Pregnant Women Living in Worse Neighborhood Conditions Were More Likely to Have Shorter Pregnancies and Smaller Babies

Author(s): Sheena Martenies, et al.

Who sponsored this study?

This research was supported by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, Office of The Director, National Institutes of Health.

What were the study results?

In this study, ECHO researchers found that pregnant participants living in neighborhoods with higher exposure index scores, which reflect worse neighborhood conditions, had shorter pregnancies and smaller babies. For Black pregnant participants, there was a higher risk of preterm birth linked to increased combined exposures during pregnancy compared to White pregnant participants. The researchers also found that pregnant women living in rural areas had shorter pregnancies and smaller babies compared to pregnant women living in urban areas who had similar scores on the combined exposure index.

Footnote: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should not make changes to your health without first consulting your healthcare professional.

What was the study's impact?

This study provides additional support suggesting that neighborhood conditions can impact pregnancy and infant health. The effects of combined neighborhood-level exposures on childhood health can have notable effects on a national scale. Lower birthweight and shorter pregnancies are associated with health challenges later in life, including asthma and developmental delays.

Why was this study needed?

Previous studies have found that neighborhood conditions can influence pregnancy and infant health, but few have examined the effects of exposure to a combination of environmental and social stressors. It is important to look at multiple exposures simultaneously because this more closely mirrors real-world experiences on people’s health outcomes.

Existing tools for looking at combined exposures to environmental and social conditions in neighborhoods do not have national coverage or they do not extend across the time frames needed. To address this issue, researchers developed an exposure index to examine the relationship between combined environmental and social exposures at the neighborhood level and pregnancy and infant health in ECHO cohorts.

Who was involved?

This study included more than 13,000 infants born between 2010 and 2019. The participants were from 41 ECHO cohorts located throughout the United States.

What happened during the study?

ECHO researchers developed an exposure index that combined data on multiple environmental hazards and social circumstances into a single measure of neighborhood conditions. The index included factors such as air pollutants, vehicle traffic, poverty, and crowded housing. Pregnant participants were assigned an index score based on where they lived during their pregnancy. Then, the researchers looked at how this index score was associated with birthweight, length of pregnancy, and other pregnancy outcomes.

What happens next?

More research is needed to determine which of the exposures in the index are most important to child health outcomes. Some members of the research team are studying data from two ECHO cohorts to see how these neighborhood-level exposures might interact to influence obesity later in life.

Where can I learn more?

Access the full journal article, titled “Associations between combined exposure to environmental hazards and social stressors at the neighborhood level and individual perinatal outcomes in the ECHO-wide cohort,” in Health & Place.

The content is the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Published July 21, 2022

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Pregnant Women Living in Worse Neighborhood Conditions Were More Likely to Have Shorter Pregnancies and Smaller Babies

During the Pandemic, Children Whose Parents Had Flexible Work Schedules and More Financial Security Were More Likely to Have Less Screen Time and More Sleep

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During the Pandemic, Children Whose Parents Had Flexible Work Schedules and More Financial Security Were More Likely to Have Less Screen Time and More Sleep

Authors: Traci Bekelman, Katherine Sauder, et al.

Who sponsored this study?

This research was supported by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program, Office of The Director, National Institutes of Health.

What were the study results?

Children with parents who were able to change their work schedule to care for their children during the pandemic had less screen time and slept longer at night. Children with parents who were stressed about money and access to food and therefore unable to change their work schedule, drank more sugary drinks, were less active, and slept less at night. Similar to pre-pandemic study results, what children ate and their level of physical activity differed by their age and sex.

Footnote: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should not make changes to your health without first consulting your healthcare professional.

What was the study's impact?

This study shows how children’s diet, physical activity, and sleep behaviors during the pandemic were linked to the work schedules and stress of their parents. Parents stressed about money may need help getting their kids to be more active, eat better, use technology less, and sleep more.

Why was this study needed?

The COVID-19 pandemic changed family habits and financial situations for many. ECHO researchers wanted to know how parents' coping strategies, stress, and financial situations affected their children’s health behaviors during the first seven months of the pandemic.

Who was involved?

