Purpose

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The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH), in partnership with the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments (ANHE), proudly launched Nurses Improving the Environmental Health of Women & Children (NIEHWC), a collaborative dedicated to advancing the health of women, birthing persons, and children by addressing environmental factors that contribute to health disparities and harm.

This initiative reflects NPWH’s commitment to providing education and resources that empower certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners (WHNP-BCs) and other Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in women’s and gender-related health. NIEHWC equips healthcare providers with the tools and knowledge to understand and mitigate the impacts of environmental factors on health, emphasizing the role of nursing expertise in driving change.

NIEHWC seeks to eliminate disparities, improve health outcomes, and promote health equity by highlighting the importance of environmental health interventions. Through research, education, and advocacy for equitable policies and practice changes, NIEHWC is leading systemic improvements that address the unique vulnerabilities of women, birthing persons, and children.

By leveraging the collective expertise of nurses and fostering collaboration, this initiative supports WHNP-BCs and APRNs in their crucial role of identifying and responding to environmental health risks, ensuring a healthier and more equitable future for all.

At the time NIEHWC launched, Congressman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) stated,  "I commend the founding members of NIEHWC for their leadership on such a critically important issue. Climate change-related birthing risks pose a large and growing threat to human health, particularly for moms and babies. As a registered nurse, I know that nurses are uniquely equipped to help identify and respond to these risks. I look forward to partnering with the Collaborative to increase awareness of these issues and advance evidence-policy solutions to save lives and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes." Click here to view the full press release.

Beginning in January 2025, NIEHWC will host a series of three webinars, with Continuing Education (CE) attached, targeting the impact of key environmental issues on women's birthing people and children's health.  The webinars are supported by a subgrant through the Alliance of Nurses for a Healthy Environment (ANHE), and will be available free of charge to NIEHWC collaborating organizations members. 

 

NPWH Position Statement

Climate Change, Women's Health & Environmental Justice 

 

NIEHWC Presentations

Climate Change and Women’s Health: A Call to Action for Health Providers - Marie Cabiya, MD, FACOG (CE Course)

From Knowledge to Action: Recognizing and Addressing Environmental Impact in Clinical Practice - Katie Huffling, DNP, RN, CNM, FAAN, Executive Director, Alliance of Nurses for a Healthy Environment (CE Course)   

Environmental Health is a Women's Health Issue: Policy Implications - Zina Gontscharow, Senior Policy Advisor at American Nurses Association, and Sue Kendig, JD, WHNP-BC, Director of Policy at National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (CE Course)

Update from March of Dimes Mother-Baby Action Network and Environmental Justice Work Group (Feb. 2023)

Update on Air Quality Issues Considering Wildfires (Sept. 2023)

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act: Environmental Health Implications (Nov. 2023)  

Collaborative Participants

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American College of Nurse-Midwives
Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments
Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association
National Association of Hispanic Nurses
National Association of Neonatal Nurses
National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners
National Association of School Nurses
National Association of Neonatal Nurses
National Black Nurses Association
National Certification Corporation
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
Philippine Nurses Association of America
Region III Pediatric and Environmental Health Specialty Unit (Villanova University) Nurse Run

Vision

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Our vision is that this Collaborative will leverage their collective knowledge to:

• Identify key environmental issues affecting women’s and maternal-child health outcomes;
• Ascertain gaps in knowledge regarding the environmental factors affecting women’s and maternal-child health outcomes
• Consider curricular components necessary to fill knowledge gaps for nurses and patients
• Identify policy solutions to facilitate increased attention, resources, and support for environmental health interventions to improve women’s and maternal-child health outcomes
• Create a prioritized action plan and timeline for execution
• It is our hope that this collective effort will significantly contribute to eliminating disparities in maternal child health and improving the overall health status of women and children.