Are You an Ambassador of Environmental Health?During my travels around the country and abroad, I am often asked, "Can you tell me what, exactly, environmental health is, and explain the services provided by NEHA NEHA National Environmental Health AssociationNEHA National Executive Housekeepers Association NEHA Northern Estates Homeowners Association (Indianapolis, Indiana) in this area"? Does the question sound familiar? Each time it is asked, a broad smile comes across my face, because the occasion provides me an outstanding opportunity to educate the inquisitive in·quis·i·tive adj. 1. Inclined to investigate; eager for knowledge. 2. Unduly curious and inquiring. See Synonyms at curious. mind about environmental health, and our great organization, NEHA. Each day, environmental health professionals around the world are confronted with different scenarios that affect our health. The world is now a close global community and environmental health professionals everywhere share many of the same issues. At any given time, environmental health professionals must be prepared to educate local, state, federal, and military personnel, as well as elected officials, on a wide range of environmental health issues. Solutions to environmental health problems must always be correct--even though many of our programs and health departments have limited budgets and staff. Despite such constraints CONSTRAINTS - A language for solving constraints using value inference. ["CONSTRAINTS: A Language for Expressing Almost-Hierarchical Descriptions", G.J. Sussman et al, Artif Intell 14(1):1-39 (Aug 1980)]. , your board of directors and NEHA staff view it as a privilege to work with ambassadors of environmental health who share a deep commitment to and passion for providing competent professional solutions. The scope of environmental health is broadening, and the field is on a very rapid guide path. Our profession is in the midst Adv. 1. in the midst - the middle or central part or point; "in the midst of the forest"; "could he walk out in the midst of his piece?" midmost of a major paradigm shift A dramatic change in methodology or practice. It often refers to a major change in thinking and planning, which ultimately changes the way projects are implemented. For example, accessing applications and data from the Web instead of from local servers is a paradigm shift. See paradigm. from traditional practices, such as food protection, water supply, wastewater treatment and disposal, solid waste management, and vector control Vector control is any method to limit or eradicate the vectors of vector born diseases, for which the pathogen (e.g. virusor parasite) is transmitted by a vector which can be mammals, birds or arthropods, especially insects, and more specifically mosquitoes. . Throughout the world, environmental health programs are now more diverse. Environmental health professionals are addressing global health risk with tools that include identification of emerging pathogens emerging pathogen Public health Any pathogen that ↑ incidence of an epidemic outbreak Examples Cryptosporidium, E coli O157:H7, Hantavirus, multidrug resistant pneumococci, vancomycin-resistant enterococci. See Emergent disease. , risk assessment, risk communication, and risk management. Your board of directors and affiliate presidents will constantly encourage every NEHA member to become an avid AVID Cardiology A clinical trial–Antiarrhythmics Versus Implantable Defibrillators that compared the effect of implantable defibrillators vs the best medical therapy–antiarrhythmics for survivors of MI or those with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia supporter of our programs to help ensure the safety of our clients and customers. For the past few years, NEHA members have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of our national organization. Your NEHA staff is a committed group of professionals who are always willing to address a request. The staff appreciates comments from members, which help them to improve overall services. Sometimes, though, I find myself wanting to ask, "What are you doing to effect change?" It is very easy for an individual or affiliate to voice a strong opinion without offering solutions. Remember that NEHA is your organization, and that for our success to continue in all areas, it is critical that members be ambassadors of environmental health and their professional association. As I noted in last month's column, comments from focus groups held at the Annual Educational Conference (AEC AEC US Atomic Energy Commission Noun 1. AEC - a former executive agency (from 1946 to 1974) that was responsible for research into atomic energy and its peacetime uses in the United States Atomic Energy Commission ) are carefully reviewed by your board of directors and NEHA staff to address member concerns and issues. NEHA has many programs, technical committees, and other opportunities for you to showcase your leadership and managerial abilities. Each month, toward the back of the Journal of Environmental Health (pages 47-49 in this issue), there appears a listing of members who have expressed a positive interest in supporting our organization. Take a few moments to review the list, and call the NEHA office or listed member to express your willingness to support a program. At the 2000 AEC in Denver Denver, city (1990 pop. 467,610), alt. 5,280 ft (1,609 m), state capital, coextensive with Denver co., N central Colo., on a plateau at the foot of the Front Range of the Rocky Mts., along the South Platte River where Cherry Creek meets it; inc. 1861. , I noted that NEHA members must work hard every day promoting our profession. This year, Nelson Fabian and I are visiting elected officials and national agencies in Washington, D.C., promoting our profession and ensuring that these entities are aware of our capabilities. Just like many of you, I have concerns about other public health organizations attempting to be the official environmental health organization. Again, we must be energized and focused to ensure that we provide the best service possible in promoting the public health. Our customers trust our professional judgement, and we must not take this obligation lightly. Our continued success hinges Hinges may refer to:
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