The toxic combination of poverty, and made worse by air pollution is responsible for lowering IQ of schoolchildren.
The findings support policy interventions to reduce air pollution exposure in urban areas as well as programs to screen women early in pregnancy to identify those in need of psychological or material support, according to Dr. Perera, the lead author of the report.
Scientific researchers found this alarming conclusion by following the development of nearly three hundred kids living in The South Bronx, Harlem, and Washington Heights for seven years and beginning when their mothers became pregnant.
Urgent health problems require comprehensive, systemic solutions. Columbia’s Mailman School continues to lead the way to reshape public health education to tackle global challenges.