idaho nurses association september, 2011, ingrid brudenell, phd, r.n
TRANSCRIPT
Greener Idaho: An Update
Idaho Nurses AssociationSeptember, 2011,
Ingrid Brudenell, PhD, R.N.
Upstream Health Care: Protecting the environment
Kenally Creek, Idaho
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.
INA Presentation Objectives:
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
4th of July lake , Idaho
Assessment of Idaho Nurses and their environmental knowledge and concerns.
Online Modules developed on land, air and water.
Formation of the Greener Idaho INA Environmental Task Force
All Objectives not met- Few completed modules, no task force
Grant funds returned.
HCWH Grant to I.N.A.
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RNs and a Greener IdahoEnvironmental Concerns
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RNs and a Greener IdahoWorkplace Activities
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04/30/2010
Health care without Harm Grant- 2009-2010
What happened? What worked and didn’t?
Lessons learned?
What is next?
RNS and a Greener Idaho
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?
Now What?
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.
Environmental Health/RN Do No Harm
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
Nursing and Environmental Organizations
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.
ANA Actions Environmental Health
Alliance of Nurses for a Healthy Environment e-commons.org/ANHE or [email protected]
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
Continued
Healthy Homes www.healthyhomes.org
Healthy Communities www.healthycommuniites.org
APHA, local IPHA
Advocacy
RNS and A Greener Idaho – Continuing Issues and Concerns
2010 2011
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”
Environmental Concerns (cont’d)
2010 2011
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
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.
Health care
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.
Climate Change
EPA. Household Emissions Calculator. Available at http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html
Energy Use:Home
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
Safer Chemicals Healthy Families
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.
Chemical Reform in 2011
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.
On the Idaho horizon
Lead Poisoning Prevention Week National Lead Poisoning Prevention
WeekOctober 23-29, 2011
Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Future
Lead Poisoning Prevention
Reportable levels
Recent data from Head Start and Early Head Start Collaboration Project
BSU Idaho Providers Study
Lead Awareness and Action
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
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
Lead Poisoning Prevention in Idaho
Head Start Positive Tests Per Cent Children Screened
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.
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!
Medicaid HC Providers in Idaho
Reviewed some of the issues
Discussed ways to get involved- local, state and national
International- another level of concern
Now- What do you want to do?
What are your next steps?
Contact:
[email protected] or [email protected]
Questions?
Thank you!!
Conclusions:
Name
Contact Information: email, phone, address
Issues:
Skills/Events:
Greener Idaho Environmental Task Force Recruitment
Hiking the Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho People and the Environment-