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

Abstract #117771

Natalie Walker, Advocate for Environmental Human Rights, 1050 South Jefferson Davis Parkway, Suite 333, New Orleans, LA 70125, 504.304.2275, nwalker-aehr@cox.net and Monique Harden, Advocates for Environmental Human Rights, 1050 South Jefferson Davis Parkway, Suite 333, New Orleans, LA 70125.

Making Health a Priority in Environmental Protection presents innovative work in law, health advocacy, and economic development that promote health in environmental policies and decision-making. Law Nathalie Walker will provide public health professionals with insight into health as a fundamental human right based on its significant status in human rights law and standards. Ms. Walker will demonstrate how little attention is given to health precautions in environmental law with an interactive Environmental Health Myth-Buster. The audience will be asked to answer whether the following three statements are true or false. 1. All chemicals manufactured in the United States have been tested to determine whether they have a negative effect on human health. [False] 2. For each of the 112 hazardous air pollutants identified by EPA, the agency has established pollution control standards that are based on a public health assessment. [False] 3. In America, people have become the repositories for chemicals, pesticides and pollutants that are the building blocks and by-products of many manufactured products. [True] Ms. Walker will present research of laws that establish health as a fundamental human right extending to environmental conditions. As part of her presentation, Ms. Walker will provide an analysis of the following: (1) emerging human rights law requiring governments to ensure health protections in their environmental decision-making; (2) environmental factors that interfere with the fundamental human right to health; and (3) key aspects of the environmental regulatory system that can be improved through a human rights legal framework to meet public health objectives.

Learning Objectives:

• To provide an understanding of the United States’ legal obligation to uphold health as a fundamental human right that extends to environmental conditions. This should be particularly helpful for public health professionals working in government agencies.
• To describe the limitations of existing environmental laws and regulations to adequately protect public health.
• To explain and increase the awareness existing environmental regulatory models establishing precautions that are protective of human health.

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.

Recorded presentation