Prescriptions for Prevention

prescriptions for prevention

How and where we live, eat, sleep, work, and play, has huge impacts on our health. These factors have especially large impacts during pregnancy and in early child years, but continue to be vital throughout our lives. Prescriptions for Prevention guide parents and caregivers in the best actions to protect children’s environmental health and prevent future harm. These materials are based off of our clinician-facing Pediatric Environmental Health Toolkit (PEHT), featuring evidence-based overviews. Toxin or Exposure includes toxic chemicals like lead and mercury. Sources are where this toxin or exposure may come from, like our food or water.

Use the filters below to search for prescriptions by category such as health issue, toxin/exposure, region etc. Regions 1, 2, 4 and 9 all contribute to the Prescriptions for Prevention program.

Scroll down further for Region 9/WSPEHSU’s animated video series.

Enfermedades Infecciosas

Usted podría estar a riesgo de contraer enfermedades que son nuevas en el lugar donde vive. El cambio climático se ha relacionado con la creciente …

Region 1
Extreme Weather

Infectious Disease

You may be at risk for diseases that are new to where you live. Climate change has been linked to the increasing geographic spread of Lyme disease,…

Region 1
Extreme Weather

Nutrición

A medida que el clima extremo impacta negativamente la agricultura, se afecta nuestra capacidad de acceso a alimentos saludables, impactando cómo l…

Region 1
Extreme Weather

Nutrition

As extreme weather impacts farming, changes in our ability to access healthy foods impacts how children grow and develop.

Region 1
Extreme Weather

Prescription for Prevention: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

This factsheet highlights the sources of VOCs, their health effects, and strategies to improve indoor air quality by reducing VOC exposure.

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools

Prescription for Prevention: The Unique Vulnerability of Children

This document explores why children are more susceptible to environmental hazards due to their developing systems and behaviors, offering guideline…

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools

Prescription for Prevention: The Built Environment

This resource explores how urban planning and the built environment impact health, emphasizing the importance of access to green spaces, clean air,…

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools

Prescription for Prevention: Soil

This document addresses health risks from contaminated soil, especially for children and gardeners, and offers tips for safe gardening practices.

National PEHSURegion 9
Food Safety| Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools

Prescription for Prevention: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, and furans

This document covers the history, health risks, and current issues related to PCBs, advising on strategies to avoid exposure.

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools

Prescription for Prevention: Pthalates

This factsheet outlines the sources and health risks of phthalates, commonly found in plastics and personal care products, and provides recommendat…

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools

Prescription for Prevention: PFAS

This document highlights the widespread use of PFAS chemicals, their persistence in the environment, and health concerns, with advice on minimizing…

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools| Water Quality

Prescription for Prevention: Pesticides

This factsheet discusses the health risks of pesticide exposure, particularly for children, and offers tips for reducing exposure in homes, gardens…

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes

Prescription for Prevention: Particles and Nitrogen Oxides Environmental Exposure

This factsheet discusses the dangers of particulate matter in air pollution, its effects on respiratory and cardiovascular health, and ways to miti…

National PEHSURegion 9
Air Quality

Prescription for Prevention: PAHs Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons

This document details the sources and health effects of PAHs, chemicals released during combustion, and suggests measures to limit contact.

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools

Prescription for Prevention: Outdoor Air Pollution

This factsheet focuses on pollutants affecting outdoor air quality, their health impacts, and actions individuals and communities can take to reduc…

National PEHSURegion 9
Air Quality

Prescription for Prevention: Nitrates in Food and Water

This document outlines the risks of nitrate contamination in food and water, especially for infants, and provides steps for testing and reducing ex…

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools

Prescription for Prevention: Mold

This document discusses the health impacts of mold exposure in homes and provides tips for identifying, removing, and preventing mold growth.

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools| Mold

Prescription for Prevention: Mercury

Mercury can be found in seafood and some consumer products, and can escape into the air easily from broken products containing mercury. Although it…

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools

Prescription for Prevention: Lead

This document provides comprehensive information on the sources of lead exposure, its health effects, and strategies for prevention, emphasizing th…

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools| Lead

Prescription for Prevention: Indoor Air Pollution

Particles and Nitrogen Oxides Environmental Exposure: This factsheet discusses the health impacts of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides from co…

National PEHSURegion 9
Air Quality| Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools

Prescription for Prevention: Green Cleaning

Routine cleaning can reduce dust, allergens, and chemicals in your home. When cleaning, use safer products, which are better for your health and th…

National PEHSURegion 2
Cleaning and Sanitizing| Healthy Homes
Climate Rx on Extreme Weather in ENGLISH

Clima Extremo

Eventos climáticos extremos representan riesgos significativos para la salud física, mental y emocional de los niños y niñas.eventos climáticos ext…

Region 1
Extreme Weather
little kid on beach wearing hat

Enfermedades Relacionadas con el Calor

Las temperaturas calientes impactan la salud física y mental de los niños y adolescentes y su capacidad de aprender. Los signos y síntomas de enfer…

Region 1
Extreme Weather

Prescription for Prevention: Safer Disinfection

Disinfecting high-touch surfaces can help to reduce spread of some kinds of infection but some disinfecting chemicals can harm health and make asth…

