantic states that aims to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector and improve regional transportation.

To Children under the U.S. Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative

A new study (under revision) by researchers at the Center has found that the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) has been successful in reducing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions and substantially improving children’s health. Initiated in 2009, RGGI, a partnership between nine Northeast states, is the country’s first regional market-based CO2 reduction program designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fossil-fuel-fired electricity plants.

To Children under the U.S. Transportation Climate Initiative

Researchers at the Center are collaborating with partners at Harvard University's Center for Climate Health and the Global Environment (C-CHANGE), Boston University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to assess how  transportation strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions may impact children's health and address inequalities. The latest TRECH project research update.

Benefits of NYC's Clean Heat Program

Researchers at the Center are estimating the benefits of NYC's Clean Heat Program to Air Pollution in New York City. Initiated in 2011, the regulation required buildings to convert from No. 6 and No. 4 heavy heating oils to cleaner fuels.

Publications/Op-Eds:

Scientific publications and press releases 2019-2021:

1. Potential health benefits of sustained air quality improvements in New York City: A simulation based on air pollution levels during the COVID-19 shutdown (Febuary 2021)
2. The Other Crisis (April 22, 2020)
3. Study Highlights High Cost of Fossil Fuel Pollution on Children’s Health (December 2019)
4. Towards a Fuller Assessment of the Economic Benefits of Reducing Air Pollution From Fossil Fuel Combustion: Per-case Monetary Estimates for Children's Health Outcomes (Dec 2019)
5. Towards a Fuller Assessment of Benefits to Children's Health of Reducing Air Pollution and Mitigating Climate Change Due to Fossil Fuel Combustion (May 2019)
6. Clean Air Taxis Cut Pollution in New York City: Study (May 2019)
7. The Case of Juliana v. U.S. Children and the Health Burdens of Climate Change (May 2019)
8.  Development and validation of a method to quantify benefits of clean-air taxi legislation (May 2019)