UNIVERSITIES AS RESOURCES TO STATE ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES

A survey of the 50 state environmental agencies asked about personnel power and research needs in 11 specific areas (administration, behavio ral and social science, education and information, environmental healt h, environmental protection, epidemiology, laboratory, law, occupation al health, policy and planning, and statistics). Four in-depth telepho ne interviews completed the data collection process to determine wheth er universities and schools and graduate programs in public health fil led these needs. Agencies felt their resources were least adequate in epidemiology and behavioral and social science. They did not feel thei r research needs were well met by state colleges and universities. The re was a general feeling that universities and schools and programs in public health have different agendas than state environmental agencie s, and that practical solutions are not forthcoming from these resourc es. Finally, suggestions are made as to what can be done to improve re lationships between those who train environmental health personnel and those who employ them.