B3 - Environmental Factors that Affect Development Flashcards
Exposure to pollution
Air and water pollution can influence development and be a major source of ill-health. There is growing concern about the impact of equality, both indoors and outdoors, and the contribution it makes to cause in particular illnesses such as asthma and other respiratory problems. The environment may contain many chemicals from vehicle exhaust systems and industrial omissions. Household pollutants include mould and some cleaning products that I meant poisonous gases.
Respiratory disorders
Tobacco smoke, combustion products and air pollution associated with various toxins and pollutants are among the major substances harmful to the respiratory up system. These substances affects the nerves and muscles used for breathing and can also have a bad effect on the lining of the air passages. Respiratory disorders range from mild, for example a runny nose/sore throat to more severe conditions such as bacterial pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and lung cancer.
Cardiovascular problems
The risk factors associated with cardiovascular problems include smoking tobacco and a pollution. Recent studies suggest environmental pollution is linked to increased illness and death. Tobacco smoke is linked to changes in the lining of the heart and blood vessels causing clots (thrombosis), which may lead to a heart attack. Exposure to other chemicals that cause their pollution has also been reported as increasing the risk of thrombosis and raised blood pressure. Exposure to pollution during pregnancy may be linked to the baby having congenital heart defect and cardiovascular disease later in life.
Allergies
Allergies are caused by irritant such as dust or pollen causing the immune system to overreact. Hayfever and asthma or examples of respiratory system allergic reactions. These conditions are usually chronic as they are a response to the environment in which the individual lives. Hayfever is a seasonal reaction to certain types of pollen. It can cause sneezing, watery eyes and a runny nose, with Audrey and flu like symptoms. Asthma can range from mild reaction to a life-threatening condition. And asthma attack causes difficulty in breathing as the airways become inflamed and constricted. This is usually a temporary reaction and can be relieved by using an inhaler to widen the airways, although it can cause distress to young children. Asthma UK has reported that the number of people living with this condition has plateaued, but on average three people a day die from asthma.
Motor-vehicle is produce a range of pollutants including car monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and particular matter. People who live near busy roads may be particularly exposed to this pollution.
Power stations are burning less cold, which has contributed to a fall in sulphur dioxide pollution. Improved vehicle technology, such as catalytic converters, has also contributed to a reduction in our pollution. Evidence from social trends survey reported that emissions of nitrogen oxides fell by 46% between 1990 and 2006. Diesel vehicles, originally thought to be less polluting then petrol engines, emit four times more toxic pollution than a bus. Well official statistics report improvement to the levels of air pollution, there are concerns that it is still a serious problem. Research by Kings College London identified that nearly 9500 people die prematurely in London each year as a result of long-term it’s for just the application. The research identified that London, Birmingham and Leeds and most polluted cities in the UK. London has been found to have air pollution twice the level permitted by WHO standards. People living in cities maybe more at risk of developing cardiovascular problems and respiratory disorders.
Poor housing conditions
Poor quality housing is associated with poor health and quality of life. The WHO published a report that focused on the links between poor housing and the impact on the health and well-being of individuals. The English housing survey showed that there are approximately 4.5 million households in the UK experience in fuel poverty. Evidence suggests that living in poor housing increases the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular disease, as well as anxiety and depression. A cold damp home with excessive mould and structural defects present many different risks to health and well-being, including accidents and illness.
Overcrowded housing may limit peoples access to washing, cooking and cleaning the facilities. Indoor pollution, drying close in doors and in adequate ventilation can be associated with respiratory disorders. Infection is more easily spreading overcrowded conditions with inadequate sanitary provision. There may also be issues with the lack of access to outdoor exercise and green spaces in some areas, particularly in low income areas, reducing opportunity to physical activity outdoors. The child poverty action group reported more play areas in deprived areas in the UK, but poorer quality spaces and equipment, and vandalism, playground misuse and danger of injury being a deterrence to their use.
Respiratory disorders
Overcrowded housing, lack of heating and poor ventilation causing damp and mould in homes can lead to respire tree problems, especially asthma and other allergic responses. Babies, young children and older people are particularly vulnerable. Research has identified more than 1 million children in England live in overcrowded household and that they are more at risk of getting meningitis and respiratory problems.
