The role of town meetings in environmental health research.Kenneth Olden old·en adj. Of, relating to, or belonging to time long past; old or ancient: olden days. [Middle English : old, old; see old + -en, adj. created an arsenal This article is about armaments factories. For the London football club, see Arsenal F.C.. For other uses, see Arsenal (disambiguation). An arsenal is an establishment for the construction, repair, storage and issue of weapons and ammunition. of mechanisms that enabled the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is one of 27 Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH),which is a component of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The Director of the NIEHS is Dr. David A. Schwartz. (NIEHS NIEHS National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIH, DHHS) ) to reach out to the American people An American people may be:
Ceremonial building block, dated or otherwise inscribed, usually placed in an outer wall of a building to commemorate its dedication. Often the stone is hollowed out to contain newspapers, photographs, or other documents reflecting current customs, with a view to of the research process during Dr. 01den's distinguished, nearly 14-year tenure tenure, in education tenure, in education, a guarantee of the permanence of a college or university teacher's position, awarded upon successful completion of a probationary period, usually seven years. as director of NIEHS and the National Toxicology Program National Toxicology Program Environment A program that conducts toxicologic tests on substances frequently found at the EPA's National Priorities List sites, which have the greatest potential for human exposure . He is unique among National Institutes of Health (NIH "Not invented here." See digispeak. NIH - The United States National Institutes of Health. ) institute directors in his unrelenting and successful mission to gather direct input from affected communities and partner with them to set a national environmental health research agenda. What Is a National Environmental Health Research Agenda and How Is It Set? The national environmental health research agenda is a template (1) A pre-designed document or data file formatted for common purposes such as a fax, invoice or business letter. If the document contains an automated process, such as a word processing macro or spreadsheet formula, then the programming is already written and embedded in the or "master plan" that the NIEHS formulates to determine how it will use its resources. Setting the agenda is a comprehensive interactive process by which the institute seeks extensive input and determines its future research priorities. The agenda requires NIEHS to devise a research and education strategy that advances our understanding of the causes and mechanisms of environmentally related diseases. The strategy includes translating this knowledge into effective prevention and clinical applications-collectively referred to as "translational research." Furthermore, the strategy is designed to be directly responsive to the public and to protect those most affected by adverse environmental exposures-that is, to provide environmental justice. The NIEHS uses a broad and diverse array of constituencies and strategies to gather input for setting its environmental health research agenda. As director, Ken Olden led his institute to do all it could to truly improve the health and lives of the American people. For him, the term "environment" does not just include chemical and physical agents. He broadened the definition of environment to include also food and nutrients, biological agents, prescription drugs prescription drug Prescription medication Pharmacology An FDA-approved drug which must, by federal law or regulation, be dispensed only pursuant to a prescription–eg, finished dose form and active ingredients subject to the provisos of the Federal Food, Drug, , lifestyle choices, social and economic factors, the built environment (Brown et al. 2004; Srinivasan et al. 2002), and oceans (Laws and Yanagihara 2004). The director and NIEHS senior staff seek advice and extensive involvement from a broad array of leading scientists, health care professionals, advocates, policymakers, and community members. This guidance is essential for successful development of research and education strategies that use state-of-the-science methodologies to improve community public health. NIEHS and the Community: A Strong Two-Way Partnership With tremendous vision and an uncanny ability to see the whole picture, Dr. Olden conceived of many bold and innovative mechanisms to make his institute's science responsive to the American people. For more than a decade, the NIEHS has established itself as a leader in promoting the importance of collaborations between researchers and communities. As a federal agency with a mission emphasizing disease prevention, the NIEHS has become a proponent One who offers or proposes. A proponent is a person who comes forward with an a item or an idea. A proponent supports an issue or advocates a cause, such as a proponent of a will. PROPONENT, eccl. law. of community-university partnerships to address community health concerns so that communities have an active role in all stages of research (Olden 1993; Shepard Shep·ard , Alan Bartlett, Jr. 1923-1998. American astronaut who on a 15-minute flight on May 5, 1961, became the first American in space. He also commanded the Apollo 14 mission to the moon (1971). Noun 1. et al. 2002). The NIEHS has long recognized the need to conduct basic science research in tandem Adv. 1. in tandem - one behind the other; "ride tandem on a bicycle built for two"; "riding horses down the path in tandem" tandem with effective and culturally appropriate translational research activities, including community-based participatory research Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is research that is conducted as an equal partnership between traditionally trained "experts" and members of a community. In CBPR projects, the community participates fully in all aspects of the research process. , outreach Outreach is an effort by an organization or group to connect its ideas or practices to the efforts of other organizations, groups, specific audiences or the general public. , and education (Bonham Bonham can refer to:
1 Court prophet in the time of David and Solomon. He announced the oracle to David concerning his dynasty. He confronted David over David's adultery with Bath-sheba and over her husband's murder. 2002; Huynh 2002; Israel Israel, in the Bible Israel (ĭz`rēəl, ĭz`rāəl) [as understood by Hebrews,=he strives with God], according to the book of Genesis, name given to Jacob as eponymous ancestor of the Hebrews, the chosen people of God. et al. 1998; Kone et al. 2000; Krieger et al. 2002; O'Fallon O'Fallon is either:
During his distinguished tenure Dr. Olden initiated a wide range of strategies to seek input from the public it serves to ensure that NIEHS's research agenda and educational efforts were responsive to community concerns and needs. These strategies include workshops, retreats, outreach programs, community advisory groups, public interest liaison Liaison may refer to:
NIEHS Town Meetings: Background One of the most successful methods to establish community partnerships and open avenues for effective two-way communication Two-way communication is a form of transmission in which both parties involved transmit information. Common forms of two-way communication are:
