150 years of the Public Health Act. Environmental health: Then. Now. Next.
What is the Public Health Act 1875?

Passed in response to dire public health conditions in 19th-century Britain, the Public Health Act 1875 was a landmark law that formalised the state's responsibility for sanitation, housing and the health of its citizens. It consolidated earlier legislation and required local authorities to appoint medical officers of health and sanitary inspectors - marking the birth of the environmental health profession.

Why does it still matter today?

The act laid the foundations for many of the protections we rely on today, from clean water and safe housing to the regulation of waste and pollution. Its principles continue to guide environmental health professionals as they tackle modern challenges such as air quality, climate change, and public health emergencies. The act's legacy remains central to how we safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of our communities.

An overview of the Public Health Act 1875


From Chadwick to the NHS: Public health’s key milestones

1842

Edwin Chadwick publishes The Sanitary Condition of the Labouring Population, exposing links between poverty, poor sanitation and disease.

1848

The first Public Health Act passed, creating a national Board of Health and local powers to improve sanitation.

1854

Dr John Snow traces a cholera outbreak in Soho to a contaminated water pump, proving the link between water and disease.

1866

The Sanitary Act makes it compulsory for local authorities to improve sanitation and prevent health hazards.

1875

The Public Health Act passed, requiring local authorities to provide clean water, sewage and waste disposal.

1948

National Health Service established, building on decades of public health reform to provide care for all.

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Real-world impact and reflections

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