THE QUESTION IS EXAMINE THE LINK BETWEEN ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH and ILLUSTRATE HOW CHANGES IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT CAN BE HEALTH PROMOTING. SOME USEFUL GUIDELINES:From quickly looking at the question, I think that you need to include the following areas mental health - affected by: threat of crime - changes would include bottom-up approaches of community groups involved working with the local police to focus on problem areas. Also - by providing youth centres the young people less likely to congregate on streets Improved lighting on pavements, alleyways and in staircases and walkways in blocks of flats. improving the aesthetic appearances of the environment - painting walls to cover graffiti, planting trees and flowers etc so it looks better. By involving the community, especially the elderly and the young encourages them to work together so improving relationships and makes them take responsibility for their neighbourhood. providing dog poo bins and poop scoop bags encourages dog owners to pick up the mess. Also providing litter bins reduces the amount of rubbish left lying around. physical health - damp housing linked to respiratory problems cold housing linked to increased deaths in winter for elderly poorly maintained housing linked to increased accidents - especially elderly and children - solutions include double glazing, central heating - repairing old council housing - look at housing regulations. flats - difficult for elderly and mothers with prams to get out if lifts broken - rebuild houses insteads of flats or house these groups on lower floors. with no gardens it is difficult for young children to play outside - provide secure play ares with seating and shelter for parents to sit, physical activity - even, well maintained pavements and walkways to encourage walking, cycle paths, sports grounds to encourage young people, families and elderly - reduces obesity, depression, improves strength and mobility in elderly to reduce likelihood of falls. children learning good exercise habits are likely to last into adulthood - also if sporty less likely to take up drinking, smoking and drugs. providing allotments - social places which encourages community relationships - improves physical activity, reduces depression and privides cheap fresh fruit and vegetables - especially improtant if people live in flats with no gardens. road safety - speed limitations - humps, zebra crossings, traffic lights to reduces accidents - especially for children. Also ensure pelican crossings last long enough for elderly to cross. Maybe have pedestrian only areas. community centres - churches - for social activities, healthy living centres and surestart centres find out if there is one near you and write about what courses/ sevices they offer schools - playschools - for education jobs - need to be available - rebuilding / regenerating areas should use local people and train them in a skill Access to medical services - GP, NHs dentist and opticians - could a surgery added to a surestrt or old peoples centre. Disabled people - do all services (medical, shops, schools etc ) have access for wheelchairs? shops - in deprived ares reduced access to cheap fresh food - build new shops ( not just fast food outlets or off-licences) need access to local super markets - improved public transport to access services outside immediate neighbourhood.
My butt hurts.
To examine the link between the environment and health, and illustrate how changes in the built environment can be health promoting, consider the following guidelines:
1. Mental Health:
- Consider the threat of crime and focus on bottom-up approaches involving community groups working with the local police to address problem areas.
- Improve lighting on pavements, alleyways, staircases, and walkways in residential buildings to enhance safety.
- Enhance the aesthetic appearance of the environment by painting walls to cover graffiti and planting trees and flowers.
- Encourage community involvement, especially among the elderly and young, to foster relationships and instill a sense of responsibility for the neighborhood.
- Provide dog poo bins and poop scoop bags to encourage dog owners to pick up after their pets. Additionally, provide more litter bins to reduce the amount of rubbish left lying around.
2. Physical Health:
- Address issues of damp and poorly maintained housing, which are linked to respiratory problems and increased accidents, especially among the elderly and children.
- Consider solutions such as double glazing, central heating, and repairs to old council housing. Review and enforce housing regulations to ensure adequate living conditions.
- Focus on housing alternatives that are more accessible for the elderly and mothers with prams, such as rebuilding houses instead of flats or placing these groups on lower floors.
- Provide secure play areas with seating and shelter for parents to encourage physical activity among young children.
- Enhance infrastructure for physical activity, such as well-maintained pavements, walkways, cycle paths, and sports grounds, to reduce obesity, depression, and improve mobility in the elderly.
- Encourage children to develop good exercise habits, which can have long-lasting effects into adulthood and may deter unhealthy behaviors like drinking, smoking, and drug use.
- Establish allotments as social spaces that promote community relationships, physical activity, and access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetables, especially in areas with limited green spaces.
3. Road Safety:
- Implement speed limitations, traffic humps, zebra crossings, and traffic lights to reduce accidents, particularly involving children.
- Ensure that pelican crossings are designed to allow sufficient time for the elderly to safely cross the road.
- Consider creating pedestrian-only areas to further improve road safety.
4. Community Resources:
- Foster social activities and healthy living by developing community centers, churches, and Sure Start centers.
- Highlight the courses and services offered by nearby healthy living centers and Sure Start centers.
- Consider integrating medical services, such as GP surgeries, NHS dentists, and opticians, into existing community centers or Sure Start centers.
- Ensure accessibility for disabled individuals by assessing whether all services, including medical facilities, shops, and schools, have wheelchair access.
5. Access to Services:
- Address reduced access to affordable fresh food in deprived areas by building new shops (not just fast food outlets or off-licenses) and improving public transport to access supermarkets outside of the immediate neighborhood.
- Enhance job opportunities and local economic growth by employing local individuals and providing skill training during the process of rebuilding or regenerating areas.
By following these guidelines, changes in the built environment can contribute to promoting both mental and physical health.