The 2009 H1N1
Pandemic is a term used to describe the spread of a disease over large geographical areas, where a disease starts from a given area or location then spreads to many areas when not contained. Epidemic is a term describing an outbreak of a disease in a population over time, where the cases of the disease reported in an epidemic are usually more than those reported in non-epidemic times. The 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic was the second to happen in world history, the first one having occurred in 1918 (Wenzel and Michael 1991). The 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic started in Mexico before spreading to Europe, North America, Australia, Asia and Africa. The pandemic caused a total of 14,286 deaths worldwide, with the highest mortality cases being reported in North America (Wenzel and Michael 1992).
The determinants of health worldwide (the three P’s)
The three P’s that determine health are pollution, population and poverty. The three determinants act together to affect health conditions of people worldwide. Pollution adversely affects people as a result of human activities like burning of fossil fuels to obtain energy for both domestic and industrial applications. The waste products emitted from such combustion are harmful to health. Exponential population growth has been reported in many parts of the world, mainly in third world nations.
Most of the poor people are found in rapidly growing populations in developing nations. Poverty is a condition that is associated with large populations of people who can not afford healthcare services. This is common in developing countries where many people are unable to access healthcare. The three P’s have other consequences that adversely affect socio-economic well-being of nations. For example, a polluted, high populated and poor nation does not have significant economic growth because citizens are not productive due to morbidity and mortality cases.
Ecological model of population health and ecosystem
Ecological model of population health is an important aspect in environmental health that attempts to analyze the causes of ill-health to population in ecological systems. People interact with various organisms that pose a risk of ill-health to them. The model looks at the interactions between organisms and the general population of people. Ecosystem is a collection of non-living things (i.e. air, water and nutrients) and living things (i.e. plants, large animals and micro-organisms) co-existing for the benefit of mankind. Interactions between the living things and non-living things are essential in transforming and/or maintaining landscapes within which ecosystems are found. There are two types of ecosystems with several sub-branches. The main types of ecosystems are aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems.
Importance and limitations of epidemiological approaches to environmental health
Epidemiology is essential in understanding causes and distribution of diseases and health conditions in populations, thus necessary in environmental studies. Epidemiology deals with health risk factors in the environment, an important aspect in environmental health (Friis 20). Epidemiological approaches are also necessary in modelling of environmental health problems and future solutions. While epidemiology is an integral part in public health, it is limited in scope of environmental health. Epidemiological studies do not encompass the broad environmental approaches that are involved in environmental health (Friis 25).
Cholera outbreaks in cdc
The three countries with cholera outbreaks that are mentioned in the website are Cuba, Haiti and Dominican Republic. CDC has advised travellers to prevent cholera by taking safe and clean water and using clean water and soap to wash hands. CDC has also advised travellers to prevent cholera by using toilets, cooking and handling food well, and maintaining cleanness in family bathing and clothe washing areas.
Works cited
Friis, Robert H. Essentials of Environmental Health. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2011. Print.
Wenzel, Richard P., and Michael B. Edmond. “Preparing for 2009 H1N1 Influenza.” New England Journal of Medicine 361.20 (2009): 1991-1993. Print.