Environmental Public Health Case Assignment Read The Module

Environmental Public Healthcase Assignmentread The Modulehome Page And

Read The Modulehome Page And Environmental Public Healthcase Assignmentread The Modulehome Page And Environmental Public Health Case Assignment Read the module Home page and required readings. Read through this assignment and the Assignment Expectations. Based on the background readings for this module (along with other relevant sources of credible information), your task is to write an essay in which you discuss an environmental public health issue in your community. Instructions You can submit your paper in a question-and-answer format. In other words, list the questions and provide a short answer to each.

State the name of your community. At what time in your life did you live in this community? (i.e. were you raised there during childhood, do you live there now, or was it during another time in your life?) Identify a specific environmental public health issue in the community. Explain briefly why rates of disease or illness might be impacted by this environmental health issue. Please write 1–2 paragraphs about this, and be sure to cite sources rather than simply stating your opinion. Identify one credible source of Environmental Health Data on that issue. (Please write 2–3 sentences maximum.

Please provide a description of the source and a link (i.e. hyperlink or URL) directly to relevant data sources. Discuss whether rates of disease or illness for the issue are being tracked in the community. Please write 2–3 paragraphs about this, and be sure to cite sources rather than simply stating your opinion. Assignment Expectations Length: 2–3 pages. Please rememeber in-text citations Lebel, J. (2003).

Chapter 3: Lessons and Successes. In: Health: An Ecosystem Approach. pages 31-50. IDRC Books. LC Call Number: RA565 -- .Leb. eISBN: pISBN: . Available in eBrary.

Ali, R., Wheitner, D., Talbott, E., and Zborowski, J. (2007, Oct.) Connecting Environmental Health Data To People And Policy: Integrating Information And Mobilizing Communities For Environmental Public Health Tracking. Journal of Community Health, 32 (5), 357-74. Additional Reading (Optional) World Resources Institute (). Chapter 1. Linking environment and health: Introduction. Retrieved from

Paper For Above instruction

This essay focuses on an environmental public health issue within my community of Houston, Texas. Having lived here during my adult years, I have observed various environmental health challenges that directly influence community well-being. The chosen issue for this analysis is air pollution, a major concern given Houston's industrial activities and heavy vehicular traffic, which significantly impact respiratory health among residents.

Air pollution in Houston primarily stems from industrial emissions, transportation exhaust, and petrochemical facilities located along the Houston Ship Channel. The pollutant mix includes particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These pollutants are known to exacerbate respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and even cardiovascular conditions (Lebel, 2003). High levels of ground-level ozone, particularly during summer months, have been linked to increased emergency room visits and hospitalizations for asthma-related incidents, especially among children and the elderly. The presence of such pollutants in Houston’s air quality has markedly impacted public health, contributing to increased disease prevalence and health disparities within vulnerable populations.

For environmental health data, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) offers comprehensive data on air quality and associated health outcomes in Houston. The Texas Environmental Public Health Tracking Program provides datasets on air pollutant levels, health effect reports, and geographic distribution of respiratory illnesses (Texas DSHS, 2023). These data are accessible via their official website, which offers interactive maps and downloadable reports that track disease rates and environmental exposures over time. This dataset enables health officials and policymakers to monitor trends, identify hotspots, and design targeted interventions to reduce pollution-related health burdens.

The rates of respiratory illnesses related to air pollution are indeed being tracked in Houston by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The tracking system compiles data from hospitals, clinics, and environmental monitors to provide a detailed picture of disease patterns associated with airborne pollutants (Ali et al., 2007). According to recent reports, areas with higher concentrations of air pollutants coincide with increased incidences of asthma and COPD hospitalizations, especially among children and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations in Houston. Monitoring initiatives have improved over the years, fostering a data-driven approach to environmental health management. The integration of environmental data with health records facilitates early warning systems, community education efforts, and policy responses aimed at mitigating air pollution's health impacts (World Resources Institute, n.d.).

References

  • Lebel, J. (2003). Chapter 3: Lessons and Successes. In: Health: An Ecosystem Approach. IDRC Books.
  • Ali, R., Wheitner, D., Talbott, E., & Zborowski, J. (2007). Connecting Environmental Health Data To People And Policy: Integrating Information And Mobilizing Communities For Environmental Public Health Tracking. Journal of Community Health, 32(5), 357-374.
  • Texas Department of State Health Services. (2023). Environmental Public Health Tracking Program. https://www.dshs.texas.gov/environmental-health/epht
  • World Resources Institute. (n.d.). Linking Environment and Health: Introduction. Retrieved from https://www.wri.org

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