A Story of Health - A Multi-media eBook

The Power of Personal Stories

Our multimedia eBook A Story of Health grounds the science of health in stories of fictional people, their families, and communities to enable readers to explore the risk factors for disease as well as how to prevent disease and promote health and resilience. Using the setting of a family reunion as a backdrop, we explore how multiple environments influence our health across the lifespan. We use a case-based learning approach, often used in medical education to maximize learning outcomes.

Image: A Story of Health

Why you should read the eBook

When people get sick or develop a disability, they often ask their health care providers, “How or why did this happen?” In some cases, the answer is obvious. In others, it’s more complicated. A Story of Health explores this question and delves into how our environments interact with our genes to influence health across the lifespan. A Story of Health is told through the lives of six fictional characters and their families – Brett, a young boy with asthma; Amelia, a teenager with developmental disabilities; toddler Stephen, recently diagnosed with leukemia; a young couple trying to conceive, Reiko and Toshio; Sam, who is experiencing cognitive decline, and; Sofia, whose family is exposed to the dangers of a wildfire. Colorful illustrations, graphics and videos enhance each page. Links to a wide range of additional resources and hundreds of scientific papers enrich each story with information you can use today to promote health and prevent disease. A Story of Health is useful to readers ranging from health professionals to health advocates, from policymakers to those in the health and science media. The eBook offers FREE continuing education credits through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Free Continuing Education for Health Professionals

The eBook provides FREE continuing education offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Each story is accredited separately with information available in the eBook.

We invite you to download A Story of Health eBook by chapter (FREE):

Note: In order to navigate the eBook as intended, you must download, save, and view the book using Adobe Acrobat Reader. If using a PC, save the eBook by right clicking (for Macs, Control-Click) on the green download button and “Save Target As” a pdf to your computer.

Download Sam's Story (cognitive decline)

(PDF, 23 pages, 7.25 MB)

Sofia’s Story (Health Effects of Wildfires)

Follow Sofia and her family as they learn how to protect themselves from the immediate and longer term health dangers of a wildfire, with a focus on children’s health and prevention strategies.

ACTIVITY TITLE: A Story of Health: Sofia’s Story (Wildfire Health Impacts)

ACTIVITY NUMBER: SS4465R

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: This training is designed to introduce the educational case study, ASOH Wildfires Smoke, Sofia’s Story (Wildfire Health Impacts).  This presentation is part of a series of self-instructional modules designed to increase the primary care provider’s knowledge of hazardous substances in the environment; and to help in evaluating and treating potentially exposed patients.

OBJECTIVES:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant should be able to:

  • Identify the components of smoke resulting from wildfires.
  • Explain the relationship between climate change and wildfires.
  • Explain how wildfire smoke affects asthma.
  • List ways patients can protect themselves from wildfire smoke.
  • Describe wildfire emergency preparedness procedures to protect health.
  • Explain how to assess and protect indoor air quality during wildfires.
  • Explain why children are more vulnerable to wildlife smoke than adults.
  • Describe how to improve collaborative practice across the healthcare team regarding the diagnosis and treatment of patients expose to smoke from wildfires.

Faculty/Credentials

Stephanie Holm MD, MPH
Co-Director
Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, University of California, San Francisco

Samuel Goldman MD, MPH,
Professor of Medicine & Neurology
Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit,
University of California, San Francisco

Mark Miller, M.D., MPH
Associate Clinical Professor, UCSF
Director, Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit
Director, Children’s Environmental Health Center, California EPA

Anthony Pacini MD, MPH
USN – Medical Corps
Resident Physician
UCSF Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit
University of California, San Francisco

Brian Tencza M.Ed.
Team Lead
Environmental Medicine and Health Systems Intervention Section
Office of Capacity Development and Applied Prevention Science
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Marie Valenti
Director, Health Education Literacy Program
Commonweal

Marya Zlatnik MD, MMS
Professor, Ob, Gyn, Repro Sci
Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine
Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit
University of California, San Francisco

