Idaho Environmental 
Health Association
E-News Bulletin - June 2011
In This Issue
Healthy People 2020
Foodbourne Illness in Idaho
Environmental Health App
NEHA Virtual Conference
Climate Change Guidebook

 

Healthy People 2020

 

Healthy People 2020

 

Environmental health consists of preventing or controlling disease, injury, and disability related to the interactions between people and their environment.

 

The Healthy People 2020 Environmental Health objectives focus on 6 themes, each of which highlights an element of environmental health:

 

Outdoor air quality

Surface and ground water quality

Toxic substances and hazardous wastes

Homes and communities

Infrastructure and surveillance

Global environmental health

 

Creating health-promoting environments is complex and relies on continuing research to understand more fully the effects of exposure to environmental hazards on people's health.
The Idaho Environmental Health Association publishes a monthly E-News Bulletin for members, conference attendees, business partners and others interested in the field of environmental health. For more association news, visit our website at www.idahoenvironmentalhealth.org.

Foodborne Illness in Inland Northwest Linked to Sprouts

 

Idaho public health officials are investigating 19 cases of Salmonella infection in Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho and Western Montana suspected to be connected to alfalfa sprouts. 

 

Six of those sickened reported eating alfalfa sprouts from a grower, Evergreen Produce, in Moyie Springs, Idaho. 

 

The Idaho Department of Health is recommending that people avoid eating sprouts from Evergreen Produce and to discard any Evergreen Produce sprouts while the investigation is ongoing.

 

Source: http://www.foodsafetynews.com/ 

 

EPA Challenges Software Developers to Create App That Puts Environmental and Public Health Information at Citizens' Fingertips

 WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing its "Apps for the Environment" challenge to encourage the development of innovative environmental applications for people and communities. The challenge invites the information technology community to create applications that help people make informed decisions about environmental issues that can affect their health. EPA is engaging students, colleges and universities, and developers across the U.S. to develop and submit an app.

 

The challenge is a step towards a longer term objective of engaging developers and raising awareness about the availability and usefulness of EPA's data.  Applications for the challenge must use EPA's data and be accessible via the web or a mobile device. Submissions are due by September 16, 2011. 

 

EPA experts will select finalists and winning submissions based their usefulness, innovation, and ability to address one or more of seven priorities for EPA's future. In addition, the public will be able to vote for a "People's Choice" winner.  Winners will receive recognition from EPA on the agency's website and at an event in Washington, D.C. in the fall, where they'll be able to present their apps to senior EPA officials and other interested parties.

 

More information on the challenge:

http://www.epa.gov/appsfortheenvironment/


More information on Administrator Jackson's priorities:

http://blog.epa.gov/administrator/2010/01/12/seven-priorities-for-epas-future/

AEC Banner 

Register for the NEHA "Virtual" Annual Education Conference

 

The NEHA 2011 AEC may be over in Columbus, but it is still going online! From archived sessions now available on-demand; to continued networking opportunities; to the ability to earn continuing education credits, the NEHA 2011 Virtual AEC has something for you! For additional information, visit the Virtual Experience page.

 

 

Guidebook Now Available From the "Climate Change: Mastering the Public Health Role" Webinar Series

 

Climate change is one of the most serious health threats facing our nation. Public health professionals have a key role to play in responding to and preparing for these health threats. The 2010 Webinar Series brought together experts in the field of climate change to discuss topics such as climate science, health risk communication, adaptation strategies and more. This guidebook is a translation of a six-part webinar series hosted by APHA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and is intended to be a useful tool for public health practitioners. 

 

Visit www.apha-environment.org for more information on the Webinar Series Part 2 or to access a downloadable copy of the guidebook in March 2011.