The document provides an overview of environmental health for elected officials. It describes the core functions of public health as assessing health, promoting sound policies, and assuring effectiveness. Environmental health aims to protect the public from hazards in the physical environment, such as drinking water, food, land, indoor air, and emergencies. It discusses how environmental health services are delivered through partnerships between local public health and the Minnesota Department of Health. Examples of environmental health activities include preventing disease spread, assuring normal human development, and protecting against environmental hazards.

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

12. … 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