In the fight against environmental health challenges, the Southern California Environmental Health Sciences Center (SCEHSC) stands at the forefront of innovative research, addressing the complex relationship between environmental exposures and major diseases. This film offers an in-depth look at the SCEHSC's efforts to explore how air pollution, metals, persistent organic pollutants, and social disparities contribute to health issues affecting the brain, lung, cancer, and metabolic diseases. By focusing on vulnerable populations and critical developmental periods, the SCEHSC aims to reduce the burden of disease caused by environmental factors.

Through a combination of human population studies, experimental model systems, and cutting-edge omics technologies, the SCEHSC embodies a multidisciplinary approach to environmental health science. The film showcases the center's use of genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics to unravel the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying disease. This comprehensive strategy not only enhances scientific rigor but also fosters translational science, bridging the gap between laboratory findings and real-world applications.

Highlighting the center's commitment to community engagement and environmental justice, the film reveals how the SCEHSC collaborates with affected communities to tackle issues like PFAS contamination in drinking water and industrial pollution. Through partnerships with local and state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders, the SCEHSC is developing science-based, equitable solutions to mitigate environmental health risks. This work not only advances our understanding of environmental health but also empowers communities and policymakers with the knowledge needed to protect public health effectively.

https://scehsc.usc.edu/