186272 Abstract # 2: SESSION: Climate change and healthy public policy: Opportunities for advocacy

Tuesday, October 28, 2008: 5:00 PM

Elizabeth Blackburn, RN BSN , U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC
Stephanie Chalupka, EdD, PHNCNS-BC , Department of Nursing, Worcester State College, Worcester, MA
Laura Anderko, RN PhD , Nursing, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
           
Background: Climate and weather have powerful impacts on human life in both the short- and long-term. Rising concern of current and impending health impacts related to global climate change has resulted in efforts to describe mitigation and adaptation strategies by a number of health and environmental agencies (e.g., EPA, CDC). Public health and health care professionals are increasing engaged in activities to address global climate change and related health effects.

Methods: This presentation will provide information on national and international initiatives proposed by a variety of state, federal, and international agencies to protect the public's health through mitigation and adaptation strategies, and encourage discussion of potential strategies for action by nurses in partnership with other health disciplines.

Results: Potential strategies for partnering across Occupational, Environmental, and Public Health Nursing Sections of APHA will be discussed using the Environmental Health Principles and Recommendations for Public Health Nursing as a framework.

Conclusions: Partnerships are essential for effectively addressing public health issues that have no borders, such as global climate change. Collaboration between the Occupational, Environmental, and Public Health Nursing Sections of APHA will provide an opportunity for ultimately, creating a multidisciplinary action plan for addressing public health issues related to global climate change.

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss international, federal, state, and local public health system approaches in addressing climate change and public health 2. Identify potential partners in the environmental and occupational communities for advocacy efforts with nursing, to address global climate change and public health issues

Keywords: Climate Change, Advocacy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked for US EPA for many years and am involved with efforts to protect and improve the environment.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Environmental Health and Climate Change
See more of: Public Health Nursing