Environmental and Occupational Influences on Health

Question 1

Define hazard

Answer 1

Something with the potential to cause harm

Question 2

Define risk

Answer 2

The likelihood of harm occurring

Question 3

Define risk factor

Answer 3

Increases the risk of harm

Question 4

Define protective factor

Answer 4

Decreases the risk of harm

Question 5

Define susceptibility

Answer 5

Influences the likelihood that something will cause harm

Question 6

Name 5 types of hazards

Answer 6

Physical 
Chemical 
Mechanical 
Biological
Psychological

Question 7

Name 4 routes of exposure

Answer 7

Skin
Blood/sexual
Inhalation
Ingestion

Question 8

Name 3 factors that influence the degree of risk

Answer 8

How much a person is exposed
How the person is exposed
Conditions of exposure

Question 9

What are the two foundations of risk

Answer 9

Probability that a particular outcome will occur and the severity of the harm involved

Question 10

Do people perceive risks the same?

Answer 10

No

Question 11

What are 3 principles that govern the perception of risk?

Answer 11

Feeling in control
Size of possible harm
Familiarity with the risk

Question 12

Describe the feeling in control on perception of risk

Answer 12

Involuntary risk are perceived greater

Voluntary risks are perceived as less risk

Question 13

Describe size of possible harm on perception of risk

Answer 13

Greater possible harm through to be greater risk, even though less harmful events are more likely

Question 14

Describe the familiarity with risk on the perception of risk

Answer 14

Risks that are less familiar are thought to be greater risk

Question 15

What is the general perception of risk?

Answer 15

More frightened by catastrophic risks, single events with large immediate consequences, than chronic risks where the damage is spread out over a long time

Question 16

Name 7 individual variables that influence their risk perception

Answer 16

Previous experience 
Attitudes towards risk
Values
Beliefs 
Socio-economic factors 
Personality 
Demographic factors

Question 17

What are 3 direct pathological effects on health from the environment?

Answer 17

Physical: radiation, noise/vibration
Chemical: pesticides
Biological: infectious agents, allergens

Question 18

What are 3 indirect pathological effects on health from the environment?

Answer 18

Housing (overcrowding)
Transport (does it encourage walking or car use?)
Town planning
Income/welfare/wealth distribution

Question 19

Give 3 examples of hazardous exposure

Answer 19

Diet: fat, salt, bacteria
Inhalation: tobacco smoke, asbestos
Dermal: UV-A/B, bacteria

Question 20

How does climate change affect health?

Answer 20

Extreme heat
Natural disasters and variable rainfall pattern
Infection - water-borne disease

Question 21

How many deaths a year occur due to harmful working conditions?

Answer 21

12 000

Question 22

How many death have occurred due to occupation cancer?

Answer 22

8000 in UK, 4000 due to asbestos

Question 23

How many cases of ill health due to work have been recorded?

Answer 23

1.2 million

Question 24

What are factors that influence global health and sustainability?

Answer 24

Inequalities in health within and between countries

Local problems may be generated or have consequences globally

Effective use of limited resources

Technology

Managing expectation and facilitating behavioural change

Politics/human rights/gender issues