The Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy

This issue of Resources highlights ongoing work at Resources for the Future’s newly launched Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy (CDDEP). To some readers, it may come as a surprise that RFF has been involved in work on issues of human health, for many know us for our research on climate change, environmental problems, and energy alternatives. But there’s more to the environment than just air and water quality. A person living in the middle of high mosquito density and malaria prevalence lives in an “environment” of high malaria. Similarly, living in a built environment with few recreational activities can have significant impacts on obesity and cardiovascular disease.Moreover, much like our atmosphere and the ozone layer that protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation, effective drugs to cure infectious diseases, such as malaria and tuberculosis, are global resources,with actions in any single country or region having global consequences.