SDoH week 8 - The Physical Environment and Health

What are the various ways that geography influences health according to the SDOH textbook? (4)

Remote vs Urban areas - living in remote area increases death risk
Gentrification+housing security - intersectionality w/ race and immigrants to cause greater health insecurity
Public policies regarding environmental + urban planning - impacts location of environmental contaminants that shape health (intersectionality, close to indigenous/marginalized communities)
Climate crisis - climate change

What are the policy implications for addressing geographical health inequalities according to the SDOH textbook? (5)

1. Researchers and policymakers should take note of health inequalities related to geography in Canada
2. Research on impact of industrial pollution on humans and environmental health and it's geographical distribution
3. Laws that regulate environmental impact of industries and make those industries responsible for damage to health
4. Ecological impact on cities of inequitable distribution of resources across urban spaces
5. Collaborate with Indigenous scholars whereas health is framed in a holistic manner by tying in health of the environment with the survival of it's diversity of species

What is Globalization according to the SDOH textbook?

Processes by which nations, businesses, and people are becoming more connected and interdependent via increased economic integration and communication exchange, cultural diffusion and travel"

What is Neoliberalism according to the SDOH textbook? What is it responsible for?

Emphasizes free markets, trade and finance liberalization, and minimal state governance. Responsible for greater health and wealth disparities between people and nations

What is one way in which globalization can be used to counter it's toxic effects on health inequalities mentioned in the SDOH textbook?

Social media, creates platform for communal activism

What are policy implications for addressing health inequalities caused by globalization according to the SDOH textbook? (3)

1. Re-regulate finance, up to and including bank nationalizations
2. Reject austerity (fiscal contraction of government expenditures)
3. Increase progressive taxation (corporate taxes, marginal income tax rates, capital gains, wealth tax)

What recent agreement did the Grassy Narrows First Nation sign with the federal government?

Money to fund mercury care homes for Indigenous individuals who suffered from mercury poisoning
Long-term funding from federal government still required to support functioning of the facility

How does climate change increase impact of infectious diseases according to Ogden?

1. pathogen survival
2.athropod vector survival and reproduction
3. contamination of water
4. abundance of reservoir hosts
5. increase of zoonotic transmissions (animal->human transmission)
6. impact global economies -> decrease capability of infection control

What are three broad impacts of climate change on diseases according to Ogden?

1. Increase risk of introduction and endemic transmission of exotic infectious diseases from around the world
2. South-to-north spread of diseases currently endemic to the United States
3. Re-emergence of Canada-endemic infectious diseases

What intersectionality exists between increase of diseases due to climate change?

Aging-> increase of chronic diseases (severity of diseases will be greater, esp. for vector-borne viruses

Which countries endure the harshest impact of climate change according to the WHO fact sheet?

Those that have less of an impact on climate change and are least able to protect themselves (disadvantaged countries and communities)

How does climate change impact health according to the WHO fact sheet? (3)

1. Lead to death and illness from increasingly extreme weather events (heat-wave, storms)
2. Disruption of food systems/availability
3. Increases in zoonoses and food, water, and vector borne diseases, increase in mental health issues

What goal does WHO have in preventing climate change in relation to limiting temperature increases?

Limit temperature increased to 1.5 degrees celcius

What is WHO's response to climate change? (3)

1. Promote actions that both reduce carbon emissions and improve health
2. Build better, more climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable health systems
3. Protect health from the wide range of impact of climate change

How has boil water advisories and "risk scores" of water systems on Indigenous reserves recently changed?

- Less boiled water advisories (may be misleading because some communities are put back on a short-term advisory, also excludes BC and Northern Territories)
-"risk scores" of water systems have remained relatively the same, indicating that water quality on reserves have not changed that much
(Risk scores based on water system's design, how well it is maintained, record keeping, quality of source water, operator qualifications)

What is the federal government's plan in addressing boil water advisories in Indigenous communities and why has this been ineffective in some communities according to Global News?

Federal gov plans to solve boil water advisories by building and repairing water treatment plants
However, no money given to communities to operate and maintain water treatment plants. Also may be ineffective due to lack of pipe infrastructure in some communities.

What are some general causes of boil-water advisories mentioned by Global News?

-Remoteness of community
-Where water comes from (river/lake can be filled with pollutants)
-Pipes used underground

What is the main cause of inequities to water access for Indigenous peoples according to Global News?

Colonialization/Assimilation/Indian act/Reserves -> destroyed way of life for Indigenous ppl, discrimination of Indigenous ppl

What allowed Shoal Lake 40 First Nations reserve to end it's boil-water advisory?

Construction of Freedom Road, connection to highway
Financing of construction and maintenance of water treatment plant

What is the life expectancy comparison between B.C. and Nunavut?

B.C. has higher life expectancy than Nunavut, can be attributed to lack of healthcare accessibility and high indigenous population

Where is physical environment on WHO's SDOH framework?

Intermediate determinant

How does urban vs rural impact mortality rates?

Rural = greater mortality rates, related to geographical remoteness, especially impacts males

What is gentrification? Who does it impact the most?

Areas that are built for 'rich people', which pushes people of color to high crime neighborhoods, disadvantages immigrant and minority races

How does fossil fuels contribute to climate change?

byproducts of decayed plants and animals that release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, results in heat being trapped in the atmosphere.
End consequence, rising heat, melting glaciers, and extreme weather

What are the three stages in how climate change effects health?

Climate Pressures -> Exposure Pathways -> Health Outcomes

Who is most impacted by climate change according to the lecture?

Women, children, minority populations

What are three climate related health challenges according to the lecture?

- Water and foodborne illnesses
- Food and Nutrition Crises (predom in Africa and Asia)
- Vector-borne diseases (more spread of diseases)

How is climate change affecting BC wildfires?

Exacerbates frequency, intensity and duration of fires

How does wildfires affect public health (3) and what are some mitigation strategies according to the lecture?

Affect health by causing
-respiratory problems
-mental health concerns
-exacerbate pre-existing health conditions
Can be mitigated by
-Controlled burning practices
-Removal of potential fuels (woody debris)

What is association vs correlation?

Association - relationship between two random variables, proven to be statistically significant, without understanding the direction of the relationship
Correlation - measure of the strength of the relationship between two variables (one changes based on another), without understanding which one causes which

What are traditional vs modern developmental hazards to health?

Traditional hazards - caused by lack of development (lack of drinking water, sanitation, plumbing, indoor cooking)
Modern hazards - caused by unsustainable development (water pollution, factory farming, industry, air pollution, traffic, climate change)

What were various factors that contributed to Shoal Lake's fight to achieve a clean water supply according to the lecture? (10)

- Colonization
- Reconciliation
- Health Disparities
- Equity
- Economic Impact
- Empowerment
- Engaging with Bureaucrats (gov orgs)
-Accessibility and geography
-Health and Economic Well-being
-Infrastructure

What can cause an inhalation of lead particles (2) vs ingestion of lead-contaminated dust (2) according to the lecture?

Inhalation of lead
-Burning materials containing lead
-Leaded gasoline or leaded aviation fuel
Ingestion of lead-contaminated dust
-Water (leaded pipes)
-Food (lead-glazed or lead-soldered containers)

What is the Paris agreement according to the lecture?

17 goals to achieve sustainable development by reducing greenhouse gases (US initially signed, then backed out, then signed again, (and will probably back out again)