Participating in a multi-state effort coordinated by the National Environmental Public Health Tracking Program, we found that preventable environmental hazards are responsible for a significant health and economic burden on children and families in California. In examining the environmentally-related costs of four childhood health conditions, we found that:
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Preventable environmental hazards cost California $254 million every year and $10 -13 billion over the lifetime of all children born every year
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Lead exposures had the greatest overall financial impact of the four health conditions, resulting in lost earnings of $8 -11 billion over the lifetime of children born each year
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Asthma had the greatest financial impact on an annual basis, costing families and the state over $208 million every year
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For California specifically, the environment contributes to 30% of the childhood asthma burden and 15% of the childhood cancer burden
View the full report and other materials at www.phi.org/CEHTPKidsHealthCosts. |