Building a Greener World for Healthy ChildrenDecisions made in the design and operation of our schools, health care facilities and homes can have a tremendous impact upon the health of our children and their environment. Through a series of examples, Dr. Sanders will discuss the range of choices and resources available and the role health care providers can play in helping individuals and communities make sound decisions about their built environment. The presentation aims to increase health care providers understanding of the impact of green buildings and energy choices on children's environmental health and further help the health care community recognize the actions they can take to promote green buildings and energy choices.Complete lecture notes (available post-conference) Presenter : William H. Sanders III, DrPH |
Climate ChangeClimate change is occurring and like other environmental issues, it will have a different impact on children than adults. The presentation will explore the causes of climate change and cover foreseeable impacts of climate no human health with emphasis on children’s health and the Mid-Atlantic region.Complete lecture notes (available post-conference) Presenter : Jerome Paulson, MD |
Air Pollution and Pulmonary FunctionThe presentation will identify sources of pollution inside the home that may affect lung health, and describe (1) the relationship between indoor air quality and lung growth and development. (2) risk factors in childhood for reduced lung function as an adult.Complete lecture notes (available post-conference) Presenter: Tee Guidotti, MD , MPH |
Greening the Earth - Practical & Pragmatic Advice to Your PatientsPediatric health care providers receive inquiries from their patients and the parents of their patients about the impact of the environment on their children’s health. They need practical information to provide to parents about what they can do on the individual level to protect their children. This presentation will help participants to understand simple activities that individuals can undertake protect their children from environmental hazards and the participants will be able to relate this information to others – particularly patients.Complete lecture notes (available post-conference) Presenter: Jerome Paulson, MD |
Pediatric Environmental Health Case DiscussionsPediatricians and health care providers may have little to no experience in the evaluation and treatment of children with common potential environmentally related exposures or diseases. An interactive discussion of real cases and clinical situations will enhance the familiarity, comfort, and ability of clinicians to successfully evaluate children and adolescents with potential or actual environmental exposures. The presentation will demonstrate the process of clinical evaluation that can re-enforce the ability of pediatricians and health care professionals to provide clinical care for children with actual or potential environmentally related health problems and help practitioners to appreciate common clinical cases as demonstrations of the principal s of pediatric environmental health.Complete lecture notes (available post-conference) Presenter: Ben Gitterman, MD |
Mold in SchoolsThis presentation provides an understanding of the nature of mold in schools, both usual and excessive – the where, how much, and whys. It gives the tools to distinguish between scientifically valid health effects, interesting hypothetical concepts, and junk science. It helps develop an effective approach to resolving problems related to mold in schools.Complete lecture notes (available post-conference) Presenter: James Seltzer, MD |
Is Obesity an Environmental Health Concern?Dr Hassink will define the scope of the obesity epidemic, describe the etiologic factors associated with obesity both on population and individual level, and create a viable plan to address the obesity producing environment in your local setting.Complete lecture notes (available post-conference) Presenter: Sandra Hassink, MD |
School Communities and Public Health PreparednessPublic health preparedness is being ready to mobilize the resources of a community in order to prevent, respond and restore service and to protect the health of the public in the event of a disaster. Schools are an integral part of any community’s response to public health emergencies. Understanding the unique role of school communities in public health preparedness strengthens the capacity of a community to protect the health of children and caregivers in the event of an emergency. This presentation will articulate the unique issues surrounding school communities in public health preparedness and outline the role of school in the incident command structure.Complete lecture notes (available post-conference) Presenter: Marina Moses, MS, DrPH |
Environmental Tobacco SmokeThis presentation will describe the harmful effects of secondhand tobacco smoke exposure to children, the means of measuring secondhand tobacco smoke exposure of children in the clinical setting , and conclude with effective ways to reduce and eliminate secondhand tobacco smoke exposure among children.Complete lecture notes (available post-conference) Presenter: Dana Best, MD, MPH |
Through the Looking Glass – How the Mad Hatter is Showing Us the Way to Greener HealthcareWe all know that mercury bioaccumulates within the food chain., but, where does this mercury come from and how do we recognize its human health impacts? What is the Environmental Protection Agency doing to reduce mercury use in products and what can you do to “green” your practice?The presentation will give an overview of the movement of Mercury about the Globe, and what the EPA and others are doing to reduce the use of Mercury as well as describe what practitioner can do to “green” their facilities. Complete lecture notes (available post-conference) Presenter: Tom Murray |
Vapor Intrusion Issues Beyond Radon - Exposure Considerations for Children and FamiliesVapor intrusion is the process of chemicals moving from air spaces in soil to indoor air. Exposure to chemicals in indoor air can affect children’s health in many ways. A regional approach has been developed to investigate vapor intrusion sites and determine the appropriate remedial and public health activities. Several investigations have yielded insights about what approaches can best protect children’s health and the indoor environment.The presentation will define the concept of vapor intrusion and the chemicals typically involved. Dr. Markiewicz will describe children’s health concerns regarding vapor intrusion exposure scenarios and the EPA/ATSDR Region 3 approach and how the medical community integrates into the process. He will also aid participants in identifying several environmental solutions that can help protect children’s health. Complete lecture notes (available post-conference) Presenter: Karl Markiewicz, PhD |
Is Autism an Environmentally Related Disease?The incidence of autism in children is increasing and of great concern to parents and to health professionals. There is increased concern that environmental exposures are the etiology of these problems. The potential impact of autism on families has resulted in a variety of concerns which may or may not be rooted in fact. The presentation will differentiate between evidence based and anecdotal concerns about such relationships. It will also enhance the ability of health care professionals to respond to concerns of patients, their families, and the general public regarding these issues and help the audience understand the controversies surrounding concerns about environmental exposures in children and their possible relationship to autism.Complete lecture notes (available post-conference) Presenter: Benjamin Gitterman, MD |