Case Study: Communities, the Environment, and Health - Addressing Asthma in Urban AreasBackground:The relationship between community environments and public health is a critical area of study, especially in urban settings where environmental factors such as pollution and housing conditions can significantly impact respiratory health. Asthma, a prevalent chronic respiratory condition, is particularly influenced by these environmental factors. Effective management and prevention strategies require a holistic approach that considers both environmental triggers and community health resources.Scenario:Greenwood City, a densely populated urban area, has reported higher than average rates of asthma, especially among children living in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are characterized by poor air quality due to industrial pollution and heavy traffic, as well as substandard housing conditions. Public health officials at the Greenwood City Health Department are seeking to develop a comprehensive plan to reduce asthma incidence and improve overall respiratory health in these communities.Objective:The objective is to devise a multifaceted approach to tackle asthma in Greenwood City by improving environmental conditions and enhancing healthcare access in affected communities.Reflection Questions:Identifying Environmental Triggers: What specific environmental factors in Greenwood City are contributing to high asthma rates, and how can these be effectively addressed or mitigated?Community Engagement and Education: How can the Greenwood City Health Department engage with local communities to raise awareness about asthma triggers and management? What educational programs or resources can be developed to empower residents?Improving Healthcare Access: What steps can be taken to improve access to healthcare services for asthma management in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods? How can the health department ensure that these services are both accessible and culturally sensitive?

The prevalence of Asthma in the American population.

What health hazards are associated with congested living in urban areas during urbanization?(2 Points)Reduced prevalence of infectious diseasesIncreased overall environmental healthRespiratory diseases and food poisoningImproved public health care services

AsthmaCenters for Disease Control, Asthma, FAQsWhat Asthma Is1 Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs. It is the most common long-term disease of children. It causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing.2 We know that family history contributes to susceptibility, but in most cases we don’t know what causes asthma to develop, and we don’t know how to cure asthma. You can control your asthma by knowing the warning signs of an attack, avoiding things that trigger an attack, and following the advice of your doctor.Effects of Asthma3 In 2001, 20.3 million Americans had asthma, and 12 million had had an asthma attack in the previous year. If a person has a parent with asthma, he or she is three to six times more likely to develop asthma than is a person who does not have a parent with asthma.How Asthma Is Diagnosed4 Asthma can be difficult to diagnose, especially in children under 5 years old. Regular physical exams that include checks of lung function and for allergies can help make the right diagnosis.5 A health-care provider trying to diagnose asthma will ask you questions about coughing, especially coughing at night, and whether breathing problems are worse after physical activity or during a particular time of year. Providers also ask about other symptoms, such as chest tightness, wheezing, and colds that last more than 10 days.6 Also, a provider will ask about your family history of asthma, allergy and other breathing problems, and your home environment. He or she also will ask about lost school or work days and limits on your activity.7 Testing of lung function, called spirometry, is another way to diagnose asthma. A spirometer is a piece of equipment that measures the largest amount of air you can exhale after taking a very deep breath. Airflow can be measured before and after you use an asthma medication.What An Asthma Attack Is8 Airways are the paths that carry air to the lungs. As the air moves through the lungs, the airways become smaller, like branches of a tree. During an attack, the sides of the airways in your lungs become inflamed and swollen. Muscles around the airways tighten, and less air passes in and out of the lungs. Excess mucus forms in the airways, clogging them even more. The attack, also called an episode, can include coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, and trouble breathing.Causes Of An Asthma Attack9Environmental exposures, such as house dust mites and environmental tobacco smoke, are important triggers of an attack. Some of these triggers are listed in the box below.How Asthma Is Treated10 You can control your asthma and avoid an attack by taking your medicine as prescribed and avoiding the triggers that can cause an attack. It’s just as important that you remove the triggers in your environment that you know make your asthma worse.11 Medicine for asthma is different for each person. It can be inhaled or taken as a pill and comes in two types—quick-relief and long-term control. Quick-relief medicines control the symptoms of an asthma attack. If you are using your quick-relief medicines more and more you should visit your health-care provider to change your asthma management plan. Long-term control medicines make you have fewer and milder attacks, but they don’t help you if you’re having an attack.Important Asthma Triggers:Dust Mites12 Mattress covers and pillow case covers provide a barrier between house dust mites and the person with asthma. Down-filled pillows, quilts, or comforters should not be used and stuffed animals and clutter should be removed from bedrooms.Pets13 Furry pets may trigger an attack. The simplest solution to this situation is to find another home for the pet. However, some pet owners may be too attached to their pets or unable to locate a safe new home for the animal. Any animal causing an allergic reaction should not be allowed in the bedroom. Pets should be kept outside as much as possible and bathed weekly. People with asthma are not allergic to their pet’s fur,so trimming the pet’s fur will not help your asthma. Frequent vacuuming will reduce the presence of the allergen. If the room has a hard surface floor, it should be damp mopped weekly.Mold14 When mold is inhaled, it can cause asthma attacks. Eliminating mold throughout the home can help control asthma attacks. Keep humidity levels between 35% and 50%. In hot, humid climates, this may require the use of air conditioning and/or dehumidifiers. Fixing water leaks and cleaning up any mold in the home can also help.QuestionThe author's purpose in including paragraphs 12, 13, and 14 isResponsesA to show that asthma can be cured.to show that asthma can be cured.B to explain how asthma affects the lungs.to explain how asthma affects the lungs.C to remind asthma sufferers to take their medication as prescribed.to remind asthma sufferers to take their medication as prescribed.D to suggest steps the asthma sufferer can take to avoid asthma attacks.

