The Sixth Biennial Scientific Symposium and Roundtable Discussion will present recent evidence-based research to increase our understanding of how to recognize and prevent prenatal and early childhood exposures to environmental toxicants.

The 2010 Scientific Symposium will address the competing roles of genetic and environmental factors in the causation of childhood diseases. In most cases, both factors play a role. But even as the science of genetics races ahead, it is increasingly evident that the environment is changing more rapidly than the gene pool, and that more and more disease in children is the result of environmental factors and environment-gene interactions.

Environmental health exposures often start with fetal development, and evidence continues to mount that environmental factors play an important role in childhood diseases. Proportional to body weight, children eat, breathe and drink more than adults and take in far higher concentrations of the toxins in our environment. Because environmental toxicants are ubiquitous in air, water, food, and products, we have seen a global rise in environmentally related diseases. However, in terms of the extent of the effects of exposures, we are seeing only the tip of the iceberg, warns Dr. Martin Lorin, pediatrician and member of the Children’s Environmental Health Institute Board of Directors.

Participants will learn of the progress of the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network in establishing links between environmental toxins and chronic disease; explore the utility of Earth system science, technology and data for characterizing the relationship between environmental hazards, human exposures and potential health effects; receive insight on how researchers are expected to collect samples ranging from breast milk to carpet dust to assess connections between genetics, the environment and public health in the National Children’s Study; examine the effect of environmental exposures on children’s health through a multidisciplinary research approach including basic, applied, and community-based participatory research; discover strategies for childhood obesity prevention efforts that have been implemented by local governments, and how to become change agents for affordable, safe and accessible food; recognize why Autism is one of the fastest growing developmental disabilities; define the role of corporate best practice and socially responsible investing in preventing environmental health risks, and describe critical issues to consider in natural disaster planning and management for children.

DATE AND TIME:

Thursday, October 21, 8:00 am – 7:30 pm

Friday, October 22, 8:00 am – 3:15 pm

LOCATION:

Space Center Houston

Houston, Texas

Space Center Houston is located at 1601 NASA Parkway (formerly NASA Rd. 1), Houston, TX 77058, approximately 25 miles south of downtown Houston in the NASA/Clear Lake area.

TOUR:

Sign-up early to ensure a seat on the private tram tour narrated by David Wolf, NASA astronaut and CEHI Board Member, and a behind-the-scenes journey through NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

HOTEL:

The official conference hotel is the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake Hotel, a newly renovated, suburban resort hotel overlooking Clear Lake, Texas. It is located directly across from the NASA/Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston, and is minutes from Hobby Airport.

The special conference rate is $118/room. To register go to Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake Hotel, and use the group code letters CHI.

Address: 3000 NASA Road One, Houston, TX 77058-4322

Phone: 281-333-9300

Fax: 281-333-3750

(All reservations must be guaranteed with a major credit card. Hotel will not hold any reservations beyond October 6, 2010, unless secured by a major credit card. Cancellation must be made 72 hours prior to arrival or the first night’s room rate will be charged.)

TRANSPORTATION:

Shuttle bus transportation will be available between the Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake Hotel and Space Center Houston for the Sixth Biennial Scientific Symposium.

8:00- 8:30 Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:30- 9:00 Welcome

Dave Wolf,, BSEE, MD, NASA Astronaut, CEHI Board Member

Acknowledgements & Program Overview

Fernando Guerra, MD, MPH, Director of Health, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District; Chair, Children’s Environmental Health Institute

9:00-10:15 Roundtable Discussion:Driving Forces in Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Prenatal and Early Childhood Health Risks

Elaine Cohen-Hubal, PhD, Senior Scientist National Center for Computational Toxicology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Pertti (Bert) J. Hakkinen, PhD, Senior Toxicologist, and Toxicology and Environmental Health Science Advisor (to the Director), Specialized Information Services, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health

Panel Moderator:

