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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Glen Andersen, MSPH, National Conference of State Legislatures, 7700 East First Place, Denver, CO 80230, 303-856-1341, glen.andersen@ncsl.org

State legislative activity often mirrors public sentiment. According to research conducted by the National Conference of State Legislatures, the public is becoming more concerned about environmental health issues, given that over 300 bills relating to environmental health were introduced by state legislators in 2005. This concern reflects the tendency for state governments to act on issues of public concern, particularly in areas that are seen as being inadequately addressed by the federal government. Thus, state policymakers are playing an increasingly active role in environmental health issues such as air quality and mercury since many feel that federal agencies are failing in this arena. This session will examine trends in state environmental health policy, including air quality, mercury, and environmental public health tracking.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the types of policies that are currently important to state legislators and why.
• Name at least 3 important environmental health policy topics in the states.
• Discuss the important and growing role of state policymakers in environmental public health.

Keywords: Policy/Policy Development, Environmental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation