The Benton-Franklin Health District (BFHD) has launched its first comprehensive Environmental Health Assessment (EHA), a community wide effort to understand how local environmental conditions affect health, quality of life, and the regional economy.
Residents, business owners, and employees are encouraged to take the survey, open through July 2026: [Environmental Health Assessment Community Survey]
The survey gathers input on air quality, drinking water, climate impacts, lead and pesticide exposure, waste management, and the environments where people live, work, and spend time. Responses will help shape future policies, investments, and regional planning.
Environmental conditions influence businesses in direct and indirect ways. Air quality, for example, is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular disease, which can increase absenteeism and health care costs. Healthy People 2030 data identified that reducing exposure to pollutants is a key strategy for preventing chronic disease and improving overall health factors that directly affect workforce productivity and stability.
Environmental quality also plays a major role in attracting and retaining employees, investment, and visitors. Clean, well-maintained public spaces support quality of life and influence tourism. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that environmental risks contribute to 12.6 million deaths each year, underscoring the strong connection between the environment and health.
Building on the region’s 2025 Community Health Assessment, BFHD’s Environmental Health Assessment expands the focus to better understand how environmental conditions shape daily life and the local business environment. For businesses, participating in the survey is an opportunity to ensure future decisions reflect real operational needs and on‑the‑ground experience.
BFHD will combine survey results with existing data to produce a public report in late 2026, guiding future recommendations and actions across Benton and Franklin counties. For more information or to participate in the Environmental Health Assessment survey, visit:[Environmental Health Assessment Community Survey]
