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Role of the community in controlling designated pestsCommunity members have a responsibility to maintain their homes and business premises so that they do not create health risks. Just one unhealthy site can spread disease through the community - especially diseases carried by water or mosquitoes.
In any community, there will be one or two who won't control their animals, get rid of rubbish, report a septic leak or prevent water pooling around their homes.
You could use community pressure to get these people to cooperate. A community that knows the human cost of serious disease is more likely to speak out when the actions of a few threaten everyone. Community members who are informed and involved will monitor and manage many of the risks themselves.
While EHWs don't enjoy telling people what to do around their own homes, this is sometimes necessary to prevent disease outbreaks. While you must be aware of people's feelings, you need to be clear and firm when giving people directions.
EHWs need the support of their communities to do their jobs properly. Creating a positive community attitude towards environmental health will create safer living and working environments (and make your job easier). It is just as important to change attitudes as it is to fix immediate problems..
On the Indigenous Communities Environmental Health website, you'll find the Environmental Health Planning and Action: A Handbook for Indigenous Practitioners. The handbook can be downloaded (in PDF) in small sections:
An index tells you what is in each section.
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