This study included 3,315 children between 3 and 17 years from 50 ECHO cohorts across the United States. Information about the children’s sex, age, race, and ethnicity were reported by a parent or found in their medical records.

What happened during the study?

Parents answered questions about their child’s diet, physical activity, screen time, and sleep during the first seven months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The parents also described how they were personally coping with the pandemic and what they were most stressed about.

What happens next?

ECHO researchers will continue to look at how financial stress and parents’ work schedules affect children’s health behaviors. This will help guide future strategies to encourage healthy behaviors among children even during stressful times like a pandemic.

Where can I learn more?

Access the full journal article, titled “Sociodemographic Variation in Children's Health Behaviors During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” in Childhood Obesity.

The content is the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Published July 19, 2022

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During the Pandemic, Children Whose Parents Had Flexible Work Schedules and More Financial Security Were More Likely to Have Less Screen Time and More Sleep

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Children Gained Weight Faster

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During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Children Gained Weight Faster

Authors: Emily Knapp, Aruna Chandran, et al.

Who sponsored this study?

This research was supported by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, Office of The Director, National Institutes of Health.

What were the study results?

Results from this study show that during the COVID-19 pandemic, children gained weight at an increased rate compared to the years before the pandemic. Children who had obesity before the pandemic gained weight at a faster rate during the pandemic compared to children who were in a healthy weight range pre-pandemic. Children in higher income households were at a lower risk of excess weight gain during the pandemic.

Footnote: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should not make changes to your health without first consulting your healthcare professional.

What was the study's impact?

This study highlights the need for programs and services to prevent and reduce the physical and mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children.

Why was this study needed?

Childhood obesity is a serious health condition that can affect long-term health and quality of life. There was concern among researchers and doctors that the COVID-19 pandemic may cause incidence of childhood obesity to increase due to the closure of schools and cancellation of recreational activities, leading to less physical activity and changes in eating habits.

Who was involved?

This study included 1,966 participants ages 2 through 18 years old from 38 ECHO cohorts across the United States.

What happened during the study?

The researchers compared annual changes in children’s body mass index (BMI)—a measure used to estimate body fat—before and during the pandemic. The researchers also took into account child’s age, sex, race and ethnicity, pre-pandemic BMI, mother’s education, and household income.

What happens next?

Future studies should explore strategies to support families during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic continues to alter children’s lives, it will be important to monitor changes in health outcomes among children and use these data to build programs to reduce health inequities.

Where can I learn more?

Access the full journal article, titled “Changes in BMI during the COVID-19 Pandemic” in Pediatrics.

The content is the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Published June 30, 2022

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During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Children Gained Weight Faster

ECHO Study Finds Disparities across Racial, Ethnic Groups in Sleep Duration, Quality During Pregnancy

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ECHO Study Finds Disparities across Racial, Ethnic Groups in Sleep Duration, Quality During Pregnancy

Author(s): Maristella Lucchini, et al.

Who sponsored this study?

This research was supported by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, Office of The Director, National Institutes of Health.

What were the study results?

Non-Hispanic Black/African American participants slept less and reported more sleep disturbances compared with non-Hispanic White participants. Hispanic participants slept longer, had better sleep quality, and fewer sleep disturbances compared with non-Hispanic White participants.

Footnote: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should not make changes to your health without first consulting your healthcare professional.

What was the study's impact?

This study is the first to investigate and report differences in pregnant individuals’ sleep quality across racial and ethnic groups. If these results are replicated in other studies, they may suggest the need for targeted interventions to improve sleep health in pregnancy.

Why was this study needed?

Pregnant women from racial/ethnic minority groups are more likely to experience complications during pregnancy, and poor sleep during pregnancy is known to increase the risk of poor maternal health. People from racial/ethnic minority groups often experience worse sleep compared to non-Hispanic White people, but little is known about differences in sleep during pregnancy.

The objective of this study was to examine whether sleep differences during pregnancy among racial/ethnic groups was a factor that contributed to racial/ethnic disparities in overall maternal health outcomes.

Who was involved?

Researchers analyzed information from 2500 pregnant individuals from 14 ECHO cohorts across the United States who reported on their sleep habits during pregnancy. Participants self-reported race and ethnicity were grouped into Hispanic, non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black/African American, and non-Hispanic Asian individuals.

