Celebrating 100 Years of Distinction during Environmental Public Health Week, September 23-29

Certified public health inspectors the "Quiet Champions" of the public health system

HALIFAX, Sept. 23, 2013 /CNW/ - Today marks the beginning of Environmental Public Health Week, a celebration dedicated to certified public health inspectors who have had a real and tangible role in increasing the life expectancy of Canadians by ensuring that citizens have safe air, water, soil, buildings and food everyday.

This year's theme, Celebrating 100 Years of Distinction, recognizes the contributions of certified public health inspectors over the past century. Often dubbed the "Quiet Champions" of the public health system, certified public health inspectors, also known as environmental health officers, have played a major role in population health protection and disease prevention and have contributed to the well-being of Canadians by managing or controlling health hazards from occurring. Certified public health inspectors are responsible for carrying out inspections of public facilities and public education on environmental health issues including food safety, safe drinking, recreational water quality, air quality, and healthy environments.

Certified public health inspectors are highly trained professionals with strong investigative, health hazard identification and risk assessment skills who work closely with members of the public. Many of today's greatest public health achievements can be attributed to the work and dedication of certified public health inspectors, including the control of infectious diseases from clean water and improved sanitation, safer and healthier foods, decline in deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke, and safer workplaces.

On September 26^th, certified public health inspectors across Canada will join their colleagues from around the globe to celebrate World Environmental Health Day.  The celebration will focus on "Emerging Environmental Health Risks & Challenges for Tomorrow" and several events are planned across the globe. For more information on World Environmental Health Day please visit www.ifeh.org/wehd/

For further information on Environmental Public Health Week, please visit www.ciphi.ca or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ciphi100 and Twitter at https://twitter.com/CIPHI100

Quote

"Everyday, certified public health inspectors across Canada assess hazards to human health, work with individuals and communities to educate them on health risks and enforce public health legislation to protect the health of their communities. Much of their work goes on without fanfare or notice but has significant impact on keeping Canadians healthy and plays a role in sustaining our health care system. I congratulate them on their work and during this special week celebrate their achievements."
Gary O'Toole, National President, Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors

Quick Facts

• In 2012, certified public health inspectors across Canada conducted hundreds of thousands of inspections of public facilities including food premises, recreational water facilities, drinking water systems, and personal services setting.
  
  
• The 100 Members of Distinction project is a collection of information and photos of individuals who have advanced the environmental health profession and CIPHI. The document can be viewed on the CIPHI website at www.ciphi.ca
  
  
• There are over 1,600 members registered with the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors.

About CIPHI

The Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) formed 100 years has become the leading governing body for certified public health inspectors across Canada. The Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) is the only professional association for Environmental Public Health Professionals (EPHPs) who hold the CPHI(C) credential in Canada (incorporated 1934). CIPHI's mandate is to advance the profession, science, and field of environmental public health through certification, advocacy, education and professional competencies. CIPHI, like no other organization, covers a continuum of public health areas, including food safety, safe water, on-site wastewater disposal, indoor air quality, infectious diseases prevention and control, epidemiology, tobacco reduction, and many more environmental health initiatives. CIPHI's mission is to protect the health of Canadians and to represent all EPHPs across Canada.

SOURCE: Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors

Media Contacts:

English         
Gary O'Toole
Tel: [phone] | Email: [email protected]

Français 
Stéfane Gravelle
Tel: [phone]  | Email: [email protected]