2007 Int' JOEH, Industry Influence Occ-Env-Med Brazen and Insidious

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Industry Influence on Occupational andEnvironmental Public HealthJAMES HUFF, PHDhttp://www.ijoeh.com/pfds/IJOEH_1301_Huff.pdfTraditional covert influence of industry on occupationaland environmental health (OEH) policies hasturned brazenly overt in the last several years. Morethan ever before the OEH community is witnessing theperverse influence and increasing control by industryinterests. Government has failed to support independent,public health-oriented practitioners and theirorganizations, instead joining many corporate endeavorsto discourage efforts to protect the health of workersand the community. Scientists and clinicians mustunite scientifically, politically, and practically for thebetterment of public health and common good. Workingtogether is the only way public health professionalscan withstand the power and pressure of industry. Untilpublic health is removed from politics and the influenceof corporate money, real progress will be difficultto achieve and past achievements will be lost. Key words:industry influence; government policy; worker health;science and politics; science manipulation.INT J OCCUP ENVIRON HEALTH 2007;13:107–117Currently, governmental health agencies chargedwith protecting workers and the environmentappear to have changed course and now workwith and condone unhealthy worker and environmentalpractices. Health agencies should not consort withpurveyors of environmental damage and occupationalhealth hazards. Government's role has changed insidiouslyover the years from that of watchdog and protector.This leaves environmental scientists in a terriblydifficult position. In a landmark special issue.....AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.