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Perspectives in Public Health Jul 2016The aim of the wider research was to explore Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs) during their early development stages, with a focus on health inequalities and the role... (Review)
Review
AIMS
The aim of the wider research was to explore Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs) during their early development stages, with a focus on health inequalities and the role of environmental health (EH). This article presents empirical findings relating to challenges facing the EH profession in the new English public health (PH) system and offers new practical suggestions as to how they might be overcome in relation to educating and training the new generation of EH practitioners (EHPs).
METHODS
Four case study HWBs in the Midlands and North of England were followed for 18 months from early 2012. In addition, EHPs and managers from each English region were interviewed. In total, 50 semi-structured interviews were carried out, around 55 h of HWB meetings were observed, and documents associated with HWBs such as strategies and minutes of meetings were collected. Data were analysed thematically, both inductively and deductively, using Atlas.ti.
RESULTS
EH is largely invisible in the new PH system due to a variety of internal and external factors, including existing skill sets and practices. There is a new imperative to move away from reliance on statutory functions for funding and to engage with wider PH issues and colleagues, requiring new skills of evaluation and a change in perception from being 'doers' to include a greater role as 'thinkers'. This is being recognised by EHPs and managers, who are seeking ways to adapt to these new expectations.
CONCLUSION
Recent changes to the English PH system have led to a period of reflection and the beginnings of adaptation in EH to overcome new challenges. Linked to this is a need for graduate training to prepare new practitioners to think critically, to thrive and become high-level managers of the future, while being technically competent. We suggest a new, enhanced role for Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)-accredited universities in securing the future of the profession by supporting new graduates. Specifically, a mentoring scheme could be introduced for the practical training element for new practitioners. This would help to embed criticality and evaluation in practice, provide consistency in training, and overcome the disconnect between academia and practice.
Topics: England; Environmental Health; Humans; Public Health; Universities
PubMed: 26438593
DOI: 10.1177/1757913915609946 -
Epidemiologia E Prevenzione 2018
Topics: Community Networks; Congresses as Topic; Environmental Health; Environmental Pollution; Epidemiologic Methods; Epidemiological Monitoring; Europe; Healthcare Disparities; Humans; Industry; Population Surveillance; Risk Assessment; World Health Organization
PubMed: 30322231
DOI: 10.19191/EP18.5-6.S1.P005.083 -
Annals of Global Health Jul 2018Promotion of biomedical research along with the development of evidence-based prevention policies have been suggested as an effective way to reduce environmental risks... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Promotion of biomedical research along with the development of evidence-based prevention policies have been suggested as an effective way to reduce environmental risks for children's health in Latin America. However, there is little information on the current state of childhood environmental health research, which might help identify its strengths and limitations, as well as to design a strategy to improve the future of child environmental health research in the region.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the current state of environmental health research on children exposed to environmental pollutants in Latin America.
METHODOLOGY
We performed a comprehensive search of published peer-reviewed environmental health articles (1994-2014), dealing with the exposure of Latin American children to chemical compounds. We described the type of studies and their research topics, and identified networks of co-authors. We also analyzed the relationship between research funding sources and the impact factor (IF) of the journal where research was published.
RESULTS
The average number of publications was about 20 per year. Mexico and Brazil produced almost 70% of the 409 identified papers. The most studied contaminant was lead, but research on this element has declined since 2005. Retrospective studies were the most frequent, and also showed a decreasing trend. Most studies did not assess health effects. Four groups of leading investigators and two collaboration models for scientific production were identified. Except for Mexico, there was very little collaboration with North American and European countries. Compared to articles that did not report financial support, those that received international funding had on average an IF around 7, and those with national funding reached a mean IF near 3.
CONCLUSION
There is a limited number of publications and insufficient collaboration between Latin-American scientists. It is necessary to identify strategies to stimulate South-South-North alliances and strengthen the scarce research on the environmental health of children in the region.
