Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111837

Kathleen E. Schuler, MPH, Food and Health Program, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, 2105 First Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404, 612-870-3468, kschuler@iatp.org

Neurotoxic chemicals like lead, mercury, PCBs, dioxin and pesticides are widespread in our environment, resulting in significant fetal and childhood exposures for many children. These neurotoxic substances contribute to increasing rates of childhood learning and developmental problems, which now affect about 17% of children. The economic burden of these childhood disabilities on society and families is significant. Nationwide the average cost to educate children in special education programs is twice that of the average student and the numbers of children with special education needs are increasing. In addition to special education costs, other costs include: social service and health care costs; decreased productivity in adult work life; and lost wages and productivity for parents. Economic analyses of the costs of learning and developmental disabilities are valuable to public policy-makers as they consider long term budgetary impacts of social service, health and education programs at local, state and federal levels, as well as the intrinsic value to society and families of protecting children from exposures to neurotoxic chemicals.

Learning Objectives:

• · Describe the economic burden of childhood learning and developmental disabilities on the education system.
• · Assess estimated costs of learning and developmental problems to society and affected individuals, both during childhood and adulthood.
• · Evaluate the need for including economic analyses in public policy making and the value to society, families and individuals of reducing preventable environmental contributors to these problems.

Keywords: Environmental Health Hazards, Children's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation