Incorporating Environmental Health Into Nursing Practice
Incorporating Environmental Health Into Nursing Practice
More than one-quarter of the global disease burden is attributable to environmental exposures, with children bearing a disproportionate amount of risk. Physiologically and behaviorally, children have unique characteristics that make them vulnerable to environmental contaminants. In particular, indoor environmental exposures, such as carbon monoxide, mold, and radon, have an impact on children's health and well being. A case study based on the experiences of nurses working on the Environmental Risk Reduction through Nursing Intervention and Education study is presented to illustrate multiple exposures children may face in the home environment and the role nurses play in prevention and response. Nurses can improve children's environmental health by providing risk assessments, environmental health education, and referrals to community health nurses and environmental health specialists. Resources on indoor air quality and maintaining a healthy home are provided.
Nurses play a critical role in reducing exposures to environmental risks. In any practice setting, nurses can improve children's environmental health by providing risk assessments, environmental health education, and referrals to community health nurses and environmental health specialists. By asking patients about environmental exposures and related risk factors, nurses may reduce incorrect diagnoses and issuance of unnecessary tests (Walker, 2005). Environmental assessments also provide an opportunity for discussion about environmental risk reduction education and prevention strategies (Paranzino, Butterfield, Nastoff, & Ranger, 2005). Nurses who conduct home visits are uniquely positioned to provide a thorough environmental home assessment and immediately offer risk reduction measures to families. Evaluating environmental risks also ensures that appropriate referrals are made and resources are obtained from local community agencies.
This article describes the Environmental Risk Reduction through Nursing Intervention and Education (ERRNIE) study and provides an overview of children's unique vulnerabilities to environmental exposures. A case study illustrates environmental exposures families may face in their homes and the role nurses play in responding to these environmental risks. Nurses in all settings can contribute to protecting children by arming themselves with information and resources, assessing risk, providing risk reduction measures and environmental health education, and referring patients to appropriate professionals and agencies.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
More than one-quarter of the global disease burden is attributable to environmental exposures, with children bearing a disproportionate amount of risk. Physiologically and behaviorally, children have unique characteristics that make them vulnerable to environmental contaminants. In particular, indoor environmental exposures, such as carbon monoxide, mold, and radon, have an impact on children's health and well being. A case study based on the experiences of nurses working on the Environmental Risk Reduction through Nursing Intervention and Education study is presented to illustrate multiple exposures children may face in the home environment and the role nurses play in prevention and response. Nurses can improve children's environmental health by providing risk assessments, environmental health education, and referrals to community health nurses and environmental health specialists. Resources on indoor air quality and maintaining a healthy home are provided.
Introduction
Nurses play a critical role in reducing exposures to environmental risks. In any practice setting, nurses can improve children's environmental health by providing risk assessments, environmental health education, and referrals to community health nurses and environmental health specialists. By asking patients about environmental exposures and related risk factors, nurses may reduce incorrect diagnoses and issuance of unnecessary tests (Walker, 2005). Environmental assessments also provide an opportunity for discussion about environmental risk reduction education and prevention strategies (Paranzino, Butterfield, Nastoff, & Ranger, 2005). Nurses who conduct home visits are uniquely positioned to provide a thorough environmental home assessment and immediately offer risk reduction measures to families. Evaluating environmental risks also ensures that appropriate referrals are made and resources are obtained from local community agencies.
This article describes the Environmental Risk Reduction through Nursing Intervention and Education (ERRNIE) study and provides an overview of children's unique vulnerabilities to environmental exposures. A case study illustrates environmental exposures families may face in their homes and the role nurses play in responding to these environmental risks. Nurses in all settings can contribute to protecting children by arming themselves with information and resources, assessing risk, providing risk reduction measures and environmental health education, and referring patients to appropriate professionals and agencies.