Health is undeniably linked to redevelopment activities, especially relating to brownfields, both directly and indirectly. Due to this relationship, health officials should also have a role in redevelopment planning, decision making, and community outreach. Benefits from early public health participation include identifying and addressing community based concerns, both real and perceived, up front. Key to this point is community communication and involvement, early and often. When issues are identified and addressed as early and openly as possible, everyone benefits. When involvement includes a community that is prepared with additional knowledge of redevelopment and environmental health, this process is enhanced. An established role for public health officials in both remediation and redevelopment planning and implementation can add efficacy and responsiveness to a redevelopment effort. Without a communicative link to the community, anxiety and mistrust can develop. As part of their role in the National Brownfields Initiative, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) established a grant to encourage the enhancement of public health participation in brownfields decisions and actions. The Rhode Island Department of Health was one recipient. Their grant funding focused on a community based-community designed educational tool designed to educated communities about brownfields, public health, and interactive community participation in redevelopment activities.
Learning Objectives: N/A
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.