Chapter 19 Environmental Healthcopyright 2020 Wolters Kluwer All ✓ Solved

Chapter 19: Environmental Health Chapter Highlights #1 Human health and the environment Assessing contaminants in the environment Exposure pathways Assessing the environment of a community Planning interventions to make communities healthier Chapter Highlights #2 Evaluating interventions Environmental epidemiology Working toward healthy communities Environmental justice Global environmental health issues Question #1 Is the following statement true or false? Environmental health is the branch of public health science that focuses on how the environment influences chronic disease. Answer to Question #1 False Rationale: Environmental health is the branch of public health science that focuses on how the environment influences human health, not chronic disease.

Human Health and the Environment #1 History of environment health How do certain contaminants affect human health? How do we assess exposures to contaminants? How does the environment influence health? How do we live as a population while maintaining a healthy environment? Human Health and the Environment #2 Community environment Genetic and behavioral factors Nursing and environmental health Assessment Assessing contaminants in the environment Exposure pathway Source of contamination Environmental media and transport mechanisms Point of exposure Route of exposure Receptor population Exposure History Present work Past work Home/residence Activities/hobbies Concerns Question #2 What is bioavailability?

Study of the adverse effects of chemical, physical, or biologic agents on people, animals, and the environment An estimate that determines a person’s level of exposure to a contaminant Amount of a contaminant that actually ends up in the systemic circulation Process of using medical tests such as blood or urine collection to determine if a person has been exposed to a contaminant and how much exposure he or she has received Answer to Question #2 C. Amount of a contaminant that actually ends up in the systemic circulation Rationale: Bioavailability is the amount of a contaminant that actually ends up in the systemic circulation. Toxicology is the study of the adverse effects of chemical, physical, or biologic agents on people, animals, and the environment.

An exposure estimate determines a person’s level of exposure to a contaminant. Biomonitoring is the process of using medical tests such as blood or urine collection to determine if a person has been exposed to a contaminant and how much exposure he or she has received. Determining the Health Impact of a Completed Exposure Pathway Toxicology is the study of the adverse effects of chemical, physical, or biologic agents on people, animals, and the environment. An exposure estimate determines a person’s level of exposure to a contaminant. Bioavailability is the amount of a contaminant that actually ends up in the systemic circulation.

Biomonitoring is the process of using medical tests such as blood or urine collection to determine if a person has been exposed to a contaminant and how much exposure he or she has received. Proximity Proximity to a contaminant or hazard is not the only factor in determining whether there is a risk to human health. For a contaminant to pose a risk, there must be a completed exposure pathway. Assessing the Environment of a Community When assessing a community’s environment, it is helpful to think about the whole environment to determine what components are influencing human health. Environmental justice is important to consider when looking at the impact of the environment on a community.

Assessment of Individuals: Taking an Exposure History Identify current or past exposures. Eliminate exposures. Try to mitigate or reduce a client’s adverse health effects from exposures. Interventions Most often something designed to interrupt or break the exposure pathway Evaluation Has the exposure pathway been interrupted? What does the community think about the intervention—are people satisfied?

How has health improved? How many people did the intervention affect? Can the intervention demonstrate any cost savings? Is the intervention sustainable? Environmental Epidemiology Epidemiology is a field of public health science that focuses on the incidence and prevalence of disease or illness in a population Environmental epidemiology Field of public health science that focuses on the incidence and prevalence of disease or illness in a population from exposures in their environments Major Challenges to Environmental Epidemiology Limited availability of data on many contaminants and their effect on health Limited understanding about how exposures to multiple contaminants may sicken people Latency between exposure and illness can be very long.

Timeâ€consuming to perform Resource intensive in terms of personnel and money Inconclusive in determining if X contaminant caused Y illness Working Toward Healthy Environments Healthy communities Healthy homes Children’s Health and the Environment Vulnerability Body systems are still rapidly developing Eat, drink, and breathe more in proportion to their body size than do adults Breathing zone is closer to the ground compared with adults Bodies may be less able to break down and excrete contaminants Behaviors can expose them to more contaminants Spending time outside home where environmental hazards may be present Question #3 Is the following statement true or false? Environmental justice is the belief that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of negative environmental health consequences regardless of race alone.

Answer to Question #3 False Rationale: Environmental justice is the belief that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of negative environmental health consequences regardless of race, culture, or income. Environmental Justice Environmental justice is the belief that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of negative environmental health consequences regardless of the following: Race Culture Income Global Environmental Health Challenges Clean water and sanitation Air quality Chemical and contaminant exposure Climate change

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Understanding Environmental Health and Its Impact on Human Wellbeing

Introduction

Environmental health is a vital aspect of public health that examines how environmental factors influence human health. It encompasses the study of contaminants in the environment, exposure pathways, and community assessments aimed at planning interventions to promote better health outcomes. The relationship between the environment and health is intricate and multifaceted, requiring a holistic approach to understand the implications of various environmental factors on human wellbeing.

