Oral

Environmental health initiatives at the local level are what communities rely on for public health protection. While legislation at the Federal or State level is important, it is the local environmental health initiatives that deal with today's real-world problems in communities. This session will explore a variety of different local environmental health initiatives. Included will be a look at a community-based local initiative to foster leadership and environmental awareness among Mexican immigrants. This session will also explore needs assessment methodology by examining a case study prepared by county health agencies in a California community with naturally occurring asbestos. Participants will also hear about local initiatives for air pollution control, will learn about a new framework for evaluating environmental public health indicators, and will explore approaches for enhancing awareness of envirnmental health in times of emergency response.

Session Objectives: 1. Describe an innovative, community and youth-focused approach to developing culturally appropriate environmental conservation programs 2. Learn about needs assessment methods by examining a case study of naturally occurring asbestos in a California community. 3. Explore policy initiatives that local governments have used to control air pollution 4. Learn about a new framework for evaluating environmental public health indicators 5. Understand approaches for enhancing awareness of environmental health in times of emergency response.