Protecting and promoting the nation's health: the environmental public health workforce as a critical component.
BACKGROUND
The practice of environmental public health (EPH)--ensuring food, water, and sanitation protections--is the traditional cornerstone of public health. From foodborne illness outbreaks to chemical emergencies, drinking water safety to extreme weather events, our state and local EPH professionals are essential to the nation's overall health.


CONCLUSIONS
Myriad challenges exist to ensure a strong, robust EPH workforce. Funding, recruitment, training, retention, retirement, and lack of public and political support threaten EPH workforce enhancements.


METHODS
Even in these challenging times, promising EPH opportunities abound. The Obama administration's agendas for alternative energy and climate change, students' renewed interest in public health practice and government service, technological and scientific advances, and increased public awareness of EPH threats offer opportunities to fortify the EPH workforce.


CONCLUSIONS
We must act now to enhance EPH infrastructure and training to ensure safe food and water, healthy air, and protection from environmental threats. Future success will depend on new approaches, strengthened leadership, and coordinated efforts among all levels of EPH programs. We cannot afford to miss this opportunity to reshape and strengthen the EPH workforce and ensure continued leadership in protecting the environment and the public's health.
Resnick
Beth A
BA
Johns Hopkins Center for Excellence in Environmental Health Practice, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. bresnick@jhsph.edu
Zablotsky
Joanna
J
Burke
Thomas A
TA
D004782:Environmental Health / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011634:Public Health; D015980:Public Health Practice; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce