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2006 Progress Report: Community Translation and Application Core (COTAC)
EPA Grant Number: R832141C005Subproject: this is subproject number 005 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R832141
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health
Center Director: Perera, Frederica P.
Title: Community Translation and Application Core (COTAC)
Investigators: Perera, Frederica P.
Institution: Columbia University
EPA Project Officer: Fields, Nigel
Project Period: November 1, 2003 through October 31, 2008
Project Period Covered by this Report: November 1, 2005 through October 31,2006
RFA: Centers for Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research (2003)
Research Category: Children's Health , Health Effects
Description:
Objective:The specific aims of the project are to: (1) translate the Center’s research results to be understood and used by non-scientific audiences; (2) disseminate children’s environmental health findings to community residents and the broader public using various media; (3) apply scientific findings to the policy arena by educating and empowering community members to mobilize around environmental issues that challenge community health; and (4) analyze risks and costs associated with environmental pollutants.
Progress Summary:Study Newsletters
The Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health (CCCEH) remains a leader in the field of communicating results of its research to low-literate, bilingual, and/or immigrant adults. This year, the Community Translation and Application Core (COTAC) produced newsletters for the study cohort of 725 Washington Heights, Harlem, and South Bronx families on pesticides and mercury. A poster was also produced to clarify which results study participants could expect to receive as group level data (via newsletters) versus individual level data (via written letter and/or direct verbal communication with their study research worker). Dr. C. Zarcadoolas, an expert in health and environmental literacy at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, was consulted on the development of content, language, and design of these materials to help communicate health messages most effectively to our target audience.
Outreach to Broader Public
CCCEH effectively shares its children’s environmental health research findings with the public. In local neighborhoods, investigators discuss recently published findings at Community Board meetings. This past year, CCCEH scientific investigators a nd research workers presented at a day long policy forum in the South Bronx on the health effects of air pollution. The forum was attended by community organizations, public officials, and local residents. An annual report of research findings will be distributed to parents via 100+ community organizations and local businesses. CCCEH reaches the broad public through the news media and our Web site. The Center issued a press release on a major study published in Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) that was covered extensively by news media. A feature article on Dr. Perera and the work of the CCCEH appeared in Discover magazine this past spring. The CCCEH Web Site underwent a re-design and will re-launch in September. Please refer to the Administrative Core progress report (RD832141C008) for details.
Outreach to Physicians
Investigators continue to present their latest research results and findings in the field of children’s environmental health at Grand Rounds for OB/GYN and pediatrics residents. One of these presentations was made by graduate students in a risk assessment course taught by CCCEH investigator, Dr. Whyatt, and precipitated a change to phthalate-free intravenous tubing being used exclusively in Columbia’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Students conducted original research on sources and levels of diethyhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in the NICU, and alternatives to phthalates including what is known about their health effects. They determined which products used could contain phthalates and met with Dr. Helen Tower, a Columbia neonatologist, to ascertain if and how these products are used in Columbia’s NICU. (Students found that since DEHP is highly fat-soluble and is not bound to the tubing, it migrates into the fat in the intralipids.) Students also contacted manufacturers and wrote case studies of other medical institutions that have switched to phthalate-free products. Dr. Whyatt’s class presented their findings at NICU Grand Rounds, including a cost-benefit analysis should Columbia decide to switch. Columbia did indeed make the switch this summer and no longer uses DEHP tubing for administering intralipids to infants. The students’ project is now an abstract for the American Public Health Association (APHA) and a paper to be submitted to Pediatrics.
