PPT 2a The environmental effects on the human condition

1. PPT 2a The environmental effects on the human condition • There is a large range of environmental factors that impinge on the growth, development and health experience of all humans and research studies constantly supply more evidence of this on a daily basis. Basically, environmental factors can be divided into four groups: • Lifestyle factors such as substance abuse, diet, exercise and stress • Social and community factors such as family, friends, health services, social class, cultural beliefs • Physical environment factors such as various types of pollution, safe neighbourhoods, access to employment, education and income • Psychological factors such as self-esteem, self-concept, relationships with family and partners, and stress. Lesson objective – to learn how our environment both physical and mental can affect our human condition and well-being

2. Q&A • Looking at the photographs - group into positive and negative environmental urban landscapes • Now create a narrative from what you see • Now carry out a thought shower of all the negative effects these environmental situations can have on populations in the UK • Can you explain what external environment influences can do to our self concept? • What internal influences can do to our self concept? • Think about negative lifestyles • Lesson objective – to learn how our environment both physical and mental can affect our human condition and well-being

3. Many adults and kids suffer from asthma due to poor living conditions, as people in public housing or apartments can live in an unclean environment. According to Jennifer Bergens' New York University article about Harlem, "The percentage of those suffering from asthma, and the severity of the condition, is four times that in Spanish Harlem than in New York City as a whole, according to a Columbia University study." There are a number of things that can spur asthma problems in this type of environment.Read more: • Lesson objective – to learn how our environment both physical and mental can affect our human condition and well-being

4. Mold Mold is one of the most prevalent and hazardous substances for asthma and allergy sufferers. People living in squalor may have mold in their basement and their homes may be damp. In addition, cracked foundations and frequent leaks can cause mold to build up. Black mold is extremely toxic and can grow on shower or bathtub tiles and floors. It is best to keep a home as dry and ventilated as possible to prevent potential mold problems. Regular cleaning can also eliminate black mold. • Lesson objective – to learn how our environment both physical and mental can affect our human condition and well-being

5. Dust Great amounts of dust are common in poor living conditions. Some homes have a lot of carpet and drapery, and unless they are vacuumed or cleaned regularly, dust mites will inhabit them. Many children are allergic to dust mite feces, and some develop asthma from this common allergen. Bed sheets and window sills also harbor dust mites, so change bedding and clean the house regularly. Smog and Fumes Many people live without conditioning, so in the summer they keep windows open and use fans for cooling, allowing smog, bus fumes and industrial toxins into the home, which all can cause asthma. There is also more pollen in the air during summer months, so people who suffer from allergies have a greater chance of getting asthma if they do not have air conditioning. Heating Units People living in homes in poor condition may have older heating units, typically gas, which can be problematic for some people. Defective gas units can have leaks or emit carbon monoxide, and the home may also have poor ventilation, the ducts may be filthy and residual water might harbor mold. Any of these conditions can spur asthma problems. Asbestos Older apartments and homes are more likely to contain asbestos in their walls and structure. Asbestos is a silicate mineral that contains tiny fibrous crystals, and when people inhale these particles they can develop asthma and other lung problems. • Lesson objective – to learn how our environment both physical and mental can affect our human condition and well-being

6. Poor Environments in Yorkshire A large area of Sheffield and parts of Doncaster, Hatfield and Mosborough are suffering the worst environmental conditions in South Yorkshire, a study has found. Research carried out by experts at Staffordshire University on behalf of the Environment Agency has found that the poorest areas in South Yorkshire are more likely to be living in poor environments for a range of environmental reasons. Special software known as Geographic Information Systems was used to locate and calculate the environmental quality of every household in South Yorkshire. The results show that the most deprived populations - classified as those who live in the poorest 10 per cent of areas nationally - are: • Two to three times more likely to be living near a waste of landfill site than the rest of the South Yorkshire population. • Most likely to be living near to more than one waste site. • Most likely to be living near to non-active landfill sites. • Most likely to be living near to a pollution inventory site with emissions to air. • Most likely to live where air quality for nitrogen dioxide and particulates is poorest. • Disproportionally living in the areas with the very worst air quality. In marked contrast, the least deprived populations in South Yorkshire are most likely to be living near to woodlands or a Local Nature Reserve. http://www.yhpho.org.uk/resource/item.aspx?RID=110890 • Lesson objective – to learn how our environment both physical and mental can affect our human condition and well-being

