March 16, 2004

March 17-19 Environmental Health Conference
'Dealing with Change'

Note to media: Interviews may be arranged with conference organizers on these timely and relevant topics affecting public health in Idaho. The link between suburbanization and obesity, the effects of air pollution on public health in the Treasure Valley, and concerns about exotic diseases such as West Nile Virus are among the issues that will be discussed at “Dealing With Change,” the Idaho Environmental Health Association 2004 educational conference. Held March 17-19, 2004, at the Boise State University Student Union, the conference will present the latest information on national and state environmental topics. The conference is geared toward local and regional environmental health professionals, students, legislators, civic leaders and community members. Participants may register to attend all three days, one or two days, or just a single half-day session. Registration will take place between 7-8:30 a.m. each morning March 17-19 in the Hatch B Ballroom of the Student Union. The registration fee for the entire conference, including breakfast and lunch each day and a banquet Thursday night, is $130 for IEHA members and $155 for non-members. For a single day, including breakfast and lunch, fees are $60 for members and $75 for non-members. Half-day sessions, with a fee of $30 for everyone, are a good option for members of the general public interested in a specific topic. Students from any school may attend any session for free. One of the conference highlights will be a live video link to a presentation by Dr. Andrew L. Dannenberg from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta on “Health Implication of Land Use, Transportation and Urban Design” -— a topic particularly relevant for growing cities in Idaho. This video presentation will take place from 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, and will be followed by a panel discussion with Idaho Smart Growth members from 3:15-4:45 p.m. The conference will also include presentations by Idaho scientists as well as scientists from other states, including Professor C. Arden Pope from Brigham Young University speaking about particulate air pollution; Brad Tufto from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration speaking about food risks; and Barbara Rich from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality speaking about sewage disposal systems. The general schedule of topics is as follows: �ednesday, March 17 8:45 a.m. -noon, “Changes -- National and State” 1-5 p.m. “Food Riskology 101,” “Urban Planning Effects on Health,” and “Current Epi (epidemiological) Events in Idaho” �hursday, March 18 8:30 a.m.-4:15 p.m. “Solid Waste Screening at Municipal Solid Waste Facilities,” “Child Care in Idaho,” and “What’s Going on Out There?” looking at issues such as pesticides, mercury poisoning, public health preparedness and other topics. 4:30-8:30 p.m. IEHA annual meeting and awards banquet, with guest speaker Jackie Lemieux of TechHelp on “How to Deal With Change.” �riday, March 19 8:30 a.m.-noon “Air Pollution and Public Health” and “On-Site Sewage Disposal Training.” For more information, or to arrange interviews for media representatives with the speakers or participants, call 426-5776. -30- Contact Dr. Dale Stephenson College of Health Sciences 208 426-3795 DaleStephenson@boisestate.edu   Media contact Pat Pyke communications and marketing 208 426-1987 ppyke@boisestate.edu