A quantitative study to explore the public’s knowledge, perceptions, and awareness of the role and function of Environmental Health Practitioners in protecting public health

Abstract

Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) play an important role in protecting public health by ensuring that the physical environments in which we live, eat and work are safe. They aim to minimise risks and prevent illness, utilising their authoritative powers to enforce standards and ensure compliance from businesses and the public. Despite the significant contribution of EHPs, there is growing recognition of the limited understanding and awareness of their role among the general public. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the public’s knowledge, perceptions and awareness of EHPs and their function in protecting public health. The methodology for this study involved the use of a questionnaire distributed via social media, which gathered responses from 71 participants. The findings revealed a general lack of knowledge and awareness, with many participants associating EHPs with environmental protection activities, while overlooking other key responsibilities such as food safety, housing enforcement, health and safety, and health promotion. Additionally, the results from the study suggest that the term "Environmental Health" may be unclear or misleading to the public, further reinforcing the need for improved communication and clearer representation of the profession. The study also identified a strong support for increased public education about the role of EHPs from participants. Based on these insights, the study concludes with recommendations of strategies to enhance public knowledge and awareness, including targeted awareness campaigns, increased media visibility and educational initiatives. Such efforts could significantly improve recognition of the EHP profession and its contribution to public health as well as supporting in increasing numbers entering the profession