Environmental Health: WHO Definition Explained

The question asks us to identify the term defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) concerning the control of factors within our physical surroundings that influence our well-being. The definition provided is: "the control of all those factors in man's physical environment which exercise or may exercise a deleterious effect on his physical development, health and survival".

This definition precisely describes the scope and focus of Environmental Health. Environmental Health is a field dedicated to understanding and managing the relationship between human health and the environment. It looks at how elements in our surroundings – like air, water, soil, food, and living conditions – can affect our physical development, our overall health, and ultimately, our ability to survive.

Key Aspects of the WHO Definition

Let's break down the definition to understand why it points to Environmental Health:

• Control of factors: It emphasizes the need to manage or regulate environmental elements.
• Physical environment: The definition specifically focuses on the tangible aspects of our surroundings.
• Deleterious effect: It addresses factors that can harm or negatively impact health.
• Physical development, health, and survival: This highlights the broad impact on human life, from growth stages to long-term well-being and existence.

Differentiating Related Terms

While other terms are related to the environment and health, they don't encompass the full definition provided:

• Environmental Sanitation: This term usually refers to specific practices and measures aimed at maintaining hygiene and preventing disease, such as safe water supply, waste disposal, and food hygiene. It's a crucial part of environmental health but not the entire definition.
• Environmental Standard: This refers to a set level or benchmark for environmental quality (e.g., a standard for air pollution). It's a tool used within environmental health but isn't the definition of the field itself.
• Environmental Control: This describes the actions taken to manage or regulate environmental factors. While control is mentioned in the definition, "Environmental Control" as a standalone term is broader and might refer to managing ecosystems or specific environmental aspects, not necessarily tied to the comprehensive health definition provided.

Therefore, the definition provided by WHO clearly aligns with the broad field and practice of Environmental Health.