Healthy Child Healthy World
Encyclopedia
Healthy Child Healthy World (Healthy Child) is a national 501(c)3 non-profit organization
focused on improving children's health by eliminating toxic chemicals from their environments
. Formerly known as the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC), Healthy Child was founded by Nancy and James Chuda in 1992, after their daughter, Colette died from Wilms' tumor
—a rare form of non-hereditary cancer
.
The organization originally focused on outreach through scientific research and legislative change. In 1996, the coalition began publishing the CHEC Report, an educational newsletter, marking a shift in the organization’s goals from research and legislative initiatives to the direct education of parents.
Six years later in 2002, CHEC launched their online campaign by establishing Health eHouse, a database aimed at identifying environmental health hazards, as well as Health eNews, a bi-monthly e-newsletter containing related news briefs and health tips.
The Children’s Health Environmental Coalition was officially rebranded in September 2006. After renovating the website, the organization re-launched under its current name, Healthy Child Healthy World.
The CHEC Report was re-launched the following year as a monthly e-newsletter called Healthy Child Times, and the organization’s official book, Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home, was released in 2008.
Transform the Marketplace
Promote Protective Policies
Improve Preventive Healthcare
Bill Acevedo Lawyer, Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean
Meredith Blake Founder and CEO, Cause & Affect
Larry Eason Board Chair / Web and New Media Strategist
Anna Getty Green Living and Holistic Lifestyle Expert, Mother to India and Dante
Dr. Alan Greene Founder of DrGreene.com, Author of Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care
Zem Spire Joaquin Editor-in-chief of Ecofabulous.com, Environmental Consultant, Mom of TK
Rene Jones: Director, UTA Foundation
CJ Kettler Media Industry Leader
Jena King: Environmental Activist
Tanya Murphy: Environmental & Human Health Activist
Anne Robertson: Environmental Philanthropist
Duke Stump Architect
Jonathan Weiss Healthy Child Board Treasurer
Theo Colborn Ph.D. President of The Endocrine Disruption Exchange, Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida, Gainesville
Devra Davis
, PhD, MPH Director, Center for Environmental Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute; author, The Secret History of the War on Cancer
Samuel Epstein
, M.D Professor emeritus of Environmental and Occupational Medicine at the University of Illinois School of Public Health; Chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition
Brenda Eskenazi, Ph.D. Professor of Maternal & Child Health & Epidemiology, Director, Center for Children’s Environmental Health Research School of Public Health
Ruth Etzel, MD, Ph.D. Research Director South Central Foundation
Lynn Goldman
, MD John Hopkins School of Public Health
Dr. Philippe Grandjean Adjunct Professor of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health
Herbert Needleman
, MD Professor of Pediatrics & Child Psychiatry University of Pittsburgh
Leslie Robison, Ph.D Professor of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota
Joel Schwartz, Ph.D. Professor of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health
Leonardo Trasande, M.D. Assistant Director, Center for Children's Health and Environment, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
John Wargo, PhD Director, Center for Children’s Environmental Health, Yale University
Actress, Activist and Mother of Charlotte and Bodhi
Laura Dern
Actress, Activist, Mom to Ellery and Jaya
Meryl Streep
Actress, Environmentalist Activist, and Mother
Jessica Capshaw
Actress, Activist, Wife of HCHW CEO Christopher Gavigan and Mother of Luke and Eve
William McDonough
William McDonough + Partners
Chef and Founder of Weelicious
Sandra Steingraber
,PhD Biologist, Author, Professor, Expert on Environmental Links to Cancer and Reproductive Human Health
Myra Goodman Earthbound Farm
Jeffrey Hollender
President, Seventh Generation, Inc., Father of Meika, Alexander, and Chiara
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
focused on improving children's health by eliminating toxic chemicals from their environments
Environment (biophysical)
The biophysical environment is the combined modeling of the physical environment and the biological life forms within the environment, and includes all variables, parameters as well as conditions and modes inside the Earth's biosphere. The biophysical environment can be divided into two categories:...