adj. 1. Of or relating to geography. 2. Concerning the topography of a specific region. ge location. The purpose of these gatherings is to bring together members of the public who are interested in public health and the environment, as well as state and local health professionals, state and local government officials, academicians, environmental health professionals, and advocacy The act of Pleading or arguing a case or a position; forceful persuasion. groups. The meetings provide a platform for an open dialogue to establish better coordination coordination /co·or·di·na·tion/ (ko-or?di-na´shun) the harmonious functioning of interrelated organs and parts. co·or·di·na·tion n. 1. The harmonious adjustment or interaction of parts. among the health professionals working on community exposures, industrial exposures, special-case special-case - To write unique code to handle input to or situations arising in a program that are somehow distinguished from normal processing. This would be used for processing of mode switches or interrupt characters in an interactive interface (as opposed, say, to text entry or "site" exposures, and other environment issues. These meetings also provide an opportunity to promote local and state media coverage of environmental health issues to broaden public understanding. Once issues are articulated ar·tic·u·la·ted adj. Characterized by or having articulations; jointed. and discussed, lines of communication "Lines of Communication" is an episode from the fourth season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5. Synopsis Franklin and Marcus attempt to persuade the Mars resistance to assist Sheridan in opposing President Clark. are opened and the NIEHS along with its partners and the community work to put into place a variety of programs to address the problems. This two-way dialogue is a fundamental prerequisite pre·req·ui·site adj. Required or necessary as a prior condition: Competence is prerequisite to promotion. n. to development and implementation of effective research and intervention A procedure used in a lawsuit by which the court allows a third person who was not originally a party to the suit to become a party, by joining with either the plaintiff or the defendant. efforts. Town meetings are an important and effective means for providing senior leadership at the NIEHS the opportunity to hear from communities across the country about environmental and public health issues that are of greatest importance to them. Town meetings also provide a forum for the NIEHS to encourage increased interaction among communities, universities, health care professionals, advocacy groups, and policymakers. In the end, it is imperative imperative: see mood. imperative - imperative language that consumers be more intimately in·ti·mate 1 adj. 1. Marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity. 2. Relating to or indicative of one's deepest nature: intimate prayers. 3. involved and informed about science and its implications. That is why the NIEHS strongly supports strategies such as town meetings as a means to ensure that its science is responsive to the needs of all communities. History of Town Meetings: Dates, Topics, Cities, and Host Institutions Between 1998 and the writing of this article in early 2005, NIEHS has sponsored 21 town meetings. The first two meetings were convened in 1998 in New Jersey and Tennessee Tennessee, state, United States Tennessee (tĕn`əsē', tĕn'əsē`), state in the south-central United States. . Other states where town meetings have been held are Ohio (1999), California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). (1999, twice in 2001, 2002, 2005), Maryland Maryland (mâr`ələnd), one of the Middle Atlantic states of the United States. It is bounded by Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean (E), the District of Columbia (S), Virginia and West Virginia (S, W), and Pennsylvania (N). (1999), Illinois Illinois, river, United States Illinois, river, 273 mi (439 km) long, formed by the confluence of the Des Plaines and Kankakee rivers, NE Ill., and flowing SW to the Mississippi at Grafton, Ill. It is an important commercial and recreational waterway. (1999, 2003, 2005), Washington Washington, town, England Washington, town (1991 pop. 48,856), Sunderland metropolitan district, NE England. Washington was designated one of the new towns in 1964 to alleviate overpopulation in the Tyneside-Wearside area. (2000), Texas (2001, 2002, 2003), Iowa (2001), Florida Florida, state, United States Florida (flôr`ĭdə, flŏr`–), state in the extreme SE United States. A long, low peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean (E) and the Gulf of Mexico (W), Florida is bordered by Georgia and (2003), New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of {2003), Hawaii Hawaii, island, United States Hawaii, island (1990 pop. 120,217), 4,037 sq mi (10,456 sq km), largest and southernmost island of the state of Hawaii and coextensive with Hawaii co.; known as the Big Island. (2004), and Georgia Georgia, country, Asia Georgia (jôr`jə), Georgian Sakartvelo, Rus. Gruziya, officially Republic of Georgia, republic (2005 est. pop. 4,677,000), c.26,900 sq mi (69,700 sq km), in W Transcaucasia. (2004). In some large states such as California and Texas, several town meetings have been organized in different parts of the state to address issues of concern to a uniquely affected community (e.g., chromium chromium (krō`mēəm) [Gr.,=color], metallic chemical element; symbol Cr; at. no. 24; at. wt. 51.996; m.p. about 1,857°C;; b.p. 2,672°C;; sp. gr. about 7.2 at 20°C;; valence +2, +3, +6. VI, Glendale Glendale. 1 City (1990 pop. 148,134), Maricopa co., S central Ariz., adjacent to Phoenix; inc. 1910. It is located in a rich agricultural region irrigated by the Salt River project. Glendale has become one of the fastest-growing U.S. , CA; community impacts of goods movement and the ports, Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , CA; Paso Del Norte Del Norte can refer to multiple things:
Dates, topics, cities, host institutions, and online links (URLs) for all 21 town meetings to date are compiled into Table 1. Additional information on each town meeting is available by accessing the online link indicated or by contacting the organizers : Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A
Sponsorship of NIEHS Town Meetings Town meetings are supported by the NIEHS and various local organizations. Most local organizations include NIEHS-supported research centers such as Environmental Health Sciences (EHS EHS Environmental Health and Safety EHS Early Head Start (pre-school program) EHS Extremely Hazardous Substance (EPA) EHS Environmental Health Services EHS Exchange Hosted Services ) Centers, Superfund Basic Research Program The Superfund Basic Research Program (SBRP) was created within the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in 1986 under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA). (SBRP SBRP Superfund Basic Research Program SBRP Schachbund Rheinland-Pfalz SBRP South Bend Raceway Park (North Liberty, IN) SBRP Scottish Borders Rural Partnership (UK) SBRP Special Bridge Replacement Program ) sites, Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Centers, and Centers for Oceans and Human Health (COHH COHH Centers for Oceans and Human Health COHH Chronicles of Hip Hop COHH Colorado Horsehair, Inc. COHH Circle of Helping Hands (Phoenix, AZ) COHH Coalition on Housing and Homelessness COHH Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity ). Other local cosponsoring institutions include universities, advocacy groups, professional organizations, and public interest groups such as the American Lung Association The American Lung Association (ALA) is a non-profit organization that "fights lung disease in all its forms, with special emphasis on asthma, tobacco control and environmental health". , National Breast Cancer Association, medical societies, and city and state government offices/departments. Grass roots grass roots pl.n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) 1. People or society at a local level rather than at the center of major political activity. Often used with the. 2. The groundwork or source of something. efforts in conjunction conjunction, in astronomy conjunction, in astronomy, alignment of two celestial bodies as seen from the earth. Conjunction of the moon and the planets is often determined by reference to the sun. with NIEHS-sponsored programs can arise from many constituencies and locations throughout the country and culminate culminate, in astronomy, the maximum height in the sky reached by a celestial body on a given day. At the culminate the body is crossing the observer's celestial meridian and is said to be in upper transit. in a town meeting. NIEHS staff coordinate Belonging to a system of indexing by two or more terms. For example, points on a plane, cells in a spreadsheet and bits in dynamic RAM chips are identified by a pair of coordinates. Points in space are identified by sets of three coordinates. with the local planners, who set the meeting agenda. Agendas focus on the unique issues in the specific geographic geographic /geo·graph·ic/ (je?o-graf´ik) in pathology, of or referring to a pattern that is well demarcated, resembling outlines on a map. geographic pertaining to geography. region; however, other topics frequently emerge, and these, too, are discussed. As Table 1 describes, some topics are extremely focused (e.g., chromium IV), and some topics address broad issues of environmental health (e.g., air, soil, and water pollution). The format for town meetings and lessons learned have been described in detail by O'Fallon et al. (2003). Attendance and Issues Raised at NIEHS