collaborative on health and the environment

What collaborative on health and the environment does

The Collaborative for Health & Environment (CHE) is a 501(c)-style nonprofit learning community founded in 2002 and operated as a project of Commonweal, a nonprofit research institute based in Bolinas, California. CHE functions as a convener and amplifier of environmental health science, hosting critical conversations among scientists, policymakers, health professionals, advocates, and affected communities. Its mission centers on translating peer-reviewed research into accessible knowledge and action, with particular focus on the health harms of petrochemicals, children's health protection, and cancer prevention. The organization is led by Director Kristin Schafer with a small core team that includes science writers and expert contributors.

CHE's core product surface is a digital platform comprising several interlocking offerings. The Resource Library houses the award-winning A Story of Health multimedia eBook (which carries CDC continuing education credits), more than 60 publications, fact sheets, and consensus statements. The Toxicant & Disease Database is a searchable repository linking approximately 180 chemical contaminants to human diseases and conditions, with cross-references to the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. Webinars form a cornerstone product, with hundreds of hours of searchable recordings since 2002 and an ongoing monthly cadence across partnership series (EDC Strategies, YESS, CHE Alaska, SEHN, PRHE). Community engagement is delivered through ScienceServs, an online discussion group network connecting over 1,200 researchers, policymakers, health professionals, advocates, and interested individuals across topics including cancer, children's environmental health, climate, EMFs, reproductive health, and integrative health. The Voices Project provides podcast and interview content featuring environmental health leaders, and short-form video content (Science Snippets, Science Explainers, Video Shorts) is distributed via CHE's YouTube channel.

CHE's business model is donation-driven, with revenue sourced from individuals, foundations, and organizations via a GiveLively donation portal; no products or services are sold, and all resources are provided free of charge. The GTM motion is community-led, emphasizing webinars, discussion groups, blog content, and podcasts to drive engagement rather than a traditional sales funnel. The user base spans more than 5,000 signatories to its consensus statement across 87 countries and all 50 US states, indicating a globally distributed but stakeholder-segmented audience. In 2024, CHE integrated Zero Breast Cancer as a project, expanding its vertical depth in cancer prevention programming.

Name

collaborative on health and the environment

Legal name

Collaborative for Health & Environment

Website

https://healthandenvironment.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Collaborative for Health & Environment is a nonprofit learning community, founded in 2002 and hosted by Commonweal, that amplifies environmental health science and convenes scientists, policymakers, health professionals, and advocates through webinars, a Toxicant & Disease Database, ScienceServs discussion groups, and free educational resources.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Health Education

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Justice & Community Environmental Health (BPAGAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pollution Prevention & Toxics Reduction (BPAGAGAJ), KOL Engagement & Medical Education (Advisory Boards/CME Support) (HLAGALAM)

Keywords

• Environmental health education
• Toxicology research resources
• Community health advocacy
• Public health webinars
• Nonprofit scientific collaboration

Headquarters

HQ city

Bolinas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: As a nonprofit organization, CHE relies on donations from individuals, foundations, and organizations. The website features a donation portal through GiveLively (secure.givelively.org).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CHE is a nonprofit action-oriented learning community that amplifies environmental health science through free educational resources including webinars, a searchable Toxicant & Disease Database, online discussion groups (ScienceServs), podcasts and videos, and published reports that connect scientists, health professionals, policymakers, advocates, and affected communities.

