Historically, public health and environmental regulatory functions were closely related in state governments. The past thirty years have seen an evolution of these functions so that in most states these functions are no longer closely intertwined. Today there is considerable disagreement regarding the appropriate relationship between public health and environmental functions in state governments, with some favoring a highly integrated relationship, and others arguing for independent functions.
To help provide objective information regarding these perspectives, an investigation was undertaken to answer three questions. 1) What is the current structure of public health and environmental functions across state governments? 2) What are the concerns and expectations of key stakeholders regarding a potential reorganization of these functions? 3) What do experiences of other states suggest regarding the legitimacy of stakeholders’ concerns and expectations?
Findings suggest that there is a need for integration between public health and environmental regulation, but maintaining an effective linkage is difficult. Furthermore, while an independent agency structure may have some benefits for these kinds of agencies, the structure of an organization is not as important as its leadership.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of presentation, the learner will recognize the important but difficult relationship between public health and environmental regulation, and understand how thier state public health and environmental funcitions are organized as compared to other states
Keywords: Environmental Health, Public Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.