OverviewTask: Explore environmental health issues in your community or the area you live. Purpose: The term paper for this course is a research project on an environmental health issue that has affected your community or the area you live. Each step of the term paper will help you develop your final draft of your term paper. The purpose of this first assignment is to allow you to explore several environmental health issues before you settle on one on which to write your final paper. InstructionsTo successfully complete this activity, carefully follow these steps:Identify at least three environmental issues that have occurred in the area or community where you live.For this research, you may use the following resources:InternetNewsInterview someone that works for a health departmentInterview someone who was part of the eventAny other means of finding out about environmental problemsIssues could include any of the hazards we will discuss in class this semester or situations that are similar.Examples:Food illness epidemicA series of rabies casesA problem with mosquitos, ticks, or other vectorsA workplace chemical exposureSubmit a short summary of each of the three environmental issues you picked.You should include the following for each issue:What was the issue?Where did it occur?When did the issue occur?REMINDER: All parts of your research paper must be written in basic APA style.12 pt Times New Roman fontDouble-spacedOne-inch marginsNote: Remember to review the rubric prior to submitting your assignment.Submit your assignmentFor specific grading criteria, see the rubric below.          Pathway StudentsYou were introduced to APA style in PC 101 and PC 103. You also used APA extensively in PUBH 240. The following resources may be used to help you correctly format your paper:Basic APA TemplateLinks to an external site.Short Example PaperLinks to an external site. (an example of a basic, scientific writing style)RubricW03: Term Paper Topic ExplorationW03: Term Paper Topic ExplorationCriteria Ratings PtsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIdeas5 ptsDistinguished4 or more possible topics4 ptsProficient3 possible topics2 ptsDeveloping1-2 possible topics0 ptsNo MarksDid not submit any information on possible topics5 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeEvent Summary5 ptsDistinguishedSummary includes more than just WHAT, WHERE, and WHEN of each possible topic4 ptsProficientSummary includes WHAT, WHERE, and WHEN of each possible topic2 ptsDevelopingSummary does not include WHAT, WHERE, and WHEN of each possible topic0 ptsNo MarksNo summary was submitted for any of the topics5 ptsThis criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReferences4 ptsDistinguishedAt least 1 credible reference to support the possible topics presented2 ptsDevelopingAt least 1 reference to support the possible topics presented0 ptsNo MarksNo reference included

Community Health is focused on actions and conditions to promote, protect and preserve the health of Racial and Ethnic groups A defined group of people Mothers and children Vulnerable populations