What is the primary focus of environmental health?

The primary focus of environmental health is the prevention of disease and the promotion of health. This field is dedicated to understanding how environmental factors—such as air quality, water quality, and hazardous waste—impact human health and well-being. It aims to identify risks and develop strategies to mitigate exposure to harmful substances, thereby improving health outcomes for individuals and communities.

This focus encompasses a broad range of activities, including monitoring environmental conditions, implementing regulations to limit exposure to toxins, and educating the public about healthy practices. By addressing these issues, environmental health professionals work to create safer environments that contribute to the overall health of populations.

The other options, while related to various aspects of society, do not reflect the primary aim of environmental health. For instance, promoting industrial growth and regulating international trade might impact environmental health indirectly, but they are not the central objectives of this discipline. Controlling economic factors is also more of an economic focus rather than a health-centered one. Thus, the comprehensive goal of environmental health is fundamentally about enhancing public health through preventative measures and creating healthier living conditions.