Pillars of Governmental Environmental Public Health | A Guide to Scalable Environmental Public Health Programs
Adequate and Sustainable Resources Successful EPH departments work to secure and maintain the resources—funding, staffing, equipment, and facili - ties—necessary to fulfill their core functions. They often diversify funding sources, develop fee structures that reflect service costs, and effectively communicate their value to secure appropriate budget allocations. These departments typically maintain the capacity to respond to routine demands while remaining prepared for emergen- cies and emerging threats. Continuous Quality Improvement Excellence in EPH frequently involves ongoing assessment and improvement. Effective departments often establish meaningful performance measures, regularly evaluate their effectiveness, identify opportunities for enhancement, and implement changes based on evaluation findings. This culture of continuous improvement enables departments to adapt to evolving science, community needs, and envi- ronmental challenges. Public Trust and Transparency By maintaining transparent operations, clear communica- tion about environmental health risks and regulations, and demonstrated commitment to protecting public health, effective EPH departments often earn the trust of their
communities. This trust facilitates cooperation during rou- tine operations and proves valuable during emergency response situations when public compliance with health guidance becomes important. The characteristics outlined above provide a framework for EPH departments to assess their current operations and identify opportunities for growth. While specific program implementations will vary based on community needs, regulatory requirements, and available resources, these foundational elements are commonly observed across well-functioning jurisdictions of various sizes. Additional Resources This guide also includes information on the 10 Essential Environmental Public Health Performance Standards and the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) as appen- dices at the end of the document to provide additional context and guidance for program development and assessment. Additionally, EPH departments may find value in utilizing community health assessment (CHA) and community health improvement plan (CHIP) pro- cesses to identify local environmental health priorities and align program development with broader community health needs. Furthermore, a comprehensive reference section includes resources that were consulted during the development of this guide.
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