Written by Deborah Ellul
Environment Health
The environment which a population resides in holds a significant impact on one’s overall health, comprising the physical and mental aspect. As a whole, environmental health prioritises the growing relation between humans and their surroundings, cultivating a thoroughgoing health system.
Significantly, we as humans ought to remember that how we impact and behave towards our environment, will be ultimately felt through our health and well-being, albeit at times not visible.
A community, therefore, should promote its advances towards four major basis that secures a proper environmental system.
- Firstly, clean water should be indisputably available everywhere in sanitary conditions. This implies the elimination of bacteria, microbes, and any harmful chemicals from water.
- Secondly, clean air is fundamental as it mitigates the chances to develop respiratory problems.
- Thirdly, a country should provide nourishing food perpetually, as this not only increases life expectancy, but benefits one’s mental health.
- Furthermore, a risk – free environment is to be accessible to every citizen as every aspect can impede on one’s overall state of health.
With the above mentioned however, most countries suffer from poor environmental conditions. This inadequate ecological wellness imminently eventuates in severe and even life–threatening diseases. When the environment holds a high percentage of chemical pollution, it shows that heavy toxic chemicals are being used, affecting not only current generations but also forthcoming ones. When such matters start to arise, a substantial number of diseases will become a main problem that ultimately hinders the lifestyle of many.
Diseases
- Cardiovascular Diseases
One of the many general forms of diseases are the cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). CVDs are a collection of conditions that have a direct impact on the blood vessels and the heart. As a consequence of the increase in traffic congestion and many urban progressions, our air has become intensely polluted. Through this, a gradual but serious deterioration will occur in how the cardiovascular system functions and even narrow the blood vessels and raise the blood pressure. Certain particulate matter for instance can instigate health concerns such as cardiac arrhythmias and chest pain which can easily develop into strokes and even cardiac arrest. This happens due to the particles being of miniscule size, thus able to reach the bloodstream more rapidly. Additionally, artificial ecosystems and environments, where an
environment survives only through human reinforcement, limit our natural contact with nature, creating a more hazardous surrounding.
- Respiratory Diseases
As a continuation of the above, respiratory diseases are also a major problem towards the sustainability of environmental health. These diseases affect the lungs which are the main organs that supply the body with oxygen through inhalation and clears it from carbon dioxide via exhalation. Moreover, the lungs suppress microbes and other harmful substances through certain preventive barriers from damaging the respiratory system. Regardless however, through many generations of air pollutants, our air has become more and more contaminated.
This has increased through various examples, one of them being the constant burning of fossil fuels. Since fossil fuels lead to an increase of Carbon Dioxide in the air, an increase in global warming will occur. Consequently, there will be a conversion in climate patterns and eventually a rise in communicable diseases. In relation, smog, which is an amalgamation of smoke and fog, can trigger diseases such as bronchitis and even asthma. As cars emit exhaust, an airborne particle is formed which irritates our lung and furthers our risks to other diseases.
- Water Borne Diseases
Water as we know it is something which is easily accessible to us daily. In most countries this is mainly the case, yet that being said, there are countries which unfortunately cannot say the same. Regions such as Southeast Asia, Africa and many more, are undergoing grave health issues due to the unhygienic water that is obtainable to them. According to WHO, around 829, 000 people are dying everyday because of such water.
Since the water is not being filtered and is found to be immensely polluted, most end up suffering from diseases like Cholera, Diarrhoea, and Schistosomiasis, which is a diseases found through harmful worms. Children, for instance that contract bacteria which cause diarrhoea, have yet to develop a resilient immune system and so will end up dying due to access dehydration. Similar to this are problems like improper sewage disposition, oil spills and the irresponsibility of discarding plastic and other garbage in the ocean.
What Can Be Done
Through what has been discussed, it is evidently clear that this dereliction of our environment has to stop. Despite these facts however, there is still hope in maintaining good environmental health. People from every country should be educated and made aware of the consequences periodically. For example, this
can include learning on how to avoid unnecessary exposure to harmful chemicals. Subsequently, purchasing cleaning supplies that are safe for our health and are economic friendly can already be a big step. Another way could be through safe farming. As opposed to using pesticides, one might try weeding or even using traps which increases organic products!
Additionally, governments can work with NGO’s and other organizations to work towards this sustainability. It is essential that as a country walking and electric cars become the main form of transportation and form a scrape plan for old cars. Furthermore, one might choose to evade air pollution by having less expenditure in heavily polluted areas. Leaving for work earlier can be an asset as there would be less build up of pollution. Finally, we must not forget to take care of our oceans and lakes. One way of doing this is to limit the usage of plastic. The government can provide recycling bins on beaches and organise monthly beach clean ups. Consequently, vaccinations should be provided as to prevent water borne diseases from spreading, whilst also filtering the water accordingly!
