Question

What is the relationship between sanitation and public health problems discussed in Chapters One through Five of the Rosen (2015) textbook? Give a few examples from each chapter you read.

From the textbook: Maxwell. N.I. (2014). Understanding environmental health: How we live in the world. (ed.2nd). Jones & Bartlett Learning: Burlington, MA.

Answer 1

Improper sanitation poses a great threat to public health. Poor sanitation leads to spread of bacteria and viruses present in human excreta and contaminate food, water and soil.

Poor sanitation spreads a variety of diseases increasing the disease burden. Inadequate sanitation have a serious impact on public health and social development. It causes serious illness like diarrhea, trachoma, schistosomiasis and cholera.

Improving sanitation facility and proper hygiene can reduce the disease burden to a great extend. It helps in prevention of many life threatening diseases. Proper disposal of human waste helps reduce transmission of food and water borne diseases.