University Of Iowa College Of Public Health

What happens when science and policy collide — and how can we prepare for the environmental health challenges ahead? In part two of our series with Dr. Peter Thorne, University of Iowa Distinguished Chair and Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health, we dig into persistent pollutants, climate change, and the future of science-informed policymaking. In this episode, you’ll learn about: • The risks of PCBs, PFAS, and other “forever chemicals” • How communities weigh costs and health risks in decisions like school renovations • The challenges of science advisory boards in an era of political polarization • Climate-related disasters — from wildfires to hurricanes — and their health consequences • Why better science communication and stronger policy action are urgently needed This conversation shows how today’s public health challenges extend beyond the lab, into policy decisions that will shape the lives of future generations. A transcript of this episode is available at https://www.public-health.ui