CHAPTER FOUR: HEALTH EDUCATION AND PROMOTION
guidelines (100,000 in each language) were printed and mailed to groups such
as active members of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the
American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family
Physicians. These guidelines are intended to help physicians identify and
counsel the susceptible populations they serve. The national distribution of the
cover letter and brochures should provide the information needed to reduce
exposures to possible contaminants found in noncommercial fish. As a result of
this initiative, EPA and ATSDR are working together in FY 2000 to develop
diagnosis and treatment guidelines for health care providers of patients who
consume noncommercial fish.
STATE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT PROGRAM
ATSDR provided funding and technical assistance for health education and
other activities to 29 states through several cooperative agreements in FY 1999.
Cooperative agreement recipients make a large contribution to ATSDR's health
education services and to products for citizens living near hazardous waste
sites throughout the United States. Fact sheets, brochures, fliers, training, and
community education were provided to 255 sites by ATSDR and cooperative
agreement states. Grand rounds, conferences, exhibits, public meetings, and
school presentations were the venues to provide information to and encourage
capacity building in often underserved communities. Examples of these
activities follow.
Nine Mile Run, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Nine Mile Run is a 244-acre inactive slag disposal area. Environmental
testing of the slag identified low levels of metals, including lead, manganese,
validium, and iron. ATSDR and the Pennsylvania Department of Health
became involved in the site at the request of EPA and in response to concerns
from area residents. A health consultation addressing the human health effects
of possible exposures to residents of the newly established community was
begun in FY 1999. Education and awareness activities about the health
consultation have resulted in an increased awareness of the need for dust
suppression during grading and excavation at the site, worker safety, the air
quality of surrounding areas, the handling of hazardous waste, and quality
assurance and control of environmental data.
Activities have resulted in a multi-agency collaboration and the opening
of a dialog with representatives of the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition to discuss
their health concerns and the conclusions and recommendations to be
published in the health consultation. Also, the Pennsylvania Department of
Health has received an invitation from the site developer to participate in
meetings of the Public Task Force, which serves as a forum for the discussion
and resolution of citizens' health concerns and other development-related
issues.
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