Center for Health, People, and Places (CHPP)
The Center for Health, People, and Places (CHPP) advances scientific understanding and translates research into applications that support human well-being, their social and economic systems, and the environment that sustains all life on the planet.
In progress
News and Updates
U.S. Needs New Drought Assessment Framework as Droughts Become More Severe and Unpredictable
News Release
As droughts in the United States become more frequent and longer-lasting, new assessment tools are needed. A new National Academies report examines how the field of drought assessment can better account for shifting drought conditions and proposes a framework to support drought monitoring, planning, and decision-making to meet future challenges.
FAA Urged to Revise its Approach to Radiation Exposure for Flight Crewmembers; Current Approaches Are Insufficient, Says New Report
News Release
During flights, airplane crews are exposed to cosmic radiation, yet regulatory protections for these workers are insufficient, and a lack of data complicates efforts to better understand the occupational risks to health and safety. A new National Academies report recommends actions to strengthen monitoring, communication, research, and safety practices.
Best Practices, Opportunities for Plugging Orphan Wells Identified in New Report
News Release
Potentially hundreds of thousands of orphaned oil and gas wells across the U.S. remain unplugged or were sealed before modern standards existed, and pose risks to public health, the environment, and nearby communities. A new National Academies report examines technologies and best practices for plugging and remediating orphan wells.
- Health and Safety Impacts of Aircraft Cabin Temperatures — New Report Jun 3, 2026 News Release
- VA, Congress Urged to Improve Process for Evaluating Disabilities Related to Military Sexual Trauma in New Report Jun 3, 2026 News Release
- What to Know About the Current State of Bird Flu in the U.S.: A Conversation with Shawn Gibbs May 22, 2026 Feature Story
Our Expertise
The Center for Health, People, and Places (CHPP) is the home for programs promoting health for people, the places they live, and the Earth system by furthering basic sciences and translating those advances to applications that support humans, their social systems, and the environment. With projects and activities that convene experts in health care and medical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, agriculture, food, nutrition, life sciences, biotechnology, and Earth systems, CHPP programs advance research and solutions for policy and practice.
Program Areas
CHPP’s interdisciplinary portfolio encompasses six major program areas:
Statement of Task
The Center for Health, People, and Places focuses on promoting health for people, the places they live, and the Earth system by furthering basic sciences and translating those advances to applications that support humans, their social systems, and the environment.
Contributors
Committee
Chair
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Staff
Elizabeth Eide
Lead
Major units and sub-units
Health Care and Public Health Program Area
Life Sciences and Biotechnology Program Area
Earth Systems and Resources Program Area
Biomedical and Health Sciences Program Area
Center for Health, People, and Places Executive Office
Food, Nutrition, and Agriculture Program Area
Social and Economic Systems Program Area