Introduction to Environmental Public Health ENVH 1100

Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:

• Summarize the duties of the Public Health Inspector/Environmental Health Officer (PHI/EHO).
• Describe the areas of responsibility (programs) typically encountered in Public Health and in environmental health agencies. Examples include food, water, housing, pools, and sewage disposal and other Core Programs developed by the Ministry of Health in BC.
• Describe the interaction (interprofessionalism) of the PHI/EHOs with other members of the public health team especially the communications and health promotion professionals.
• Explain how PHI/EHO work with other professions e.g. by-law enforcement officers, police, building inspectors, etc.
• Describe internationalization within the Environmental Health field.
• Identify basic principles used by PHI/EHO for time management and prioritizing work loads.
• Identify hazardous conditions which can arise in the performance of the duties of a PHI/EHO and the steps necessary to be taken to reduce the potential of disease or injury taking place.
• Describe the term “health hazard” and how it applies to the PHI/EHO profession.
• Discuss the historical development of public health inspection (including the professional organization) and its importance to the roots of the PHI profession.
• Summarize the qualifications of the PHI/EHO.
• Describe the requirements of the Board of Certification (BOC).
• Describe the terms “public-health significance” and “public health rationale” and how they need to be stressed in the BOC reports.
• Compare all the post-secondary environmental health academic programs available in Canada.
• List and define the human relation skills and issues which allow a PHI/EHO to effectively carry out his/her duties. Examples are social skills, ethical conduct, and coping with stress.
• Describe the organization of health care in Canada.
• Define health, public health, and environmental health.
• Explain the determinants of health and how they relate to health care delivery.
• Describe the health delivery system in Canada and where environmental health fits into the system.
• Describe the government agencies involved in health delivery (federal, provincial, and local).
• Identify the members of the public health care team and describe their roles, e.g. MHO, PHN, Nutritionist, Dental professionals, etc.
• Explain who is responsible for Aboriginal Health in Canada and the PHI/EHO involvement.
• Describe the framework within which the duties of the PHI/EHO are accomplished.
• Explain how a PHI/EHO needs to use the tools of progressive enforcement: education, persuasion, coercion, and enforcement to accomplish compliance with public and environmental health legislation.
• Identify how PHIs/EHOs use outcome-based inspections rather than relying on applying prescriptive legislation (interpreting the intent of legislation).
• Explain the term “administrative fairness”.
• Introduce the concept of “risk assessment” and it’s application for PHI/EHOs
• Explain “risk communication” and “risk management”
• Describe factors affecting risk perception and management, including how social or other barriers can impact ability to manage risks
• Describe the opportunities and advantages of networking with other regulatory bodies.
• Outline the process for the formulation, development, and enactment of legislation at all government levels (federal, provincial and municipal).
• Identify how provinces have been moving to outcome-based legislation instead of prescriptive legislation for environmental health laws.
• Discuss the general application of acts, regulations, and bylaws.
• Recognize the difference in weighting for all types of legislation.
• Outline the differences between guidelines, policy and standards, and how each is used.
• Locate specific sections within the BC Public Health Act and/or Regulations under it which enable a specific duty or action expected of a PHI/EHO or other health team member to be carried out.

Effective as of Fall 2020