What happened during the study?

Participants completed questionnaires during pregnancy to report on their sleep duration, quality, and disturbances. Other information collected included maternal education level, pre-pregnancy weight, height, and age.

The researchers evaluated the association between sleep duration, quality, and disturbances in each pregnancy trimester across racial/ethnic groups.

What happens next?

Future studies should research what factors contribute to these sleep disparities at a personal level, family level, and beyond. They should also explore to what extent differences in sleep duration, quality, and disturbances might contribute to disparities in maternal and child health outcomes across racial/ethnic groups.

Where can I learn more?

Access the full journal article, titled “Racial/ethnic disparities in subjective sleep duration, sleep quality and sleep disturbances during pregnancy: an ECHO study” in Sleep.

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Published June 21, 2022

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ECHO Study Finds Disparities across Racial, Ethnic Groups in Sleep Duration, Quality During Pregnancy

Depression in New Mothers Is Common, Especially When Babies Are Born Too Early

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Depression in New Mothers Is Common, Especially When Babies Are Born Too Early

Author(s): Nicole Bush, Danielle Roubinov, Rashelle Musci, et al.

Who sponsored this study?

This research was supported by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, Office of The Director, National Institutes of Health.

Footnote: The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

What were the study results?

During the first five years following childbirth, one out of every five mothers who gave birth to a preterm baby had symptoms of depression, while one out of every ten mothers who gave birth to a full-term baby had symptoms of depression. For mothers of preterm infants, it was also more common to have symptoms that got worse over time compared to women who gave birth to full-term babies. The most severe symptoms of depression were seen in women who gave birth early.

Footnote: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and for answers to your personal questions.

What was the study's impact?

This study supports previous reports that many mothers struggle with their mental health after giving birth, and women who have preterm babies may be particularly at risk for symptoms of depression—such as sadness, stress, anxiety, and feelings of being overwhelmed. Maternal mental health can influence their child’s health and development. Right now, doctors only screen women for depression symptoms when they are pregnant and for six months after they have their babies. This study shows that some women continue to struggle with depression for years after they give birth or start experiencing depression when their children are older. This trend was especially true for women whose babies were born prematurely. This study shows the importance of asking women about their mental health for much longer than six months after they give birth and helping them find supportive interventions.

Why was this study needed?

The postpartum period can be especially hard for mothers when babies are born prematurely, but researchers don’t know much about the effect that preterm births can have on a mother’s mental health. This study assessed postpartum depressive symptom trajectories for mothers of preterm and full-term babies, and followed participating mothers for five years after birth to better understand the long-term risks for depression and potential opportunities for treatment.

Who was involved?

The study involved 11,320 pregnant women aged 18 to 52 years old from 35 ECHO cohorts across the United States. About 11% of these women had babies that were born before they were due (preterm infants) and 89% had babies that were born on or near their due date (full-term infants).

What happened during the study?

Researchers analyzed self-reported depression measurements for women when they were pregnant and after they had their babies. These women also completed at least one follow-up assessment before their children were 5 years old.

What happens next?

It is important for future research to study what factors put some women at higher risk of experiencing depression after giving birth, particularly mothers of premature babies. Future research should also investigate what types of programs can help support mothers and their mental health during pregnancy and after birth.

Where can I learn more?

Access the full journal article titled, “Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms Among Mothers of Preterm and Full-Term Infants in a National Sample” in Archives of Women's Mental Health.

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Published June 16, 2022

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Depression in New Mothers Is Common, Especially When Babies Are Born Too Early

ECHO Study Links Poor Neighborhood Conditions With Higher Risk of Asthma in Children

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ECHO Study Links Poor Neighborhood Conditions With Higher Risk of Asthma in Children

Author(s): Antonella Zanobetti, Patrick H. Ryan, et al

Who sponsored this study?

This research was supported by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, Office of The Director, National Institutes of Health.

What were the study results?

