The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48736

Nsedu Obot, MPH, Children's Environmental Health Network, 110 Maryland Ave., NE, Suite 511, Washington, DC 20002, (202) 543-4033 x14, nobot@cehn.org

In 1995, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released two Reports that provided a clear understanding that the current undergraduate and graduate medical/nursing education for health care professionals provide little or no training on issues pertaining to environmental health. Furthermore, inclusion of pediatric environmental health into medical/nursing education standards is almost non-existent. In an effort to describe how all graduating medical/nursing students should have the basic knowledge and skills in environmental education, key competencies were identified in each Report.

In response to this great need, with funding support from the National Institute Of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN) and the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation (NEETF) have partnered to create an Action Agenda to Incorporate Children's Environmental Health into Pediatric Medical and Nursing Education Standards. The first purpose of this Action Agenda is to highlight key leverage points for curricular change through accreditation, curriculum development, certification requirements/testing, and continuing education standards. This agenda builds upon a growing interdisciplinary movement toward actual inclusion of pediatric environmental health education. Conference calls of key leaders within medical and nursing education were convened to review their individual comments to this Action Agenda. Participants identified many lessons learned, recommendations, and steps toward increased inclusion of environmental health into pediatric medical/nursing education standards. Recommendation highlights, progress on pilot projects, as well as suggestions for next steps will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the session participants will be able to

• Articulate a brief understanding of at least 3 key competencies describing basic knowledge and skills of environmental health education expected of health care providers.
• Describe identified leverage points for inclusion of pediatric environmental health into existing medical and nursing education standards.
• Identify realistic venues for effective strategy and implementation of recommendations from the Action Agenda.

Keywords: Infrastructure, Child Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN) and National Environmental Education and Training Foundation (NEETF).
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment, grants