Presented on 9/13/2018
The health care sector is a heavy user of chemicals. While some are useful, many have negative effects on the health of people and the environment. As health care providers the Catholic health ministry recognizes that a healthy environment is foundational to healthy communities and is working to find ways to care for patients while preserving the environment.

In 2012, 12 large health systems, along with Practice Greenhealth, Health Care Without Harm and the Center for Health Design, launched Healthier Hospitals to aggregate demand and move the sector toward sustainability in six target areas. The Healthy Interiors initiative is part of that effort, designed to help hospitals purchase furnishings that are free of chemicals and materials that may be hazardous and pose risks to workers, consumers and entire communities throughout their life cycle.

This webinar will present an overview of the Healthy Interiors work and share how two health systems have used the Healthy Interiors purchasing criteria and related tools to increase their purchase of safer furnishings and to push the market to develop healthier alternatives.