January 2010 - Constituent Society and Partnership Corner

Public Health Inspectors: ASPHIO and CIPHI-O

January 18 – 23, 2010 marks the 7th annual Environmental Public Health Week.

OPHA would like to recognize the important work of Public Health Inspectors who work in the field of environmental health as they celebrate their profession and highlight the importance of hygiene in the control of infectious diseases.

The Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) was formed in 1913 to protect the health of Canadians, to represent all Public Health Inspectors across Canada, and to advance the profession, science and field of environmental public health through certification, advocacy, education and setting standards. CIPHI is the only national professional association for Public Health Inspectors in Canada. It is the only professional organization that covers the full range of environmental public health issues including food safety, drinking and recreational water quality, infection prevention and control, air quality, rabies control, vector-borne diseases, tobacco control, and many other environmental health initiatives.

In 2003, CIPHI launched its first Environmental Public Health Week to promote the field of environmental public health and the work of public health inspectors. Since its’ inaugural year, EPH Week has garnered increasing support across Canada.

The theme this year is: Hygiene – An Approach to Life. One of the greatest public health achievements this past century has been the control of infectious diseases through the availability of clean water and better sanitation.