RE: outreach

[Lisa Kahn <kahn.lisa@epa.gov>]

Connie wrote "I also wondered, since environmental concerns translate into health concerns, if the healthcare community could be more closely involved with EPA efforts. Notices could be  placed in area hospitals and clinics, incorporated into healthcare associate newsletters, etc."

Over the last couple of years, EPA's Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water worked with an advisory committee of health care providers to figure out how EPA can better work with the health care community. They came up with several recommendations that can be seen at  http://www.epa.gov/safewater/ndwac/novrecs.html#hcp

And they are in the beginning stages of two projects:  One is a Texas Border Pilot Project with EPA and HHS's Health Resources & Services Administration's Border Health Office.  They will  develop and implement training activities for health professionals and community health workers (promotores) on safe drinking water concepts.  They will also explore sharing information that could lead to tracking water related illnesses in Hidalgo County, Texas.

The other project is creating a video for health care providers that explains potential health risks from contaminated drinking water and what they can do to prevent water-borne illness.

For more info on these EPA projects, contact Sherri Umansky at  umansky.sherri@epa.gov 

I believe that the EPA Office of Children's Health is also working closely with health care providers.

Lisa