. Formerly known as the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC), Healthy Child was founded by Nancy and James Chuda in 1992, after their daughter, Colette died from Wilms' tumor
Wilms' tumor
Wilms' tumor or nephroblastoma is cancer of the kidneys that typically occurs in children, rarely in adults.Its common name is an eponym, referring to Dr. Max Wilms, the German surgeon who first described this kind of tumor....
—a rare form of non-hereditary cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
.
Mission
Healthy Child Healthy World inspires parents to protect young children from harmful chemicals. Their mission statement:- "We are leading a movement that educates parents, supports protective policies, and engages communities to make responsible decisions, simple everyday choices, and well-informed lifestyle improvements to create healthy environments where children and families can flourish.
- "Healthy Child Healthy World exists because tens of millions of American children now face chronic diseases and illnesses including cancer, autismAutismAutism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
, asthmaAsthmaAsthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
, birth defects, ADD/ADHD, allergies, learning and developmental disabilities, as well as a host of lesser but disruptive ailments. Credible scientific evidence increasingly points to contaminants in our environments and toxic chemicals in everyday products as causing and contributing to many of these diseases.
- "For the past two decades Healthy Child Healthy World has been the nation's leading organization of its kind. We help millions of parents, educators, health professionals, and the general public take action to create healthy environments and embrace green, non-toxic steps."
History
Jim and Nancy Chuda established the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC) in 1992 following the loss of their daughter, Colette, to a non-genetic form of Wilms' tumor.The organization originally focused on outreach through scientific research and legislative change. In 1996, the coalition began publishing the CHEC Report, an educational newsletter, marking a shift in the organization’s goals from research and legislative initiatives to the direct education of parents.
Six years later in 2002, CHEC launched their online campaign by establishing Health eHouse, a database aimed at identifying environmental health hazards, as well as Health eNews, a bi-monthly e-newsletter containing related news briefs and health tips.
The Children’s Health Environmental Coalition was officially rebranded in September 2006. After renovating the website, the organization re-launched under its current name, Healthy Child Healthy World.
The CHEC Report was re-launched the following year as a monthly e-newsletter called Healthy Child Times, and the organization’s official book, Healthy Child Healthy World: Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home, was released in 2008.
Programs
Empower Parents- Website/Syndication
- In February 2002, CHEC's HealtheHouse, an online portal identifying environmental health hazards, was launched on Good Morning AmericaGood Morning AmericaGood Morning America is an American morning news and talk show that is broadcast on the ABC television network; it debuted on November 3, 1975. The weekday program airs for two hours; a third hour aired between 2007 and 2008 exclusively on ABC News Now...
and The View with the help of Kelly PrestonKelly PrestonKelly Preston is an American actress and former model.- Early years :Preston was born Kelly Kamalelehua Smith in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her mother, Linda, was an administrator of a mental health center, and her father, who worked for an agricultural firm, drowned when Preston was three years old...
. With the rebranding of the organization four years later in September 2006, the website was officially re-launched.
- Mom on a Mission
- A program designed to celebrate the contributions of a mother dedicated to creating healthier environments for children and families. Shelby Rodriguez, the first “Mom on a Mission,” was honored at the organization’s fall event in October 2009.
- Healthy Home Party Kit
- In December 2007, Healthy Child began an in-home education kit program called the Healthy Home Party Kit.
Transform the Marketplace
- Trusted Partner Program
- Healthy Child aligns with businesses whose products meet the organization’s quality standards. The program allows Healthy Child to provide their constituents with guidance in purchasing safe consumer products. The program also promotes businesses that are environmentally conscious and using safe products. Partnerships are available on three donation-based tiers. Depending on the level of partnership, the companies may receive media and event exposure, PR, social media exposure, and web presence. Trusted Partners may also receive inclusion in the Healthy Home Party Kit program.
