Beth A. Resnick, MPH¹, Keeve Nachman, MHS², and Joanna Zablotsky, MPH². (1) Health Policy and Management/Risk Sciences and Public Policy Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Room 484, Baltimore, MD 21205, 401-614-5454, bresnick@jhsph.edu, (2) Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Rm 513, Baltimore, MD 21205

From Hurricane Isabel to post-9-11 anthrax response to the Maryland drought of 2002, local environmental public health (EPH) professionals are essential for response and management of public health risks. However, beyond the headlines of environmental and public health crises, there is a fragile, under-funded EPH infrastructure that works to ensure safe and healthy communities. Enhancing local EPH capacity is essential in protecting health and the environment. Our presentation, which will be conducted with Steven Sherrard, RS, a Maryland-based EPH practitioner, will describe the Profile of Maryland Environmental Public Health Practice*; a report which identifies the capacities, needs, demands, and emerging issues in Maryland local EPH and serves as an educational tool for EPH professionals, policy makers, and the public. Furthermore, the Profile findings will be analyzed as to their relevancy to other states. Based on these results, recommendations for training, capacity building, preparedness and other emerging issues will be presented to prepare the EPH workforce for future challenges. At the conclusion of the session, we expect participants to be able to: 1) describe capacities, needs, demands and emerging issues in Maryland local EPH practice 2) assess the relevancy of the Maryland results to local EPH practice throughout the country; and 3) offer strategies to enhance the capacity of the local EPH workforce.

* A Profile of Maryland Local Environmental Public Health Practice was compiled from a comprehensive assessment including site visits to all local Maryland public health agencies and an IRB approved written survey. (being prepared).

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, we expect participants to be able to

• describe capacities, needs, demands and emerging issues in Maryland local EPH practice
• assess the relevancy of the Maryland results to local EPH practice throughout the country; and
• offer strategies to enhance the capacity of the local EPH workforce.

Keywords: Environmental Health, Community-Based Public Health

Related Web page: www.jhsph.edu/ECEHP/index.html

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.