Using the same country from week 2, you will examine the effect of health and the environment.
Address the following in your response:
- What is the environmental profile of the country?
- Analyze if there are immediate environmental threats or burdens for the country.
- Determine and discuss if there are any nutritional problems.
- Assess the costs associated with these threats or burdens.
- Identify any cost-effective solutions to mitigate the burdens.
- Evaluate the resources available to the country.
Requirements:
- Cite your information, using a minimum of 2-3 scholarly sources.
- You will create a video response (five minutes or less) using the Kaltura Recording Tool, answering the questions above. See “Getting Started with Kaltura” under the resources section of the menu on the left side of the classroom.
See the rubric for specific grading criteria.
Due: Sunday, 11:59 p.m. (Pacific time)
Points: 75
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
This assignment requires an analysis of the environmental profile and the impact of health and environment on a specific country. We will examine the immediate environmental threats or burdens, nutritional problems, associated costs, cost-effective solutions to mitigate these burdens, and resources available to the country.
Answer:
The country selected for this analysis is Haiti.
1. What is the environmental profile of the country?
Haiti is a small Caribbean country sharing the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. The country’s terrain is mountainous, with coastlines subject to periodic hurricanes, flooding, and soil erosion. The country’s population density and lack of tree cover contribute to soil erosion, and deforestation further exacerbates the issue. The country relies heavily on charcoal as a primary source of fuel, which is responsible for a significant portion of local deforestation and air pollution. Haiti is also vulnerable to earthquakes, which can have both immediate and long-term effects on health and the environment.
2. Analyze if there are immediate environmental threats or burdens for the country.
Haiti faces several immediate environmental threats. The country experiences severe deforestation, which leads to soil erosion and affects the availability of essential resources such as water. Polluted water sources, coastal destruction, and natural disasters, including earthquakes and hurricanes, exacerbate the situation. The environmental burden of Haiti has been amplified by a significant amount of trash that accumulates in urban areas due to a lack of proper waste management systems.
3. Determine and discuss if there are any nutritional problems.
Malnutrition is one of the significant concerns in Haiti. In addition to a lack of access to proper nutrition and limited availability of safe drinking water, the country is experiencing a high incidence of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
4. Assess the costs associated with these threats or burdens.
The costs of environmental threats and burdens to Haiti are significant. Natural disasters, including hurricanes and earthquakes, cause immense damage to the country’s infrastructure, including healthcare facilities. Environmental degradation, including soil erosion, exacerbates food insecurity and increases the incidence of malnutrition among the population. The country spends a considerable amount of resources on disaster response and management, which could be better allocated to mitigate environmental issues before they occur.
5. Identify any cost-effective solutions to mitigate the burdens.
Afforestation could be a cost-effective solution to mitigate environmental burdens, specifically soil erosion caused by deforestation and crop cover destruction. It could also help in reducing Haiti’s reliance on charcoal for fuel consumption. Encouraging eco-friendly tourism, infrastructure improvement, and investment in renewable energy could also be effective in mitigating environmental issues. Additionally, targeting malnutrition through public health campaigns, food fortification, and the promotion of traditional food crops and gardening could improve the population’s nutritional health.
6. Evaluate the resources available to the country.
Haiti has limited resources and funding to manage the identified environmental and health-related issues. The government has developed several programs and policies to address the environmental concerns, such as the National Environmental Strategy and Action Plan, but a lack of political will, limited funding, and inadequate implementation process are major constraints. Other sources of financial support include international organizations such as UNICEF, WHO, and private philanthropic organizations.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Haiti faces significant environmental challenges that exacerbate health issues and malnutrition. Addressing these challenges will require a concerted effort from both the government and non-profit organizations, including national policymaking and effective funding structures, to support these policies and programs. Encouraging healthier environmental practices, such as afforestation, eco-friendly tourism, renewable energy investment, better waste management, and conducting public health campaigns to augment nutrition and health education programs, could further mitigate the burdens on the country’s population and preserve its ecosystem.