7. Lesson objective – to learn how our environment both physical and mental can affect our human condition and well-being

8. Other interesting facts include: • The number of conceptions to women aged under 18 was 38,259 in 2009 compared with 41,361 in 2008, a decline of 7.5%• Nearly half (48.8%) of conceptions to women aged under 18 in 2009 led to a legal abortion• The number of conceptions to girls aged under 16 was 7,158 in 2009, compared with 7,586 in 2008 (a decrease of 5.6%)• Three-fifths (59.8%) of conceptions to girls aged under 16 in 2009 led to a legal abortion But the decline is far short of the last government's pledge to halve teenage pregnancies by 2010. Ministers committed to halve pregnancies among 15-to-17-year olds in England from the 1998 rate of 46.6 conceptions per 1,000 girls. But the decline is far short of the last government's pledge to halve teenage pregnancies by 2010. Ministers committed to halve pregnancies among 15-to-17-year olds in England from the 1998 rate of 46.6 conceptions per 1,000 girls.

9. The current economic climate in Yorkshire and the mood of people

10. Lesson objective – to learn how our environment both physical and mental can affect our human condition and well-being

11. Lesson objective – to learn how our environment both physical and mental can affect our human condition and well-being

12. Task list – environment and deprivation (safe ty) Key words Access to employment Disposable income/income Noise pollution air quality Water quality Safe neighbourhoods' Education Psychological factors affecting people How do they impact on self-esteem Self esteem and the future development of self concept http://www.onenewspage.co.uk/news/UK/20110808/24668419/London-riots-Croydon-residents-leap-from-burning-buildings.htm

13. Other internal and external factors that affect the health of populations in Yorkshire Internal External • Smoking • Drinking alcohol • Diet • Domestic violence • Teenage pregnancy • Home – energy poverty – if you spend more than 10% or your income on fuel then you are considered to be in energy poverty • Pollution – quality of air and surroundings • Stress • Aspirations for life • Unemployment – forth generation now on benefits – social mobility • Chronic long-term illness

14. Regional director for public health at NHS Yorkshire and the Humber, Paul Johnstone, said: “The NHS in Yorkshire and the Humber has made great progress, through local NHS stop smoking services, in helping people give up smoking with 36,514 people in the region quitting with their help last year. “As recently as 2003, on average 10,000 people died of smoking related illnesses in Yorkshire and the Humber region every year. This number has now been reduced to 8,000. This is something we are extremely proud of, however, NHS Yorkshire and the Humber is committed to reducing that number even further. “Smoking is still the main cause of preventable premature death in England so anything we can do to raise awareness and help people give up is a good thing.” Recent academic research suggests that smoking costs the NHS in England around £2.7bn every year. Reducing the number of smokers and smoking related illness would enable the NHS, nationally and locally, to spend this money on other vital services to support a healthier population. • Lesson objective – to learn how our environment both physical and mental can affect our human condition and well-being

15. The Acheson report (1998) • The report refers to ‘food poverty’ and notes that people in low socio-economic groups ‘spend ore on foods rich in energy and high in fat and sugar, which are cheaper per unit of energy, than foods rich in protective nutrients, such as fruit and vegetables’ . ‘People on low incomes eat less healthily partly because of cost, rather than lack of concern or information. Therefore, increased availability of affordable ‘healthy’ food should lead to improved nutrition in the least well off’. The same report found that people in low socio-economic groups : • Consumed more processed food with high levels of slat, sugar and fat, thereby increasing the risk opf cardio-vascular disease • Were less likely to breastfeed their babies and thereby protect them from infection • Were more likely to have low birth-weight babies than higher income groups, this being linked to the risk of cardio-vascular disease in later life • Had greater risk of ill-health, generally due to obesity. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/222649.stm • Lesson objective – to learn how our environment both physical and mental can affect our human condition and well-being

16. What are the reasons for poor diet in low income families? • think! • What are the recommendations? How many miles to your supermarket ?

17. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 15 percent of children and adolescents are overweight. Overweight children and adolescents are above the 95th percentile for body weight in their gender and age group. One contributing factor to the increase in childhood overweight is electronics – specifically, time spent in front of the TV and playing video games. A multitude of studies have determined that television viewing contributes to childhood overweight by physical inactivity and by encouraging snacking, particularly high fat and high calorie foods. • Lesson objective – to learn how our environment both physical and mental can affect our human condition and well-being

18. What are low income families ignoring? Scenario – you are a health dietician and advisor and have been asked to write a report highlighting possible actions that government, charities and health agencies could make about health and diet. Using a range of images, and notes promote realistic actions that could be taken. http://www.comiccompany.co.uk/?category=34

22. Possible actions • increase awareness through media activity especially during children's programmes • Develop improved food content information and labeling on packaging and restaurants • Develop and promote physical activity programmes, such as skipping skills • Have a cheap fruits and vegetables readily available • Replace less healthy foods in vending machines with healthy options\have healthy option near the cash point sin supermarkets • Minimise the sale of fizzy drinks and high calorie foods in schools • Produce more healthy school meals • Increase physical activity by providing more sports facilities • Decrease salt and sugar contents in foods and substitute fat • Encourage healthy cooking skills and the consumption of traditional food rather than processed or ‘fast food' adopt price policies to make healthy foods more affordable and energy-rich foods more expensive, e.g. ‘Fat VAT could save lives’ • Make healthy choices more easy • Use legislation where voluntary actions fail to deliver • Clearly, Changes like these will not happen in a few months, but collective action is essential to advance public health and reduce the hazards of this global epidemic of obesity

24. Alcohol and units Research shows us that most of us are confused by 'units' or 'standard drinks'. Is this a glass of wine? if so how big and what degree alcohol? A unit in the UK is 8g or 1cl of alcohol. Use the links to the unit calculators below to find out the number of units in your favourite drinks.

25. How many units put you at risk? If you are pregnant, it is recommended that you do not drink alcohol until after the birth of your baby. There are times when you will be at risk after drinking alcohol, so always avoid drinking alcohol before driving, exercising or operating machinery.

26. Should You Cut Down Or Stop? Most people who drink too much just need to cut down. Others will need to stop completely. It is important that you think about how your alcohol drinking is affecting you and the people around you: You drink more than 9 units in one session on a regular basis You haven’t done what was expected of you because of your drinking (eg. Missed work/college, or broken promises) People close to you have expressed concern or anger about the amount you drink You have caused injury to yourself or others after drinking A “yes” to any of these questions means that you should cut-down your drinking. You read through the help and tips section given on this website or you can choose to sign up for the self-help programme on this site. If you are saying "yes" to three or more questions you should contact local services and get advice, help and support before you cut-down or stop drinking.

27. Task two lesson project – using a range of maps and data taken from several web-sites linked to environment and deprivation, you are requested to work in groups of 2/3, and produce a good quality information poster. Your poster needs to link health issues from the research, focusing on positive and negative environmental conditions in Yorkshire. And there needs to be evidence of how these environmental conditions affect the health and well-being of individuals You are asked to write up information notes explaining how these environments affect the human condition looking both internally and externally • Lesson objective – to learn how our environment both physical and mental can affect our human condition and well-being

28. Secure your knowledge – examination style question