DESCRIBE CONCEPTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH IN PREVENTING AND CONTROLLING DISEASE

By the end of this session students are expected to be able to

Describe environmental contamination

Describe water and sanitation

Describe environmental risk and benefits in disease prevention and control

Environment: A collective term used to describe all the living and non-living things that make up our surroundings.

Health: Defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a state of complete physical, mental and social well being not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Environmental Health: The body of knowledge concerned with the prevention of diseases through control of biological, chemical, or physical agents in air, water and food, and the control of environmental factors which may have an impact on well-being of people

Environmental contamination; refers to the introduction of harmful substances into the environment, such as air, water, or soil, resulting in adverse effects on ecosystems, human health, or both.

Contamination can disrupt natural processes, harm wild life, contaminated food and water supplies, and lead to long-term environmental degradation

Physical environment: Consists of air, water, soil, climate, and other physical conditions

Biological environment: All living things, including the plants, animals and microorganisms

Social and cultural environment: Manmade entities, including the family, village, culture, beliefs

Economic and political environment: Consists of political nature of the population, including economies and governing systems

Effect of the Physical Environment on Health

Air pollution

Harmful gases or particles may be inhaled by people or animals or may attack the skin causing disease or death

Gases may damage leaves and shoots of plants reducing amenity and the yields of crops and trees

Particles of substances, which settle into soil or vegetation, may damage or contaminate human or animal food

Air pollution can screen sunlight, corrode structures and be a nuisance in many ways, especially through smells and settlement of airborne dust

Water pollution

Exposure to polluted water may cause spread of water borne diseases, including typhoid, cholera and amoebic dysentery

Hygiene is impossible to maintain without adequate and clean water supply

Improper land and soil use

Poorly planned or unplanned towns and cities facilitate transmission of disease such as respiratory infections, malaria and cholera

Inefficient drainage of surface water creates favorable breeding sites for vector borne and or water borne diseases, including malaria and dysentery

Improper agriculture activities (over use of fertilizers and pesticides) may cause

Biological hazards include certain bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi, as well as certain plants, mushrooms, and fish that carry harmful toxins

Disease causing micro bacteria are responsible for the majority of food borne illness outbreak

Refers to the culture, customs and social set up of the community

Some cultures, social activities or practices that affect the health of the people:

Female circumcision

Defecating around the bush

Children and females not being allowed to eat eggs

Polygamy

A lack of political will on health issues may facilitate spread of diseases to the population

For example a lack of policy on prevention, treatment and control of certain diseases or health conditions found in the community my help to spread disease

Political instability may lead to an increased displacement of people which does not coincide with the available health resource and infrastructures

It is very costly to control diseases in refugee camps

Political Instability also facilitates life insults like raping, increased children employment and family disruptions, which all have negative effects on health

Poverty leads to poor health

A community with a low income is less able afford to have an adequate medical supply, quality food, or quality sanitary measures which all combine to facilitate a spread of disease

What are source of environmental contamination?

Industrial activities

Agricultural practices

Improper waste disposal

Accidental spills

Toxic chemicals

Heavy metals

Pesticides

Pollutants emitted from vehicles and factories

Water and sanitation; refers to the provision of clean water and adequate sanitation facilities to ensure public health and environmental sustainability.

Access to safe drinking water is crucial for preventing waterborne diseases and maintaining overall well-being.

NB; ensuring universal access to clean water and sanitation is essential for achieving sustainable development goals, improving public health and preserving the environment.

Proper disposal of human waste and waste water

Promotion of hygiene practices ie hand washing

Adequate sanitation facilities ie toilets and sewage systems

Pollution; environmental pollutants such as air and water contaminants can increase the risk of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers.

Vector-borne disease; environmental factors like stagnant water and inadequate sanitation can create breeding grounds for disease-carrying vectors such as mosquitoes, leading to the spread of diseases like malaria, dengue fever and zika virus.

Climate change; change in temperature and precipitation patterns due to climate change ca alter the distribution of disease vectors and pathogens, increasing the risk of disease such as lyme disease and dengue fever.

Habitats destruction; destruction of natural habitats can bring human into closer contact with wildlife, increasing the risk of zoonotic disease such as ebola and covid 19.

Clean water sanitation; access to clean water and sanitation facilities reduces the risk of waterborne disease such as typhoid fever

Air quality improvement; reducing air pollution through regulations and cleaner technologies can lower the incidence of respiratory disease like asthma and lung cancer

Vector control; implementing vector control measures such as mosquito nets, insectiside spraying, and habitat management of vector-borne disease

Climate resilience; mitigating climate change and implementing adaptation strategies can help reduce the impact of climate related disease and protect vulnerable population

What is environmental health?

What are the four classifications of environment?

What are the effects of the physical environment on health?