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After viewing the statistics presented in the document titled "M6 Activity- 2010 Portage County Statistics," I noticed that the table documents birth, death, and disease events among the residents of Portage County in 2010. The total population of Portage County in 2010 was 161,419. The table shows the population among different age groups, such as the population of people 17 years of age and younger was 33,678, and the population of people 65 and older was 20,819, indicating that there were more individuals aged 17 and under than those aged 65 and older. Measures that may be important to calculate include age-specific birth rates. For example, the number of live births to women aged 15-17 years was 25, which is 1.71% of the total live births. This number was obtained by dividing the live births to women aged 15-17 (25) by the total live births (1462), then multiplying by 100 to get a percentage (25/1462=0.01709; 0.01709×100=1.71%).
Kacie Luklan summarized that the overall population in these statistics was 161,419, with 1,462 live births in 2010. The data is broken down into live births by maternal age and total fetal and infant deaths. She suggested that health measures such as crude birth weight and crude mortality rate are important indicators. To calculate the crude birth rate, she divided total live births by the total population, resulting in approximately 0.0090 or 9.0 per 1,000 people. Similarly, the crude mortality rate was calculated by dividing the total number of deaths (859) by the population, resulting in a rate of 859 per 100,000 population.
Madison Telgkamp discussed the CDC's BRACE framework (Building Resilience Against Climate Effects), which is a five-step process used by health officials to develop strategies for preparing communities for climate change impacts (“CDC’s”, 2019). One significant impact of climate change is deterioration of air quality, especially during warm weather, which can exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD. Poor air quality can lead to increased hospitalizations due to respiratory distress and a rise in asthma diagnoses. The first step of the BRACE framework, anticipate impacts, involves projecting disease burdens and assessing possible public health interventions to prevent or mitigate these effects. Addressing climate change-related air quality issues proactively can significantly reduce health disparities and prevent long-term health consequences.
Ethan Hunt highlighted that climate change adversely affects population health, particularly through deteriorating air quality, which impacts vulnerable populations, including the elderly and children living near sources of pollution. Short-term effects include eye, nose, and throat irritation, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Long-term effects include serious lung diseases, asthma, chronic cough, lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. The BRACE framework, which stands for Building Resilience Against Climate Effects, is designed to help public health and government officials develop strategies to combat these health effects. One mitigation strategy pertinent to air quality issues would involve using the first step of the BRACE framework—anticipate impacts and assess vulnerabilities—to identify high-risk populations and zones. Targeted efforts could then be made to reduce pollution in those vulnerable areas, thereby lessening health disparities and protecting public health.
Sample Paper For Above instruction
The impacts of climate change on population health have garnered increasing attention from public health professionals and policymakers globally. Among the numerous effects, deteriorating air quality stands out as a significant health hazard directly linked to climate change. This paper explores the health implications of air pollution exacerbated by climate variability, discusses the application of the CDC’s BRACE framework to mitigate these effects, and offers strategies for public health intervention tailored to vulnerable populations.
Introduction
Climate change is altering environmental conditions worldwide, leading to rising temperatures, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and changes in air quality. These environmental shifts directly impact human health, particularly through the degradation of air quality which can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Understanding these impacts and developing effective mitigation strategies are essential for safeguarding public health, especially among vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with preexisting health conditions.
The Effect of Air Quality on Population Health
The relationship between air quality and health has been extensively studied. Poor air quality, often worsened by higher temperatures and pollution from industrial sources and vehicular emissions, can trigger acute and chronic health conditions. Short-term effects include respiratory irritation, bronchitis, and pneumonia, which can lead to increased hospital admissions during periods of high pollution. More concerning are the long-term health consequences, which include the development of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases (Kampa & Castanas, 2008; World Health Organization, 2018). Vulnerable populations, notably children and the elderly, are disproportionately affected because their immune systems or respiratory functions may be less developed or compromised. For example, children’s lungs are still developing, and exposure to pollutants can impair lung growth, leading to lifelong health consequences (García et al., 2014). Similarly, elderly individuals often have comorbidities that can be aggravated by poor air quality (Hajat et al., 2015).
Utilizing the CDC’s BRACE Framework for Mitigation
The CDC’s Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE) framework offers a structured approach to addressing climate-related health risks, including poor air quality. The framework’s first step—anticipate impacts and assess vulnerabilities—may involve mapping high-risk areas where pollution levels are elevated and identifying populations most susceptible to the health effects of poor air quality (CDC, 2019). For example, cities may monitor air quality indices (AQIs) and community health data to identify neighborhoods with vulnerable residents. Once these areas are identified, public health agencies can implement targeted interventions, such as establishing early warning systems, increasing public awareness, and promoting behavioral changes to reduce pollution exposure (Ebi & Semenza, 2008).
Mitigation Strategies in Practice
One practical mitigation strategy is the development of community air quality monitoring and alert systems, especially in urban areas with dense traffic and industrial activities. These systems can inform residents of days with hazardous air quality, prompting vulnerable groups to stay indoors or use protective measures such as masks. Additionally, policies aimed at reducing emissions, such as stricter vehicle emissions standards and promotion of clean energy sources, are vital. Public health programs should prioritize vulnerable populations by providing resources like air purifiers, allergy medications, and educational campaigns on reducing exposure during high pollution days (Harlan et al., 2018).
Furthermore, urban planning can play a crucial role in mitigation by increasing green spaces that help absorb pollutants, reducing heat islands that intensify smog formation, and improving transportation systems to decrease pollution sources. Climate adaptation strategies must integrate these health-focused interventions to build resilience within communities (Patel et al., 2018).
Conclusion
Climate change profoundly impacts air quality, and consequently, population health. Addressing this challenge requires a proactive, multi-faceted approach grounded in frameworks like CDC’s BRACE. By anticipating climate impacts, assessing vulnerabilities, and implementing targeted, sustainable strategies, public health officials can mitigate adverse health outcomes associated with poor air quality. Protecting vulnerable populations is paramount, necessitating collaborative efforts among policymakers, urban planners, healthcare providers, and communities. As climate change continues to accelerate, adaptive and resilient health strategies will be critical in safeguarding public health now and in the future.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2019). Climate and Health - CDC's Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE) Framework. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/BRACE.htm
- Ebi, K. L., & Semenza, J. C. (2008). Community-based adaptation to the health effects of climate change. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 35(5), 501-508.
- García, I., et al. (2014). Air pollution, health, and climate change. Journal of Environmental Protection, 5(12), 1246-1254.
- Hajat, S., et al. (2015). Impact of air pollution on health and health care utilization among elderly populations. Environmental Research, 142, 379-385.
- Harlan, S. L., et al. (2018). Urban land cover and air pollution. Environmental Science & Technology, 52(11), 6662-6671.
- Kampa, M., & Castanas, E. (2008). Human health effects of air pollution. Environmental Pollution, 151(2), 362-367.
- Patel, M., et al. (2018). Urban planning and environmental health. Journal of Urban Health, 95(4), 496-507.
- World Health Organization. (2018). Ambient (outdoor) air quality and health. WHO Report.