Town Meetings Town meetings are planned in order to allow the greatest participation of community members and are structured to properly represent community issues such as air pollution and respiratory disease Noun 1. respiratory disease - a disease affecting the respiratory system respiratory disorder, respiratory illness adult respiratory distress syndrome, ARDS, wet lung, white lung - acute lung injury characterized by coughing and rales; inflammation of the , lead poisoning lead poisoning or plumbism (plŭm`bĭz'əm), intoxication of the system by organic compounds containing lead. and children's health Children's Health Definition Children's health encompasses the physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being of children from infancy through adolescence. , breast cancer and the environment, or oceans and human health. All the gatherings have captured the spirit of a true town meeting. In addition to community members, attendance is by various community, city, county, state, and federal government representatives; academic faculty, staff, and students; representatives of industry and advocacy groups, as well as others. The NIEHS director and several NIEHS staff members always attend the town meetings to listen to the issues raised and to answer any questions posed pose 1 v. posed, pos·ing, pos·es v.intr. 1. To assume or hold a particular position or posture, as in sitting for a portrait. 2. To affect a particular mental attitude. to the institute. The director always opens the town meeting by explaining the purpose of the event and emphasizing the importance that the NIEHS places on community input, and participates fully in the discussions. The agenda is developed by the local organizers to focus discussion on topics of most concern to their specific community. However, in addition to the agenda, other more general issues also emerge from the often emotionally charged interactive sessions, and these are discussed as well. It is evident that local residents are passionate about the condition of the environment in which they live, and they welcome opportunities to talk with experts about their concerns. Table 2 lists representative issues raised by community members and discussed during NIEHS town meetings. Through interactive discussions community members discuss a broad array of issues of concern with scientists; academics; local, state, and federal health officials; and political leaders. In turn, scientists and other experts share their research and knowledge of environmental health issues with the public. NIEHS town meetings truly are open forums for citizens to raise any environmental health topic of concern that will be heard and followed-up by Dr. Olden, senior NIEHS staff, and local sponsoring institutions. Table 3 presents some noteworthy quotes from participants of NIEHS town meetings. Significant Outcomes, Achievements, and NIEHS Follow-up follow-up, n the process of monitoring the progress of a patient after a period of active treatment. follow-up subsequent. follow-up plan to Town Meetings NIEHS does not simply come into a city, listen to community problems, become aware of environmental health concerns, and leave. The input from these open forums plays a major role in how the NIEHS will use its resources for environmental health research. Listening directly to communities most affected helps the NIEHS make the most of its resources to be directly responsive to the American people. Town meetings constitute a very effective mechanism for enhancing cooperation among researchers, community residents, and public health officials with the goal of improving public health and setting a national research agenda. There have been many positive outcomes to town meetings. Noteworthy outcomes from these town meetings have been used to guide strategic research and education program development. O'Fallon et al. (2003) highlighted some major outcomes from the town meeting in addition to helping the NIEHS set a national research agenda in environmental health. They classified these noteworthy outcomes into five different categories: a) community impact, b) new research, c) new outreach, d) education, and e) public health and policy impact. Table 4 is a compilation Compiling a program. See compiler. of this information as well as that from other town meetings into a readily viewable format that emphasizes the significant outcomes, achievements, and NIEHS follow-up to town meetings. Town Meetings and Environmental Health Research--An Olden Legacy Kenneth Olden had the vision to use a familiar traditional mechanism [the old-fashioned old-fash·ioned adj. 1. Of a style or method formerly in vogue; outdated. 2. Attached to or favoring methods, ideas, or customs of an earlier time: old-fashioned parents. n. town meeting) to engage the community face to face and respond to their environmental health concerns. Dr. Olden will forever be recognized for initiating a series of national town meetings in cities across the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. to listen to the concerns of the American people-and then following up with actions to address the problems. Devising creative ways to directly involve the American people's voice in setting a national environmental health research agenda is an Olden legacy. SUMMARY With tremendous vision and an uncanny ability to see the whole picture, Dr. Kenneth Olden conceived of many bold and innovative mechanisms to make his institute's science responsive to the American people. He created a series of successful strategies to enable the NIEHS to reach out to communities and be responsive to their environmental health concerns. One of the most successful strategies to establish community partnerships and open avenues for effective two-way communication has been the NIEHS town meeting. Town meetings are a very effective mechanism for enhancing cooperation among researchers, community residents, and government and public health officials with the goal of improving public health. This two-way dialogue is a Fundamental prerequisite to the development and implementation of effective research and intervention efforts. Since 1998 NIEHS has sponsored 21 town meetings across the country. This article highlights the background, history, topics, location, sponsorship, host institutions, participants, issues raised, noteworthy outcomes, achievements, and the role town meetings have played in environmental health research. NIEHS town meetings truly have been open forums for citizens to raise any environmental health topic of concern that will be heard and followed-up by Dr. Olden, senior NIEHS staff, and local sponsoring institutions. Kenneth Olden has been unique among NIH Institute directors in his unrelenting and successful mission to gather direct input from affected communities and to partner with them to improve their environmental health. doi:10.1289/ehp.7991 available via http://dx.doi.org/ NOTES Address correspondence to J.M. Cranmer Cran·mer , Thomas 1489-1556. English prelate who as archbishop of Canterbury (1533-1553) was instrumental in the marital machinations of Henry VIII, revised the Book of Common Prayer (1552), and instituted other reforms. , Department of Pediatrics pediatrics (pēdēă`trĭks), branch of medicine dedicated to the attainment of the best physical, emotional, and social health for infants, children, and young people generally. , University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is part of the University of Arkansas System, a state-run university in the U.S. state of Arkansas. The main campus is located in Little Rock. and Arkansas Children's Hospital Arkansas Children's Hospital, an affiliate of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, is the only pediatric medical center in Arkansas and one of the largest in the United States, serving children from birth to age 21. , 1120 Marshall Marshall. 1 City (1990 pop. 12,711), seat of Saline co., N central Mo.; inc. 1839. In a large farm area, it is a processing center for grain, eggs, meat, and dairy products. Marshall is the seat of Missouri Valley College. , Room 304, Little Rock, AR 72202 USA. Telephone: (501) 364-2986. Fax: (501) 364-4978. E-mail: CranmerJoanM@uams.edu See .edu. (networking) edu - ("education") The top-level domain for educational establishments in the USA (and some other countries). E.g. "mit.edu". The UK equivalent is "ac.uk". I thank the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) staff, town meeting experts A. Dearry, J. Schelp, and D. Brown, and Environmental Health Perspectives editor-in-chief T. Goehl for their review and suggestions in the preparation of the manuscript manuscript, a handwritten work as distinguished from printing. The oldest manuscripts, those found in Egyptian tombs, were written on papyrus; the earliest dates from c.3500 B.C. . I also thank my assistant and office manager, L.A. Lang Lang language LANG Louisiana Army National Guard Lang Langobardian (linguistics) LANG Los Angeles Newspaper Guild for her online research to mine the detailed information documented in the tables and for preparation of the manuscript. I am indebted in·debt·ed adj. Morally, socially, or legally obligated to another; beholden. [Middle English endetted, from Old French endette, past participle of endetter, to oblige to NIEHS R13 conference grants and Dr. Kenneth Olden for providing sponsorship of the International Neurotoxicology Conference Series for decades. NIEHS 1 R13 ES R13 can mean:
