Service NL
September 27, 2016

Protecting Families and Communities

Minister Proclaims Environmental Public Health Week

The Provincial Government is recognizing the work of employees in the environmental public health field by proclaiming September 26-30 as Environmental Public Health Week in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Service NL, made the proclamation earlier today.

“Environmental public health professionals are a key component in enhancing the health and well-being of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Environmental health officers in particular who work with Service NL play an important role in protecting the health of families and communities through a variety of inspections and environmental health promotion activities.”
- The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Service NL

Environmental public health professionals protect the health and the population by ensuring safe and healthy environments where residents live, work and play. Modern-day challenges include pressures of water safety and scarcity, food security, and the re-emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases. In Newfoundland and Labrador, environmental public health professionals are responsible for food safety inspections, monitoring inspections of day cares, schools, personal care homes and long-term care facilities, as well as recreational facilities.

“The public enjoys a high standard of health and safety thanks to the work of environmental health officers and environmental public health professionals. We play a key role in maintaining that standard, and have made great strides in protecting and advancing public health. Professionals in our dynamic field grow through experience and education so that we can continue to be relied on as an essential force in keeping the safe throughout all of the broad determinants of health.”
- Laurie Hearn, Newfoundland and Labrador Branch President, Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors

Environmental Public Health Week is a national campaign by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors. They are certified by the Board of Certification for CIPHI, a process that guarantees only individuals demonstrating the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for successful performance are accepted into the profession.

QUICK FACTS

• September 26-30 has been proclaimed as Environmental Public Health Week in Newfoundland and Labrador for 2016.
• Environmental Public Health Week recognizes the work environmental public health professionals carry out every day in their communities to protect public health.
• Environmental public health professionals oversee investigations into food and waterborne diseases, inspect and approve private sewage disposal systems and participate in community emergency preparedness and response.

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2016 09 27                              12:00 p.m.