Research A Vulnerable Population: Inner City, Rural Area, Or ✓ Solved

Research A Vulnerable Population Inner City Rural Area Or Deve

Research a vulnerable population (inner city, rural area, or developing nation). In a 1,250-1,500 word paper, evaluate the environmental health issues facing the chosen population, and propose strategies to promote health through environmental stewardship. Include the following: Describe the vulnerable population you chose and explain why this group faces health inequity. Describe the environmental health issue affecting this population: What caused the issue or what was the environmental exposure linked to the environmental health issue negatively influencing the public health of this population? Discuss the correlating public health issues.

Identify one or more surveillance report, provide morbidity and mortality rates, and explain the burden of disease from the environmental exposure. Evaluate current policy as it relates to the promotion of public health, health equity, and environmental stewardship. What changes need to be made, or what policies need to be implemented, to improve public health and health equity through environmental stewardship. Discuss the policymaking process, including shared decision making that must occur to create functional policy. Include the roles of ethical evidence-based decision making in this process.

Consider Health in All Policies as you complete the evaluation and make recommendations. Discuss what is currently being done through local policy to address the environmental health issue, as well as the health of the community. Evaluate the effectiveness of these efforts. Consider aid given, models implemented, and private-public partnerships promoting health and environmental stewardship. Introduce a community design to further address the environmental health issue and improve public health through long-term environmental stewardship.

Include renewable and sustainable resources. Identify stakeholders necessary for implementation of the proposed strategies/community design. Include community members, local and federal government, global organizations, organizations offering aid, and faith-based and other nonprofit organizations, etc. You are required to cite five to seven sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and public health content. Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide.

Paper For Above Instructions

Title: Environmental Health Issues in Inner City Populations

Introduction

Inner city populations face numerous environmental health challenges due to a myriad of socio-economic factors. These communities are often characterized by higher rates of poverty, inadequate housing, and limited access to health services, which contribute to health inequities. This paper evaluates the specific environmental health issues affecting inner city populations, the correlating public health concerns, existing health policies, and proposes strategies for improving health through environmental stewardship.

Description of Vulnerable Population

The chosen population for this research is inner city communities, particularly those in low-income urban areas. These populations are vulnerable due to several factors, including high levels of pollution, poor housing conditions, inadequate sanitation, and limited access to healthcare services (Graham & Smith, 2021). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the social determinants of health such as economic status, education level, and access to health services significantly impact the overall health outcomes of these communities (WHO, 2019). Inner city populations experience health inequity because they are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards and lack the resources to mitigate these risks.

Environmental Health Issues

One pressing environmental health issue affecting inner city populations is air pollution. Exposure to pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is prevalent in urban settings due to traffic emissions, industrial activities, and residential heating methods (Clark et al., 2020). These pollutants have been linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and premature mortality (Brauer et al., 2021). In these communities, individuals often experience compounded public health issues such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and increased hospitalizations due to exacerbations of these conditions (Jiang et al., 2020).

Surveillance Report and Burden of Disease

Current Policy Evaluation

Current policies aimed at promoting public health and environmental stewardship include the Clean Air Act and local initiatives for urban greenery (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2019). However, while these policies have made strides in reducing pollution, they often lack robust enforcement, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. To further promote health equity, policies must be implemented that prioritize environmental justice and ensure that resources are allocated to the most affected communities (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 2020).

Policy Recommendations

To improve public health and health equity through environmental stewardship, several recommendations can be made. Firstly, there needs to be a focus on policy changes that enhance monitoring and regulation of emissions in inner city areas. Stakeholder engagement, including community consultation, is vital for creating effective policies. Secondly, implementing educational programs that promote awareness about environmental health issues and encourage community-based interventions can empower residents to advocate for their health (Benson et al., 2021). Finally, integrating Health in All Policies (HiAP) approaches ensures that health considerations are incorporated into all sectors, fostering a holistic approach to community well-being (Srinivasan et al., 2021).

Current Local Policies

Several local policies are already in place addressing environmental health issues in inner city populations. For instance, urban planning initiatives aimed at increasing green spaces and improving public transportation can help to reduce air pollution exposure (City of Philadelphia, 2021). However, the effectiveness of these policies has been mixed, and there is still a need for more comprehensive strategies that engage community members and stakeholders in their design and implementation.

Community Design Proposal

To further address environmental health issues, a community design proposal is presented. This model includes the development of community gardens that provide not only food resources but also green spaces that can help mitigate local pollution levels (Gonzalez et al., 2022). In addition, the proposal includes educational workshops on sustainability practices and health benefits tied to local resources. By integrating renewable resources, such as rainwater harvesting and solar energy, this community design can promote resilience while addressing health concerns.

Stakeholders for Implementation

The successful implementation of proposed strategies requires collaboration among various stakeholders. Essential stakeholders include community members, local government officials, health departments, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions. Additionally, partnerships with global organizations can provide resources and expertise to support initiatives aimed at enhancing environmental health in inner city communities.

Conclusion

The environmental health issues facing inner city populations are complex and require a multifaceted approach for effective mitigation. By understanding the unique challenges these communities face and developing and implementing policies centered on equity and community engagement, we can pave the way for healthier urban environments. Promoting environmental stewardship through education, community design, and stakeholder collaboration is essential for fostering long-term public health improvement.

References

  • Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (2021). Asthma in the United States: Statistics and Facts. Retrieved from https://www.aafa.org/asthma-facts
  • Benson, G., Collins, J., & Riley, L. (2021). Community Engagement in Environmental Health. Journal of Community Health, 46(2), 261-267.
  • Brauer, M., Lencar, C., & Hystad, P. (2021). Risk of mortality associated with ambient air pollution exposure. Environmental Health Perspectives, 129(1).
  • CDC. (2022). Asthma Surveillance. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/asthma_surveillance.html
  • City of Philadelphia. (2021). Parks and Recreation: Green City, Clean Waters. Retrieved from https://www.phila.gov/parksandrecreation
  • Clark, L. et al. (2020). Urban Air Pollution and Health Management. Environmental Science & Technology, 54(5), 3052-3059.
  • Gonzalez, M., Parks, A., & Smith, J. (2022). Community Gardens as a Health Intervention in Urban Areas: A Review of the Evidence. Journal of Urban Health, 99(1), 1-12.
  • Graham, H., & Smith, J. (2021). Health Inequities in Urban Settings: A Continuum of Challenges. Journal of Urban Health, 98(4), 589-596.
  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (2020). Environmental Justice and Public Health. Retrieved from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/programs/ej/index.cfm
  • Srinivasan, S., & Wilson, J. (2021). Health in All Policies: A Joint Strategy for Urban Planning and Public Health. Public Health Reports, 136(2), 187-194.
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2019). The Clean Air Act: A Brief Summary. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview

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