The author declares she has no competing financial interests. REFERENCES Altonn H. 2004. UH to study ocean's effects on health: the university is one of four sites chosen for the national program. Honolulu Star-Bulletin The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, based in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, is the second largest daily newspaper in the state of Hawaiʻi (the largest being the . 15 February February: see month. . Available: http://starbulletin.com/2004/02/15/news/ story8.html [accessed 25 January January: see month. 2005]. Bonham VL, Nathan VR. 2002. Environmental public health research: engaging communities. Int A programming statement that specifies an interrupt or that declares an integer variable. See interrupt and integer. 1. (programming) int - A common name for the integer data type. In C for example, it means a (signed) integer of the computer's native word length. J Hyg Environ en·vi·ron tr.v. en·vi·roned, en·vi·ron·ing, en·vi·rons To encircle; surround. See Synonyms at surround. [Middle English envirounen, from Old French environner Health 205(1-2):11-18. Brown D, Tart KGT KGT Key Generator Transmitter KGT Klingon for the Galactic Traveller , Goehl TJ. 2004. Olden times: looking back on a career at the NIEHS. Environ Health Perspect 112(11):A598-A599. Cranmer JM. 2004a. Meeting report and program from the Twenty-First International Neurotoxieology Conference: Infant INFANT, persons. One under the age of twenty-one years. Co. Litt. 171. 2. But he is reputed to be twenty-one years old, or of full age, the first instant of the last day of the twenty-first year next before the anniversary of his birth; because, according to and Child Neurotoxicity neurotoxicity /neu·ro·tox·ic·i·ty/ (noor?o-tok-sis´it-e) the quality of exerting a destructive or poisonous effect upon nerve tissue. Studies. Neurotoxicology 25(4):641-659. Cranmer JM. 2004b. Program of the NIEHS Town Meeting: environmental health concerns in Hawaii. Neurotoxicology 25(4):660-662. Fisher fisher, name of a large North American marten, Martes pennanti. This carnivorous, largely arboreal mammal is found in hardwood forests of Canada, the extreme N United States, and mountain ranges of the W United States. BE. 1999. NIEHS reaches out with Town Meetings. Environ Health Perspect 107(4):A192-A195. Huynh V, ed. 2002. Town Hall Meeting Held to Discuss Environmental Health and Justice Concerns. Occupational & Environmental Health Centers. Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, . Newsletter. Winter 1 and 6. Israel BA, Schulz Schulz , Charles Monroe 1922-2000. American cartoonist who created the Peanuts comic strip. Noun 1. Schulz - United States cartoonist whose comic strip included the beagle Snoopy (1922-2000) Charles M. AJ, Parker EA, Becker Beck´er n. 1. (Zool.) A European fish (Pagellus centrodontus); the sea bream or braise. AB. 1998. Review of community-based research: assessing partnership approaches to improve public health. Annu Rev REV Revolution REV Reverse REV Reverend REV Revision REV Review REV Revised REV Revelations (bible) REV Reversal REV Revolver (Beatles album) REV Reverendo Public Health 19:173-202. Kone A, Sullivan M, Senturia KD, Chrisman NJ, Ciske SJ, Krieger JW. 2000. Improving collaboration Working together on a project. See collaborative software. between researchers and communities. Public Health Rep (programming) REP - A directive used in IBM object code card decks (and later PTF Tapes) to REPlace fragments of already assembled or compiled object code prior to link edit. 115(2-3):243-248. Krieger J, Allen Al·len , Edgar 1892-1943. American anatomist who is noted for his studies of hormones and for the discovery (1923) of estrogen. C, Cheadle Cheadle may refer to:
Laws EA, Yanagihara R. 2004. Pacific Research Center for Marine Biomedicine biomedicine /bio·med·i·cine/ (bi?o-med´i-sin) clinical medicine based on the principles of the natural sciences (biology, biochemistry, etc.).biomed´ical bi·o·med·i·cine n. 1. [Home page]. Centers on Ocean and Human Health. University of Hawaii (body, education) University of Hawaii - A University spread over 10 campuses on 4 islands throughout the state. http://hawaii.edu/uhinfo.html. See also Aloha, Aloha Net. at Manoa Mānoa is a valley and a residential neighborhood of Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, USA approximately three miles east and inland from downtown Honolulu and less than a mile from Ala Moana and Waikīkī at . http://www.PRCMB.hawaii.edu [accessed 31 January 2005]. O'Fallon LR, Dearry A. 2001. Commitment of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to community-based participatory research for rural health. Environ Health Perspect 109(suppl 3):469-473. O'Fallon LR, Dearry A. 2002. Community-based participatory research as a tool to advance environmental health sciences. Environ Health Perspect 110(suppl 2):155-159. O'Fallon LR, Wolfle GM, Brown D, Dearry A, Olden K. 2003. Strategies for setting a national research agenda that is responsive to community needs. Environ Health Perspect 111 (16):1855-1860. Olden K. 1993. Bringing science back to the neighborhood. Science 262(5136):1116. Shepard PM, Northridge Northridge is the name of some places in the United States of America:
stalks of maize plants from which mature corn cobs have been harvested as grain, or grain sorghum plants from which heads have also been removed. The stover is usually fed by turning the cattle into the field and is subject to fungal infection, sometimes causing mycotoxicosis. G. 2002. Preface pref·ace n. 1. a. A preliminary statement or essay introducing a book that explains its scope, intention, or background and is usually written by the author. b. An introductory section, as of a speech. 2. : advancing environmental justice through community-based participatory research. Environ Health Perspect 110(suppl 2):139-140. Srinivasan S, O'Fallon LR, Dearry A, eds. 2002. Built Environment-Healthy Communities, Healthy Homes, Healthy People. Final Report. Research Triangle Park Research Triangle Park, research, business, medical, and educational complex situated in central North Carolina. It has an area of 6,900 acres (2,795 hectares) and is 8 × 2 mi (13 × 3 km) in size. Named for the triangle formed by Duke Univ. , NC:National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Available: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/translat/BE-final.pdf [accessed 23 October October: see month. 2003]. Joan Joan of Arc, St. (1412–1431) heroically followed call to save France. [Christian Hagiog.: Attwater, 187] See : Patriotism Cranmer is professor of Pediatrics and Toxicology toxicology, study of poisons, or toxins, from the standpoint of detection, isolation, identification, and determination of their effects on the human body. Toxicology may be considered the branch of pharmacology devoted to the study of the poisonous effects of drugs. at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas Little Rock, Arkansas required military intervention to desegregate schools (1957–1958). [Am. Hist.: Van Doren, 556–557] See : Bigotry . She is a member of the National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council of the National Institutes of Health and served on the Toxicology Study Section. In conjunction with a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)sponsored conference she chaired on environmental health concerns in the Pacific Basin BASIN Boulder Area Sustainability Information Network (Boulder, Colorado) BASIN Brothers And Sisters In Need , she partnered with local organizers to convene CONVENE, civil law. This is a technical term, signifying to bring an action. a successful NIEHS town meeting in Hawaii that led to many positive and significant outcomes.
