The American Lung Association, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, is providing scholarships for medical professionals to receive training and information about radon. There are currently 5 courses that are eligible for scholarship funding, and all of the courses are eligible for CME credits. If you are interested in viewing these course modules for free, please contact Samantha Coad at [email protected] or 217-718-6696.
Available Courses
Predictors & Spatial Variation of Radon Testing in Illinois (0.75 Credits)
- Presented by Whitney Zahnd, MS, with the Center for Clinical Research, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.
- This module explores factors associated with radon testing patterns in Illinois, explains why radon is a threat to safe housing environments, describes the geographic distribution of radon testing patterns in Illinois and examines risk communication strategies about radon to patients.
- For more information about the course, please see the following webpage for a brochure: https://www.highmarksce.com/siumed/index.cfm?do=ev.viewEnduring&attendeeID=-1&eventID=4351
Lung Cancer: Public Enemy #1 (1 Credit)
- Presented by David E. Steward, MD, MPH, MACP, Professor of Internal Medicine with the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.
- This module describes the occurrence, evaluation, and clinical care of lung cancer, reviews causes and risk factors for lung cancer, and describes lung cancer prevention measures.
- For more information about the course, please see the following webpage for a brochure: https://www.highmarksce.com/siumed/index.cfm?do=ev.viewEnduring&attendeeID=-1&eventID=4452
Radon Origins, Risks, Policies, Measurement & Mitigation (1.25 Credits)
- Presented by Patrick Daniels, Radon Program Manager with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
- This module describes radon’s origins and its effects on health, outlines the risks associated with radon exposure, lists state and federal policies that address radon, and explains radon measurement and mitigation.
- For more information about the course, please see the following webpage for a brochure: https://www.highmarksce.com/siumed/index.cfm?do=ev.viewEnduring&attendeeID=-1&eventID=5833
Most Radioactive Places, Smoking and Radon (1 Credit)
- Presented by Patrick Daniels, Radon Program Manager with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
- This module describes the radiation source in cigarettes, lists international and US smoking rates, and explains radon's role in the lung’s exposure to radiation.
- For more information about the course, please see the following webpage for a brochure: https://www.highmarksce.com/siumed/index.cfm?do=ev.viewEnduring&attendeeID=-1&eventID=6168
Radon and Clinic Practice (0.25 Credits)
- Presented by Tracey Smith, DNP, PHCNS-BC with Family & Community Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.
- This module will explain why radon is a threat to a safe housing environment and discuss what a provider can do in a health care encounter to address radon risks.
- For more information about the course, please see the following webpage for a brochure: https://www.highmarksce.com/siumed/index.cfm?do=ev.viewEnduring&attendeeID=-1&eventID=6117
Available Resources
The Environmental Protection Agency's Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon
- The Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon provides an overview of radon and its influence on lung cancer risk. It also provides information about radon measurement, mitigation and real estate transaction procedures.
Reducing the Risks from Radon: Information and Interventions, a Guide for Health Care Providers
- This document provides an overview of the risks of radon from a clinical standpoint and includes references for health care providers, communication strategies, and an overview of measurement and mitigation solutions.
Radon Testing Information
- The American Lung Association provides do-it-yourself radon home test kits for as low as $15. These short-term activated charcoal test kits are simple to use and provide the homeowner or resident with a low-cost way to test their homes. Visit The American Lung Association's radon page for more information.
- Another option is to contact your local county health department for more information about testing and radon test kits. For information about Wisconsin Information Centers, please see the following webpage: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/radon/infocenters.htm
Other Resources
- The American Lung Association's radon page
- EPA's radon page: https://www.epa.gov/radon
Wisconsin Department of Health Services radon page: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/radon/index.htm
Page last updated: November 21, 2022
