Most of the United States' population live in or around cities. The urban environment includes the often degraded natural environment, industry, and housing and social conditions such as poverty and violence that affect health. This course examines key urban physical and social health hazards including lead, asthma, overweight and obesity, poor housing, transportation, sprawl, racial segregation, and income inequality. It highlights solutions to current problems such as community empowerment, urban gardens, lead-safe yards, and integrated pest management in low-income housing. We include an environmental justice field trip in the Dudley St. Neighborhood Initiative area in Roxbury. Students will select and research a topic on urban environmental health as a final paper and for presentation in class.

Note that this information may change at any time. Please visit the Student Link for the most up-to-date course information.