Animal production in the United States and elsewhere has become increasingly industrialized, with huge animal confinement systems replacing the family farm. The large-scale production of cheap meat, milk and eggs has been implicated in a number of public health problems, including: * air and water pollution * excessive consumption of water, gain, petroleum, pesticides and drugs * the emergence of a variety of disease-causing organisms that are resistant to antibiotics * perpetuation of the prevailing animal-based diet, with resulting morbidity
The environmental and health costs associated with industrial animal production are now beginning to be recognized. This session seeks to explore the various public health implications of IAP and to begin the process of developing a network of scholars and practitioners who are interested in studying the public health issues of IAP, and in sharing information and, where appropriate, informing public policy.
The session will begin with an overview of the impact that IAP is having on public health, and the work being done at the School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University to address this issue. The bulk of the session will be a discussion by participants about the advisability of establishing an IAP/Public Health Network to foster research and teaching in this area, and what such a network might look like.
Learning Objectives: Discussion of the collaboration of public health scholars in the study of the health and environmental problems caused by industrial animal production. Creation of a group to foster research and dissemination of results about IAP
Keywords: Food Safety, Environment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.