seminars and workshops, newsletters, fact
The community education component of the
sheets, satellite broadcasts, and Web-based
action plan was completed on March 8, 2001,
training. ATSDR often enters into partnerships
with a public presentation to 60 residents by
with other organizations in these efforts.
a subject matter expert. The presentation noted
Partners include national organizations, local
the following conclusions:
universities, and professional societies. ATSDR
health education activities have been focused
in the water.
on implementing a national strategy to provide
A low risk of adverse health effects related to
environmental health training for nurses and
other frontline health care providers, and
expanding partnerships in environmental health
The Colorado Department of Public Health
expertise.
and Environment identified no increase in
birth defects or cancer for the area.
Health Promotion Activities
During the months of October and November
at Sites
2001, follow-up telephone calls were made to
the depot, state and local health officials, and
Health promotion supports three key goals: pre-
residents to determine whether the goals of the
vention (proactive actions to prevent the adverse
program had been met, and whether any addi-
effects of hazardous substances), intervention
tional health-related concerns had been identi-
(actions to diminish or eliminate adverse conse-
fied. Community members seem to have moved
quences of exposure to hazardous substances),
past the primary health concern stage and have
and capacity building (actions to strengthen
begun to address the demilitarization process
existing public health infrastructures to enhance
and evaluate potential pollution generated by a
environmental health services for affected com-
new industry in the area.
munities).
Discussions with community members indi-
During fiscal year 2001, ATSDR expanded its
capacity to provide communities with assistance
agencies and the public has increased, as
and training on coping with the stress communi-
evidenced by the Chemical Demilitarization
ties face related to their exposures to hazardous
Citizen's Advisory Commission meetings con-
substances. Communities exposed to hazardous
ducted off base in Pueblo. In addition, new
substances suffer from elevated levels of psy-
treatment facilities have been installed at the
chosocial stress. The purpose of the community
Avondale community well, further increasing
stress program is to mitigate the effects of
stress associated with exposure to hazardous
substances
Educating Health
Following are examples of 2 of the 42 sites
Professionals Nationwide
where ATSDR conducted health promotion
activities in fiscal year 2001.
ATSDR works through a variety of mechanisms
to provide health education and information
to health professionals nationally. Activities
include grand rounds presentations, off-site
58 chapter 4