CGH 304: Environmental and Occupational Health Masters of Public Health Program

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CGH 304: Environmental and Occupational Health

Masters of Public Health Program

Instructor: Dr. Marc Strassburg

Tel: (818) 415-3003

email: marc.strassburg@cgu.edu

Time: Monday and Thursday, 4:00–6:50 p.m.

Location: Academic Computer Building – Rm 108

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of environmental health. The format includes lectures, case studies, student presentations, and discussions. An overview of the principles of epidemiology, toxicology, and exposure assessment are provided within the context of specific hazards. A number of exposures and their possible role as carcinogens will have special focus in occupational settings. In addition: air pollution, heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, pesticides, and radiation are covered. These topics have been selected to illustrate the application of epidemiologic methods to environmental health issues, outbreaks, and assessments. Other topics include

environmental justice and the legal and regulatory basis for management of environmental health risks are addressed. Students evaluate current literature and become familiar with controversies regarding health risks hazard assessments as well as global health issues. Actual Case Studies related to investigations in Southern California will be reviewed during most session. Mitigating health risks and problems will be discussed and how this fits into a comprehensive public health program. Broad issues related to the ‘environment at risk’ are discussed, including injury control, greenhouse gasses, large-scale disasters, and bioterrorism. Environmental health practitioners will be invited to present lectures on a variety of topics. A tour of toxic sites with emphasis on ‘environmental justice’ will be arranged for the class.

This is an example from previous classes;

Invited Lecture – Ms Penny Newman, Executive Director, Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice

Special Guest – Mr. Joshua Garcia, Intern for the SouthCoast Air Quality Management District

Special Tour - Toxics Sites conducted by the Center for Community Action & Environmental Justice

Invited Lecture – Environment at Risk? Biological Terrorist Agents – By Dr. Frank Sorvillo, Epidemiologist Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

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MPH COMPETENCIES

This course is designed to address the following MPH and concentration competencies:

MPH 1. Assess the health status of populations and their related determinants of health and illness (e.g., factors contributing to health promotion and disease prevention, availability and use of health services).

MPH 3. Communicate in writing and orally, in person, and through electronic means with linguistic and cultural proficiency.

MPH 6. Apply the basic public health sciences (including, but not limited to biostatistics,

epidemiology, environmental health sciences, health services administration, and social and behavioral health sciences) to public health policies and programs.

MPH 7. Conduct a comprehensive review of scientific evidence related to a public health issue, concern or intervention.

MPH 9. Prepare proposals for funding from external sources.

HPEE 4. Conduct evaluation and research related to health education.

ABE 1. Describe the roles that epidemiology and biostatistics serve in the discipline of public health, and be able to describe a public health problem in terms of magnitude, people, time, and place.

ABE 2. Apply proper terminology and definitions used in biostatistics and epidemiology ABE 3. Identify key sources of data for biostatistical and epidemiologic studies.

ABE 7. Explain the importance of biostatistics and epidemiology for informing scientific, ethical, economic and political discussion of health issues.

ABE 8. Comprehend ethical and legal principles pertaining to the collection, maintenance, use and dissemination of data and other epidemiological information.

ABE 9. Interpret, articulate, and critique results of statistical and epidemiological analyses found in public health studies.

ABE 10. Develop written and oral presentation based on epidemiological students and statistical analyses for both public health professionals and educated lay audiences, and prepare manuscripts for the peer-‐reviewed literature.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Students who complete this course will be able to:

(a) Discuss the history and definition of environmental health.

(b) Discuss the association between population growth and dissemination of environmental pollutants.

(c) Describe methods used in epidemiology and toxicology to assess environmental exposures and hazards.

(d) Describe policies that have been developed to manage health risks associated with exposures to environmental hazards.

(e) Identify chemical, physical, and microbial agents that originate in the environment and can impact human health.

(f) Describe specific applications of environmental health concepts to fields such as water quality control, food safety, and occupational health.

