"Many communities lack access to nutritious, affordable food; are denied safe places to walk and exercise; or live near polluting factories. The health risks for these families are greater. We support research and action to help ensure healthy environments for all."
--APHA Executive Director Georges Benjamin
Environmental health is the branch of public health that: focuses on the relationships between people and their environment; promotes human health and well-being; and fosters healthy and safe communities. Environmental health is a key part of any comprehensive public health system. The field works to advance policies and programs to reduce chemical and other environmental exposures in air, water, soil and food to protect people and provide communities with healthier environments.
Focus areas:
Children's Environmental Health
Climate Change
Environmental Justice
Environmental Public Health Tracking
Empowering Environmental Health Professionals
Healthy Community Design
Lead Contamination
Preventing Chemical Exposure
Understanding Environmental Health
National Council for Environmental Health & Equity
We work with partners and members, including APHA's Environment Section, to make sure all communities have access to healthy environments. We also emphasize the importance of environmental justice and equity.
Emergencies such as the Zika virus outbreak, Hurricane Katrina and the drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan show the impact environmental health issues can have on vulnerable populations. Pregnant women and their fetuses are most vulnerable to Zika. Those living in under-resourced neighborhoods were most exposed to lead-contaminated drinking water in Flint. And many low-income households have been unable to recover several years after Hurricane Katrina.
APHA brings national attention to environmental health issues and promote sound policy that protects the health, well-being and quality of life of the public in all communities across the country. To support environmental health work, we develop targeted educational messages that highlight the connection between healthy communities and healthy people.
For more information about our environmental health work, contact Kate Robb or @EH_4_ALL.