This Issue Brief, based on an October 2000 Issue Dialogue, explores issues at the intersection of environment and health. It begins with a discussion of the increase in antibiotic resistance, likely factors that have contributed to this increase, and action by the public sector to limit this phenomenon. The report also provides an introduction to systemic contaminants, illustrating both their complexities and intervention strategies through case studies of well-known contaminants. Current grantmaker activities to address these issues are presented, as well as opportunities for future activities that cut across both of these broad issues.