Recorded presentation

Maureen C. Edwards, MD, MPH, Center for Maternal and Child Health, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 201 West Preston Street, Room 319, Baltimore, MD 21201, 410-767-6760, Medwards@dhmh.state.md.us and Phillip Heard, MD, Maryland Department of the Environment, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21230.

Children are at special risk from environmental exposures because of unique physiologic and behavioral characteristics and thus may have increased risk for long-term effects as well as short-term toxicity. The Maryland Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council (CEHPAC) was created by statute in 2000 (House Bill 313). CEHPAC is an 18-member multidisciplinary group composed of representatives of state governmental agencies and private partners chosen based on their special expertise in areas of children’s environmental health (CEH). The Council is tasked with: 1.)reviewing state regulations that may impact CEH; 2.)educating all concerned regarding the issues and 3.)advising the Governor and the Legislature. CEHPAC has experienced significant accomplishments as well as challenges. Council members have devoted substantial effort to dealing with regulations and the process of review. CEHPAC has several projects completed or in process---a survey of mercury in schools, an analysis of the State’s infrastructure for CEH and the development of a CEH indicator report. The Council has been successful in bringing together environmental and children’s health experts to forge partnerships that have benefits outside the required tasks of the Council. These relationships have enriched grant applications, planning processes and individual agency educational activities as well as community education. The Council is challenged by the broad range and depth of expertise necessary to address the complexities of CEH as well as working within the regulatory process. Prioritizing limited resources also affects Council function.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the particpant will be able to

1.List factors that place children at risk from environmental exposures.
• Discuss ways to bring together multiple disciplines to address the broad aspects of children's environmental health.
• Assess the experience of one state in addressing children's environmental health.

Keywords: Children's Health, Environmental Health

Related Web page: www.MarylandChildrensEnvironmentalHealth.org

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.

Recorded presentation