Introduction to Environmental Health

Meaning:

-    Environment: 

According to Last, J. M. (Ed.). (1995), it is defined as all that which is external to the individual host. It can be divided into physical, biological, social, and cultural factors, any or all of which can influence health status in populations. 

-   Health: 

According to WHO, Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Thus, Environmental Health can be defined as all the components external to the individual host that can influence the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being of that host. And these can be either internal which comprises mental state and physical (internal) processes or external which comprises surroundings of human being: Physical (Air, water, climate), Biological (trees (plants), living beings, and parasites), Social (culture, customs, behavior, concept, belief, etc).

According to WHO, Environmental health is defined as "those aspects of the human health and disease that are determined by factors in the environment. It also refers to the theory and practice of assessing and controlling factors in the environment that can potentially affect health."

· Application of Environmental Health:

The main purpose of environmental health is to create and maintain ecological conditions that will promote health and thus prevent disease. Environmental health comprises those aspects of human health, including quality of life, that are determined by physical, chemical, biological, social and psycho-social factors in the environment.

Environmental Health can be applied for the following purposes:

1. Prevention of disease and poisoning, especially those with unrecognized agents
2. Identifying the risk factors for the health disorder
3. Maintaining an environment suited to man’s efficient performance, and
4. Preservation of comfort and the enjoyment of living
5. Guide for policy development
6. Devise intervention and prevention
7. Assess, correct, control and prevent those factors in the environment that can potentially affect the health of present and future generations.
8. Public awareness and education
9. Disseminate information on how to reduce exposures