Environmental Health – Â鶹ÊÓƵ Mon, 17 Nov 2025 21:56:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/cropped-favicon_logo-32x32.jpg Environmental Health – Â鶹ÊÓƵ 32 32 Food Truck Program /projects/food-truck-program-4/ /projects/food-truck-program-4/#respond Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:35:52 +0000 https://portal.epicn.org/case-stories/food-truck-program-2/ Read More... from Food Truck Program

]]> Food trucks have become increasingly popular in recent years and can be complicated from a regulatory standpoint (vehicles and food services establishments). The city is interested in evaluating and developing citywide food truck best practices. This program would include any nuanced differences between centers (Downtown, Crossroads, Factoria) as well as special events. Development of best practices for how to frame the regulatory aspects, such as temporary merchants, permanent mobile locations or semi-frequent locations. Best practices would include practices for obtaining business licenses, permitting, health department requirements, and evaluation of potential costs to both vendors and the city.

]]> Located in southern Montana, the City of Bozeman is home to approximately 50,000 people. The Gallatin County seat offers a thriving arts scene, cultural festivals, farmers’ markets, and excellent outdoor recreation in nearby Paradise Valley, Yellowstone National Park, and the Gallatin Mountains. Local officials and residents value a sustainable, equitable, and participatory approach to community planning across a range of focus areas.  

Preparing for successful student life in greater Bozeman  

Moving off-campus is a popular option for Montana State University undergraduates seeking autonomy and housing variety. It is also many students’ first time living outside a campus or family home. Bozeman’s tight housing market coupled with a general lack of awareness about the environmental health risks associated with independent living posed a problem––one MSU and the City of Bozeman Neighborhoods Program wished to address. 

Student scientists evaluate rental-associated health risks  

Neighborhoods Program officials partnered with the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Montana State University through the Community Engaged and Transformational Scholarship (CATS) initiative. Undergraduate students in a BIOM 210: Principles of Environmental Health Science course were tasked with evaluating housing-specific health risks and translating their findings for the benefit of potential student renters. Participants divided into four collaborative working groups, each assigned a specific environmental health issue. They conducted immunological research and surveys and prepared presentations.

Resources for healthy off-campus undergraduate living

Student groups created three final presentations on asbestos, dampness and mold, and lead poisoning, as well as one presentation summarizing student survey results and sharing general off-campus housing statistics.

These comprehensive presentations review course research, describe the history, potential health risks/effects, and variations of each issue, and provide helpful tips for prevention and at-home testing. The survey presentation paints a clear picture of off-campus housing in Bozeman. An environmental health student intern additionally created social media content focused on raising awareness about seven environmental health issues of concern to students living off-campus.

Students participating in this partnership helped to raise awareness and ensure better health outcomes among students living in off-campus housing. 

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