Our current occupational and environmental health work force is not adequately prepared to implement the regulatory requirements prescribed to maintain and improve public health. 2. In the majority of United States workplaces, the person responsible for occupational and environmental health is not formally trained. 3. Occupational and environmental health issues must be integrated into basic education programs for a wide variety of professionals such as business and engineering schools, as well as nursing and medical schools 4. Occupational and environmental health professionals must join with other public health advocates to develop and implement a strategy whereby the "value" of healthy communities and workplaces is understood and embraced at a societal level.