Health Effects Institute Annual Conference 2026

HEI has been at the forefront of conceptualizing, supporting, and advancing research that examines relationships between air quality actions aimed at reducing emissions and exposures and subsequent improvements in air quality and public health. This form of research, known as accountability research, is valuable to decision makers because it approximates controlled experimental studies, which can provide evidence for causality, and it provides important feedback that informs the development of health-protective policies. This session will take stock of historical and recent air quality actions, highlight associated accountability research funded by HEI and its utility for decision-making, and explore how to optimize future accountability research to support pragmatic and effective air quality actions in a changing energy and transportation landscape.
 

Air pollution exposures and the associated health impacts and economic burden continue to be substantial, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Across regions, there is a growing interest in investments in clean air action, and as progress is made, it will be important to reflect on lessons and learnings. This session will highlight the global progress towards clean air and examine the role of data and evidence towards policy progress. Speakers will also explore opportunities for fostering cross-sectoral engagement across regions.

Neurodegenerative diseases such as dementias and Parkinson’s disease are multifactorial in nature with a multitude of risk factors. These risk factors include not only genetics, but also modifiable lifestyle factors and environmental exposures, including air pollution and pesticides, and treatable medical conditions that collectively might account for a substantial portion of neurodegenerative disease cases. This session will evaluate the state of the science on the effect of environmental exposures on age-based neurological disorders and identify associated research gaps.
 

Non-tailpipe emissions from tire, brake, and road wear and resuspension of road dust now account for more than half of particulate matter emissions from road transport in some areas. Therefore, there is increasing attention on non-tailpipe emissions of particulate matter from motor vehicles and the effects of those emissions on air pollutant concentrations and health. This session will describe the state of the science of non-tailpipe particulate matter emissions to air and the resulting health effects and highlight two recently completed HEI studies that contribute to this body of literature. It will close with regulatory, industry, and scientific perspectives on what we know and remaining challenges to better inform future actions to address non-tailpipe particulate matter.

Quantitative Bias Analysis (QBA) is any method that quantifies the impact of systematic biases in studies, providing estimates of the direction and magnitude of bias.  By answering “what would have been” had key biases been absent, QBA offers insights that extend beyond traditional confidence intervals and qualitative assessments. What are the pros and cons of QBA? How does it fit into evidence synthesis more broadly? What are the barriers that prevent the widespread use of QBA in environmental health research? Join us for a live discussion with the hosts of the popular science podcast, SERious EPI, or listen from your favorite podcast app.
 

Satellite-derived air quality products have become increasingly widespread and their application in environmental health research continues to grow. New satellite instruments have been launched and are planned to monitor air quality at finer spatial and temporal resolutions and for more pollutants than have been previously available. HEI has held various convenings on the topic, including a request for applications in March 2025, to identify opportunities to improve satellite-derived air quality products and characterize the inherent uncertainties that stem from both the satellite data themselves as well as the models or data used to create air quality concentration estimates. This session will continue this discussion of new and existing satellite data products and capabilities, highlighting:
•    Satellite data needs for exposure assessment and health effects research
•    Development of new methodologies and products using satellite datasets for health applications, including epidemiology, emissions and exposure assessment, and accountability studies
•    Characterization and quantification of uncertainty for health applications

This year’s HEI Annual Conference is in Chicago, one of the main hubs for intermodal freight and truck activity in the United States. This session will focus on the challenges of reducing air pollutant emissions while maintaining economic efficiency and viable operations to supply goods, both locally and nationally. It will highlight potential near-term, practical approaches to improve human health that apply existing and emerging technologies and fuels, bringing together experts in transportation and freight systems planning, fleet transition and air quality, and the transportation industry. Topics of discussion will include technologies, fuels, and operation of vehicles, and their applications to national, regional, and urban freight, and energy and other infrastructure needs. The session will explore research priorities and potential options for the freight and logistics industry to reduce emissions and other adverse impacts, while continuing to meet operational and customer service needs.