Your Health – Your Environment Blog Posts
A, T, S, D, What?
My first task as Director of the National Center for Environmental Health and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (NCEH/ATSDR) was to master the use of an awkward acronym. Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentYour Parks Are Protecting You—Are You Protecting Your Parks?
In an increasingly urban world, parks, trails, and community green spaces offer benefits for health and wellbeing. As you enjoy these areas, remember that parks cannot protect themselves. CDC’s Healthy Community Design Initiative (www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces) and the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (www.nps.gov/rtca) created the Parks, Trails, and Health Workbook. Planners, parks Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentHurricane Readiness
You can’t stop a tropical storm or hurricane, but you can take steps now to protect yourself and your family. If you live in coastal areas at risk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages you to begin preparing yourself for hurricane season. The Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 through November 30 Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentTake these important steps during a flood watch or warning.
During a Flood Watch or Warning Gather emergency supplies. Listen to your local radio or television station for updates. Have immunization records handy (or know the year of your last tetanus shot). Store immunization records in a waterproof container. Fill bathtubs, sinks, gallon jars, and plastic soda bottles so that you will have a supply Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentSpring weather can be unpredictable. Reduce injury risk and plan ahead.
Spring is the time of year when many things change—including the weather. Temperatures can swing back and forth between balmy and frigid. Sunny days may be followed by a week of stormy weather. Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentALS Awareness Month 2016
May is ALS Awareness Month, and the National ALS Registry is working to ensure people with ALS get counted. The Registry helps researchers to better understand the risk factors, such as environmental and occupational, that affect the disease. Find out how. Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentToday’s the day to start thinking about air quality
Air quality can impact your health. What can you do? Pay attention to the Air Quality Index (AQI). The AQI is a tool that tells you when high levels of air pollution are predicted and tells you how air pollution affects your health. Finding the AQI is easy. It’s on the Web, on many local Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentWhen a natural disaster strikes, can public health respond effectively?
New primer shows how disaster surveillance can make all the difference. During April 25-28, 2011, a massive storm system generated 351 tornadoes that whipped through five southern states, causing 338 deaths, leaving behind historic levels of damage to people’s homes and businesses. Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentWhat would you do if hazardous chemicals were spilled near your house?
Sue Casteel answers this question every day by teaching people about simple steps they can take to protect themselves and their families from exposure to hazardous chemicals in the environment. Sue is a health educator in Region IV in Atlanta with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentHealthy Community Design
Your input on the design of your community can help make everyone happier and healthier. Your address can play an important role in how long you live and how healthy you are. The physical design of your community affects your health every time you step out your front door. Sometimes making healthy choices is not Read More >
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