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A free, two-day training at East Central University on “Essentials of Healthy Housing” will identify home improvement and building techniques that can promote safe and sanitary housing as a way to prevent disease and injury.          

Dr. Patrick Bohan, ECU associate professor of environmental health science, and Dr. Charlie Biles, ECU professor of biology, will conduct the course Sept. 20-21. It is designed for housing, health, public health, and environmental health professionals as well as people who provide services within someone’s home. The deadline to register is Sept. 16.

The training, which will allow housing and health professionals to better collaborate in solving healthy home problems, is part of an effort by the National Center for Healthy Housing and covers such issues as indoor moisture, dust and pest allergens, injury prevention and contaminant sources.    

“Normally, the charge for this course can be as much as $250 per person,” Bohan said. “However, because of the relationship we have with the National Center for Healthy Housing, we are able to offer this course at no charge.”

CEUs are available for nurses and social workers, and CLEET has certified the class.

Bohan said Oklahoma has one of the highest rates of childhood asthma in the country. Excess moisture, poor air quality and pest infestations in housing have been linked to asthma and other respiratory conditions. In addition, asthma, lead poisoning and unintentional injuries have been linked to substandard housing.

The training is funded by the National Center for Healthy Housing through grants from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

For more information about the course or to register online, visit the Healthy Housing website at http://www.healthyhomestraining.org/index.htm or contact Bohan at 580-559-5658 or pbohan@ecok.edu.

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