PEDIATRICIANS NEED MORE TRAINING ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

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(As do all physicians)...

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From: NIH news releases and news items

On Behalf Of NIH OLIB (NIH/OD)

Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2004 9:14 AM

NIHPRESS@...

Subject: PEDIATRICIANS NEED MORE TRAINING ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

NIH News

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, October 21, 2004

CONTACT:

Schelp

919-541-5723

schelp@...

PEDIATRICIANS NEED MORE TRAINING ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

Doctors and nurses need more environmental health training to prevent,

recognize, and treat diseases caused by environmental exposures,

according to a new study funded by the National Institute of

Environmental Health Sciences.

Experts recommend that medical and nursing schools add environmental

health topics to training programs.

" We know pediatricians want to provide the best care possible, " said Dr.

Dearry, NIEHS associate director. " We want them to have the tools they

need to protect their patients against environmental hazards. "

A group of experts made up of physicians, nurses, and educators issued

recommendations to incorporate environmental health into pediatric

medical and nursing education. The study, conducted by the National

Environmental Education and Training Foundation, also identifies key

medical and nursing organizations that could help promote environmental

health training, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the

Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. The study

results will be published in the December 2004 issue of " Environmental

Health Perspectives. "

The expert group studied the medical and nursing education systems from

undergraduate education through continuing education courses. The

experts identified places in the educational systems, such as licensing

exams and field work for nurses, where environmental health could be

incorporated. The group

also recommended that government organizations should focus on advancing

children's environmental health issues.

The study reviewed ongoing evaluations of medical and nursing training

programs.

Previous studies have shown that pediatric residency and undergraduate

medical and nursing education programs do not routinely include

comprehensive pediatric environmental health training in their

curricula. Few pediatricians are trained to ask their patients questions

on environmental exposures or give advice on

environmental poisons, although most see patients with health issues

related to the environment, and the majority of parents have expressed

worry about their children's exposure to environmental poisons.

Furthermore, childhood diseases related to the environment in American

children, such as lead poisoning, asthma and cancer, cost Americans

billions annually.

The group of experts included representatives of National Academy of

Sciences, Institute of Medicine, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease

Registry, Association of American Medical Colleges, American Public

Health Association, Children's Environmental Health Network,

Washington University, Medical University of South Carolina, Children's

National Medical Center, Temple University, Oregon Health Sciences

University, Rutgers School of Nursing, Northeastern University, Drexel

University, University, and the University of North Carolina

School of Public Health.

" It's essential that we give more priority to pediatric environmental

health, "

said Leyla Erk McCurdy at the National Environmental Education and

Training Foundation. " By following our recommendations, pediatric health

care providers will be better equipped to recognize, treat, and prevent

diseases related to

factors in the environment. "

##

This NIH News Release is available online at:

http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/oct2004/niehs-21.htm

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