Erin Polka

Past Fellow

Erin Polka received her MPH from the Boston University School of Public Health in environmental health and epidemiology and biostatistics. As a student, she was a 2018 PHP writing fellow. Drawing from her experience in agriculture and health work as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tanzania, Erin explores the intersections of climate change and environmental health in hopes of creating greener, healthier communities. A passionate conservationist, in her free time Erin can be found outside either cycling, climbing, or hiking for the view.

Erin's Work:

12.13.2019 a plate of cookies and cookie cutters

A Second Helping of Air Pollution

Excited for home-cooked food during the holiday season, when indoor air pollution is at its highest? The air we breathe matters as much as the food we eat.

Fellow Erin Polka

05.09.2019 a red neon heart on a black background

Climate Changes Fetal Hearts

Warming temperatures have the potential to impact the health of unborn children: heat and high temperatures can also interfere with fetal heart development.

Fellow Erin Polka

02.21.2019 A cow's head looking over the backs of cows as it gets squished in the herd

Climate Change and the Food Gap

By 2050, the global population will be almost 10 billion. Simply growing more food is not the answer to feed us all.

Fellow Erin Polka

02.15.2019 Telephone poles and setting sun in heat haze

Feeling Hot and Bothered

Heat waves may increase risk of suicide. Nick Obradovich and colleagues developed a method to quantify the influence of climate change on mental health.

Fellow Erin Polka

02.14.2019

Health Equity

I Would If I Could: Bike Share

Better Bike Share Partnership increased access to bike share programs in low-income and underserved communities in six cities. This study assessed ongoing barriers to use in Chicago, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn.

Fellow Erin Polka

01.31.2019 Map of pre-Katrina and post-Katrina lead levels in New Orleans

The Unexpected: Less Lead in New Orleans

After Hurricane Katrina, researchers found that storm surge flooding did not increase heavy metal contaminants in soil. Instead, lead levels dropped.

Fellow Erin Polka