Identification of the core competencies needed to effectively practice environmental health at the local level is an important first step in strengthening the local environmental health workforce. It is important for the undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare professionals entering the environmental health workforce to incorporate the core competency guidelines into their curricula. In addition, these same institutions need to consider their roles as leaders by developing and implementing relevant training for the existing workforce. A representative of the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) and the Association of Environmental Health Academic Programs (AEHAP) participated on an expert panel to identify the core competencies needed to practice effective environmental health at the local level. The challenges facing both undergraduate and graduate schools to prepare the future and current environmental health workforce in light of these guidelines will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. recognize the core competencies needed to practice effective environmental health at the local level; 2. describe the environmental health academic programs available in the schools of public health and the undergraduate environmental health programs; and, 3. discuss the challenges facing the graduate and undergraduate programs to prepare students to meet the core competencies
Keywords: Environmental Health, Public Health Education
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.