Lecture 2 - Environmental + Occupational Influences on Health Flashcards
Hazard
Something with the potential to cause harm
Risk
The likelihood of harm occurring
Risk factor
Increases the risk of harm
Protective factor
Decreases the risk of harm
Susceptibility
Influences the likelihood that something will cause harm
What are some examples of hazards?
Physical Chemical Mechanical - e.g. heavy lifting Biological - diseases Psychosocial
What are the different routes of exposure?
Skin Blood Sexual Inhalation Ingestion
What are the factors that influence the degree of risk?
1) How much a person is exposed
2) How the person is exposed
3) Conditions of exposure
What does ‘risk’ combine?
The probability that a particular outcome will occur and the severity of the harm involved
Do people perceive risks differently?
Yes
What are the three principles that govern the perception of risk?
Feeling in control
Size of the possible harm
Familiarity with the risk
How is feeling in control affected?
Involuntary risks = situations where we believe we have little control e.g. plane trip are perceived as having greater risk
Voluntary risks = situations we believe we have some control over e.g. driving a car are perceived as less risk
How does the size of harm affect our perception?
Risks that involve greater possible harm are perceived as greater than those involving less harm - even if the less harmful events are more likely
e.g. tornado vs chip pan fire
Familiarity with risk - e.g. nuclear plant accident vs. food poisoning
Risks that are less familiar are perceived as being greater than more familiar risks
So what does all this mean for health?
We’re more frightened by catastrophic risks, single events with large immediate consequences, than chronic risks where the damage is spread out over time and location.
For example cancer vs. blood pressure
What are individual variables in risk perception?
Previous experience Attitudes towards risk Values Beliefs Socio economic factors Personality Demographic factors
Why do young people undertake risky behaviours when they are aware of the risks?
Influences include parenting relationships, socioeconomic disadvantage and low educational attainment.
Personality traits include impulsiveness, sensation seeking, susceptibility to peer pressure…
How can environment affect health?
Direct pathological effects:
- Physical = ionising and non-ionising radiation / noise and vibration
- Chemical = pesticides and VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
- Biological = infectious agents and allergic substances
Indirect effects:
- Housing e.g. overcrowding
- Transport e.g. does it encourage walking/car use
- Town planning e.g. access to amenities, social networks
- Income / welfare / wealth distribution
What are some examples of hazardous exposure in diet?
Fat Salt Bacteria Pesticides Acrylamide Phthalates
What are some examples of hazardous exposure via inhalation?
Environmental - air pollution Tobacco smoke Smog Asbestos Legionella Pesticides
What are some examples of hazardous exposure via dermal?
UV-A / UV-B
Bacteria
Cosmetics
Pesticides
What did the Seveso Disaster give rise to?
Numerous scientific studies and standardised industrial safety regulations
What can disasters have?
Long term health effects
What can occupation cause?
Fatal injuries
Non-fatal injuries e.g. slips, trips and falls
Cancer
Deaths due to occupational exposure to fumes, chemicals - e.g. asbestos exposure and dust
Ill health
