scholarly journals The privatization of environmental health services: a national survey of practices and perspectives in local health departments

2002 ◽  
Vol 117 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Keane ◽  
John Marx ◽  
Edmund Ricci
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Health Departments ◽  
Local Health Departments

scholarly journals Exploring Costing Methods for Environmental Health Services in North Carolina

2016 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-40
Author(s):  
Simone R. Singh ◽  
Nancy L. Winterbauer ◽  
Ashley Tucker ◽  
Lisa Macon Harrison
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Health Departments ◽  
Local Health Departments ◽  
Site Water ◽  
Using Data

All local health departments in North Carolina are mandated to provide a defined set of environmental health services, yet few have the tools to understand the costs incurred in delivering these services. The objectives of this study were to (1) derive cost estimates for 2 commonly provided environmental health services—food and lodging inspections and on-site water services—and (2) explore factors that drive variations in costs, focusing on the roles of economies of scale and scope. Using data from 15 local health departments in North Carolina, we found that costs varied substantially. A bivariate analysis found evidence of economies of scale: higher volumes of services were associated with lower costs per service. Providing a greater scope of services, however, was not consistently associated with reduced costs. In-depth cost data provide public health officials with key information when deciding how to best serve their communities.

scholarly journals Identifying Needs for Advancing the Profession and Workforce in Environmental Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin A. Gerding ◽  
Bryan W. Brooks ◽  
Elizabeth Landeen ◽  
Sandra Whitehead ◽  
Kaitlyn R. Kelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Workforce Development ◽  
Specific Problem ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Health Departments ◽  
Local Health Departments ◽  
State Health ◽  
Health Agencies ◽  
Emerging Issues

An ever-changing landscape for environmental health (EH) requires in-depth assessment and analysis of the current challenges and emerging issues faced by EH professionals. The Understanding the Needs, Challenges, Opportunities, Vision, and Emerging Roles in Environmental Health initiative addressed this need. After receiving responses from more than 1700 practitioners, during an in-person workshop, focus groups identified and described priority problems and supplied context on addressing the significant challenges facing EH professionals with state health agencies and local health departments. The focus groups developed specific problem statements detailing the EH profession and workforce’s prevailing challenges and needs according to 6 themes, including effective leadership, workforce development, equipment and technology, information systems and data, garnering support, and partnerships and collaboration. We describe the identified priority problems and needs and provide recommendations for ensuring a strong and robust EH profession and workforce ready to address tomorrow’s challenges.

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