Environmental Health Practice Challenges and Research Needs for U.S. Health Departments

Abstract

EH professionals are strategically positioned to diagnose, intervene, and prevent public health threats. Focus group engagement resulted in 29 priority problem statements partitioned among 6 EH topic areas: <i>a</i>) drinking water quality, <i>b</i>) wastewater management, <i>c</i>) healthy homes, <i>d</i>) food safety, <i>e</i>) vectors and public health pests, and <i>f</i>) emerging issues. This commentary article identifies priority challenges and related research needs to catalyze effective delivery of essential environmental public health services for common EH program areas in health departments. An unprecedented initiative to revitalize EH practice with timely and strategic recommendations for student and professional training, nontraditional partnerships, and basic and translational research activities is recommended. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5161.