Sustainability Ecology Policy: Human Health & the Environment

Offers an introduction to environmental health. Topics include: methods (toxicology, epidemiology) environmental health hazards (physical, biological, chemical) and supports (nature contact), risk analysis, communication and management, health and climate change, food production and access, energy production, and water. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Cross-listed with: HLTH 2070.

Open to Degree and PACE students; Cross listed with HLTH 2070; Lecture is Tuesday 8:30-9:45 Discussions on Thursdays 8:30-9:45

This course offers an introduction to the field of “environmental health” which is a subset of public health. We begin the semester by situating environmental health within the context of planetary health and sustainability, with a focus on the interconnected goals of ecological flourishing and human well-being. Building upon this foundation, we then explore a range of traditional environmental health topics including the methods of environmental health science (toxicology and epidemiology), environmental hazards (physical, biological, and chemical), risk analysis, communication and management, vulnerable populations, precautionary approaches, and environmental health regulations. Finally, we apply the knowledge gained during the first half of the semester to understanding and identifying opportunities for mitigating a variety of current environmental health challenges including climate change, food production and access, energy production, water quality and access, waste management, and the ecological footprint of healthcare. We conclude the semester with a focus on how we, as a society, may best achieve health for both people and planet through a reorientation toward healthy lifestyles and healthy communities that are supportive of the ecological systems upon which our health depends.

LOGISTICS: Students are expected to: - Arrive on time and prepared to participate in Lecture & Discussion each week - Complete all readings and assignments before the start of lecture/discussion LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Discuss current environmental health challenges occurring at local, regional, and global scales. 2. Describe several environmental health hazards, routes of exposure, health effects, and mitigation options. 3. Critically examine environmental health-related news. 4. Engage sustainability science approaches and systems thinking to describe the interplay between human behaviors, environmental challenges, and human health and well-being. Materials: 1. Required textbook: Nadakavukaren, A & J. Caravanos. 2020. Our Global Environment: A Health Perspective (8th ed). Waveland Press. (Available at the UVM Bookstore and on reserve at Howe Library.) 2. Required book: Vatovec, C. 2023. Dying Green: A Journey through End-of-Life Medicine in Search of Sustainable Healthcare. Rutgers University Press. (Available at the UVM Bookstore and on reserve at Howe Library.) 2. Required readings, podcasts, videos, etc. will be posted on the course Brightspace site each week.

Student learning will be assessed using a variety of methods including but not limited to attendance and participation, weekly reading and reflection assignments, group work, and mid-term and final exams.