Unit 1443: Environmental Health

1. Overview of Environmental Health

• Definition and scope of environmental health
• Importance of environmental health in public health
• Key concepts: exposure, risk assessment, hazard, vulnerability
• Relationship between environment and human health

2. Environmental Risk Factors

• Air pollution: sources, types, and health effects
• Water pollution: contaminants and impact on health
• Chemical exposures: industrial chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals
• Climate change: environmental shifts affecting health
• Infectious diseases related to environmental conditions

3. Environmental Health Regulations

• Role of government in environmental health protection
• Overview of major agencies: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), WHO, local health departments
• Key policies and regulations: Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Toxic Substances Control Act
• Enforcement mechanisms and public health initiatives

4. Environmental Health and Social Justice

• Definition and principles of environmental justice
• Disproportionate impacts on vulnerable and marginalized populations
• Case studies of environmental injustice
• Environmental justice movements and advocacy efforts

5. Occupational Health and Safety

• Importance of workplace health and safety
• Common occupational hazards and illnesses
• Risk assessment and control strategies
• Regulatory frameworks: OSHA standards and guidelines
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety training

6. Food Safety and Security

• Environmental factors affecting food safety
• Foodborne illnesses and contamination sources
• Agricultural practices and sustainable food systems
• Food security challenges and solutions

7. Water Quality and Sanitation

• Importance of clean water and adequate sanitation
• Waterborne diseases and transmission pathways
• Water treatment processes and technologies
• Access and equity issues related to safe drinking water

8. Waste Management and Pollution Control

• Types of waste: municipal, hazardous, electronic, biomedical
• Waste management strategies: reduce, reuse, recycle
• Waste disposal methods: landfilling, incineration, composting
• Pollution prevention and control techniques

9. Climate Change and Health

• Health effects of extreme weather events
• Vector-borne diseases and climate shifts
• Air quality impacts due to climate change
• Public health adaptation and mitigation strategies

10. Community Health Assessment and Interventions

• Conducting environmental health community assessments
• Data collection and analysis methods
• Designing and implementing evidence-based interventions
• Collaboration with stakeholders and community engagement
• Monitoring and evaluation of intervention outcomes