Topics: Biomedical Research; Child; Child Health; Child Welfare; Environmental Health; Humans; Latin America
PubMed: 30873771
DOI: 10.29024/aogh.908 -
Reviews on Environmental Health Jun 2019In developing countries, one of the most severe modern-day dilemmas is the management of industrial wastewater. In these countries, industrial wastewater effluents are... (Review)
Review
In developing countries, one of the most severe modern-day dilemmas is the management of industrial wastewater. In these countries, industrial wastewater effluents are directly discharged into the natural drain, a sewer system, an internal septic tank or a nearby field. Some of these industrial wastewater effluents are inadequately treated or untreated before being discharged. In recent years, in developing countries, urbanization and industrial activities have led to environmental deterioration. This paper was designed to review the health and environmental impacts of inadequately treated or untreated industrial wastewater effluents in Pakistan. The quality of industrial wastewater effluents is responsible for the degradation of the receiving water bodies. This is due to the reason that inadequately treated or untreated industrial wastewater effluents may cause eutrophication in the receiving water bodies and also form a favorable condition for toxin-producing waterborne pathogens. In order to comply with the wastewater guidelines and legislations, there is a need for proper treatment before discharge. In order to minimize the risk to the environment and public health, there is a need for proper treatment processes for industrial wastewater effluents. To achieve unpolluted discharge of industrial wastewater into the receiving water bodies, regular monitoring, proper and suitable treatment, careful planning and appropriate legislation are recommended.
Topics: Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring; Eutrophication; Humans; Industrial Waste; Pakistan; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Wastewater; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 30990788
DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2018-0078 -
Annals of Global Health Aug 2018There is increasing evidence of a link between environmental pollution and preventable diseases in developing countries, including Thailand. Economic development has... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
There is increasing evidence of a link between environmental pollution and preventable diseases in developing countries, including Thailand. Economic development has generated several types of pollution that can affect population health. While these environmental health effects can be observed throughout life, pregnant women and children represent particularly vulnerable and sensitive groups.
METHODS
The published epidemiological literature investigating environmental chemical exposure in Thai children was reviewed, highlighting those that investigated associations between exposure and subsequent health outcomes.
RESULTS
The majority of the Thai epidemiological studies on environmental health in children were cross-sectional in design, with some demonstrating associations between exposure and outcome. The three main types of chemical exposure in Thai children were pesticides, heavy metals, and air pollution, which resulted from agricultural activities in countryside areas, industrial zones (both registered and unregistered establishments), mining, and traffic in inner cities. Major health outcomes included detrimental effects on cognitive function and cancer risk. Pesticide exposure was focused on, but not limited to, agricultural areas. The success of the Thai environmental policy to introduce lead-free petrol can be demonstrated by the decline of mean blood lead levels in children, particularly in urban areas. However, unregistered lead-related factories and smelters act as hidden sources. In addition, there is increasing concern, but little acknowledgement, about the effects of chronic arsenic exposure related to mining. Lastly, air pollution remains a problem in both dense city populations due to traffic and in rural areas due to contamination of indoor air and house dust with heavy metals, endotoxins and other allergens.
CONCLUSIONS
The increasing number of published articles demonstrates an improved awareness of children's environmental health in Thailand. Chemical hazards, including the improper use of pesticides, environmental contamination with heavy metals (lead and arsenic), and air pollution in inner cities and indoor air, continue to be growing issues.
Topics: Child; Child Health; Developing Countries; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Health; Environmental Pollutants; Health Policy; Humans; Thailand
PubMed: 30835380
DOI: 10.29024/aogh.2301 -
Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem 2020to discuss challenges and possibilities for the construction of Environmental Health emancipatory care practices by the nurse.
OBJECTIVES
to discuss challenges and possibilities for the construction of Environmental Health emancipatory care practices by the nurse.
METHODS
reflective analysis based on conceptual, theoretical, and methodological aspects of nursing care, under the emancipatory and critical perspective.
