11th - Marie Lynn Miranda - Fostering Environments to Sustain Our Children's Health
In Fostering Environments to Sustain Our Children's Health, Dr. Marie Lynn Miranda, Dean of the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment, explored the complex interactions between environmental toxins, social stressors, and child health. She emphasized that children in low-income communities face heightened risks from lead exposure and other environmental hazards, which are compounded by factors like inadequate healthcare, poor housing, and high poverty rates.
Miranda highlighted the role of advanced data analysis in identifying at-risk neighborhoods and shaping targeted interventions. She also discussed how enriching environments—such as providing books and mentorship—can help mitigate the neurological effects of lead poisoning. Her lecture underscored the need for proactive, science-based solutions to create safer, healthier spaces for all children.
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