ATSDR Child Health Initiative

(ATSDR Announces Child Health Initiative)

Children are not just small adults. Children who live near hazardous waste sites often have greater exposures, greater potential for health problems, and less ability to avoid hazards. Exposure to hazardous substances can cause learning disabilities, and growth and development problems in children. Recognizing these special vulnerabilities, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has launched an initiative to emphasize child health in all agency programs and activities. The Child Health Initiative, which responds to direct calls by both the US Department of Health and Human Services and the US Environmental Protection Agency for policies that promote child health, was introduced by ATSDR's Assistant Administrator Barry L. Johnson, PhD, to the ATSDR Board of Scientific Counselors (BSC) in April 1996.

The board plans to appoint a child health workgroup, composed of nationally recognized experts in child health and environmental medicine, that will examine available data (from ATSDR and other sources) on the impact of hazardous waste sites on children's health, identify key information gaps, and propose further prevention activities.

"A critical first step is compiling information from past and current ATSDR projects that have relevance to child health," said Robert W. Amler, MD, Senior Medical Advisor at ATSDR, who coordinates the Child Health Initiative. "There is an equally compelling need to educate children and their parents, as well as child health providers and child health advocates, to prevent hazards to child health from site-related substances."

A Child Health feature is being prepared for this Web Site. Send comments or requests for additional information to Dr. Amler at: rwa1@cdc.gov or write to 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E28, Atlanta, Georgia 30333; telephone (404) 639-0700.