Message from the Chair
Welcome to all continuing and new members of the Environment Section. It is, as has been said, “the best of times, the worst of times.” We all look forward to the new president and his administration, and hopefully, the reinvigoration of environmental protection and public health. As members of the Environment Section, you can contribute to improving health and the environment, by participating in the work of the Section. And what is the work of the Wection? Our specific initiatives encompass:
- The Built Environment,
- Global Climate Change,
- Environmental Justice and
- Healthy Foods (including agricultural practices, local foods, and in many other related issues).
Do you want to know more about what we do? Please visit our Web page: http://www.apha.org/membergroups/sections/aphasections/env/
In addition to conducting exciting project work that contributes to national and local health and environment issues, the Section and its members work hard to maintain the strength of the Environment Section. Please consider joining a project team, or in Section activities such as the membership team, writing an article for the newsletter, or exploring running for office. Your participation can be any length of service or amount of effort and remains critical to the strength of the Section in being able to continue our work.
And how do we work with APHA? We have contributed to the organization's initiatives on environmental justice, climate change and the two combined: climate justice. Healthy foods and all related aspects remain a priority of APHA. Not only do we work with the organization, but we also work with other sections on these topics, such as food and nutrition.
To emphasize public health, let’s celebrate National Public Health Week, April 6-12, with the emphasis on Building the Foundation for a Healthy America. To promote environmental protection and health, this year’s theme of the Nov. 7-11 Annual APHA Meeting in Philadelphia is Water and Public Health: the 21st Century Challenge and is particularly meaningful to our Section.
So again, welcome to the Environment Section and 2009. Let's make this a meaningful year.
Best,
Rebecca A. Head
Chair
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