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. 2006 Dec;114(12):1813-7.
doi: 10.1289/ehp.9300.

Prioritizing environmental issues around the world: opinions from an international Central and Eastern European environmental health conference

Elena S Craft  1 , Kirby C Donnelly, Iulia Neamtiu, Kathleen M McCarty, Erica Bruce, Irina Surkova, David Kim, Iveta Uhnakova, Erika Gyorffy, Eva Tesarova, Beth Anderson
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Prioritizing environmental issues around the world: opinions from an international Central and Eastern European environmental health conference

Elena S Craft et al. Environ Health Perspect. 2006 Dec.

Abstract

Background: As the next generation of scientists enters the field of environmental health, it is imperative that they view their contributions in the context of global environmental stewardship. In this commentary, a group of international graduate students facilitated by three experienced environmental health scientists present their views on what they consider to be the global environmental health concerns of today. This group convened initially in October 2004 at an international health conference in Prague, Czech Republic.

Objectives: In this report we identify perceived environmental health concerns that exist around the world, with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe. Additionally, we address these perceived problems and offers some potential solutions.

Discussion: At the meeting, students were invited to participate in two panel discussions. One group of young international scientists identified several significant global environmental health concerns, including air pollution, occupational hazards, and risk factors that may exacerbate current environmental health issues. The second panel determined that communication, education, and regulation were the mechanisms for addressing current environmental challenges.

Conclusions: In this commentary we expand on the views presented at the meeting and represent the concerns of young investigators from nine different countries. We provide ideas about and support the exchange of information between developed and developing countries on how to handle the environmental health challenges that face the world today.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Prevalence of asthma symptoms in childhood by country (written questionnaire: self-reported wheezing in the previous 12-month period, in 13- to 14-year-old children). Adapted with permission from Global Burden of Asthma Summary (2002).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Prevalence of obesity in adults: (A) men; (B) women.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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