The Western States PEHSU recognizes that racism is one of many toxic environmental exposures that communities of color face. Social and chemical environments can interact to impact children’s health. We commit to continuing to educate the public and healthcare providers on toxic exposures of all kinds-including racism and fighting for environmental justice.
Childhood Development, Resilience and the Environment
This program examines critical time windows during development and how interactions among family, social support systems, and the larger community, access to good nutrition, healthy homes, and positive work and play environments are all important and contribute to resilience. These ideas build a framework for understanding environmental justice and how it addresses systematic disparities in exposures to environmental hazards based on race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic standings that may impact people’s health.
National Resources Defense Council – History of the Environmental Justice Movement
A detailed history of the origins and progress of the environmental justice movement, including important milestones such as President Clinton’s Executive Order on Environmental Justice.
Community Health Studies
The Community Health Studies website was created by the Environmental Health Investigations Branch within the California Department of Public Health. The site provides background information on health studies designed to assess links between environmental exposures and illness. It also explains the limitations of health studies and explores alternatives to these studies for communities exposed to contaminants.
National Center for Medical Legal Partnership
Information on model partnerships between health care facilities and legal aid centers with resources for emerging and active partnerships.
CDC National Public Health Tracking Network
The Tracking Network contains maps, data, and charts about chemicals and disease in the area where you live.
National Library of Medicine – Tox Town
Tox Town is an interactive site that explores toxic chemicals and neighborhood health in cities, towns, ports, farms, US border regions, and the US Southwest. There is also a curriculum to teach middle school students about the connection between the environment and health.
