The Lincoln Team Partners with the US EPA

In collaboration with Kristen Rappazzo, an epidemiologist at the United States EPA, the Lincoln project is investigating associations between short term environmental exposures such as air pollution and Out of Hospital Premature Natural Death (OHPND). Lincoln and EPA researchers will work together to combine and leverage datasets using case-crossover designs to determine the impact of physical, chemical, and biological factors on OHPND and evaluate potential interventions.

One of the primary goals of the Lincoln Project is to develop a multidisciplinary approach to health and wellbeing. Environmental factors, such as air and groundwater quality and neighborhood walkability, have a direct impact on communities but are largely unable to be directly controlled by community members. Positive environmental change is often a result of local and national policy. As a project focused on rural health, Lincoln is particularly interested in exploring the unique environmental challenges faced by those living in rural areas. Understanding these challenges and their impact on community health is the first step to mitigating the results of poor environmental conditions on community members and influencing environmental improvement through local and national policy.