The Children's Environmental Health Network is working toward a future where all children have cleaner air and water, safer and healthier food, nontoxic products, access to nature, and stable climates. We're fortunate to be surrounded by a vast community of passionate child health champions who share our vision. Each year, we recognize outstanding leaders at our Annual Child Health Advocate and Nsedu Obot Witherspoon (NOW) Youth Leadership Awards Reception.

The Child Health Advocate Awards honor outstanding children’s environmental health leaders (age 22 and up) in Policy, Science, Community, Business, and Arts/Media. These child health champions have gone above and beyond to create systemic change, protecting children from environmental hazards.

The NOW Youth Leadership Award was created as part of the Children’s Environmental Health Network’s 20th-anniversary celebration in 2012, in honor of Executive Director Nsedu Obot Witherspoon. This award honors a young person who has demonstrated exceptional environmental health leadership–protecting human health, especially of our most vulnerable populations.

Learn more about the awards and see past honorees.

Many thanks to our 2026 Children's Environmental Health Day Sponsors:

About Children's Environmental Health Day:

Children’s Environmental Health (CEH) Day takes place on the second Thursday of October each year. It's based on the idea that, together, we can create a healthier, safer, more equitable world for all children—where fewer children suffer from preventable health issues.

Focused on action and equity, the goal of CEH Day is to collectively increase the visibility of children's environmental health issues while empowering individuals and organizations to take action on behalf of children nationwide. We believe that all children have the right to healthy environments in which to thrive.

About the Children's Environmental Health Network:

Here at the Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN), we believe that all kids should be able to live, learn, and play in places that help them thrive, not make them sick.

We are leading a movement and driving systemic change to improve kids’ health and well-being by:

Promoting Child-Protective Policy
Supporting and Stimulating Science
Raising Awareness & Providing Education and Training
Providing Leadership in our Field

We focus on:

Cleaner air
Cleaner water
Safer food
Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation
Driving Toxic-Free Economy
Healthy places to live, learn, play, and worship
Climate Justice & Health Equity
Access to Nature

2026 Annual Child Health Advocate Awards

Celebrate the 2026 Child Health Advocate and NOW Youth Leadership Awardees in Style!