Pillars of Governmental Environmental Public Health Guide

Environmental Public Health A Guide to Scalable Environmental Public Health Programs

Pillars of Governmental Environmental Public Health | A Guide to Scalable Environmental Public Health Programs

Protecting Families and Communities

Secondary EPH Programs

11 Core EPH Programs

Staffing Benchmarks

Educational and Training Requirements

Equipment Needs

Success Metrics

In addition to the 11 core EPH programs, local EPH departments can also provide secondary programs that address specific EPH concerns within their jurisdictions. These secondary programs (e.g., climate health, air qual- ity, healthy homes, hazardous materials) could be con- sidered core programs by some departments based on the unique needs and priorities of the communities they serve (NEHA, 2022). The determination of which programs might be consid- ered core or secondary likely varies across jurisdictions, as EPH challenges and community needs can differ significantly from one area to another. For example, a jurisdiction with a history of poor air quality or indus- trial pollution might prioritize air quality monitoring and enforcement as a core program, while another jurisdiction could focus on healthy homes due to elevated rates of childhood asthma. To effectively identify and prioritize core and secondary EPH programs, local EPH departments can collect and analyze data on the EPH status of their communities, assess community needs and priorities, review appli- cable regulatory requirements, and engage with inter-

Core Environmental Public Health Programs Core EPH programs represent the most common and essential services that local EPH departments typically provide to protect and promote the health and well-be- ing of the communities they serve. These programs are designed to address the most pressing EPH concerns and are considered foundational to the mission of EPH. The 11 core EPH programs identified in research con - ducted by NEHA, in cooperation with UMN, include food safety and protection, potable water, swimming pools and recreational water safety, onsite wastewater, lead prevention, zoonoses and vector control, emergency pre- paredness, school safety and inspection, early childcare and daycare, body art, and non-school institutions and licensed establishments. When local EPH departments focus on these core pro- grams, they can work to provide comprehensive services essential to safeguard public health. Delivery does require adequate staff, funds, and resources, which vary signifi - cantly across jurisdictions.