Service NL
Health and Community Services
September 22, 2014

Ensuring the Health and Well-Being of Families and Communities

Ministers Proclaim Environmental Public Health Week in Newfoundland and Labrador

The work of public health inspectors is being recognized this week with the proclamation of September 22 to 26 as Environmental Public Health Week in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Service NL, and the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Health and Community Services, made the announcement today. The theme, The Next 100 Years: Reaching new heights in health protection, acknowledges and recognizes that health is influenced by many factors outside the health care system.

“Environmental public health professionals, such as the environmental health officers who work with Service NL, and other allied environmental public health occupations across Canada perform an important role in our communities. These professionals are dedicated and hard-working and are committed to protecting public health through various inspection and education activities.”
- The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Service NL

Environmental health officers in Newfoundland and Labrador are responsible for a wide variety of licences and approvals as well as inspections in a number of areas. They conduct various types of food safety inspections, monitor the quality of drinking water and enforce legislation responsible for smoke-free public areas and the prevention of tobacco sales to youth. They also are responsible for the health and safety regulation of day cares, schools, personal care homes and other long-term and group care facilities, and recreational facilities. Environmental health officers conduct investigations into communicable diseases, approvals and inspections of private sewage disposal, and participate in community emergency preparedness and response.

“Environmental health officers and public health inspectors are responsible for providing safe environments for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. While their work often happens behind the scenes, they all play an important role in protecting public health which is of the utmost importance to the communities and families who rely on their expertise daily.”
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Health and Community Services

Within the Canadian spectrum of health care, environmental public health professionals play a key role in ensuring healthier environments and healthier individuals.

“The public enjoys a high standard of safety when it comes to environmental public health and that is not an accident; environmental health officers and environmental public health professionals have a quiet but strong role in maintaining that standard. We have made great strides in protecting and enhancing public health in the past and we continue to do so in an ever-changing field. We, as environmental health officers and environmental public health professionals, are committed to maintaining our professional competency through growing experience and constant education so that we can continue to be relied on as an essential force in keeping the public safe.”
- 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 (CIPHI), the only professional association for public health inspectors in Canada. Inspectors 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 22 to 26 has been proclaimed as Environmental Public Health Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Environmental Public Health Week raises awareness of the work environmental public health professionals carry out every day in their communities to protect public health.
• Environmental health services of Service NL are provided under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Health and Community Services and the Regional Health Authorities.

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2014 09 22                 10:20 a.m.