Environmental Health plays a pivotal role in shaping public health outcomes, influencing policies that address the complex relationship between the environment and the health of populations. The Environmental Health in Public Policy training course, offered by the British Academy For Training and Development (BATD), is designed to equip medical professionals, policymakers, and environmental experts with the essential skills and knowledge to create and implement effective environmental health policies. This training course bridges the gap between environmental health and public policy, fostering a deeper understanding of how environmental risk factors influence health outcomes and how public policies can mitigate health risks tied to the environment.

In the face of challenges like climate change, pollution, disease outbreaks, and the pursuit of sustainability in health, there is a growing need for coordinated action at the policy level. This training course offers comprehensive insights into how environmental health policies can safeguard communities, enhance population health, and promote sustainable development. Participants will gain in-depth knowledge of environmental regulations, risk assessment, and how to incorporate health impact assessments (HIA) into public policy development to promote better health outcomes.

By addressing environmental determinants of health, this training course empowers professionals to create policies that integrate environmental justice, health equity, and sustainability in health systems and urban planning, ensuring a healthier future for all.

The primary goal of the Environmental Health in Public Policy training course is to equip participants with the skills necessary to develop, evaluate, and implement environmental health policies that address public health challenges. Specifically, participants will:

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between environmental health and public health, with a focus on how environmental factors such as air quality, water pollution, and environmental toxins impact human health.

• Learn to analyze and evaluate public policies through the lens of environmental health, using frameworks like health impact assessments (HIA) and risk assessment.

• Develop the ability to design evidence-based environmental health policies that foster health equity and improve community health, especially for vulnerable populations.

• Understand the critical role of environmental regulations and policy implementation in reducing the effects of hazardous waste, climate change, and other environmental health risks.

• Explore how sustainability in health can be integrated into policy frameworks and public health interventions.

• Gain a strong foundation in epidemiology and the impact of environmental health on chronic and infectious disease prevention.

• Learn about the legal and ethical aspects of environmental health legislation and how to navigate complex policy development processes.

• Understand the implications of environmental justice and the role of green health policies in promoting sustainable development goals (SDGs) globally.

• Upon completion, participants will be equipped to contribute effectively to environmental health policy development, focusing on improving community health while ensuring sustainability and health equity.

3. Who Should Attend / Target Audience

This training course is ideal for professionals working at the intersection of public health, environmental health, and policy development. It is designed for:

• Medical professionals, including public health physicians, epidemiologists, and health officers, who aim to understand the environmental factors impacting population health and their role in shaping public policies.

• Policy makers engaged in the development, evaluation, and implementation of public policies related to environmental health, air and water quality, and sustainability in health.

• Public health experts who want to enhance their understanding of environmental health policies and environmental risk factors affecting community health.

• Environmental scientists and epidemiologists looking to expand their knowledge of public health interventions and policy frameworks that address environmental hazards.

• Government officials and regulatory bodies responsible for enforcing environmental regulations and guiding public health responses to climate change and other environmental health challenges.

• Community health workers interested in understanding how public health interventions can be applied within the context of urban health, environmental health initiatives, and environmental advocacy.

• Academics and researchers in the fields of public health, environmental policy, and sustainable development who wish to contribute to environmental health research and policy evaluation.

• This course is ideal for anyone involved in the formulation, implementation, or evaluation of environmental health policies and interested in advancing health equity through policy action.

Module 1: Introduction to Environmental Health and Public Policy

• The role of environmental health in shaping public health.

• Overview of key environmental risk factors such as air quality, water pollution, hazardous waste management, and environmental toxins.

• The connection between environmental health and public health outcomes, with a focus on disease prevention and health promotion.

• Historical context and emerging trends in environmental health and policy development.

• The role of environmental justice in creating equitable health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Module 2: Key Environmental Health Risks and Their Impact on Public Health

• The effects of climate change and environmental health hazards on community health.

• In-depth exploration of epidemiology and environmental health, focusing on disease prevention and the impact of environmental exposures.

• Examining environmental toxins and their long-term effects on human health, including chronic diseases, reproductive health, and mental well-being.

• Case studies of public health interventions addressing air quality, water pollution, and urban health challenges.

Module 3: Health Impact Assessment (HIA) and Risk Assessment in Environmental Health

• Understanding health impact assessments (HIA) as a tool for evaluating policies, programs, and projects that affect environmental health.

• Risk assessment methodologies for analyzing environmental hazards and determining their potential impact on population health.

• Practical exercises in conducting health risk assessments and applying findings to policy decisions.

• Developing strategies to integrate health equity into risk assessment processes.

Module 4: Developing Environmental Health Policies

• The process of public policy development and the integration of environmental health concerns into policy frameworks.

• How to create evidence-based environmental health policies to address climate change, water pollution, and other critical health risks.

• The role of environmental regulations and how they influence the effectiveness of health policies.

• Engaging stakeholders in the policy development process to promote sustainability and environmental justice.

Module 5: Environmental Health Legislation and Regulatory Compliance

• Understanding environmental health legislation at local, national, and international levels.

• The role of agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in enforcing environmental regulations.

• The importance of occupational health and regulatory compliance in addressing environmental risks to workers and the broader public.

• Case studies on successful environmental health legislation and the impact of legal measures on public health.

Module 6: Sustainability, Green Health Policies, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Exploring the concept of sustainability in health and how it integrates into environmental health policies.

• Promoting green health policies that protect the environment while fostering community health.

• Understanding how sustainable development goals (SDGs) can guide public policy development in the context of environmental health.

• The role of environmental advocacy in promoting sustainable policies that improve population health.

Module 7: Policy Implementation and Evaluation

• Policy implementation strategies for environmental health programs and ensuring effective public health interventions.

• Developing feedback mechanisms to assess the success of environmental health initiatives and policies.

• Analyzing real-world examples of successful policy implementation and learning from global best practices in public health and environmental policy.

• Evaluating the long-term impacts of environmental health policies on community health and sustainability.

Module 8: Future Directions in Environmental Health and Public Policy

• Exploring emerging trends in environmental health and the role of public health responses to new challenges such as pandemic preparedness and global health threats.

• The role of environmental health initiatives in shaping future public health policy and addressing health equity.

• Anticipating the future of environmental health legislation and public policy development as the global landscape changes.

• The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and public health interventions to achieve better health outcomes.