Building National Capacity: Tools and Resources for the Environmental Health Professional

Environmental health agencies need access to practical tools, data, and resources to strengthen their capacity and address emerging and ongoing public health challenges. This column highlights tools and resources developed by state, tribal, and local partners funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Environmental Health Capacity Program. Examples include data and mapping tools for private wells, resources for communicating water quality risks, harmful algal bloom reporting and surveillance tools, and public education resources addressing tickborne diseases. These efforts demonstrate how environmental health programs can use data, technology, and communication strategies to improve program efficiency, increase public awareness, and support informed decision-making. The column also highlights CDC’s Environmental Public Health Practice Gateway, which provides environmental health professionals with access to successful practices, tools, and resources that can be adapted to strengthen environmental health services in their own communities.