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REQUIRED COURSE READINGS:

1. Essentials of Environmental Health. Robert H. Friis Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2nd_{Edition (2010) --} ISBN 0763778907

2. Various readings as assigned. Supplemental Reading

1.The Global Politics of the Environment. Lorraine Elliot, New York University Press, 2nd Edition (2004) ISBN 0814722180 (for those very interested in Policy)

2. The Praeger Handbook of Environmental Health, Praeger, Robert H. Friis, editor (2012) ISBN

9780313386008 (comprehensive set of 4 volumes for those who will be majoring in the field – I will make my contribution of Chapter 8 in the Fundamentals of Environmental Epidemiology available for students)

WEB SITE

Please review the materials on Dr. Friis’ web page as needed: http://publichealth.jbpub.com/essential/friis/2e/

EVALUATIVE CRITERIA:

21% Midterm 21% Final Exam 20% Presentation* 28% Homeworks** 5% Current Event*** 5% Attendance/Participation****

*A PowerPoint Presentation consisting of approximately 10-15 slides (10-20 minutes. Topics will be assigned during session #1. Upload to Sakai.

Grading for the PowerPoint presentation:

1. Overall effectiveness of presentation: both clarity of slides, balance of text and graphics, and delivery.

2. Epidemiological and scientific appropriateness -- evidence-based, and was the information presented in the appropriate manner --e.g. age-specific rates, adjusted rates. Were biases and any confounders mentioned, etc?

3. Depth of presentation - did presenter go beyond what was in the book – in general, no more than 75% of the slide materials should come from the book.

4. Knowledge of subject matter and ability to convey it – and relating to one's audience 5. Integration of current events (which are not included in the chapter)

**14 Homeworks. Answer the study questions and exercises at the end of the chapter or write a one page policy brief on some aspect of the chapter. This is due at to the start of the subsequent Session -- Upload to Sakai. 1 point deducted for late submissions.

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***Current events will be presented at the start of each class. Students will be assigned a session. This is an 'informal' verbal summary of a current event (defined as occurring or published within the last 12 months) and lead in a class discussion - the topic should be related to the session topic. Upload to Sakai with a one paragraph comment.

****You are expected to ask questions, contribute to discussions, present assignments and attend all class sessions and to follow classroom Decorum (see below).

QUIZZES/EXAMS

All chapters have in-class Quizzes (given at the start of the following session). A Mid-term and Final is given for which students may re-take a specific chapter or a chapter quiz they missed. The highest grade will count.

DECORUM

Students who wish to use computers (include ipads, laptops, etc.) for note-taking may do so. Use of computers and other electronic devices such --- for emailing, texting, game playing etc is not permitted (this is discourteous and annoying to those giving lectures or participating in classroom discussions). Classroom discussion is greatly encouraged, ---side-bars are not! In addition, students are expected to follow all guidelines regarding academic integrity and conduct, please see

http://www.cgu.edu/pages/4850.asp

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ELECTRONIC

COURSE

MANAGEMENT

The Claremont Sakai is the online learning portal which contains a variety of readings and other course materials.

COURSE

SCHEDULE

SESSION

TOPICS, READING ASSIGNMENTS, AND HOMEWORK

1 Course overview. Review of lecture framework and objectives. Introduction to environmental problems and issues.

Introduction: The Environment at Risk

Readings: Chapter 1

2 Environmental Epidemiology

Readings: Chapter 2

Due: Chapter 1 Homework. Quiz Chapter 1 3 Environmental Toxicology

Readings: Chapter 3

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4 Environmental Policy, Regulation and Environmental Justice

Readings: Chapter 4

Due: Chapter 3 Homework. Quiz Chapter 3 5 Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Diseases

Readings: Chapter 5

Due: Chapter 4 Homework. Quiz Chapter 4 6 Toxic Metals and Elements

Readings: Chapter 6

Due: Chapter 5 Homework. Quiz Chapter 5

7 Pesticides and Other Organic Chemicals

Readings: Chapter 7

Due: Chapter 6 Homework. Quiz Chapter 6

8 Ionizing and Nonionizing Radiation/ Energy Needs

Readings: Chapter 8 Due: Chapter 7 Homework

Mid-Term covering Chapters 1-7

9 Water Quality

Readings: Chapter 9

Due: Chapter 8 Homework. Quiz Chapter 8 10 Air Quality

Readings: Chapter 10

Due: Chapter 9 Homework. Quiz Chapter 9 11 Food Safety

Due: Chapter 10 Homework. Quiz Chapter 10 12 Solid and Liquid Wastes

Due: Chapter 11 Homework. Quiz Chapter 11 13 Occupational Health (1)

Due: Chapter 12 Homework. Quiz Chapter 12 14 Occupational Health (2)

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15 Injuries / Disasters

Due: Chapter 13 Homework. Quiz Chapter 13 16 The Environment at Risk – Summary Session