ORIGINATION DATE: September 01, 2021

RENEWAL DATE: September 01, 2023

EXPIRATION DATE: September 01, 2025

URL: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/emes/health_professionals/sofias-story.html

HARDWARE/SOFTWARE: Computer Hardware; Internet Connection; Browser

MATERIALS: None

TARGET AUDIENCE: Physicians, Registered Nurses, and Health Professionals

PREREQUISITES: None

FORMAT: This activity is a Self-Study

CONTACT INFORMATION: Office of Office of Capacity Development and Applied Prevention Science (OCDAPS), Environmental Medicine and Health Systems Intervention Section, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Centers for Disease Control and  Prevention (CDC) 770-488-0715

ACCREDITATION STATEMENTS: 

Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) In support of improving patient care, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

CME: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this enduring activity for a maximum of (1.0) AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CNE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this activity for (1.0) nursing contact hours.

CEU: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is authorized by IACET to offer (.1) CEU’s for this program.

CECH: Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to (1.0) total Category I continuing education contact hours. Maximum advanced level continuing education contact hours available are 1.0 Continuing Competency credits available are 1.0 CDC provider number 98614.

For Certified Public Health Professionals (CPH)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a preapproved provider of Certified in Public Health (CPH) recertification credits and is authorized to offer (1.0) CPH recertification credits for this program.

DISCLOSURE: In compliance with continuing education requirements, all planners and presenters must disclose all financial relationships, in any amount, with ineligible companies during the previous 24 months as well as any use of unlabeled product(s) or products under investigational use.

CDC, our planners, and content experts wish to disclose they have no financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, reselling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Content will not include any discussion of the unlabeled use of a product or a product under investigational use.

CDC did not accept financial or in-kind support from ineligible companies for this continuing education activity.

Instructions for Obtaining Continuing Education (CE)

To receive continuing education (CE) for SS4465R A Story of Health: Sofia’s Story (Wildfire Health Impacts), please visit CDC TRAIN and search for the course in the Course Catalog using SS4465R. Follow the steps below by 9/1/2025.

  1. Register for and complete the course.
  2. Pass the post-assessment at 75%.
  3. Complete the evaluation.
  4. Visit Your Learning to access your certificates and transcript.

FEES: No fees are charged for CDC’s CE activities.

Download Sam's Story (cognitive decline)

(PDF, 43 pages, 11 MB)

Sam’s Story (Cognitive Decline) – New Ce Credit Available

Meet 72-year-old Sam and his family as they explore the answers to Sam’s apparent cognitive decline after his wife dies. With Sam’s doctors they explore everything from childhood environmental exposures to Sam’s military experience and his current social connections as they ask if his “forgetfulness” is normal or something more serious.

Course:  SS4679
CE Original Date
: September 8, 2023
CE Expiration Date: September 8, 2025

Program Description

A Story of Health: Cognitive Decline is one module in A Story of Health which conveys complex concepts about multiple influences on health through a family reunion scenario, allowing stories to emerge about family members with a range of diseases, which this training will explore from a case study perspective. This storyline allows for geographic distribution including family members from rural, suburban, and city locales, as well as for ethnic diversity via marriage, adoption, etc. Each story reveals the constellation of genetics and environmental circumstances that might affect the particular disease (in this case cognitive decline) and brings in the latest available science. An introduction describes the ecological approach to health and its many variables. The stories are enhanced by a variety of media including sidebars, pop-up boxes, illustrations, graphics, videos and links to additional resources and key journal references.

Objectives

At the conclusion of the session, the participant should be able to:

  1. Describe the characteristics of cognitive decline.
  2. Discuss the characteristics of Parkinson’s disease.
  3. Describe environmental risk factors for Parkinson’s disease.
  4. Describe environmental risk factors for cognitive decline.
  5. Discuss factors that may reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
  6. Describe how to improve collaborative practice across the healthcare team regarding cognitive decline.

