|
By the time you read this month's journal, much of the nation
will be gripped by world cup fever, and a fair proportion
will be caught up in the celebrations for Her Majesty the
Queen's Golden Jubilee.
Fifty years is indeed a remarkable feat and reflects the
monarch's strength in adapting to the dramatic social changes
that have taken place over the latter half of the 20th century.
During her reign, she has overseen a nation, wrecked by war,
transform itself into a prosperous, modern, multi-cultural
state.
In 1952, the work of the sanitary inspector was of utmost
importance, particularly at a time when the country was still
recovering from the devastation of the Second World War. And
yet, despite improvements in many areas of society over the
last 50 years, the UK still faces considerable health inequalities
which, arguably, continue to widen.
In all areas of environmental health there remains today a
significant public health challenge - whether it be poor housing,
poor air quality or poor standards of health and safety. During
the last half century, the identification of new, deadly diseases
such as E. coli O157, cryptosporidiosis, vCJD and West Nile
virus has presented new health challenges. In an increasingly
global society, in which people and goods can travel thousands
of miles at relative ease, such diseases will pose a major
public health concern in the future.
EHJ dedicates 12 pages to a reflection of 50 years of environmental
health during the Queen's reign. We look at some of the major
developments in environmental health between 1952 and 2002
and chronicle some of the unexpected and unwelcome threats
to human health.
In the same section, a number of retired EHOs reminisce about
the challenges they faced when they first undertook public
health work. Some of the stories make a sobering read!
Looking forward to the future, in our main features, Tracey
Khanna highlights the emerging trend towards car-free housing
developments and focuses on Slateford Green in Edinburgh,
the UK's first major local authority led car-free housing
project.
Also in this issue, Robert Halford explains why local authorities
need to adopt the principles of sustainable development in
order to face up to the environmental challenges in the modern
world.
Finally, I speak to Nigel McMahon, chief environmental health
officer in Northern Ireland about the key partnership role
that EHOs can play in improving public health in the province
and the challenges ahead.
Nick Warburton
Assistant Editor
|
