GeoHealth Perspectives on Integrated, Coordinated, Open, Networked (ICON) Science

Area of Science:

• GeoHealth research integrates earth and human systems to address environmental challenges.
• Focuses on climate change, pollution, and natural hazards impacting human well-being.

Background:

• GeoHealth excels in integrated science but lacks coordinated open science efforts.
• Environmental injustice disproportionately affects frontline populations, limiting their access to a healthy environment and decision-making power.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight barriers and opportunities for advancing environmental justice within GeoHealth.
• To explore applying an equity-centered framework to promote health equity in GeoHealth.

Main Methods:

• Review of current GeoHealth practices and their alignment with environmental justice principles.
• Analysis of barriers and opportunities for implementing an equity-centered framework.

Main Results:

• Identified a need for improved networked efforts and open science in GeoHealth.
• Highlighted the potential for GeoHealth to advance environmental justice and health equity through equitable practices.

Conclusions:

• GeoHealth has a significant opportunity to promote environmental justice and health equity.
• An equity-centered framework can guide GeoHealth research and collaboration towards fairer environmental and health outcomes.