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For host programs, the internship can provide additional capac- ity to address a current environmental health problem or program need. Projects can cover a wide range of areas, including food safety, climate and health, onsite water and wastewater, vector con- trol, institutional environmental health, and emergency prepared- ness. Host sites are expected to identify an independent project for the intern, expose the student to multiple environmental health programs and activities, and assign a mentor who can provide reg- ular guidance throughout the experience. Interns complete a 400-hr experience and receive compensa- tion through the program: $6,000 for undergraduate students and $8,000 for graduate students. Participating host programs also receive a support package valued at up to $1,500 per student to help offset intern-related costs, along with administrative support from NEHA. Internship experiences can be conducted in person, virtually, or in a hybrid format depending on the needs of the stu- dent and host program. For the spring 2027 session, host site and student matching is anticipated to be completed by the end of November 2026. Intern- ships will begin in January 2027 and conclude by the end of May. NEPHIP also offers summer and fall internship opportunities, allowing agencies to indicate when they would like to host a student. NEPHIP is designed not only as a student learning experience but also as a workforce development strategy. Students gain practi- cal exposure to governmental environmental public health, while host agencies can introduce prospective professionals to pub- lic service career pathways and the range of responsibilities car- ried out by environmental health programs. For agencies facing recruitment and workforce challenges, that early connection can help build awareness of career opportunities that students might not otherwise encounter. By providing meaningful field experi- ence and mentorship, participating agencies can help strengthen the pathway of professionals entering governmental environmen- tal public health while introducing students to the breadth and impact of the work performed in communities every day. Learn more about host site eligibility, project expectations, and the application process at www.neha.org/nephip-health-dept. AEC 2027 Is Headed to Portland The NEHA Annual Educational Conference (AEC) & Exhibition is heading to Portland, Oregon, June 28–July 1, 2027. Following the AEC 2026 in Kansas City, NEHA is looking ahead to another opportunity for environmental health professionals to come together for learning, collaboration, and connection. Each year, the AEC brings together professionals from across envi- ronmental public health to share knowledge and experiences, explore emerging issues, and learn from colleagues working in different dis- ciplines and jurisdictions. AEC 2027 will continue that tradition by providing opportunities to learn from leaders in the field, discover innovative approaches and solutions, exchange ideas with peers, and build professional connections that extend beyond the conference.
The conference also provides a national forum for highlighting the breadth of environmental health practice and the professionals working to protect communities. Educational sessions, conversa- tions with peers, and opportunities to connect across disciplines allow attendees to see how other jurisdictions and organizations are responding to common and emerging challenges. Whether attending for the first time or returning after previous AECs, participants can use the experience to expand their knowledge, strengthen their professional networks, and bring new ideas back to their organizations and communities. Additional information about AEC 2027, including program- ming, registration, and other conference opportunities, will be announced as planning continues, including the Call for Abstracts, which will open this month. As those details become available, the AEC webpage will serve as the central location for conference updates and planning information. For now, mark your calendar for June 28–July 1 and plan to join the environmental health com- munity in Portland. Follow AEC 2027 updates at www.neha.org/aec. Have You Heard? We Have a New Way to Interact With Our Journal !
Our Journal now offers environmental health professionals a new way to engage with the research and practice featured in each issue. The Inside the JEH pod- cast brings selected articles to life through engaging conversations that highlight key findings, practical applica- tions, and real-world implications—all
in a convenient 15-minute episode. Whether commuting, traveling between inspections, or simply short on time, you can use the podcast to stay informed about issues shaping environmental public health while hearing research discussed in an accessible format. Since being launched this summer, the podcast has explored a range of topics from our Journal . The inaugural episode exam- ined how state, tribal, local, and territorial health agencies use the Model Aquatic Health Code to strengthen aquatic safety and explored the evolving role of environmental health technicians in addressing workforce shortages and expanding organizational capacity. The second episode examined environmental health through a One Health lens and explored how private well own- ers perceive drinking water risks and make decisions about test- ing and treatment. In this issue’s installment, listeners can learn more about the cover article on air pollution and public safety as well as explore the feature article that assesses the knowledge and awareness of nitrate contamination among healthcare professionals. Listen to all episodes of the Inside the JEH—Voice of Your Jour- nal podcasts at www.youtube.com/@nehawebmaster/podcasts.
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October 2026 • Journal of Environmental Health
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