Environmental factors can influence human health, including physical, chemical, and biological factors that are external to a person, and all related behaviors. Collectively, these are referred to as environmental determinants of health (EDHs). Threats to any one of the EDHs can have an adverse impact on the health and well-being of the population. These environmental threats can occur naturally, human-made, or because of social conditions and ways people live. Addressing these EDHs will directly improve the health of the population.

The NNLM will establish a baseline of understanding of EDHs for NNLM members. This area will cover a wide-range of topics that include (but are not limited to) socioeconomic factors, natural and built environmental factors, pollution, climate change, disaster information management, mental and emotional health, rural and urban health, tribal health, access to health care, health advocacy, and sustainability.