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

Abstract #116531

Sylvia Herrera, PhD, People Organized in Defense of Earth and her Resources, PO Box 6237, Austin, TX 78762`, 512-472-9921, cuauilteca@aol.com

This presentation will provide information on the processes utilized by PODER, a local grassroots organization in addressing community health through the change of land use policies. Specifically, the impact of hazardous facilities adjacent to or across from schools on children's physical, mental and emotional health will provide the foundation to the presentation. Further evidence will be provided on how affected East Austin neighborhoods changed land use policies for future protection of their children's health.

The presentation will also describe PODER's project, the Nahui Ollin-Healthy Communities, efforts to tie land use and environmental concerns to children's health. The presentation will outline the recommendations of the Nahui Ollin parents and the adoption of an air quality policy that would alert and protect our children's health on ozone and bad air quality days.

Learning Objectives:

• To provide basic concepts on environmental justice, land use and health policies.
• To demonstrate how community based evidence on children’s health can be utilized for social change.
• To provide an understanding of collaborative efforts between community, schools and governmental entities.

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.