Reproductive Environmental Health
SFPSR's work in reproductive environmental health focuses on providing information about preventing exposures to toxic chemicals and other substances that may affect the ability to get pregnant, maintain a healthy pregnancy, avoid poor birth outcomes, and subsequent child health. There is increasing scientific evidence of the impact environmental contaminants can have on early development. Exposures in the womb also can affect that child's ability to have her or his own children. At issue are literally millions of lives - of all ages. Education and prevention of prenatal exposures are key elements of a larger strategy to reduce the impacts of environmental contaminants before the time of conception. Our desire is to prevent exposures via education of health professionals, as the conduit for women and their families, and to engage health professionals to advocate for public policy changes that result in reduced harmful exposures. It is critical that health care providers become knowledgeable about toxicants that impact the communities where they practice, not only to protect their individual patients, but also to effectively advocate for public health policies that provide maximum protection for current and future generations. If the medical community is not actively engaging with the local community, speaking with parents about environmental toxicants that can affect their children's health, and calling for protections from the most dangerous chemicals for our public health, then who will?
For literature related to this program, see Publications.
