Oral

Ocean and coastal related public health risks are on the rise and evolving in unanticipated ways. From seafood illness to infectious diseases to marine toxins such as harmful algal blooms (HABs), the oceans and our health are inextricably linked. Our oceans and coasts are under increasing pressures from coastal development, climate change, and recreational and commercial use. This session will cover how NOAA, CDC and other partners are working to develop Health Early Warning Systems, integrated public health and marine disease surveillance, and a One-Health approach to predicting and preventing ocean-related public health risks. Panelists will cover new approaches that use the ocean as a predictive tool to get ahead of potential environmental health threats and epidemics, which will ultimately reduce public health risks and be a benefit to society.

Session Objectives: 1. Discuss with the public health community the development and implementation of health early warning systems to ensure the delivery of useful information, so that timely actions can be taken to reduce illness and protect health. 2. Identify new findings on how to understand and manage ocean and coastal health risks such as seafood-related illnesses, infectious diseases, drinking water contamination, and marine biotoxins such as harmful algal blooms (HABs). 3. Discuss and identify U.S. wildlife disease surveillance systems that track zoonoses and can help inform state and federal public health officials.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)