Beyond compliance: environmental health problem solving, interagency collaboration, and risk assessment to prevent waterborne disease outbreaks.
A systems approach to environmental health problem solving was used to investigate two waterborne norovirus outbreaks in Wyoming and can serve in the development of improved prevention strategies. An interagency collaboration to prevent waterborne disease involving local, state, and federal partners was designed to coordinate response to outbreak investigations. Improved risk assessment and reporting procedures were also integrated to ensure better availability of necessary data. Public health entities should implement sustainable intersectoral interventions to prevent waterborne disease that not only improve regulatory compliance but also have a positive impact on community health outcomes. Collaborative preventive health and water system protection activities should receive priority attention for implementation in state and local jurisdictions.
Cassady
Joslyn D
JD
Wyoming Department of Health, Cheyenne, USA. jcassady@drew.edu
Higgins
Charles
C
Mainzer
Hugh M
HM
Seys
Scott A
SA
Sarisky
John
J
Callahan
Myfanwy
M
Musgrave
Karl J
KJ
D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004782:Environmental Health / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D029322:Norovirus; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014959:Wyoming