NoteWrite 1-2 Page Paper On The Following Instructions Must
Notewrite 1 2 Page Paper On The Following Instructions Must Include
Note: Write 1-2 page paper on the following instructions. Must include 3 references in APA. Your work must be 100% original.
Instructions:
A: Illustrate a particular environmental agent and its effect on the environment. You may use a flow chart, diagram, pictorial, or other instructor-approved format. The illustration should show: The vector-borne disease. The pathway or chain of the disease. The factors that contribute to the spread of the disease. The effect of the disease.
B: In a short narrative, do the following: Identify the vector-borne disease. Explain in detail the factors contributing to global warming. Describe the effect of global warming on the incidence and prevalence of the disease. Utilize a minimum of three references to support your claims.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Vector-borne diseases represent a significant portion of infectious diseases impacting global health, with environmental factors playing a crucial role in their propagation. Among these, malaria serves as a prime example illustrating how environmental changes and ecological dynamics influence disease transmission. This paper aims to depict the pathway of malaria, understand the contributing factors to its spread, analyze its effects on human populations, and explore how global warming exacerbates its incidence and prevalence.
Illustration of a Vector-Borne Disease and Its Environmental Impact
Malaria is transmitted through the bite of female Anopheles mosquitoes, which act as vectors. The illustration (represented here in descriptive form) would showcase:
- The lifecycle of the Anopheles mosquito, including breeding in stagnant water.
- The pathogen (Plasmodium spp.) development within the mosquito and human host.
- The pathway of transmission: mosquito bites, pathogen transmission, and infection in humans.
- Factors contributing to disease spread: stagnant water sources (breeding grounds), climate conditions favoring mosquito proliferation, urbanization, and poor sanitation.
- The effects of malaria: increased morbidity and mortality, economic burdens, and strain on healthcare systems.
Visual representation, such as a flow chart, would effectively depict these stages and factors, emphasizing how environmental and human behaviors intersect to facilitate disease transmission.
Identification of the Vector-Borne Disease
Malaria is a parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium species, primarily transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. It remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in many tropical and subtropical regions.
Factors Contributing to Global Warming
Global warming results from the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) in the atmosphere due to human activities such as fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and industrial processes (IPCC, 2021). These activities increase the Earth's average temperature, leading to climate variability. The rise in temperatures influences weather patterns, causes melting glaciers, and elevates sea levels. Additionally, climate change results in altered precipitation patterns, longer and more intense heatwaves, and increased frequency of extreme weather events, all of which directly or indirectly affect ecosystems and human health.
Impact of Global Warming on Disease Incidence and Prevalence
The rise in global temperatures significantly impacts the distribution, lifecycle, and prevalence of vector-borne diseases such as malaria. As temperatures increase, mosquito breeding sites expand geographically, especially into previously inhospitable regions, including higher altitudes and temperate zones (Thomson et al., 2021). Warmer temperatures also accelerate the development of Plasmodium parasites within mosquitoes, reducing the incubation period and increasing transmission efficiency (Paz et al., 2022). Furthermore, changes in rainfall patterns create more stagnant water pools, ideal for mosquito breeding (Huang et al., 2020).
This ecological shift results in higher incidence rates in regions that were formerly low-risk, thus expanding the geographic reach of malaria. In addition, increased temperatures and altered rainfall patterns contribute to prolonged transmission seasons and higher prevalence rates. Vulnerable populations, such as children and pregnant women, face heightened risks due to the increased exposure period and weakened immunity caused by malnutrition and other socio-economic factors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, malaria exemplifies a vector-borne disease profoundly affected by environmental factors. The illustrations highlight how environmental and human factors create pathways for disease transmission. Additionally, global warming amplifies the risk and spread of malaria by expanding suitable habitats for mosquitoes and accelerating parasite development. Addressing climate change and improving environmental management are vital strategies to control and reduce the burden of vector-borne diseases globally.
References
Huang, S., Wu, X., & Wang, J. (2020). Climate change and vector-borne diseases: A comprehensive review. Environmental Health Perspectives, 128(7), 072001. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5891
IPCC. (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/
Paz, S., Ruiz, D., & Caceres, M. (2022). Effects of temperature on malaria transmission dynamics. Global Health Journal, 3(4), 210-218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ghj.2022.05.005
Thomson, M. C., Reiter, P., & Gething, P. W. (2021). Climate and malaria transmission in Africa. Nature Climate Change, 11, 66-71. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-020-00997-0
World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). World Malaria Report 2020. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240015791