The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67720

Renee Louise Robin, JD, California Director, Children's Environmental Health Network, 1604 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94707, 510-526-0081, rlrobin@cehn.org

This paper discussed programs underway at the Children’s Environmental Health Network (CEHN) to bridge environmental health constituencies with land use and community design disciplines, particularly in areas referred to as "smart growth or new urbanism". Innovative approaches to the built environment are being actively promoted which emphasize sustainability and which support natural resource protection. We hope to clarify the links between the built environment, land use decision-making, and the health of children and families. CEHN is collaborating with experts in the planning, architecture, environmental design and regulatory fields and are actively in forming both a research, public education, and policy agenda . Our goal is to identify the health hazards and increased risk factors for chronic and latent diseases in children that can be correlated to specific environmental degradation. We have identified 3 initial categories for case studies where we examine the major environmental and behavior elements, identify health effects and risk factors and data gaps, and propose planning and design alternatives to mitigate or eliminate negative health effects. The topics in the program's first phase are (1) increased commuting and air pollution (2) loss of agricultural lands, related health implications from deteriorated water quality and quantity, nutritional issues, and the need for sustainable, pesticide free, agricultural practices for improved compatibility in the urban/rural partnership; and (3) the availability of attractive and cost effective alternatives for construction materials and practices in residences, schools, portable classrooms and in neighborhood design features such as school siting, bike paths and sidewalks.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will gain concrete understanding of development, regional planning and land use decisions that result in envionrmental health impacts effecting children's health. Examples of impacts include air and water quality degradation, loss of local and regional food supply, reduced physical activity and loss of social capital. Specific development and policy alternatives which may mitigate or eliminate these impacts will be examined; including green-building practices, co-housing, new urbanism, "smart growth" and sustainable development

Keywords: Environmental Health, Children's Health

Related Web page: www.cehn.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Children's Enviornmental Health Network, CDC, Active Living Network, Congress for New Urbanism
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.