Reproductive Health and the Environment 2010 A follow-up to the Los Angeles County Women’s Health Summit, 2007 Setting Short-term, Achievable Goals in the Area of Women’s Health and the Environment

The 2007 Los Angeles County Women’s Health Summit identified reproductive health and the environment as a priority area in women’s health for L.A. County.

An invitation only “Convening of Experts” was held January 26, 2010 at the California Endowment’s Center for Healthy Communities to define short-term goals and objectives. Approx. 90 individuals representing the areas of advocacy, academic research, public policy, and community education attended.

Short-term goals to be achieved within three years include: Research Community Advocacy Policy

RESEARCH Use existing resources to investigate the effect of toxins on the reproductive health of the women of L.A. County Use existing surveys to investigate the effects of toxic exposures on women’s health. Institute geo-coding to track areas where women’s reproductive health is affected Identify knowledge gaps related to women’s reproductive health and the environment amongst researchers and health care providers, and deliver education and training programs

COMMUNITY ADVOCACY Provide for existing community advocacy programs, promote education of stakeholders, and encourage “green purchasing” by government entities as an economic strategy to reduce environmental toxins Support existing initiatives and build educational programs for families, communities, policy makers, and elected officials Implement advocacy strategies which encourage local governments and school districts to adopt green purchasing Encourage the development of economic empowerment zones that support clean technologies in businesses.

Determine methods and procedures for COMMUNITY ADVOCACY Determine methods and procedures for Regulating and enforcing workers rights to be protected from toxins Encouraging the use of safer products in the work environment Ensuring that the use of safer alternatives does not adversely impact working conditions. 

POLICY Use research and community advocacy to educate policy makers in “win-win” strategies to avoid and/or minimize exposing our communities to toxins Promote knowledge and enforcement of Proposition 65 (The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986) which instituted a ranking system of chemicals and products from those that “do no harm” to those identified as “very toxic.” Work to educate city planners, manufacturers, distributors, etc. about “green policies”. Determine how to reword and realign messages that convey environmental risks to inspire activism.

Short-term goals to be achieved within three years include: Research Community Advocacy Policy