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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Ted Schettler, MD, MPH, Science and Environmental Health Network, 39 Bromfield St, Newburyport, MA 01950, 515-268-0600, tschettler@igc.org

Human health and disease is determined by complex interactions among genetic and environmental factors. Important environmental variables include nutrition, exposure to toxic chemicals, radiation, infectious agents and socioeconomic circumstances. Environmental variables interact with the genome throughout life, but some interactions during fetal and child development are uniquely capable of influencing gene expression in ways that impact health or disease risk throughout life. The risk of a large number of disorders is increased (or decreased) by modulation of environmental variables. For example, environmental chemical exposures can increase the risk of malignancies, birth defects, neurodevelopmental problems or infertility. In some cases, however, optimal or suboptimal nutritional status can alter the risks associated with chemical exposure. Similarly, optimal social circumstances reduce some impacts of chemical exposures (e.g., neurodevelopmental impacts of lead or tobacco smoke) whereas suboptimal social circumstances can magnify their impacts and make them resistent to therapy. This panel presentation will feature discussions by members of the national Collaborative on Health and the Environment regarding the influence environmental variables may have on four diseases or disabilities for which there is significant scientific literature: infertility, learning and developmental disabilities, cancer and Parkinson's Disease. The presenters will also highlight how collaborative efforts among researchers, health professionals, health-affected groups and environmental health and justice advocates are addressing these concerns through educational and public health policy activities on state and national levels.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Name at least three interacting factors—such as nutrition, exposures to toxic chemicals and genetics--that can contribute to the risk of various diseases and disabilities.
• Describe how environmental exposures may increase the risk of infertility, learning and developmental disabilities, cancer and Parkinson's Disease.
• Describe at least three collaborative initiatives that are working to reduce environmental contributors to disease and disabilities through educational outreach and public health policy activities.

Keywords: Environmental Health,

Related Web page: www.healthandenvironment.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No