Healthy Families

Partnerships for Environmental Public Health (PEPH)

The health of the family or household unit is an important framework through which to evaluate and address public health issues. Promoting healthy families requires integrating several disciplines, including reproductive health, maternal and child health, household environmental exposures, consumer health issues, and psychosocial and socioeconomic issues. Healthy homes are foundational: reducing household exposures to indoor air pollution, lead and other heavy metals, asbestos, and other potentially harmful agents is a top priority in protecting family health. Other topics — such as consumer food safety; the safety and integrity of pharmaceuticals and personal care products; and issues related to maternal, in utero, and early childhood exposures to toxic agents — are all critical considerations for determining family health outcomes.