 The main goal of environmental health is to prevent disease and to create healthy environments.  The WHO "World Health Organization" gives the following definition of Environmental Health

 Environmental Health is any issue that has any negative impact on human health.  An environment should be checked and monitored for change and progress and current problems must be solved so that it can be healthy - It includes the following supply and potential environmental health hazards.

 Suitable, safe housing  Water Quality  Food Control  Waste Management  Control of communicable diseases  Environmental Pollution Control  Disposal of dead bodies  malaria

Climate change  Globalisation  Poverty  Health

 Climate change may adversely affect health worldwide because water quality and access to adequate safe water becomes scarce and polluted.  Food production also decreases because there is less suitable land to grow food.  Waste management is a major problem in rural areas as well as towns and cities. Landfill sites are rapidly filling and are potential health hazards.

 The decaying material causes large amounts of methane gas, which has an influence on the greenhouse effect.  Cans, bottles and plastic, takes up to much space. These items should be recycled.

 Contagious diseases are a worldwide problem. The spread of diseases once believed it was under control but new diseases due to globalization were brought into South Africa and has become a problem.  These are illnesses such as: ◦ measles ◦ German measles ◦ polio ◦ malaria

 Government departments has the overall responsibility to ensure that laws and policies are executed and that the environment remains healthy.  Provincial departments and municipalities are also responsible.

 The National Environmental Management has a action plan set. (NEMA).  This action plan has TWO basic goals: 1. To secure better living conditions, to develop underprivileged people's quality of life and to protect and improve the future generations to come. 2. To protect and improve the environment in the present and the future.