Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
Fostering diverse and inclusive leaders in environmental health. Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health (Director: Dr. Ami Zota) + Environmental Health News (Media Partner).
https://agentsofchangeinej.org/
Ami R. Zota is an associate professor at George Washington University Milken School of Public Health, specializing in public and occupational health.
Source: Wikipedia
Environmental science
61%
Geography
15%
Pinned
A ๐งตon why our fellowship is changing.
In the first five years, weโve achieved so much:
๐ง๐พ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ฟ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฝ๐ฌWe have trained 57 fellows from 30 U.S. cities
โ๏ธ๐We have published 62 essays that have reached 1.7 million readers
๐ง๐คOur podcast has reached more than 80,000 listeners annually across platforms.
In the first five years, weโve achieved so much:
๐ง๐พ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ฟ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฝ๐ฌWe have trained 57 fellows from 30 U.S. cities
โ๏ธ๐We have published 62 essays that have reached 1.7 million readers
๐ง๐คOur podcast has reached more than 80,000 listeners annually across platforms.
From the Vault: Housing status should not determine access to clean, safe bathrooms
On World Toilet Day, we bring you an essay that argues that the absence of toilets isnโt just inconvenient. Itโs a matter of health, safety, and basic human dignity.
agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com
We just pulled a powerful essay from the vault that dives into why housing status should never determine access to a clean, safe bathroom.
๐ Read the essay: agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/from-the-v...
๐ Read the essay: agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/from-the-v...
For people experiencing homelessness, lack of bathrooms isnโt an inconvenience โ itโs a daily barrier to health, safety, and dignity. Many cities have 1 public toilet per 100+ people, far below the UNโs recommended 1:50 standard.
๐ฅ 3.5 billion people donโt have access to safe toilets.
Thatโs almost half the planet.
Thatโs almost half the planet.
๐ฝ Itโs World Toilet Day โ yes, thatโs a thing.
And it matters more than most people realize. A ๐งต๐
And it matters more than most people realize. A ๐งต๐
From the Vault: Why housing security is key to environmental justice
Across U.S. cities, a new wave of mayors is putting housing justice on top of the agenda. Mแปน Dzung Chu reminds us why seeing housing as a human right and a public health matt is more urgent than ever.
agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com
As housing took center stage in local elections, weโre revisiting an essay by MyDzung Chu as part of our From the Vault series.
She reminds us that housing justice isnโt just about affordability; but itโs about health and belonging ๐ฑ๐๏ธ
๐ Read here: agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/from-the-v...
She reminds us that housing justice isnโt just about affordability; but itโs about health and belonging ๐ฑ๐๏ธ
๐ Read here: agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/from-the-v...
The Hidden Devastation of Hurricanes
Their health effects extend far beyond official death tolls.
www.newyorker.com
๐ช๏ธ @newyorker.com just spotlighted former Agents Of Change fellow @robbieparks.bsky.social!
His research reveals the invisible health toll of hurricanes โ from chronic illness to mental health impacts long after storms end.
Read more ๐
www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
His research reveals the invisible health toll of hurricanes โ from chronic illness to mental health impacts long after storms end.
Read more ๐
www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
Big news! ๐ฅ
Dr. @amizota.bsky.social, our founder and director, just received the David P. Rall Award from @apha.org for her trailblazing work on toxic chemicals and health equity. ๐ฟ๐
Hereโs to science that protects us all! ๐ช
Dr. @amizota.bsky.social, our founder and director, just received the David P. Rall Award from @apha.org for her trailblazing work on toxic chemicals and health equity. ๐ฟ๐
Hereโs to science that protects us all! ๐ช
Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
ยท Oct 13
From the Vault: Protecting Indigenous children means protecting water
For Indigenous Peoplesโ Day, we're republishing Kevin Patterson's essay, which illuminates the deep connections between environmental justice, cultural survival, and tribal sovereignty.
substack.com
This #IndigenousPeoplesDay, we revisit Dinรฉ Fellow in Residence Kevin Pattersonโs essay on how drought & water loss endanger not just survival, but culture & sovereignty.
๐ชถโ๏ธ Read here โ substack.com/home/post/p-...
