By Justin Spitz, Medical Lab Science Major, Mentor Dr. Heidi Honegger Rogers. Access to clean water is a basic human right. Without access to sustainable quality water infrastructure, rural communities in New Mexico will continue to experience harmful health effects, as well as social and economic injustices. It is important for health care professionals to understand the challenges that rural communities face in regards to water infrastructure, and sufficient high quality water supplies. For my communication project, I will be making educational materials about water access, water quality, and water justice for nursing and other health professional students in three courses that Dr. Heidi Honegger Rogers teaches in the UNM College of Nursing. The goal of this communication project will be to educate the next generation of health professionals on water infrastructure issues and water shortages in New Mexico. While also linking water quality/safety and access to health issues and illness that nurses and other health professionals need to understand. My education materials will highlight illnesses that can be contracted like giardia, cyanobacteria, etc. and will direct health professionals to tools and testing needed to diagnose, treat, and prevent health harms from contaminated water. These health professionals will: gain a broad understanding of water problems, learn strategies to prevent harmful health effects from poor quality water, and be directed to resources and tools to diagnose and treat common water quality diseases. This project will exemplify the importance of transdisciplinary communication and partnership between environmental studies and health professions using the Planetary Health Education Framework. In addition, it will highlight the strategies for policy and practice innovation to improve health outcomes for rural communities.
