idaho nurses association september, 2011, ingrid brudenell, phd, r.n

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 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

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:

ibrudenell@gmail.com or ibruden@boisestate.edu

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-