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Five great environmental health achievements of the 20th century
During the
20th century, health and life expectancy improved dramatically. From 1900
to 1999, the average life span in the United States lengthened by more
than 30 years - 25 years of this gain are attributable to advances in
public health and environmental health.
Here are
five notable achievements, based on the opportunity for prevention and
the effect on death, illness, and disability in the United States. They
are not ranked by order of importance.
- safer and healthier workplaces
- control of infectious diseases
- decline in deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke
- safer and healthier foods
- safer
drinking water and fluoridation
A 1999 survey by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that the public ranked environmental and public health issues as higher spending priorities than road construction, missile defense, or cutting taxes. Only education was considered more important.
Sources: Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Pew Charitable Trusts
