Gregory A. Norris, Visiting Scientist, Harvard School of Public Health, President, Sylvatica, 147 Bauneg Hill Road, Suite 200, North Berwick, ME 03906, 207-676-7640, gnorris@hsph.harvard.edu

Socio-economic impacts of product life cycles are important for two reasons: direct and indirect effects. Impacts on income and employment can bring direct changes in poverty and in the ability of households to meet their basic human needs. As a secondary outcome, socio-economic variables have been shown to correlate strongly with other important outcomes, both within and among countries. We have developed a practical method for better addressing within product life cycle assessments the socio-economic pathways to health impacts, and to the incidence of hardships. Consumption behavior by one person, organization, or nation has impacts on the economic activity and development of other persons in the same nation and around the world. These economic development impacts in turn have been shown to have a major influence on life expectancy, and on the probability that the household members will be forced to go without basic needs. We describe and demonstrate the approach through case study applications.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation, the participant (learner) will be able to

• Understand the connection between need-related impacts of designs and policies in a life cycle framework. 2) Recognize the influence of household socio-economic status on life expectancy, and on the incidence of hardships -- major unfortunate events in the lives of people.
• See how these relationships have been practically integrated into life cycle assessment.

Keywords: Environment, Sustainability

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.