Faculty/Credentials

Samuel Goldman MD MPH, Professor of Medicine, University of California San Francisco

Mark Miller MD MPH, Director, Children’s Environmental Health Center, California Environmental Protection Agency

Ted Schettler MD MPH, Science Director, Science and Environmental Health Network

Accreditation Statements

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units and Commonweal. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team

CME: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 3.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CNE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this activity for 3.75 nursing contact hours.

CEU: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is authorized by IACET to offer 0.4 CEU’s for this program.

CECH: Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 3.5 total Category I continuing education contact hours. Maximum advanced level continuing education contact hours available are 3.5. Continuing Competency credits available are 3.5 CDC provider number 98614.

For Certified Public Health Professionals (CPH)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a preapproved provider of Certified in Public Health (CPH) recertification credits and is authorized to offer 4.0 CPH recertification credits for this program.

Disclosure

In compliance with continuing education requirements, all planners and presenters must disclose all financial relationships, in any amount, with ineligible companies during the previous 24 months as well as any use of unlabeled product(s) or products under investigational use. CDC, our planners, and content experts wish to disclose they have no financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, reselling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. Content will not include any discussion of the unlabeled use of a product or a product under investigational use. CDC did not accept financial or in-kind support from ineligible companies for this continuing education activity.

Instructions for Obtaining Continuing Education (CE)

To receive continuing education (CE) for A Story of Health – Cognitive Decline: Sam’s Story, please visit CDC TRAIN and search for the course in the Course Catalog using SS4679. Follow the steps below by 9/8/2025.

  1. Register for and complete the course.
  2. Pass the post-assessment at 75%
  3. Complete the evaluation.
  4. Visit Your Learning to access your certificates and transcript.

FEES: No fees are charged for CDC’s CE activities.

 

Contact Us

ceatsdr@cdc.gov

Stephen's Story

Download Stephen's Story (childhood cancer - leukemia

(PDF, 47 pages, 15 MB)

Stephen’s Story (Childhood Cancer) – New CE Credit Available

Explore the many risk factors for leukemia, and the emotional toll this disease takes on families through the story of three-year-old Stephen and his parents.

Course: SS4677
CE Original Date: August 1, 2023
CE Expiration Date: August 1, 2025

Program Description

A Story of Health: Childhood Cancer is one module in A Story of Health which conveys complex concepts about multiple influences on health through a family reunion scenario, allowing stories to emerge about family members with a range of diseases, which we will explore from a case study perspective. This storyline allows for geographic distribution including family members from rural, suburban, and city locales, as well as for ethnic diversity via marriage, adoption, etc. Each story reveals the constellation of genetics and environmental circumstances that might affect the particular disease (in this case childhood cancer), and brings in the latest available science. An introduction describes the ecological approach to health and its many variables. The stories are enhanced by a variety of media including sidebars, pop-up boxes, illustrations, graphics, videos and links to additional resources and key journal references.

Objectives

At the conclusion of the session, the participant should be able to:

  1. Describe the characteristics of childhood cancer.
  2. Discuss trends associated with childhood cancer.
  3. Discuss environmental risk factors for childhood cancer.
  4. Discuss factors that reduce the risk of childhood leukemia.
  5. Describe how to improve collaborative practice across the healthcare team regarding preventing risk factors for childhood cancer.

Faculty/Credentials

Dahl, Gary MD, Emeritus Professor (Retired) Stanford University School of Medicine

Lanphear, Bruce MD MPH, Professor and Prevention Wizard, Simon Fraser University and Little Things Matter

Metayer, Catherine MD PhD, Adjunct Professor, University of California Berkeley

Miller, Mark MD MPH, Director, Children’s Environmental Health Center at the California Environmental Protection Agency

Whitehead, Todd PhD, Assistant Researcher University of California Berkeley School of Public Health

Wiemels, Joseph PhD, Professor Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California

Accreditation Statements

Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit and Commonweal.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

CME: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 3.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CNE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this activity for 3.75 nursing contact hours.

CEU: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is authorized by IACET to offer 0.4 CEU’s for this program.

