Elimination (Environmental Health Concerns)
- Air pollution from oil and gas activities
- Transport is the major air pollutant
- Noise pollution from planes and motor transport
- No pesticides usage due to absence of agriculture
- Satisfactory hygiene practices including access to laundry services
- Safety control concentrated on transportation issues
Although Bethel is not an industrial center, its air pollution is under the impact of oil and gas activities as well as mining provided in other districts of Alaska. Thus, the major pollutant is transport, which, together with warehousing, makes 13.8% of industry in Bethel (“Bethel, AK,” 2017). Since there is no agriculture in the area, the risk of pesticides’ contamination is minimal.
Activity/Exercise
- YK community fitness center with a swimming pool
- Five recreational parks around the city
- 73% of adult population engaged in leisure physical activity (“Bethel, AK,” 2017)
- Transportation includes cars, buses, and planes.
- Motor vehicle injuries are the most common type
- Popular sports and activities: skiing, kayaking, bicycling
- Holds the Kuskokwim 300, a famous dogsled race
Bethel is a community that takes care of sport and fitness of its members. There I a community fitness center that provides facilities for many port including swimming. Recreational parks are available in different areas of the community and provide additional space for activity. In fact, 73% of adult population of Bethel report leisure time physical activity. Although distant from other inhabited areas and accessed only by river or air, Bethel has a developed transport infrastructure inside the community. One can get to the city by a regular flight. To get around the area, the city buses are available as well as taxi or cars than can be rented. Still, vehicles injuries are prevalent in the area and make up the leading mortality cause.
Sleep/Rest
- Sleep patterns influenced by the summer solstice (Andrews, 2016).
- Normal sleep routines apart from summer period
- High rates of drug consumption in the area
- Low shift work prevalence due to the lack of industry
- Recreational activities popular as a part of rest
- Environment and season are indicators of energy levels
In Alaska as a whole and Bethel in particular, people can observe sleeping problems due to the regional peculiarity of solar activity. During certain period of summer solstice, people can observe problems with going to sleep and the related decrease of energy levels. In other periods, there are no significant sleep problems in the majority of population apart from those that suffer from substance abuse.
Sexuality/Reproductive
- Normal relationships and behavior among community members
- HIV prevention strategies according to Alaska HIV Plan
- Bethel Family Clinic involved in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment
- Family planning service available at Bethel Public Health Center
- STI and HIV screening provided by Bethel Public Health Center
- Growing community with birth rate of 7%.
Bethel Public Health Center (2017) is the main healthcare facility in the community. It provides diverse health services including family planning, immunization, HIV and STI screening, health education, and others. The population of Bethel is increasing. Thus, during the past year, the birth rate was 7%.
Coping/Stress
- #21 in Healthy Behaviors Rank in Alaska (“Bethel, AK,” 2017).
- Poverty rate of 14.1%
- High crime rate compared to the state and national levels
- Prevalence of property and violent crimes (“Reported annual crime in Bethel,” 2018)
- Stressors: debts, crime prevalence, isolation, climate
- Teens Acting Against Violence coalition
- Tundra Women’s Coalition Crisis Line
The community is characterized by a slightly higher poverty rate than the average in the US. Still, its crime rates are threatening. Thus, there are 5,489 reported crimes per 100,000 population compared to 4,157 average in Alaska and 2,837 crimes reported nationwide. Thus, crime, economic situation (poverty due to the lack of industry and workplaces) as well as its climate are the major stressors for community members. The community unites to provide some help to people living there. Thus, there is a coalition of Teens acting Against Violence and the Tundra Women’s Coalition that provides a crisis line.
References
Andrews, L. (2016). How to get a good night’s sleep under Alaska midnight sun. Anchorage Daily News.
Bethel, AK. (2017). Web.
Bethel Public Health Center. (2017).
Reported annual crime in Bethel. (2018). Web.