Of the 5,809 children studied, 46% experienced wheezing in their first year of life, with 26% having wheezing through age 11. Diagnosis of asthma by age 11 varied by cohort, with an overall median prevalence of 25%. Children in neighborhoods with more people, and with more families with lower incomes, experienced more asthma and early and persistent wheezing. Black and Hispanic children remained at higher risk for asthma than White children, even in wealthier neighborhoods.

Footnote: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should not make changes to your health without first consulting your healthcare professional.

What was the study's impact?

This study suggests that neighborhood characteristics at birth and race/ethnicity play a role in the development of childhood wheezing and asthma. This information can help inform strategies to reduce childhood asthma, including strategies that address the socioeconomic factors that create higher risks for Black and Hispanic children.

Why was this study needed?

In the United States, Black and Hispanic children have higher rates of asthma compared to White children and more often live in communities where households struggle to meet their basic needs. The objective of this study was to explore how much neighborhood-level socioeconomic factors, like income and education, contribute to differences in childhood wheezing and asthma between Black, White, and Hispanic children.

Who was involved?

Almost 6,000 children across the United States born between the 1980s and 2010s.

What happened during the study?

The team used questionnaires and interviews to collect information such as wheezing and asthma occurrence, medical history, and demographics. Each child’s home address was matched to U.S. Census data for the decade closest to their birth year. Researchers studied how children’s race/ethnicity and their mother’s education level and smoking habits, plus their neighborhood socioeconomic conditions, were related to wheezing – a symptom involving whistling breathing sounds due to narrowed airways – and asthma.

Where can I learn more?

Access the full journal article, titled “Childhood Asthma Incidence, Early and Persistent Wheeze, and Neighborhood Socioeconomic Factors in the ECHO/CREW Consortium” in JAMA Pediatrics.

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Published May 23, 2022

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ECHO Study Links Poor Neighborhood Conditions With Higher Risk of Asthma in Children

Study Reveals Rising Levels of Plastics, Pesticides, and Replacement Chemicals in Pregnant Women

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Study Shows Rising Levels of Plastics, Pesticides, and Replacement Chemicals in Pregnant Women

Authors: Jessie P. Buckley, Tracey J. Woodruff, et al.

Who sponsored this study?

This research was supported by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, Office of The Director, National Institutes of Health.

What were the study results?

Most of the chemicals were found in at least one of the women in the study and about a third of the chemicals were found in greater than half of the participants. One fifth of the chemicals were detected in over 90% of the pregnant women indicating widespread exposure to the chemicals measured.

The study found some chemicals were detected more often or were present in higher amounts in non-white women, those with lower education, those who were single, and those exposed to tobacco. Hispanic women had higher levels of some chemicals not included in previous biomonitoring studies including parabens (preservatives) as well as phthalates and bisphenols (from plastics).

The study found that levels of some of the chemicals used as replacements for more toxic ones that were banned or phased out, increased over time and were present in higher amounts than have been seen in previous studies. The levels of several phased out chemicals were found to remain stable or decrease over time.

Footnote: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should not make changes to your health without first consulting your healthcare professional.

What was the study's impact?

This is the largest study to date to measure exposure to a wide variety of environmental chemicals in a diverse group of pregnant women across the U.S. The results of this study highlight the widespread and unequal exposure of pregnant women to chemicals from air pollution, food, water, plastics, and other industrial and consumer products.

Why was this study needed?

There is little data on exposure of pregnant women to many pesticides and industrial chemicals, even those that could be harmful during pregnancy and throughout childhood development.

Who was involved?

The study included 171 women from five U.S. states and Puerto Rico who were part of an ECHO cohort. Of these women, 60% were Black or Hispanic.

What happened during the study?

Research team members measured 89 biomarkers for more than 100 chemicals in urine samples from pregnant women in nine ECHO cohorts. Most of the chemicals can be found in pesticides, plastics, sunscreens, personal care products, and flame retardants. Many of the chemicals measured are replacement chemicals: chemicals meant to replace other harmful chemicals (e.g., BPA, phthalates). The team used a new method that measured multiple chemicals in a single urine sample to determine if pregnant women were exposed to the chemicals. The researchers then studied how different factors—such as age, race, education level, and the year the sample was collected—related to the levels of chemicals found.

What happens next?

