The environmental connection

Both the World Health Organization and the Canadian Health for All concept recognize that healthy environments are fundamental to human health. Usually, the responsibility for environmental protection is assigned to public health inspectors. But there is more to a healthy environment than protection. Creating a healthy environment means "altering or adapting our social, economic and physical surroundings in ways that not only preserve but also enhance our health." Clearly, health promotion is an integral part of the concept. As experts in community health promotion, public health nurses (PHNs) could--and should--complement the work of health inspectors.