The Environmental Health Program works to build the capacity of communities and policymakers at all levels of government to ensure healthy natural and built environments. Specifically, ELI's Indoor Environments and Green Buildings Program offers in-depth policy analysis, education, and technical assistance to help institutionalize best practices for creating and maintaining buildings, with a focus on supporting state and local efforts to ensure healthier schools and homes. Through the Community Health and Environmental Justice Program, ELI works with grassroots, community-based organizations and advocates to address challenges to their environment and health. ELI's Brownfields Program fosters the cleanup and redevelopment of underused or abandoned land that may be contaminated and which can scar inner city neighborhoods and restrict economic opportunity.
ELI's Environmental Health Program works at the local, state, and federal levels to:
- Foster effective implementation of environmental laws and regulations designed to protect community health and the environment.
- Provide decision-makers and the public with the information they need to create and strengthen programs that advance health and sustainability in the built environment.
- Train and educate grassroots community leaders and environmental justice advocates to strengthen their ability to protect community health and the environment.
- Help community groups, private firms, and governmental entities respond to brownfields opportunities and challenge.