CECH: Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 3.5 total Category I continuing education contact hours. Maximum advanced level continuing education contact hours available are 3.5. Continuing Competency credits available are 3.5. CDC provider number 98614.

For Certified Public Health Professionals (CPH)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a preapproved provider of Certified in Public Health (CPH) recertification credits and is authorized to offer 4.0 CPH recertification credits for this program.

Disclosure

In compliance with continuing education requirements, all planners and presenters must disclose all financial relationships, in any amount, with ineligible companies during the previous 24 months as well as any use of unlabeled product(s) or products under investigational use.

CDC, our planners, and content experts wish to disclose they have no financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, reselling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Content will not include any discussion of the unlabeled use of a product or a product under investigational use

Instructions for Obtaining Continuing Education (CE)

To receive continuing education (CE) for SS4677-A Story of Health – Childhood Cancers: Stephen’s Story, please visit CDC TRAIN and search for the course in the Course Catalog using SS4677. Follow the steps below by August 1, 2025.

  1. Register for and complete the course.
  2. Pass the post-assessment at 75%.
  3. Complete the evaluation.
  4. Visit Your Learning to access your certificates and transcript.

FEES: No fees are charged for CDC’s CE activities.

 

Contact Us
ceatsdr@cdc.gov

Download Reiko and Toshio (infertility/reproductive health)

(PDF, 47 pages, 21 MB)

Reiko and Toshio’s Story (Infertility/Reproductive Health)

Follow Reiko and Toshio, a young couple who have been trying to have a child, as they seek answers to their infertility and learn about how to improve their reproductive health.

Course: SS4533
CE Original Date: February 1, 2022
CE Expiration Date: February 1, 2024

Introduction
A Story of Health: Infertility is one module in A Story of Health which conveys complex concepts about multiple influences on health through a family reunion scenario, allowing stories to emerge about family members with a range of diseases, which we will explore from a case study perspective. This storyline allows for geographic distribution including family members from rural, suburban, and city locales, as well as for ethnic diversity via marriage, adoption, etc. Each story reveals the constellation of genetics and environmental circumstances that might affect the particular disease (in this case infertility), and brings in the latest available science. An introduction describes the ecological approach to health and its many variables. The stories are enhanced by a variety of media including sidebars, pop-up boxes, illustrations, graphics, videos and links to additional resources and key journal references.

Training Objectives:
At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:

  1. Identify possible causes of female infertility
  2. Name key contributors to preconception health.
  3. Describe multiple environmental factors that influence fertility and reproductive health.
  4. Explain the importance of taking an environmental and a psychosocial history
  5. Identify possible causes of male infertility
  6. List ways the public can be exposed to toxicants
  7. Describe how to improve collaborative practice across the healthcare team regarding the diagnosis and treatment of infertility issues

To access A Story of Health: Infertility, please visit A Story of Health Infertility training module. pdf icon[PDF – 7.4 MB]external icon

To access the full multi-media eBook, please visit A Story of Health EBookexternal icon

Faculty/Credentials
Mark Miller M.D., MPH
Associate Clinical Professor, UCSF
Director, Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit
Director, Children’s Environmental Health Center, California EPA

Linda Giudice M.D.
Distinguished Professor
University of California, San Francisco
Center for Reproductive Sciences
Center for Reproductive Health Department,
OB/GYN/Reproductive Sciences

Ted Schettler M.D., MPH
Science Director
Science and Environmental Health Network

Ulrike Luderer M.D., PhD, MPH
Professor and Director,
Center for Occupational and Environmental Health
University of California Irvine
COEH

Tracey Woodruff PhD, MPH
Professor, Director
University of California, San Francisco
OB/GYN & RS

Brian Tencza M.Ed.
Team Lead
Environmental Medicine and Health Systems Intervention Section
Office of Capacity Development and Applied Prevention Science
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Marie Valenti
Director,
Health Education Literacy Program Commonweal

