Abstract
This paper aims at providing adequate information on the environmental factors that impact health. It will also detail on the two possible impacts of environmental factors to health. Additionally, it will provide information on the appropriate steps that ought to be observed by a researcher in solving environmental barriers to health.
Introduction
For one to sustain good health, he or she ought to use safe water and breathe in clean air. It is also vital for one to consume adequate food, live under tolerable temperatures, and in a stable climate. Human beings also need to be protected from ultraviolet rays and extreme levels of biodiversity. However, major global environment changes such as climate change and the diminution of ozone layer have been found to impair the health status of a population (Lucier & Hooks, 2000).
Synopsis
This study aims at understanding the environmental factors that impact health. It will provide broad information on how environmental elements such sanitation affects an individual’s health. Additionally, it will expound on the impacts of nutrition, globalization, and observance of human rights to an individual’s health (Jacobson, 2014). It will also detail on the roles of the researcher in improving human health.
Environmental Factors that Impact Health
Environmental factors impact human being’s health both positively and negatively. Positive environmental factors play a significant role in not only sustaining human health, but also acting as preventive medicine. Some of the positive environmental factors include adequate sources of nutrition, availability of safe water, presence of quality air, presence of the ozone layer, good sanitation, and availability of space for exercises (Levine, 2007).
Negative environmental factors expose an individual to diseases which require observance of public environmental health. Some of the negative environmental factors include disease causing environmental conditions full of vectors. Environmental disruptions also play a role in pollution of the environment. For instance, they alter the quality of water and air.
Social factors such as occupational status, culture, and educational level describe an environment. They play a significant role in determining the health status of an individual. Observance of some cultures impact human’s health. Most cultures tend to ignore health values by exposing an individual into uncouth practices.
Sanitation and availability of safe water make up an environment. Poor sanitation leads to emergence of an environment full of disease causing organisms that hamper with human health. Gas emissions by automobiles lead to ozone layer depletion, which exposes human beings to ultra violet rays that cause cancer. Water inadequacy also leads to emergence of waterborne diseases (Jacobson, 2014). For instance, it leads to emergence of typhoid and cholera.
Nutrients are also part of an environment. They play a significant role in maintaining an individual’s health. Inadequacy of nutrients causes malnutrition and exposes an individual to diseases such as rickets and beriberi.
My Role in eliminating Environmental Barriers to Health
To eradicate environmental barriers to health, I will advocate for observance of proper sanitation. This plays a significant role in reducing the chances of diseases by eradicating the breading zone for disease causing vectors. It will also be my pleasure to advice the public on the essence of questioning the integrity of water before drinking. Additionally, I will take part in discouraging diverse companies from allowing their untreated outflows to rivers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, human health is determined by observance of environmental factors such as use of safe water, breathing in of clean air, and consumption of adequate foods and nutrients. However, some environmental factors contribute to deterioration of human health. Factors such as poor sanitation, depletion of the ozone layer, presence of unclean air and contaminated water deteriorates an individual’s health. To maintain good health, it is vital for human beings to observe the integrity of water and air.
References
Jacobson, K. (2014). Introduction to Global Health, (2nd ed.). New York: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Levine, Ruth. (2007). Case Studies in Global Health Millions Saved. New York: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.
Lucier, G & Hook, G. (2000). Reviews in Environmental Health: Toxicological Defense Mechanics. New York: DIANE Publishing.