RESULTS
contemporary environmental issues involve complex determinants of the health-disease process. This fact requires the accomplishment of educative actions that encourage the change of environmental attitudes related to health-risk situations. In this sense, there are significant demands for emancipatory practices of primary care in Environmental Health by nurses, which need to be systematized by health and education institutions.
FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
the nurse, as an educator and social actor, should offer emancipatory practices of risk management, empowerment, and shared social and environmental responsibility, with a view to recovering an ecological well-being and social transformation, to improve environmental quality and human life.
Topics: Brazil; Environmental Health; Humans; Nurse's Role
PubMed: 32267415
DOI: 10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0478 -
American Journal of Public Health Dec 2011The physical infrastructure and housing make human interaction possible and provide shelter. How well that infrastructure performs and which groups it serves have... (Review)
Review
The physical infrastructure and housing make human interaction possible and provide shelter. How well that infrastructure performs and which groups it serves have important implications for social equity and health. Populations in inadequate housing are more likely to have environmental diseases and injuries. Substantial disparities in housing have remained largely unchanged. Approximately 2.6 million (7.5%) non-Hispanic Blacks and 5.9 million Whites (2.8%) live in substandard housing. Segregation, lack of housing mobility, and homelessness are all associated with adverse health outcomes. Yet the experience with childhood lead poisoning in the United States has shown that housing-related disparities can be reduced. Effective interventions should be implemented to reduce environmental health disparities related to housing.
Topics: Environmental Health; Health Status Disparities; Housing; Humans; United States
PubMed: 21551378
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2010.300058 -
Journal of Environmental Health Mar 2016
Topics: Environmental Health; United States
PubMed: 27197356
DOI: No ID Found -
Public Health Nursing (Boston, Mass.) Sep 2019Globally, indoor and outdoor pollutants are leading risk factors for death and reduced quality of life. Few theories explicitly address environmental health within the...
OBJECTIVE
Globally, indoor and outdoor pollutants are leading risk factors for death and reduced quality of life. Few theories explicitly address environmental health within the nursing discipline with a focus on harmful environmental exposures. The objective here is to expand the National Institutes of Health Symptom Science Model to include the environmental health concepts of environmental endotype (causative pathway) and environmental exposure.
DESIGN
Meleis' research to theory strategy for theory refinement was used. Research workshop proceedings, environmental health nursing research expert consensus, panelist research trajectories, and review of the literature were utilized as data sources.
RESULTS
Ongoing emphasis on the physical environment as a key determinant of health and theoretical perspectives for including environmental exposures and endotypes in symptom science are presented. Definitions of these concepts, further developed, are provided. Recommendations to strengthen environmental health nursing research and practice through capacity building/infrastructure, methods/outcomes, translational/clinical research, and basic/mechanistic research are included.
CONCLUSION
The revised model deepens theoretical support for clinical actions that include environmental modification, environmental health education, and exposure reduction. This modification will enable a middle-range theory and shared mental model to inspire the prioritization of environmental health in nursing leadership, research, practice, and education.
Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Health; Humans; Models, Theoretical; Nursing Research; Quality of Life
PubMed: 31310379
DOI: 10.1111/phn.12641 -
Annual Review of Public Health 2006In this review, we provide an introduction to the topics of environmental justice and environmental inequality. We provide an overview of the dimensions of unequal... (Review)
Review
In this review, we provide an introduction to the topics of environmental justice and environmental inequality. We provide an overview of the dimensions of unequal exposures to environmental pollution (environmental inequality), followed by a discussion of the theoretical literature that seeks to explain the origins of this phenomenon. We also consider the impact of the environmental justice movement in the United States and the role that federal and state governments have developed to address environmental inequalities. We conclude that more research is needed that links environmental inequalities with public health outcomes.
Topics: Environmental Health; Environmental Pollution; Government; Health Status; Humans; Prejudice; Social Class; Social Justice; Socioeconomic Factors; United States
PubMed: 16533111
DOI: 10.1146/annurev.publhealth.27.021405.102124