Marya Zlatnik M.D., MMS
Professor, Ob, Gyn, Repro Science
Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine
Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit,
University of California, San Francisco

Who is this training for?
Our primary target audience is primary health providers and other health professionals involved in preventing/mitigating exposure to hazardous substances and/or related health promotion activities. The target populations for The Story of Health: Infertility are physicians, registered nurses, and other health professionals that are interested in environmental health topics; which include: CHES certified health educator; dentists; D.O.s; Epidemiologists; Laboratorians: Licensed practical/vocational nurses; MDs; Medical assistants; Nurse practitioners; Nurse technicians; Other health educators; Physician assistants; Registered nurses.

What is this training about?
A Story of Health begins with a family reunion that brings you into the lives of fictional people with some of the chronic illnesses that are a serious problem for the health of our nation – asthma, developmental disabilities, cancer, infertility, diabetes, and cognitive decline. Through their stories, you’ll learn the potential causes of these diseases and conditions, and explore prevention strategies.

They are stories about our health as individuals, families and communities. The stories highlight the many ways our health is affected by the environments where we live, eat, work, play, pray, volunteer, gather and socialize.

These stories also illustrate how we can prevent disease and promote health.
This interactive eBook includes colorful illustrations and graphics, videos from health and policy experts, links to numerous resources, and more, to help readers navigate the complex world of health.

Who developed this continuing education training?
A Story of Health is a collaboration among the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE), the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency (OEHHA), the Science and Environmental Health Network (SEHN), and the University of California, San Francisco, Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (UCSF PEHSU).

Continuing Education

Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, University of California, San Francisco. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

CME: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity

CNE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this activity for 1.5 nursing contact hours.

CEU: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is authorized by IACET to offer 0.2 CEU’s for this program.

CECH: Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1.5 total Category I continuing education contact hours. Maximum advanced level continuing education contact hours available are 1.5. Continuing Competency credits available are 1.5. CDC provider number 98614.

For Certified Public Health Professionals (CPH)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a pre-approved provider of Certified in Public Health (CPH) recertification credits and is authorized to offer 2.0 CPH recertification credits for this program.

To receive free continuing education, please visit A Story of Health Infertility CE registration page.

Instructions for Obtaining Continuing Education (CE)
In order to receive continuing education (CE) for SS4533 A Story of Health Infertility Reiko & Toshio’s Story please visit TCEO and follow these 9 Simple Steps before February 1, 2024.

Complete the activity
Complete the Evaluation at www.cdc.gov/GetCE
Pass the posttest at 80% at www.cdc.gov/GetCE

Fees: No fees are charged for CDC’s CE activities.

Training Module Information
Hardware/Software:
Computer Hardware; Internet connection; Browser

Materials:
None

Format:
This activity is Web-Based

Disclosure
In compliance with continuing education requirements, all planners and presenters must disclose all financial relationships, in any amount, with ineligible companies during the previous 24 months.

CDC, our planners, and content experts wish to disclose they have no financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, reselling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Content will not include any discussion of the unlabeled use of a product or a product under investigational use.

CDC did not accept financial or in-kind support from ineligible companies for this continuing education activity.

Contact Information
Debra Joseph, ATSDR, OAP
DOJ7@cdc.GOV, (770) 488-0715

Download Brett's Story (asthma)

Download Brett's Story (asthma)

(PDF, 38 pages, 8 MB)

Brett’s Story (Asthma) – New CE Credit Available

Explore the life of Brett, a nine-year-old who lives in Southern California and is coping with asthma.

Course: SS4678

Origination Date: May 12, 2023

Expiration Date: May 12, 2025

Program Description

A Story of Health: Asthma is one module in The Story of Health which conveys complex concepts about multiple influences on health through a family reunion scenario, allowing stories to emerge about family members with a range of diseases, which we will explore from a case study perspective. This storyline allows for geographic distribution including family members from rural, suburban, and city locales, as well as for ethnic diversity via marriage, adoption, etc. Each story reveals the constellation of genetics and environmental circumstances that might affect the particular disease (in this case asthma), and brings in the latest available science. An introduction describes the ecological approach to health and its many variables. The stories are enhanced by a variety of media including sidebars, pop-up boxes, illustrations, graphics, videos and links to additional resources and key journal references.