Vincent Torres, MSE, PE, MAC, Associate Director, The Center for Energy & Environmental Resources, The University of Texas at Austin, CEHI Board Member

10:15-10:30 Break

10:30-11:45 Keynote Address: Prenatal & Early Life Environmental Health Exposures

Kenneth Olden, PhD, ScD, LHD, Founding Dean, School of Public Health, Hunter College, City University of New York, Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, CEHI Board Member

11:45-1:00 Luncheon

1:00-2:15 Ethics Perspective Presentation: Global Warming, Changing Ecosystems and Natural Disasters: How Do We Ensure that Scientific Knowledge is Used Effectively to Reduce Environmental Health Risks to Children?

Bruce Jennings, MA, Director of Bioethics, Center for Humans and Nature

2:15-2:30 Break

2:30-4:00 NASA Tram Private Guided Tour

Dave Wolf, BSEE, MD, NASA Astronaut, CEHI Board Member

4:00-4:15 Break

4:15-6:00 Government Perspective Panel – Early Life Exposure: the Search for Cause and Effect, from the Laboratory to Surveillance.

Centers for Disease Control, (CDC) National Environmental Public Health Tracking Program, (EPHT)

Judith R. Qualters, PhD, Chief, Environmental Health Tracking Branch, Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

John Haynes, PhD, NASA, Earth Science for Decision Making, Public Health Program Manager, NASA Public Health Applications of Remote Sensing Data National Children’s Study, (NCS)

Donald J. Dudley, MD, Vice Chair for Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, NCS Advisory Committee, CEHI Board Member

National Institute of Environmental Health Science, Centers for Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention

Kimberly Gray, PhD, Scientific Program Administrator, Epidemiology, Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, (NIEHS)

6:00-7:30 Reception at Starship Gallery, Space Center Houston

DAY TWO AGENDA

October 22, 2010

8:00-8:30 Continental Breakfast

8:30-8:45 Welcome and Program Overview

Valerie Davis, BJ, Principal & CEO, Enviromedia Social Marketing, CEHI Board Member

8:45-10:00 Improving Access to and Consumption of Healthy, Safe, and Affordable Food for Children and Families

Eduardo J. Sanchez, MD, MPH, FAAFP, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas

10:00-11:15 Becoming Change Agents for Access to and Consumption of Healthy, Safe, Affordable and Accessible Food

Robert Kenner, Filmmaker/Director, 2010 Academy Award Nominee, Documentary Feature, Food Inc.

11:15-11:30 Break

11:30-1:15 Luncheon: Smoking Guns and Time Bombs: Embracing Public Health

Bernard D. Goldstein, MD, Professor, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh

1:15-2:30 Workshop Sessions

Session A:

The Role of the Centers for Disease Control’s Environmental Public Health Tracking Network in Preventing Environmental Health Risks in Prenatal & Early Life Exposures

Helen Flowers, MS, Science Team Leader, Environmental Health Tracking Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Eric M. Roberts, MD, PhD, Environmental Health Tracking Program Manager, California Department of Health Services

Session B:

The Role of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder

David S. Baskin, MD, Senior Member, The Methodist Hospital Research Institute, Program Director, Neurosurgery Residency Training Program, Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston, Texas

Cindy Lawler, PhD, Scientific Program Administrator, Neuroscience Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Session C:

The Role of Corporate Best Practice and Socially Responsible Investing in Preventing Environmental Health Risks

Richard Liroff, PhD, Executive Director, Investor Environmental Health Network

Martin Wolf, Director of Product & Environmental Technology, Seventh Generation

Panel Moderator:

Paula Ivey, President, The CSR Group LLC, Professor, Faculty Member, The University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business, Delegate to the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development

2:30-2:45 Break

2:45-3:15 Closing Remarks: Transferring Knowledge to Action in Preventing How Environmental Toxins Affect the Course of Childhood

Martin Lorin, MD, Professor, Baylor College of Medicine Texas Children’s Hospital, CEHI Board Member

3:15 Adjourn

SYMPOSIUM LEARNING OBJECTIVES – DAY ONE

Roundtable Discussion: Driving Forces in Ensuring the Safety of Chemicals and Preventing Prenatal and Early Childhood Health Risks

• Recognize the four classes of synthetic “Chemicals of Concern” recently noted by the Environmental Protection Agency to raise “serious environmental or health concerns” and in some cases “may present an unreasonable risk of injury to health and the environment.”
• Describe where these synthetic chemicals are used widely in manufacturing and consumer products, specifically in relation to pre-natal and early life exposures.
• Explain how environmental health research, regulation and interventions can address this public health problem.

Prenatal & Early Life Environmental Health Exposures

• Enable health professionals practicing in prenatal and early childhood health to recognize diseases linked to or triggered by environmental factors.
• Discuss how genetics, age, and stage of development influence prenatal and early childhood susceptibility to disease from environmental exposure.
• Explain the importance of undertaking an interdisciplinary research agenda in addressing environmental health risks to children, including community outreach and involvement.

Smoking Guns and Time Bombs: Embracing Public Health

• Review the history and purpose of the Precautionary principle.
• Examine the policies other countries have adopted for taking preventive action in the face of uncertainty of health risks to children.
• Relate the benefits of increasing public participation and transparency in the decision making process utilizing the Precautionary Principle or risk assessment models as a means to protect the health of children and future generations.

Early Life Exposure: the Search for Cause and Effect, from the Laboratory to Surveillance

• Describe how the Environmental Public Health Tracking (EPHT) Network protects communities from adverse health effects through the collection, analysis, integration, and interpretation of data about environmental hazards, exposure to environmental hazards, and human health effects potentially related to exposures.
• Examine the framework for cooperation between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to explore the application of Earth system science, technology, and data to monitor environmental public health.
• Relate how the Centers for Children’s Environmental Health and Disease Prevention examine the effect of environmental exposures on children’s health through a multidisciplinary research approach and translate their findings to clinical and public health professionals and policy makers to alleviate the burden of environmentally induced diseases in children.
• Explain the purpose and benefits of conducting the National Children’s Study, a multi-year research study designed to examine the effects of environmental influences on the health and development of more than 100,000 children across the United States, following them from before birth until age 21.

NASA Tram Private Guided Tour

• Explore the history of NASA‘s Johnson Space Center, and the America’s human space flight program.
• Relate how technologies developed originally for space flight have already found a wide range of applications in medicine, energy, transportation, agriculture, communications and electronics.
• Describe how aerospace, biotechnology, robotics, neuroscience, planetary science and other fields within universities and medical programs can work with scientists and engineers at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

SYMPOSIUM LEARNING OBJECTIVES – DAY TWO

Improving Access to and Consumption of Healthy, Safe, and Affordable Food for Children and Families

• Reflect on why the prevalence of obesity is so high that it may reduce the life expectancy of today’s generation of children and diminish the overall quality of their lives.
• Restate the recommendations, offered to local governments to directly affect their potential to promote healthy eating and adequate physical activity by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee on Childhood Obesity, Prevention Actions for Local Governments.
• Apply the nine healthy eating strategies and six physical activity strategies for local government officials to consider in planning, implementing, and refining childhood obesity prevention efforts.

Becoming Change Agents for Access to and Consumption of Healthy, Safe, Affordable and Accessible Food

• Examine how current policies and practices in the manufacture and distribution of food impact the health of children.
• Consider that seemingly unrelated economic, political and social issues play a significant role in hunger, childhood obesity and rising food prices.
• Recognize why one of the biggest predictors of obesity is income level.
• Evaluate different perspectives from some of the leading organizations working to improve our ways of producing food, ranging from the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation and the Humane Society of the United States to Sustainable Table and Food & Water Watch.
• Exemplify how to become an agent of change to stop the disturbing trends of unhealthy eating habits and bad food choices that begin in childhood and result in chronic diseases and conditions usually associated with adulthood.

