1. Promoting Education and Awareness of the Links Between Health and the Environment
Rena Chung
Health Promotion and Environmental Protection Office, Toronto Public Health
Sustainable Toronto Presentations
May 16, 2002

2. Environmental Health Concerns of Toronto City Residents as Perceived by City Employees
Needs assessment research began in September 2001:
Survey distributed to 40 selected key informants (City Department managers)
Plus 1 extra copy for someone else in the manager’s division
Response rate:
For selected group: 55%
For extra group: 5%

3. Survey Objectives Objective 1:
To assess the environmental health priorities of
Toronto City residents as identified by City
employees.
Objective 2:
To determine the City’s response to the
identified priorities.

4. Environmental Health Priorities
Issue
Specific Issue
Freq.
Total Freq.
Air Quality
General 9 18
Outdoor 5
Indoor 4
Water Quality
Drinking 11
Recreational 3
Food - 7
Waste 6
Contaminated Soil
Pesticides
Protection/Conservation of the Env.
Noise
Toxic Chemicals
Transportation

5. Outcomes and Benefits Opportunity to work with City staff.
Opportunity to work with academic advisor.
Extension of project furthers overall objective to promote education and awareness of the links between health and the environment.
Learned about other Sustainable Toronto projects.

6. Obstacles First time developing and implementing a survey: Timing
Input and guidance from supervisor and academic advisor were essential.

7. Year Three Recommendations
Current Literature Review Research:
Perceptions of residents to environmental concerns.
Residents of Canada and Ontario.
Past 5 years.

8. Conclusion and Recommendations
Future project for the City of Toronto:
Survey revealed that a number of divisions track their inquiries and referrals.
Student RA to pursue content analysis of records to identify emergent trends as identified by the public to the division or department.
Excellent learning opportunity.