Pp

Definition: According to the World Health Organization, environmental health encompasses all physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person and associated behaviors, barring unmodifiable natural environments.
Exclusions: It excludes behaviors unrelated to the environment and those connected to social and cultural environments or genetics.
Reference: Prüss-Ustün, A. et al. (2016). Preventing disease through healthy environments: A global assessment of the burden of disease from environmental risks.

Scope: Environmental health comprises food, air, water, soil, dust, consumer products, and waste.
Living Conditions: It also addresses all aspects of living conditions, resource use and misuse, plus community design.
Ecological Approach: Understanding interactions between individuals/populations and their environments is crucial.

Foundational Principle: One of the seven principles addresses environmental health: “Healthy physical, social, and economic environments strengthen the potential to achieve health and well-being.”
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2021).

Mortality Rate: Approximately 25% of global deaths are attributable to environmental causes.
Disability Adjusted Life Years: 22% of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are environmental-related.
At-Risk Groups: Children, older adults, and males show higher susceptibility to environmentally attributable diseases.
Prevalent Diseases: Environmental factors contribute to cardiovascular, diarrheal, and respiratory infections due to issues like air pollution and water sanitation.
Source: Prüss-Ustün et al. (2016).

Assessment and Intervention: Registered nurses play a vital role in detecting environmental health issues and mitigating them.
Professional Standards: The American Nurses Association emphasizes principles of environmental health regarding nursing practices.
Reference: American Nurses Association (2007).

Definition: Represents human-made surroundings created for daily activities, including physical and social elements of a community.
Impact on Health: Disadvantaged communities often face limited resources, higher pollution, and inadequate infrastructure, contributing to adverse health outcomes.

Assessment Components: Initiating an environmental exposure assessment involves considering time and place, surveys, work history, and environmental history.
Source: Yu, D. (2015).

Cultural Significance: The environment shapes cultural perceptions; local feelings about the environment might differ from professional assessments.
Importance of Community Perspective: Acknowledging community perspectives is essential for effective environmental health programs.
Source: Goodenough, W. (1964).

Principle: Environmental justice demands equitable distribution of environmental burdens and application of laws irrespective of demographic factors such as race or income.
Hazard Exposure: Disadvantaged groups frequently reside near hazardous areas, which amplifies their health risks.
Reference: U.S. Government Accountability Office (2019).

Health Impact Factors: There are strong associations between environmental conditions and the psychological, cognitive, and physical health of older adults.
Key Considerations: Safe living environments, access to resources, and the prevalence of chronic diseases must be addressed to reduce environmental hazards among older adults.

Determinants of Health: Climate change significantly affects social and environmental health determinants such as air and water quality, food security, and housing conditions.
Global Statistics: Annual reports indicate roughly 485,000 deaths due to diarrheal diseases linked to contaminated water.

At-Risk Groups: Children, older adults, and people with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable to climate change effects.
Infrastructure Challenges: Low-income regions with inadequate health infrastructure are least equipped to adapt without outside assistance.

Roles in Action: Nurses are tasked with research, advocacy, and practical efforts to address climate change impacts on health.

Concept: It reflects the management of renewable resources, minimization of non-renewable resource depletion, and pollution control for long-term health.
Integration: Sustainable practices are embedded across all Sustainable Development Goals targeting health improvements.

Air Quality Index: Tools like the AQI assess levels of air pollution.
Indoor Pollution: Limited regulation on indoor pollutants, with common concerns being mold, pesticides, and various harmful chemicals.