Effects Of The Environment On Human Health

Effects of the Environment on Human Health Environmental concerns have increased in modern-day society, yet many people do not understand the effect of the environment on their well-being.

Understanding how the environment affects human health is barely possible without defining the two concepts. The WHO defines the environment as "all the physical, chemical, and biological factors to a person." In simple terms, the environment is all that surrounds an individual, both human-made and natural features. Human health refers to the physical, mental, and social well-being. Human beings interact with their surrounding environment in many ways.

The kind of interactions between humans and the environment determine the quality of life. The lifespan of human beings, as well as the health complications they are likely to endure, are mainly affected by the surrounding environment. Some of the aspects that must be considered when assessing the effect of the environment on human health include the prevalence of illnesses, injuries, and disability. The environment has a significant impact on human health; however, human beings are solely responsible for positive and negative outcomes. Climate change triggers the development of numerous illnesses and allergies.

Research indicates that “about 23% of all deaths in the world and 26% of deaths among children below the age of five” are caused by preventable environmental factors (Centeno et al., 2016). Scientists and environmental experts have indicated that the numbers are likely to increase over time. As such, more people are likely to die or develop life-threatening conditions due to various environmental factors. For instance, “over 50 million people have been diagnosed with allergies in the US only” (Lemire & Van Hare, 2020).

Climate change is the root cause of the high prevalence of allergies in today’s society. An increase in the temperature levels elevates the production of pollens, which often trigger allergic reactions. Asthma, lung cancer, and cardiovascular complications are caused or worsened by certain environmental conditions. Extreme precipitation increases humidity, thus encouraging the growth of molds and fungus that worsen certain diseases and allergies. Therefore, it is justifiable to say that environmental factors such as climate have a significant impact on health.

The environment affects human health, both directly and indirectly. On average, 13 million cases of preventable environmental issues are reported annually. In recent years, weather patterns have significantly changed. Water levels have significantly risen, leading to frequent flooding and strong winds that devastate the human population. Floods caused “about 24% of all deaths related to natural disasters in 2018” (Frumkin et al., 2017). Many people are living with disabilities that were caused by various natural disasters. Also, the prevalence of infections rapidly increases whenever flooding occurs. Cholera, bilharzia, and malaria are common diseases that affect many people worldwide. Without the influence of certain environmental factors, such illnesses would not be a problem in society.

Concerning an indirect impact, the environment affects the quality of food and the level of income of all human beings. People can barely cultivate sufficient food without reliable rainfall. Climatic conditions like prolonged drought affect food security; thus, people are exposed to malnutrition hazards. About 55 million people die annually due to drought. Although the environment affects human health, people are solely responsible.

Human beings have the power and knowledge to manage and control the environment to their advantage. Many of the preventable environmental issues arise due to neglect and carelessness among human populations. For instance, rapid industrialization is encouraged despite its negative impact on the environment. What people give to the environment is what it gives back to them. As such, the toxic gases released from various factories degrade the natural surroundings.

Human beings are to blame for the environmental degradation that has led to the emergence of various illnesses. The increase in morbidity and mortality risks is associated with environmental factors, yet human beings are responsible. Various agricultural and manufacturing activities undertaken in today's capitalistic society contribute to the greenhouse effect. Therefore, it is justifiable to say that climate change, especially increasing temperatures, is indirectly caused by human activity. Another factor to consider is the rapid growth of the human population.

The world is nearly reaching its carrying capacity as the global population increases. Natural resources, especially non-renewable resources, are consumed faster than the earth produces them. Therefore, overpopulation affects the earth's natural ecosystems. The prosperity and welfare of various communities are majorly “dependent on the earth’s ecosystems” (Li, 2017). Thus, a disruption exposes people to many health risks. For instance, deforestation in the world is widespread as people clear more land for habitation and cultivation.

Although the activity enables people to sustain themselves, it exposes them to health risks such as malaria. Also, deforestation leads to the loss of natural, highly nutritious foods. People have turned water bodies into dumpsites, killing aquatic microorganisms despite knowing that only 3% of the earth's water is drinkable. People want to blame the environment for their health issues, yet they are barely nurturing their surroundings to meet their long-term needs. In conclusion, the environment has a significant impact on human health; however, human beings are solely responsible for both positive and negative outcomes.

A symbiotic relationship exists between humans and their surroundings; human beings must preserve the environment's quality to prevent various health issues. Many environmentally-related health issues are caused by degradation and irresponsible use of natural resources. Some of the human factors that negatively impact nature include industrial development and overpopulation. The earth will no longer sustain human life after its carrying capacity is reached. More so, many natural resources are non-renewable; thus, they will soon be depleted, causing more health issues.

Research indicates that a connection with nature is vital for human health (Lee, 2017). For this reason, human beings should take necessary action before it is too late. People have the power and the means to determine their environment and manage it to be beneficial for them. Without doing so, nature will continue to punish human beings harshly for their neglect and carelessness.

References

• Centeno, J. A., Finkelman, R. B., & Selinus, O. (2016). Medical geology: impacts of the natural environment on public health. Journal of Geosciences, 6(1), 15-22.
• Frumkin, H., Bratman, G. N., Breslow, S. J., Cochran, B., Kahn Jr, P. H., Lawler, J. J., & Wood, S. A. (2017). Nature contact and human health: A research agenda. Environmental health perspectives, 125(7), 075001.
• Lemire, S., & Van Hare, H. (2020). How the environment impacts your health? Healthy Living. Retrieved from https://www.healthyliving.com
• Lee, L. M. (2017). A bridge back to the future: public health ethics, bioethics, and environmental ethics. The American Journal of Bioethics, 17(9), 5-12.
• Li, A. M. (2017). Ecological determinants of health: food and environment on human health. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(10), 8854-8864.