Global Warming, Changing Ecosystems and Natural Disasters: How Do We Ensure that Scientific Knowledge is Used Effectively to Reduce Environmental Health Risks to Children?

• Explain how children would be disproportionately affected by a natural disaster.
• Describe critical issues to consider in natural disaster planning and management for children.
• Identify key challenges in establishing an integrated network for hazard monitoring, exposure assessment, and health effects specific to children.

The Role of the Centers for Disease Control’s Environmental Public Health Tracking Network in Preventing Environmental Health Risks in Prenatal & Early Life Exposures

• Assess how the Centers for Disease Control’s National Environmental Public Health Tracking Program provides information through the National Tracking Network about health effects, environmental hazards and exposure data from 23 state and local health departments.
• Summarize information related to what public health professionals know now about the effects the environment has on a person’s health, and where gaps in knowledge still exist.
• Analyze priority indicators and measures developed by state and local health departments to monitor specific health concerns and environmental trends.
• Describe how individuals and communities can use surveillance, data management and reporting to improve prevention activities, reduce exposure to environmental toxins, and protect human health.

The Role of Environmental Factors in the Etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Recognize why Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States and what progress has been made to define the biological and environmental underpinnings of Austin Spectrum Disorder.
• Relate why the American Academy of Pediatrics encourages continuous ongoing developmental screening and recently also included a recommendation that all children are screened for Autism Spectrum Disorder at 18 and 24 months.
• Summarize recent research and medical evidence proposing a shift in the study of Autism Spectrum Disorder from a genetic to an environmental strategy that combines toxicological screening, neurobiological research and prospective epidemiological study.
• Relate to autism from the study of cell growth and mitochondrial function, basic cellular disturbances in the immune system of autistic children and how toxins and other environmental triggers may contribute to the pathophysiology of the disorder.

The Role of Corporate Best Practice and Socially Responsible Investing in Preventing Environmental Health Risks

• Define mission investing, responsible investing, double or triple bottom line investing, and ethical investing.
• Consider the social implications of the practice and policies of a company on both the investor’s financial needs and an investment’s impact on the exposure of health risks to children.
• Demonstrate business leadership based on comprehensive environmental policies which address the issues of the health and safety of children.
• Describe the financial and public health risks associated with corporate toxic chemicals policies and recent progress in adoption of shareholder resolutions by brand-name firms.
• Access the business practices of a global corporation dedicated to innovative, high-quality products, excellence in the workplace and a long-term commitment to minimize the impact they have on the environment and human health.

Closing Remarks: Transferring Knowledge to Action in Preventing How Environmental Toxins Affect the Course of Childhood

• Reflect on the need for cross-discipline actions between health professionals, academicians, corporate sector, research community and government to leverage efforts to establish good environmental health practices to protect the health of children.
• Restate our ethical responsibilities as individuals and society to ensure that all children can reach and maintain their full potential.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of Texas Medical Association and Children’s Environmental Health Institute, Inc. Texas Medical Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Texas Medical Association designates this educational activity for a maximum of 11.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Texas Medical Association designates the following presentation in medical ethics and/or professional responsibility: Global Warming, Changing Ecosystems and Natural Disasters: How Do We Ensure that Scientific Knowledge is Used Effectively to Reduce Environmental Health Risks to Children? Bruce Jennings, MA, Director of Bioethics, Center for Humans and Nature (1.25 credits).

11.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

1.75 credits ethics and/or professional responsibility

“Nursing contact hours have been applied for through the Texas Nurses Association, an accredited approver of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.”