National PEHSURegion 2
Cleaning and Sanitizing| Healthy Homes

Prescription for Prevention: Human Milk

This factsheet explores the benefits and potential contaminants in milk, offering recommendations for safer consumption to protect both infant and …

National PEHSURegion 9
Food Safety| Healthy Homes

Prescription for Prevention: Food

Proper nutrition is an important part of child development. You can decrease the amount of harmful chemicals that children are exposed toin food by…

National PEHSURegion 9
Food Safety| Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools

Prescription for Prevention: Extreme Weather

This resource explains the main routes of environmental exposure—ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact—and provides strategies to minimize risk…

National PEHSURegion 9
Extreme Weather

Prescription for Prevention: Exposure Routes

This resource explains the main routes of environmental exposure—ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact—and provides strategies to minimize risk…

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools

Prescription for Prevention: Dust

This factsheet addresses the health risks associated with household dust, which can contain harmful contaminants, and recommends cleaning practices…

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools

Prescription for Prevention: Consumer Products

This document discusses potential chemical hazards in everyday consumer products, advising the use of safer alternatives and providing resources to…

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools

Prescription for Prevention: Chemical Exposure

This document provides an overview of health risks from chemical exposures in everyday environments, with a focus on prevention strategies and safe…

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools

Prescription for Prevention: BPA

This factsheet focuses on Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in plastics and resins. It discusses sources of BPA exposure, associated health concer…

National PEHSURegion 9
Food Safety| Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools

Prescription for Prevention: Arsenic

This document addresses arsenic exposure, its sources (such as contaminated water and certain foods), health effects, and preventive strategies to …

National PEHSURegion 9
Food Safety| Healthy Homes| Water Quality

Prescription for Prevention: Plastics

Our modern world uses a lot of plastic and most of it does not get recycled. Instead, it pollutes our environment and water. Children are exposed t…

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools| Microplastics

Prescription for Prevention: Baby Food

This document examines the presence of heavy metals in baby food, their potential health impacts on infants, and recommendations for parents to red…

National PEHSURegion 9
Food Safety| Healthy Homes

Prescription for Prevention: Water

Drinking water can sometimes be contaminated with many different toxic chemicals including radon, lead, nitrates, gasoline, pesticides, and PFAS. O…

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes| Water Quality

Prescription for Prevention: Asbestos

This factsheet outlines the hazards of asbestos exposure, commonly found in older building materials. It details health risks like lung diseases an…

National PEHSURegion 9
Healthy Homes

Prescription for Prevention: Well Water

Region 4
Water Quality

Prescription for Prevention: Personal Care Products

Region 4
Cleaning and Sanitizing| Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools

Prescription for Prevention: Green Cleaning

Region 4
Cleaning and Sanitizing| Healthy Homes| Healthy Schools

Prescription for Prevention: Lead

Region 4
Lead

Prescription for Prevention: Pest Control

Region 4
Pesticides & Pests

Prescription for Prevention: Mold

Region 4
Mold

Prescription for Prevention: Indoor Air

Region 4
Air Quality

Prescription for Prevention: Active Smokers

Region 4
Air Quality

Prescription for Prevention: Vaping

Region 4
Air Quality

Prescription for Prevention: Second Hand Smoke

Region 4
Air Quality

Prescripción para Prevención: Moho

El moho depende de la humedad para crecer. El moho puede provocar asma y alergias.

Region 2
Mold

Cuidados en los Días de Calor Extremo para niños

Cuando hace calor, los niños tienen mayor riesgo de deshidratarse que los adultos.

Region 2
Extreme Weather
boy running on grass

Cuidados en los Días de Calor Extremo para atletas

Region 2
Extreme Weather
pregnant woman holding fruit basket

Cuidados en los Días de Calor Extremo durante el embarazo

Sobrecalentarse, especialmente en el primer trimestre, pueden tener efectos sobre la salud del bebé.

Region 2
Extreme Weather| Reproductive Health

Cuidados en los Días de Calor Extremo para bebés

Cuando hace calor, los niños tienen mayor riesgo de deshidratarse que los adultos.

Region 2
Extreme Weather

Agua de Pozos Privados 

Region 2
Water Quality

El Plomo

Region 9
Lead

Outdoor Air Quality Prescription for Prevention

Region 2
Air Quality

Heat Stress and Health

National PEHSURegion 9
Extreme Weather

Keep Kids Healthy by Preparing for a Natural Disaster

Region 9
Extreme Weather
little kid on beach wearing hat

Climate Rx on Heat-Related Illness

Region 1
Extreme Weather

Los Desastres Naturales

National PEHSU
Extreme Weather

Rx for Prevention: Safer Pest Control

Region 2
Cleaning and Sanitizing| Healthy Homes| Pesticides & Pests

Rx for Prevention: Mold

Region 2
Mold

Rx for Prevention: Lead Paint

Lead paint dust in older homes is the main way children are exposed to lead. Even low levels of lead can affect a child’s learning and behavi…

