Environmental Health and Climate Change Committee |
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Chairpersons: Steven Goldstein, M.D. ![]() Lucy Weinstein, MD ![]() |
Publications: |
COEH Chairperson Dr. Aparna Bole recorded a 15-minute podcast with Radio MD for AAP regarding talking with kids about climate change. It can be heard here: How to Talk to Your Kids About Climate Change.
About Harvard’s project Early Adopters: State Approaches to Testing School Drinking Water for Lead in the United States and a direct link to the report.
A Bad Move That Could End Up Exposing Kids to Chemicals – New York Times article by Philip J. Landrigan, MD and Lynn R. Goldman, MD, MPH
Weakening the EPA’s ability to protect the most vulnerable – Washington Post article by Jerome A. Paulson, MD
Co-chair Lucy Weinstein, MD, FAAP, at the American Public Health Association’s Convention in San Diego, advocating for vaccinations and for getting out the vote.
Environmental Health Newsletter, Fall 2017 – from the NY Chapter 2 and 3 Committees on Environmental Health
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
The Critical Roles of Health Professionals in Climate Change Prevention and Preparedness
The American Lung Association has led development of a sign-on letter that health professionals can join individually, supporting the light-duty vehicle standards on carbon emissions. The AAP has been a strong advocate for federal policies to address the impact of climate change on children’s health. Individual pediatricians may sign-on to the letter if interested. Thank you!
New! On-Demand Webinars Available on the PEHSU National Classroom
Topics covered include:
- Child lead poisoning cases assessment
- Updates on lead exposure in Flint, Michigan and East Chicago, Indiana
- The Dakota Access Pipeline
- Wildfire disaster response and preparedness
- Arsenic in rice
- Per‐ and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and infants
- Air pollution and birth outcomes
- The Prenatal Assessment of Environmental Risk Tool
- Marijuana
All courses are self-paced, online courses offered by the federally-funded Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit program.
These courses are FREE to all interested healthcare professionals, students, or other relevant occupations and qualify as continuing education by the Centers for Disease Control.
JAMA News article may be of interest: Medical Community Gathers Steam to Tackle Climate’s Health Effects
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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.
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:
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry home page
- PEHSU Recommendations on Medical Management of Childhood Lead Exposure and Poisoning
- Lead, from Pediatric Environmental Health, 3rd Edition.
- Little Things Matter: The Impact of Toxins on the Developing Brain – a video by the Canadian Environmental Health Atlas