Introduction
Environmental health is defined as a public health sector responsible for researching and minimizing the impact of certain factors of the ecosystem on peoples health. Natural disasters, global and local environmental problems, and the quality of the atmosphere and hydrosphere are all subjects of research in this health sector. This paper focuses on the aspects and goals of environmental health, its importance in public health, and the key interests that it presents.
The General Concepts
The main areas of focus in environmental health are the aspects of the environment that affect human health the most. Quality of air and water are the most popular in research. Recent economic activity, natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, ecosystem deterioration, hazards and accidents, oil spills, pollution, and many more contribute to environmental problems that have serious consequences on human health. Polluted air causes acid rain, heightens soil acidity, and increases the risk of humans developing health issues, such as respiratory diseases, excessive mortality risks, child mortality, and others (Ravindra et al., 2019, p. 5). Water pollution makes local, regional, and global water sources unusable for hydration and hygiene and can even cause illnesses. Moreover, many global environmental problems affect human health. The depletion of the ozone layer can cause people to develop skin cancer because of increased exposure to UV light. Climate change has numerous consequences for human health – risk of diseases, organ failure, and others besides the issues outlined previously. These health concerns all emerge from the worsening effects of human activity on the planet.
Importance of Environmental Health in Public Health
The environmental health advocates addressing these negative impacts come with expressing that they were caused by the environment in which humans live. Robinson and others (2019) write, “There is growing recognition and understanding of these links, particularly between the increasing prevalence of non-communicable human diseases, environmental concerns, and socioecological issues such as ecological (in)justice” (para. 1). These topics are directly correlated, which is why environmental health is a separate, distinct sphere of public health. The goal of this sphere is to force green government legislation and influence peoples attitudes towards the environment to mitigate the negative consequences to their health.
Environmental health integrates environmental advocacy and public health concerns into its message. The benefits that it brings are policies that limit economic growth but help the environment, which in turn positively impacts the health of people either globally or regionally. Another point is that such advocacy will lead to awareness of the impact human activity has on the planet and the growth of public support for climate change action. Such advocacy is done through the medical communitys active support in spreading these ideas among the public. People gain an appreciation for the natural ecosystem they live in because of understanding the way it directly affects their health and livelihood.
Conclusion
Environmental health is considered a sphere of public health because of the way the environment impacts peoples health. Poor natural resource management, rapid economic growth, and pollution negatively impact the state of the planet, which in turn harms its inhabitants. Environmental health professionals study these impacts and advocate for policies that help the environment and limit the negative consequences on peoples bodies. Advocacy for green policies is the main way of taking care of a large group of peoples health in environmental health services, stopping the negative consequences of climate change and diseases.
References
Ravinda, K., Rattan, P., Mor, S., & Aggarwal, N. A. (2019). Generalized additive models: Building evidence of air pollution, climate change and human health. Environment International, 132, 104987. Web.
Robinson, M. J., & Breed, F. M. (2019). Green prescriptions and their co-benefits: Integrative strategies for public and environmental health. Challenges, 10(1), 9. Web.