Region 2
Lead
Climate Rx on Extreme Weather in ENGLISH

Climate Rx on Extreme Weather

Extreme weather events are a health risk for child safety, physical and emotional health. View the full resource by clicking on View Resource to th…

Region 1
Extreme Weather
Natural Disasters

Prescription for Prevention: Natural Disasters

Region 9
Extreme Weather
Unique Vulnerabilities During Pregnancy handout

Prescription for Prevention: Unique Vulnerabilities During Pregnancy

Region 9
Reproductive Health
Boy flying kite in field

Pediatric Environmental Health Toolkit

The Pediatric Environmental Health Toolkit for healthcare providers is a mobile optimized tool that covers more than 30 environmental health topics…

Air Quality
City in Massachussets

LeadRx for Massachusetts (Haitian Creole)

Resous Edikasyon Adapte pou Redui Ekspozisyon Plon ak Swen pou Timoun, Moun Ansent ak Fanmi Edisyon Massachusetts (Kreyòl Ayisyen)

Region 1
Lead
City in Massachussets

LeadRx for Massachusetts (English)

Tailored Educational Resources to Reduce Lead Exposure and Care for Children, Pregnant Individuals and Families Massachusetts Edition (English)

Region 1
Lead
Lead factsheet (Rx for Prevention)

Lead factsheet (Rx for Prevention)

Lead-contaminated paint dust is the most common source of childhood lead exposure. There is no safe level of lead in our bodies. Lead can affect yo…

Region 9
Lead
Vape

Vaping & E-Cigarettes: Prescription for Prevention

Region 2
Air Quality
Child breaking cigarette

Smoking: Prescription for Prevention

Region 2
Air Quality
Cigarettes in ashtray

Secondhand Smoke: Prescription for Prevention

Region 2
Air Quality
Basement

Prescription for Prevention: Radon

Region 9
Air Quality| Testing for Environmental Exposures
Cigarette with smoke

Prescription for Prevention: Second Hand Smoke and E-Cigarettes

Region 9
Air Quality
Gas exhaust from car

Carbon Monoxide

Region 9
Testing for Environmental Exposures
Kids at home.

Air Quality & Allergens in Your Home

Poor air quality impacts our health. Children and people with medicalconditions that affect breathing, like asthma, are at a higher risk.Depending …

Region 1
Air Quality
Kitchen

Prescription for Prevention on Indoor Air Pollution

Did you know…People spend about 90% of their time indoors where the air is usually 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air.

Region 2
Air Quality
bowl of kale

Health Effects of Heavy Metals in Food

Healthy food is important for a long, healthy life! But some foods contain toxic chemicals which can impact children’s brain development and health…

Region 9
Food Safety| Heavy Metals

Keep it Outside: Mold and Human Health

Improving indoor air quality is good for the health of you and your children, especially for children with asthma. Because children spend many hour…

Region 9
Air Quality| Healthy Homes
Line of plastic water bottles

Children’s Health and the Impacts of Plastic

This video is part of the Prescriptions for Prevention Series. It covers ways to protect children and pregnant women from toxic chemicals in plastics.

Region 9
Microplastics| Reproductive Health

Aire Más Limpio al Cocinar

Este video detalla cómo la cocina afecta la calidad del aire interior y ofrece métodos de ventilación para reducir la contaminación y proteger la s…

Region 9
Air Quality| Healthy Homes

Clean Air While You Cook

Improving indoor air quality is good for the health of you and your children, especially for children with asthma. Because children spend many hour…

Region 9
Air Quality| Healthy Homes

Asma y Alergias

El cambio climático causa temporadas de polen más largas y fuertes, lo que puede desencadenar asma y causar dificultad respiratoria. Las temperatur…

Region 1
Air Quality

Asthma & Allergens

Climate change creates longer, stronger pollen seasons, which can trigger asthma and make it harder to breathe. Extreme temperatures caused by clim…

Region 1
Air Quality
Asbestos factsheet (Prescription for Prevention)

Asbestos factsheet (Prescription for Prevention)

Region 2
Healthy Schools| Testing for Environmental Exposures

Videos:



Region 9 (WSPEHSU) Prescriptions for Prevention were developed in partnership with:

This project was led by: James Earl Schier Nolan, MPH (WS PEHSU and EaRTH Center), Stephanie Holm, MD, PhD, MPH, Mark Miller, MD, MPH and Maria Valenti. Graphic design by Steve Burdick.

Contributors and subject authors include: Content contributors include: Anthony Lopez, Bryan Ramirez, Elizabeth Cheung, Erica Chung, Hannah El-SabroutIgnacio “Nacho” Santana, Jose Maldonado, Kali Sullivan, Keo Chui, Madeleine Ambrose, Natasha Gonzalez, Nathaniel Tsiperfal, Rachana Mudipalli, Sonja Swenson, Valerie Gallardo, and Zoë Gilbard.

Project supported by: the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and funded (in part) by the cooperative agreement award number 5 NU61TS000296-02-00 from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Acknowledgement: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) supports the PEHSU by providing partial funding to ATSDR under Inter-Agency Agreement number DW-75-95877701. Neither EPA nor ATSDR endorse the purchase of any commercial products or services mentioned in PEHSU publications.