The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #52085

Patricia Meinhardt, MD, MPH, MA, Arnot Ogden Medical Center, Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 600 Ivy Street, Elmira, NY 14905, (607) 257-6559, epidoc@twcny.rr.com, Jeffrey Griffiths, MD, MPH, TM, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111, Arthur Frank, MD, PHD, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, The University of Texas Health Center, 11937 US Highway 271, Tyler, TX 75708, Elisa Speranza, BA, MPA, Global Markets, CH2M HILL Consulting, 25 New Chardon Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114, and J. Alan Roberson, MS, PE, Regulatory Affairs, American Water Works Association, 1401 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 640, Washington, DC 20005.

Contamination of water reserves by either chemical agents or infectious pathogens may affect the health of millions of residents in America. The threat of covert terrorism including intentional contamination of water reserves underscores the importance of this ongoing public health challenge. In addition, misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis of waterborne disease by the medical community may result in significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in vulnerable populations at increased risk of disease as a result of waterborne pathogens and chemical contaminant exposure. Unfortunately, the majority of practicing physicians in the US have received no formalized training in the recognition and evaluation of waterborne disease or in the management of the short and long-term health effects of water pollution during their medical education or subsequently during their years in active clinical practice.

The purpose of this Waterborne Disease Institute is to provide a clinical overview of the diagnosis and management of waterborne disease resulting from both microbial and chemical contamination of water using the medical website Recognizing Waterborne Disease and the Health Effects of Water Pollution: An On-Line Physician Reference Guide accessible at www.WaterHealthConnection.aomc.org. A second component of the Institute will address the public health challenges facing the water utility community who are tasked with providing safe drinking water including the very serious issue of aging infrastructure and water distribution systems in America. Any strategic plan to maintain and protect water quality and safety in the US must include healthcare practitioners as stakeholders and active participants in this significant public health challenge.

Learning Objectives:

• To identify the critical steps necessary to evaluate clinical cases of waterborne disease in healthy and susceptible populations;
• To articulate the diagnostic approaches necessary to evaluate the health effects of both acute and chronic exposure to chemical contaminants in water;
• To define the public health challenges involved in protecting water quality and safety including challenges to the security of drinking water reserves

Keywords: Water, Water Quality

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.