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Toward Environmental Justice Research, Education, and Health Policy Needs (1999) / Chapter Skim
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5 Health Policy
Pages 61-68

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 61...
... CURRENT SCIENCE BASE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE The committee believes there is ample evidence that racial and ethnic minorities and residents of low-income communities have a higher incidence of disease and a lower general health status than do majority and more affluent populations (National Center for Health Statistics, 1998b)
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From page 62...
... Although evidence of disproportionate exposure to potentially harmful substances strongly suggests a disappropriate health burden, a variety of other factors might be involved. Clarifying these relationships will require detailed epidemiological studies, often on small, targeted populations, examining the relationships among disease incidence, environmental hazards, and other behaviors or exposures that may cause or exacerbate health problems.
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From page 63...
... It is the committee's view that policymakers need a philosophy that is consonant with the inherent difficulty of linking environmental hazards to adverse health outcomes. The populations in question generally have a lower health status than other groups in society and, therefore, are likely to be more susceptible than others to the adverse impacts of environmental hazards.
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From page 64...
... Secondarily, attention should be directed to identifying the accountable parties because holding people accountable for past misdeeds can be a valuable social function and provide incentives for appropriate behavior in the future. EXPANDING THE POLICY PROCESS As noted in prior chapters of this report, action, supported by adequate resources, is needed to develop and implement a public health strategy, to improve the science base, and to enhance awareness and understanding of these issues on the part of health professionals, educators, the business community, public officials, and the general public.
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From page 65...
... The research literature generally finds that motivated lay audiences can understand many environmental issues, especially if a conscientious effort is made to determine their beliefs and concerns, and to develop appropriate communications (Fischhoff et al., 1997; National Research Council, 1989c, 1996~. Even potentially esoteric material such as risk assessments or cost-benefit analyses can and should be understandable if presented in policyrelevant terms.
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From page 66...
... Requiring residents of a potentially affected community to prove de f~nitively that alleged adverse health outcomes are linked to environmental haz ards may put effective participation beyond their means. Conversely, accepting assertions of environmental injustice without reservation could lead to actions that
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From page 67...
... The committee believes that lasting, workable arrangements can be created between communities of concern and others who have the capacity to use science and the law to help minority or disadvantaged populations protect themselves and their communities from harmful environmental stressors. Among those who will need to be involved in such arrange
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From page 68...
... In instances in which the science base is incomplete with respect to environmental health and justice issues, the committee urges policymakers to exercise caution on behalf of the affected communities, particularly those that have the least access to medical, political, and economic resources, by taking reasonable precautions to safeguard against or minimize adverse health outcomes. ~:~:~H~inh~l~:i~nhts:::fro~m~::th~e National Environmental Justice:~:Advi~sorv:~:::: ~ Use the fallowing: guiding ~pon~ciples~in~ ~setting~:~up~a~il~ pubic ;me:etinas:~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~.~ ~ ~ ~ :~ ~ ~ :~ ~ ~::~ ~ .~ ~ :~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I: I: ~ ~ ~ ~: ~ T~ ~ ~ : ~ ~ ~ a: :~::~M~a:i:ntai~n::~:hon~esw~:~a:nd~:;~:integnW:~th:roughout:th:e:~p~cess:: :: ~ ~: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ .
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Key Terms

  • environmental justice
  • science base
  • decisionmaking process
  • justice advisory
  • environmental stressors

  • affected communities
  • justice issues
  • potentially harmful
  • national environmental
  • health status

  • specific adverse
  • ethnic minorities
  • multiple environmental
  • harmful environmental
  • harmful substances

  • public participation
  • potentially affected
  • including health
  • risk assessments
  • participation beyond

  • populations protect
  • reflecting limitations
  • adequate resources
  • urges policymakers
  • environmental controls

  • poor sanitation
  • require detailed
  • current methodologies
  • substantial evidence
  • potential environmental


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