Climate change is raising demand for council environmental health officers (EHOs). 

Flinders University researchers have investigated the pivotal role of Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) in confronting climate change and public health crises. 

The findings suggest boosting EHO numbers could be a game-changer for local councils striving to combat climate change and safeguard public well-being.

Flinders University's research into the efficacy of EHOs in local government showed their ability to leverage local expertise and human health risk assessment skills during public health emergencies, as was evident in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study also laid out crucial lessons for climate adaptation planning.

Key takeaways from the research include successful regulatory approaches, effective interagency collaboration, and acknowledgment of EHOs' capabilities. 

Notably, half of the surveyed EHOs believed their skills could have been better utilised during the pandemic.

The research also highlighted a pressing challenge - environmental health concerns linked to climate change were identified as the most significant issue by surveyed EHOs. 

However, inadequate resources, growing workloads, and a lack of support hindered their preparedness to tackle these emerging challenges.

Lead researcher Professor Kirstin Ross said councils need to strengthen these workforce areas, stressing that EHOs possess unique knowledge and skills vital for climate change adaptation at the local level.

Associate Professor Harriet Whiley, a research colleague at Flinders University, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the need to address high workloads, under-resourcing, and misperceptions surrounding EHO roles.

The study also highlighted significant shifts in EHO demographics since the last workforce review in 2010, with a more female and experienced workforce. 

It called for more uniform national recognition of accredited degrees in environmental health to further enhance the EHO workforce.

Additionally, the research unveiled a lack of a defined EHO professional identity, with varying responses on their scope of practice. 

With extreme weather events expected to intensify in the coming years, the study's results suggest that addressing workforce challenges and harnessing the expertise of EHOs is critical for local councils seeking to adapt and protect their communities in the face of climate change and health crises.

The study is accessible here.