Environmental Health

Land Use Planning | Food Safety | Bioterrorism | Environmental Health Policy | Wastewater Treatment | Recreational Water Program

 

Local boards of health are responsible for assuring the provision of adequate public health services in their communities, including protection from many environmental health risks. A board of health’s role is to:

• Assess a community’s environmental health needs and concerns.
• Develop or recommend policies, procedures, and programs to meet a community’s environmental health needs.
  
• Assure that the health agency possesses well-trained personnel and the resources necessary to support local environmental health programs.

This responsibility is a dynamic one; local needs change, new threats are introduced, the scientific knowledge base grows, and regulatory requirements are modified. Periodic evaluations of environmental health programs are vital to ensure that the community’s needs are met. NALBOH has developed a number of environmental health training and educational materials for board of health members and practicing public health professionals, and is here to provide technical support and assistance in relation to emerging threats and planning efforts.