Hazardous substances in the environment can affect the health of children and adults. Head Start program leaders can make sure their buildings, outdoor areas, equipment, furniture, and materials are free from environmental hazards. Taking steps to reduce and eliminate environmental hazards will create safer, healthier environments.
Infants and young children are especially vulnerable to hazards in the environment. Their bodies are still developing and are more easily harmed by exposure to harmful substances. Because of their smaller size, children are more affected by hazards in air, food, and water than adults. They spend more time near the ground and often put toys and other objects in their mouths. As a result, children are more likely to get sick from toxins in the air, water, and soil, or materials they touch.
Fortunately, Head Start health managers can reduce the risks of environmental hazards. As part of their program’s community assessment, health managers can collect data about local air and water quality, weather, pesticide use, and other environmental hazards. They can help develop and put in place health policies and procedures to make sure children are not exposed to hazards at the program. These hazards include cleaning products, art materials, medicines, and other items.
Health managers can also work with family services staff and home visitors to support families with environmental health concerns at home. Program staff can help families find resources and take steps to fix these issues.
Head Start Health Services Competencies
O-5 Understand the social determinants of health that may create risk and protective factors that make some people healthy, and other people unhealthy.
O-9 Be able to find and use appropriate sources of evidence-based or science-informed health and safety information.
L-5 Gather and use community health data, make use of available resources, and develop strategies to address service delivery gaps and barriers to care.
L-16 Establish partnerships with local health care providers to support the health needs of children and families and promote healthy communities.
Performance Standards Related to Environmental Health
State, Tribal, and Territorial Requirements
Head Start programs must follow the Performance Standards and also meet their state, Tribal, and territorial requirements for environmental health issues, including how to prevent, find, and reduce environmental hazards.
Social Determinants of Health Considerations
Neighborhood, home, school, and work environments have a big impact on health and well-being and are called social determinants of health (SDOH). Living in a building with inadequate ventilation, poor indoor air quality, mold, or pest infestations are examples of negative SDOH that can cause health issues. Children and families exposed to toxins in the air, soil, or water may get sick. Extremely hot or cold weather and natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and wildfires can also affect health and safety.
Families with limited economic mobility may be less able to prepare for and respond to environmental issues that can affect their children’s health. Knowing about SDOH can help programs and communities take steps to reduce negative health outcomes.
Head Start programs can identify environmental SDOH in their community assessment and come up with ways to reduce their impact by:
- Setting up community partnerships with agencies that work on environmental health issues
- Recruiting people from these partner organizations to serve on their governing body, Policy Council, Health and Mental Health Services Advisory Committee, and Emergency Preparedness Task Force
- Offering educational opportunities for families and staff to learn about possible hazards and ways to stay safe.