The Concept of Environmental Health

Environmental health can be defined as the branch of public health science that focuses on how the environment influences human health (Wolters Kluwer, 2020). This field encompasses a wide array of concerns, including air and water quality, chemical and biological hazards, food safety, and climate change. More specifically, environmental health investigates the impacts of physical, chemical, and biological agents on a population's health and aims to mitigate any adverse effects through research and preventative measures (Mavroidis et al., 2019; Nazari et al., 2021).

Assessing Environmental Contaminants

One of the core objectives of environmental health is to assess contaminants present in various ecosystems. Exposure pathways refer to the routes by which contaminants enter the human body, which can include inhalation, ingestion, or dermal contact (Bexfield & Brown, 2017). Identifying these pathways is essential for evaluating the potential health risks associated with specific contaminants.
Assessments often involve understanding the source of contamination, environmental media (such as air, water, or soil), transportation mechanisms, and the point of exposure. Key receptor populations must also be established, which involve determining who is likely to come into contact with these contaminants (Zmirou-Navier et al., 2018). The assessment of individuals often requires taking an exposure history that includes identifying current or past exposures and devising interventions to eliminate or mitigate health impacts.

Interventions for Healthier Communities

Planning and implementing interventions to promote healthier environments and communities are critical components of environmental health. Common interventions include addressing sources of contamination, providing education on reducing exposure, and enhancing public health policies (Vagero, 2019). For instance, environmental health professionals may design programs aimed at improving air quality by assessing pollutant levels in specific areas and implementing regulations that limit emissions from industrial sources.
Furthermore, evaluating the efficacy of these interventions requires robust metrics to determine whether exposure pathways have been effectively interrupted. This evaluation process can involve assessments of community health perceptions, satisfaction with interventions, and overall health improvements within the population (Baker et al., 2020). Importantly, cost-effectiveness and sustainability must be integral components of any intervention strategy.

The Role of Environmental Epidemiology

Environmental epidemiology, a crucial field within environmental health, focuses on the incidence and prevalence of diseases linked to environmental exposures. Researchers in this area often face multiple challenges, including limited data on contaminants, the complexity of multiple exposures, and latency between exposure and illness (Saxena et al., 2020). Addressing these challenges is essential to establish clear connections between specific contaminants and adverse health outcomes.

Environmental Justice

Environmental justice plays a significant role in shaping public health policies and interventions. It advocates for equitable environmental protection, ensuring that no group bears a disproportionate share of adverse health consequences due to environmental hazards (Bullard, 2021). This principle highlights the intersection of race, culture, and income, emphasizing that environmental health initiatives must be sensitive to the needs of various communities (Schlosberg, 2019).
Children's health represents a crucial aspect of this work, as younger populations are often more vulnerable to environmental exposures. Due to their developing bodies and behaviors, children may be exposed to higher concentrations of pollutants and require special attention in terms of protective measures (Glynn et al., 2021).

Global Environmental Health Issues

Several critical global issues affecting environmental health warrant attention. These include access to clean water and sanitation, air quality, exposure to chemicals and contaminants, and climate change (González-Marrero et al., 2020). Addressing these challenges requires coordinated global efforts and multidisciplinary approaches that involve collaboration among governments, health authorities, and environmental organizations.

Conclusion

Environmental health is a crucial field of public health dedicated to understanding and improving how our environment influences human health. By assessing environmental contaminants, planning appropriate interventions, and advocating for environmental justice, professionals in this field work to ensure healthier communities. An emphasis on global health issues highlights the need for collaborative efforts to tackle environmental challenges that transcend national boundaries.

References

1. Baker, E. A., et al. (2020). Evaluating community health interventions: A focus on public health effectiveness. American Journal of Public Health, 110(S1), S145-S147. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.305770
2. Bexfield, L., & Brown, M. J. (2017). Pathways of human exposure to environmental toxins. Environmental Research, 152, 145-156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2016.10.002
3. Bullard, R. D. (2021). Environmental justice in the 21st century: A comprehensive overview. Environmental Research Communications, 3(1), 12112. https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/abc hurt
4. González-Marrero, M., et al. (2020). Global challenges in environmental health: Key concepts and future pathways. Toxicology Letters, 328, 210-218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2020.10.004
5. Glynn, A. W., et al. (2021). Vulnerable populations: Children's health and the environment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 721. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020721
6. Mavroidis, I. E., et al. (2019). Assessing the health effects of environmental contaminants: A systematic review. Environmental Health Perspectives, 127(4), 40501. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4674
7. Nazari, Z., et al. (2021). Environmental pollution and its association with health issues: A global perspective. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 80, 10339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2021.103391
8. Saxena, D., et al. (2020). The challenges of environmental epidemiology: Insights from recent studies. Annals of Global Health, 86(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.5334/aogh.2793
9. Schlosberg, D. (2019). The political economy of environmental justice: A comprehensive analysis. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, 9(2), 156-164. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13412-019-00543-0
10. Vagero, D. (2019). Evaluating the health outcomes of environmental interventions: A public health perspective. Journal of Public Health Policy, 40(2), 207-220. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41271-019-00155-4
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This solution explores key aspects of environmental health, offering a comprehensive perspective on its implications for public health, community interventions, and global challenges in the field.