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Minnesota Department of Health
The Story of Environmental Health:
Overview for Elected Officials
Objectives
After this presentation, participants should be able to…
• Describe the nature of Environmental Health (EH) within public health
• Describe environmental health and safety issues of concern to local officials
• Describe how EH services are delivered in Minnesota
Core Functions of Public Health
• Assessing the public’s health
• Promoting sound policies
• Assuring effectiveness
MissionTo protect, maintain and improve the
health of Minnesotans
The Difference BetweenHealth Care and Public Health
• Health Care = Individual Health
• Public Health = Population Health
Public Health = Longer Lives
• Lifespan almost doubles
• Leading causes of death: no longer due to lack of EH controls
25 of the 30 years of life gained in the 20th century resulted from public health accomplishments --
CDC
Unique State/Local Partnership
• Minnesota’s public health system = one of the best in the nation
• Built on strong partnerships between local public health and MDH
Six Principles Drive What Environmental Health Provides
1. Aggregate the Community/Population
2. Promote Healthy Behaviors
3. Epidemiology
Six Principles Drive What Environmental Health Provides (cont.)
4. Community Organization
5. Policy Development for the Greater Good
6. Leadership
What is Environmental Health (EH)?
“Public health programs designed to protect the public health from hazards which exist or could exist in the physical environment.”
--Minnesota SCHSAC Environmental Health
Leadership Team, December, 2002Diagram courtesy of Australia’s EnHealth.
Environmental Links to Health Concerns
• Drinking Water
• Food
• Land
• Built Environment
• Indoor Air
• Emergencies
… distress, short and long-term health effects (CDC)
Emergencies: chemical and radiological releases
… gastrointestinal disease (e.g., cholera) parasitic infections, eye and skin diseases
Drinking Water/Food: Inadequate and unsafe water supply and unsanitary excreta disposal
Potential Acute Health Effects (Source: WHO)
Environmental Conditions
… gastrointestinal and parasitic diseases (due to increased vector breading and feeding--rats, mosquitoes)
Land: Inadequate solid waste disposal, Poor drainage
…increased risk of respiratory disease transmission (e.g., tuberculosis), stress and accidents
Built Environment: Toxic materials (mold, asbestos, lead), crowded and structurally inadequate housing
…respiratory distress or infections
Air: Polluted air, Feedlot odors
When to Ask EH Professionals for Help
• If the concern involves human health exposure and risks from…– Drinking Water– Food– Land– Built Environment– Indoor Air– Chemical or Radiological
Emergencies
What to Discuss With EH Professionals
• Need general answers or a specialist?• Who and what is threatened?• Possible acute or chronic health effects?• What actions to take to protect the public?• Further information - when, who, where to
get assistance
Examples of EH Activities
• Prevent the Spread of Communicable Diseases
Sanitarians check temperatures to assure that restaurants store and
serve food safely.
Licensed well-drillers prevent pollution in drinking water.
Examples of EH Activities
• Assure Normal Human Development
X-rays in medical settings are the right strength.
Safe Eating Guidelines are explained in the Minnesota Fish Advisory.
Staff assess the risk of childhoodlead exposure in older homes.
Examples of EH Activities
• Protect Against Environmental Hazards and Prepare to Respond to Disasters
Ammonia spill spreads across Blair, Nebraska, 1970 (Source: Lawrence Livermore Lab)
Volunteers serve safe food to affected people, inspected by sanitarians.
EH Services in Minnesota
91 Recipes ** Each of 87 Counties and
4 Cities decides how to Structure 10 Essential Services
Essential Services are provided through …
• Assessment • Policy Development• Assurance
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/chs/schsac/TenEssentialServices.htm
Summary of Services
Every county is served with state and/or local city and
county environmental health resources
• May or may not be in the local health department
• May be shared across boundaries
Environmental Health
• In summary, EH staff serve Minnesotans where we all live, work, and play.
For More Information, Contact Your Local Health Department or …
Minnesota Department of Health, Environmental Health Division
Metro Square, 121 East 7th Place
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164-0975
Phone: 651-215-0700 TTD: 651-215-0707
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh