Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #115039

Sarah B. Kotchian, EdM MPH PhD, Institute for Public Health, University of New Mexico, MSC07 4085, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, 505-272-3758, skotchian@salud.unm.edu

The practice of environmental health is under scrutiny to prove its effectiveness in protecting health and preventing disease, disability, and injury. To date, there has not been a coordinated effort to collect, systematically analyze, assess the strength of the research related to environmental health practice, and widely disseminate the findings. Although the ten essential services call for evaluating the effectiveness of environmental health services and researching and applying innovative solutions, a systematic review and evaluation of the research relevant to common environmental health interventions does not exist. It is important to have a readily accessible, scientific data base and ongoing periodic, systematic review and assessment of practices to assure policy-makers, and the public that public health dollars are being spent most effectively. The consolidation of the evidence base for environmental health practice is also closely related to the need for the creation and implementation of a funded environmental health practice research agenda. When a strong evidence base for certain environmental health practices cannot be found, it provides an opportunity to target research to those interventions that have the greatest potential to reduce exposures and improve health status, in order to create a future evidence base. Finally, the existence of this evidence base is essential in improving the competencies and effectiveness of the environmental health workforce, and to the preparation of environmental health leaders. This paper will expand on the need for an evidence base for environmental health practice and suggest a strategy for development and implementation.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to describe the need for a sound evidence base for environmental health practice;
• Participants will be able to list the benefits of using research to inform and improve environmental health practice;
• Participants will be able to list at least two strategies for improving and disseminating the evidence base for environmental health practice.

Keywords: Environmental Health,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.