Informing the Future Critical Issues in Health, Third Edition (2005) / Chapter Skim
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Health Risks and Public Policy: Perception and Reality
Health Risks and Public Policy: Perception and Reality
Pages 11-18
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From page 11... ...
concludes that current scientific evidence is sufficient to link exposure to damp conditions and exposure to molds commonly found in damp environments to asthma symptoms in some people with the chronic disorder, as well as to coughing, wheezing, and upper respiratory tract symptoms in otherwise healthy people. However, available evidence does not support an association between either indoor dampness or mold and the wide range of other health complaints that have been ascribed to them.
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From page 12... ...
In a comprehensive review in the journal Mold, two leading environmental lawyers say the report will significantly affect toxic tort litigation nationwide, especially cases that involve exposure to household mold. Calling the report "by far the most comprehensive study presently available on the issue," the authors say it "significantly brings into question whether there is suf ficient evidence to demonstrate the requisite causation necessary to meet the burden of proof in mold litigation." In most litigation of this type, plaintiffs rely on expert witnesses to testify that mold is causally responsible for their claimed health effects.
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From page 13... ...
Skin symptoms Mucous membrane irritation syndrome Gastrointestinal tract problems Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Fatigue Inhalation fevers (nonoccupational exposures) Neuropsychiatric symptoms Lower respiratory illness in otherwise-healthy adults Cancer Acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage in infants Reproductive effects Rheumatologic and other immune diseases aThese conclusions are not applicable to immunocompromised persons, who are at increased risk for fungal colonization or opportunistic infections.
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From page 14... ...
, discusses lessons learned that can inform not only the operation of the smallpox vaccination pro gram but also other public health efforts to prepare for terrorism. The report concludes that it is not possible to determine the level of smallpox preparedness in local jurisdictions and nationally, because the CDC did not systematically assess program outcomes.
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From page 15... ...
The bioterrorism, public health officials numbers of individuals vaccinated fell far short and policymakers should develop of the CDC's goals, and the program had very strategies to balance national little support among the key constituencies security imperatives -- such as essential to its success. Based on these lessons, protecting classified information-the report concludes that in future efforts to with the need to provide key prepare for bioterrorism, public health officials constituencies and the broader and policymakers should develop strategies to public with appropriate explanations balance national security imperatives -- such as and guidance about a program's protecting classified information -- with the rationale, implementation, and need to provide key constituencies and the objectives.
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From page 16... ...
Foods warranting further evaluation should under go more detailed safety assessment prior to their commercialization, and post commercialization monitoring should be conducted to spot any problems that may arise over the longer term. Failure to exercise diligence in review and reg ulation of genetically altered foods could risk loss of public confidence and a rejection of GE foods, as has been experienced in Europe and Africa.
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From page 17... ...
proposes a science-based process for assessing safety, even when data are scarce. The proposed process consists of three steps: reviewing readily available information to screen for potentially hazardous substances; prioritizing those substances that require the most immediate attention; and then conducting individual in-depth safety evaluations, which would be based on collecting and reviewing additional data (including The report .
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From page 18... ...
; developing an action plan (including steps to improve research methods, com municate findings, and develop interventions that would exert an impact on public health) ; and guiding public policy and creating public health messages that provide understandable information that neither understates nor over states the risks related to particular lifestyle choices.
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