2026
Journal article | Journal of Environmental Health
Authors: Stokes, R., Bare, G., Del Rio, M., McCurdy, L., Tallon, L., & Dyjack, D. T.
Climate change represents a major emerging threat to children’s health and well-being, with negative effects extending far beyond environmental concerns. In comparison with adults, children are uniquely vulnerable due to physiological, physical, and behavioral dierences. The convergence of children’s unique vulnerabilities with climate change presents a public health issue that urges immediate, coordinated action across healthcare, public health, education, and policy sectors. The purpose of this special report is to inform environmental public health professionals about climate change impacts on children’s health and provide strategies for adaptation.
Maternal Mental Health and Climate Change: Bolstering Self-Efficacy Amid Environmental Uncertainty
Conference poster | Florida Perinatal Mental Health Conference: First 1000 Days, Tallahassee, FL
January 8, 2026
Authors: Mackie, J.F., Ghosh, J.K., Callins, K., Anderson, G.M.H., Kauth, J., Campbell, C., Alkon, A., McCurdy, L.
Climate change poses growing risks to maternal mental health, including anxiety, ecological grief, post-traumatic stress, and disruptions to social and economic supports. This presentation will explore strategies for disseminating and measuring the impact of factsheets across sectors, particularly in climate-vulnerable communities such as Florida.
2024
Performance indicators corresponding to the critical competencies in children’s environmental health
Journal article | Journal of Environmental Health
Authors: Del Rio, M., Lasley, P., Tallon, L., Kauth, JM, Bare, G., McCurdy, L., Etzel, RA.
This article, developed by Del Rio et al. (2023), outlines 12 critical competencies in an interdisciplinary approach to grappling with environmental health threats to children. These associated performance indicators map the proficiencies needed for competent performance in the public health sector and accurate assessment of environmental threats to children’s health.
Child Care and Climate Change: Implications for Policy and Practice around Extreme Heat, Disease Vectors, and Mental Health
Conference Poster | American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN
Authors: Mackie, J.F., & Alkon, A.
Environmental Health: Foundations for Public Health textbook
Authors: Sampson, N., Tallon, L., DeJarnett, N.
Chapter 17 of this book focuses on Children's Environmental Health and was authored by Nse Obot Witherspoon, Executive Director for the Children’s Environmental Health Network (CEHN), as well as APHA CEH Chairs Leyla McCurdy and Kristie Trousdale.
2023
Journal article | Maternal and Child Health Journal
Authors: Trousdale K., McCurdy LE., Witherspoon NO., Alkon A.
This article highlights the growing collaboration between the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and the Environment (ENV) Sections of the American Public Health Association (APHA) as members bring their collective focus to the protection of children’s and pregnant people’s environmental health.
Critical competencies in children’s environmental health
Special report | Journal of Environmental Health, Page 26
Authors: Del Rio, M., Lasley, P., Tallon, Lindsay, Kauth, JM., Bare, G., McCurdy, L., & Etzel, R.A.
Competency in children’s environmental health allows for the development of interventions that can prevent the long-term and irreversible health outcomes that result from early environmental toxic exposures. This special report identifies 12 competencies that individuals can adopt to build their capacity as children’s environmental health professionals.