Day 1 Concurrent Session D (3-4:15)
- Emerging Science & Research: Environmental Drivers of Chronic Disease
Ted Schettler, M.D., M.P.H., Science & Environmental Health Network; Maye Thompson, R.N., Ph.D., Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility
It is widely recognized that obesity increases risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD), that diabetes and CVD increases risk for Alzheimer’s disease, and that exposures to certain pesticides and heavy metals has been implicated in Parkinson’s disease. This presentation reviews current research on the linkages between these diseases and their physiological mechanisms; implications for patient education and care; and suggests policy initiatives to prevent these diseases.
- Community Level Programs: Local Health Equity Efforts
Nancy H. Stevens, Ph.D.; Jill Fuglister, M.S.E.S., Coalition for a Livable Future; Meg Merrick, M.S., Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies, Portland State University
For the past several years, environmental and social justice advocates, academics, health care and public health professionals have worked collaboratively to illustrate equity conditions in the six-county Portland-Vancouver metro area. The partners initiated this work in recognition that equity has largely been absent from the smart growth dialogues and that in order to achieve sustainability, equity must be given equal attention and action as the environment and economy – the other two pillars of sustainability. The partners undertook the work of mapping conditions in the metropolitan area with the purpose of influencing public policy decisions that impact social factors such as living-wage jobs, affordable housing, transportation options, walkable, safe communities and education. They will discuss how a diverse group of community partners collectively leveraged their tools to successfully build community capacity and influence planning and policy decisions, all with the ultimate goal of creating a thriving, healthy Portland metropolitan area.
b) “Community-Based Approaches to Reduce Toxins in Housing: Lessons Learned From Working with Diverse Communities”
Ian Blazina, M.P.H. student intern and Erin McNally, Josiah Hill III Clinic
A review of lessons learned from a community-based participatory research (CBPR) project with
Latino and Somali residents in Portland, Oregon called Healthy Futures Collaborative (HFC). The aim of the HFC project was to reduce in-home environmental health hazards associated with childhood respiratory illness and asthma through a process that strengthened social support and civic engagement. Using a community- based approach, the HFC trained community residents as Community Scientists to ensure local leadership and participation, and aimed to increase Somali and Latino residents' knowledge of environmental stressors and reduce exposures to these stressors. We also discuss issues of undertaking environmental justice projects among diverse members.
- Clinical Practice & Facilities Management: The Future of Environmental Health & Nursing
Barbara Sattler, R.N., Dr.P.H., F.A.A.N., University of Maryland School of Nursing, Environmental Health Education Center; Tom Engle, R.N. Oregon Department of Human Services, Public Health Division; Betty Bekemeier, Ph.D., M.P.H., R.N., University of Washington School of Nursing
The Institute of Medicine recommended that environmental health be integrated into nursing and medical education and specifically noted that environmental health be integrated into nursing practice, research and policy/advocacy. The Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments is engaged in the integration of environmental health into the profession. This session will review the new on-line "Learning Environment", the e-Commonsenvironmental health nursing website, resources for greening health care institutions, best practices for integrating environmental assessments into clinical practice, a national environmental health and nursing research agenda, and nursing advocacy efforts on chemical policies, sustainable agriculture and other cutting edge issues.
- Environmental Health Policy: Public Health Assessments & Climate Change
Michael Heumann, M.P.H., M.A., Oregon Public Health Division
Hazard Vulnerability Assessments (HVAs) are traditionally employed by emergency managers and uniformed services to identify and rank threats to the infrastructure of communities. Oregon Public Health has begun working with local health departments (LHDs) to evaluate the potential public health impacts from natural disasters and climate-related threats. This presentation highlights the tools used, outcomes the LHDs identified and policy implications of this approach to prioritize hazards, populations at special risk and resources available and needed to mitigate the threats. This ongoing process is still unfolding, and holds promise to better prepare for small and large emergencies that happen throughout the state.
b) “Assessing the health impacts of climate change-focused transportation policies, programs, and projects”
Steve White, M.U.R.P., Community Health Partnership
Health impact assessments (HIAs) are emerging as an effective tool for integrating public health concerns into public planning and decisionmaking processes. Community Health Partnership: Oregon’s Public Health Institute (CHP:OPHI) is currently partnering with Metro and the City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability to conduct a series of HIAs focusing on transportation-related policies, programs, and projects concerned with addressing climate change. The goal of this work is to help Portland-area planners better understand the environmental health impacts of their options as they consider transportation-related strategies for addressing climate change. This presentation will detail HIA methodology and will report project research findings to date.
