Challenges of Iranian environmental health during the COVID-19 epidemic: lessons for the future

Emerging and communicable infectious diseases are one of the major public health challenges that adherence to the principles of primary health care can prevent the rising of morbidity and mortality in communities This study investigates the environmental health challenges of Iran in COVID-19 epidemic as an emerging infectious disease Insufficient readiness of the health system, delays in quarantine and social distancing, the unpreparedness of health instructions, lack of personal protective equipment and disinfectants, delays in starting necessary research activities, unnecessary disinfection of roads, unknown mechanisms of transmission, poor ventilation of hospitals, lack of attention to reduced contact, parallel work in the development of health instructions, improper management of corpses and the operation of the public transport system were among the major environmental health challenges of the COVID-19 epidemic in Iran Despite the growth and development of medical technologies, it is necessary to pay serious attention to primary health care services with an emphasis on environmental health as a key strategy of the health system in combating the spread of diseases In order to effectively deal with the long-term presence of the coronavirus, the authorities, while making policy, take comprehensive preventive and sustainable practical measures in providing and developing environmental health infrastructure, and the people should be seriously and consciously involved in the implementation of prevention programs