Oral

Since the contemporary environmental justice movement gained national attention with the Warren County, NC PCB landfill protest in 1982, researchers from various disciplines have contributed to the study of environmental injustice. The EJ movement has been the catalyst for researchers to examine the distribution of environmental hazards and pollution and unhealthy land uses in vulnerable communities including poor neighborhoods, communities of color, marginalized, immigrant, and areas with fewer political resources. Additionally, researchers have examined the relationship between environmental exposures and adverse health outcomes in these disproportionately burdened vulnerable populations and communities. Recently, we have seen an emergence of “environmental justice science” that focuses on the development of innovative theories, conceptual frameworks, and research methodologies to study and address environmental injustice and environmental health disparities. The purpose of this session is to describe approaches and methods used to study environmental health disparities particularly approaches that examine cumulative and aggregate impacts of pollution exposure; use multi-level analysis; integrate approaches from urban planning, risk assessment, demography, population health, epidemiology, and environmental health sciences; and incorporate an understanding of the role that segregation plays in driving environmental health disparities. In addition, this session will provide insight into how environmental justice science can be used to address environmental health disparities.

Session Objectives: 1. To learn about the science of studying environmental justice (EJ) issues and environmental health disparities 2. To gain knowledge about frameworks and methods used to study EJ issues and environmental health disparities 3. To gain knowledge about innovative approaches used to solve EJ problems and environmental health disparities

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing