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Greener Idaho: An Update . Idaho Nurses Association September, 2011, Ingrid Brudenell , PhD, R.N . Kenally Creek, Idaho . Upstream Health Care: Protecting the environment. INA Presentation Objectives:. Identify environmental health issues relevant to Idaho nurses.
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Greener Idaho: An Update Idaho Nurses Association September, 2011, Ingrid Brudenell, PhD, R.N.
Kenally Creek, Idaho Upstream Health Care: Protecting the environment
INA Presentation Objectives: • Identify environmental health issues relevant to Idaho nurses. • Discuss strategies to address current environmental health issues in Idaho. • Form a committed group in INA for advocacy, service, research and education.
4th of July lake , Idaho In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.” Baba Dioum quote
HCWH Grant to I.N.A. • Formation of the Greener Idaho INA Environmental Task Force • All Objectives not met- Few completed modules, no task force • Grant funds returned. • Assessment of Idaho Nurses and their environmental knowledge and concerns. • Online Modules developed on land, air and water.
RNS and a Greener Idaho • Health care without Harm Grant- 2009-2010 • What happened? What worked and didn’t? • Lessons learned? • What is next?
Now What? • Online sign up for Greener Idaho INA Task Force. • Sign up at the 2011 conference- now. • Decide level of involvement and your passion and skills. • Core Issues in this presentation and next steps?
Environmental Health/RN Do No Harm • The primary dictum for registered nurses, as health care professionals, is First, do no harm. In the increasingly complex environment in which health care is delivered today, registered nurses are the premier advocates for: • The safety and quality of patient care. • The health and safety of registered nurses and other health care professionals and health care workers. • Health care practices which do no harm to the public health environment outside the settings in which health care is delivered. • from: www. ANA,COEH.
Nursing and Environmental Organizations • ANA –COEH www.nursingworld.org • Pennsylvania Nurses Association- Kaktins,N. (2011) Drilling the Marcellus Shale for Natural Gas: Environmental Health Issues for Nursing see web site for conferences and issues • www. healthyfoodaction.org
ANA Actions Environmental Health • Commends the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the release of the 12th Report on Carcinogens (ROC). 6/30/11 • The report added the chemicals styrene and formaldehyde to the list of possible carcinogens. • A coalition partner in Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families advocates for greater public health protections from exposures to chemicals. • Registered nurses, who comprise the nation’s largest group of health care professionals, have a crucial role in assessing and addressing environmental health issues and their impact on the public’s health. • ANA has been a leader and advocate for public policy that preserves and improves environmental protections vital to a healthy and productive society.
Continued • Alliance of Nurses for a Healthy Environment e-commons.org/ANHE or anhe.info@gmail.com • Environmental working group- personal care products www.ewg.org • Health care without harm www.noharm.org and www.H2E-online.or • Government- EPA, CDC, FDA,IDEQ, Bureau of Preventive Health, Medicaid
Advocacy • Healthy Homes www.healthyhomes.org • Healthy Communities www.healthycommuniites.org • APHA, local IPHA
RNS and A Greener Idaho – Continuing Issues and Concerns • Chemical exposures- lead, mercury, arsenic, BPA, Dioxin, etc • And Radiation • Energy Use • Carbon Footprint • Global climate change • Water- pharmaceutical and agriculture pollution • Air Quality and health effects, Auto emissions • Natural Gas and Oil production- “ fracking” 2010 2011
Environmental Concerns (cont’d) • Cradle to Cradle Stewardship in health care • Reducing Medical and Health care waste. • Reprocessing single use devices • Healthy Housing and Schools, Play areas • Walk able/rideable neighborhoods • Safe and sustainable food supply Year of Idaho Food 2010 2011
Health care • Cradle to Cradle Stewardship in health care • Reducing Medical and Health care waste. • Reprocessing single use devices • Eliminate exposure of nurses and health care workers to chemicals and radiation.
Climate Change • Energy Use – Calculate your home, work place and community energy uses. • Carbon Footprint- reduce the carbon foot print. • Global climate change is occurring and will effect each of us.
Energy Use:Home • EPA. Household Emissions Calculator. Available at http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html
Safer Chemicals Healthy Families • Safer Chemicals Act of 2011. • Toxic Substance Control Act (1976) • Why Reform is Needed? 80,000 new chemicals introduced • What is expected by reform? Better information and protection of the public and workers • What can you do ? National and state efforts- Stroller brigades, Letters, Op Ed, events
Chemical Reform in 2011 • Nurses and Chemical exposures- lead, mercury, arsenic, BPA, Dioxin, formaldehyde • Associated with increasing rates of cancer, neurological and reproductive problems. • Nurses are advocates for the workforce as well as patients.
On the Idaho horizon • Transportation, petroleum products, air and water pollution • Petroleum Production- “ fracking” • Fracking is a process for releasing natural gas from shale and rock. • EPA is conducting case studies to determine scientific based health effects. More Information will be coming.
Lead Poisoning Prevention Week National Lead Poisoning Prevention WeekOctober 23-29, 2011 Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future
Lead Awareness and Action • Lead Poisoning Prevention • Reportable levels • Recent data from Head Start and Early Head • Start Collaboration Project • BSU Idaho Providers Study
Lead Poisoning Prevention • Children under age 6 are most at risk for lead poisoning. • Prevent lead poisoning. Get your home tested. Get your child tested. Get the facts! • Was your house painted before 1978? Protect your family from lead exposure. • Remodeling the home? Renovate right with lead-safe work practices. • Talk to your health department about testing home paint and dust for lead. • CDC, Tools, Fliers and Posters and messages
Lead Poisoning Prevention in Idaho • Screening BLL- capillary and venous blood tests available • Reportable levels >10 mcg./dl have decreased. • Sub acute levels remain high (HSCPS) <10mcg/dl • Medicaid & Head Start Programs require testing
Medicaid HC Providers in Idaho • Some Findings_ Educational materials: • Nutrition Information: • Have resources 33.3% • Would use: 66.7% • Flyers/Brochures • Have 34.9% • Would use 69.2% • Need resources! • BSU, DON Study in 2010 • Few children screened • Why? • 11.5 % Response rate (69 surveys) • 44% do not perceive lead as a problem but know it is a neurotoxin.
Conclusions: • Now- What do you want to do? • What are your next steps? • Contact: • ibrudenell@gmail.com • or • ibruden@boisestate.edu • Questions? • Thank you!! • Reviewed some of the issues • Discussed ways to get involved- local, state and national • International- another level of concern
Greener Idaho Environmental Task Force Recruitment • Name • Contact Information: • email, • phone, • address • Issues: • Skills/Events:
Hiking the Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho People and the Environment-