Beijing Powerpoint Presentation

BY HILDA SWIRSKY,RN,BScN,MEd Beijing, ChinaBeijing, Chin October 22nd, 2008

Began at George Brown teaching International

Students Family Health

Continued on RNAO’s BOD as Member at Large in Socio-Political

Affairs

Strengthened on CNA’s Environmental Health Reference Group

Continues in clinical practice at Mount Sinai Hospital as an environmental Ambassador and Champion

“Fundamental to life, and attention to the effect of the environment on human health is imperative if we are to attain the goal of health for all.” (Canadian Nurses Association & Canadian Medical Association, 2005)

Our physical environment plays a critical role in the health of individuals and families while at home or work and in their communities

Understand and agree on the importance of balance between the human body and the environment

Yin-yang also symbolizes that balance

Gained valuable environmental insight Increased awareness of International Trade

Agreements on ecosystems Created valuable tools and shared Resources Participated in press releases on Banning

Cosmetic Use of Pesticides and Banning Smoking in Cars with Children under 16

Shared information with peers and communities including about RNAO’s Best Practice Guidelines

Critiqued position statements and policies

CNA’s BOD launched the Environmental Health project toaddress perceived lack of nursing knowledge on environmentalhealth concerns in nursing practice, education, research andPolicy when assessing, correcting, controlling and preventingGoal: to enlighten nurses about environmental legislation,

environmental hazards and factors and their health impacts and make recommendations for reduction and prevention of hazards

A critical determinant of health linking adverse health outcomes with social justice

Evidence identifies disproportionate impact on marginalized, lower income populations

Populations thrive and flourish healthier and happier when they have cleaner air and minimized exposure to toxins and pollutants in their food and environment (CNA, RNAO, 2008).

World-wide confirmed climate change and global warming results from atmospheric changes in the amount of greenhouse gases produced causing changes in usual weather patterns over time and space resulting in temperature changes, altered wind and rainfall patterns (Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Working Group 1)

Picture from World Health Organization

Wo

Smog, poor indoor and outdoor air quality Clean water Environmental toxins, carcinogens, pollutants and

pesticides Dirty energy Lack of labeling and information on consumer

products and potentially hazardous products No comprehensive strategy for reducing household

and occupational carcinogens No comprehensive community right-to-know

legislation No Comprehensive pandemic planning

Increased incidents of vector, water and food borne illnesses

Increased rates of cancer, asthma, premature deaths, developmental disabilities, birth defects,

Reproductive disorders, hormone disruptors, neurotoxins, respiratory illnesses

Effect of ozone depletion (CNA, RNAO, 2008). Impact of extreme weather events especially on

vulnerable populations Socio-economic environmental refugees

Lobbying all levels of governments for environmental policies and meeting Kyoto targets

Develop a comprehensive, integrated provincial regulatory and publicly accessible database of toxic releases (CNA, ICN, RNAO)

Increase public awareness of the need for cancer prevention Advocate for toxic right-to-know legislation Working with provincial, national and international nursing

associations Forming and participating on Green Teams and working with

Health & Safety Committees Facilitating a behaviour shift to energy conservation and

efficiency, recycle, reuse and reduce Advocating for urban redesign with alternatives to using cars Mentoring students and peers

Position papers and policies Briefing Notes RNAO’s BPGs: Healthy Work Environments Introductory workbooks on Environment and

Health, The Greening of Health Care and Climate Change

Available DVDs and Powerpoint presentations Websites linking Environmental Health

Resources RNAO’s Election Platform 2007, 2008

Smoke free programs Banning cosmetic pesticides campaign Protect, conserve and restore the natural environment effectively,

timely, openly and fairly (Ontario’s Environmental Bill of Rights, 1993)

Create a publicly accessible database of toxic releases (RNAO, CNA, ICN)

Creation of Environmental Health resources website Work with Health and Safety Committees Create environmental newsletter and tips Pandemic planning for impact of extreme weather events

especially on vulnerable populations Work with coalitions Teach the benefit of Air Quality Index Include environmental concerns in critiquing political platforms

“Supporting environmental preservation and restoration and advocating for initiatives that reduce environmentally harmful practices in order to promote health and well-being” Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses, CNA,2008)

Educate and role-model greening practices to lead changes beyond the comfort zone

Involvement in specific community environmental health issues and emergency planning

Advocate for policies and practices to improve air quality Work on Green Team: create educational factsheets,

brochures, tips and newsletter, policies and practices Mobilize nurses to lobby all levels of government

advocating for social justice and decreasing health disparities

Identify research gaps

“Let us all remember that privilege means responsibility…as we use our larger opportunities to make our country and the world better and brighter, purer and nobler with each succeeding

year.” Mary Agnes Snively, Oct. 8, 1908

http://ipcc-wg1.ucar.edu/wg1/FAQ/wg1_faq-1.2.html

http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/air/climatechange/what.php

www.cna-aiic.ca www.cna-nurses.ca/cna www.rnao.org