Product overview

The Collaborative for Health & Environment (CHE) is an action-oriented learning community that offers a platform of educational resources and tools rather than a traditional product. The core offerings include the Resource Library (featuring the award-winning A Story of Health e-book and fact sheets), the Toxicant & Disease Database (a searchable database linking 180+ chemicals to diseases), Webinars (virtual gatherings with leading researchers since 2002), the Blog (for dialogue on environmental health issues), ScienceServs Discussion Groups (online communities with 1,200+ participants), Voices Project (interviews and podcasts with environmental health leaders), and Short Videos (Science Snippets, Explainers, and Video Shorts). These resources work together to amplify scientific evidence and protect individual and collective health.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Resource Library A curated collection of environmental health resources including the award-winning A Story of Health multimedia e-book, articles, consensus statements, fact sheets, searchable databases, and webinar series archives for researchers, health professionals, and lay audiences.
• Toxicant and Disease Database A searchable database summarizing links between approximately 180 chemical contaminants and human diseases or conditions, with links to the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD), for use by scientists, health professionals, and informed public.
• CHE Webinars Virtual educational gatherings hosted since 2002 covering environmental health topics, featuring leading researchers, community members, advocates, and policy experts, with searchable archives by topic and partnership series.
• ScienceServs Discussion Groups Online discussion groups with over 1,200 researchers, policymakers, health professionals, advocates, and individuals focusing on environmental links to diseases, children's health, climate issues, electromagnetic fields, reproductive health, and integrative health.
• Voices Project A digital platform featuring original recordings of environmental health scientists and movement leaders, CHE Café conversations, Toward Tomorrow archival interviews, and partner podcasts.
• Short Videos Collection Video content including Science Snippets (brief expert commentaries), Science Explainers (in-depth explanations), and Video Shorts (IG Reel-style formatted videos) available on CHE's YouTube channel.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5,000 individuals and organizations from 87 countries signed CHE's consensus statement
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinates CHE-Alaska partnership that explores emerging science of environmental health, justice and education relevant to Alaska and its people. ACAT coordinates webinars and provides opportunities for Alaskan partners to learn about environmental health science through CHE activities.
• Habitable (formerly Healthy Building Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHas vision that all people and the planet thrive when materials economy is in balance with nature. Their Informed™ initiative supports built environment practitioners in selecting products with safer chemicals to improve health of humans and the environment.
• Lowell Center for Sustainable ProductioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelops practical solutions to environmental and health problems and helps advance fundamental changes for a safer world. Collaborates on artificial turf topic page resources.
• Healthy Environment and Endocrine Disruptor Strategies (HEEDS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA multidisciplinary coalition of scientists dedicated to improving communication, coordination, and collaboration in the endocrine disruption field. Co-coordinates the EDC Strategies Partnership and YESS webinar series.
• Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading European nonprofit public interest organization with over 90 members addressing how environment affects health in EU. Coordinates EDC Free Europe campaign and collaborates on EDC Strategies Partnership.
• UCSF Program on Reproductive Health and Environment (PRHE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNation's leading research and public policy center devoted to creating a healthier environment by preventing exposures to chemicals. Co-hosted Summit on Environmental Challenges to Reproductive Health and Fertility in 2007 and continues to collaborate on webinars and resources.
• Agents of Change in Environmental JusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram by Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University and Environmental Health News designed to empower emerging leaders from historically excluded backgrounds. CHE offers webinar platform for Fellows to present research to national audience.
• Zero Breast CancercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined CHE in 2024 as a project of CHE. Promotes breast cancer risk reduction through translation of scientific research and evidence-based recommendations. Partnership rooted in shared commitment to translating science into action.
• Green Science Policy InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit institute of scientists who conduct and communicate peer-reviewed research to reduce harm from flame retardants, PFAS, and other chemical classes. Provides resources on PFAS topic page.
• The Physician and Scientist Network Addressing Plastics and Health (P-SNAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRapidly growing alliance of physicians, scientists, and public health professionals working to confront health impacts of plastics. Featured partner on plastics topic page.
• Center to End Corporate HarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks toward vision of a just, healthy, and democratic society where public health policies are built on unbiased science free of industry influence. Featured partner on scientific integrity topic page.
• Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai - HEALScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated to advancing understanding of how environmental exposures influence health and disease across the lifespan. Through Community Engagement Core, translates discoveries into evidence-based prevention, clinical care, and public health strategies.
• Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization working to eliminate toxic chemicals and other environmental exposures that lead to breast cancer. Featured partner on cancer topic page.
