Week 6 - planetary health

Planetary Health

A rapidly developing field of study and collective movement that aims to protect the health and wellbeing of humans, animals and ecosystems.

Anthropocene

Term used to refer to a biological age characterized by human impacts on the environment and the ramifications of those impacts - defining the time in which we live.

Biodiversity

Refers to the diverse forms of life that are found in an area; fundamental to human health.

Climate Change

Long term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns primarily driven by human activities.

Climate Justice/Environmental Justice

A movement to address the social, racial, economic and environmental justice issues associated with climate change.

Triple Threat

Refers to the combined challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

Planetary Boundaries

Nine boundaries within which humanity can thrive, which have been exceeded, leading to various climate-related disasters.

Heat-related Mortality

Increased by 165% since the 1990s in people over 65 because they cannot leave their homes.

Economic Losses from Weather-related Events

Average economic losses for weather-related extreme events = $227 billion USD in 2019-2023.

Increased Rates of Malnutrition

Health impact related to planetary health due to disruptions in food production.

Increased Exposure to Infectious Disease

E.g. increased malaria rates at higher altitudes as global temperatures increase.

Increased Rates of Non-communicable Diseases

E.g. Increasing severity of respiratory disease with air pollution.

Displacement and Conflict

Response to resource scarcity as a health impact of planetary health.

Negative Impacts on Mental Health

A consequence of the changes and challenges posed by planetary health.

Access to Freshwater

A critical factor impacted by planetary health that affects human health.

Severe Weather Events

Increased rates of events such as drought, fires, and floods due to climate change.

World Health Organization Prediction

Predicts that climate change will be responsible for approximately 250,000 additional deaths annually in the years 2030-2050.

Pollution

Widespread pollution of air, water, and soil as a significant change in planetary health.

Resource Scarcity

A change noted in planetary health that leads to various health impacts.

Extreme Weather Events

Events that are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change.

Impact of Human Activity

Expansion of human activity in previously less impacted areas leading to exposure to new pathogens.

Undernourished Population

In 2023, 733 million people were undernourished.

Inability to Afford Healthy Diet

In 2023, 2.83 billion people were unable to afford a healthy diet.

Climate Anxiety

Rising numbers of people are reporting negative emotional and mental health impacts connected to climate change and the impacts on health and the environment.

Eco-Anxiety

Another term for Climate Anxiety.

Impacts of Severe Weather Events

Exposure to severe weather events can impact an individual's overall wellbeing.

Feelings Associated with Climate Anxiety

May involve feelings of helplessness and/or grief related to ecological losses.

Vulnerable Populations

Populations that have contributed the least to climate problems are subject to the most significant impacts.

Planetary Health

The relationship between social determinants of health and the risks posed by climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

Nurse's Role in Planetary Health

Includes research, education, advocacy, individual practice, and population health practice.

Developmental Tasks of Young Adults

Major life events and developmental tasks of young and middle-aged adults.

Physiological Changes in Adulthood

Normal physiological changes occur in young and middle adulthood.

Cognitive Changes in Adulthood

Cognitive and psychosocial changes that occur during the adult years.

Health Concerns in Adulthood

Common health concerns of young and middle-aged adults.

Promoting Health in Adulthood

Ways in which nurses can promote health and reduce risks for young and middle-aged adults, focusing on a strength-based approach.

Transition to Adulthood

Consider achievements or life events recognized as part of the transition to adulthood.

Traditional View of Adulthood

Attainment of adulthood includes establishing an independent household, finishing school, full-time employment, marriage, and parenthood.

Contemporary View of Adulthood

Adulthood involves assuming responsibility for self, independence in decision-making, and financial independence.

Brain Development in Young Adulthood

The brain continues to develop into mid-20s, particularly the prefrontal cortex.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Can have significant mental and physical health consequences, such as personality disorders.

Physical Development in Young Adulthood

Physical changes peak in height, muscle mass, and internal/reproductive organs.

Cognitive Skills in Young Adulthood

Possess full range of cognitive skills; formal operational development completed in adolescence.

Psychosocial Development

Primary task is intimacy vs isolation, forming close personal relationships.

Isolation Impacts

Can lead to not seeking help, loneliness, depression, etc.

Intimacy vs Isolation

Erikson's developmental stage where the primary task is to form close personal relationships.

Cognitive changes

Variations in reasoning and thinking, with formal operations completed in adolescence.

Career goals

Short and long term objectives that young men and women hope to achieve for fulfilling careers.

Singlehood

The increasing population of singles due to greater career opportunities and educational needs delaying marriage.

One-person households

Now 1 in 3 for the first time in the past 150 years, particularly among younger adults.

Affordability of shelter

Close to one-half (48%) of solo dwellers aged 20 to 34 had shelter costs considered unaffordable.

