Day 1 Concurrent Session B (12:30-1:30)

12:30 - 1:30: Concurrent Session B

• Emerging Science & Research: Climate Change & Public Health Role

Catherine Thomasson, Ph.D., Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, Portland State University

Update on new data on the public health impact of climate disruption. Coverage will include projections of temperature, extreme weather events, water supplies, fire, ocean changes and security. The role of the health professional in creating mitigation within the community will also be discussed and contacts provided for further information.

• Community Programs: Environmental Health Concerns & Schools

Maye Thompson, R.N., Ph.D., Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility; Mary Peveto, Neighbors for Clean Air

In March 2009, USA Today published an exposé about schools affected by industrial air pollution. Northwest Portland’s Chapman Elementary school is one of 15 Portland schools in the top 2% of schools nationwide with the worst air due to industrial air pollution. Forty-five Portland schools fall in the highest 5%, and there is another toxic hotspot in North Portland. The toxin of most concern is manganese, a potent neurotoxin. Neighbors for Clean Air was founded in May 2009.

Cathie-Anne Lippman, M.D., Lippman Center for Optimal Health

Over 10 years ago, LA Unified School District initiated a pioneering Integrated Pest Management Team. The Advisory Board includes representatives from different sections of the school district, as well as outside members of parent groups, community organizations, and other city agencies. This session will describe the importance of Integrated Pest Management and how it has benefited students and personnel in the school district.

• Practice & Facilities Management: Pediatric Environmental Health

Virginia Ellingson & Nancy J Beaudet, M.S., C.I.H., NW PEHSU, University of Washington

Health care providers and public health officials are increasingly asked to evaluate a child's health risk from exposure to environmental agents. Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) is a CDC and EPA-funded national network of pediatricians, toxicologists, exposure scientists and other specialists based at universities. PEHSU faculty train health professionals and provide consultations on the prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment of environmentally-related health effects in children. Aggregate data from the PEHSU database provide a snapshot of regional pediatric environmental health concerns and case descriptions demonstrate that the environmental history is an important tool to identify potentially significant environmental exposures.

• Environmental Health Policy: Food Systems & Policy

Nancy Becker, M.S., R.D., L.D., Community Health Partnership, Chair of the Oregon Nutrition Policy Alliance; Noelle Dobson, M.P.H., Community Health Partnership; Emma Sirois, M.A., Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility

Sustainable food systems serve and protect human, environmental, social and economic health so that all persons have access to healthy, nutritious foods. Efforts to improve the ecological sustainability of our food system(s) take many forms from research to practice to policy. In this session we will learn about several food policy efforts in different arenas including local, state, federal, facility, and association address sustainable food systems and environmental health. Clinicians have a critical role to play in bringing the healthcare voice to bear on these policy discussions and decisions. In this panel, Ms. Dobson will discuss the Portland Plan, Healthy Food Retail and other nutrition policy efforts currently underway at CHP. Ms. Becker will talk about local, state and federal policy efforts around food systems including farm-to-school, the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act and the Farm Bill. Ms. Sirois will share how Health Care Without Harm mobilizes health professionals/practitioners for sustainable food policies in institutional, medical association and governmental arenas.