Environmental Health is an educational and awareness initiative in which students learn about the various environmental factors that can affect people鈥檚 health and how to minimize those environmental factors. The students also participate in various restoration projects to help the environment and communities in the Hampton Roads Area.
Students first study methods for needs assessment and the principles of environmental health. They will gain foundational skills and knowledge through local experiences. During this formative time, the initiative facilitator will work with student leaders to confirm local partners and select the exact target for the initiative.
The Need
- Environmental health directly impacts overall health
- Environmental factors can often be controlled or mitigated to improve health outcomes and reduce harm
- Those living in rural or low-income areas are more likely to experience health disparities
- 8.2 million out of 12.6 million deaths annually are caused by non- communicable diseases linked to environmental factors (WHO)
- Patients frequently look to their health professionals for guidance related to environmental health and its consequences, necessitating increased awareness of among clinicians
Students:
- State the key areas of environmental health.
- Describe normal approaches to addressing needs in the various areas of environmental health.
- State the goals and processes of needs assessment.
- Define the chemical, physical and biological factors affecting human health with an emphasis in the application of controls to prevent disease and maximize environmental quality.
- State the official roles of the principal agencies and branches of government and go over trending/major Federal and State level Environmental Statutes, where applicable, that affect human health and protect the environment.
- State the control procedures utilized to protect public health and maintain environmental quality - water quality testing, air pollution, green energy, etc.
- Define and distinguish between risk assessment, risk communication and risk management and the uses of each as they all apply to future patients and hospital settings.
- Define the on-scene environmental health needs in objective terms.
- Propose defensible solutions to challenges discovered; or, if no significant need is discovered, develop a defensible solution to a documented environmental health challenge.
- Develop a step-wise action plan to address any demonstrated environmental health challenge.
- Gain an introduction to Wilderness Medicine and the various key concepts of medical practice in austere, resource-limited environments where access to definitive treatment (like hospital) is significantly delayed or non-existent.
Annual Student Activities
- Sysco Food Distribution Plant Tour
- Oyster Restoration Project with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
- Foodborne Illness Lecture and Cooking Demo (Free Food!)
- Hike and Water Treatment Activity at First Landing State Park
- Environmental Health Speaker Series: lunch talks with field experts on topics including vector- and water-borne illnesses, occupational health, and climate change
Community Outcomes/Results
- Improve potable water quality in rural areas, areas prone to flooding, or areas with inadequate wastewater treatment facilities
- Students understanding of needs assessment, risk communication, and risk management
- Environmental quality
- Student understanding of how environment impacts health
- Disease related to environmental health issues
Facilitators
- Maryanne Gathambo, PhD
- Alan J.N. Enjetti, MD
- vhscommunityengagedlearning@odu.edu
Partners
- Old Dominion University
- Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action
- Virginia Department of Health
- EVMS Environmental Health Safety
Contact Community-Engaged Learning for any additional questions.
Students,
