Accountability

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This page has a list of publications and news articles related to Accountability (evaluation of the effectiveness of actions to improve air quality). Find more information about our Accountability research.

Proceedings of an HEI Workshop on Further Research to Assess the Health Impacts of Actions Taken to Improve Air Quality

Communication 15

Health Effects Institute

2010

Topics:

Accountability

Communication 15, Proceedings of an HEI Workshop on Further Research to Assess the Health Impacts of Actions Taken to Improve Air Quality, summarizes the findings of a workshop held in December 2009 that reviewed the current state of research to evaluate the impact of air quality interventions (also known as accountability or air quality outcomes research).

Impact of Improved Air Quality During the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta on Multiple Cardiovascular and Respiratory Outcomes

Research Report 148

Jennifer L. Peel

W Dana Flanders

James A Mulholland

Paige E Tolbert

Mitchel Klein

2010

Topics:

Ozone & Oxidants

Accountability

This report is the latest in HEI's program of studies to assess the health impacts of air quality actions. Research Report 148 describes a study to evaluate the effect of a short-term, temporary intervention to reduce traffic congestion during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. A previous study had shown a decrease in acute care visits for pediatric asthma and a concomitant decrease in concentrations of ozone, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide.

HEI’s Research Program on the Impact of Actions to Improve Air Quality: Interim Evaluation and Future Directions

Communication 14

Annemoon M van Erp

Aaron J Cohen

2009

Topics:

Accountability

Communication 14, HEI's Research Program on the Impact of Actions to Improve Air Quality: Interim Evaluation and Future Directions, provides an overview of progress to date in HEI's Accountability program by evaluating nine studies that HEI has funded to assess actions that improve air quality. HEI's Accountability Research Program was initiated to assess the extent to which the predicted health benefits of new regulations have occurred.

The Influence of Improved Air Quality on Mortality Risks in Erfurt, Germany

Research Report 137

Annette Peters

Susanne Breitner

Josef Cyrys

Matthias Stölzel

Mike Pitz

Gabriele Wölke

Joachim Heinrich

Wolfgang Kreyling

Helmut Küchenhoff

H-Erich Wichmann

2009

Topics:

Accountability

Global Health

Research Report 137, The Influence of Improved Air Quality on Mortality Risks in Erfurt, Germany, is the first study to come out of HEI's program on the health impact of regulatory and other actions to improve air quality, known as accountability. The report describes sweeping changes in the economy and energy use that occurred in the former East Germany after the 1990 reunification as a result of stricter environmental controls and modernization of industry, transportation, and household heating. Dr.

Assessing the Health Impact of Air Quality Regulations: Concepts and Methods for Accountability Research

Communication 11

Health Effects Institute

2003

Topics:

Accountability

A document from the HEI Accountability Working Group. Evaluating the extent to which air quality regulations improve public health is part of a broad effort—termed accountability—to assess the performance of all environmental regulatory policies. Communication 11 sets out a conceptual framework for accountability research and identifies types of evidence required and methods by which the evidence can be obtained.

New study looks at impacts of emissions reductions on birth outcomes

February 6, 2025

HEI has published a new Research Report, Impacts of Vehicle Emission Regulations and Local Congestion Policies on Birth Outcomes Associated with Traffic Air Pollution, which presents a study led by Perry Hystad of Oregon State University.

New report on effects of diesel school bus replacement program

October 16, 2024

A new HEI report, Assessing the National Health, Education, and Air Quality Benefits of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s School Bus Rebate Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial Design, presents a study led by Sara Adar of the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health.

New study examines potential health benefits of reducing emissions

August 27, 2024

HEI has published a new Research Report, Estimating Model-Based Marginal Societal Health Benefits of Air Pollution Emission Reductions in the United States and Canada.

HEI launches three new studies on wildfires and effectiveness of air quality policies

August 3, 2021

The HEI Board of Directors recently approved funding for three new studies: one to be conducted as part of HEI’s Accountability program to test whether air quality actions achieve cleaner air and better health, and two on the air and health impacts of wildfires.

Spring 2021 Update now available

June 9, 2021

In this issue of Update, read about a newly published HEI study suggesting health improvements from the 2006 California Goods Movement Plan; our very successful Virtual Conference webinar series in April and May; important transitions in HEI Communications; an HEI New Investigator study on mechanisms of lung injury by ozone; a two-day workshop on air pollution and health in Southeast Europe; and more.

Study assesses air, health improvements from CA Goods Movement Plan

May 25, 2021

A new HEI Research Report by Ying-Ying Meng at the University of California, Los Angeles, and colleagues examines the impact of the 2006 California Goods Movement Plan on air quality and healthcare utilization among adults with chronic health conditions who were enrolled in California’s health care program for low-income individuals (Medi-Cal).

HEI kicks off Webinar series on April 7: Big Data and Accountability

March 27, 2020

HEI is pleased to announce a series of five webinars to be held between April 7th and May 20th. We will kick off the series on April 7th from 10 am - 12 pm EDT with the first webinar: The Big Deal About Big Data, Causal Inference, and Accountability Research. [Read More]

Winter 2020 Update now available

March 3, 2020

In this issue of HEI Update, read about our upcoming Annual Conference in April; our search for the next HEI Review Committee chair; the launch of 11 new HEI studies — four evaluating the effectiveness of air quality actions, five aiming to improve exposure assessment, and two led by our 2019 Walter A. Rosenblith New Investigators; and more.