Environmental Health

 
Environmental Health Committee
Chairpersons:
Steven Goldstein, M.D.
E-mail Dr. Goldstein
Lucy Weinstein, MD
E-mail Dr. Weinstrin

Publications:

JAMA News article may be of interest: Medical Community Gathers Steam to Tackle Climate’s Health Effects

 

As many of you may know, the AAP passed a resolution at the Annual Leadership Forum to encourage pediatricians to educate their families on mitigation and adaptation strategies and work to provide sustainable practices (by example) in the office and hospital settings.  COEH will work on providing these tools to pediatricians through the Climate Change Toolkit.  In meantime, this is discussed in a recent JAMA News article that may be of interest to you.  Several of our AAP members are mentioned.

Environmental Health Newsletter, Fall 2016 – from the NY Chapter 2 and 3 Committees on Environmental Health

Environmental Health Newsletter, Fall 2015 – from the NY Chapter 2 and 3 Committees on Environmental Health

Environmental Health Newsletter, Fall 2014 – from the NY Chapter 2 and 3 Committees on Environmental Health – Word format

  Have you ever wondered what the numbers or recycling symbols mean at the bottom of plastic bottles and containers?  Read here for the whole story.

Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSUs) are a national network of pediatricians, nurses, and specialty physicians, with expertise in environmental health and its effect on children.  Each regional PEHSU serves as a resource for its pediatricians, public health officials, school personnel, early childhood providers, parents, and others who have concerns about potential health risks due to environmental health hazards (e.g. lead poisoning, fungus and mold, mercury, pesticides, and phthalates/Bisphenol A) involving children.

PEHSU logo

Through a cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) were recently selected to oversee the management of the PEHSU Program. AAP coordinates the work of Regions 1-5, while ACMT coordinates the work of Regions 6-10. Together, the two organizations form the PEHSU National Office.

The PEHSU program offers many resources on a variety of topics regarding children’s environmental health. Some of the valuable resources that PEHSUs can offer are:

  • Evaluating suspected toxic exposures in a variety of settings
  • Working with families and the medical home to identify and interpret appropriate diagnostic tests
  • Medical management
  • Referral to specialty care
  • Education for health professionals or communities on children’s environmental health topics

Chapter Champions are encouarged to learn more about the services that PEHSUs provide by visiting: http://www.pehsu.net/aboutus.html

To find your regional PEHSU, go to: http://www.pehsu.net/findhelp.html

For questions or more information, please contact Cassie Bernardi at cbernardi@aap.org or 847-434-7951.

 

Useful Links: