The Environmental Health Definitions Show (50m Learning Lab / Talk Show)

The National Environmental Health Association recently published new definitions of the terms "environmental health" and "environmental health professional." They were the products of a work group formed by the NEHA Board of Directors. After research, study and deliberation, the work group developed definitions and subjected them to public comment.  Comments were considered and the definitions were revised.  The final version of the definitions were published in the October 2013 Journal of Environmental Health, as well as on the NEHA.org web site and social media such as LinkedIn.  The definitions sparked lively debate about the field, its purposes, workforce composition, and qualifications to be an environmental health practitioner/professional.  This program will continue to conversation about the definitions and what it means to practice environmental health.  This is relevant because the Board of Directors also has adopted a policy calling for periodic review of the definitions and revisions when necessary. The talk show will demonstrate the use of social media in promoting the discussion of concerns and issues within the field of environmental health. It will also contribute to the understanding of the profession of environmental health and the workforce composition and range of views about what constitutes an environmental health professional.