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 Health & The Environment: 
Exploring Critical Connections 

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Protecting Human Health Means Protecting the Environment

This four-part video series is designed by nurses, physicians, and
environmental science experts to explore the critical interrelationship of
human health and the environment. The series connects issues directly to the practices of health professionals by focusing on cancer, asthma,
bronchitis and emerging infections that have environmental etiologies, and by identifying your role in preventing environmental problems before they occur.

Included with the series is a Resource Manual and Study Guide. 

Order all four videos and Save!! 

Part 1: The Environment, Human Health, and the Epidemiology of Cancer

This segment of the series reviews the ecological principles of sustainability; describes the lack of environmental health education
in the curriculum of healthcare practitioners; and takes an in-depth look at the environment's impact on human health as it relates
to cancer. Sandra Steingraber, PhD. describes the personal journey of tracing her cancer diagnosis to it ecological roots. 

A special case study takes viewers to the community of New Bedford, Massachusetts, where physical, biological, socio-cultural,
and politico-economic systems have interacted over the last two hundred years to impact the well-being of its current residents.

Other topics in this section include: 
     Populations at risk 
     Gene-environment interaction 
     Limits of science and epidemiology 

Part 2: Ecology, Human Health, and Emerging Infections

This portion of the series addresses two profound questions: What are the major components of the earth's life support? What
sustains life on earth? In addition, emering infections related to ecological change are highlighted.

This video features interviews with health professionals, experienced in caring for patients with environmental exposures, who
share their recommendations for incorporating environmental concepts into clinical practice.

Other Topics in this section include: 
      Environmental systems and cycles 
      Patterns and causes of emerging infections

Part 3: Health Effects of Air Pollution: Asthma/Bronchitis 

In this segment of the series, experts provide a historical perspective on air pollution; describe the geographical patterns of air
disbursement and the movement of pollutants; analyze evidence that identifies air pollution as a contributing factor to asthma and
bronchitis; and discuss interventions to prevent and treat environmentally induces asthma.

Other topics in this section include: 
        Sources, classes and types of indoor and outdoor air pollutants 

 

Part 4: Living Downstream: Water Pollution and Environmental Justice

In this segment of the series, experts analyze food and water contamination from environmental sources; discuss actual and
potential health problems caused by food and water pollution; examine the social justice aspects of certain environmental
exposures; and explore the role of health professionals as environmental stewards.

This part of the series includes two case studies in Los Angeles and the Akwasasne Mohawk Nation in Upstate New York, where
a disproportionate share of environmental health hazards are borne by disadvantaged and minority communities.

Other topics in this section include: 
     Health effects of food and water contamination 
     Microbiological safety of water 
     Sources of food and water pollution 

Each video is approximately 60 minutes (VHS)
[Please call for details regarding Nursing Contact Hours and Continuing Medical Education Credits.] 

Featured Faculty: 

Ellen Ceppetelli, MS, RNC, Assistant Professor and Senior Program Developer, The University of Vermont /

Jeff Dickey, MD, MOH, Staff Physician, Community Health Center of Franklin County, Massachusetts; Chair, Massachusetts Medical Society Committee on Environmental and Occupational Health / 

Paul Epstein, MD, MPH, Co-Director, Center for Health
and the Global Environment, Harvard Medical College/ 

Timothy Ford, MD, Director, Program in Water and Health, Harvard School of Public Health / 

Charles Irvin, PhD, Professor and Director at the Vermont Asthma Center, The University of Vermont /

Carl Reidel, PhD, Professor of Environmental Policy, The University of Vermont; Vice President, New England Environmental Policy
Center / 

Jean Richardson, PhD, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, The University of Vermont / 

Barbara Sattler, PhD, RN, Director, Environmental Health Education Center, University of Maryland / 

Ted Schettler, MD, MPH, author of Generations at Risk / 

Sandra Steingraber, PhD, Presidential Appointee, National Action Plan on Breast Cancer, and author, Living Downstream / 

Timothy Weiskel, PhD, Director, Harvard Environmental Ethics & Public Policy Program, and Director, Harvard Seminar on Environmental Values 

Produced by The University of Vermont in cooperation with: American Nurses Association, Nightingale Institute for Environment and Health, Physicians for Social Responsibility