Safety and security have significant effects on a community’s health. Concerns about violence prevent people from getting outdoors for regular physical activity. People living in such communities have more anxiety and stress and are more likely to have health conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, high heart rate, and stress-related disorders. Economic factors related to jobs and income influence whether people have the resources to maintain their health. People with low income and limited resources have difficulty paying for healthcare in addition to housing, nutritious food, and clothing. This can lead to poor physical and mental health and reduce performance at work and school. Environmental Factors Environmental factors come from a community’s built and natural environments. The built environment includes roads and bridges, buildings and homes, and other structures made by people. The natural environment includes naturally occurring animals, plants, water, soils, and other parts of the environment not built by people. The questions in Figure 2.17 can help you evaluate your current environment. Environmental factors that affect community health include physical layout, food deserts, safe water access, pollution, and population: ● ● Physical layout: The physical layout of a community impacts health. For example, in many US cities, buildings and resources are far apart. People may find it difficult or unsafe to walk places and get less physical activity. ● ● Food deserts: A food desert is an area without nearby full-service grocery stores. In these areas, people cannot easily get nutritious, fresh vegetables, fruit, and meat. Instead, people living in food deserts may buy their food from convenience stores and fast-food restaurants. These meals are expensive, low in nutritional value, and high in fat, salt, and calories. ● ● Access to safe water: In the US, people depend on their community to provide safe drinking water. A community needs effective sanitation to dispose or treat wastewater. Without sanitation and clean drinking water, people can become sick with waterborne diseases. ● ● Pollution: Pollution is the presence of waste in the environment. Air pollution is one of the most serious environmental factors affecting community and personal health. In large, crowded cities, many automobiles produce harmful air pollution. Air pollution irritates the eyes, throat, and lungs. Breathing air pollution can cause respiratory diseases such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. ● ● Population: Population is an environmental factor that affects nearly all aspects of community health. People living in highly populated areas are exposed to more air and water pollution and are more likely to have unsafe drinking water. They are more likely to experience stress-related disorders, anxiety, and high blood pressure. food desert area without nearby full-service grocery stores ● ●● How many public parks are in your community? ● How close are these parks to your residence? Can you get there safely? ● ● How many fast-food establishments and convenience stores are in your community? How does this number compare to the number of full-service grocery stores? ● ●● Do you have access to clean drinking water? ● Is your community affected by air pollution? (You can research the local Air Quality Index online.) ● ● Are there safe, public paths for pedestrians, including walkers, runners, and cyclists? ● ● Is your community a highly populated area? Evaluating Environmental Factors in Your Community bamgraphy/Shutterstock.com Figure 2.17 Assessing your access to food, safe public spaces, and clean air and water can help you identify areas you can improve the health of your community. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 2 Health and Wellness Skills 59