Environmental Health Scientist
March 29, 2024
Updated April 13, 2025
16 minute read
Exploring a Career as an Environmental Health Scientist
Environmental Health Science is a fascinating and vital field dedicated to understanding how environmental factors impact human health and well-being. Professionals in this area investigate the complex interplay between people and their surroundings – encompassing the air they breathe, the water they drink, the food they eat, and the physical spaces they inhabit. They work diligently to identify potential hazards, assess risks, and develop strategies to prevent disease and promote healthier communities.
Working as an Environmental Health Scientist can be deeply rewarding. You might find yourself pioneering research on the health effects of emerging contaminants, designing interventions to protect vulnerable populations from pollution, or advising policymakers on regulations that safeguard public health. This career offers a unique blend of scientific investigation, problem-solving, and community engagement, allowing you to make a tangible difference in people's lives and the health of the planet.
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Find a path to becoming a Environmental Health Scientist. Learn more at:
OpenCourser.com/career/jutrve/environmental
Reading list
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Serves as a foundational text for understanding Planetary Health, offering a comprehensive introduction to the field. It explores how the degradation of Earth's natural systems impacts human health across various domains, including food, infectious diseases, and mental health. This valuable resource for students and professionals seeking a broad overview and is often used as a textbook in academic settings.
This practical guide provides a comprehensive overview of veterinary public health programs and how to establish and maintain them. It's an excellent resource for professionals looking to improve zoonotic disease prevention and control.
Focusing on a critical aspect of Planetary Health, this book provides a comprehensive review of the health impacts of climate change. It covers a wide range of health issues, from infectious diseases to mental health, and discusses mitigation and adaptation policies. The second edition is updated with the latest scientific evidence and includes chapters on climate justice, making it a valuable resource for understanding contemporary topics.
Provides an environmental history of the period since 1945, highlighting the accelerating pace of human impact on the planet. It explains the causes and consequences of this 'Great Acceleration,' including trends in climate change and urbanization, which are highly relevant to understanding the context of Planetary Health in the Anthropocene.
Explores the ongoing extinction crisis, a critical component of planetary environmental change with significant implications for human health and well-being. It provides a compelling look at the impact of human activity on biodiversity, which is directly relevant to the ecological foundations of Planetary Health. [B]
Presents a stark and urgent picture of the potential impacts of climate change if significant action is not taken. It delves into the cascading effects of warming on various aspects of human life and the planet, serving as a critical, albeit challenging, read for understanding the stakes involved in Planetary Health. It highlights contemporary topics and future challenges. [D]
Delves into the issue of environmental racism and its impact on the health and lives of people in affected communities. It provides in-depth case studies and analysis of how industrial pollution and other environmental hazards are linked to race and socioeconomic status, offering a critical perspective on environmental justice within Planetary Health.
Connects environmentalism with social justice, highlighting how environmental issues disproportionately affect marginalized communities. It provides a crucial perspective on equity within the context of environmental challenges, which is increasingly recognized as vital to Planetary Health. This is particularly relevant for understanding the social determinants of health in a planetary context.
Specifically links our food choices and agricultural systems to climate change, offering practical solutions for creating a more sustainable food system. It aligns well with the 'Sustainable Food Systems' course and provides actionable insights for individuals interested in the food-health-environment nexus within Planetary Health. [G]
This handbook explores the complex relationship between urban environments and public health. Given the course on 'HEALTHY URBAN SYSTEMS', this book provides valuable insights into how urban planning and design can impact health outcomes, addressing issues like air quality, access to green spaces, and social inequities in urban settings, all relevant to Planetary Health in urban contexts.
Offers an accessible introduction to the One Health concept, which is closely related to Planetary Health and emphasizes the links between human, animal, and environmental health. It provides an overview from different disciplinary perspectives and includes case studies, making it useful for gaining a broad understanding of interconnected health issues.
This textbook offers a comprehensive exploration of the One Health approach to zoonotic diseases, emphasizing collaboration between human and animal health professionals.
Explores the history of energy consumption and its link to climate change and environmental degradation. It provides a clear and accessible explanation of complex scientific concepts, making it valuable for gaining a broad understanding of the environmental challenges that underpin Planetary Health. It offers important context for the 'Climate Change and Health' course. [A]
This textbook offers a broad overview of environmental health, covering a wide range of topics relevant to Planetary Health, including air and water quality, climate change, and environmental justice. It provides foundational knowledge in the relationship between the environment and human health, making it a useful reference or preparatory text.
This influential book examines the factors that have contributed to the collapse of past societies, with a significant focus on environmental problems. While not solely about health, it provides crucial historical context and highlights the long-term consequences of unsustainable practices, a core theme in Planetary Health. It's a valuable resource for understanding the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and political factors.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the global health impacts of climate change, including the health risks associated with extreme weather events, air pollution, and food insecurity.
This report provides a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on the health impacts of climate change, and provides recommendations for future research.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the health impacts of climate change, and provides recommendations for adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Investigates the impacts of climate change on human health, covering a wide range of health outcomes and vulnerabilities. It provides evidence-based recommendations for adaptation and mitigation strategies to protect public health from climate-related risks.
Examines the relationship between biodiversity and human health, highlighting the essential role of healthy ecosystems in supporting human well-being. It explores how biodiversity loss can lead to increased disease risk and discusses strategies for conservation and restoration.
Explores the scientific evidence for the benefits of nature on human health and well-being. It highlights the importance of preserving natural spaces for human health, a key aspect of Planetary Health, and provides a different lens through which to view the human-nature connection. [H]
Published in 1989, this book was one of the first to warn the public about the dangers of climate change. While some of the science has evolved, its core message about the profound impact of human activity on the planet's natural systems remains highly relevant and provides important historical context for contemporary Planetary Health discussions. It is considered a classic environmental text. [F]
Explores the impacts of global environmental change on public health. It examines the challenges and opportunities in addressing ecological determinants of health, such as climate change, air pollution, and deforestation.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/career/jutrve/environmental
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