Promote Protective Policies
- Healthy Child supports several pieces of legislation that promote the increased regulation of chemicals in consumer products.
- Safe Chemicals Act
- The Safe Chemicals Act will amend the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976The Toxic Substances Control Act is a United States law, passed by the United States Congress in 1976, that regulates the introduction of new or already existing chemicals. It grandfathered most existing chemicals, in contrast to the Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals ...
to ensure that risks from chemicals are adequately understood and managed, and for other purposes. - “America’s system for regulating industrial chemicals is broken,” said Senator Frank Lautenberg, the bill’s sponsor. “Parents are afraid because hundreds of untested chemicals are found in their children’s bodies. EPA does not have the tools to act on dangerous chemicals, and the chemical industry has asked for stronger laws so that their customers are assured their products are safe.”
- Safe Cosmetics Act
- The Safe Cosmetics Act will amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 to allow the federal government to regulate chemical ingredients and\or raw materials used by cosmetics manufacturers.
- According to Campaign for Safe Cosmetics’ understanding of the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010, provisions of the legislation will:
-
- Phase out ingredients linked to cancer, birth defects and developmental harm;
- Create a health-based safety standard that includes protections for children, the elderly, workers and other vulnerable populations;
- Close labeling loopholes by requiring full ingredient disclosure on product labels and company web sites, including the constituent ingredients of fragrance and salon products;
- Give workers access to information about unsafe chemicals in personal care products;
- Require data-sharing to avoid duplicative testing and encourage the development of alternatives to animal testing;
- Provide adequate funding to the U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationFood and Drug AdministrationThe Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
(FDA) Office of Cosmetics and Colors so it has the resources it needs to provide effective oversight of the cosmetics industry; and - Level the playing field so small businessSmall businessA small business is a business that is privately owned and operated, with a small number of employees and relatively low volume of sales. Small businesses are normally privately owned corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships...
es can compete fairly.
-
- Endocrine Disruption Prevention Act of 2009
- The Endocrine DisruptionEndocrine disruptorEndocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with endocrine in animals, including humans. These disruptions can cause cancerous tumors, birth defects, and other developmental disorders...
Prevention Act of 2009 will amend the Public Health Service Act of 1944 to authorize the National Institute of Environmental Health SciencesNational Institute of Environmental Health SciencesThe National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences is a part of the National Institutes of Health , which is in turn a part of the Department of Health and Human Services ....
to conduct a research program on endocrine disruption, to prevent and reduce the production of, and exposure to, chemicals that can undermine the development of children before they are born and cause lifelong impairment to their health and function, and for other purposes.
- Ban Poisonous Additives Act
- Ban Poisonous Additives Act will ban the use of bisphenol ABisphenol ABisphenol A is an organic compound with two phenol functional groups. It is used to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, along with other applications....
in food containers, and for other purposes. Bisphenol A is an endocrine disruptor, which can mimic the body's own hormones and may lead to negative health effects. Early development appears to be the period of greatest sensitivity to its effects. Regulatory bodies have determined safety levels for humans, but those safety levels are currently being questioned or under review as a result of new scientific studies.
- BPA-Free Kids Act
- The BPA-Free Kids Act of 2009 will prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution in commerce of children’s food and beverage containers composed of bisphenol A, and for other purposes. BPA is used to make plastics clear and shatter-resistant, and is commonly found in water bottles, food containers, baby bottleBaby bottleA baby bottle is a bottle with a teat to drink directly from. It is typically used by infants and young children when a mother does not breastfeed, or if someone cannot drink from a cup, for feeding oneself or being fed.In particular it is used to feed infant formula, expressed breast milk or...
s, some dental fillingsDental fillingsThis page is about types of dental restorative materials. For dental fillings see dental restorationsDental restorative materials are specially fabricated materials, designed for use as dental restorations , which are used to restore tooth structure loss, usually resulting from but not limited to...
and the coatings for the inside of cans containing foods. While BPA has earned approval by the FDA for what are called “food contact” consumer products, the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionCenters for Disease Control and PreventionThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services headquartered in Druid Hills, unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, in Greater Atlanta...
