Introduction
Community well-being is one of the most important aspects that public health policies care about, and ecology is one of the factors that initiate the weaknesses and sicknesses in humans. The ideal environmental public health policy should be a holistic one that includes many stakeholders and takes the path of a systematic process to guarantee the implementation process and the required results. This research examines the Environmental Public Health and Safety Policy of Montana State University (MSU), taking into account the Policy Process of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Problem Identification
The Initial part of the CDC Policy Process is problem recognition(CDC, nd.). MSU’s Environmental Public Health and Safety Policy assumes an awareness of environmental risks posed by contamination or exposure to hazardous materials placed at the university campuses and the surrounding communities (Montana State University [MSU], 2023). The policy specifically states that the well-being of the students, faculty, staff, and visitors should be the main objective, providing them with the safest possible place to reside or to do their activity by restricting their exposure to such environmental contaminants.
Agenda Setting
The second stage relates to agenda setting and goes along with the CDC Policy Process (CDC, n.d.). MSU’s policy clearly explains that the university approves the idea of building foundations for a safe and healthy environment and helping to make those systems happen by developing rules and ways for environmental health and safety (MSU, 2023). The policy articulates performance in line with the mission and the core values of the university, demonstrating that environmental stewardship and the well-being of members of the community are given due emphasis.
Policy Formation
The third pillar of the CDC Policy Process consists of the formulation of the policy (CDC, n.d.). MSU has outlined clear responsibilities and procedures dealing with the Environmental Health and Safety Office, departments, and community members to ensure they all play their part (MSU, 2023). The policy covers waste management of hazardous waste, monitoring of air quality, and emergency preparedness, which lays a guideline for the actuation of health and safety measures on the environmental front.
Policy Implementation
The fourth stage of the CDC Policy Process involves policy implementation (CDC, n.d.). The University of MSU is putting into place a policy that calls for the active involvement of key stakeholders, such as the university administration, the teaching staff, the support staff, and the student body, to guarantee a successful roll-out of the policy (MSU, 2023). The policy is to be used to train and educate field employees, provide comprehensive monitoring and reporting systems, and provide a follow-up system that monitors for compliance purposes.
Policy Evaluation
The last phase of the CDC Policy Process is policy evaluation ((CDC),n.d.). The policy of MSU contains provisions for the assessment on a regular basis as well as the update, which will minimize the possibility of the policy becoming outdated (MSU, 2023). The policy also highlights the significance of collecting and analyzing the information gathered to determine the success of the policy in enhancing environmental health and safety goals, making any adjustments or improvements if required.
Stakeholder Involvement and Leadership
Policy-making and implementation by public health are only possible with the participation of all the necessary stakeholders and the provision of resourceful leadership guidance (Frieden, 2014). MSU’s policy rates stakeholders’ participation at an absolute level by inducing university administration, teaching, and non-teaching staff and students in the decision-making and implementation of the policy (MSU, 2023). The plan not only gives this role to the Environmental Health and Safety office as a principal leader of the Environmental Health and Safety dept but also coordinates and oversees environmental health and safety programs in different departments throughout the whole institution.
Conclusion
In conclusion, MSU’s Environmental Public Health and Safety Policy shows a comprehensive set of measures to protect the environment and public health on campus and in the nearby areas. Through this CDC Policy Process, the policy is, therefore, putting in place the normative mechanism of problem identification, priority setting, policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation, which is all based solidly on evidence. The policy’s success relies on the engagement of key actors and evocative leadership, which develops a culture of environmental stewardship, and of course, the social well-being and health of the campus community should be the top priority.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). The policy process. https://www.cdc.gov/policy/polaris/policyprocess/index.html
Frieden, T. R. (2014). Six components necessary for effective public health program implementation. American Journal of Public Health, 104(1), 17-22. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2013.301608
Montana State University. (2023). Environmental, Health, Safety and Risk Management Policy – MSU Policies and Procedures | Montana State University. Www.montana.edu. https://www.montana.edu/policy/environment-health-safety/#:~:text=Environmental%2C%20Health%2C%20Safety%20(EHS)%20and%20Risk%20Management%20Policy&text=Introduction%20and%20Purpose%3A
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