Title: APHA 2004 Annual Meeting 35th Homer N. Calver Lecture Report
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Section/SPIG: Environment
Issue Date:
The 2004 APHA Annual Meeting was held in Washington, D.C., and was highlighted by the 35th Anniversary Homer N. Calver Lecture hosted by the Environment Section. This year’s distinguished Lecturer was Carol M. Browner, JD, former EPA Administrator. Browner is currently with and a founding member of The Albright Group, and one of her many accomplishments includes serving as the chair for the Board of Directors of the National Audubon Society. More than 250 people attended this lunch and seminar!
Browner commenced her remarks with a reminder that she had given a presentation to APHA during opening ceremonies several years earlier in her capacity as EPA administrator. This was the first time that the federal environmental agency linked-up with APHA and public health. However, she noted that EPA has not re-connected with APHA in a similar fashion since.
Our 2004 Calver Lecturer expressed her concern in relation to the above, since she feels strongly about the link between environmental protection and public health. She reported that estimates place nearly 15 percent of the country’s population as persons who label themselves as environmentalists, leaving another 85 percent of the nation with interests in their families, quality of life, and health. She emphasized that governmental agencies (EPA) need to be aware that their programs serve the general population and therefore, a need to address the concerns of the majority of the nation’s people. This reinforces the importance of linking environmental programs with the health of the public.
Browner underscored another disturbing trend concerning the federal level’s commitment (or lack thereof) to protection of the environment. She presented four examples which substantiate this observation. During her administration, regulations were promulgated concerning soot in the air. Led by Newt Genrich, the EPA was shut down on at least three occasions and blocked from accomplishing its mission, yet vindicated with a 9-0 vote by the Supreme Court that the Agency did the right thing. Another concern involved controls on arsenic which were put into effect during her term—-they have now been relaxed. Under her administration the United States was an active participant in the effort to address global w arming, however, the United States pulled out of that accord (in spite of the scientific evidence and consensus by nearly 2,500 scientists that this concern is of the utmost importance). A fourth observation: mercury was defined as a neurotoxin under her tenure and as such had a regulatory timetable by 2009 to achieve a 90 percent reduction from the air we breathe. Yet, the toxic-reduction process has now been modified to a possible 60 percent decrease over the next 15 years (2020).
She concluded her remarks by addressing several questions from the audience. Along with her answers she challenged everyone in attendance to become strong advocates for environmental health. By referring to Margaret Meade’s famous quote about causing change, she emphasized that individual action can and will make a difference.
Browner cautioned the audience that we are at risk of becoming the first generation that leaves its children with an environmental problem they cannot solve. As an important control measure, she urged all members of the Environment Section to demonstrate a strong sense of relevancy to their senators and representatives concerning important environmental protection issues as it relates to the district they represent.
She closed the session by reminding the assembly that their commitment to public health is one that is moral, ethical, and valuable; and that both political parties need to be reminded of that mission on behalf of the future of our nation and families.