132.0 Addressing Public Health and Chemical Exposures in the 21st Century: Exploring the National Conversation Action Agenda

Saturday, October 29, 2011: 2:30 PM
Business Meeting
As we celebrate the APHA Environment Section’s 100th anniversary, marking a century of advancements in environmental public health, we also look toward a new era. This session will focus on engaging public health professionals in strategy discussions to implement the important recommendations offered in the National Conversation on Public Health and Chemical Exposures Action Agenda. This Action Agenda puts forward recommendations to help government agencies and other organizations strengthen their efforts to protect the public from harmful chemical exposures. It is our responsibility to make immediate changes where possible and provide leadership for the bold paradigm shifts that will take longer to achieve. The National Conversation, a 2-year collaborative process which took place from Summer 2009-Spring 2011, was grounded in the vision of a nation that uses and manages chemicals in ways that are safe and healthy for all people. The Action Agenda reflects the input of thousands of individuals who brought the experience and perspectives of government agencies, non-governmental organizations, communities, academic institutions, and industry. Expert work group reports, health professional forums, and many members of the public who participated in the National Conversation’s community conversations, web dialogues, and comment opportunities helped to inform the Action Agenda. This session provides an opportunity for the membership of APHA to review the Action Agenda and identify steps we can take, individually and collectively, to move from conversation to action.
Session Objectives: 1.Become familiar with recommendations contained in the National Conversation Action Agenda. 2.Engage in dialogue with National Conversation Work Group and Leadership Council members. 3.Discuss, in small groups, ways to prioritize and implement recommendations offered in the Action Agenda. 4.Identify steps that participants can take, individually or collectively, to bring us closer to the National Conversation vision of a nation that uses and manages chemicals in ways that are healthy and safe for all people. For example, identify opportunities to promote change through existing projects or communication mechanisms.
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