enviroment, health and well being Flashcards
How does climate affect health
The amount of sunlight can cause skin cancer or vitamin d deficiency. Exposure to sunlight has also been linked to seasonal affective disorder
Extreme weather events can cause water borne diseases like cholera and create breeding grounds for vectors
Seasonal problems like asthma and hay fever are worsened in spring and summer months due to the amount of pollen
How does typography affect health
Flat lands and flood plains are prone to seasonal flood normally this aids rice production but in wet years causes natural disasters. 40% of natural disasters are floods and they cause 50% of all natural disaster deaths.
This causes diarrhoea, cholera, respiratory infections, hepatitis A and E, typhoid fever and leptospirosis. Physical injuries and destruction of homes
How does air quality affect health
Particulates and poisonous gases cause lung disease, stroke , heat attacks, cancer and respiratory problems.
1 in 9 deaths worldwide are caused by air pollution
91% of the world lives in places where air quality exceeds the WHO guidelines
1.6 million people die annually form indoor smoke from solid fuels
How does water affect health
Poor quality water can contaminate water supplies and cause illness, infection or death. Many people lack access to clean water and have no choice but to drink dirty water.
842,000 deaths from diarrhoea die to lack of safe drinking water and inadequate sanitation and hygiene. 58% of these deaths could be avoided with safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene
what is malaria
Malaria is live threatening and caused by plasmodium parasites that’s are transmitted to people through the bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes
what is the prevalence/distribution/incidence of malaria
Malaria is most prevalent in the Southern Hemisphere due to the warm, humid climate. Within Africa the central and parts of the the western regions are most effected.
For example the democratic republic Congo which has between 1000 and 10000cases per 100000 people.
malaria: links to physical and socio economic environment
5 points
58% of the total global burden of malaria is focused on the poorest 20% of the global population
Those with higher incomes are able to spend more on preventative measures like mosquito nets and repellent.
Lack of education means some people don’t understand the links between environmental conditions and malaria and so they are less likely to use the preventative measures available.
Malaria transmission season is directly related to the length of the rainfall season
Coastal areas often sure a higher prevalence of malaria a the have less seasonal variation in temperature and are humid
social impacts on health and well being of malaria
Malaria kills a child somewhere on the planet every minuets
Malaria can cause anaemia Which will effect a child’s growth and development
1 in 6 children die of malaria in Africa
economic impacts on health and well being of malaria
In some places malaria makes up 40% of healthcare expenditures
Malaria causes up to 50% of hospitals admissions in some areas
Malaria related deaths and illnesses Costa Africa as a whole 12billion is dollars per year in lost productivity.
Costs individual as they have to pay for treatment, travelling, and lost days of work
Costs government as they have to pay for staff, supplies, equipment, medicine
impacts climate change will have on malaria
If climate change causes rainy seasons the lengthen the countries that only have suitable climates for malaria for half a year or less may become suitable for malaria all year round
Also an increase in temperature due to climate change would mean the Northern hemisphere would also be effected as the climate would become more humid. For example parts of North America
malaria mitigation and management strategies
Anti malaria medicines are available but they are expensive and becoming ineffective
-2009 the first malaria drug factory was opened in Kabyle by Afro alpine pharma
Increases production and lowers cost
the plants used to produce the drugs are grown by local farmers
level of success with the malaria millennium development goal
- the number of deaths per 100,000 has decreased to 19 from 47
- the proportion of children sleeping under mosquitos nets is now 68% from 2%.
- Malaria is also no longer the leading cause of death in sub Saharan Africa.
- However they have-insufficient evidence on west, central, eastern and parts of south Africa which are all highly affected by malaria
- In Iraq, Paraguay, Argentina and Syria have no cases of malaria
- The only country with an increase in cases is Venezuela
what is asthma
Asthma is a chronic disease characterised by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing which varies in severity and frequency from person to person
what is the prevalence/distribution/incidence of asthma
South Korea has the highest burden of pollution-related asthma, along with Chinese cities.
asthma: link to physical and socio economic enviroments
Smoking, Medication, Caesarean birth, Obesity, Exercise are lifestyle choices that may influence the risk of getting asthma
pollen, indoor allergens and cold air are environmental factors that can increase the risk of developing asthma
air pollution is an environmental risk many NEEs and HICs face due to the increased use of cars, factories, ect
asthmas impacts on health and wellbeing
Swelling of airways causes wheezing
Mucus produced by airway inner lining causes coughs
High lifetime burden
Makes other infections like the cold worse
Disability adjusted life years: the measure of overall disease burden expressed as the number of years lost due to ill health, disability or early death
asthmas management and mitigation strategies
Asthma can’t be cured but it can be treated
Inhalers are free or cost £9.15fo adults in the U.K. and cost $300-$400
Relieve inhalers stop symptoms
Preventative inhalers prevent the airways from becoming inflamed
Steroids, surgery, injections and tablets can be taken
-Things that can help asthma Cold and damp weather triggers symptoms so people with asthma wear neck tubes Exercising Avoiding cold weather and triggers Get the flu jab
what are NGOs
examples
NGOs are non governmental organisations that work independently from governments Many provide healthcare in areas where it is essential.
-example Oxfam water aid feed the children the Bill and Melinda gates foundation medicins san frontierers
what is the role of NGOs and international agencies in combatting against malaria
- global funding for malaria control programmes increased from $960 million (2005) to $205 billion(2014) - A 260% increase
- World health assembly global strategy-2015-2030
- Eliminating malaria in 25 countries
- Reduce malaria deaths by 90%
- bill and melinda gates foundation- the Serenje district in Zambia (remote community) has reduced the percentage of deaths from malaria from 8% to 0.5%
- bill and Melinda gates have provided ambulances/bikes
what is the role of NGOs and international agencies in combatting against asthma- the global initiative for asthma
- Raise the profile of the disease and the plight of those affected - world asthma day is an annual event that brings awareness to asthma
- Educating medical staff in diagnosis and medical care for patients - presents key recommendations for diagnosis and management of asthma
- educate policy makers - reports on barriers to help manage the disease
- educate sufferers and families - published a parent guide, hosts educational videos, provides useful links and advocacy groups
what makes NGOs effective
- link the community, private sector and government.
- they can reach areas in severe need
- they can involve individuals at all scales
- their operations are relatively low cost
- they are independent, flexible and free of regulations/resources
what can make NGOs ineffective
- corruption
- undermining the public sector provision and health systems
- a lack of knowledge, skill and resources to manage health issues
