PEHSUs work with health care professionals, parents, schools, community groups, federal, state, and local government agencies, and others to address reproductive and children’s environmental health issues. The basic services of the PEHSU network include:

Community Education and Outreach

• Raise awareness about environmental conditions that may harm pregnant women, children, and families
• Provide guidance on ways to prevent and/or reduce harmful environmental exposures in everyday situations
• Provide practical advice on helping children cope and recover during and after environmental disasters (e.g., floods, wildfires, chemical spills, and other crises)

Health Professional Training

• Work with medical and nursing schools to add environmental health to curricula
• Train health professionals in practice
• Elevate the importance of public health
• Conduct a variety of educational trainings (in-person and remotely)
• Publish peer-reviewed articles that address environmental health
• Translate health care research into health practice

Consultation and Referral

• Provide medical management guidance to health professionals
• Evaluate suspected toxic exposures
• Identify and interpret appropriate diagnostic tests
• Refer, as necessary, to specialty care