Abstract
Interdisciplinary public health solutions are vital for an effective coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response and recovery. However, there is often a lack of awareness and understanding of the environmental health workforce connections and capabilities. In the United States, this is a foundational function of health departments and is the second largest public health workforce. The primary role is to protect the public from exposures to environmental hazards, disasters, and disease outbreaks. More specifically, this includes addressing risks relating to sanitation, drinking water, food safety, vector control, and mass gatherings. This profession is also recognized in the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2019. Despite this, the profession is often not considered an essential service. Rapid integration into COVID-19 activities can easily occur as most are government employees and experienced working in complex and stressful situations. This role, for example, could include working with leaders, businesses, workplaces, and churches to safely reopen, and inspections to inform, educate, and empower employers, employees, and the public on safe actions. There is now the legislative support, evidence and a window of opportunity to truly enable interdisciplinary public health solutions by mobilizing the environmental health workforce to support COVID-19 response, recovery, and resilience activities.
Highlights
Interdisciplinary public health solutions are vital for an effective coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response and recovery
Leaders across the United States would have access to the second largest public health workforce, second only to public health nursing.[3]. Their primary role is to protect the public from exposures to environmental hazards, disasters, and disease outbreaks.[2]
Vital elements for maximizing the control and prevention of disease outbreaks and pandemics, such as COVID-19. Professionals in this field working at health departments have the responsibility to address environment-related threats and the social determinants of health.[5]. This is achieved through delivery of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 10 Essential Environmental Public Health Services.[6]
Summary
Interdisciplinary public health solutions are vital for an effective coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response and recovery. A s the COVID-19 pandemic continues, rapid integration of the environmental health workforce to the response and recovery will enable solutions that are interdisciplinary, sustainable and focused on strengthening resilience.
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