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
Mission
To protect, maintain and improve the
health of Minnesotans
The Difference Between
Health Care and Public Health
• Health Care = Individual Health
• Public Health = Population Health
• Lifespan almost
doubles
• Leading causes of
death: no longer
due to lack of EH
controls
Life Expectancy (Years)
Public Health = Longer Lives
80
70
60
50
40
30
1900
1910
1920
1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
Year of Birth
25 of the 30 years of life gained in the 20th
century resulted from public health
accomplishments -- CDC
1990
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.”
Diagram courtesy of Australia’s EnHealth.
--Minnesota SCHSAC Environmental Health
Leadership Team, December, 2002
Environmental Links to Health Concerns
•
•
•
•
Drinking Water
Food
Land
Built
Environment
• Indoor Air
• Emergencies
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)
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
Licensed well-drillers prevent
pollution in drinking water.
Sanitarians check temperatures to
assure that restaurants store and
serve food safely.
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.
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