The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #50008

Janine Margaret Legg, MBA, Health Studies, Temple University, 295 E. Swedesford Rd., PMB #253, Wayne, PA 19087, 267-992-4034, jmlegg@astro.temple.edu

Building healthy communities for children in Environmental Justice ("EJ") areas requires knowledge of the health needs of the communities. Children's health issues in EJ areas seem to be characteristic and expected. Children of certain ethnic groups, due to social and socioeconomic factors, are more affected than others. Disease assessment, disease prevention, access and adequacy of health care, financing of increased healthcare, adequate transportation to health care facilities, and assessment of nutritional challenges must be addressed to prevent environmental racism and to rebuild healthy communities. The proposed model, "Building Healthy Communities in Environmental Justice Areas" or "Health EJA," poses an epidemiologically based solution for planning community resources after pollution occurs, and can be used as a tool for health professionals. The model Health EJA includes the following factors: 1) Disease surveillance and identification of affected populations of exposures; 2) Health and mental health needs assessment; 3) Development of standardized medical testing for affected populations, including biomarker testing; 4) General needs assessment for existing health and mental health services; 5) Specific needs assessment for required health and mental health services as a result of the pollution; 6) Assessment of barriers to health care of affected populations; 7) Program Planning; 8) Health Promotion; 9) Health Education; 10) Health Communication; 11) Outcomes; 12) Identification of future community health and mental health needs. Health EJA can be applied to a rural or urban setting. Civil rights issues and funding for new health needs as a result of the pollution should also be addressed routinely.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand children's health issues, social and socioeconomic factors in Environmental Justice areas. Review the biological, behavioral and social factors needs for building health in an Environmental Justice area. Introduction of the model, "Building Healthy Communities in Environmental Justice Areas", ("Health EJA")that poses an epidemiologically based solution for planning community resources after pollution has occurred and that can be used as a tool for health professionals.

Keywords: Environmental Justice, Community Health Planning

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.