An Academic-Public Health Service Model: Enviornmental Health and Health Policy

The purpose of this abstract is to vividly present a replicable case study of the effectiveness of an academic-community health nursing partnership model on environmental health outcomes and state level public health policy and political strategies. The partnership, “Nurses in Action” (NIA), is between the University of Delaware's, School of Nursing and various public, private and community agencies. Environmental health issues are significant in DE and range from high air and water pollution levels to home based chemical exposures. The methods used in this case study evaluation design (07 – 10), include a community based environmental health education intervention program conducted with a convenience sample of clients statewide (n= 175). Students and staff (n= 40) were trained for necessary screenings, document reviews, education measures, public policy involvement, and referral services. Findings support the programmatic and political value of the NIA. Students performed over 216 client and group environmental health education visits/programs (>$300,000), 110 screening referrals (i.e. radon, home health assessment, etc.), and various policy outreach efforts (i.e. policymaker e-mails, reports). Clients reported a 33% increase in self care and environmental health awareness. Importantly, state level public health policy was changed as a result of NIA. The PI, who is a DE State Senator, and Site PI with the National Children's Study, has introduced legislation for environmental and occupational health measures. Implications for state level health policy, public health nursing, social justice, nursing academia are shared, and concluding statements provide a repertoire of tools for public health policy and politics.