Nurse collaboration leads to health equity lab

Nurses from the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing started a lab with a social scientist from the College of Arts and Science to diminish health disparities related to climate change. The lab will convene undergraduate and graduate students, researchers and external organizations to create tools to help individuals, households, businesses and communities reduce their carbon footprints while improving individual and community well-being. During the 2022-2023 academic year, the lab will select 18 undergraduate students to identify key health issues experienced by low-income individuals and communities in Nashville. The lab also will determine baseline carbon footprints of these individuals and households, and attempt to influence corporate climate spending on climate mitigation projects directly addressing the health and economic needs of these communities. During the project’s second year, an interdisciplinary cohort of students will combine their expertise to affect public policy. (Vanderbilt School of Nursing news release, 10/31/22)