Environmental health training within public health medicine

Environmental health was reported in the UK Acheson Report to have 'become something of a backwater for public health doctors'. In this review, the background educational issues are explored, present postgraduate training opportunities are identified, and intersectoral approaches in Europe that support the WHO Health for All strategy, are outlined. It is anticipated that closer links between epidemiology, clinical practice and environmental protection in the 'new' public health will help to improve medical interest and input to environmental health.