Not all health professionals are aware of the growing body of evidence linking common chemicals in our environment and everyday products to health and development. Still, it’s a worrisome issue and you should feel comfortable talking with your child’s doctor about your concerns. Initiate the conversation using the resources below that have been developed specifically for health professionals.

• Physician’s for Social Responsibility Pediatric Environmental Health Toolkit is a combination of easy-to-use reference guides for health providers and user friendly health education materials on preventing exposures to toxic chemicals and other substances that affect infant and child health. The materials are visually appealing, practical and easy to use. The Toolkit is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
• Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSUs) are coordinated by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The PEHSU's have been developed to provide education and consultation for medical professionals, public health professionals and others about the topic of children's environmental health. There are 10 regional clinics in the US, one in Canada, and one in Mexico.
• US EPA’s Children’s Environmental Health: Online Resources for Health Care Providers were developed as an informal starting point for health care providers to learn more about pediatric environmental health.

Many parents are particularly concerned with children's vaccinations and the vaccine schedule.  We encourage parents to do their own research and discuss concerns with their pediatricians. We encourage health professionals to be sensitive to parental concerns and open to respectful dialogue.  Please read Healthy Child Healthy World's position statement on the issue of vaccines, here. 

Is your doctor already “in the know?” Maybe she’d be interested in helping her clinic or hospital go green. Health Care Without Harm is an international coalition of hospitals and health care systems, medical professionals, community groups, health-affected constituencies, labor unions, environmental and health organizations, and religious groups. The mission is to transform the health care industry worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment.