1. What are the laws that were in effect, or should have been in effect, at the time when the environmental issue occurred?

Recent Environmental Issues versus the Environmental Health Laws

The media are replete with examples of environmental issues exposing us to health risks. The growing concern of environmental issues is the reason why the environmental health laws, such as CAA and CWA, were introduced in the 1970s. There have been several amendments throughout these years.

Research on examples of the following topics:

• Environmental      Issues that Have Occurred in Last One Year
• Major Environmental      Health Laws that Have Been Introduced in Past Ten Years

· On the basis of your research and understanding of the topic, answer the following questions:

• In the past      one year, which environmental health issue is the most grave one and why?
• What is the      role of various government agencies that are charged with enforcing and      evaluating the impact of the law?
• How have      the government agencies been able to assess the gravity of the issue?
• Which one      is the most important environmental health law that has been introduced      within the past few years and why?
• Analyze the      intended impact of environmental health laws on your local community.

Week 2 – Question 2:

2. What do you think is the impact of these events on the communities where they occurred?

Environmental Epidemiology and Health Hazards

Environmental epidemiology is the primary scientific discipline that establishes exposure-disease relationships in environmental health. For example, epidemiologists determined that exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma. This is one example of chemical agent leading to health hazards. Other environmental hazards, such as air and water pollution, have been linked to adverse health outcomes.

Research on the following topics:

• Significant Episodes in which an Environmental Hazard      Caused Adverse Health Outcomes in Humans
• Three Major Historical Events in Environmental      Epidemiology

· On the basis of your research and your readings and understanding of the above topics, answer the following questions:

• Which environmental hazard, such as the pollutant or      pollutants, caused the most adverse health outcomes and why?
• What are the various adverse health outcomes that      occurred as a result of exposure to the environmental hazard?
• What are the steps that were taken to prevent the      adverse health outcomes from occurring? Should there be any other step      that was necessary to prevent the adverse health outcome? Explain.
• Suggest the ways to prevent future occurrences of      such episodes.
• Is there an association between environmental hazards      and adverse health outcomes in humans? Why or why not?
• Analyze and explain the exposure-disease relationship      for each of these three events.

· What do you think is the impact of these events on the communities where they occurred?

Week 3 – Question 3:

3. Explain the association between exposure to pesticides and health effects?

Health Effects of Exposures to Pesticides

Pesticides have a broad application, including their use in occupational and nonoccupational settings. Many pesticides have been linked to adverse health effects, and as a result, have been banned from use.

Research on episodes of exposure to pesticides that caused adverse health outcomes in humans. Choose one episode and respond to the following questions:

· What are the health effects that the pesticide exposure caused in humans?

· What are the steps that could have been taken to prevent the adverse health outcomes from occurring?

· What are the changes required in the existing law that could discourage the reoccurrence of such exposures?

· Apart from law enforcement, what are the other ways to prevent future occurrences of such episodes?

Week 4 – Question 4:

4. Discuss the association between environmental pollution and hazards to aquatic life?

Environmental Hazards Due to Polluted Air and Water

Many environmental hazards, such as air and water pollution, have been linked to adverse health outcomes not only in humans but also in aquatic life.

Research on episodes in which environmental pollution caused hazards to the aquatic environment. Choose one episode and answer the following questions:

• What were the main pollutants that caused hazards to      aquatic life?
• How did these pollutants affect the      health of aquatic life adversely?
• What are the various ways to      prevent occurrences of such episodes in the future? Explain how these ways      will help in the prevention of such episodes.

Week 5 – Question 5:

5. What is the intended impact of food safety–related law on your local (Georgia) community?

Safety of Food from Carcinogens: 

The Office of Food Additive Safety (OFAS) at the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) of FDA is charged with, among other responsibilities, regulating industry to ensure that food contact substances and food additives are safe.

Research on major regulations related to food safety. On the basis of your research, answer the following questions:

• What are the ten microbiological      agents that are implicated in food-borne illness? What are the measures      for preventing food-borne illness?
• Describe practical methods for the      prevention of food-borne illness and indicate how you apply them in your      home or business.
• What are the procedures that a      local health department might use for investigating an outbreak of      food-borne illness?
• Explain a major regulation for      protecting food from carcinogens and discuss its purpose. Do you think      there should be any change in this regulation? Why or why not?

Read “Topic 3: Vargas Family Case Study.” Based on the information gathered in the first three sessions, create a genogram for the Vargas family.

The genogram can be handwritten and scanned, completed as a PDF, or completed using Word tools to ensure it can uploaded to LoudCloud. Include the following in your genogram: (I’VE SUBMITTED ALL THREE CASE STUDIES HERE FOR YOU TO LOOK BACK ON.)

1. All family members referenced in the full case study
2. Include ages (if known), marriages, divorces, and deaths
3. Substance use identified
4. Mental illness identified
5. All relationship dynamics

PCN-521 Topic 3: Vargas Case Study

Bob and Elizabeth arrive together for the third session. As planned, you remind the couple that the goal of today’s session is to gather information about their families of origin. Bob begins by telling you about his older sister, Katie, who is 36 and lives nearby with her three children. Katie’s husband, Steve, died suddenly last year at the age of 40 when the car he was driving hit a block wall. Elizabeth speculates that Steve was intoxicated at the time, but Bob vehemently denies this allegation. He warns Elizabeth to “never again” suggest alcohol was involved. You note Bob’s strong response and learn that his own biological father, whom his mother divorced when Bob was 3 and Katie was 5, had been an alcoholic. When asked about his father, Bob says, “His name is Tim, and I haven’t seen him since the divorce.” Bob shares that he only remembers frequently hiding under the bed with Katie to stay safe from his violent rages. He adds that 5 years after the divorce, his mother, Linda, married Noel who has been “the only dad I’ve ever known.” He insists that his sister married “a devout Christian who never touched alcohol” and attributed the 3:00 a.m. tragedy to fatigue. He adds that a few days before the accident, Katie had complained to him that her husband had been working many late nights and “just wasn’t himself.” Bob speaks fondly of his sister and confirms that they have always been “very close.”

From Elizabeth, who is 31 years old, you learn that she was adopted by her parents, Rita and Gary, who were in their late 40s at the time. They were first generation immigrants who had no family in the United States. Their biological daughter, Susan, had died 10 years earlier after Rita accidentally ran over the 5 year old while backing out of the driveway. Elizabeth surmises that her mother never fully recovered from this traumatic incident and remained distant and withdrawn throughout Elizabeth’s life. Elizabeth describes her father, Gary, as “a hard worker, smart, and always serious.” She shares that most of her family memories were of times spent with her dad in his study, surrounded by books. She states, “He could find the answer to all of my questions in one his many books.” Elizabeth describes herself as the “quiet, bookish type” and attributes her love for books to her father. Like her father in his study, Elizabeth remembers spending most of her adolescence alone in her room, reading, so she would not upset her mother. Looking back, Elizabeth tells you she recognizes her mother’s struggle with depression, “but as a kid, I thought it was me.”

You comment on the vastly different childhood experiences and normalize the potential for relationship challenges under these circumstances. Acknowledging the differences, Elizabeth remarks that Bob’s relationship with his family was one of the things that she was attracted to early in their relationship. Bob agrees with her and comments that Katie and Elizabeth are very close, “each being the sister neither one of them ever had.”

 

PCN-521 Topic 2: Vargas Case Study

Elizabeth arrives on time with Frank and Heidi for the second session. Elizabeth appears somewhat frazzled and tells you that she had just heard from Bob who said he would be “a little late” because he “lost track of time.” You note Elizabeth’s frustration which she confirms by saying this is “typical.” She proceeds to share that she feels “completely disregarded,” especially after having shared with Bob the night before how important these sessions are to her. You notice that Heidi seems upset as well and looks as if she has been crying. You ask her how her day is going and she tearfully tells you that Frankie tore up her school paper with the gold star on it. Elizabeth elaborates that Frank had become angry and ripped up the picture that Heidi was proudly sharing with her. Frank, who had gone directly to the Legos, appears oblivious to the others in the room. When you ask him about his sister’s sadness, he replies, “Who cares? She always gets gold stars!”