Community Trainings on Housing and Health
CCCEH’s lead community partner, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, informs the broad local community about children’s environmental health and the CCCEH’s work by speaking regularly at community board meetings, borough presidents’ cabinet meetings, and neighborhood health fairs. It has recently developed the citywide network, Our Housing is Our Health, which is comprised of many organizations collaborating to empower communities to take effective action to mitigate health effects of environmental exposures related to poor quality housing. The network has over 12 core members including the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, Citywide Taskforce on Housing Court, and Harlem Hospital. Recruitment and outreach for more key housing groups across the city will continue in 2007. This past March, WE ACT hosted the policy forum “Mold Is Taking Hold: Creating Healthier Indoor Environments” to educate participants about the health effects of mold and build capacity for establishing citywide mold policies. CCCEH investigator, Dr. Chew, gave the keynote address on current research on mold growth and exposure -related health hazards, lessons from the mold epidemic caused by the Gulf Coast Hurricanes, and the significance of understanding the national context of mold legislation. Other speakers included Council Members Mark Viverito and Helen Foster who spoke to the importance of mobilizing community stakeholders across the city, building the capacity of city agencies to create healthier indoor environments, and developing effective legislation with the City Council. Over 80 individuals attended, including staff of community-based organizations, representatives of NYC agencies (DOH, HPD), and staff of elected officials. WE ACT also gave 12 training workshops in English and Spanish on low-toxicity pest control, mold prevention, and healthy home promotion to over 115 community residents affiliated with citywide community-based organizations (Mirabal Sisters, Educational Alliance, Broadway Houses).
National Dissemination of CCCEH Research
WE ACT presents results of its community-academic partnership with CCCEH, including scientific findings, to national audiences through keynote speeches and press conferences. This year, Peggy Shepard, Executive Director of WE ACT and COTAC co-investigator, presented on environmental health literacy at the “REACH for Rural Health Initiative Conference” in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; she was a lead panelist at the “Women and Environment Fenders’ Briefing”, in which she spoke to an audience of 30+ professionals on the importance of “Intergenerational Effects on Reproductive Health and Development in Northern Manhattan”; she presented on research ethics at the “Overcoming Health Disparities: The Changing Landscape Conference” at the New York Academy of Medicine.
Policy Publications
CCCEH published a paper this year in EHP that examines the health and social costs of early childhood intervention and special education required by children with cognitive delay associated with prenatal exposure to both environmental tobacco smoke and air pollution from fossil fuel burning.
Significance
COTAC plays a critical role in communicating CCCEH research results to the local community, general public, policymakers, and clinicians, translating scientific findings into practical prevention, medical treatment, and policy reform applications.
Future Activities:COTAC will continue conducting similar work, expanding to include Year 9 activities.
Journal Articles on this Report: 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other subproject views: | All 2 publications | 2 publications in selected types | All 2 journal articles |
| Other center views: | All 100 publications | 89 publications in selected types | All 86 journal articles |
| Type | Citation | ||
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Miller T, Rauh VA, Glied SAM, Hattis D, Rundle A, Andrews H, Perera F. The economic impact of early life environmental tobacco smoke exposure: early intervention for developmental delays. Environmental Health Perspectives 2006 ;114(10):1585-1588. |
R832141 (2006) R832141C005 (2006) |
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Minkler M, Vásquez VB, Shepard P. Promoting environmental health policy through community based participatory research: a case study from Harlem, New York. Journal of Urban Health 2006;83(1):101-110. |
R832141 (2006) R832141C005 (2006) |
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Relevant Websites:
http://www.mailman.hs.columbia.edu/ccceh/
Progress and Final Reports:
Original Abstract
Main Center Abstract and Reports:
R832141 Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health
Subprojects under this Center:
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R832141C001 Growth and Development Research Project: Prenatal and Postnatal Urban Pollutants and Neurobehavioral Developmental Outcomes
R832141C002 Research Project on Asthma: Prenatal and Postnatal Urban Pollutants and Childhood Asthma
R832141C003 Mechanistic Research Project
R832141C004 Community-Based Intervention Project: Reduction of Exposure and Risk from Pesticides and Allergens
R832141C005 Community Translation and Application Core (COTAC)
R832141C006 Exposure Assessment Facility Core
R832141C007 Data Management, Statistics and Community Impact Modeling Core
R832141C008 Administrative Core