In this episode of "This is Rural Health," we continue our special series featuring excerpts from the 2023 California State Rural Health Association (CSRHA) annual conference.

In this episode, We hear from Alanna Bares, MD, MPH, from the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, and Yvette Nonato, MD, DPBRM, FPARM, from the Department of Pesticide Regulation. They shed light on the crucial topic of acute occupational pesticide-related illness (AOPI) in rural communities. They emphasize the importance of AOPI surveillance in preventing such illnesses and delve into agricultural safety resources essential for rural areas. The discussion covers basic definitions of pesticides, recognizing symptoms of pesticide illnesses, management, prevention, and the significance of reporting incidents. Drs. Nonato and Bares provide insights into the California Medical Supervision Program, which monitors individuals handling the most toxic pesticides. This informative conversation serves as a comprehensive guide for healthcare providers and community members alike in safeguarding against AOPI in rural settings.

The CSRHA has been a go-to resource for rural healthcare and community leaders since 1995. The CSRHA brings an accumulation of actionable insights to the next generation of rural healthcare leaders. 

For more behind the scenes of this podcast follow @CSRHApodcast on Twitter or @csrha.advocate on Facebook.

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Learn more about the CSRHA at csrha.org.