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CHARMED — Community Health: Addressing Regional Maryland Environmental Determinants of DiseaseJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Facility Core · CEC

Community Engagement Core

Building authentic, lasting partnerships between communities across the region and the environmental health researchers who can help answer their questions.

The Community Engagement Core is the Center's front door for residents, community organizations, and environmental health stakeholders. The CEC runs workshops and training on authentic community engagement, hosts sessions at regional symposia, and maintains practical environmental health resources for the public.

The core also convenes the Environmental Health Stakeholders Board (EHSB), which brings community-based organizations, regulatory agencies, and regional partners into the Center's decision-making.

Leadership

CEC leadership

In the community

Measurements and events

CEC partners and researchers measuring air quality together and meeting with neighbors across the region.

Community partners

Organizations we work with

  • South Baltimore Community Land Trust
  • Centro de Apoyo Familiar
  • Clean Water Action
  • Defensores de la Cuenca
  • Socially Responsible Agriculture Project

Environmental health resource

Protecting yourself from wildfire air pollution

Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of miles and sharply degrade air quality in the Maryland region. Here's what to do when it does.

Minimize smoke exposure

  • Stay indoors with windows closed where possible.
  • Circulate air with fans and air conditioning; use HEPA filters if available.
  • Instead of exercising outdoors, find ways to stay physically active indoors.
  • When outdoors, wear a well-fitted mask — N95 and KN95 masks provide the best protection.

Monitor air quality daily

  • Check the Air Quality Index before going outside.
  • Air Quality Index reports are published at airnow.gov.
  • Plan outdoor activity around days and hours with better readings.

When in a vehicle

  • Recirculate the air conditioner rather than drawing in outside air.
  • Keep windows closed while driving through smoke.

Pay attention to health symptoms

  • Breathing in wildfire smoke can cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and eye or throat irritation.
  • People with asthma, COPD, or heart conditions are at higher risk and should have medication on hand.
  • Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe or do not improve.

Daily Air Quality Index reports for your area are available at airnow.gov. The American Lung Association also publishes guidance on coping with wildfire smoke.

Infographic listing protective actions during wildfire smoke events for outdoors, in the car, and at home.
The Center's wildfire smoke guidance, also transcribed in full below.
Infographic showing wildfire smoke health symptoms, sensitive populations, and where to find air quality index reports.

Workshops & presentations

CEC sessions and training

Recorded workshops and symposium sessions run by the Community Engagement Core.

2024 Symposium

CHARMED CEC sessions at the annual University of Maryland School of Public Health symposium on community engagement and health disparities

  • Authentic Community Engagement Workshop: Part 1
  • Authentic Community Engagement Workshop: Part 2
  • Agriculture, CAFOs, and Biogas Facilities in Rural Communities
  • Air Pollution and Health Issues in South Baltimore, MD
  • Air Quality Monitoring Efforts in Turner Station
  • Community Science Continuum: Community Owned and Managed Research (COMR) Applications and Outcomes

2023 Symposium

CHARMED CEC Workshop on Authentic Community Engagement at the annual University of Maryland School of Public Health symposium on community engagement and health disparities

  • Part 1
  • Part 2

Recordings are available on request — contact the Center for access.