Research on Chemical and Non-Chemical Stressors to Further Understand How Cumulative Impact Assessments Can Improve Children’s Health
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Research on how the interrelationships between chemical and non-chemical stressors impact the health, well-being, and quality of life of vulnerable groups throughout their lifecourse is fundamental to cumulative impacts research. The Total Environment framework can be used to address cumulative impacts research for priority public health concerns where the total burden of chemical and non-chemical stressors and their interactions affect these outcomes. Children are exposed to both chemical and non-chemical stressors at different lifestages throughout their lifecourse. Exposure to some chemical stressors (e.g., pesticides, metals, perfluorinated compounds) is routinely measured and assessed. Research on non-chemical stressors (e.g., poverty, climate change, extreme weather events, violence, food insecurity, lack of access to greenways and recreational facilities, inadequate health care) is less routine in the context for potential combined effects with chemical stressors. To advance our understanding of the relationships among chemical and non-chemical stressors in support of cumulative impacts research, we need to understand how non-chemical stressors influence the biological response to a chemical exposure, ultimately affecting health and well-being. To do this, we have employed a multi-pronged approach including systematic literature reviews, meta-analyses, and analysis of secondary data. Our efforts are focused on two childhood public health challenges – obesity and neurocognitive health – with assessments showing that both are influenced by a myriad of stressors. Our presentation will expand on our methodological approach, results to date, and how a cumulative impacts research approach can be used to improve these outcomes. By understanding how health, well-being, and quality of life are influenced by our everyday environments, we can begin to understand what we can do to improve conditions for individuals living in overburdened communities.