Key Points
- Understanding the Needs, Challenges, Opportunities, Vision, and Emerging Roles in Environmental Health (UNCOVER EH) collected information from more than 1,700 EH professionals in health departments across the nation.
- This was the first such assessment of the EH workforce.
Where the data comes from
The data comes from EH professionals working at health departments, who shared about their practice, work, and challenges.
CDC worked with the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) and Baylor University on this project.
Data collection methods
Data collection for UNCOVER EH had two phases: an online survey followed by in-person discussion groups with EH professionals to further explore survey results.
What we learned
Explore key findings about the EH workforce and practice, including demographic information, common program areas, and education.
How the data benefits public health
UNCOVER EH sought to assess and improve the profession and practice of environmental health. This is especially important during a time when health departments are engaging with complex emerging issues and reporting budget cuts and reductions in services.
This initiative also sought to understand and address the challenges they face.
UNCOVER EH can benefit the EH profession by identifying and documenting current and future EH challenges and workforce issues. EH programs can use this information to shape how they deliver services and prepare the workforce. Leaders and decision makers outside the profession, such as those in nongovernmental organizations, private industry, and other sectors who influence EH practice, can also use the information.
Resources
Infographic about key findings from UNCOVER EH.
Journal article with findings on demographics, characteristics, education, practice areas, and aspects of leadership and satisfaction (free full text available courtesy of NEHA).
Visual abstracts about research needs and workforce needs within the environmental health profession.
NEHA fact sheets on salaries and use of credentials in the EH profession.
Other publications related to UNCOVER EH: