2.1.1 Local environmental health and well-being as matters of concern
Environmental determinants of health – including unsafe water, poor sanitation, air pollution, hazardous chemicals and poisons, occupational hazards and extreme weather – cause more than a quarter of the burden of disease in the southern African Region. The health of people is inextricably linked to the health of the environment, and the environment is changing. Human health and survival on a changing planet are now increasingly threatened by an unpredictable climate and rapidly rising sea levels.
Local and environmental health and well-being, as a matter of concern related to climate change, can be integrated into various sub-topics and discussions. Below are some examples of possible integration.
Click below to download a short presentation on Environmental Health and share your thoughts on the questions below in the topic forum.
- Why is it important to understand connections between the environment and health?
- What environmental health topics are important to you in your life?
- What do you think are the biggest challenges environmental health professionals face?
Click here to open an activity for Grade 8: Term 3 on Environmental Health Issues. Read through the activity and answer the following questions.