Environmental Public Health Week celebrates the work of public health inspectors

Standing up to protect everyone’s health each and every day is the work of environmental public health professionals and the theme of this year’s Environmental Public Health Week, September 25–October 1, with the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI).

Public health inspectors across our service area —and Canada—work collaboratively with our partners to control disease, reduce or remove hazards, prevent injury, and help Canadians stay out of hospitals.

“The work of public health inspectors may not always be seen, but it is always there to protect you and your family,” said Stacey Laforest, Director of Health Protection. “Public health inspectors check your favourite restaurants, the public pools and beaches where you and your children swim, and ensure the water you drink is safe. We are very proud of our public health inspectors’ ongoing commitment and dedication to public health.”

The inspectors educate and ensure compliance with guidelines and regulations in a variety of program areas including, but not limited to, recreational water, infectious diseases and infection control, food safety, safe drinking water, health hazard response, onsite sewage systems, and rabies prevention and control.

They use many strategies and interventions to prevent illness and premature death by reducing environmental-related health risks to members of our communities.

For more information about Environmental Public Health Week or the services environmental public health professionals provide, please call Public Health Sudbury & Districts at 705.522.9200, ext. 398, toll-free at 1.866.522.9200, or visit www.phsd.ca.