RESEARCH
Environmental Health Research Centre
Environmental Health Research Centre
The Environmental Health Research Centre (EHRC) was established in 1996 following the redesignation of the Medical Ecology Division at the Institute for Medical Research, building on momentum from the First National Conference on Environmental Health Research held in 1994. The Centre later reorganized to strengthen its focus on key environmental health priorities, forming dedicated units for health risk assessment, occupational health research, and, subsequently, climate change and health to address emerging environmental challenges.
EHRC is a recognized centre advancing environmental health research through integrated Planetary Health and One Health approaches. Its core functions include research, training, and expert consultation, with an emphasis on understanding and mitigating environmental risks to human health while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration across human, animal, and ecosystem health for sustainable public health solutions. Currently, EHRC comprises three units: the Health Risk Assessment Unit, the Occupational Health Research Unit, and the Climate Change Unit.
Executive Summary
Head of Environmental Health Research Centre
Dr. Rohaida Binti Ismail
MD (UKM, Malaysia), Master Community Medicine (Environmental Health) (UKM, Malaysia)
Scopus | Web of Science | Google Scholar | ResearchGate
Telephone: +603-3362 7478
Email: rohaidadr@moh.gov.my
Centre Objectives
To enhance the health and well-being of the population through biomedical and public health research focusing on the impacts of environmental exposure on human health.
To support national health priorities by identifying and assessing health risks arising from environmental degradation, climate change, and occupational factors.
To strengthen national capacity in environmental health research through expertise development, technology transfer, and strategic collaboration with relevant agencies and institutions.
To increase public and professional awareness of the health impacts of environmental exposure through health advocacy, education, and promotional programs.
Centre Functions
Conduct scientific research in environmental epidemiology to assess the impacts of environmental degradation, climate change, and occupational factors on human health.
Develop evidence-based health risk assessment methodologies to inform and support public health policies and programs.
Provide technical training and consultancy in environmental health, risk assessment, occupational health, and climate change for government agencies and industry.
Disseminate research findings and knowledge through publications, seminars, and strategic collaborations to advance national health policies and environmental protection.
Human Resource Profile
Specialists
Medical Officers
Research Officers
Support Staffs
Climate Change Unit
The Climate Change (CC) Unit was officially established in 2019 in response to the growing threat of climate change, with a dedicated focus on studying and addressing the impacts of climate change on public health in Malaysia.
Key Activities
- Climate change and health impact and vulnerability assessment
- Training and capacity building in climate change and health
- Consultation on the links between climate change and health
Health Risk Assessment Unit
The Health Risk Assessment (HRA) Unit investigates how environmental exposures influence human health through advanced analytical chemistry, molecular microbiology, and comprehensive risk assessment.
Key Activities
- Heavy metals analysis across environmental and biological media for exposure assessment.
- Monitoring atmospheric microplastics and emerging contaminants
- Wastewater surveillance
- One Health antimicrobial resistance studies
Occupational Health Research Unit
The Occupational Health Research (OHR) Unit focuses on research and innovation to improve workplace health and safety, with emphasis on occupational and environmental exposures.
Key Activities
- Occupational and environmental exposure assessment
- Training and capacity building in occupational health
- Consultancy on workplace risk assessment and control measures
