Volume 3 Issue 1 (April 2004)
Harold Harvey and Paul Fleming
The new public health takes seriously the fact that the health of populations is affected by policy and service provision across all sectors of society and at a number of levels. In the field of environmental health, which is a core public health discipline, the way in which we address a range of key issues is driven by government policy which is often affected by resource implications. Approaches to resourcing and best practice varies internationally. Several of the papers and review included in this edition of the Journal seek to give an international perspective on environmental health issues which many of us encounter. Thus the British experience of management of private water supplies, the control of rats and the bioaccumulation of metals can be compared with the experience in other developed countries. Such a comparison can be both affirming of local practice and also point out where we ‘could do better’.
It is essential to remain vigilant to all potential threats to human health, even those which may appear to have been eliminated. In the UK much progress has been made in reducing the incidence of lead poisoning by controlling potential exposure sources but research reported here suggests that it is a health risk that should not be overlooked in especial populations.
Many attempts have been made to eliminate the common cold but it is still widespread and creates significant levels of human discomfort and economic loss each year. A consideration of the transmission routes is important. Air travel is now a common mode of travel for a substantial proportion of the population and the confined space of an aircraft cabin could increase transmission success. But does it, and what are the implications for passengers and the industry? A paper in this edition answers this question from an existing research evidence-base.
Underpinning the contribution of environmental health to the new public health (which we have recently labelled ‘New Agenda Environmental Health’) is the need for a more solid research base which should arise from a research culture within Environmental Health Departments. Each department, or group of collaborating departments, should have a planned and properly resourced research programme which contributes to both local, national and international debate in environmental health. Partnerships with academic departments would greatly enhance this process. However, until the need for a dynamic, credible evidence-base is accepted at the highest level, commitment and resources will remain lacking and the research effort in environmental health will remain, at best, sporadic and opportunistic.