Final covering Chapters 8-14

Due: Chapter 14 Homework

Selected Readings from AJPH

The Clean Air Act Deserves Our Full Support. Georges C. Benjamin

American Journal of Public Health: December 2011, Vol. 101, No. S1, pp. S5-S5 http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.2011.300360

Trends in Fatalities From Distracted Driving in the United States, 1999 to 2008

Fernando A. Wilson, Jim P. Stimpson American Journal of Public Health: November 2010, Vol. 100, No. 11, pp. 2213-2219

Crash and Risky Driving Involvement Among Novice Adolescent Drivers and Their Parents. Bruce G. Simons-Morton, Marie Claude Ouimet, Zhiwei Zhang, et al.. American Journal of Public Health: December 2011, Vol. 101, No. 12, pp. 2362-2367

Symposium on Integrating the Science of Environmental Justice into Decision-Making at the Environmental Protection Agency: An Overview

Onyemaechi C. Nweke, Devon Payne-Sturges, Lisa Garcia, et al. American Journal of Public Health: December 2011, Vol. 101, No. S1, pp. S19-S26

http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.2011.300368 Environmental Justice: A Continuing Commitment to an Evolving Concept

Linda S. Birnbaum, Harold Zenick, Christine M. Branche. American Journal of Public Health: November 2009, Vol. 99, No. S3, pp. S487-S489

http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.2009.179010

Occupational Health, Mercury Exposure, and Environmental Justice: Learning From Experiences in Tanzania Samuel J. Spiegel American Journal of Public Health: November 2009, Vol. 99, No. S3, pp. S550-S558. http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.2008.148940

Preventing Eye Injuries Among Citrus Harvesters: The Community Health

Worker Model. Paul F. Monaghan, Linda S. Forst, Jose Antonio Tovar-Aguilar, et al. Am J Public Health published 20 October 2011, 10.2105/AJPH.2011.300316

Injuries at Work in the US Adult Population: Contributions to the Total Injury Burden. Gordon S. Smith, Helen M. Wellman, Gary S. Sorock, et al. American Journal of Public Health: July 2005, Vol. 95, No. 7, pp. 1213-1219

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Conceptual Models for Cumulative Risk Assessment. Stephen H. Linder and Ken Sexton Am J Public Health published 20 October 2011, 10.2105/AJPH.2011.300318

http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.2011.300318

Comment: integrating epidemiologic data into risk assessment. D Wartenberg, R Simon American Journal of Public Health: April 1995, Vol. 85, No. 4, pp. 491-493

http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.85.4.491

Epidemiology and quantitative risk assessment: a bridge from science to policy. I Hertz-Picciotto American Journal of Public Health: April 1995, Vol. 85, No. 4, pp. 484-491.

http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.85.4.484

General Web Sites and Various Resources

• National Center for Environmental Health http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/

• CDC Environmental Health http://www.cdc.gov/node.do/id/0900f3ec8000e044

• Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ • L.A. Public Health Environmental Health: http://www.lapublichealth.org/eh/

• Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.gov/

• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html • CDC Food Safety Office http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/

• CDC Cancer Clusters: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/clusters/default.htm • Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/emf/ • CDC Radiation Emergencies http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/

• CDC Water Quality http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/

• CDC Emergency and Environmental Health Services http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/eehs/ • CDC Emergency preparedness and response - http://www.bt.cdc.gov/index.asp • L.A. County - Emergency Preparedness & Response

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eprp/index.htm

• Environmental Sampling - PowerPoint:

http://www.esm.ucsb.edu/academics/courses/206/Lectures/env_sampling_f.ppt

• Recommended Revisions to the London Principles http://www.fedfocus.org/finalreport3-test.html • Health and Disasters - UCLA: http://www.ph.ucla.edu/cphdr/index.html

• Safety and Health Terms & Abbreviations: http://www.emt-online.com/Dictionary.htm • Industrial Hygiene - Toxicology, Chemical Information and MSDS

http://www.osh.net/directory/ind_hyg/hygiene_01.htm

• Environmental Health and Toxicology - National Library of Medicine NIH

http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/enviro.html

• CA.gov Food and Agriculture http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/cac/ • FEMA http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/

• Methodologic Frontiers in Environmental Epidemiology, Rothman:

http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchObjectAttachment.action?uri=info:doi/10.1289/ehp.93101s4 19&representation=PDF

• CDC Learning Connection. http://www.cdc.gov/learning/by_topic.html