Blog #2 Heroes of Environmental Health

I have long been a fan of Rachel Carson and her book "Silent Spring".  I use her message of pursuing truth and justice- despite widespread government and corporate opposition, as an example of the type of change agents nurses can be. Living Downstream and Faith, An Ecologis's Journey to Motherhood- Steingraber brings the science to life through her own story of surviving cancer, and researching risks of toxic exposures of children from placenta to puberty.

We too are empowered by our knowledge of science, understanding of evidence, and the impact of the environment on the health of our patients.  Her ability to shine light on environmental toxins and their effects on our biology was groundbreaking. Since the late 1990's, a new environmental advocate has continued this work with a similar approach. Biologist and writer Sandra Steingraber has eloquently shared the unfortunate truths of environmental exposures and their link to cancer. In her books
She is the modern day Rachel Carson and continues to lead the awakening needed in the environmental health movement. Her most current work is fighting the devastating effects of fracking on our planet and the people who work in this dangerous field.
As a nurse and member of the American Public Health Association, I am building my knowledge of environmental health effects, and climate change on our populations. Nurses can lead by highlighting issues of  social justice. We can shed light on the blinders of who and what are leading to our chronic health conditions, and negatively impacting the social determinants of health for the structurally disempowered populations across the globe.