As a mother of two children I worry not only about their future, but about the quality of their present world. The work that Healthy Child Healthy World does is of the utmost importance. They are actually saving lives and supporting them and it is not only our duty but our privilege to protect future generations as well.
Who We Are
Voices for Change
Roger and Sloan Barnett
Shaklee Corporation
Many people do not realize that the environment in which we live is just as important to our health as the nutrients we consume. We all want to make our homes the safest place in the world for our families. Many of us think about the potential impact of climate change, but very few think about the chemicals we are exposing ourselves to in our homes. Thanks to the efforts of Healthy Child Healthy World, moms, dads, and caregivers are gaining the knowledge they need to make smart choices and keep their families safe. It is our greatest hope that we make the world a healthier place for future generations by inspiring change one person, one life at a time.
Amy Brenneman
Actress/Activist
"When I was younger, I had faith that I was taken care of by the government—in other words, that nothing would be on the market or in the air or water if it wasn’t safe. The realization that this wasn’t the case hit me when I became a mom. I learned that thousands of chemicals are used in products for children that aren’t tested on adults, much less kids. For instance, the chemicals in some conventional cleaning products such as general purpose cleaners, dish detergents, and glass cleaners can cause a range of health problems for children and adults, including respiratory irritation and chemical burns. At that point, I knew that I needed to take action, and joined the board of Healthy Child Healthy World. It gave me a place for answers, simple everyday solutions, support, and participation."
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Laura Dern
Actress/Activist
"As a mother wanting a safer and cleaner environment to raise my children in, it was an easy choice for me to get involved with Healthy Child Healthy World. This organization is the place to go to be engaged — and, most importantly, they offer answers, support, and ways we all can help."
Anna Getty
Women’s and Eco-Lifestyle Expert http://www.purestyleliving.com/
"Healthy Child Healthy World not only brings to the public a heartfelt story, as an organization we bring you cold hard facts through science and then offer you a support system that can help you make educated choices for your child's wellfare. We hold a vision and have a mission for a healthier and happy future for all children. As a mom and environmental advocate, it has been an honor to work with Healthy Child Healthy World. It feels so good to know that I am working with a group of people that walk their talk. I am honored to serve an organization that has such integrity and holds such a clear vision for how this planet could be: free and clear of environmental toxins. The time is now to make a change. Our children and theirs will be grateful for it later."
Myra Goodman
Earthbound Farm
“Starting our family brought the value of eating organic food into even sharper focus. Children are more vulnerable to developmental damage from pesticide residues on food; their bodies are still growing, their metabolisms are faster, and because of their smaller size, they eat more fruits and vegetables per pound of body weight than adults do.
“When we first started farming, Drew and I knew instinctively that we didn’t want conventional agricultural chemicals in our backyard or on our food. We wanted to grow food we’d feel good about, and so we taught ourselves to farm organically.
“It’s my personal passion to bring the benefits of organic food to as many people as possible and serve as a catalyst for positive change. We’re trying to change how America farms and how Americans eat, because we believe organic food is the healthiest choice for people and the planet.
“I do a little tasty persuasion when our son and daughter bring friends home — I don’t even need to say anything about eating organically once they taste my delicious all-organic food. I’ve heard more than one parent say, ‘My daughter spent the night at the Goodmans’, and now I’m buying organic strawberries!’”
Dr. Alan Greene
Founder: DrGreene.com, Author: Raising Baby Green
"This website is a fabulous, positive resource for learning about the effects of the environment on kids. I love the “daily tips” that will help you reduce exposure to chemicals, toxins, and pollutants—for the benefit of your children's health, the health of your home, and the environment."
Jeffrey Hollender
CEO, Seventh Generation, Inc.
"While our name talks about the next seven generations, for most parents it's the next generation that matters the most. It's why we've teamed up with organizations like the Healthy Child to make sure our kids can lead safe and healthy lives."
Zem Spire Joaquin
Editor-in-chief, Ecofabulous.com/Environmental Consultant
Zem Joaquin is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ecofabulous.com, a website focused on design that respects ecology, sustainability as well as aesthetics. Zem also applies her eco-chic talents to the Condé Nast publication House & Garden magazine as the official Eco Editor, and to her monthly guest spot on the popular Bay Area morning radio show on KFOG 104.5.
Zem has an uncompromising eye for the stylish and sustainable. A certified green building professional and long-time fashionista, she consults on eco-design projects for both individuals and companies ranging from a single house to an entire furniture line. Zem works closely as protégé and in collaboration with Cradle to Cradle founder and world renowned eco-architect William McDonough. She is dedicated to raising awareness about the environment through her position on the Board of Directors and San Francisco Committee Chair of Global Green USA, an organization founded by Mikhail S.
