The Environmental Health Profession in Jamaica

The practice of Environmental Health is comprised of evaluating, correcting, controlling and preventing factors in the environment that can affect the health of present and future generations. Approximately 300 officers carry out this job on behalf of the Ministry of Health in Jamaica. Thirty seven percent (37%) of who have a first degree and 27% is qualified to the second-degree level. Two officers have been certified at the PhD level and two PhD are pending.

The main areas under scrutiny are:

The work of the Environmental Health Officers in Jamaica has virtually eliminated and prevented scourges of diseases through improvement of sanitation and enforcement of legislation in all areas of Environmental Health. The work of the officers has built public awareness of the importance of a safe supply of water, and food especially in the area of wholesome meat and food handling establishments’ certification.