IHP 410 Journal Guidelines And Rubric Journal Activities In

Ihp 410 Journal Guidelines And Rubricjournal Activities In This Course

Journal activities in this course are private between you and the instructor. The journal activities will allow you to further reflect on population health and cultural competence.

Paper For Above instruction

Environmental threats significantly impact health, especially in low and middle-income countries where exposure to hazards is higher. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), environmental factors are fundamental contributors to global disease burden, accounting for approximately 25% of deaths and illnesses worldwide. The primary environmental threats include air pollution, unsafe water, and sanitation issues, each posing substantial health risks to affected populations.

Indoor air pollution is a prominent health concern in low-income areas. Poor ventilation in homes, coupled with the use of biofuels for cooking, leads to the accumulation of smoke indoors, exposing residents to hazardous pollutants. This exposure is linked to numerous health problems, including upper respiratory infections, conjunctivitis, cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and various forms of cancer. Additional research indicates that household air pollution can also lead to cataracts, tuberculosis, and adverse pregnancy outcomes, further exacerbating health disparities in impoverished communities.

Ambient outdoor air pollution is another significant contributor to health burdens worldwide. Emissions from automobiles, industries, and household activities release complex mixtures of pollutants into the atmosphere. Population exposure to particulate matter (PM) and other pollutants from these sources is associated with serious acute and chronic health conditions. The WHO estimates that such ambient air pollution is responsible for approximately 16% of lung cancer deaths, 25% of COPD deaths, 17% of ischemic heart disease, and 26% of respiratory infection-related fatalities globally. These figures highlight the urgent need for policies targeting air quality improvements to mitigate health risks associated with environmental pollution.

Unsafe water access remains a persistent challenge in low-income regions. Contaminated drinking water often contains harmful bacteria, primarily from human or animal feces, leading to diarrheal diseases. These illnesses pose a significant health threat, with about 88% of deaths attributed to diarrheal illnesses globally being linked to unsafe water supplies. Additionally, inadequate sanitation and hygiene contribute to disease transmission, further burdening vulnerable populations. The WHO reports that approximately 1.9 million deaths in 2016 could have been prevented through improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions, underscoring the critical importance of investing in infrastructure and public health measures in these areas.

Overall, environmental hazards disproportionately affect disadvantaged populations, perpetuating cycles of poor health and limited economic development. Addressing air pollution and unsafe water in vulnerable communities is essential for reducing health disparities and achieving global health equity. Strategies include enforcing environmental regulations, enhancing access to clean water and sanitation, promoting cleaner cooking technologies, and raising public awareness about environmental health risks. These interventions require coordinated efforts involving governments, communities, and international organizations committed to improving health outcomes in low and middle-income countries.

References

• Priority Environment and Health Risks. (2010). World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/environment_enhealth/publications/priority Environment.pdf
• Skolnik, R. L. (2020). Global health 101. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Thurston, G., & Lippmann, M. (2015). Ambient particulate matter air pollution and cardiopulmonary diseases. Seminars in respiratory and critical care medicine, 36(3), 422–432.
• Estimating the burden of disease from inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene. (n.d.). World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/emergingissues2010/en/
• Disease & Impact. (2014). The global impact of unsafe water on health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/diarrhea/en/
• World Health Organization. (2016). Ambient Air Pollution: A global assessment of exposure and burden of disease. Geneva: WHO.
• Cutler, D., & Miller, G. (2005). The role of public health improvements in health advances: The twentieth-century United States. Demography, 42(1), 1–22.
• Gordon, S. B., et al. (2014). Indoor air pollution from solid fuels and tobacco smoke and their role in respiratory infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 2(10), 829–874.
• Prüss-Ustün, A., et al. (2014). Burden of disease due to inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene in low- and middle-income settings: A systematic review. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 217(3), 323–330.
• World Health Organization. (2018). Air pollution levels rising in many of the world’s poorest cities. Geneva: WHO.