(CDC) research has shown that 95% of tested Americans have BPA levels at or above those found to cause abnormalities in animals. Bisphenol-A has been known to mimic the hormoneHormoneA hormone is a chemical released by a cell or a gland in one part of the body that sends out messages that affect cells in other parts of the organism. Only a small amount of hormone is required to alter cell metabolism. In essence, it is a chemical messenger that transports a signal from one...
estrogenEstrogenEstrogens , oestrogens , or œstrogens, are a group of compounds named for their importance in the estrous cycle of humans and other animals. They are the primary female sex hormones. Natural estrogens are steroid hormones, while some synthetic ones are non-steroidal...
and recent studies have raised concerns about the hormonal impact the chemical can have on the prostate gland, mammary glandMammary glandA mammary gland is an organ in mammals that produces milk to feed young offspring. Mammals get their name from the word "mammary". In ruminants such as cows, goats, and deer, the mammary glands are contained in their udders...
, and reproductive development of fetusFetusA fetus is a developing mammal or other viviparous vertebrate after the embryonic stage and before birth.In humans, the fetal stage of prenatal development starts at the beginning of the 11th week in gestational age, which is the 9th week after fertilization.-Etymology and spelling variations:The...
es, infants, and children.
- Household Product Labeling Act of 2009
- The Household Product Labeling Act of 2009 will require that household cleaning products and similar products bear a label that contains a complete and[accurate list of all the product’s ingredients.
Improve Preventive Healthcare
- Green Mattress Program
- “Healthy Beginnings for Babies: Free Green Mattress Program for Hospitals” Is a public service project of Healthy Child Healthy World and Naturepedic, giving free GREENGUARD certified, organic baby mattresses/pads to hospitals.
- Health eHome
- In February 2009, WebMD and Healthy Child collaborated in launching the Health eHome program, a virtual tour of toxic home hazardHazardA hazard is a situation that poses a level of threat to life, health, property, or environment. Most hazards are dormant or potential, with only a theoretical risk of harm; however, once a hazard becomes "active", it can create an emergency situation. A hazard does not exist when it is not...
s, available nationwide on WebMD.com.
Board of directors
Christopher Gavigan CEO / Executive DirectorBill Acevedo Lawyer, Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean
Meredith Blake Founder and CEO, Cause & Affect
Larry Eason Board Chair / Web and New Media Strategist
Anna Getty Green Living and Holistic Lifestyle Expert, Mother to India and Dante
Dr. Alan Greene Founder of DrGreene.com, Author of Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care
Zem Spire Joaquin Editor-in-chief of Ecofabulous.com, Environmental Consultant, Mom of TK
Rene Jones: Director, UTA Foundation
CJ Kettler Media Industry Leader
Jena King: Environmental Activist
Tanya Murphy: Environmental & Human Health Activist
Anne Robertson: Environmental Philanthropist
Duke Stump Architect
Jonathan Weiss Healthy Child Board Treasurer
Advisory board
David Carpenter, MD Professor of Environmental Health & Toxicology University of New York at AlbanyTheo Colborn Ph.D. President of The Endocrine Disruption Exchange, Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida, Gainesville
Devra Davis
Devra Davis
Devra Lee Davis is an American epidemiologist and writer. She was born on June 7th, 1946, in Washington, DC, the daughter of Harry B. and Jean Langer Davis, and was raised in Donora and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania....
, PhD, MPH Director, Center for Environmental Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute; author, The Secret History of the War on Cancer
Samuel Epstein
Samuel Epstein
Samuel S. Epstein is a medical doctor, and currently professor emeritus of environmental and occupational health at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health...
