LibGuides: COH400: Lesson 2 Resources

Lesson 2 Required Resources

Textbook

Clay’s Handbook of Environmental Health
Battersby, S. (2023). Clay’s handbook of environmental health. Routledge.

Chapter 11: Understanding and Responding to the Health and the Climate Emergency

Summary: Addresses the link between climate change and public health, highlighting that human activities significantly contribute to climate change. Discusses future climate scenarios, the impact of extreme weather events, and how different regions are affected. Underscores climate change as a critical global health threat, exacerbating inequalities and increasing the burden on healthcare systems. Details the adaptation measures needed to mitigate these impacts, such as urban green spaces, early warning systems, and resilient health systems, emphasizing that proactive measures can reduce health risks and improve outcomes.
Purpose: Aim to educate on the profound impact of climate change on public health, providing a comprehensive understanding of how climate change exacerbates health disparities, the importance of adaptation strategies, and the role of healthcare systems in managing climate-related health risks. This knowledge is useful for future professionals to develop and implement effective interventions to protect public health in a changing climate.

Chapter 12: Housing, Health, and the Domestic Environment

Summary: The chapter explores the intersection of housing conditions and public health, emphasizing the impact of poor housing on physical and mental well-being. Outlines the historical and contemporary standards and regulations designed to ensure safe and healthy living environments. Covers various hazards such as dampness, overcrowding, and inadequate sanitation, and their effects on health. It also discusses the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), which assesses potential health risks in residential properties to guide regulatory actions and improvements.
Purpose: Equips Environmental Health students with an understanding of how housing conditions influence public health. It highlights the importance of regulatory standards and risk assessment tools like HHSRS, enabling future professionals to identify and mitigate housing-related health risks. This enables students to develop effective public health interventions and ensure safe living environments.
Environmental Health and the U.S. Federal System : Sustainably Managing Health Hazards
Michael R Greenberg, & Dona Schneider. (2020). Environmental Health and the U.S. Federal System : Sustainably Managing Health Hazards. Routledge.

Chapter Eight: Global Climate Change

Summary: Discusses global climate change and its impact on the environment, including the destruction of animal habitats, extreme weather events, food insecurity, and the spread of dangerous organisms. It also discusses risk perception and public attitudes towards global climate change, the challenges of managing climate change in the U.S. Federalist system, the impact of climate change on environmental health, and various solutions to managing climate change.
Purpose: Provides insights into the complexities of risk perception, the importance of effective communication strategies, the authority and resources available for managing climate change at different levels of government, and the risks and challenges posed by climate change on public health. The purpose is to enhance students' understanding of environmental health and the need for addressing climate change.

Articles

A Mosquito-borne Disease is Spreading as the Planet Warms
The Economist. (2024, April 25). A mosquito-borne disease is spreading as the planet warms. The Economist. Retrieved from https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/04/25/as-the-planet-warms-watch-out-for-dengue-fever

Summary: Explores the escalating spread of dengue fever, linked to climate change and urbanization, with severe implications for public health, especially in Latin America. It discusses the urgent need for innovative strategies to combat the disease, highlighting Singapore's successful use of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes as a promising approach.
Purpose: Informs about the pressing threat of dengue fever exacerbated by climate change and urbanization. It emphasizes the importance of adopting innovative solutions to curb the disease's spread, encouraging students to explore interdisciplinary approaches in tackling emerging infectious disease challenges.

Video

Lesson 2 Optional Resources

Conceptualizing City Fragility and Resilience
Patel, R. B., de Boer, J., & Muggah, R. (2016). Conceptualizing city fragility and resilience. United Nations University Centre for Policy Research.
Summary: Explores city fragility and resilience, stressing the challenges cities encounter and the necessity for assessment frameworks. Introduces an analytical framework and evaluates over 2,100 cities' fragility. Delves into the interplay between fragility and resilience, influenced by factors like crime, inequality, and natural hazards. It offers additional resources for deeper exploration.
Purpose: Provides insights into the concept of city fragility and resilience, the challenges cities face in terms of environmental health, and the factors that contribute to city resilience. By understanding these concepts and factors, students can develop strategies to promote environmental health and resilience in cities, ultimately contributing to the well-being and safety of urban populations.

Video: Patel, R. B., Sharma, A. (2020). Pandemic exposes planetary health crisis: New urban priorities | Resilience at risk webinar [Video]. Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1oDmCPEZis

Summary: This talk between Dr. Anshu Sharma and Dr. Ronak Patel discusses how cities are ground zero for health problems linked to environmental issues. Dr. Patel explains how crowded cities with pollution and limited green space make people more susceptible to pandemics and other environmental threats. He emphasizes that clean air, water, and food access are vital for city resilience. The future requires new urban planning models that consider not just economics, but also social and environmental factors to create cities that can withstand future challenges.

Purpose: This video teaches how cities' environmental issues (pollution, crowding) worsen pandemics and why future urban planning must prioritize environmental health alongside economic factors.