Platinum Level

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Environmental Health Tracking Program

Saint Susie Foundation

Gold Level

Enviromedia Social Marketing

Silver Level

Clean Water Pipe Council

Thomas J. Reinhart Foundation

Southwest Center for Pediatric Environmental Health

Texas A&M System Health Science Center

School of Rural Public Health

A&M University, College Station

SYMPOSIUM REGISTRATION FEE SCHEDULE:

Registration for the 2010 scientific symposium is limited to 100 participants

The registration fee includes continental breakfast and lunch for each day, reception/buffet and a Private NASA Tram Tour of Johnson Space Center guided by Astronaut David Wolf, BEEE, MD.

Cancellation and Refund Policy: If written cancellation is received prior to September 21, 2010, registration fees, less a $50 administrative charge are refundable. No refunds will be given for cancellations received after this date or for conference nonattendance.

There is no charge for the Private Tram Tour of National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), Johnson Space Center. However, registration at the 2010 Scientific Symposium does not guarantee a ticket for the Private Tour of NASA, Johnson Space Center. It will be limited to the first 55 registrants.

If you plan to attend the reception on October 21, 6:00 to 7:00 at the Starship Gallery, Space Center Houston it is important that you request a complimentary ticket when registering. Without reserving a ticket, we are unable to hold a space for you. You may also pay additional to have a guest join you for this special event.

2010 Symposium Advisory Committee

Fernando Guerra, MD, MPH,
Chair
Director, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District

Maureen C. Britton, MA, BS
Executive Director
Children’s Optimal Health

Debra Cherry, MD, MS
Assistant Professor, Occupational Health Sciences
University of Texas Health Center at Tyler
Medical Director, Southwest Center for Pediatric
Environmental Health

Jules Reinhart Elkins, PhD
Department of Geography and the Environment
University of Texas

Martin Lorin, MD,
Professor
Baylor College of Medicine
Texas Children’s Hospital

Louis A. Musante, MIS, BA
Eco Strategies

Vincent Torres, MSE, PE, MAC
Associate Director, The Center for Energy & Environmental Resources
The University of Texas at Austin

David A. Wolf, BSEE, MD
NASA Astronaut and Children’s Environmental Health Institute Board Member

Janie D. Fields, MPA
Executive Director
Children’s Environmental Health Institute

Children’s Environmental Health Institute (CEHI) Board of Directors

Fernando Guerra, MD, MPH,
CEHI Chair
Director, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District

Valerie Davis, BJ
Principal and CEO
Enviromedia Social Marketing

Donald J. Dudley, MD
Vice Chair for Research
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
UTHSCSA Department of OBG

Martin Lorin, MD,
Professor
Baylor College of Medicine
Texas Children’s Hospital

Kenneth Olden, PhD, ScD, LHD
Director Emeritus, National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences
Founding Dean, School of Public Health
Hunter College, City University of New York

Katherine Stalzer, BSN, RN,
CEHI Secretary
Quality Control Specialist
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas

Vincent Torres, MSE, PE, MAC
Associate Director
The Center for Energy & Environmental Resources
The University of Texas at Austin

Mike Wells, AIA,
CEHI Vice-Chair
Principal, The Early Childhood Studio

David A. Wolf, BSEE, MD
NASA Astronaut

Dr. David A. Wolf on space walk during the STS-127 Endeavour mission.

Dr. Wolf answers a question for fan Will Sowell at CEHI 2004 Scientific Symposium. What was Will’s question: “Do you believe there are aliens in space?”

Dr. David Wolf was a member of the crew of space shuttle Endeavour for the mission STS-127, which delivered the final piece of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kibo laboratory and a new crew member to the International Space Station. This 16-day journey of more than 6.5 million miles ended with his return to Earth on July 31, 2009 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. As a long-term member of the Astronaut Office management team determining spaceflight strategic policy, his demonstrated leadership reflects heavily in current methodology for spaceflight preparation and execution.  Shuttle Endeavour STS-127 was Dr. Wolf’s fifth space mission. 

Dr. David Wolf’s Bio