The research team will continue to study exposures in a larger, diverse population of pregnant women (more than 6,500) to see whether these prenatal chemical exposures are linked to negative birth outcomes. This data will be important for understanding the factors that may contribute to additional negative health effects during pregnancy and childhood.

Where can I learn more?

Access the full journal article titled, “Exposure to contemporary and emerging chemicals in commerce among pregnant women in the United States: The Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program” in Environment Science & Technology.

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Published May 10, 2022

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Study Reveals Rising Levels of Plastics, Pesticides, and Replacement Chemicals in Pregnant Women

ECHO Study Identifies Biological, Behavioral, and Social Factors Affecting Pregnancy Health

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ECHO Study Identifies Biological, Behavioral, and Social Factors Affecting Pregnancy Health

Authors: Stephanie Eick, Rachel Morello-Frosch, et al.

Who sponsored this study?

This research was supported by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, Office of The Director, National Institutes of Health.

What were the study results?

Pregnant participants who were over 30 years old and had a college degree had lower levels of oxidative stress. Levels of oxidative stress were higher among pregnant participants who were overweight or obese and unmarried. Also, current smokers or those with less than a high school education had higher levels of a oxidative stress biomarker. These results help identify how social, biologic, and behavioral factors may contribute to poor health in mothers and children.

Footnote: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should not make changes to your health without first consulting your healthcare professional.

What was the study's impact?

This is the largest study to date looking at the relationship between biological, social, and behavioral factors and oxidative stress during pregnancy. The results of this study provide important clues into how socioeconomic inequalities can contribute to poor health in pregnant women. This study may also inform future studies looking at risk factors for preterm birth.

Why was this study needed?

There is little data on what can cause oxidative stress during pregnancy. Oxidative stress is a process that can trigger cell damage and it is thought to play a role in the development of some diseases. By identifying biological, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors in a mother’s day-to-day life that may lead to increased risk for oxidative stress, research can help inform the development of targeted strategies for the prevention of poor prenatal health outcomes.

Who was involved?

This study involved approximately 2,000 pregnant participants in the mainland United States and Puerto Rico who were enrolled in one of four ECHO cohorts.

What happened during the study?

Researchers collected urine samples from participants and measured the levels of biomarkers for oxidative stress. Researchers calculated how levels of oxidative stress biomarkers changed in response to biological, behavioral, and social factors. Maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index, marital/partnered status, parity, and smoking status were included as biological and behavioral factors while race/ethnicity, maternal education, and stressful life events were considered social factors.

What happens next?

The research team is examining the impact of oxidative stress on adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth.

Where can I learn more?

The full journal article, titled “Associations between social, biologic, and behavioral factors and biomarkers of oxidative stress during pregnancy: Findings from four ECHO cohorts” is published in Science of the Total Environment.

The content is the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Published April 29, 2022

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ECHO Study Identifies Biological, Behavioral, and Social Factors Affecting Pregnancy Health

Obesity and Diabetes During Pregnancy Linked to Higher Risk of Autism-Related Traits in Children

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Obesity and Diabetes During Pregnancy Linked to Higher Risk of Autism-Related Traits in Children

Authors: Kristen Lyall, Christine Ladd-Acosta, et al.

Who sponsored this study?

This research was supported by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, Office of The Director, National Institutes of Health.

What were the study results?

Maternal obesity and gestational diabetes were associated with indicators of autism-related social behaviors. Investigators did not see increases in these behaviors for children of mothers with preeclampsia or gestational hypertension. Neither preterm birth or low birth weight, which are common complications of obesity and gestational diabetes, did not seem to drive the associations with these pregnancy conditions.

What was the study's impact?

Obesity and gestational diabetes are common pregnancy conditions, so understanding their impact on the developing child is an important public health issue. This study suggests that these conditions may increase the likelihood of ASD-related traits, highlighting the need for better prenatal care and more monitoring of pregnant women experiencing conditions like obesity.

Why was this study needed?