As you were about to further explore these feelings, Bob arrives stating, “She probably told you I’m always late, but hey, at least I’m consistent.” You notice Elizabeth’s eye rolling and direct your attention to the children, asking them about what brought them to your office. Heidi says, “I’m good but Frankie’s bad at school, and it makes Mommy and Daddy fight.” Frank, who had helped himself to one of your books to use as a car ramp argues, “I hate school. It’s boring and my teacher is mean.” Bob attributes Frank’s boredom to being “too smart for the second grade…what do they expect?” Elizabeth responds that they, like her, expect him to follow rules and be respectful, and suggests that Bob should share those same expectations. Bob dismisses Elizabeth’s concerns by saying, “He’s a normal boy, not like all your friends from work who you say are ‘creative.’”

You notice Elizabeth’s reaction and decide to redirect your attention to Frank. You ask him what bothers him most about school, to which he replies, “I get in trouble, then I don’t get to have all the recess time, then I can’t play soccer because they already started and they won’t let me play.” You notice Frank’s interest in sports and probe for more information. You learn that he is quite athletic and has been asked to join a competitive youth soccer team that plays on Saturdays and Sundays. You discover another source of discord when Elizabeth shares that Bob “feels strongly” that Sundays are to be spent only at church and with family. Bob confirms that after church on Sundays, they spend the rest of the day with his parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews. Elizabeth says that Sunday mornings are the only time she gets to be by herself and that she typically joins the family around 1:00 p.m. Bob adds, “Apparently Liz needs time to herself more than she needs God and her family,” and suggests she should appreciate his family more because “it’s the only family she has.”

 

PCN-521 Topic 1: Vargas Case Study

Bob and Elizabeth Vargas have been married for 10 years. They have two children, Frank (8) and Heidi (6). Bob teaches high school PE and coaches football, wrestling, and baseball. Elizabeth recently quit her job where she was an attorney in a law firm that specializes in Family Law. She enjoyed her work, had a passion for adoption cases, but decided to stay home for a few years while the kids were young. Elizabeth believes that Frank might have ADHD. She complains that he cannot sit still, does not listen, is forgetful, and is always getting hurt. She believes that much of these injuries are due to Frank’s impulsivity. Elizabeth suggests you talk to Frank’s teachers who have noticed that he has trouble waiting his turn, will often blurt out answers without raising his hand, and frequently loses things. Elizabeth acknowledges that Frank has always been an active child, but believes these behaviors, including picking on his little sister, are getting worse. Bob seems to be amused by these anecdotes and accuses Elizabeth of “overreacting,” stating that, “Boys will be boys.” Bob suggests you talk to his parents, both retired teachers, who agree with him and don’t think there’s anything wrong with Frankie. You notice Heidi sitting close to Elizabeth, playing on her mother’s cell phone. She glances up occasionally when her brother approaches, but is otherwise engrossed with the game. Frankie began the meeting sitting between his parents, but noticed Legos in the corner and was immediately attracted to them. He interrupts several times to share stories about his teacher, classmates, and his grandparents, despite numerous reprimands from his mother. After a few minutes, Frank asks to use his Dad’s phone (in a hurry, Bob had left it in the car), wanders around the office, looks out the window and comments on a squirrel, then grabs the phone from his sister who, of course, protests. After Elizabeth had quieted the commotion, you question any recent changes. Bob and Elizabeth both acknowledge an increase in marital tension and admit to having several arguments a week, some in front of the children. Bob blames Elizabeth for being “too high-strung” and says she just needs to relax. Elizabeth says she is unable to relax, fearing Frankie will end up damaging things or hurting himself or Heidi. She says that if Frankie would be able to control his behaviors, their marriage would improve dramatically. This, they report, is the reason for seeking therapy for Frankie.