Human diseases and health issues derive from three shared elements: individual vulnerability, age, as well as environmental factors. Today, Chicago’s population has the unhealthiest neighborhoods in America (Hunt, Tran, & Whitman, 2015). To be more precise, the Southwest, as well as the South sides of Chicago, do not have access to healthcare facilities. The poor distribution of healthcare services has for a very long time led to poor health conditions in the area. Among the main health issues in Chicago include raised HIV/AIDS, childhood obesity, teen pregnancy, breast cancer, as well as motor vehicle death and injury (Choudhry, 2011). However, childhood obesity is one of the key concerns in the area. Childhood obesity in Chicago is closely linked to environmental issues present in the areas.
Since health issues outlined in this report are unacceptable, it is necessary for the individuals in charge of public health to align the best practices that will foster the creation of a healthier city. The poor distribution of healthcare facilities in the region has a close association with the health disparities in the area. According to Hunt et al. (2015), Chicago Lawn is an area with few healthcare resources. The lack of resources has continued to discourage not only healthy eating but also physical activities. Compared to other areas of the city, Chicago Lawn is a community that does not have a necessary number of places for physical activities and few stores where one can buy fresh produce. Health experts have argued that the availability of playgrounds and supermarkets alongside other environmental factors is the key determinant of obesity reduction.
Tracking Chicago’s healthy resources such as healthcare facilities, exercise facilities, and supermarkets with vegetable and fresh produce have helped in understanding the environmental concerns. The imbalanced distribution of health care resources in the area explains the increased mortality rate in Chicago (Hunt et al., 2015). While most breast testing healthcare centers are in the northern parts, the southern parts of Chicago have a small number of such health care centers. As illustrated by the current environmental concerns in the Chicago area, health care practitioners should come up with a clear strategy for addressing these issues.
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