Many studies have linked childhood autism diagnosis back to maternal health conditions during pregnancy—like obesity, gestational diabetes (high blood sugar during pregnancy), gestational hypertension (high blood pressure during pregnancy), and preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy and signs of kidney/liver damage). But less is known about how these conditions may relate to subtler changes in child social development. This research looks at how risk factors of obesity, gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia relate to autism-related traits like social communication more broadly.

Who was involved?

This study included nearly 7,000 participants from 40 ECHO cohorts across the United States. Eight of these cohorts included participants considered to be at higher risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on known risk factors. The study only included cohorts that collected information on at least one of the four pregnancy conditions listed above and child social development/autism-related behaviors. Children were between the ages of 2.5-18 years, with an average age of approximately 8 years old.

What happened during the study?

The research team pulled together information on maternal health conditions during pregnancy, maternal age, child social development/autism-related behaviors, and participant demographics. They then examined the relationship between each pregnancy condition, separately and in combination, and child social development outcomes.

What happens next?

More work is needed to determine the underlying biologic and social mechanisms linking maternal obesity to child social behaviors and autism.

Where can I learn more?

Access the full journal article, titled “Cardiometabolic pregnancy complications in association with autism-related traits as measured by the Social Responsiveness Scale in ECHO” in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Published March 31, 2022

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Obesity and Diabetes During Pregnancy Linked to Higher Risk of Autism-Related Traits in Children

Informed Mothers More Likely to Engage in Collective Action, Reduce Family- and Community-Level Chemical Exposures

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Informed Mothers More Likely to Engage in Collective Action, Reduce Family- and Community-Level Chemical Exposures

Authors: Amy Padula, Rachel Morello-Frosch, et al.

Who sponsored this study?

This research was supported by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program, the Office of the Director, and the National Institutes of Health.

What were the study results?

This study found that participants knew about the dangers of chemical exposures and were motivated to act to protect the health of their families and communities, although they have busy family lives, and the pandemic has further prevented them from participating in collective action. Participants requested strategies that were time-efficient and included straightforward, accessible information on how to reduce exposures at the personal and community level.

Footnote: Results reported here are for a single study. Other or future studies may provide new information or different results. You should not make changes to your health without first consulting your healthcare professional.

What was the study's impact?

Researchers have an opportunity to directly learn from participants about how to improve the way in which chemical exposure results are reported in future studies. Report-back systems, or ways that study results are returned to participants, can present valuable information for participants about environmental health and how to lower chemical exposures in their homes and communities, and hold policy makers responsible for protecting parents and children from harmful chemical exposures. Researchers can use tools like the Digital Exposure Report Back Interface (DERBI) to give their participants access to individualized chemical results with information about how to take individual and collective action to reduce exposures.

Why was this study needed?

Participants in chemical exposure studies who receive reports on their personal exposures often look for information to reduce those exposures. Many chemical exposures are the result of policies, regulations, and practices, not individual behaviors and lifestyles. Individuals can address those policies and regulations through collective action, which is working with others to reach a common goal. Researchers wanted to understand the role of personal exposure reports in a participant’s interest in engagement in collective action.

Who was involved?

In summer 2020, the researchers held three online focus groups in English and Spanish with a diverse group of 18 participants from pregnancy cohorts in Illinois and California.

What happened during the study?

This study aimed to understand how much participants know about sources of potentially harmful chemical exposures and their experience and interest in participating in collective action. Focus group participants talked about some of the barriers and strategies to participating in collective action, and their preferences for receiving and using their personalized reports about environmental chemical exposures. Input from these focus groups can be used to help design tools and content to report results of exposure research to ECHO participants.

What happens next?

The researchers are currently studying participant surveys from before and after participants received their chemical exposure reports to learn more about how participants use DERBI. These surveys may also reveal how DERBI reports may influence participant efforts to reduce exposure in their homes and communities through collective action.

Where can I learn more?

More information about the Digital Exposure Report Back Interface (DERBI) can be found on the Silent Spring Institute website.

Access the full journal article, titled “Perspectives of peripartum people on opportunities for personal and collective action to reduce exposure to everyday chemicals: Focus groups to inform exposure report-back” in Environmental Research.

The content is the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Published March 26, 2022

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Informed Mothers More Likely to Engage in Collective Action, Reduce Family- and Community-Level Chemical Exposures