191120 Seven Principles of Healthy Housing: Keep It Safe, Avoid Contaminants

Saturday, October 25, 2008: 4:05 PM

Brenda Reyes, MD, MPH , Bureau of Community & Children's Environmental Health, City of Houston Department of Health & Human Services, Houston, TX
Nancy Manning Crider, MS, RN, CNAA , School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX
Keep it Safe – Safety in and around the home and community will be discussed as a means to decrease the number of injuries and deaths related to environmental household hazards. Avoid Contaminants - Sources of lead in the home and community will be highlighted as an often unrecognized source of housing related illness and lead safe work practices will be emphasized. Radon, Asbestos, cleaning products and other Volatile Organic Chemicals that negatively impact indoor air quality will be presented. Routine home maintenance and inspection will be identified as a means to control moisture, pests and indoor air quality. Group exercises to identify problems and cost effect solutions will be introduced.

Learning Objectives:
Identify the three most common causes of death related to home injuries. Name five actions to prevent home injuries. Identify three household contaminants and their associated adverse health effects. Discuss four strategies to prevent, contain or control contaminants in the home. Name three systems that require ongoing maintenance and the use of a professional.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Brenda M. Reyes, MD, MPH is the Bureau Chief of the Community & Children’s Environmental Health at the Houston Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Reyes started working with the city of Houston in 2001 as the Manager for Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program. In 2003 became the Administration Manager for HUD’s Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control grant and Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and by 2005 became the Children’s Environmental Health, Bureau Chief. She worked as Chief Medical Doctor with the Rotary International at Finca La Alegria at Choloma City and as Chief Medical Doctor with the Honduran Ministry of Public Health at Choloma. She is the Chairperson of the city of Houston Lead Jurisdiction Wide Screening Plan; Chairperson of the Leverage of Funds Subcommittee for the Texas Advisory Committee; Texas Gulf Coast Asthma Coalition Chairperson; Texas Asthma Coalition’s Environmental Health vice-Chair; EPA Beyond the Forum Environmental and Health Committee Chairperson; National HUD Grantees Association Board Member; NCI Head Start Service Advisory Committee; AVANCE Head Start/Early Head Start Health Services Advisory Committee. Also member of the following coalitions: Texas Coalition of Asthma Networks (TexCAN); Houston Mayor’s Lead Task Force; Texas Gulf Coast Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Coalition; Hispanic Coalition, African American Coalition, and others. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented her with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Recognition Award for her collaboration at the Superfund Site MDI and the EPA Recognition Award – for the STAR Program.
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: Promoting healthy environments for children where they live, learn and play
See more of: APHA-Learning Institute (APHA-LI)