Gorbachev focused on access to clean water, making green building affordable, and eco-education. Previously, Zem helmed business development efforts at Splendora.com. She is an alumna of Pepperdine University and has lived and/or worked in Milan, Paris and London. She currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and two young children.
Dr. Harvey Karp
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics - U.C.L.A. School of Medicine / The Happiest Baby, Inc.
Over a century ago, naturalist John Muir noted, "When we try to pick out anything by itself we find that it is bound fast by a thousand invisible cords that cannot be broken, to everything in the universe." We certainly see this today with our increasing awareness that the gas we burn in cars is linked to killer hurricanes in Louisiana and polar bear deaths in the distant Arctic.
What about our children’s health? Today, 1/166 American children suffer from autism…learning problems have increased…there is an epidemic of asthma. And more young adults are developing illnesses like breast cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
Could these be linked to the tiny daily doses of pesticides, plasticizers and pollutants to which we are all exposed? The answer is, we don’t know. But we cannot wait. We have reasons to be concerned...and to act.
Chemicals are not people. They are not innocent until proven guilty. In fact, it is just the opposite…they must be proven safe before they are allowed in our food, air and water. Yet, over 90% of industrial chemicals have never been tested for their effect on the developing brain and immune system.
Over the past 50 years, we repeatedly learned the harsh lesson that traces of chemicals can cause devastating effects to the environment…and to our health (e.g. the health destroying effects of tobacco smoke; the brain withering effects of lead in gasoline and paint; the epidemic of skin cancer caused by the hole in our ozone layer).
And as each day goes by, it becomes more and more clear that it is impossible to have healthy children in an unhealthy world.
Children are more vulnerable to toxins for two reasons: 1) Like new plants, their young brains and bodies are more fragile, more sensitive to damage and 2) Pound per pound, children are more eat/drink/breath more chemicals than adults (they constantly put objects in their mouths and they inhale twice as much air; eat 5 times more grapes and drink 15 times more apple juice than do adults).
Can we make a difference? You bet!
The availability of organic food and nontoxic cleansers is skyrocketing. Ten years ago, HC-HW helped persuade Congress to pass a sweeping new law requiring pesticides be proven safe for young children (the prior regulation was set to protect 160 lb. men). Since then, 1/3 of all pesticides have been shown to be unsafe and yanked from the shelves.
Each generation has its responsibilities and today the responsibility for protecting children from these dangers falls on our shoulders. If we do not do it …who will?
Please join us!
Olivia Newton-John
Singer, Actress, Environmentalist
Healthy Child - Healthy World!!
The 2 are so intricately intertwined- a reflection of each other - and this has been our goal since this organisation was started 16 years ago.
Nancy and Jim Chuda-my dear friends and founders of HCHW were visionaries and saw the need then for these guidelines to inform parents on how to protect their children from environmental hazards. I am proud to be a part of this green team!
Sandra Steingraber, PhD
Professor, Cornell University
"It's often said that children, pound for pound, eat more food, drink more water, and breathe more air than adults. That's all true. Biologically speaking, our growing children are more ecological than we are: they are more vigorous participants in the food chain; they are more integrally involved with the world's water cycle; they are more deeply dependent on planetary oxygen supplies. Other than the chromosomes we bequeathed them at conception, our children ARE rearranged molecules of air, food and water. Their bodies and minds are knitted together from the environment. What we need now are public policies that reflect these scientific realities. It is right that we should say "Healthy Child Healthy World" in the same breath. It's a banner under which I'm pleased to labor."
Meryl Streep
Actress and Environmentalist
"Healthy Child Healthy World is one of those organizations that helps mothers and fathers connect the dots, to understand cause and effect. It came into existence not just to inform the public, but to energize it. That’s one of the things about Healthy Child I particularly like. While numerous activists are out there pushing for national changes such as reducing the pesticides in foods, higher standards for our drinking water, and tougher standards for lead exposure – and we absolutely need all that – Healthy Child focuses on what you and I can do right now as individuals. So much that’s out there now is about what you should not do; Healthy Child tries also to emphasize the healthful solutions you can follow, the positive things you can do for your family, your home, yourself.
When you become a parent, you start to notice what they're eating, what they're breathing, and children are like canaries in the mine. Healthy Child Healthy World is that place where parents can find out information about toxins that might be invisible to them in their environment."
Get Our New Book!
Leading medical & health experts team up with celebrity parents to help you create a cleaner, greener, safer home and lifestyle.
New DVD
Creating Healthy Environments for Children: Easy Steps for Homes, Child Care Centers and Schools.
