3 Environmental health

Environmental health activities are those which are aimed at:

• reducing the risk (chance) of getting diseases and injuries from the environment
• promoting good health

These activities include maintaining:

• a good water supply;
• the correct disposal of (getting rid of) liquid and solid waste
• a healthy food supply
• pest control
• personal hygiene
• a healthy house
• community environmental health education

A satisfactory environmental health standard requires developing hygienic (clean, healthy) living conditions and ensuring that these are maintained. These come with sound community planning and environmental management.