, M.D Professor emeritus of Environmental and Occupational Medicine at the University of Illinois School of Public Health; Chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition
Brenda Eskenazi, Ph.D. Professor of Maternal & Child Health & Epidemiology, Director, Center for Children’s Environmental Health Research School of Public Health
Ruth Etzel, MD, Ph.D. Research Director South Central Foundation
Lynn Goldman
Lynn Goldman
Lynn R. Goldman was born in 1951 in Galveston, Texas. She is an American public health physician, a pediatrician and an epidemiologist. She is the Dean of the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services....
, MD John Hopkins School of Public Health
Dr. Philippe Grandjean Adjunct Professor of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health
Herbert Needleman
Herbert Needleman
Herbert Needleman, MD, known for research studies on the neurodevelopmental damage caused by lead poisoning, is a pediatrician, child psychiatrist, researcher and professor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, an elected member of the Institute of Medicine, and the founder of the...
, MD Professor of Pediatrics & Child Psychiatry University of Pittsburgh
Leslie Robison, Ph.D Professor of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota
Joel Schwartz, Ph.D. Professor of Epidemiology, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health
Leonardo Trasande, M.D. Assistant Director, Center for Children's Health and Environment, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
John Wargo, PhD Director, Center for Children’s Environmental Health, Yale University
Notable activists
Amy BrennemanAmy Brenneman
Amy Frederica Brenneman is an American actress, perhaps best known for her roles in the television series NYPD Blue, Judging Amy and Private Practice...
Actress, Activist and Mother of Charlotte and Bodhi
Laura Dern
Laura Dern
Laura Elizabeth Dern is an American actress, film director and producer. Dern has acted in such films as Smooth Talk , Blue Velvet , Fat Man and Little Boy , Wild at Heart , Jurassic Park and October Sky...
Actress, Activist, Mom to Ellery and Jaya
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep
Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep is an American actress who has worked in theatre, television and film.Streep made her professional stage debut in 1971's The Playboy of Seville, before her screen debut in the television movie The Deadliest Season in 1977. In that same year, she made her film debut with...
Actress, Environmentalist Activist, and Mother
Jessica Capshaw
Jessica Capshaw
Jessica Brooke Capshaw is an American actress. She is known for her role as Jamie Stringer in The Practice and for her role as Dr...
Actress, Activist, Wife of HCHW CEO Christopher Gavigan and Mother of Luke and Eve
Communications and media
Nancy Greenspan WriterWilliam McDonough
William McDonough
William Andrews McDonough is an American architect, founding principal of , co-founder of with German chemist Michael Braungart as well as co-author of also with Braungart...
William McDonough + Partners
Education
Catherine McCordCatherine McCord
Catherine McCord is an American fashion model, actress, television program hostess, and blogger.-Biography:McCord was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and began modeling for Elite Model Management at the age of 14. She has appeared on the covers of Glamour and Elle magazines, and walked the runway...
Chef and Founder of Weelicious
Sandra Steingraber
Sandra Steingraber
Sandra Steingraber is an American biologist, author, and cancer survivor in the tradition of Rachel Carson. Steingraber writes and lectures on the environmental factors that contribute to reproductive health problems and environmental links to cancer.-Awards and honors:* 1997 - Named a Ms...
,PhD Biologist, Author, Professor, Expert on Environmental Links to Cancer and Reproductive Human Health
Business
Roger Barnett Chairman and CEO of Shaklee CorporationMyra Goodman Earthbound Farm
Jeffrey Hollender
Jeffrey Hollender
Jeffrey Hollender is an American businessperson, entrepreneur, author, and activist. He was well known for his roles as CEO, co-founder, and later Chief Inspired Protagonist and Executive Chairperson of Seventh Generation Inc., the country's largest distributor of non-toxic, all-natural cleaning,...
President, Seventh Generation, Inc., Father of Meika, Alexander, and Chiara
External links
- Mayo Clinic Website
- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nancy-chuda/chemicals-are-stealing-ou_b_528045.html
- Healthy Child Health World Website
- http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Child-World-Creating-Cleaner/dp/0525950478