About Us

What is AEHA?

The Alaska Environmental Health Association is a professional group of sanitarians and environmental health professionals who work in the State of Alaska. AEHA has approximately 60 members from all over the state of Alaska. In the various capacities we serve in, we work to control those factors of the environment which result or may result in harmful effects to the health and well-being of all Alaskans, or which may do harm to food and drink, lands, waters, atmosphere, shelter and other resources. We strive to control and limit acute and chronic illnesses and conditions that may affect Alaskans and its visitors.

A copy of our By-laws are are located at the bottom of this page if you would like more information about the organization.

Is AEHA affiliated with the National Environmental Health Association?

Yes. We are the Alaska affiliate for the National Environmental Health Association and work cooperatively with them to exchange timely information and resources between our organizations.

Definition of Environmental Health

Environmental health is the science and practice of preventing human injury and illness and promoting well-being by

• • identifying and evaluating environmental sources and hazardous agents and

  • limiting exposures to hazardous physical, chemical, and biological agents in air, water, soil, food, and other environmental media or settings that may adversely affect human health.

  • See more at: http://www.neha.org/about-neha/definitions-environmental-health#sthash.fctPPDju.dpuf 

Definition of an Environmental Health Professional or Specialist

An environmental health professional or specialist is a practitioner with appropriate academic education and training and registration or certification to:

• • investigate, sample, measure, and assess hazardous environmental agents in various environmental media and settings;

  • recommend and apply protective interventions that control hazards to health;

  • develop, promote, and enforce guidelines, policies, laws, and regulations;

  • develop and provide health communications and educational materials;

  • manage and lead environmental health units with organizations;

  • perform systems analysis;

  • engage community members to understand, address, and resolve problems;

  • review construction and land use plans and make recommendations;

  • interpret research utilizing science and evidence to understand the relationship between health and environment; and

  • interpret data and prepare technical summaries and reports.

  • See more at: http://www.neha.org/about-neha/definitions-environmental-health#sthash.fctPPDju.dpuf 

What is Environmental Health Work like in Alaska?

Alaska is by far the largest state in the United States, spread across 571,951 square miles with a population of 634,892. That comes out to approximately 1.1 persons per square mile! Alaska is blessed with a wide range of cultures and ethnicities. Almost sixteen percent of Alaskans are American Indian and Alaska Native. According the 2000 US Census, 260,283 of Alaskan residents live in Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska. With a few exceptions like Fairbanks, Juneau, the Kenai Peninsula and the Matanuska Valley, the remainder of Alaska residents lives in mostly rural areas.

Because of its location, environment and population distribution, Alaska offers some unique challenges in environmental health. Arctic conditions often prevent traditional waste water disposal systems and public water sources. The terrain and environment of Alaska ranges all the way from arid desert to temperate rain forest. Distance and remoteness always present a challenge.

All of these factors test the skills and abilities of the environmental health professionals and sanitarians in Alaska. The Alaska Environmental Health Association strives to address all of these issues and provides a forum of information exchange for its members.

Where do your members work?

• • Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC)

  • https://www.tananachiefs.org/

  • Maniilaq Association

  • http://www.maniilaq.org/

  • Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium-Community Environment & Health

  • http://anthc.org/what-we-do/community-environment-and-health/

  • State of Alaska-Department of Environmental Conservation

  • http://dec.alaska.gov/index.htm

  • Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation

  • http://www.ykhc.org/

  • Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation

  • http://www.bbahc.org/

  • Municipality of Anchorage-Department of Health and Human Services

  • http://www.muni.org/Departments/health/Pages/default.aspx

  • State of Alaska-Department of Health and Social Services

  • http://dhss.alaska.gov/Pages/default.aspx

  • U.S. Public Health Service

  • http://www.usphs.gov/

  • University of Alaska Fairbanks-Cooperative Extension

  • http://www.uaf.edu/ces/

  • Doyon Universal Services

  • http://www.doyonuniversal.com/

  • JTAK Food Safety

  • http://www.jtakfoodsafety.com/

  • Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

  • CDC- OSTLTS http://www.cdc.gov/STLTpublichealth/

  • CDC- NCEZID http://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/

  • CDC- NIOSH http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/