Edinburgh Napier University

  Public health interventions need to be based on theoretical approaches that seek to elucidate environmental components within health inequalities. Protection of the environment will lead to stronger communities in the long term. The new public health agenda aims to engage the voluntary sector, the environmental movement, the professions and the public. Although nursing implicitly acknowledges the environment as a determinant of health, there is a paucity of research that focuses on environmental health within nursing practice.
A case study incorporating ethnography was conducted. The sample consisted of community nurses, members of the public, members of local and national government and environmental experts. Data collection involved documentary evidence, in-depth interviews and focus groups. Data analysis was conducted using grounded theory.
Results revealed that it is necessary to assess a community's environmental history and to explore the unique process within one environmental dispute, in order to identify barriers to environmental justice. This involves a top down and bottom up approach, where community nurses and members of the public can participate without feeling restricted by organisational policies or fear of conflict. In practice, this requires a multi-disciplinary and lay community setting, that is not driven by one agenda but safe and inclusive, for all to participate. To participate in this process, nurses will need to work within defined geographical boundaries rather than across multiple geographical areas. They need to be recognised as partners in tackling environmental health concerns and encouraged by management to share their advocacy role with other professionals and power-holders.