Cardiovascular problems
Children living from extended periods in overcrowded housing tend to have problems with the growth rate and increased risk of parties in later life. Poor quality housing, especially for vulnerable adults and older people, can lead to stress which can affect an individual’s blood pressure. High blood pressure can result in damage to artery walls and an increased risk of blood clots and strokes. Lack of exercise and poor diet can also lead to cardiovascular problems. Other factors that may be associated with poor living conditions are on healthy lifestyles, including smoking, drinking and poor diet. Ready-made meals and heavily processed convenience food are often high in sugar, salt and saturated fats resulting in larger calorie intake leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. There are also issues with the lack of green spaces in some areas, particularly in low income areas, preventing people taking part in physical activity outdoors.
Hypothermia
Cold homes and homelessness are major causes of hospital admission to treat hypothermia. The number of families living in fuel poverty is rising. Families with low incomes are unable to afford to heat their homes, especially in older properties. Age UK found a link between loneliness and the risk of hypothermia for elderly people living in poor conditions. Many people over the age of 65 spend more time at home and factors such as poor heating and lack of insulation have been linked to a rise in winter deaths. Older people on low incomes may worry about the cost of heating their homes, especially if they live in older, less well-insulated properties that incur higher heating bills. Research shows that older people are more likely to live in substandard housing.
Anxiety and depression
Poor quality housing may cause stress, anxiety, depression and mental health issues. Living in substandard housing with rising fuel bills can lead to disturbed sleep patterns, resulting in stress and anxiety. Many children living in overcrowded and poor standard housing experience anxiety and mental health issues.
Access to health and social care services that affect development
According to the National Institute for health and care excellence, local authorities need to improve services for people who do not usually use health and social care services. Each local public health authority has to ensure multi
-agency and partnership working within health and social care services to meet the needs of people who live in the local community.
In line with the equality act 2010, all health and social care services should be inclusive and have a positive impact on local people and communicate communities. The local authority has a responsibility to identify barriers to accessing services. This could include transport, opening times, cultural and behavioural barriers. Additionally new ways of supporting people who would not normally access services need to be identified.
Availability of transport
Travelling to appointments can be stressful. The office for national statistics reported that 11% of household without access to a car have difficulty getting to the local GP surgery compares only 4% of car users. Living in remote areas may mean that there is no public transport at all. Unreliable public transport services and stresseful journeys can result in cancelled/missed appointments. This can have a negative impact on the health and well-being of frail and vulnerable people/families with young people. Missed appointments also have financial implications for health and social care services. Using hospital carparks outsourced to private contractors can be expensive for people attending regular hospital appointments/visiting relatives in hospital.
Opening hours of services
The NHS provides health care for everyone. However, there are concerns that some groups of people may not have the same access to GP services and preventative health services as others. Recruitment of GPs and nurses may be difficult in deprived areas. Hospital and GP appointments during working hours may be inconvenient and there have been discussions that open nine hours should better reflect the busy lifestyles of some service users.Several services have been introduced to improve access to primary care services such as NHS walk-in centres, the NHS 111 service and NHS direct.
Needs and requirements of particular services
Local health and social care services aimed to promote an early intervention policy to tackle disadvantage and poor access to services. They intend to improve health and well-being of young children and their families. Improving health and reducing poverty is important for preventing long-term health problems and reducing the risk of premature death. I am for size the importance of focusing on the health and well-being of people who are not usually access services.
People who do not access services
Homeless people and vulnerable immigrants, who may be at risk of infectious diseases (such as tuberculosis), are particular groups who find it difficult to access services. Some families are difficult to reach, for example travelling families and families for whom English is not their first language. It is important to ensure that children in these families receive regular health checks and are fully in immunised against childhood infections, such as meningitis C and measles, to prevent health and development problems.
According to a department of health report, many people may be reluctant to register with a GP or not be registered. There are many reasons why people are unable to attend GP surgeries, for example because of caring commitments, working long hours or transport difficulties. According to the office for national statistics, cardiovascular disease mortality is high in deprived communities. This may be due to people not registering with GP surgery, being reluctant to attend surgeries or having difficulty getting/attending an appointment.
