Oral

The World Health Organization estimates that over one billion people live without access to safe water. A number of serious public health threats are due to poor sanitation and unclean water resulting in millions of water-related diseases and illnesses globally. Environmental health professionals continue to provide policymakers evidence and analysis for the development of effective water management and sustainable water policies that contribute to health of communities. This is especially important to environmental health planning, programming and management practices that seek to sustainably use water resources effectively and efficiently in ways that are equitable and socially just. Critically and constructively understanding effective safe water management and sanitation practices supports policies that address the health of diverse communities but in parallel provides the foundation for economic, community and social development. Environmental health professionals can continue to support the articulation of evidence-based policy and advocacy positions toward socially just water practices that support health. By stimulating environmental health research, development and engagement of diverse community stakeholders in the management and maintenance of water resources, appropriate implementation of norms, standards, tools, new technologies and guidelines can support sustainable national and inter-country capacity to provide safe water to populations. Water, public health and social justice activities require collaborative and communicative processes that engage with complex systems-based solutions that support just water policies at an individual, community and institutional level.

Session Objectives: 1. Identify the role that environmental health professionals can play in providing equitable access to safe water 2. Describe the association between environmental health, water resource management and programming and social justice

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)