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Chapter 8: Environmental Health and Safety - Coggle Diagram
Chapter 8: Environmental Health and Safety
Understanding the environment
definition: influences beyond genetics
types of influences:
economic
cultural
social
physical
categories of physical environment
altered environment
human interventions
water treatment
waste management
mosquito control
flood control
impacts
chemicals
radiation
pollution (intentional/unintentional)
built environment
definition: human-made surroundings
areas of impact:
home injuries and exposures
transportation systems
workplace conditions
effects on physical activity and social interactions
unaltered (natural) environment
examples:
radon and lung cancer
sunlight and skin cancer
environmental impact on health
challenges in measurement
WHO findings
over half from air pollution
13 million deaths annually from avoidable environmental causes
long-term health effects
coronary artery disease
air quality index (AQI)
EPA's daily reporting on air quality
occupational health risks
statistics
approx. 5,000 deaths from occupational injuries yearly
at-risk occupations
mining, contruction, agriculture
health issues
Lung disease, hearing loss, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, cancer
Assessing Interaction with Environment
public health assessment
Community exposure data and health risks (e.g., lead)
ecological assessment
Impact of contaminants (e.g., DDT, mercury)
risk assessment
Steps: Hazard identification, dose-response relationship, exposure assessment, risk characterization
evaluates potentional hazards
Built Environment and Health
urban-health challanges
Crowded conditions leading to health issues
Associated Diseases:
.
Tuberculosis
Diarrheal diseases
Rat-borne diseases
Mental health impacts from noise
Creating Healthy Communities:
culture of health (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)
injury prevention
leading cause of death
ages 1-44 years
types of injuries:
intention/unintentional
All-Hazards Approach
origin
Developed post-2001 (e.g., anthrax attack)
Key Components:
.
Surveillance systems
Communication systems
Evacuations and healthcare response
Cybersecurity
Climate Change Health Risks
Water Resource Challenges:
Competition for Resources:
Decreased water supply in dry regions
health impacts
Waterborne diseases due to altered hydrological systems
Building Resilience:
Strategies for Mitigation:
Changes in transportation and dietary practices
Greenhouse gas emissions reduction
food and water security:
hunger trends:
Increase in global hunger statistics
climate change effects:
Nutritional quality and biodiversity loss
Agriculture and food systems
Adaptation Strategies:
Definition: Adjusting to climate impacts
Health System Priorities:
Early warning systems for disease outbreaks
Workforce training
High Ambient Temperatures:
Infectious Diseases: Factors like land use, climate effects, and socioeconomic factors
Example: Dengue fever increase
uneven health impacts
Assessments and Funding Issues
Importance of Assessments:
Vulnerability and adaptation assessments to guide health policy
Funding Shortages:
Less than 0.5% of climate adaptation finance for health-related efforts
Conclusion
Integration into Health Policies:
Essential for mitigating morbidity and mortality
Future Preparedness:
Need for substantial funding and cross-sector collaboration to address climate-sensitive health outcomes
Overall Impact of Climate Change:
Significant harm to human health, especially vulnerable groups