LHA1837H
In this course, environmental health is framed as a field of research, education, policy and advocacy endeavours that links the natural, health and social sciences with the worlds of the academy, community, business, economics, labour, governments and media. It includes physical, social, cultural, spiritual and societal relationships which are multidirectional and interlinked with the health and well being of all life. In the context of transformative higher education, the course will help students to develop critical thinking, investigative, analytical and practical skills to better understand the constraints of scientific certainty and uncertainty in today's complex world in order to address lifestyle as well as public policy changes. The issues are framed within the broad socioenvironmental perspectives on health promotion reflected in the goals of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion - strengthening community action, developing personal skills, creating supportive environments, helping in skills development to educate, enable, mediate and advocate. Readings will include selected works by Steingraber, Colborn, Hancock, Chu, Bertell, Davis, CELA/OCFPEHC, IJC, Van Esterik and Health Canada.