Scribd
Upload
12 views16 pages

Introduction To Environmental Health

fh

Uploaded by

arafathossainany017
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
12 views16 pages

Introduction To Environmental Health

fh

Uploaded by

arafathossainany017
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 16

Introduction to Environmental Health

Overview of Environmental Health Principles and Determinants

Kabirul Bashar Ph.D.


Department of Zoology
Jahangirnagar University
professorkabirul@gmail.com
01711130312
Introduction
Definition of Environmental Health:
• Environmental health is a branch of public health that focuses on the
interactions between people and their environment. It aims to
understand how environmental factors—such as air, water, and soil
quality, as well as exposure to chemicals and radiation—affect human
health.
• Environmental health professionals work to identify and mitigate risks
in the environment to prevent disease and promote well-being.
Focus on relationships between people and their environment.
• dynamic relationship between individuals and their surroundings
• how environmental conditions influence health outcomes, and how
human activities impact the environment.
Aim: Promote health and well-being.
Principles of Environmental Health

• Prevention: Strategies to reduce exposure to


environmental hazards before they cause harm.
• Risk Assessment: Process of evaluating potential
health risks from environmental exposures.
• Interdisciplinary Approach: Integrating multiple
disciplines to tackle complex environmental health
issues.
• Sustainability: Protecting health and the environment
for future generations through responsible resource
management.
• Equity: Ensuring all populations have equal access to a
healthy environment and protection from risks.
Historical Context
From Sanitation to Global Environmental Issues:
• Early Focus: Environmental health initially focused on basic sanitation—clean water, waste management, and
hygiene—to prevent infectious diseases (e.g., cholera, typhoid).
• Industrial Revolution: Shift to addressing industrial pollution, urbanization, and the impacts of factory
emissions on air and water quality.
• Modern Era: Expansion to global issues like climate change, chemical pollutants, biodiversity loss, and the
impact of human activities on ecosystems.
Early Concerns to Modern Challenges:
• Early Concerns: Preventing waterborne diseases, controlling waste, and improving urban living conditions.
• Modern Challenges: Addressing complex problems like global warming, air pollution, chemical exposure, and
environmental justice. The field now also considers the socio-economic and cultural dimensions of
environmental health, aiming for sustainable solutions that benefit all populations.
Environmental Determinants of Health

• Air Quality: Crucial for respiratory health; impacted by pollutants from industry and
vehicles.
• Water Quality: Essential for life; concerns include chemical runoff and microbial
contamination.
• Soil Quality: Vital for agriculture; affected by pesticides, erosion, and pollution.
• Built Environment: Influences health through urban design, infrastructure, and green
spaces.
• Climate Change: Alters weather patterns, impacts health, and disrupts ecosystems.
• Chemical Exposures: Involves risks from toxic substances like pesticides and industrial
chemicals.
• Biological Factors: Pathogens and vectors, like mosquitoes, that spread diseases.
Air Quality
• Pollutants: PM, NO₂, SO₂, O₃
• Health Impacts: Respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Water Quality
• Contaminants: Microorganisms, chemicals, turbidity.
• Health Impacts: Gastrointestinal infections, chronic diseases.
Soil Quality
• Contaminants: Heavy metals, pesticides.
• Health Impacts: Food safety issues, poisoning.
Built Environment

• Housing Quality: Ventilation, mold.


• Urban Planning: Green spaces, infrastructure.
Climate Change
• Impact on Health: Extreme
weather, vector-borne diseases.
• Adaptation and Mitigation:
Infrastructure improvements, early
warning systems.
Chemical Exposures

• Toxic Substances: Industrial chemicals, household products.


• Health Impacts: Chronic conditions, developmental issues.
Biological Factors

• Vectors and Reservoirs: Mosquitoes, animals.


• Health Impacts: Emerging infectious diseases.
Case Study: Air Pollution
• Examples: Delhi, Beijing.
• Health Outcomes: Respiratory issues.
• Policy Responses
Case Study: Climate Change and Vector-Borne Diseases
Key Points:
• Geographic Spread: Warmer temperatures are pushing diseases like dengue and malaria into new
regions, including higher altitudes and temperate zones.
• Increased Transmission: Changes in climate conditions (temperature, humidity, rainfall) are enhancing
vector breeding, leading to more frequent and intense outbreaks.
• Seasonality Shifts: Extended transmission seasons for diseases like West Nile Virus due to climate
change.

Case Example:
• Dengue Expansion in South America: Rising temperatures have led to significant outbreaks in regions
previously unaffected, such as Argentina and Paraguay.

Public Health Implications:


• Surveillance & Adaptation: Enhanced monitoring and adaptive public health strategies are crucial to
managing the increased risk.
Conclusion
Environmental Health: Why It Matters
• Critical Impact: Environmental factors like pollution and climate change significantly affect human health,
leading to serious diseases.
• Vulnerable Groups: Children, the elderly, and low-income communities are most at risk, deepening health
inequalities.
• Economic Cost: Treating environmentally related diseases is expensive, impacting healthcare systems and
economies.

Call to Action for Better Health


• Strengthen Policies: Push for stricter environmental regulations to protect public health.
• Promote Awareness: Educate communities on environmental health to drive informed decisions.
• Support Research: Invest in research to find effective solutions to environmental health challenges.
• Collaborate: Work together across sectors to implement health-focused environmental strategies.
• Go Sustainable: Encourage sustainable practices to reduce health risks and enhance well-being.
Thank you for your patience in hearing

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy