County Programs and Services
This list is a compilation and summary of the services and programs offered within my county that are related to the health of the environment:
- Department of Agriculture: regulates the safe use of pesticides, promotes practices that ensure a healthy food supply, and prevents the introduction/spread of invasive species that could harm the food supply.
- Animal Care and Control: offers short term shelter for animals. This helps to prevent the spread of disease.
- Office of Building Inspection: ensures that buildings are built according to regulatory codes that promote safety. People can apply for solar and renewable energy permits here as well.
- Children’s Health Initiative: provides comprehensive health insurance for all children living in the county who are eligible based on family income. Children need access to medical care to ensure they are reaching developmental milestones, are getting vaccinated, are managing diseases they may develop like asthma, and are being monitored for lead exposures.
- Clean Water Program: protects the water in the county by preventing pollution, following federal regulations, and promoting public awareness.
- Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency: this agency includes three major programs: Department of Agriculture and Environmental Management, Department of Environmental Health, and Vector Control District. The goal of the agency is to protect the environment while promoting the agricultural industry, and ensuring the health and safety of the county’s citizens.
- Consumer Protection Division: protects the health of the people residing in the county. The division inspects food facilities, public recreational water facilities, and wastewater treatment systems. In addition, the division also offers counseling about radon/mold/Psittacosis and investigates lead exposure/foodborne illness outbreaks.
- Department of Environmental Health: In order to promote health and safety for the community, the department strives to protect and improve the environment.
- Integrated Pest Management: monitors pesticide use and coordinates an organized response when pest outbreaks occur.
- Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance: develops policies and programs that promote the health and safety of the environment. OSEC will also conduct investigations when issues arise.
- Public Health Department: strives to prevent disease and injury within the community at large.
- Recycling and Waste Reduction Division: oversees and fiscally manages the Recycling and Waste Management Commission. Services included are garbage, recycling, composting, and safe medication disposal.
- Solid Waste Programs: preserves the health of the community by ensuring proper disposal of solid waste and medical waste.
- Vector Control District: aims to minimize vector-borne diseases by decreasing issues with mosquitoes, rodents, wildlife, and insects that cause disease.
- Weed Abatement Program: provides education regarding methods to reduce weed invasion in order to preserve the health of the environment and the citizens of the community.
I was surprised there were so many programs and services dedicated to protecting the health of the environment and the community. Considering my county was consistently rated in the worst 10% in terms of air quality, pollution, and Superfund sites, I would be interested to know if some of these agencies/departments/programs were created in response to these reports. It also seems that many of the programs do not operate in silo, but instead connect and partner with each other to solve larger issues. Additionally, I was surprised to consider Animal Care and Control under this umbrella. However, it does make sense when you think about it because stray animals can precipitate the spread of disease and lead to unsanitary conditions.
My county is also running a campaign that emphasizes the proper disposal of medications. This is a large issue that is significantly polluting our waterways. As a healthcare professional, it is part of my responsibility to educate my patients on ways they can safely handle their medications and properly dispose of any extra doses left over. Healthcare facilities are also making efforts to change practice and comply with new regulations regarding proper medication waste disposal.
Hey Elena,
ReplyDeleteThis is a very thorough list is environmental services. I am impressed that your county and local area have so many agencies dedicated to environmental health. I believe your speculation as to whether or not these agencies were created in response to the county's poor environmental health to be prudent. Overall, it appears that the county is taking charge of providing environmental health services on many different levels. However, it would be interesting to see how well these services have been at improving environmental in the area. For instance, comparing the air-quality now, as opposed to when it was originally measured, or seeing if any new policies have been implemented recently to counter the number of superfund sites existing in the county.
Hi Elena,
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to know that your area has more program and services even though we live close by. I felt same way that I was impressed by numbers of program and services to protect the environment. I felt better with large number of services that would help our worst 10% air quality. It would be very interesting to find out if these agencies were created in response to the rate of air quality as you mentioned. Thanks for mentioning about campaign for proper disposal of medications. I totally agree with you that we, as a health care provider, must educate the patients to disposal left over medication.