CDC Media Advisory

CDC Conference Spotlights Environmental Health Effects of Hurricane Katrina,
Hazardous Waste and Climate Change

Other Highlights to Include Addresses by Senator Jack Reed, Acting Surgeon General Kenneth Moritsugu and EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson

Experts in the fields of environmental health, toxicology, injury prevention and public health will come together in Atlanta to present and explore the latest environmental health findings, developments and innovations in such areas as hurricane preparedness, hazardous waste, climate change, child development, land reuse and green healthcare. These experts will gather Monday December 4th through Wednesday, December 6th at the Hilton Atlanta Hotel for the 2006 National Environmental Public Health Conference, sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Conference Highlights

Monday, December 4

Plenary Session with Senator Jack Reed (10:30 am - 12:00 pm)

Senator Reed (D-RI) will speak on the importance of healthy environments. During his two senate terms, Senator Reed has been a vocal leader in protecting the public's health by promoting environmental health issues.

Scientific Sessions

The Impact of Hazardous Waste on Human Health: Policy, Analyses, and Community Issues For three decades, public health experts have combated the health threat posed by toxic substances and hazardous waste in residential areas. Discuss this threat, including policy implications and community involvement, with a nationally recognized expert. (12:00 pm - 1:00 pm)

Environmental Health, Sustainability and Disaster Preparedness Post Hurricane Katrina

The Gulf Coast will take years to rebuild a region that prioritizes health, sustainability and disaster preparedness. Learn more about the challenges and opportunities in this process, including building safe homes and forecasting environmental change, from a CDC expert. (12:00 pm - 1:00 pm)

Assessing Environmental Health and Safety in Schools

The quality of the school environment is directly related to the performance of students and faculty. A member of the expert scientific panel presenting tools to manage environmental health and safety in schools will answer questions about strategies to improve these conditions. (12:00 pm - 1:00 pm)

The Case for Green Healthcare Construction: How Hospital Design and Construction Protect

Current hospital constructions can guard the future health o patients, staff and visitors through building design, planning and practice. Explore the evidence, including the business case, for improving public health with green healthcare institutions with a CDC expert. (12:00 pm - 1:00 pm)

Tuesday, December 5

Plenary Session (8:30 am - 10:00 am)

Professor Richard Jackson, MD, MPH, Adjunct Professor, Environmental Health Sciences, University of California- Berkeley, will moderate an expert panel discussion about the challenges of building the environmental health system. Discussants will address issues, problems and solutions.

Scientific Sessions

Climate Change: Health Implications

Extreme heat, intense rainfall, extended droughts, and record low temperatures endanger the public's health. Discuss improving atmospheric technology and changes in climate trends and the associated human health impacts with a nationally recognized expert. (12:00 pm - 1:00 pm)

Environmental Concerns and Children's Development

Environmental neurotoxins have caused learning disabilities, behavior problems and even death among children. Questions about the impact of neurotoxins like lead and mercury on growth and development will be addressed by a leading scientific expert. (12:00 pm - 1:00 pm)

Harmful Algae Blooms and Public Health: Research and Response

Harmful algal blooms (HAB) pose a very real, but largely ignored threat, to the public's health, causing seafood poisonings and harmful changes in human and animal communities. Learn more about the health and economic consequences of this aquatic hazard from a CDC expert. (12:00 pm - 1:00 pm)

Brownsfield 101 - A Model for Public Health Involvement in Brownsfield and Land Reuse Sites

Hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants complicate the expansion, redevelopment, and reuse of Brownfields, but these efforts protect open land undeveloped and improve the environment. Explore the role public health plays in these efforts with an experienced expert. (12:00 pm - 1:00 pm)

Wednesday, December 6

Plenary Session with Rear Admiral Kenneth Moritsugu, MD, MPH, Acting U.S. Surgeon General (10:30 am - 11:15 am)

Acting Surgeon General Moritsugu will present a framework for his upcoming call to action to protect and promote health through safe and healthy home environments.

Plenary Session with Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency (11:15 am - 12:15 pm)

EPA Administrator Johnson will close the conference with a charge to all those in attendance to work together in partnership to improve environmental public health.

Editor's Note: Registration is free for media interested in attending the conference. Media are asked to register on-site at the conference hotel. Please bring press credentials. After registering, members of the media should proceed to the conference information desk and ask for the CDC communications representative. For more conference information, including a detailed listing of presentations and sessions, please go to www.cdc.gov/nceh/conference/index.htm.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES