The NIEHS DR2 Network: Addressing COVID-19 Environmental Health Issues Through a Multi-Institution Academic Community of Practice

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Disaster Response Research (DR2) Network is a network of collaborative investigators across the United States representing multiple NIEHS funded centers and programs with expertise in disaster response science. The network was established to advance the field of DR2 by promoting the coordinated, ethical, and timely collection, analysis, and dissemination of environmental health research following a disaster or other extreme event. METHODS: The Network rapidly developed a COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Environmental Health Research Agenda. Using a modified Delphi approach, the Network rapidly convened 26 subject matter experts to identify 28 environmental health sciences research priorities. The Network also brought together environmental health sciences researchers and NIEHS staff through monthly meetings to share information and provide feedback on data collection protocols and assessment tools. With the need for rapid dissemination of COVID-19 research data, the DR2 Network organized a virtual symposium for investigators to share their ongoing research to advance environmental health science related to COVID-19. RESULTS:The Network has identified 28 COVID-19 environmental health science research priorities. The Symposium provided an outlet and dissemination mechanism for the state of the science on: routes of transmission and exposure mitigation; mental health impacts on workers; addressing COVID-19 challenges with community partners; and environmental justice. CONCLUSIONS:The Network is an effective collaboration among investigators from across the US representing multiple NIEHS funded centers and programs which as able to provide timely feedback on COVID-19 protocols, identify and environmental health science research agenda, and rapidly assemble a virtual platform for sharing ongoing research. KEYWORDS: Natural disasters, community outreach, environmental justice