Division of Environmental and Occupational Health

The Division’s unique strengths lie in environmental and occupational health research including exposure assessment, environmental and occupational epidemiology, and translational efforts. Research addresses environmental chemicals and pollutants in relation to a wide range of disease and disabilities, including respiratory, neurologic, reproductive, and developmental outcomes, as well as cancer and cardiovascular health. Research addresses the impacts on health from environmental exposure to poor indoor air quality, ambient air pollution, pesticides, heat exposure, environmental tobacco smoke, endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, plastics, wildfires, and other toxicants in the environment and workplace.   Molecular markers—immunologic, metabolic, genetic and epigenetic provide clues to mechanisms by which environmental factors affect health. Our proximity to the San Joaquin Valley provides us opportunities to work with agricultural communities, their exposures and risks, both in occupational and community life. Additional themes include community engagement, health disparities, environmental justice, health effects of environmental disasters, and impacts of climate change. The Division has a close relationship with the UC Davis MIND Institute and a strong program on environmental contributions to autism.  There are several Centers associated with the Division, specifically the Environmental Health Sciences Center, the Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, the TENDR Program, the Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety, and the Medical Surveillance Program.  We also work closely with toxicology programs and nutritional sciences, both of which are strengths of UC Davis.  

Our Mission

The Division of Occupational and Environmental Health strives to understand the impact of the environment on health, and a goal of improving human health.

Teaching

Undergraduate Education includes a class on Exposure Assessment (ETX 146), as well as an overview of Environmental Health within Introduction to Public Health.

The Masters of Public Health Program includes Principles of Environmental Health Science, an overview of Environmental Health for all students (SPH 262), as well as many electives related to environmental health both taught through the department and other campus departments. Please refer to the Graduate Group in Public Health Sciences for details.

Faculty in the Division work with students in the Graduate Group in Epidemiology, the Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry Graduate Group, and anticipate working with students in the new Graduate Group in Public Health Sciences.