Interview with CHE Partner Laura Abulafia, MHS

Director, Environmental Health Initiative

American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Tell us your background: how did you come to your work?

Environmental health became my priority when I worked for an environmental law clinic at the Washington University in St. Louis that does pro-bono work. It was there I discovered the crucial need for science in any public health argument. My specific work at the clinic was on water quality in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOS), and this prompted me to pursue my Masters at Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health's Department of Environmental Health Sciences. The problem of antibiotics, hormones, and other chemicals in our water and in our bodies was apparent to me immediately, and my graduate experience taught me how to communicate this problem to the public, as well as the policy implications associated with these public health issues.  

What is your primary mission in your work?

My mission is to provide the public with enough usable and sound information about the state of their environments so that they can best be prepared to stand up for their causes. Communication of the problem is key, and working with a network of partners including policymakers, scientists, health-affected communities, other stakeholders and the broader public to come up with solutions is necessary. There must be a systematic change in how we look at the environment and health; the two are intimately connected, yet our policies are slow to reflect this. We can all help make our families and communities healthier through our actions. Not only does the public need to get involved in advocating for health, but those in charge of protecting the public must step up to meet this growing public health challenge. At the larger state and federal levels, health must be prioritized and precaution must be taken to ensure the protection of all people from harmful exposures.  

What are the most important recent developments in your work, scientific or otherwise?

Working within the Learning and Developmental Disabilities (LDD) world has been an especially powerful experience for me because people are starting to realize that all these chemicals that cause highly public health problems such as cancers and neurodegenerative disorders are also often linked to learning and developmental disabilities. Having a voice within a health-affected community is extremely important. In building partnerships with this LDD community, along with all other health-affected and vulnerable communities, we have the ability to really influence change. I am proud to work with some of the leaders in this field, such as Dr. Ted Schettler and Elise Miller. With continued support, we hope to support AAIDD’s Environmental Health mission statement and raise awareness that all people have the right to live, work, play and pray in safe and healthy environments.  


What successes have most encouraged you in your work recently?

AAIDD’s Environmental Health Initiative has had many successes this past year, including the continued popularity of our Research and Science Teleconference series. Our teleconferences serve to educate the public about current or ongoing research relating to environmental health and disabilities. Furthermore, AAIDD’s work at the state level promoting chemical policy reform has been very rewarding, and we will continue to get the disabilities community more involved across the country on these important issues. I am continuously encouraged by the intelligent and active leaders that I get to work with; these leaders are really paving the way for the health and well being for our own futures, as well as the futures of generations to come.  

What have been some of the greatest recent challenges?

One challenge I am faced with in my work is the sheer amount of miscommunication that exists in the public regarding chemical exposures. While there is much evidence linking certain chemical exposures to harm, there is also an abundant amount of doubt in the public. Furthermore, the nature of many chemical exposures is such that the public cannot “buy its way out” of harm because so many of these chemicals are ubiquitous. Therefore, educating that many of these commonly used chemicals cause harm, and knowing that they are sometimes unavoidable raises some very daunting challenges. The problem of getting a single, clear message to the public has existed a long time, and it is the responsibility of those who advocate for public health to communicate the problem clearly so that the public can then move forward and act.
 
What would you regard as the most significant potential future developments in your field?

I hope to see the more health-affected communities such as the learning and developmental disabilities community more active in advocating for environmental health in their communities. I think we are already making advances in these fields, and I would like to see a continuation of these advances.

What or who continues to inspire you in your work?

I am certainly inspired by those at CHE, as well as many other successful groups that continue to advocate for our most vulnerable communities. The constant dialogue and sharing of resources among the CHE leaders continues to grow and advance the public health message.