Case Studies in Environmental and Planetary Health
Competencies and Frameworks
Rosemary M. Caron, PhD, MPH
Marissa Venn, MPH, MA
Semra A. Aytur, PhD, MPH
Case Studies in Environmental and Planetary Health: Competencies and Frameworks offers an interdisciplinary lens to explore the principles, contexts, and challenges within the field of environmental health to effectively bridge theory and practice. Through historical and contemporary examples, the book highlights critical topics such as climate change, environmental justice, infectious disease, sustainability, and exposures to toxins and pollution. Students will develop a strong foundation in core areas of environmental health, including environmental epidemiology, toxicology, and exposure science, while gaining insights into how practitioners and scientists collaborate to address pressing public health issues on the frontlines.
The featured real-world case studies serve as a gateway to understanding key concepts, integrating perspectives from public health, environmental policy, environmental engineering, and beyond. Each chapter combines foundational knowledge with practical applications, encouraging students to connect environmental health competencies and planetary health frameworks to their future work. Thoughtful discussion questions and activities challenge readers to critically analyze scenarios and consider innovative approaches to problem-solving in occupational, healthcare, and community settings. Case Studies in Environmental and Planetary Health equips learners with the tools and perspectives needed to navigate the complexities of environmental health and its impact on population and planetary health.
Key Features:
- 16 detailed and engaging case studies that explore environmental and planetary health issues spanning environmental disasters to community development issues and that foster critical thinking and interdisciplinary analysis.
- Diverse authorship with interdisciplinary expertise prepares students for public health roles and a collaborative mindset.
- Scenario-based discussion questions and active learning activities designed to prepare future leaders to think about both public and planetary health.
- Competency-driven content mapped to key environmental health skills and knowledge areas.
- Qualified instructors have access to expanded Instructor Resources featuring chapter PowerPoints, a Sample Syllabus, Test banks, an Instructor Manual with learning activities for each chapter, and additional resources to supplement students' dynamic learning and interaction with the text.
Contributors
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Instructor Resources
PART 1: GEOSPATIAL ISSUES
Chapter 1. Water Crisis in Flint, Michigan: The Impact of Lead Contamination by Gergana Damianova Kodjebacheva
Chapter 2. Critical Emergency Response to the Deepwater Horizon Disaster by Katrina Jew and Marissa A. Venn
Chapter 3. Transboundary Environmental Challenges: The Tijuana River Crisis by Marissa A. Venn and Karilyn E. Sant
Chapter 4. Grassroots Advocacy for Environmental Justice in New Hampshire by Suzanne Gaulocher, Brian Eisenhauer, and Jillian Aicher
PART 2: METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORKS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND PLANETARY HEALTH
Chapter 5. Using Measures of Social, Economic, and Ecological Health to Understand Community Resilience by Shannon Rogers, Sarah Garlick, Alexandra Contosta, Peter Groffman, Pamela Templer, and Kathleen Bush
Chapter 6. Intersection of Equity, Environment Health, and Mental Well-being by Semra Aytur and Corina Chao
Chapter 7. The COVID-19 Pandemic, the Exposome, and the Anthropocene Era by Tajrean Rahman and Semra A. Aytur
Chapter 8. Integrating Climate Justice, Resilient Communities, Food Security, and Sustainable Practices by Ashlyn Q. Reining and Keith Bergtholt
PART 3: HOLISTIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTIONS
Chapter 9. Influence of the Environment on Positive Youth Development by Irmgard Stiehl Figueroa, Semra A. Aytur, Christine Tappan, and Glenn Rose
Chapter 10. Impact of Blue Spaces on Environmental and Public Health by John P. Bucci, Semra Aytur, Trevor Massey, and Jenna Finnerty
Chapter 11. Integrating One Health Principles in Environmental Health Strategies by John P. Bucci, Trevor Massey, and Alexis Eaton
Chapter 12. Advancing Environmental Health through Climate Justice Initiatives by Paul Kirshen, David Timmons, and Semra Aytur
PART 4: INTERDISCIPLINARY ENGAGEMENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND PLANETARY HEALTH
Chapter 13. Role of Healthcare in Addressing Climate Change by Jean M. Bernhardt
Chapter 14. Contributions of Nursing to Planetary Health by Kaitlynn Liset and Katie Huffling
Chapter 15. Connection between Occupational Health and Environmental Health by Manijeh Berenji and Lori Ann Edwards
Chapter 16. Impact of Housing and Community Development on the Health Ecosystem by Tajrean Rahman and Semra Aytur
Glossary
Case Studies and Environmental Health Competencies
Planetary Health Education Framework Categories
Index
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- LMS Common Cartridge - All Instructor Resources
- Instructor Manual
- Test Bank
- Instructor Chapter PowerPoints
- Sample Syllabus
Please visit our Resources for Educators page for more information.

- Release Date: September 28, 2025
- Paperback / softback
- 393 Pages
- Trim Size: 7in x 10in
- Number of Illustrations: 54
- ISBN: 9780826179968
- eBook ISBN: 9780826179975