Essential Public Health Research Paper

In 2002, The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) launched the National Public Health Performance Standards Program (NPHPSP) to identify trends and to specify health resources to address these trends. The thought process behind this program was; public health organizations had the ability to monitor the health status of its community by creating reporting systems and profiles, and issuing and evaluating health surveys. As a result the CDC developed Ten Essential Public Health Services.

The two essential services that I chose to focus on are; Inform, educate and empower people about health issues (#3) and Enforce laws and regulations that protect and ensure public health and safety (#6). Informing, educating and empowering

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a federal agency charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress. The EPA was proposed by President Richard Nixon in 1970, after President Nixon submitted a reorganization plan to Congress and it was ratified by committee hearings in the House and Senate.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/environmental-protection-agency/#ixzz3PkKaBhzd

The EPA’s role in improving public health can be seen in the following legislative acts:

The Clean Air Act (CAA) is the comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. Among other things, this law authorizes EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and public welfare and to regulate emissions of hazardous air pollutants

The Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. The basis of the CWA was enacted in 1948 and was called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, but the Act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972. "Clean Water Act" became the Act 's common name with amendments in 1972.

OSHA 's mission is to "assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance".

general, OSHA regulations (also referred to as “standards”) require employers:

Maintain conditions and/or adopt practices necessary and appropriate to protect workers on the job. Be familiar with and comply with standards applicable to their establishments. Ensure that employees have and use personal protective equipment when required for safety and health.

The OSH Act requires that each employer furnish … a place of employment that is free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees. To ensure employee safety, OSHA recommends the following:

Administrative Safety – tools that ensure a safety and health program in the workplace.

Safety Program