Environmental Health Responses to COVID 19 in Western Australia: Lessons for the Future

Jacques Oosthuizen, Melissa Stoneham, Toni Hannelly, Edmore Masaka, Giverny Dodds and Victor Andrich
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Jacques Oosthuizen: School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
Melissa Stoneham: Public Health Advocacy Institute of Western Australia, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
Toni Hannelly: Public Health Advocacy Institute of Western Australia, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
Edmore Masaka: School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
Giverny Dodds: University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
Victor Andrich: Environmental Health Australia (WA), Midland, WA 6936, Australia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-10

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic tested the health system of Western Australia (WA) and the relatively new overarching legislative framework that guided the state-wide public health response to the pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the experiences and roles of environmental health officers (EHOs) in WA during the management of COVID-19 and to identify any policy changes that are needed to facilitate the rapid deployment of EHOs during a future public health crisis. An online survey with 78 respondents was administered and analysis was both qualitative and quantitative. It was found that participants believed there was inadequate resourcing, workforce shortages, increased workloads, and a lack of recognition and integration of the profession within the COVID-19 response. Notably, more than 65% of the respondents believed they could have been better utilised during the pandemic. This research has demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic in WA had clear gaps in its processes for managing responses and resilience to pandemics. Policy recommendations outlining a more efficient and integrated delivery of environmental health services throughout the state during emergencies are discussed.

Keywords: COVID-19; environmental health response; professional recognition; public health policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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