The sudden dismissal of public records staff at health agencies threatens government accountability

Public records requested under the Freedom of Information Act have helped shape health policy and keep the government accountable – but recent staff cuts may make this impossible.

Reshma Ramachandran, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Yale University • conversation
April 16, 2025 • ~10 min

Lead water pipes created a health disaster in Flint, but replacing them with cheaper plastic − as some cities are doing − carries hidden costs

Durability and the risk of chemicals being released when pipes heat up are just 2 concerns about plastic pipes.

Melissa Scanlan, Professor and Director of the Center for Water Policy, School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee • conversation
June 25, 2024 • ~9 min

Biden's infrastructure plan targets lead pipes that threaten public health across the US

President Biden has proposed spending $45 billion to replace every lead water pipe and service line in the nation. A public health expert explains why he sees this as a worthwhile investment.

Gabriel Filippelli, Professor of Earth Sciences and Director of the Center for Urban Health, IUPUI • conversation
May 4, 2021 • ~9 min

Nearly 60 million Americans don't drink their tap water, research suggests – here's why that's a public health problem

New research finds that tap water avoidance is on the rise in the US, especially among minorities. An expert on water and health calls for better public education about water quality and testing.

Asher Rosinger, Assistant Professor of Biobehavioral Health, Anthropology, and Demography. Director, Water, Health, and Nutrition Laboratory, Penn State • conversation
April 15, 2021 • ~9 min

Coronavirus spotlights the link between clean water and health

Water is essential for health, economic well-being and social equity, but too many people around the world still don't have access to clean drinking water and sanitation.

David Feldman, Professor Urban Planning & Public Policy and Political Science, Director of Water UCI, University of California, Irvine • conversation
March 20, 2020 • ~8 min

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