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About Environmental Health
Human health and the environment are inextricably linked. The National Environmental Health Strategy 
(pdf) 839Kb defines environmental health as those aspects of human health determined by physical, chemical, biological and social factors in the environment. The practice of environmental health includes the assessment, control and prevention of environmental factors potentially and adversely affecting health; as well as the promotion of those aspects of the environment that can improve human health, known as environmental health promotion.
The Hunter New England area has a diverse mix of rural and urban environments. Issues that may impact on human health at a population level include environmental health infrastructure, air quality, the built environment, agricultural land use and practice, water supply and quality, recreational water, food supply and safety, housing, changes in seasonal and climatic conditions and population increases. Importantly, with many parts of New South Wales and Australia experiencing drought conditions, innovations around effluent re-use are emerging as an issue for ensuring a sustainable and healthy future.
Responsibility for the management of environmental health issues is shared by the Commonwealth, State and Local Governments. Through research and consultation the Commonwealth and States work collaboratively to determine environmental legislation, policy and best practice standards.
In NSW the responsibility for different aspects of environmental health is shared between NSW Health and Population Health Units, Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC), Department of Water and Energy (DWE), the NSW Food Authority, and Local Government authorities. The DECC is primarily responsible for legislation governing air, recreational water quality, radiation, effluent re-use, industry and contaminated land.
NSW Health and Population Health Units are responsible for Public Health legislation in relation to physical, chemical and biological hazards in the environment which may adversely impact on human health. This includes drinking water quality, microbial control in cooling systems and warm water systems, skin penetration processes, swimming pools, spas, public health aspects of the funeral industry, tobacco control, and disaster response.
Environmental Health also provides advice and input into development proposals, environmental and health impact assessments, and community innovations that may impact on health or the environment. NSW Health also manages state-wide programs such as Aboriginal Environmental Health, the Aboriginal Trainee Environmental Health Officer Program, Housing for Health, the NSW Drinking Water Monitoring Program, and the Legionella Sampling program.
Population Health Units work in partnership with Local Government, local offices of State Government agencies, non government organisations and industry to manage environmental health hazards, and to build knowledge and capacity at local level to address local needs.
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