The city of San Francisco identifies, manages, and pays for the cost of environmentally-related conditions with the help of The San Francisco Department of the Environment (SF Environment), as their mission is to "create visionary policies and innovative programs that promote social equity, protect human health, and lead the way toward a sustainable future." SF Environment also has a five-year strategic plan that involves working with stakeholders and non-profit organizations to attain their goals.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) also focuses on environmental health issues and one of the programs they offer includes childhood lead prevention. In addition, they also regulate hazardous materials including petroleum storage, chlorofluorocarbon recycling, medical waste and prevention of accidental spills and exposures. Last but not least, the SFDPH have air quality, smoking, and tobacco programs to execute laws within the community regarding air pollution.
As a nurse, I can alleviate the costs of environmental conditions by educating patients and the community of environmental risks. I think it is also valuable to join organizations that promote and implement policies that address environmental health issues.
Prior to the lecture, I was slightly aware of the potential relationship between environmental health exposures and neurodevelopmental disorders. This will allow me to change my practice by incorporating better risk assessment, education and health promotion on the subject with my patients. I think it is also beneficial to take advantage of all the programs that the SFDPH has to offer and provide those resources to my patients and the community.
One of my brothers studied child development, and he worked with children with autism and other developmental disorders as a paraprofessional in the past. He currently works as a family advocate for a non-profit organization assisting low-income children and their families to meet their educational, health, social, and nutritional needs. My brother provided me with a copy of educational material made by The Department of Pesticide Regulation given to families about the use of safer household products. It also contained a list of toxic chemicals for parents to watch out for. Below is the form:
I do believe the relationship between environmental health exposures and reproductive effects can be complex and I will integrate what I have learned from the UCSF - Reproductive Health & the Environment video into my practice by being more culturally sensitive and aware of environmental conditions that attribute to my patients' reproductive health. The video discussed how it was a cultural norm for indigenous pregnant women to smoke during spiritual ceremonies, so it is essential to be culturally competent during smoking cessation education. I was also very interested in the fact that some toxins persist in our bodies and can be passed on to our children without them ever having direct exposure to the toxic chemical. It gave me a broader perspective of environmental health and how everything is connected.
Considering Dr. Lamphear's video, I will educate pregnant women on newborn care by sharing the same video with them. Other education topics include: reduce fish consumption with high mercury levels; avoid products with toxins (toys, personal care products, food); avoid pesticides; and inspect homes for lead.
An article from the Environmental Health News discussed early childhood exposures to phthalates and its association with decreased motor skills, which is a concern because children are more vulnerable to toxic exposures.
Public Health Institute. (2015). Costs of Environmental Health Conditions in California Children. Retrieved from http://www.phi.org/resources/?resource=cehtpkidshealthcosts
Hi Candy, I wish we lived in a world where the threat to anyone but especially an unborn baby was not so prevalent. I remember being pregnant with my older son and being so much less educated and therefore less aware of the daily dangers I was exposing him to. When I was pregnant the second time, I had so much fear about all of the decisions I was making and how it was effecting my baby. I stayed away from soft cheeses, made sure that my meat was always heated to the right temperature, avoided fish and didn't drink diet sodas - they think a potential link to autism. Well that didn't work.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing,
Cinnamon