Objectives

At the conclusion of the session, the participant should be able to:

  1. Discuss clinical symptoms associated with asthma.
  2. Describe the latest science on environmental, gene-environment risk factors for asthma.
  3. Describe how to counsel patients to avoid risk factors that may contribute to asthma.
  4. Describe how to improve collaborative practice across the healthcare team regarding the prevention of asthma.

Faculty/Credentials

John R. Balmes, MD, Professor of Medicine Emeritus, University of California San Francisco Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Stephanie M. Holm, MD PhD MPH, Director, Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit

Mark Miller, MD MPH, Associate Clinical Professor, University of California San Francisco, Director Children’s Environmental Health Center, California Environmental Protection Agency

Rosalind J Wright, MD MPH, Horace W. Goldsmith Professor of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Continuing Education

ACCREDITATION STATEMENTS:

Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit, and Commonweal.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

CME: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CNE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this activity for 1.5 nursing contact hours.

CEU: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is authorized by IACET to offer 0.1 CEU’s for this program.

CECH: Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 1.5 total Category I continuing education contact hours. Maximum advanced level continuing education contact hours available are 1.5. Continuing Competency credits available are 1.5. CDC provider number 98614.

For Certified Public Health Professionals (CPH)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a preapproved provider of Certified in Public Health (CPH) recertification credits and is authorized to offer 2.0 CPH recertification credits for this program.

Disclosure

In compliance with continuing education requirements, all planners and presenters must disclose all financial relationships, in any amount, with ineligible companies during the previous 24 months as well as any use of unlabeled product(s) or products under investigational use.  

CDC, our planners, and content experts wish to disclose they have no financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, reselling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.

Content will not include any discussion of the unlabeled use of a product or a product under investigational use.

CDC did not accept financial or in-kind support from ineligible companies for this continuing education activity.

To access the course, please visit A Story of Health: Asthma Training module [PDF – 8.2 MB].

Instructions for Obtaining Continuing Education (CE)

To receive continuing education (CE) for SS4678 – A Story of Health: Asthma, Brett’s Story please visit CDC TRAIN and search for the course in the Course Catalog using SS4678 Follow the steps below by May 12, 2025.

  1. Register for and complete the course.
  2. Pass the post-assessment at 75%.
  3. Complete the evaluation.
  4. Visit Your Learning to access your certificates and transcript.

FEES: No fees are charged for CDC’s CE activities.

 

Contact Us

ceatsdr@cdc.gov

Download Amelia's Story (developmental disabilities)

Download Amelia's Story (developmental disabilities)

(PDF, 36 pages, 8 MB)

Amelia’s Story (Developmental Disabilities)

Join Amelia and her family on their journey of discovery about how the environment they live in is important to their health.

Course: SS4306
CE Original Date: April 1, 2020
CE Renewal Date: April 1, 2022
CE Expiration Date: May 20, 2024

Introduction
A Story of Health: Learning/Developmental Disabilities is one module in A Story of Health which conveys complex concepts about multiple influences on health through a family reunion scenario, allowing stories to emerge about family members with a range of diseases, which we will explore from a case study perspective. This storyline allows for geographic distribution including family members from rural, suburban, and city locales, as well as for ethnic diversity via marriage, adoption, etc.

Each story reveals the constellation of genetics and environmental circumstances that might affect the particular disease (in this case learning/developmental disabilities), and brings in the latest available science. An introduction describes the ecological approach to health and its many variables. The stories are enhanced by a variety of media including sidebars, pop-up boxes, illustrations, graphics, videos and links to additional resources and key journal references.

