The Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Hall Center for Law and Health and the Indiana University School of Medicine proudly present the 2026 McDonald-Merrill-Ketcham Award to Dr. Mary B. Rice.
Award Lecture
Preventing Involuntary Harm: The Health Case for Clean Air and Climate Policy
Invisible particles and gases emitted by fossil fuel combustion are inhaled deep into the lungs and trigger harmful effects throughout the body and across the lifespan—much like exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. The scientific evidence linking air pollution to cardiovascular and respiratory disease parallels the evidence that drove smoke-free indoor air laws. Policies that reduce air pollution from fossil fuels deliver near-term, measurable health benefits that accrue to communities that have been disproportionately burdened by pollution. This lecture will examine how clean air laws protect health and save lives, explore the health consequences of weakening or eliminating these protections, and highlight examples of climate-forward policies that advance public health by preventing involuntary exposure to harmful pollutants.
Register for this event here.