200270 Environmental threats to healthy aging: An ecological approach to preventing neurodegeneration and other chronic diseases

Monday, November 9, 2009: 11:05 AM

Jill Stein, MD , Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility, Somerville, MA
Highlights from the new report Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging will be presented, showing how environmental chemicals, the modern diet, the sedentary-built environment and other modifiable environmental factors throughout the lifespan are key drivers in the chronic disease epidemics of modern society. The presentation will explain how these factors interact with the biology of inflammation, oxidative stress and insulin signaling, and promote Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases as well as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. An ecological approach to prevention will be discussed, one that includes actions and policies at the individual, community and clinical levels to reduce risks of chronic disease – while improving the health of the environment. The presentation will be followed by interactive dialogue.

Learning Objectives:
1. Explain three environmental drivers of neurodegeneration and other chronic disease. 2. Describe how these factors interact with biological mechanisms to promote disease. 3. Define three specific ecological actions to lower risk of chronic disease.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am trained as a physician and have taught, written medical education curricula, co-authored scientific reports and lectured in environment and chronic disease.
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: Environment and Aging: Building Lifelong Communities
See more of: Gerontological Health