Table 1. Summary of NIEHS town meetings (1998 to present).
No. Date Title and Online Link
1 1998 Urban Environmental Health
September http://www.niehs.nih.gov/drcpt/tm/tntn.htm
17-18
2 1998 Air, Soil and Water Pollution: Environmental
November Health Implications
17-18 http://www.niehs.nih.gov/drcpt/tm/tnnj.htm
3 1999 Environmental Health in Our Neighborhoods:
January Speaking Out About Pollution and Health
19-20 http://www.niehs.nih.gov/drcpt/tm/truc.htm
4 1999 Children's Environmental Health with an
February Emphasis on Healthy Schools
19 http://ehs.sph.berkeley.edu/superfund/
5 1999 Health Disparities
May No URL available for this meeting
26
6 1999 Health Disparities
July No URL available for this meeting
9
7 2000 Voices for Healthy Environments, Healthy
September Communities
29-30 http://depts.washington.edu/ceeh/Outreach/
community.html
8 2001 Public Meeting on Chromium VI
January http://www.niehs.nih.gov/drcpt/tm/
14 Chromium_meeting.pdf
9 2001 Neighborhood Environmental Health
October For more information contact Baylor College of
19-20 Medicine (713-798-4614)
10 2001 Public Meeting on Concentrated Animal
November Feeding Operations: Airing on the Environmental
16 Health Issues
http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/townmeeting/
11 2001 Voices for Healthy Environments, Healthy
December Communities, Healthy Jobs
7-8 http://www.niehs.nih.gov/drcpt/tm/LA-Flyer.pdf
12 2002 Children's Environmental Health Public Forum:
February Paso Del Norte Heavy Metal Exposure
1-2 http://www.niehs.nih.gov/drcpt/tm/
elpsopubfrm02022001.pdf
13 2002 Voices for a Healthy Community-Breast
October Cancer and the Environment
7-8 http://www.niehs.nih.gov/drcpt/tm/tnbrstart.htm
14 2003 Voices of Diversity in the Environment and Health
January No URL available for this meeting
7-8
15 2003 Oceans and Human Health
February http://www.niehs.nih.gov/drcpt/tm/
27-28 0203townmtgflyer.pdf
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/drcpt/tm/SchoolMeeting.pdf
16 2003 Airborne Threats to Human Health:
April The Latest findings on Fine Particle
21 Pollution--What You and Your Family Need to
Know About Air Pollution and How It Affects
Your Health
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/drcpt/tm/0403mtgagenda.pdf
17 2003 Health Effects From Particulate Matter
June http://www.niehs.nih.gov/drcpt/tm/060302chicago.pdf
3
18 2004 Environmental Health Concerns in Hawaii
February http://www.neurotoxicology.com/conf2004/
14 ~NIEHS%20Town%20Meeting%20FINAL%20FLYER
%201-30-04.pdf
http://starbulletin.com/2004/02/15/news/story8.html
19 2004 Impact of Urban Sprawl on Health in the Inner City
December For more information contact John Schelp
16 (schelp@niehs.nih.gov)
20 2005 Growing Pains: Health and Community Impacts of
February Goods Movement and the Ports
25-26 http://hydra.usc.edu/scehsc/TownMeeting2005/
index.asp
21 2005 The Shadows That Surround Us: The Environmental
TBA Influences on Cancer in the Chicagoland Region
For more information contact John Scheld
(schelp@niehs.nih.gov)
No. Date Location Host Institution
1 1998 Piscataway, New Jersey EOHSI, UMDNJ-Robert Wood
September The Environmental Johnson Medical School
17-18 and Occupational and Rutgers, the State
Health Sciences University of New
Institute Jersey
2 1998 Nashville, Tennessee The Center for Molecular
November Vanderbilt University Toxicology, Vanderbilt
17-18 Peabody College University
Social Religious
Building
3 1999 Cincinnati, Ohio University of Cincinnati
January University of Cincinnati Department of
19-20 Environmental
Health, Center for
Environmental Genetics
and Superfund Basic
Research Program;
Society of Toxicology
4 1999 Berkeley, California University of California
February Lawrence Hall of Science Berkeley; NIEHS/U.S.