• Silent Spring InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMission-driven scientific research organization dedicated to uncovering environmental causes of breast cancer. Featured partner on cancer topic page.
• Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCombines power of more than 3 million members and online activists with expertise of 700+ scientists, lawyers, and environmental specialists to confront climate crisis and protect health. Featured partner on cancer topic page.
• Project TENDRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance of 50+ leading scientists, health professionals, and advocates working to protect children from toxic chemicals and pollutants that harm brain development. CHE highlights their work on neurodevelopment topic.
• Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational multidisciplinary organization protecting developing children from environmental health hazards and promoting healthier environment. Featured partner on children's health topic page.
• WE ACT for Environmental JusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilds healthy communities by ensuring people of color and/or low income residents participate meaningfully in environmental health policies. Featured partner on children's health topic page.
• Environmental Working Group (EWG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProtects public health by spotlighting harmful industry actions, speaking out against outdated regulations, and empowering consumers with education and research. Featured partner on children's health topic page.
• EarthjusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier nonprofit public interest environmental law organization wielding law and partnership strength to protect health, preserve places and wildlife, advance clean energy, and combat climate change. Featured partner on children's health topic page.
• Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeasurably reduces babies' exposure to toxic chemicals that harm brain development. Featured partner on children's health topic page.
• Program on Reproductive Health and Environment (PRHE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNation's leading research and public policy center for healthier environment for human reproduction and development. Featured partner on children's health topic page.
• Beyond PlasticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPairs wisdom of environmental policy experts with energy of grassroots advocates to educate on plastic pollution crisis. Featured partner on climate topic page.
• Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUses power of law to protect environment, promote human rights, and ensure just society. Featured partner on climate topic page.
• Clean Production ActioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigns and delivers strategic solutions for green chemicals, sustainable materials, and environmentally preferable products. Featured partner on climate topic page.
• Coming CleancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit environmental health collaborative transforming chemical industry so it is no longer a source of harm. Featured partner on climate topic page.
• International Pollution Elimination Network (IPEN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal network of 600+ public interest NGOs in more than 120 countries forging a healthier world free from toxic chemicals. Featured partner on climate topic page.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Environmental Working Group: EWG is a nonprofit environmental research and advocacy organization focused on toxic chemicals, pesticides, and consumer product safety. Highly comparable to CHE in mission area (toxics, children's health, PFAS), with shared partners and overlapping content audiences.
• Silent Spring Institute: Silent Spring Institute is a mission-driven scientific research organization dedicated to uncovering environmental causes of breast cancer. Directly comparable as a CHE featured partner addressing the same cancer-environment intersection.
• Breast Cancer Prevention Partners: BCPP is a national organization working to eliminate toxic chemicals and other environmental exposures that lead to breast cancer. Directly comparable to CHE's cancer prevention focus and a current CHE partner on the cancer topic page.
• Healthy Babies Bright Futures: HBBF works to measurably reduce babies' exposure to toxic chemicals that harm brain development. Directly comparable as a featured CHE partner focused on children's environmental health, the same core topic CHE prioritizes.
• Children's Environmental Health Network: CEHN is a national multidisciplinary organization protecting developing children from environmental health hazards. Closely comparable in scope and a current CHE partner on the children's health topic page.
• WE ACT for Environmental Justice: WE ACT builds healthy communities by ensuring people of color and low-income residents participate in environmental health policies. Directly comparable as a CHE partner with overlapping environmental justice and community health priorities.
• Green Science Policy Institute: Green Science Policy Institute is a nonprofit of scientists conducting and communicating peer-reviewed research on flame retardants, PFAS, and other chemical classes. Directly comparable to CHE on chemical class policy and a current CHE partner on PFAS resources.
• Clean Production Action: Clean Production Action designs and delivers strategic solutions for green chemicals and environmentally preferable products. Directly comparable as a CHE partner on the climate topic page with overlapping chemical safety focus.

Broad incumbents

• Natural Resources Defense Council: NRDC is a major environmental advocacy organization with 3M+ members and 700+ scientists, lawyers, and specialists. Comparable as a CHE partner addressing climate and health, but operates at vastly larger scale across many environmental issues beyond CHE's narrower chemical-health niche.
• Earthjustice: Earthjustice is the largest US nonprofit public interest environmental law organization. Comparable to CHE as a featured partner on children's health, but pursues environmental protection through litigation at a vastly larger scale than CHE's education and convening role.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@collaborativeonhealthandth5374
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/collaborativeforhealthandenvironment

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about collaborative on health and the environment