Full Description
Living in an urban environment can have a major influence—both positive and negative—on one's physical health and mental well-being. This book examines more than 20 key issues related to city living and what's being done to address them.
According to recent statistics, 80.7 percent of Americans live in urban areas, and more than half of the world's population lives in cities. From various types of pollution to crime to overcrowding, the urban environment can have massive impacts on our physical, psychological, and social health and well-being. Moreover, while certain aspects of living in a city, such as access to health care, can improve the lives of many, other factors can have detrimental effects and can lead to inequalities along racial and socioeconomic lines.
Urban Health Issues: Exploring the Impacts of Big-City Living examines 23 key issues related to urban health, exploring their causes and consequences in depth and highlighting what cities and individuals can do to safeguard the well-being of urban residents. It also draws comparisons between cities in the United States and the industrialized world and those in poor and developing nations, providing important global insights. The material is brought to life by fascinating city case studies and illuminating interviews with experts working in a variety of fields.
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Urban Health—A Historical Perspective
URBAN HEALTH ISSUES
Aging and Age-Friendly Communities
Air Quality and Urban Smog
City Spotlight: Mexico City—Gripped by a Nagging Air Pollution Problem27
Chemical Exposure
Expert Commentary: Environmental Health Surveillance37
Climate Change
City Spotlight: Venice—Will Anything Work to Stop the Flooding?48
Crime and Violence
City Spotlight: New York City—An International Model of Criminal Justice Reform59
Drugs and Alcohol
Expert Commentary: Substance Availability and Abuse79
Food Quality and Availability
Green Buildings and Sustainable Development
City Spotlight: Singapore—Proving Densely Populated Cities Can Be Both Livable and Sustainable100
Green Space and Natural Areas
City Spotlight: Melbourne—The Many Benefits of More Trees110
Healthcare Access and Quality
City Spotlight: Delhi—Reforming the Delivery of Urban Health Services121
Indoor Air Quality
Infectious Diseases
City Spotlight: Freetown—Checking the Spread of a Deadly Virus144
Expert Commentary: "One Health" Policies and Practices146
Light Pollution
Noise Pollution
Expert Commentary: Addressing Noise Pollution166
Odor Pollution
Population Growth and Overcrowding
City Spotlight: Karachi—Glimmers of Hope for the World's Largest Slum184
Expert Commentary: Immigrant Health and Safety186
Radiation Sources
Social Support Networks
Expert Commentary: Social Isolation among Older Adults207
Solid Waste Management and Recycling
City Spotlight: Toronto—Green Living Made Easy and Fun217
Stress Management
Walkable and Bike-Friendly Neighborhoods
City Spotlight: Copenhagen—The City Where Bicycles Rule237
Water and Sanitation
Workplace Health and Safety
Expert Commentary: Worker Health259
Appendix: Steps to Healthy Urban Living
Glossary
Directory of Resources
Index
