Pillars of Governmental Environmental Public Health | A Guide to Scalable Environmental Public Health Programs
Background
EPH is a crucial facet of public health that focuses on the interplay between the intersection of environment and human health. It encompasses a wide array of programs and services designed to protect and enhance the health and well-being of communities. These programs iden- tify, assess, and mitigate environmental factors that can adversely impact human health. The environment plays a significant role in shaping our health outcomes. Exposure to environmental hazards can lead to a range of health effects from acute illnesses to chronic diseases and premature death. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 24% of the global disease burden and 23% of all deaths can be attributed to environmental factors (Prüss-Üstün et al., 2016). By addressing these environmental determinants of health, EPH professionals contribute to the preven- tion of disease, the promotion of health, and the overall well-being of communities. EPH professionals comprise a diverse and highly skilled workforce, including specialists, scientists, technicians, and sanitarians. They possess expertise in a wide range of disciplines, such as epidemiology, toxicology, risk assess- ment, and environmental science. The EPH workforce is the second-largest profession within the public health workforce, after nursing (NACCHO, 2019). Despite their crucial role, EPH professionals often face numerous chal- lenges such as insufficient staffing, limited resources, and a lack of standardized guidelines for the structure and funding of EPH departments. Local EPH departments play a vital role in protecting and promoting public health at the community level. They are
responsible for providing a wide range of services, includ- ing food safety inspections, water quality monitoring, haz- ardous waste management, vector control, and emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. These services are essential for preventing the spread of infectious diseases, reducing exposure to environmental hazards, and ensuring the overall health and safety of communities. Studies have consistently demonstrated the positive impact of local EPH department activities and investments on pub- lic health outcomes. For example, Bekemeier et al. (2015) found that increased local health department food safety and sanitation expenditures were associated with signifi - cant reductions in enteric disease rates. Similarly, Fan et al. (2020) highlighted the critical role of EPH professionals in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of effective public health and safety nets in mit- igating the impact of public health emergencies. Despite the clear evidence of the value of EPH services, local EPH departments often struggle to secure the nec- essary resources and support to carry out their essential functions effectively. The lack of national standards and guidance for the structure, staffing, and funding of EPH departments creates significant challenges for local public health officials in advocating for the resources necessary to protect the health of their communities. This guide recognizes the importance of EPH and the need for a stronger, more resilient EPH system. Further, it provides national benchmarks and recommendations for the structure, staffing, and funding of local EPH depart - ments—a roadmap for strengthening the EPH workforce to ensure communities have access to essential services.
6
Powered by FlippingBook