19 EPA Superfund Basic
Research Program
5 1999 Baltimore, Maryland Environmental Health
May Inner Harbor Omni Hotel Sciences Center, Johns
26 Hopkins University
6 1999 Chicago, Illinois University of Illinois
July Hyatt Regency McCormick at Chicago
9 Place
7 2000 Seattle, Washington Center for Eco-genetics
September Mount Zion Baptist and Environmental
29-30 Church Health; Environmental
and Occupational
Health Sciences,
University of
Washington
8 2001 Glendale, California Office of Congressman
January Glendale City Hall Adam Schiff; City of
14 Glendale, California
9 2001 Houston, Texas Chronic Disease
October University of Prevention and Control
19-20 Houston Hilton Research Center,
Baylor College of
Medicine
10 2001 Iowa City, Iowa Environmental Health
November University of Iowa Sciences Research
16 Center, University
of Iowa College of
Public Health
11 2001 Los Angeles, California Southern California
December Inglewood, California Environmental Health
7-8 First Church of God Sciences Center
(USC/UCLA); UCLA Labor
Occupational Safety
and Health Program;
Children's
Environmental Health
Center (USC/UCLA)
12 2002 El Paso, Texas Children's Environmental
February University of Texas Health Institute;
1-2 at El Paso El Paso County
Tomas Rivera Conference Medical Society
Center
13 2002 Marin County, California Marin Cancer Watch
October San Rafael Community Organization, NIEHS
7-8 Center Berkeley Center
Community Outreach
and Education Program,
University of
California Berkeley
14 2003 San Antonio, Texas Air Force Institute for
January Brooks City Base Environment, Safety
7-8 Auditorium and Occupational
Health Risk Analysis;
San Antonio
Metropolitan Health
District; University
of Texas Health
Science Center; Alamo
Breast Cancer
Foundation
15 2003 Miami, Florida Marine and Freshwater
February University of Miami Biomedical Sciences
27-28 RSMAS and MAST Academy Center, University of
Miami; Florida
International
University,
University of Miami
16 2003 Syracuse, New York American Lung
April Upstate Medical Association of New
21 University York State, State
University of New
York-Upstate Medical
17 2003 Chicago, Illinois American Lung
June Children's Memorial Association of Chicago
3 Institute for Education
and Research
18 2004 Honolulu, Hawaii University of Hawaii
February Ala Moana Hotel College of Medicine;
14 University of Arkansas
for Medical Sciences,
Department of
Pediatrics-
Neurotoxicology
19 2004 Atlanta, Georgia Crystal James
December Morehouse College Associates; Morehouse
16 Sale Hall Chapel College
20 2005 Los Angeles, California University of Southern
February University of California
25-26 Southern California
21 2005 Chicago, Illinois Illinois Affiliate of
TBA Feinberg Pavilion Y-ME National Breast
Northwestern University Cancer Organization
Abbreviations: EOHSI, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
Institute; U.S. EPA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; MAST
Academy, Maritime and Science Technology High School; RSMAS,
Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, University of
Miami; TBA, to be announced; UCLA, University of California at Los
Angeles; UMDNJ, University Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey;
USC, University of Southern California; Y-ME, why me.
(a) Numbers correspond to those cited in Table 4.
Table 2. Representative issues raised by community members during
NIEHS town meetings.
* Air pollution and respiratory disease
* Lead poisoning and children's health
* Environmental factors in the initiation and promotion of
breast cancer
* Oceans and human health
* Cancer prevalence and prevention
* Children's health and the environment
* Clean water
* Environmental education
* Exposure assessment
* Health registries
* Public health and environmental health research
* Environmental justice and communities most affected
* Hazardous materials
* Worker safety
* Garbage incineration
* Concerns of lead exposure from paint dust on city sidewalks
* Poor housing conditions
* Violence
* Environmental effects on asthma morbidity
* The need for training and employment opportunities in underserved
populations
* Concentrated animal feeding operations
* Regulatory issues and ways to address pollution
* Air and drinking water pollution
* Urban sprawl, traffic, air pollution, and physical activity
* Lead and asbestos exposures that community members believe
may be linked to incidence of asthma, leukemia, and other cancers
* Mercury in fish
* Ocean and beach contamination from cesspools
* Hormone-related chemicals and diseases
* Environmental effects on children's brains
* Autism and related neurobehavioral effects
* Effects of volcanic air pollution on respiratory health
* Environmental regulations not being enforced by local officials
* Public education
* Interpretation of scientific information for the public
* Where does the average citizen go for information on environmental
health issues today?
Table 3. Noteworthy quotes from participants of NIEHS town meetings.
We are not necessarily looking at ways scientists can do research for
the community, but rather the way scientists can do research with the
community.--Pauletta Hansel, Assistant Director, Urban Appalachian
Council. 1999 Cincinnati Town Meeting (Fisher 1999)
Clearly, the community was asking the scientists to please listen to
their concerns and translate their concerns to see if we can help them
alleviate their problems. They're saying, 'Our common sense tells us
something is wrong. Please listen.'--Marshall Anderson, Director,
Center for Environmental Genetics. 1999 Cincinnati Town Meeting
(Fisher 1999)
We do not have the information, so people are frustrated. We can
generate the science. The public has to demand it.--Kenneth Olden,
Director, NIEHS. 1998 Vanderbilt Town Meeting (Fisher 1999)
We shouldn't wait for agencies to dictate how we're going to involve
the public. People have a right to information, they have a right to
access to the decision makers, and they have a right to accountability
by their decision makers.--Penny Newman, Director, Community
Center for Action and Environmental Justice in Glen Avon. 2001 Los
Angeles Town Meeting (Huynh 2002]
The meeting gave the opportunity for members of the community to
see that we are people they can turn to. We do have names and
faces ... This was one of the first opportunities to really understand
the concerns that people in the community have.--Frank Bonfiglio,
Program Director, Middle Tennessee Poison Center. 1998 Vanderbilt
Town Meeting (Fisher 1999)
In holding a town meeting like this, what we're interested in [on the
federal level] is encouraging lines of communication.--Samuel
Wilson, Deputy Director of NIEHS. 1999 University of California
Berkeley Town Meeting. (Fisher 1999)
Our town meeting allowed some of the people from the community to
meet with some high-level individuals that they wouldn't normally see.
--Michael Gallo, Director, Center for Environmental Health Sciences.
1998 New Jersey Town Meeting. (Fisher 1999)
Dr. Olden went out of his way to find ways to help us deal with a wide
variety of environmental health problems in Hawaii and the Pacific
area. Some of these problems, such as health effects associated
with volcanic emissions, are unique to Hawaii. I admired his
willingness to take the time to really understand issues that were
important to us.--Bruce Anderson, President, Oceanic Institute,
Waimanalo, Hawaii. 2004 Hawaii Town Meeting (Cranmer 2004a, 2004b)
This was a good start ... we outlined the progress we've made and the
problems we face, We've got the players, now we need more dialogue
and more people brought in.--Martyn Smith, Director, Superfund Basic
Research Program. 1999 UC-Berkeley Town Meeting. (Fisher 1999)
The individual community groups and households know what the
problems are ... Academics need to set the research agenda in a
fashion that will directly address community problems ... and foster
community-based partnerships.--Samuel Wilson, Deputy Director,
NIEHS. 1998 New Jersey Town Meeting (Fisher 1999)
As a tropical state, Hawaii doesn't fit into the national goals for
grants.... There is always a mismatch.--Roger Fujioka, University of
Hawaii, Water Resources Center. 2004 Hawaii Town Meeting (Altonn
2004; Cranmer 2004b)
Response: You hove to be an activist. Let us know what you need and
insist that we respond.--Kenneth Olden, Director, NIEHS. 2004 Hawaii
Town Meeting (Altonn 2004; Cranmer 2004b)
Table 4. Significant outcomes, achievements, and NIEHS follow-up
to town meetings.
Town Meeting (a) Outcomes and NIEHS Follow-up
a) Community Impact: An immediate outcome of a town meeting is
increased awareness of environmental health research carried out by
NIEHS-founded centers and grantees. Citizens learn of the resources
a center can provide to address their environmental health concerns.
In some cases, town meetings break down barriers, erase
misconceptions, and may help enhance the process of establishing
trust between researchers and communities.
Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Center investigators were able to
(5). After the Baltimore town begin building increased trust with
meeting in 1999, researchers Baltimore residents. In addition,
at the EHS Center at JHU noted residents soon saw the potential of
several immediate outcomes. the center to address the EJ concerns
they have, primarily regarding indoor
and outdoor pollutants, contaminants
in schools, and building demolitions.
As a result of the town meeting,
center researchers have been able
to work with community members to
develop exposure assessment projects.
University of Washington (7). Immediately after the meeting, the
Two important outcomes EHS Center developed the Health
resulted from the town meeting Justice Network, a computer
hosted by the Center for listserver designed to disseminate
Environmental and Eco-genetics information on EJ issues, including
at the University of presentations, trainings, grant
Washington in 2000. opportunities, and meetings. In
addition, after the meeting,
the center was approached by a
Native-American community to help
them conduct a study on reproductive
health effects they believe may be
related to the fish they eat.
University of California After attending the town meeting, the
Berkeley (4). The SBRP at Alameda County Director of Public
Berkeley was able to engage Health agreed to participate in the
a different segment of the SBRP external advisory committee.
community as a direct result Participation by the local health
of their town meeting in 1999. department has brought a greater EJ
focus to the committee, which has
enhanced the overall program.
Vanderbilt University (2). After the town meeting, the EHS
After the town meeting in Center was able to establish
1998, the community recognized partnerships quickly with the
the EHS Center at Vanderbilt Tennessee Pollution Prevention
University as a valuable Partnership, the Tennessee Arts and
resource. Sciences Consortium, the Middle
Tennessee Poison Center, and various
community environmental advocacy
groups. In addition, a variety of
local work groups have asked the
center to provide personnel for
assistance. The center also began
offering services to community
members by making available general
environmental health information,
center-sponsored entrance into
Vanderbilt's library network, and
subscriptions to Environmental
Health Perspectives.
University of Illinois at As part of the partnership with
Chicago (6). Investigators the coalition and in response to
established collaboration with the request of a past Chicago
the Grand Boulevard Asthma commissioner of public health, a
Coalition after hosting their collaborative team formed the Public
town meeting in 1999. Housing Environmental Task Force.
This task force is composed of
representatives from communities,
community organizations, city
officials, the university, and
federal agencies. The task force was
instrumental in the adoption of
integrated pest management strategies
throughout the Chicago public housing
system by the Chicago Housing
Authority.
University of Hawaii (18). Scientists described research
After the town meeting in under way on autism and related
2004, the community identified neurobehavioral disorders, and
health care professionals and affected families learned of
institutions to contact to additional resources available to
follow up their specific them for future needs. Research
issues and EJ concerns; the initiatives and prevention programs
university received an NIEHS addressing effects of volcanic air
center grant for a new COHH. pollution on respiratory health of
Big Islanders are being pursued.
The Hawaii Heptachor Health Effects
Research Program was established
in 1987 to implement the medical
monitoring and research programs
regarding the exposure of Oahu's
residents to the pesticide heptachlor
epoxide that contaminated the state's
milk supply in 1982. At the town
meeting residents learned the 20-year
follow-up results of the Hawaii
Heptachlor Study, personally
discussed results with the
investigators and established
collaborations for any additional
follow-up for long-term health
effects of heptachlor
b) New Research: Sometimes community-university partnerships that
emerge from hosting a town meeting develop into successful research
projects. To date, several of the research institutions have received
some form of grant support for research projects directly resulting
from a town meeting.
Johns Hopkins University (5). The partnership and the research
A center investigator in questions were established as a
partnership with a local result of the town meeting. Findings
community organization from this project are affecting
received an NIEHS CBPR. policy related to the demolition of
homes in Baltimore. The purpose of
the CBPR grant is to examine health
effects of exposure to debris from
building demolition that is taking
place in neighborhoods of lower
socioeconomic status surrounding
the university.
University of Cincinnati (3). The purpose of the partnership
At the town meeting, EHS developed as a result of this town
Center investigators were meeting is to address concerns of
introduced to, and later lead exposure from paint dust on
partnered with, officials from city sidewalks, and to assess the
the City of Cincinnati Office efficiency of current dust removal
of Environmental Management. procedures. The partnership received
a 1-year grant from the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban
Development for the project, titled
Control of Lead in Sidewalk Dust
Derived from Exterior Paint.
University of Illinois at Issues raised at the meeting included
Chicago (6). Investigators at lead, poor housing conditions,
this institution have been pollution, violence, environmental
successful in converting the effects on asthma morbidity, and the
outcomes of the town meeting need for training and employment
into grant support; four opportunities in underserved
projects have been funded by populations. Partly in response to
the NIEHS and U.S. EPA. the town meeting, the Grand Boulevard
Asthma Coalition adopted public
housing as its major focus,
specifically the Robert Taylor
Homes. University investigators,
in partnership with the coalition,
received a small grant from the U.S.
EPA to train peer educators to screen
100 families with asthma, examine
environmental effects on asthma,
and devise intervention strategies.
Results from this initial project
were used to successfully apply for
an NIEHS community-based prevention/
intervention research award to
examine the effects of peer education
on asthma, lead, and safer methods of
pest control in approximately 300
families residing in Chicago public
housing. In support of this effort,
the Chicago Housing Authority
successfully applied for U.S. EPA
funding to train eight additional
peer educators.
Over the past 2 years, the task force
created by university investigators
has been working with the Chicago
Housing Authority on maintenance and
safer construction of new public
housing structures. Demolition of
older structures raised many concerns
about possible health effects. These
concerns led to an NIEHS grant award
to examine the impact of demolitions
on respiratory function.
University of Hawaii at University of Hawaii oceanographers
Manoa (18). A new COHH was and medical specialists will pool
awarded to the University of their expertise in a 5-year program
Hawaii at Manoa after the to investigate the relationship
2004 town meeting. between the oceans and human health
thanks to the newly awarded COHH.
In response to the urgent regional
need to more effectively prevent
water-borne diseases and control
harmful algal blooms, as well as in
response to the unique island setting
and strategic location to mine the
virtually untapped ocean environment,
the new COHH, called the Pacific
Research Center for Marine
Biomedicine, has been established.
Projects are funded in a program to
study problems with potential impact
on human health. Among these are
ciguatera fish poisoning, pathogens
in the ocean, and development of
microorganisms for medical use and
health-related products.
c) New Outreach: Because a major goal of the town meeting
is to increase community awareness and to establish strong
community-university ties, a crucial outcome is often new
methods of working with the community.
University of Cincinnati (3). This center, named In My Back Yard
After the town meeting the (IMBY), has worked with various
center, with institutional communities since its inception.
support, established a It provided technical support to
community health and the South Side Community Action
environment research Association in Southfield, Ohio,
center to facilitate when they were conducting a survey
community-university of 1,035 households. IMBY has also
environmental health research provided continuing education to
activities. nurses in the city health department.
IMBY and the University of Cincinnati
Department of Environmental Health
are leading a coalition of nonprofit
organizations and government agencies
in the development and implementation
of the Over-the-Rhine Smart Streets:
A Lead Reduction and Environmental
Job Training Demonstration Project.
IMBY has helped develop a training
video and established an EJ and
health disparities seminar series
at the University's Department of
Environmental Health. IMBY has also
responded to requests for assistance
from communities in Ohio, Louisiana,
and Mississippi.
Vanderbilt University (2). The community forum seminar series
Building on the momentum focuses on environmental health
generated by the town meeting, issues of particular concern to local
the center at Vanderbilt and state communities. To promote
initiated a new community community participation and
forum series to strengthen interaction in the series, ample time
partnerships with the is always set aside for audience
community. members to discuss topics with
presenters. The center has hosted
six seminars addressing topics
from cancer to herbal medicines.
Presentations are given by center
investigators as well as invited
speakers from the NIH, NIEHS,
Tennessee Department of Environment
and Conservation, and Vanderbilt
faculty.
d) Education: In the process of increasing awareness about
environmental health issues, some universities develop curricula
that are appropriate for the communities with which they are working.
University of Washington, To involve youth from around
Seattle (7). As a result of Washington State in the town meeting,
the town meeting, the EHS the center worked with high school
Center was able to establish teachers in the towns of Yelm and
and sustain two very important Wenatchee to set up a video
educational projects. conference project titled "Youth
Network for Healthy Communities." In
the first year, 18 middle and high
school teachers worked with students
on environmental health issues in
their communities. The students then
presented their findings to experts
at the University of Washington (UW)
via the statewide video conference
network. Students researched such
diverse topics as Superfund sites,
health effects of wildfires, and
environmental impact of diesel power
generators. The project has been a
great success.
In response to expressed needs at the
town meeting, researchers at the UW's
Center for Children's Environmental
Health and Disease Prevention
Research developed a curriculum in a
community-based project in the Yakima
Valley to raise awareness of means
of reducing pesticide and chemical
exposures in agricultural settings.
The UW plans to train teachers at
Head Start and Heritage College in
this curriculum, to help reduce
pesticide exposure to children who
live with farm workers. Materials
developed will be shared with
partners in western Washington,
especially El Centeo de la Raza and
Education Service District 189.
University of Cincinnati (3). IMBY coordinated development and
After hosting the town conduct of a six-part continuing
meeting, outreach staff education program for the nurses of
at the EHS Center has had the Cincinnati Health Department
opportunities to develop new (CHD). Learning Exchange for Genetic
and use existing environmental Disease Solutions (LEGENDS) is the
health curricula. adult education curriculum developed
by the COEP of the Center for
Environmental Genetics. The
curriculum includes six chapters
with 24 teaching modules, covering
environmental health, human genetics,
genes and disease, environmental
genetics, genetic testing, and human
genome research. As a result of the
town meeting, the LEGENDS program
was able to make contacts with local
health agencies and community
organizations, establishing
collaborations that later led to
the participation of COEP staff in
educational programs sponsored by
state and national organizations.
Or the local level, the director
of Environmental Health Programs
at the CHID became acquainted with
the LEGENDS program at the regional
town meeting and symposium.
Johns Hopkins University (5). The course, titled "Special Studies
After the town meeting, JHU Course of Environmental Health in
developed a course on Community Outreach and Education,"
environmental health in continues to be offered each
community outreach for the semester. The class meets weekly and
1999 fall semester. involves presentations from members
of many community organizations, with
which working relationships have been
developed since the town meeting.
Many students from the JHU Bloomberg
School of Public Health pursuing
their master's degree take this
course and write an essay as part of
the graduation requirement. Active
involvement of community members in
this course has helped link the
efforts of community outreach with
the mission of the school.
University of Medicine and This partnership later evolved into
Dentistry of New Jersey (1). a larger NIH-funded collaborative
After hosting a town meeting project with seven other COEPs titled
in 1998, the COEP at the EHS Environmental Health Science Training
Center initiated collaboration Education Program to train educators
with the COEP at Vanderbilt on select environmental health
University. curricula.
e) Public Health and Policy Impact: Outcomes of town meetings include
public health and policy impacts. Such results may come about through
increased awareness of a topic discussed at the town meeting, from
research resulting from the town meeting, or a combination of the
two.
University of Iowa (10). The At the time of the meeting,
EHS Center at the University researchers at the university were
of Iowa hosted a town meeting working collaboratively with
on CAFOs, an important topic researchers from Iowa State
among rural Iowans. University on a larger report
addressing adverse health effects
from CAFOs. After the town meeting,
a report was submitted to the state
governor and the director of the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources.
Investigators recommended various
environmental standards, including
ambient air quality standards for
hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and odor
at the property line of CAFOs and
at neighboring residences or public
use areas. Besides air quality, the
report also addressed emerging issues
such as water quality, antibiotic
resistance, greenhouse gas emissions,
statewide siting and spatial
planning, and livestock epidemic and
carcass disposal. Several recommended
standards became established state
policy.
Johns Hopkins University (5). As a result of the meeting, greater
Research on the demolition of enforcement of existing policies has
homes clearly demonstrated the been taking place in Baltimore.
need for proper measures to
reduce exposures from dust
and pests.
University of Cincinnati (3). At the conclusion of the research
The research project, "Control study, the Cincinnati Office of
of Lead in Sidewalk Dust Environmental Management developed a
Derived from Exterior Paint," comprehensive lead policy detailing
that resulted from the town each department's role in reducing
meeting was instrumental in lead risk. In addition, the
emphasizing the importance of Cincinnati City Council is in the
addressing lead exposures in process of adopting a new city lead
the community. ordinance, the city health department
is preparing a lead risk reduction
plan for presentation to city
council, and the state has just
adopted a new set of lead regulations
that will make it simpler for
property owners to control lead
hazards on their property.
Abbreviations: CAFO, concentrated animal feeding operation; CBPR,
community-based participatory research; COEP, Community Outreach and
Education Program; COHH, Center for Oceans and Human Health; EHS,
Environmental Health Sciences; U.S. EPA, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency; EHS, Environmental Health Sciences; EJ, environmental justice;
JHU, Johns Hopkins University; LEGENDS, Learning Exchange for Genetic
Disease Solutions; NIH, National Institutes of Health; SBRP, Superfund
Basic Research Program. Adapted in large part from O'Fallon et al.
(2003).
(a) Numbers in parentheses refer to the town meeting described in
Table 1.
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