Significant Role of the Physical Environment in the Health and Well-Being of the Population

Significant Role of the Physical Environment in the Health and Well-Being of the Population

The physical environment significantly influences the health and well-being of a population. The physical environment includes all of the physical factors surrounding an individual. These factors include the quality of air people breathe, the water they use in their daily activities, the food they eat and consume, the neighborhoods and houses they live in, the transport systems, climatic conditions, and other resources that the people interact with. Essentially, the interactions between the people and these physical environmental factors play a significant role in determining the health and well-being of the population (Salgado et al., 2020). This paper reviews evidence on aspects of the physical environment with a focus on neighborhoods and the built environment, air and water quality, food and nutrition, and climatic changes and the significant role of these physical environment factors on the health and well-being of the population.

Neighborhoods and the Built Environment

The built environment within the neighborhood consists of the nature of housing, transport systems, and the design of the neighborhoods, including the urban areas. The nature of the built environment, such as overcrowding, is much linked to the spread of infectious diseases at the community level. For instance, a study by Frumkin (2021) found that the nature of the built environment, such as overcrowded neighborhoods, poor building designs reducing air circulation, and polluted environment exposing people to toxins, increased the risk for COVID-19 transmission. In addition, these factors also risk the development of other infectious diseases such as asthma and other respiratory diseases, cholera, skin conditions, and flu, among others. The built environment and the residential neighborhood influence an individual’s engagement in physical activities and socialization (Bonaccorsi et al., 2020). An overcrowded neighborhood and poorly designed built environment reduce access to social spaces and amenities and promote sedentary lifestyles. As a result, the built environment influences the development of lifestyle diseases and conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is also a risk factor for mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression.

Air and Water Quality

The quality of water and air and the accessibility of these essential natural resources significantly impact the wellness and health of the population. Both air and water pollution are significant environmental factors that influence the health status of a population (Salgado et al., 2020). Exposure to contaminated water and air with substances such as nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, lead, and disease vectors risks the development of chronic diseases. Notably, air pollution is the leading environmental health risk factor and a threat to population health (Iriti et al., 2020). Poor air quality is linked to an increased risk of asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and other respiratory diseases. On the other hand, water pollution is a risk factor for the spread and transmission of waterborne bacterial, viral, and parasitic vectors associated with infectious diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery (KILIÇ, 2021). Poor water and air quality can also negatively impact the mental and physical development of children.

Food and Nutrition

The quality of food and eating habits play a significant role in the health and well-being of a population and individuals. Access to quality healthy foods and consumption of such foods support the health and well-being of a population. On the other hand, diets low in nutrients and high in sugar, salt, and fat such as in highly processed foods, risk the development of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney complications (Avesani et al., 2022). The interaction of food and nutrition and other aspects of the physical environment, such as the neighborhood and built environment, significantly impact people’s health and contribute to health disparities.

Climate Change

Climate change has become an environmental challenge of the 21^st century, significantly shaping public health. For instance, climate change has increased environmental vulnerability and is linked to the higher frequency of intense heat waves and increased demand for energy (Santamouris, 2020). In addition, the increased demand for energy has impacted the quality of urban centers. Both heat waves and poor air quality are risk factors for mortality and morbidity. Additionally, climate change is the cause of the severe natural disasters experienced globally. Subsequently, these natural disasters cause disruptions to systems that support healthy populations and lead to disease outbreaks and experiences that risk developing mental health issues.

Conclusion

In summary, the physical environment directly impacts the quality of the living environment and has a significant influence on the health of the population. Aspects of the physical environment, such as poorly built environment designs, poor air and water quality, and lack of access to quality and nutritious foods, significantly risk poor population outcomes. In addition, climate change is further influencing aspects of the physical environment, such as the quality of air and water, with a negative impact on people’s health. In conclusion, the aspects of the physical environment are interrelated and influence each other to affect the health and well-being of the population. Top of Form

References

Avesani, C. M., Cardozo, L. F. M. F., Yee-Moon Wang, A., Shiels, P. G., Lambert, K., Lindholm, B., Stenvinkel, P., & Mafra, D. (2022). Planetary Health, Nutrition, and Chronic Kidney Disease: Connecting the Dots for a Sustainable Future. Journal of Renal Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1053/J.JRN.2022.09.003

Bonaccorsi, G., Manzi, F., Del Riccio, M., Setola, N., Naldi, E., Milani, C., Giorgetti, D., Dellisanti, C., & Lorini, C. (2020). Impact of the Built Environment and the Neighborhood in Promoting the Physical Activity and the Healthy Aging in Older People: An Umbrella Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, Vol. 17, Page 6127, 17(17), 6127. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH17176127

Frumkin, H. (2021). COVID-19, the Built Environment, and Health. Environmental Health Perspectives, 129(7). https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8888

Iriti, M., Piscitelli, P., Missoni, E., & Miani, A. (2020). Air Pollution and Health: The Need for a Medical Reading of Environmental Monitoring Data. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, Vol. 17, Page 2174, 17(7), 2174. https://doi.org/10.3390/IJERPH17072174

KILIÇ, Z. (2021). Water Pollution: Causes, Negative Effects, and Prevention Methods. İstanbul Sabahattin Zaim Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi, 3(2), 129–132. https://doi.org/10.47769/IZUFBED.862679

Salgado, M., Madureira, J., Mendes, A. S., Torres, A., Teixeira, J. P., & Oliveira, M. D. (2020). Environmental determinants of population health in urban settings. A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/S12889-020-08905-0/FIGURES/4

Santamouris, M. (2020). Recent progress on urban overheating and heat island research. Integrated assessment of the energy, environmental, vulnerability, and health impact. Synergies with the global climate change. Energy and Buildings, 207, 109482. https://doi.org/10.1016/

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