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Surgeon General Issues Call to Action for Healthy Homes
Healthy Child
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Healthy Child Healthy World has been educating people about the importance of healthy environments for well over a decade and we’re so pleased to finally see a groundswell of support for helping everyone have a healthy home. From a press release issued earlier this week:
Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H., today issued The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Promote Healthy Homes at a press conference from the National Building Museum in Washington D.C. The Call to Action looks at the ways housing can affect health; its release will initiate a national dialogue about the importance of healthy homes.
"The home is the centerpiece of American life," Galson, a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service, said during today’s press conference. "We can prevent many diseases and injuries that result from health hazards in the home by following the simple steps outlined in this Call to Action."
Beyond the tangible hazards, like fires and falls, that public health officials have been warning families about for years, this new effort embraces the unseen dangers posed by poor indoor air quality and chemicals in everyday products.
Individuals can make their homes healthy and more environmentally friendly by improving air quality, safely using household products, properly using safety devices, adequately supervising children, and abating the use of toxic chemicals.
And, it’s not simply a call to action for individuals. It’s a call to action to society – citizens, health professionals, government officials, everyone – to work together and create cleaner, greener, safer environments for everyone.
The Call to Action outlines the next steps of a society-wide approach to healthy homes that will result in the greatest possible public health impact and reduction of disparities in the availability of healthy, safe, affordable, accessible, and environmentally friendly homes.
More comments:
Posted by Caroline on 06/17/2009 at 04:51 PM
This is fantastic..I am so happy to see how many families are now realizing and understand the potential dangers associated with toxic cleaners, air fresheners, chemically based shampoos, skin care etc etc. It has been a huge part of our life since our son’s Eczema was so bad. We began eliminating all kinds of synthetics and replaced them with safer alternatives! One of my favorites that I recently ordered is called Topricin. It is an all natural pain reliever that goes on your skin as a cream. I love it..any sore or achy muscle or joint that I have no longer requires the use of oral pain meds as much. We also use baking soda and vinegar instead of cleaners, baking soda in our kids baths and planted a garden this year! Anyway- I am glad to hear that the S.G. is increasing awareness too! We are on our way as a society in changing the way we live!