Training Objectives:
At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:

  1. Identify potential prenatal causes of developmental disabilities.
  2. Identify potential pregnancy issues associated with developmental disabilities.
  3. Describe protective actions that can help protect the developing fetus.
  4. Describe healthy behaviors associated with good preconception health.
  5. Describe potential birth/delivery issues associated with developmental disabilities.
  6. Describe the benefits of an enriched social and education environments on a young child.
  7. Identify environmental agents that are associated with developmental disabilities.
  8. Describe how to improve collaborative practice across the healthcare team regarding the diagnosis and treatment of developmental disabilities.

To access A Story of Health: Learning/Developmental Disabilities, please visit A Story of Health: Learning/Developmental Disabilities training module pdf icon[PDF – 7.6 MB]external icon.

To access the full multi-media eBook, please visit A Story of Health EBookexternal icon.

Faculty/Credential
Mark Miller, MD, MPH, Director Western States Pediatric Environmental, Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU)
Ted Schettler MD, Science Director, Science and Environmental Health Network, Commonweal

Development Coordinators
Brian Tencza, M.Ed., Team Lead, ATSDR
Maria Valenti, Science Education Director Collaborative on Health and the Environment, Commonweal

Who is this training for?
Physicians, Registered Nurses, Health Educators and other health professionals

What is this training about?
A Story of Health begins with a family reunion that brings you into the lives of fictional people with some of the chronic illnesses that are a serious problem for the health of our nation – asthma, developmental disabilities, cancer, infertility, diabetes, and cognitive decline. Through their stories, you’ll learn the potential causes of these diseases and conditions, and explore prevention strategies.

They are stories about our health as individuals, families and communities. The stories highlight the many ways our health is affected by the environments where we live, eat, work, play, pray, volunteer, gather and socialize.

These stories also illustrate how we can prevent disease and promote health.

This interactive eBook includes colorful illustrations and graphics, videos from health and policy experts, links to numerous resources, and more, to help readers navigate the complex world of health.

Who developed this continuing education training?
A Story of Health is a collaboration among the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE), the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency (OEHHA), the Science and Environmental Health Network (SEHN), and the University of California, San Francisco, Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (UCSF PEHSU).

Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)Continuing Education
In support of improving patient care, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

CME: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 2.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CNE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates this activity for 2.25 nursing contact hours.

CEU: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is authorized by IACET to offer .2 CEU’s for this program.

CECH: Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 2.0 total Category I continuing education contact hours. Maximum advanced level continuing education contact hours available are 2.0. Continuing Competency credits available are 2.0. CDC provider number 98614.

For Certified Public Health Professionals (CPH)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a preapproved provider of Certified in Public Health (CPH) recertification credits and is authorized to offer 2.0 CPH recertification credits for this program.

Instructions for Obtaining Continuing Education (CE)

To receive continuing education (CE) for SS4306R – A Story of Health, Developmental Disabilities Amelia’s Story, please visit CDC TRAIN and search for the course in the Course Catalog using SS4306R Follow the steps below by May 20, 2024

  1. Register for and complete the course.
  2. Pass the post-assessment at 80%.
  3. Complete the evaluation.
  4. Visit Your Learning to access your certificates and transcript.

FEES: No fees are charged for CDC’s CE activities.

 

Training Module Information
Prerequisites:
A basic knowledge of medicine or related basics of human health promotion at a professional level is desired.

Materials:
None

Format:
This activity is Self-Study/Web on Demand.

Disclosure
In compliance with continuing education requirements, all planners and presenters must disclose all financial relationships, in any amount, with ineligible companies during the previous 24 months.

CDC, our planners, and content experts wish to disclose they have no financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, reselling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.

Content will not include any discussion of the unlabeled use of a product or a product under investigational use.

CDC did not accept financial or in-kind support from ineligible companies for this continuing education activity.

Contact Information
Office of Capacity Development and Applied Prevention Science
(770) 488-0715

Click here to be informed about the next chapters of A Story of Health.

Tell us what you think about A Story of Health! Click here to provide feedback.

Stay up to date on other new WSPEHSU activities, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here!