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Minnesota Department of Health The Story of Environmental Health: Overview for Elected Officials

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

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Minnesota Department of Health The Story of Environmental Health: Overview for Elected Officials

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  1. Minnesota Department of Health The Story of Environmental Health: Overview for Elected Officials

  2. 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

  3. Core Functions of Public Health • Assessing the public’s health • Promoting sound policies • Assuring effectiveness

  4. Mission To protect, maintain and improve the health ofMinnesotans

  5. The Difference BetweenHealth Care and Public Health • Health Care = Individual Health • Public Health = Population Health

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. Six Principles Drive What Environmental Health Provides • Aggregate the Community/Population • Promote Healthy Behaviors • Epidemiology

  9. Six Principles Drive What Environmental Health Provides (cont.) 4. Community Organization • Policy Development for the Greater Good • Leadership

  10. 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, 2002 Diagram courtesy of Australia’s EnHealth.

  11. Environmental Links to Health Concerns • Drinking Water • Food • Land • Built Environment • Indoor Air • Emergencies

  12. Environmental Conditions Potential Acute Health Effects (Source: WHO) Drinking Water/Food: Inadequate and unsafe water supply and unsanitary excreta disposal … gastrointestinal disease (e.g., cholera) parasitic infections, eye and skin diseases Land: Inadequate solid waste disposal, Poor drainage … gastrointestinal and parasitic diseases (due to increased vector breading and feeding--rats, mosquitoes) Built Environment: Toxic materials (mold, asbestos, lead), crowded and structurally inadequate housing …increased risk of respiratory disease transmission (e.g., tuberculosis), stress and accidents Air: Polluted air, Feedlot odors …respiratory distress or infections Emergencies: chemical and radiological releases … distress, short and long-term health effects (CDC)

  13. When to Ask EH Professionals for Help • If the concern involveshuman health exposure and risks from… • Drinking Water • Food • Land • Built Environment • Indoor Air • Chemical or Radiological Emergencies

  14. 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

  15. Examples of EH Activities • Prevent the Spread of Communicable Diseases Licensed well-drillers prevent pollution in drinking water. Sanitarians check temperatures to assure that restaurants store and serve food safely.

  16. 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 childhood lead exposure in older homes.

  17. Examples of EH Activities • Protect Against Environmental Hazards and Prepare to Respond to Disasters Volunteers serve safe food to affected people, inspected by sanitarians. Ammonia spill spreads across Blair, Nebraska, 1970 (Source: Lawrence Livermore Lab)

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. Environmental Health • In summary, EH staff serve Minnesotans where we all live, work, and play.

  21. 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

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