๐ชถโ๏ธ Read here โ substack.com/home/post/p-...
What a James Beard award-winner taught us about ourselves
A recap of our fourth in-person retreat.
agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com
That time we met a James Beard Award winner ๐ฒ
At Kalaya, in Philly, Chef Nok Suntaranon reminded us that every story โ and every meal โ carries memory, care, and purpose.
Read our latest Substack post on what her story taught us about ours โฌ๏ธ agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/what-a-jam...
At Kalaya, in Philly, Chef Nok Suntaranon reminded us that every story โ and every meal โ carries memory, care, and purpose.
Read our latest Substack post on what her story taught us about ours โฌ๏ธ agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/what-a-jam...
Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
ยท Sep 30
โจ The Agents of Change retreat is back! For the 4th year, we gather in Philly to think about environmental health & justice. ๐๐ก #AgentsOfChange
Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
ยท Sep 24
NEW PAPER ALERTโ The Taking Stock study, a collab taking a look into the impacts of beauty products on Black and Latina women in California, just published new results.
@columbiauniversity.bsky.social , @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social , Silent Spring Institute, LA Grit Media and @bwwla.bsky.social
@columbiauniversity.bsky.social , @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social , Silent Spring Institute, LA Grit Media and @bwwla.bsky.social
Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
ยท Sep 23
Taking Stock-home - Taking Stock
About Our Research Our goal is to understand if the products used by women of color might harm their health. The Environment & Our Health The public health burden of breast cancer and otherโฆ
takingstockstudy.org
The Taking Stock Study is a community-academic partnership between:
๐ฉ๐ฝ๐ฌ @columbiauniversity.bsky.social Mailman School of Public Health
๐ฉ๐ฝ๐ @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social
๐ฑ Silent Spring Institute
๐ฅ LA Grit Media
๐@ bwwla.bsky.social
Learn more abput it here: takingstockstudy.org
๐ฉ๐ฝ๐ฌ @columbiauniversity.bsky.social Mailman School of Public Health
๐ฉ๐ฝ๐ @ucsantabarbara.bsky.social
๐ฑ Silent Spring Institute
๐ฅ LA Grit Media
๐@ bwwla.bsky.social
Learn more abput it here: takingstockstudy.org
Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
ยท Sep 23
๐ Bottom line: Womenโs choices can help reduce exposure โ but equity, affordability, and policy reforms are key to safer products for everyone.
Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
ยท Sep 23
๐ก๐ฉ๐ฝ๐ฆฑ Community groups like @ bwwla.bsky.social host Curls & Conversations workshops to share safer beauty tips. Efforts like these empower women โ but systemic change is essential.
Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
ยท Sep 23
โ ๏ธ BUT: โThe burden to protect oneself from risky products should not be on the consumer,โ says Dr. Lariah Edwards, lead author and assistant director at Agents of Change.
๐ Stronger policies + transparency in labeling are needed to protect all communities.
๐ Stronger policies + transparency in labeling are needed to protect all communities.
Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
ยท Sep 23
๐ Women who avoided parabens also showed lower exposures โ though results werenโt statistically significant. Still, the pattern is clear: shopping clean matters.
Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
ยท Sep 23
โจ Findings:
๐Black women who avoided fragrance had less than half the levels of a phthalate metabolite.
๐Latinas who avoided oxybenzone (a sunscreen chemical) had much lower levels in their bodies.
๐Black women who avoided fragrance had less than half the levels of a phthalate metabolite.
๐Latinas who avoided oxybenzone (a sunscreen chemical) had much lower levels in their bodies.
Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
ยท Sep 23
๐ฌ Researchers analyzed urine samples from 70 women for 28 chemicals (like phthalates, parabens, oxybenzone, BPA).
They compared results with each womanโs shopping habits.
They compared results with each womanโs shopping habits.
Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
ยท Sep 23
๐๐งด Choosing safer personal care products can help lower exposure to harmful chemicals.
A new study of Black & Latina women in South LA shows that shopping choices do make a difference. ๐๐งต
A new study of Black & Latina women in South LA shows that shopping choices do make a difference. ๐๐งต
Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
ยท Sep 17
๐ฃ๏ธ Ever pitched an op-ed and heard nothing back?
Join an online roundtable w/ editors from Nature, The Conversation, & Undark to hear what worksโand what doesnโt.
๐๏ธ Sept 25
โฐ 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET
๐ป Online
๐ Register:
ucla.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
๐ This session is exclusively for our AoC fellows.
Join an online roundtable w/ editors from Nature, The Conversation, & Undark to hear what worksโand what doesnโt.
๐๏ธ Sept 25
โฐ 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET
๐ป Online
๐ Register:
ucla.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
๐ This session is exclusively for our AoC fellows.
Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
ยท Sep 10
From the vault: Water injustice on display in the Southwest US
To introduce our fellows in residence, we'll be sharing their previous essays โ most are as timely as when they were first published.
agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com
In a powerful essay, Dinรฉ scientist Dr. Valerisa Gaddy reflects on how history, policy, and privilege shape these disparities.
๐ Read Dr. Joe-Gaddyโs full essay via Substack: agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/from-the-v...
๐ Read Dr. Joe-Gaddyโs full essay via Substack: agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/from-the-v...
Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
ยท Sep 10
And for Dinรฉ/Navajo families, the inequity is even more staggering: theyโre 67x more likely to live without clean water than other Americans.
Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
ยท Sep 10
Native Americans are 19x more likely to lack access to safe, reliable water.
Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
ยท Sep 10
Black and Latino households are 2x more likely to be without clean water compared to white households.
Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
ยท Sep 10
From the vault: Water injustice on display in the Southwest US
To introduce our fellows in residence, we'll be sharing their previous essays โ most are as timely as when they were first published.
open.substack.com
๐จ Did you know that 2.2 million people in the U.S. still donโt have basic drinking water or plumbing? This crisis doesnโt affect everyone equally. A ๐งต on our latest Substack, available here: agentsofchangeprogram.substack.com/p/from-the-v...
Agents of Change
@agentschangeej.bsky.social
ยท Sep 10
Hazards & Hopes | Yoshira Ornelas Van Horne | Substack
Mostly things on environmental health, sometimes popculture, lots of tajin. Click to read Hazards & Hopes, by Yoshira Ornelas Van Horne, a Substack publication. Launched a month ago.
yoshiravh.substack.com
๐จ New on Substack!
Dr. @yoshira.bsky.social โ exposure scientist, EJ scholar & our assistant director โ is bringing her creative, snarky, but hopeful voice to a new newsletter, "Hazards & Hopes" ๐
Expect:
๐ Publications
โ๐ EJ insights
๐ค Advice + more
Follow her ๐
Dr. @yoshira.bsky.social โ exposure scientist, EJ scholar & our assistant director โ is bringing her creative, snarky, but hopeful voice to a new newsletter, "Hazards & Hopes" ๐
Expect:
๐ Publications
โ๐ EJ insights
๐ค Advice + more
Follow her ๐
From the vault: Water injustice on display in the Southwest US
To introduce our fellows in residence, we'll be sharing their previous essays โ most are as timely as when they were first published.
substack.com
๐ง New on Substack: Water injustice in the Southwest US
From AI data centers draining fragile supplies to the Navajo Nationโs centuries-long fight for water rightsโthis essay shows why water is life, but access is never equal.
Read here ๐ substack.com/home/post/p-...
From AI data centers draining fragile supplies to the Navajo Nationโs centuries-long fight for water rightsโthis essay shows why water is life, but access is never equal.
Read here ๐ substack.com/home/post/p-...
Opinion: A love note to brown women facing beauty injustices
The collective definition of beauty needs to change to protect workers and women of color from toxic chemicals.
www.ehn.org
Read Denise Moreno's essay on beauty and her research with hair salon workers, who are exposed to these and other harmful chemicals daily:
www.ehn.org/beauty-justi...
www.ehn.org/beauty-justi...
Op-ed: Itโs not just hair โ fighting beauty injustice beyond the individual
Black people are bearing the brunt of the burden of the social, economic and physical costs of beauty. We need to shift conversations, research and interventions.
www.ehn.org
Want to learn more? Check out Marissa Chang's essay exploring the hidden cost of beauty for Black Women and... www.ehn.org/beauty-justi...
