NTEREST in the health aspects of our environment has never been more intense. Political, civic, and private sector leaders profess leadership in a wide variety of environmental health issuees. Surveys indicate that more than 9 out of io Americans identify as "environleve* mentalists," and that the quality of our environment is among the public's leading concerns. Environmental health is basic to enhancing the status of the nation's health. It is an essential component of the health services continuum which also includes disease prevention, health promotion, and health care. Issues of the environment are among the objectives of the American Public Health Association (APHA) and are written into the APHA consitution. Historically, APHA has been a leading proponent of environmental health, as reflected in scores of policy statements. Currently, however, there is a serious deficit in interest and support for environmental health objectives among public health professionals. There is an urgent need for a reorientation of public health priorities, concepts, attitudes, actions, personnel, education, and official organizations. Financial support, given the high level of public concern about the environment, is possible through various types of fees for service, effluent and emission taxes, special assessment districts, and special taxes on such products as solid and hazardous waste, autos and other transportation equipment, and disposables. These suggestions may, however, be moot because they will not benefit public health without a basic restructuring of attitudes in the public health community. Serious questions persist regarding widespread public health interest, support, titles of official health agencies, internal priorities, data-gathering tools, organizational issues, and professional personnel shortages. Answers to these issues are essential to reach the environmental health objectives.