Marriage

Every marriage is unique, requiring teamwork, clear communication, and acceptance of behavior and habits.

Common-law marriage

In young adulthood, most couples live by common law, with nearly 8 in 10 (79%) aged 20 to 24 not married in 2021.

Living apart together (LAT)

A growing trend with very nearly one-third of 20 to 34 year olds living apart while in a relationship.

Diversity of families in Canada

Includes blended, lone parent, and same-sex families.

Economic pressures

Delays in establishing intimate relationships and starting families due to the need for more education and _____

Social pressure to marry

Not as great as it once was, contributing to the increasing single population.

Widowed solo dwellers

The share of solo dwellers who were widowed decreased from 33% in 1981 to 22% in 2016.

Separated or divorced solo dwellers

The share increased from 21% in 1981 to 31% in 2016.

Nutritional needs

As physical growth slows, so do nutritional needs, but habits are hard to break, leading to common weight gain.

Healthy sexual expression

An important aspect of intimacy and close personal relationships.

Success in personal relationships

People with a strong sense of identity seem to have more

Delays in marriage and family

Not atypical due to the need for more education to get ahead.

Table 28.1

Discusses career and lifestyle choices, including intimate relationships and family.

Table 28.2

Cognitive skills that permit psychosocial and moral growth.

Table 28.3

Explores intimacy versus isolation in the context of love, friendship, and community.

Period of young adulthood

Typically defined as the age range between late teens and mid to late 30s (20-35).

Impact of successful employment

Ensures economic security and promotes friendships, social activities, support, and self-respect.

Challenges of young adulthood

Includes responding to external societal and cultural forces while establishing personal identity.

Parenthood

Parenthood is not a given. Couples are able to choose when and if they want to become parents, and diversity in families speaks to questioning 'heteronormativity'.

Non-binary couples

39% married versus others around 75% of transgendered and same gender couples.

High risk behavior

Choices like diet, smoking, substance use, excessive alcohol consumption, and high-risk social behavior.

Leading cause of death in young adulthood

Accidental injuries and death.

Causes of death in young adulthood

Unintentional accidents, suicide, cancer, liver disease and cirrhosis, assault, heart disease, and Covid-19.

Organic mental illness

Believed to have a genetic component (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder) and tends to manifest during early young adulthood (18-21).

Unplanned pregnancies

A source of stress that requires exploration of family support systems, potential parenting disorders, depression, coping mechanisms, and possible financial, career, or housing problems.

Substance abuse

Directly or indirectly contributes to mortality and morbidity and is not always easily diagnosed.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

A major health problem in young adults; partners are encouraged to know one another's sexual history.

Syphilis

The most common STI.

Primary harm reduction for STIs

Knowledge of sexual health; safe sex, birth control, and DoxyPEP for people with higher risk of HIV.

Gonorrhea

Inflammation of uterus & fallopian tube, increasing the risk of ectopic pregnancy.

Environmental/occupational factors

Includes inhalation of talcum, dust, hearing loss, and noise exposure in workplaces.

Mental health and substance use

Substance use is almost always due to mental health issues; they use substances as a way of coping.

Infertility

Affects as many as one in eight couples; couples who delay childbearing into their 30s have increased fertility problems.

Pregnancy and family planning

Physiological changes occur only in women, but cognitive and psychosocial changes affect the entire family.

Routine health screening

Can catch early signs of cancer, substance use and abuse, and mental health issues.

Exercise and nutrition

Exercise patterns can affect health status.

Cardiopulmonary function improvement

Exercise 3 times a week that increases the pulse rate for at least 20 mins improves cardiopulmonary function.

Long-term habits

Long-term habits are important for overall health.

Family stress

Stress that arises from family dynamics and relationships.

Job stress

Stress related to one's occupation and work environment.

Onset of chronic illness

This stage (young adulthood) is when chronic illnesses often begin to manifest.

Social trajectories

Financial opportunities, society, culture, etc. all impact your social trajectories.

Factors slowing down social trajectories

Upbringing, such as no expectation of independency, and developmental delays.

Socioeconomic status impact

People from higher socioeconomic status often transition into adulthood faster than those from lower socioeconomic status.

Financial factors

Financial factors and economic stability are significant in transitioning to adulthood.

Life events pushing early adulthood

Pregnancy, big loss, and being married early can push individuals into an earlier transition into adulthood.

Relying on someone >18

Just because you have to rely on someone as a person >18, it doesn't make you an adult.

Physical signs of stress

BP↑, HR↑, weight fluctuations, digestive trouble, sleep problems are physical signs of stress.

Chronic stress effects

Chronic stress can lead to decreased immunity.

Mental health issues prevalence

Depression, anxiety, and serious psychiatric disorders are most prominent between the ages of 15-24.