Abstract

The environmental impact on health is a significant global issue. Despite the known health effects caused by environmental change, the healthcare industry is one of the largest contributors to environmental waste (Sattler & Hall, 2007). Athletic training is a healthcare profession in which practitioners work in conjunction with physicians in the prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses (National Athletic Trainers’ Association, 2016). Athletic trainers are charged with optimizing the physical activity and participation of their patients. This patient population is particularly vulnerable to many of the illnesses and conditions attributed to environmental degradation, including heat illness, asthma and allergies, and various nutritional issues. Currently, there is little drive within the profession to further investigate how athletic trainers may help to prevent these injuries and illnesses. Therefore, the purposes of this chapter are to: